the SCOOP

Wet. Hot. Compendium.

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:10:00 EDT

Alejandro Paul (one of my favorite type designers), sent me an email this morning about his new typeface, Compendium... and it's hot.

At first glance, the font looked fairly similar to the oh-so-stunning, Burgues Script, so, of course I'm intrigued (and worried about the money I'll spend when I inevitably have to buy this new script)...

Compendium

Burgues

But upon further comparison, they're definitely from the same hand/mind, but clearly different. Now, I must have this new AlePaul design. It's difficult for me as a rather non-traditional designer to find elegant-yet-not-stuffy scripts to use for wedding invitations... Burgues has been quite the lifesaver, and I look forward to incorporating Compendium into my future designs, as well...

Now, if I can just work up the muster to spend the mere $99 to have it in my Font Suitcase...

images c/o Sudtipos.

give somebody the bird... but in a good way ::

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:45:00 EDT

I'm kind of obsessed with birds as a design element, which I guess is pretty obvious from looking at my own work (see the last two images ;) ...so, here's a recent collection of bird pieces that I'm in love with. Enjoy!

"Swallows" Blank Card, $12.50/box of 6 by Binth.

Nest Necklace, $125.00 by Amy Bengtson.

letterpress coasters, $12.00/8pk by 12fifteen.

"Crow" Cuddle Pillow, $72.00 by Binth.

Custom Wedding Invitations (starting @ $15/set) by OrangeBeautiful.

Birds & Stripes Assorted Box, $16.00/6pk by OrangeBeautiful.

Cute idea :: Matchbook calling cards

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:53:00 EDT

This is a fun and practical idea I've never seen before: personalized, perforated calling cards in a matchbook-style carrying case.

If you're prone to losing things in a gigantic handbag, this could be a good option for keeping the stash of cards together!

Be sure to check out this and other pretty items in Story By Mia's Etsy shop.

Images from Story By Mia.

I love lavender

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:40:08 EDT

Just spotted some pretty new greeting cards from Binth that incorporate one of my favorite colors: lavender.

They remind me of these rooms by Chicago interior designer Anne Coyle, for whom lavender is a signature color.

Coyle has said that lavender works as an unexpected neutral. Often thought to be too "pastel" or girlish, I think it can be very sophisticated and dramatic, especially when offset by black and brights like fuschia and yellow, as shown in the paper and interiors examples here.

Images from Binth and Anne Coyle Interiors.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:15:00 EDT

Heading into the weekend, Jw and I got to talking about what Labor Day is for... (no, the answer is not "having a day off" and/or "drinking beer during the day" - although, that is increasingly the U.S. version of pretty much every holiday)... Let's have Wikipedia shed a little light, shall we? ::

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s. The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday�a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families.

This got me to think even more about what it is to have a job, to work toward a goal, to "make a living" - why do so many people hate their jobs? It is definitely the norm to hate your boss, to be tired of going to work & to hate Mondays (i.e. the day you have to go back to your job after 2 days of not working)... Even I, a person who is their own boss, have many a day where I'd rather stay home and watch Legally Blonde.

So, on this observed holiday, I do plan on really thinking about those people out there who work extremely hard every day; who take pride in what they do and are happy and appreciative to have a job where they can not only support themselves & their families, but also contribute to our society & make their community a better place for other people.

Work hard and be nice to people.

So simple, yet so terribly difficult for so many of us to do.

images c/o Anthony Burrill.

Attn. Clevelanders :: Vintage furnishings sale

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:13:34 EDT

If you're in the Cleveland area this Labor Day, I highly suggest checking out MW Home's "barn sale" in Hudson.

Owner Gina Bishop and her business partner, Jean, have decked out Gina's refurbished barn on her century-old farmhouse property in Hudson and filled it to the brim with vintage furnishings, home goods, original artwork and handmade items - all at affordable prices. (That's Gina pictured behind the gorgeous gold and aqua settee, above.)

Gina was previously a visual merchandiser for two major fashion and lifestyle retailers and co-owner of a home goods store in Columbus, Ohio. Since relocating to Hudson, she has set up shop a few times a year for a limited time only - allowing her to focus on time with family and designing (and re-designing) her own home, which serves as a primary creative outlet.

