Chocolate Bar Packaging

I'm a sucker for good packaging and for anything sweet (you too?) so these chocolate bar wrappers are right up my alley.

I was very disappointed in my planning this morning: that I didn't have any chocolate in my house when I sat down to put this post together. Hopefully you won't be in that same situation (although I must say the exceptionally sweet and delicious watermelon I settled on was delightful). Most of this chocolate can be purchased online if you can't find it near you. Sources: sweeteeth // askinosie // theo // rococo // eugene and louise // fling // alice // mast brothers

Bits of Summer

There's a fun little blog called "summer goals" that's inspired me to make a collage of my own with sweet summer suggestions: laying in the grass, being pushed on a swing, wading in the lake, cotton candy... you get the idea. Just take a minute and look at these lovely ideas. What are your plans for the weekend?





Through that great blog I was also introduced to this fantastic "summer afternoons" mix on 8-track. It really is perfect for your summer afternoon. See you Monday!

Pictures from: girls in lake // watermelon // boy + girl + trees // laying in grass // running in field // cherries // fair food // girl in water // boys on dock // magical thinking // dancing couple // girl on swing // girl + bubbles

Dan Martensen

I'm intrigued by the spaces that artists live in, which is why the Selby is a fun site for me to visit. It's also a great place for me to discover artists that I was previously unaware of, like Dan Martensen. He is a great photographer who's done work for Free People, H&M and Bloomingdales (to name a few). I found his photographs to be full of life and grit—sometimes a little too heroine chic for my taste, but always interesting and thoughtful.



Now on to the country home that he shares with his model girlfriend (of course). The property is full of gardens and open space as well as a barn studio (for his photography work and her painting), a guest-house barn and a large main house. The good life indeed.



Isn't it gorgeous? I love the drawers of silverware! Visit the Selby for more of this house (and countless others) and Dan's site for more from his portfolio.

Paul Rand

When I stumble across amazing designers like Paul Rand it makes me really sad that I didn't study graphic design in school. Scrolling through his portfolio and reading bits about his life makes me wish I would've known about him years ago. But we'll learn about him together. You can read about him and see more of his work here.



I love it all, but the one that intrigues me the most is the balloon "inflation" advertisement. It's stunning in it's simplicity. Mr. Rand worked until his death in 1996 and although you can see that the technology changed the overall crispness of his work, his personal vision and detailing was constant. (The last two images in this set were done in 1990 and 1996.)
His site provides an excellent account of his life and work and provides many lovely photographs of him and his family. You get a real sense of who he was by simply perusing these images.

Octopi

My cousin and sister-in-law both randomly wore lovely octopus t-shirts on Friday of last week and I thought to myself, "herein lies a blog post". The octopus is one of those amazing creatures that is at the same time both cuddly and cute. The illustrations of them are whimsical and exotic and add an unexpected touch of glamor to your living room or wardrobe.


Sources: yellow t // blue t // dress // white, brown pillow // navy pillow // white, grey pillow // chair // curtains

Summer Colors: Blue

For the last day of Summer Colors Week, we're focusing on blue.

Sources: Unfortunately most of these are from my collected library and I have no idea where they were snatched from. I can tell you where I got the ocean, girl reading and candy wrapper from though. I'll update if I can.
Happy 4th everyone! See you back here on Monday! (If Design*Sponge can take the day off, so can I. See you Tuesday!)

Summer Colors: Red + White

Poppytalk's "Summer Colours Week" continues today with red and white. Here's what I've collected:



Sources: twine // dining room // strawberry shortcake + dresses // kitchen table // strawberries // "live..." // bedroom // red chair // pancakes // sweater // polka-dots // birdie // lawn chairs