Inspiration / Week of April 15 2013

Hey y'all! How was your weekend? Mine was swell. I had a lovely Saturday with an old friend who I haven't seen in a while, popped by to see my pop and got some birthday cash and have been having incredibly good luck on OkCupid. Go me!​

​I am headed to Atlanta with work tomorrow, my birthday is Thursday and I am having a little gathering on Thursday AND Friday. Boom. WAIT IT GETS BETTER. I am leaving for New Orleans with my 2 besties on Sunday! I have never been, and plan on eating like a king the whole time. Do you have any recommendations on where to go?!

I am all smiles this morning, and thought I could start this inspo post with a smile for you. That cutie-pie above is Birdie. Do you know the Blog BleubIrd?​ No!? Well, you should. Its by far my fave blog family, written by mama James, I adore her and her family! Check out these Conversations with Birdie, you won't regret it. You're welcome.

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I spied this branding for Gummy Industries though DesignWorkLIfe last week and fell in love. Check out more here.

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The work of Steph Baxter really has me feeling inspired. I have been wanting to play around with food and design for a while now, and she freakin' nails it.

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My power cords always look terrible. So many cords hanging around! I love this decorative power cord DIY by Natalie for DesignLoveFest​. Looks so simple too!

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i AM OBSESSED WITH ​THIS SITE.​ Anonymously share you secrets. The image in the background changes on its own. They even email you a daily secret if you sign up. It's pretty ace, and the guy that started it is kind of awesome too. 

​So thats what's making me smile today. What is making our skip an extra beat?

ps- this cake. ​

the word on john st. is...

• This Dumb Ways To Die animation had me laughing my arse off.

• How freakin' amazing do these sweet potato (with marshmallow) biscuits by Smitten Kitchen look?! Thank goodness I have an excuse to cook for the holidays!

• Have a book fiend on your Christmas list? I adore these book sculptures. 

• You have probably seen this already, but just in case, how about this 72 year-old grandpa modeling his granddaughters female clothing line. Amaze-balls.

• Radical Possibility gathered up some great alternatives to a Christmas Trees this year. Which should I have?

• Have an ugly Christmas sweater party to go to? This Home Alone sweater will surely bring a hearty chuckle wave across the crowd.

• Yes for famous architects dressed like their buildings.

• I saw these bags a while ago, and althoughI just can't bring myself to but them, Fab is selling them, so maybe I should get one? 

• Just downloaded the ebooks from Food Crush at an even better price than usual (I mean usually $1.99 & $4.99, just get 'em!). I cannot wait for the magazine!

• I just received my order from Lumi and am excited to work with them! Many DIY's coming your way soon. Check out their Pinterest to see all the amazing things you can do! 

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More artsist coming together for the cause. At Print Aid NYC all proceeds will go to the Mayor's Fund for Hurricane Relief, who disperse one-hundred percent of donations to city relief efforts and organizations for food, water and hygiene supplies, as well as long-term relief and restoration efforts. I wish I knew about  this earlier!

I LOVE Penguin publishers more and more everyday, have you seen these amazing covers by Dana Tanamachi. Swoon.

Jess Lively tells us how to get more out of our wardrobe. I'm going to have to get a tryin'!

Look at this cupcake carrier! I've given myself a new project, make my own cool shaped carrier (and now  that I said it out loud to the internet I have to figure it out!).

Studs are in. Get some here and you can stud whatever you want! I <3 DIY!

The ultimate crafters tool kit. Stephanie Todaro from Design*Sponge shares her crafting arsenal.

Holy-moles, Brand Identity Style Guides from Around the World. What an amazing resource!

I can't afford an assistant, but maybe a few errands done by Task Rabbit? Where to start, where to start...

A major list of baking tips and tricks PLUS scrolllll down- why did you cake fail you ask? Maybe you'll find the answer!

Ampersands. Enough said.

I dont think I would have the will power to these kids have. Would you eat the marshmallow? 

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Did you grab your prints from help ink (above)?.. what are you waiting for. They are awesome and 90% goes to Sandy Relief Funds. Get yours now.

"Designers have a responsibility to help make change happen in our world." - notes on the Uppercase Blog from Chris Hacker's (lead creative Johnson & Johnson consumer companies) DesignThinkers Presentation. 

Need yet another way to burn a few hours... check out The Useless Web. Click- click away.

Dara shares with us how we can start to slow the eff down.

YES! Pantone Skintones. WANT... Santa, can you hear me?

Babble tells us the 25 best brands to follow on Pinterest.

What a perfect customized gift this wooden puzzle is. What message would you write? Heres a blankie for $1.99!

Grace of Design*Sponge tells us 10 lessons she learned from running the site.

If you're an inspiring blogger (or a blogger at any level, there's always room for improvement!) tune into the virtual chat between Joy Cho (oh joy) and Naomi Davis (Rock Star Diaries) about blogging happening on Thursday, November 15, at 2 p.m. EST (11 a.m. PST). Live stream from ohjoy.com!

On Cupcake Wars, they always hiss when you're decor is not edible, bet they would love these . From penguins to super heros they have you covered.

Last year was my first year making Christmas Cookies, and I got all my recipes from the Foodie Crush Magazine. You have to try the white chocolate ginger drops (page 45). The real crowd pleaser was the white chocolate cookies & cream fudge (pg 44) which was so easy to make! I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE IN STORE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

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ok, so I am obsessed with wood, call me crazy. I will buy just about anything made of wood. Watches. Business cards. Clutches. Yes. Clutches. WANT.

How would you brand the Presidents of the United States?

What does your book shelf say about you?

Don't be Sad Santa! Tad Carpenters book and animation is superb. 

I don't usually get all mushy, but this post from The Freedom Experiment had to be shared. She's talking to all of us. 

Now that you're all teared up, how 'bout a smile. Check out this pup. Don't show my roommates, they want one so bad!

This list of people that failed and kept going is perrrrrrty inspirational. Never give up!

Need a quick, easy Halloween cupcake? Check out these 6 Spider Cupcakes that are adorable but super easy!

Next baking challenge: CAKEPOPS. All of Bakerella's are adorable, check out some of her Halloween ones, you still have 1 day to give them a try! I picked up a Bakerella kit and can't wait to get started! 

To everyone on the East Coast, primarily NJ, NYC, LI, I hope everyone is ok. Be careful.

What's the word where you are? Anything interesting you want to share from out there in the interwebs?

the word on john st. is...

• Halloween is quickly approaching, and I wish I was a kid again so I didn't have to dress up like a slutty -insert word here- and could instead be cute and adorable (and comfortable) like baby Rizden.

• The Fall Trend, Metallics, must have been on my mind this week. A few things were in need of a refresh in my room, but I may have gotten a little crazy with the spray paint. Gold Gnome anyone? Post to come next week. 

• In general, Fab.com rocks my socks right off my feet (and robs my wallet almost weekly). Today I was reeled in my the Pantone iPhone cases. I have a super soft spot for Grays to begin with (there's such a damn range!) so when I saw this PMS 418 case (my bday!), I had to get it. (If you have a Fab account click here.)

• My friend Liz Ho over at One Awkward Year is hilarious, and was chosen as WordPress Fresh Pressed! Start reading. (But go to the potty first, you just may pee a little.)

• Do you have what it takes to Impress A Penguin?

• I don't know how much longer I will be able to resist buying these Brooklyn Lader Posters. Santa? Can you hear me?

• I have a girl crush on Zandi. Please be my friend.