This was my first time attending the sale - I spotted incredible chairs (including that settee and the zebra print chair at the top of the post), dressers, mirrors, pillows, lighting, and gorgeous artwork.

The sale is closed today (Sunday), but runs Monday, September 1 from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. MW Home is located at 2357 Hudson-Aurora Rd. in Hudson, Ohio. Call 330-653-9781 for more information.

Pictured below are my finds from my first visit (I say "first" because I plan to go back tomorrow for more!): a chartreuse-painted rocking chair, and a sweet tree print square pillow!

First and last images by me. All other images from MW Home.

my walk home... and heading into the weekend ::

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:45:00 EDT

alleys & El tracks :: pretty beautiful, I think...

Sorry about the lack of posts heading into the weekend... there's a lot going on here in Chicago (mostly, business stuff) - and I know that Laura's got her hands full with little Catherine (!) -

As we head into our long (Labor Day) weekend, I thought I'd share a few pics I took on my walk home from the studio yesterday ::

a plane on its way to O'Hare :: the back corner of the Sears on Lawrence -

I don't think I ever noticed this phone poll before.

not so many picket fences, but quite a lot of wrought iron...

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

pssst!... we're making more...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:45:00 EDT

Dear SCOOP readers,

Due to popular demand, we're printing a 2nd EDITION of the ever-popular Motivate Series... there won't be an official full listing until the 2nd week of September, but the 4/set is now available for PRE-ORDER.

Reserve your set here!

...................................................................................... e&B :: OrangeBeautiful

Work with what you've got

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:55:45 EDT

As much as I dislike the term recessionista, I do appreciate the thought of working within a limited budget to achieve stylish results.

I looked all summer long for a dress to wear to a wedding this past weekend. I tried on dresses that I sort of liked, both expensive and inexpensive, and finally came to the conclusion that I didn't feel like spending precious dollars on something that was "just okay".

At the last minute, I found a simple, classic black boatneck sheath in the back of my closet - I bought it almost 10 years ago - and decided to dress it up with a versatile, outfit-making accessory. I chose Banana Republic's "Heiress" necklace (pictured above; no longer available online, but I found mine at the store!). I loved the necklace's large scale, and the weight of the chain and glass stones (heavy and clunky). The black dress provided the perfect background for the sparkle to take center stage.

If I'd thought of the idea earlier, I might have opted for one of these "statement" pieces from Cursive Design, shown above and below. The unusual combinations of materials and colors is intriguing, and you can customize pieces to incorporate other fabric, thread and chain colors.

Another option would have been this vintage beaded bib necklace, below, from Etsy seller Vintage Lotus. The light coral-colored beads would really stand out against the black, and the chain can be adjusted to different lengths.

Bonus: In keeping with the "style for less" m.o., all of these pieces cost less than $55!

Images from Banana Republic, Cursive Design, and Vintage Lotus.

balance your checkbook with a lot more style ::

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:25:00 EDT

So, in keeping with our waste not, want not policy here at OrangeBeautiful, we've converted a batch of our extra Cash Money prints into ledgers for your checkbook!

inside :: same columns+lines as a standard ledger - just way better-looking...

I've actually longed for a "not-hideously-boring" ledger for my checkbook for a long time, but I could never find one that I liked... so, I just went ahead and made one.

The covers work front-to-back :: so they read "MONEY" on the regular front cover, but then - if you slide it into the top of your checkbook case, the "back" will read "CASH"... either way, the message will hopefully bring good karma to your bank account.

I know some of you out there who could use a little incentive to keep their checking account balanced (you know who you are!) - pick up one of these and get to it!!!

images c/o OB.

WMMG? :: my splurge @ Traipse Shoes...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:15:00 EDT

So, I'm now the proud owner of my 2nd pair of Cydwoqs, these Tone sandals in red - bought (again) at my favorite shoe boutique: Traipse Shoes! (Check out my 1st pair, here.)

I've been walking around in these really sad sandals that I bought like 4 years ago at Urban Outfitters (for $5 - you get what you pay for, I guess)... They were really cute, but they had absolutely no arch support and were pretty bad on my back. So, this summer, I vowed to get some "real" sandals, that not only looked good, but were well-made & good for my tired feet.

