Color: Just Peachy

I’m heading off for a long-overdue vacation on Saturday and I’m feeling just peachy! I can’t stop dreaming about relaxing, traipsing around and indulging in big, long meals. This light, warm color always helps lift me out of a funk and take me somewhere far away, where the sun is in perpetual sunset mode and a glass of rose sits topped off in front of me.

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Coverage by Valerie Gnaedig

March 7, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Skeletal Prints

Skulls and skeletons have been a part of main stream media for a better part of the past decade. From beer commercials to high-end fashion campaigns to childrens accessories, the theme’s transcended nearly all categories, providing interesting imagery that’s more playful than edgy. Here’s the latest print from the Brussel-based design house, Piece of Chic, incorporating bones and rose petals.

Emitting the girl from the photo and becoming 2D, this street stencil (artist unknown) sends a similar vibe.

When we look at these accessories, there’s a lingering feeling that’s caught between Day of the Dead and high school science class. It’s exemplified by Dannijo’s Drew necklace and this xray bathingsuit from Black Milk Clothing.

It should be said that the catalyst for this post came after wading through Courtney Lewis‘ Mad Science Set on SVPPLY. It’s worth perusing, Lewis curates her categories with a playful and well-rounded eye.

Rounding out the category, these pants can be campy or cool depending on the printing technique. The leggings are by Tee And Cake and the x-ray shorts from Etsy. This butterfly structure is by Anneteen Denkelaar.

March 7, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Eley Kishimoto & Tatty Devine Collaborate

In reading up about Tatty Devine’s infringement case against Claire’s, I noticed a gem of a collaboration on their blog.

Recently, the jewelry and accessory designers paired up print and pattern maven, Eley Kishimoto to create a line of product together.

The results incorporate digital printing techniques, where the Ravioli print is applied to oversized perspex discs. I’m a big fan.

Do you ever wear the same pattern, head to toe?

March 6, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Patterns & Branding at the Arizona Biltmore

Last weekend my friends and I packed our bags- from various parts of the world and headed to Phoenix, Arizona to celebrate the wedding of one of our dearest friends who’s currently living in London.

Upon arrival at our hotel, the intricately designed Arizona Biltmore, Lily, the bride, exclaimed (as many friends and family members do these days), “this hotel’s perfect for Pattern Pulp!”

She was right. The deco pattern motifs were quite literally, everywhere.

Frank Lloyd Wright in collaboration with Albert Chase McArthur were responsible for the masonry “Textile Block” construction which was implemented throughout the hotel and grounds in 1928.

From cement blocks to geometric carpeting, to back-lit lighting, landscaping and interior furniture, the deco theme transports you to old-world Hollywood, emitting a mood of what LA or Las Vegas may have been like in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.

Barely using their typographic logo, you know the vibe of the hotel. The surface design and architecture cooperate in telling the story of a unique destination beyond the cookie-cutter expectations of a chain resort.

Large, expansive grounds allow for privacy, quiet pools are hidden behind cacti gardens and a wall devoted to presidential photos reveals the extensive history that’s walked the halls.

Looping back to the mission of the trip, it was such a treat to escape the east coast for a warmer climate, overdue reunion and tremendous celebration.

Here’s an instagram of pre-pool time on game day. I hadn’t been in a pool since July. I was excited, to say the least.

And with that, I’ll also admit that I’m officially old. I preferred the adult pool, where people read, veg and don’t twist down slides.

This little (or rather big) number made it’s way out of storage. Stains, holes and all, it’s still my favorite summer dress.

And finally, a few shots of the ladies (if you’re interested) from Shabbat dinner.

And a glammed-up wedding night. Have you been to Arizona? What do you think?

March 5, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Friday Quick Links!

1. Digging Shaun Kardinal’s collage and embroidery work via design-milk
2. Andy Curlowe’s lovely artwork via All the Mountains
3. Loving Zander Olsen’s Tree, Line project via My Love For You
4. Fantastically adorable ceramic pin cushions & thread spool holders by Eleonor Bostrom via arthound
5. Gorgeous giant DIY blooms via design*sponge
6. Graffiti artist Tilt covered half a room in vibrant graffiti and left the other stark white via This is Colossal
7. Andrew Yee is a delight at mixing stripes via Design for Mankind
8. These ceramic megaphones by En & Is earn a solid oooh via Honestly WTF
9. Impressive illustration work from Liam Stevens via designworklife
10. Fantastic collection of fabrics by Rifle for Villa Nova via Oh Joy!
11. Intrigued by Luiz Zerbini’s color blocked newspapers via Trendland
12. Roy Nachum’s artwork is meant to be touched via Yatzer

Coverage by Emily Gup

March 2, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Twitter Influencer: Jen Mussari

Illustrator Jen Mussari definitely has a sense of humor – it’s part of what makes her work so unique. We love how she combines her quirky style of hand-lettering and wonderful eye for color and composition – with a dose of wit tossed in for good measure – to create fun and insightful creations that have captured the eyes of many.

This rising star of illustration has recently moved to Brooklyn from San Francisco and her thrill in discovering her new city is apparent in her twitter feed. Humorous and insightful observations on her surroundings, experiences and life abound, no matter her locale, and she happily shares her creations and interesting finds as well. It’s always wonderful to find an artist whose personality sparkles just as much as their work, and Mussari is a prime example.