Meet: Mark Tuckey

I'm getting ready to move everything I've accumulated over the past year across the world and since I'm allowed two checked bags this means I have a lot of purging to do. I've been spending a few afternoons going through magazines and ripping out lovely and important things. Today I flipped through a back issue of Australian Bazaar and came across the home of furniture designer Mark Tuckey. His beach house definitely got removed from it's binding and will be traveling across the ocean with me (where it will no doubt find a home in a binder of similarly gorgeous rooms and I'll never look at it again). I decided you might want to see it too, so off I went to explore what the internets had to say about him. I had no idea the gorgeous-ness I was about to find. Not only are his homes (yes, there are a few) beautiful, but his stores and design work and furniture are absolutely lovely. I've once again collected (maybe a few too many) images for you to be inspired by. Hope you are.



If you're a fellow Australian, are you watching "The Block"? If you are you probably recognize some of his furniture from Josh and Jenna's and Katrina and Amie's rooms. He has some really great pieces.
Images from Mark's site.

Well Designed: Business Cards

I'm a collector of paper—I have brochures and postcards and business cards from all over the place (I collected no less than 40 random pieces of paper during my Melbourne trip); so it goes without saying that my heart beats fast for a good business card. I've been putting off designing some for Hello My Dear sort of because I'm moving in a month and I thought I'd put a more permanent phone number on there but also because I'm over-inspired and afraid that as soon as I get them printed I'll want to change them. I've made a handful of cards (for Ben // Dan) and it was great fun but designing for yourself is a different story. I'll get to it one of these days. And I promise to share them when I do. In the meantime, enjoy these lovely examples.



image sources from top left: four tines // watercolor // hello lucky // kathryn whyte // katie daisy // george sharp // shyama // caitlin // whitney // kate murphy // taylor black // mad brew // hammer // animal agency // butterfield // jimmys iced coffee // cortney // marlies // franks // postal service // precision // halftone def // eight hour day // edyta // popcorn

Well Designed: Farmer's Market

Farmer's Markets are really lovely—all those beautiful colors and textures and smells. And luckily so many of the markets have employed amazing illustrators and designers to put together their marketing material. Here are some floating around the internet. Does your local market have great design?



images from top left: corn // onion // moose bag // dancing vegetables // farm // dachshund // strawberry + grapes // beet bag // hope // rye // mt. washington // bike bag

Meet: Luci Everett

Oh Luci Everett, you have the handmade graphic design feel down to an art. Literally I suppose. She's a Melbourne artist who uses her watercolors and handwriting and drawings in gorgeous collage designs for musicians, events and personal projects. Her work is quite delicate and whimsical, which I of course love.


My goodness it's lovely. Visit her website to see more of her work.

Nancy Mitford + Penguin Books + Lab Partners

This post is going to swerve a bit, I hope you're ok with that! It all started with a purchase. I wandered into a bookstore today and wandered out with the classic "the Pursuit of Love" by a Ms. Nancy Mitford. Now, I'd heard of this book but didn't know much about it, and since I'm only a few pages in, it's still a bit of a mystery. Know what I do know about it? It's a Penguin (so it's automatically cool), the cover is pink and yellow and black (my new favorite color combination) and there's a series of 5-books that the amazing Lab Partners has designed. More than enough to make me have to have it. See:

Obviously I'll be purchasing them all.
(swerve)
But, while I was browsing the Penguin website I couldn't help but notice there are so many great collections of books (with even greater covers) that I wouldn't mind having adorn my book shelves. For example, these two series: Penguin Decades—1960's and Central European Decades. Ok, maybe they sound a bit stuffy, but they couldn't possibly be—look at these gorgeous covers!

(and back around once more)
BUT I couldn't let the stunning work of Lab Partners themselves go unmentioned in this post. Man oh man do I love the work they've been turning out. You really need to pop over to their site and get better acquainted with them. But take a look at these beauties first:

In other news: what are you reading?

The Genius of Kate Spade(s Creative Team)

Kate Spade has created some incredibly beautiful, colorful, inspiring and all around awesome campaigns over the years. They're always so vibrant and full of character — just like Kate's clothing and accessories and homewares lines. I thought today, being particularly grey and sad, would be a good day to get lost in her light-hearted campaigns.