Margaret (the owner of Traipse) said that these would be really great for me and she couldn't have been more right. I LOVE these shoes & I want more...

maybe this fall, I'll get myself a pair like these! ;)

images c/o Jw.

Stationery for kids

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:46:59 EDT

A new take on the silhouette...large-scale, with a bleed off the card edge, and funky text running through the portrait.

Perfect for kids' thank-you notes, Chick Print creates modern and exceptionally well-priced stationery for the younger set (or the grown-ups that love them!).

Images from Chick Print, via Ohdeedoh.

OrangeBeautiful :: some updates...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:30:00 EDT

..just thought I'd post a few recent updates on the OrangeBeautiful front: we've put together a LookBook for the L A T T I C E Line - check it out here - AND we've completely updated the wholesale side of the GOODS section on OB's main site.

We hope that you'll enjoy looking through these images of our work! Thanks!!!

(*and, store owners/buyers, feel free to email us directly with any ordering questions, etc. - wholesale (at) orangebeautiful (dot) com - thanks!!!)

Genifer Goodman Sohr at Party Perfect

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:23:26 EDT

I found these images of much-loved designer Genifer Goodman Sohr's newly renovated home at the lovely blog, Party Perfect.

Genifer, whose previous homes have been featured in several shelter magazines (read more here), will be guest-blogging at Party Perfect in a series called Gen Says. In her first post, she shares these images of her house - and hints that it will be featured in an upcoming issue of her "favorite design magazine".

Hooray!

I am a huge fan and can't wait to see more. Be sure to check future Gen Says posts at Party Perfect - they will run bi-monthly. You can also read more about Genifer here and see pics of a baby shower she designed and hosted here.

Images from Party Perfect.

I'm in love :: Princess Lasertron.

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:15:00 EDT

Yesterday afternoon, B & I met with a potential wedding client, who told us about Princess Lasertron - the designer making her button bridal bouquet. The second our meeting was over, I jumped online to find out more...

Let's just say, I'm absolutely in love. I'm a huge fan of, what I call, the "non-generic" wedding. It breaks my heart to watch those wedding shows on TV (esp. the ones where the couple has some insane $$$ budget) where every element of the couple's wedding is the same old thing that everyone has done a million times. So, when I find artisans creating things that really add a unique & memorable element to your big day - well, let's just say, I'm sold!

Megan Hunt, the Omaha-based artist behind Princess Lasertron, creates bouquets, boutonnieres, pins, barrettes (and more!) out of buttons & hand-cut/hand-stitched felt pieces... custom pieces are designed with the help/input of the client, using the wedding's color palette as the starting point. Megan's inventory of buttons is quite impressive (and very organized!) - this definitely appeases both my love of color & my OCD/organizing thing ;)

Here's a great image (by photographer, Becky Novacek) of Megan (right) and her bff, Kristal (left) on Megan's wedding day, this past May. Those PL bouquets look great!... (And don't even get me started on Megan's totally fabulous wedding dress! See a better shot of it, here) ::

images c/o Princess Lasertron & Becky Novacek Photography.

Get 'em while they're hot! :: L A T T I C E books.

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:23:23 EDT

We've just added some more pamphlet sets to the OB Etsy shop - black & white sets, this time!

There's only a handful of these sets, so get one while you can!

And if you like these patterns, but need a little color in your life, maybe these are more your speed!

images c/o OB.

WMMG? :: Crafterall @ Etsy.

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:30:00 EDT

After I saw this set of these cards on the front page of Etsy earlier this month, I went over to Crafterall's shop to check out more. What I found (and bought) was this fabulous little framed piece (above) - made up of layered pieces of paper w/ intricately cut-out circles. I was so excited when my order arrived at my house just a few days ago!

Not only did I receive the lovely Brown Bubble Box that I ordered, but Marnie (the artist) also included a Topo card (!) ::

...and a little handful of her business cards inside this great patterned tuck-flap envelope (below).

My Bubble Box is so charming... I can't wait to find the perfect place to display it. Maybe somewhere on the art wall, perhaps? ;)

Thanks so much, Marnie - receiving that package really made my day!

Carry On! :: "Off" colors... @ J.Crew

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:35:00 EDT

I just love L's post with the "off" color pantone chips!

I thought you guys (esp. L!) would love to see some of these "off" color outfits over at J.Crew!... they fit the off-color palette idea perfectly!!! Enjoy!

images c/o J.Crew.

