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Archive for favorite things – Page 9

favorite thing . Book Darts

I was first introduced to the CANOE store through the Portland-based Miss Modish Blog. Through one click, I discovered a wonderland of well-designed products. I love the store’s mission… “to offer simple, beautiful, and functional objects that can be used and enjoyed everyday.”

One small Thing: Lovely book darts. These one-inch long paper thin metal markers in stainless steel, brass or copper offer a convenient and beautiful way to “hold that thought” as the tin says. I’d love to slip one of these next to a favorite sentence or paragraph to remind me of something inspiring — a well-designed way to slow down the skimming process and really grab the pleasure in reading a good book. Plus, I can imagine happening upon the dart months from now and being inspired all over again. Nice.

favorite things . Type Posters

Happy Wednesday! Being a graphic designer, the combination of words and images is kind of my daily trade. My job is about communication more than art usually, and I’m always inspired by pieces that effectively communicate a message using great design. I’ve been watching a couple of designers who often let words take the center stage, and I wanted to share their inspiration. These posters also highlight a color trend I’m seeing everywhere–yellow tones paired with bluish grays and neutrals. I love the sophistication and depth it creates!

Check out the shops of these designers and grab some inspiration for yourself!

THE WHEATFIELD | BOLD & NOBLE | NAN LAWSON

favorite thing . Little Things

I saw this plaque featured in a post about the Patina stores on one of my favorite blogs, Creature Comforts. I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of weeks now, and it’s inspired me to begin something new for Plop!. I began Small Pond Graphics last July unexpectedly as a result of unforeseen life changes. Six months or so later, I am still fine-tuning the “story” of the Small Pond. And thinking small is a part of it. No, I don’t mean eschewing the big ideas. I just mean focusing some attention on the small details that so often translate into ripples of impact on the big picture.

Part of my goal in this blog has been to inspire MYSELF to focus on creating a well-designed company with well-designed projects, well-designed relationships and to open myself to the well-designed life all around me. So, I mostly post about things I like, things that interest me or give fuel to my creativity. To that end, the sentiment on this plaque echos my thoughts about daily habits and rituals, and about living a creative life–or about a life lived creatively.

I keep a book beside my desk that I pick up and read snippets of regularly. It’s called Living a Beautiful Life by Alexandra Stoddard, and I’ve probably read it through and through ten times. Still, it never ceases to inspire me. Mrs. Stoddard is an interior designer and how we approach our daily rituals is one of the things she considers in designing the most intimate spaces her clients inhabit. In her book, she talks about the power of elevating the “daily” to something wonderful, about creating beauty in even the most mundane of spaces and activities. She writes…

Daily rituals are personal statements; they fuel our zest for living…. Personal rituals make you a poet–and they can help you feel good about yourself and others. They reinforce the significance of the simple acts we perform repeatedly. While you are fulfilling basic needs, you can make the ordinary quite extraordinary. When you make your everyday rituals–simple things such as bathing, sleeping and eating–meaningful and attractive, they nourish other areas of your life.

Mrs. Stoddard’s thinking has encouraged me to make the ordinary special by savoring those moments, surrounding them and infusing them with what I find beautiful and meaningful–because life is a series of all those moments strung together.

LITTLE THINGS PLAQUE from Patina
My other favorite plaque… COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES 😉

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favorite things . Lists

reOn a day like today when I’m away from my desk and entertaining my three kids for a school holiday, I make a lot of lists. I jot things down so I can keep the concerns of work at bay and focus on having some kid-fun. Yep, I’m a list-maker. I don’t mind admitting it. And, I’ll further admit that sometimes I get a little obsessive about it. Because of those little list-making obsessive tendencies, I find myself making and revising lists quite often as a way to get my brain organized. I write them. I type them. I add them to my calendar. I include them in my journal. Of course, January is prime real estate for a list-maker with all its planning and organizing and evaluating. If you want to start a real estate agency click here to learn more about financial loans. To my thinking, sometimes the value and effectiveness of a list has everything to do with the cosmetics of it. I like cool tools. They make me much more likely to look at a list — and therefore follow it or check it off. I know the life hacking mavens may not agree, but whether it’s color coding, interesting paper, lovely illustrations or creative designs, my list needs to look good. [And for me that means looking good in spite of my ridiculous handwriting.] So, I went in search of some great-looking list options. Here’s a few to inspire your next set of to-dos!

SUITOR ~ The Pocket Checklist
A minimalist do-it-yourself option!

BOY GIRL PARTY ~ Bear To Do List
I love that this one gives you the option to check off even if you didn’t complete!

OBLATION ~ Memorandum Note Cards
I love the retro-feel of these. An opportunity to share the list-making wealth!

SKEL DESIGN ~ Moo To Do Pads
Who could resist a Moo To Do? Really?

OWL SAY DESIGNS ~ Repurposed Spiral Bound Notebook
This notebook is filled with random paper samples light enough to write over. Love it!

SLIGHTLY EMBELLISHED ~ Handmade Journal
Love the message. Love the eco-friendly mindset. Love the creativity in this shop!

favorite things . Calendars

We’re turning the calendar today to 2011. I’ve been browsing Etsy.com for some ways to do it in style. I’m always blown away by the skills, talent and craftsmanship available among independent designers and artists. Click the links below to check out the shops of these outstanding designers for a well-designed way to mark your time in the new year.

MEADOWLARK CREATIVE
This beautiful set of calendar coasters is in transit to my mailbox as we speak–a little design inspiration for the new year! I can never resist the detail and exquisite tactile experience of letterpress pieces.
D EKA ANIMAL
LEAH DUNCAN
THE RASILISK
THE PAPER THIEVES
This one’s hanging in my office right now–inspiration for my hare-brained ideas!
LILY JANE STATIONARY
LISA SAMARTINO ATELIER

My own contribution to the calendar round-up? I usually put together a desktop wallpaper calendar that I use on my laptop each month and post it on my personal writing blog, EyeJunkie.com. I’ve begun to share them on the Small Pond Facebook page as well, and I thought I would share it here for you to enjoy. Click the image to download a larger copy for your screen, and click over to the FB photo album for an iPhone version for download as well.

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