Images from: randi brookman harris // kate spade // the little big house // the fresh exchange // sun rainey // refinery 29

Oh My Darlin'

In my daily blogging and magazine reading and working at the shop I'm lucky enough to come across some magical things. Things that I can't quite get over, that I can't pinpoint what it is exactly about them that I love so much, but I just love so much. That's how it is with the designs and products (and frankly the two adorable ladies) of Darling Clementine. This rockin' duo creates such amazingly sweet and fun products: everything from cards to tea towels to ice cream rebrands. And they get to do it in a really nice space in Norway. This first set of images is from their new storefront/office.

I can't get over that checkerboard floor.
And here is some of their work:

My friend (and boss) and I were just ooh-la-laing over that amazing cushion with the woman's profile. If it were mine I would love it forever. And that "rockin robin" card is hilarious.
Lastly, one half of the team (Ms. Tonje Holand) had her home featured on design*sponge awhile back. Take a look at this Scandinavian beauty.

Why not buy a little something from their shop? Or just go and admire their work or all of the goodies on the blog.

Sweet Red Velvet

My friends, be prepared to punch me in the arm and then give me a big bear hug. Red Velvet is simultaneously the sweetest and most infuriating place in the whole world (or at least the whole of Springfield, Missouri). This family owned, vintage and handmade shop (oh, you know, with just the most amazing sweets shop in the middle) has been open for a little while now and seems to be doing quite well. You and I both know I'd be in there every day (maybe twice). Ugh. Why isn't this my life? Guess what else is annoying? All of the ladies involved with this adventure seem completely wonderful and charming and grateful to be able to do this. The worst! I kid. Obviously I'm excited for them and inspired by their adventure. Here are some shots from the shop (from Elsie's Flickr).


Amazing right? Get over there if you can (you lovelies in Illinois aren't that far away you know... maybe when I get back we'll pop over and beg for jobs?)
Elsie. She's the one that seems to be the spokesmodel. And why not? She's a talented artist, adorable dresser and fun interior designer. I'll prove it:



There's so much more to see from these ladies. Here's Elsie's blog and Red Velvet Art blog to get you started.
PS. Just saw that my favorite blog design*sponge did a feature on them today as well. Small blogging world isn't it? They have some great before/after shots of the shop. Check it out!

From Me to You: Christmas Cards

As someone who loves paper goods, it's really unfortunate that I'm not sending cards this year. Since I've relocated to Australia my head has just been so full of humidity and heat and thoughts of summer that I actually forgot that I should be thinking about this sort of Christmassy thing. No worries, I'm going to send everyone a virtual Christmas card. I would've had a really hard time deciding on which to send anyway. Here are some of my favorites:




Cards from: hello lucky // 1 canoe 2 // egg press // luxe paperie // bespoke press // la belle vie design // beau ideal

Christmas Windows

Well, it's official (at least in my mind)— it is now the Christmas shopping season. I seem to vaguely remember a time when retailers wouldn't put out their Christmas decorations until the day after Thanksgiving. Now it seems that trees are up and crammed with ornaments and lights right after school starts. Crazy. And unfortunate. Whereas I used to walk past these faux trees with excitement and love I now mutter to myself about how hot it still is outside and how ridiculous it is to see stockings and holly before Halloween. That said, I do still love a well-decorated Holiday display. And these windows are just the thing to get me in the shopping spirit. Did you see any pretty windows this Black Friday?


Images from: Platinum Blonde // Racked // Wee Birdy // Living the Luxe Life // Scout About // Wool and the Gang

Sweet Lindsay's Wedding

Oooooh it's an exciting day! My darling friend Ms. Lindsay had her wedding featured on the Style Me Pretty blog. This charming event was not only that in style and detail, but you couldn't help but be charmed by the fun and friendship everyone shared. She is an exceptionally talented designer and artist and I was honored when she asked me to help with details and do the invitations. If you've wandered over here looking for a better view of her sweet invites, please visit my Flickr set. I'm in the process of creating an Etsy page but in the meantime if you'd like to have something created (or are interested in knowing when that page is actually selling something!) please email me at hellomydearinfo@gmail.com. I'm so pleased to meet you and so excited for Lindsay! (If you haven't seen the wedding yet, get over there!)