"Off" colors

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:00:00 EDT

Inspiring me today: Stella Bugbee's Deco File of "off-colors".

The Deco File is a new feature at dominomag.com. Stella, the magazine's design director, put together unusual colorways using Pantone swatches, so she can apply the combinations to her home or wardrobe. I'm digging the top left-hand corner combo, as well as the dark navy and pale salmon pictured below it.

(Stella's name may sound familiar...I blogged her genius lace tape awhile back.)

Image from dominomag.com.

Job / home / outfit envy

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:29:54 EDT

I'm sure that working for a well-known, busy designer such as Nate Berkus involves long hours, but as designers Sasha Adler and Lauren Buxbaum demonstrate, it's not without some glamour as well.

The ladies' homes were featured in Chicago Home & Garden, and each incorporates antiques with signature flair.

Of note: Buxbaum's living room, pictured above, displays her black and white custom Madeline Weinrib rug - that also shows up in her boss' Chicago living room, on the cover of this month's Elle Decor. (By the way - Ikea has a budget version!)

I love the gray, yellow, black and white color scheme in Adler's bedroom (above, left), and the Louis XVI- style chairs mixed with the Saarinen table in her dining room (above, right).

So they work for Nate Berkus and have gorgeous condos - and even incredible clothes. I want to be them when I grow up!

Images by Andreas Larsson for Chicago Home & Garden.

little things = happiness :: Browndog Woodworks.

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:20:00 EDT

Back in July, Jw and I drove up to Madison, WI for Art Fair on the Square... mostly, we were there to see these fine folks, but we were also excited to find some new artists/craftspeople to ooh & ah over.

My favorite purchase from the show was definitely this wee wood vessel, by Madison-local, Browndog Woodworks.

Now I just need to find a sweet display spot in the apartment that will do this beautiful object justice!

Check out more of Browndog's work, here.

images c/o Jw.

Sonrisa Furniture :: via MStetson Design Blog.

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:45:55 EDT

Flat File, by Sonrisa Furniture.

Last week, I saw this flat file/modified coffee table (from Sonrisa Furniture) on MStetson and I immediately went over to SF's site to check out more...

Card File, by Sonrisa Furniture.

I'm clearly a sucker for pieces with drawers... so, here's an amazing card file (above) and the drawers to a 3-part metal desk set (below) - both to tempt me & my obsessive-compulsive want for organization...

Aluminum 3-Part Field Desk w/ Drawers, by Sonrisa Furniture.

via MStetson; images c/o Sonrisa Furniture.

Stunning

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:26:16 EDT

Joy has impeccable taste...recently she posted these incredible agate pendants from Stone & Honey. I need one too!

Image from Oh Joy!.

the way some people's brains work is amazing...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:15:00 EDT

A few days back, Jw showed me this (on Kent Magazine's blog) and I was totally blown away...

Then I saw these images of (one of many) experiments-in-perspective by artists, Felice Varini & Georges Rousse . This particular piece (also posted about at KentMag's blog) was part of an exhibiton at the Mus�e des Beaux-Arts in Arras, France back in 2007...

When I see things like this, I'm just so baffled over how someone would even begin to execute such a thing. I mean, I'm pretty analytical & obsessive-compulsive, but - even to me - the preciseness that clearly went into the conceptualization and execution of this is just remarkable.

It'd be interesting to try this (on a much smaller scale) somewhere in our apartment... and maybe have the perfectly-line-up vantage point be from a specific chair or corner. More than likely, I would just go insane trying to make everything match up exactly...

via NOTCOT.

putting that giant stapler to use...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EDT

Last week, the OB Studio was filled to the brim with Motivate Prints, but, well, you guys bought pretty much every last one of those, so we've got some new product for you:

letterpress- & screen-printed booklets!!!

First, is this 4/pk of Bright Booklets - each have different brightly-colored pages and blue-grey covers, letterpress printed with our signature Sand Dollar pattern. Great for organizing your lists into color-coded booklets; for carrying around as a jotter in your bag; for giving out as gifts (either the whole set or separately, so that you can keep a couple for yourself! ;)

We've also made excellent use of our slightly imperfect prints from past limited edition runs. The first are these Bird Booklets (in both white and grey), which are made from remnant 3rd Anniversary Prints!