Living with Beci Orpin

Beci Orpin is a Melbourne, Australia based illustrator/artist/designer/inspiration. I became familiar with her work after exploring the Australia-based design blog, The Design Files and must admit that I became obsessed with her house before her work. Although they really are one in the same.—the inclusion of a design studio and the fact that she decorates with a lot of her own work result in a space that could actually double as a gallery. All of it is so fun and happy. Let's start with her house:


I love that she not only uses her own art to decorate her walls, but she uses her children's. They go together really well!
Speaking of her work, here is some of my favorite stuff of hers:


I especially love the wooden, die-cut brooches. I'd wear the heck out of that fox brooch.
Images of her home are from the Design Files. Beci is represented by the amazing Jacky Winter Group and you should definitely check out Beci's website (where you can also get to her blog and online shoppe).

The Finders Keepers Market

This past Friday I helped set up the Finders Keepers Market here in Brisbane. This means that I spent five hours fluffing tissue paper flowers, tying said flowers in clusters with fishing line and hanging (or at least watching as they were hung) said clusters from the ceiling of the Old Museum. The result was very rewarding and I consider the afternoon well spent indeed.
The Finders Keepers Market is a delightful display of 65 crafters peddling their creative wares. I saw everything from clothing to letterpress to jewelry and if I had a scrap of extra money I would've for sure spent it. My sister-in-law bought a fun ring and an amazing cloud necklace and I was excited that at least one of us was being supportive! Here are some pictures from the event:



The Old Museum and grounds made an unbelievable venue. Inside and along the side veranda were beautiful craft stalls, outside was a live music stage, food and coffee area. The talent was overwhelming. Speaking of: Brisbane-based illustrator Natalie did the gorgeous poster for the event. She has some stunning work on her site and her Flickr provided me with some of the photos from my collage. Visit her and say thank you. Other images are from the Finders Keepers site and from the Flickr tagged stream. Did you see the flower creations? Yep, pretty proud of myself. Of course it wouldn't have been possible without the dear Alischa of Bespoke Press (don't worry, more about her later) who was one of the ladies in charge of the event. It was a great weekend!

Spooky Prints

It's almost time for Halloween and although it's barely celebrated here in Australia, I couldn't resist a little post (or two) to get in the spooky spirit. Today's focus is on some goose-bump worthy art.
I've never actually seen the show Dexter, but I appreciate it's artistic approach and understand that a lot of people really love it. Including Ty Mattson, a California based designer (who's done lots of good things, check out his site). He created these prints, one for each season. They're fun to look at without any background but if you're a fan of Dexter I bet you'd be crazy for them!

I really love the color combination. Buy the posters here.
Now onto a fabulous mother-daughter Etsy seller, tag team tompkins. They do lovely victorian-inspired calligraphy and papercut prints. Some of which are quite spooky. In that Edward Gorey sort of way.


Get these (and some less spooky prints) at their Etsy shop.
To end, here's a few totally creepy but lovely prints from Sarah Harvey. Her illustrations are soft and warm but with floating balloon heads and monsters and slightly creepy little girls. They're wonderful! Visit her on Etsy.

Nina's Pretty Dishes

Nina Invorm combines two of my favorite things—sweet, vintage dishes with lovely hand-drawn elements. Her addition of birds or bunting or hearts to the already delightful ceramics result in a charming piece of art I'd love to showcase. Luckily you can purchase her art at her Etsy shop.


Ugh. So stinkin cute it makes me scrunch up my face.
While I was looking at some of her other work on her Flickr page I happened across some photographs of her darling house. The interior matches her creations so perfectly.



I love the random dresses and high heels and the fact that she has her own artwork splashed throughout the space. Did you see the nursery? What a fun place to be a child!
Visit Nina's website, her Etsy and her Flickr there's tons more to see!

Product Redesign

You know I'm a sucker for good package design (I'll buy anything if the bottle's pretty enough) so thedieline.com is one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon. People are just so darn clever and talented. Anyway, the site has a feature called "before and after" that I really enjoy. It's all about repackaging and occasionally entirely re-branding an existing design. Some are, well, not so great. But others make me want to rush out and put them in my Target shopping cart. See for yourself.




You're a smart cookie, but just in case you're having an off-day (it's ok, we all do) the "b" is before and the "a" is after. There are heaps more to peruse at thedieline so go visit.
Do you have any weekend before meets after projects planned for the weekend? Well, I hope they're enjoyable!