And despite the fact that we're nearly out of the full-size prints, we've made a batch of Motivate Booklets that we're hoping will serve as a little encouragement on the go... perfect for keeping track of dreams or goals, as well as just everyday to-do lists. We made pamphlets out of all four messages: Do Something About It Booklet, Get On With It Already Booklet, Quit Your Belly-Aching Booklet & (the most popular of the 8x10" prints) Get Your Sh*t Together.

ENJOY!

Thirumalaikumar Krishnan.

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

08.14

Today is the birthday of the lovely, Thirumalaikumar - but you can just call him "Hill"... Hanging out with Hill (and his ever-lovely wife) is actually one of the main reasons why I love visiting NYC.

Happy Birthday, Hill! Have GREAT day, my friend!!!

Jw just posted 2 must-see links in the comment section ::

CHECK THEM OUT!

Kelly Wearstler :: new fabric collection

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Also spotted in the beloved current issue of Elle Decor: Kelly Wearstler's new fabric collection for Groundworks. Inspired by fashion and a trip to Japan, the fabrics themselves are stunning, but to me the trims really stand out. I would LOVE to get my hands on a couple yards and whip up some standout pillows.

Images from Lee Jofa.

this makes me crazy...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:19:12 EDT

"Doyald Young, my friend" by Marian Bantjes.

I love love love type - especially the hand-written word... the curves & nuances in this piece, by typographer, Marian Bantjes, are just stunning. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have your handwriting look this way?!...

To view a slightly larger version, click here.

image c/o www.bantjes.com.

Soft and pretty paper

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EDT

I must be having a minimalist moment, as evidenced by my obsession with this store, and my love of Sugar Paper's appealingly uncomplicated, letterpressed notecards.

A simple greeting - Dear - floats on the graceful diecut shape of the first card.

The pink stripe design is pretty without crossing over into cute or preppy territory.

The noteset is comprised of 100% recycled paper, as is the classic stone-grey Thank You Kindly set pictured below.

Images from Sugar Paper.

Tools for a Paperphile...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:30:00 EDT

We always seem to get a lot of extra feedback when L & I post lists of things here on theSCOOP... so, in the spirit of list-making, I thought I'd combine reader interest, lists with other reader interest, the contents of the OrangeBeautiful Studio ;)

Here they are, in no particular, my list of indispensable tools:

1. Ah, my large-format GOCCO printer... I'd be lost without you.

2. 24x36" quilter's cutting mat by Olfa (I use it for cutting paper ;) ...but I actually want something twice as big!

3. Teflon Bone Folder - you can get one online at Paper Source - if you work with paper or do any cardmaking or scrapbooking, you need a bone folder... if you're up for it, I suggest one that is teflon (or comparable material called PTFE), which doesn't burnish/leave shiny marks on your paper... and a 2nd that is made of actual bone to use for scoring & detail work (better b/c of its sharp pointed end & durability.

4. a really good X-Acto Knife... enough said. This one has a nice "comfort grip," which sounds like a cheap selling point, but once you've sliced your fingers a couple of times, you'll appreciate anything that'll help you to hold onto your blade.

5. our tabletop paper cutter - this is one of those tools that I'm not quite sure how the business operated before I had it...

6. C-Thru Grid Ruler (from Blick Art Materials)... The fact that they're transparent and have an 1/8" grid is super-helpful when trimming cards, prints, borders on invitations, etc.

7. I usually refer to this one as my $400 stapler, mostly because it's a stapler that I paid $400 for (or actually, $487 +plus shipping & some staples ;) Don't worry, it's totally worth it... we make most of our pamplet journals with this, and it's good for anything where the stapler needs a longer reach into the center of a set of folded pages...

8. I love this permanent adhesive dispenser... I use this a lot for quick (and acid-free) assembly on wedding items where a text piece needs to be mounted to a backing. You use it pretty much as you would a pen (or those little White-Out dispensers - which I should probably add to this list ;) ...this tool would be really great for scrap-booking, too!

I hope this list is helpful to those of you who are really (or even somewhat) crafty... and hopefully, at least a little interesting to everyone else!

(Also, don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions about these, or other, tools/supplies, etc. :: emily at orangebeautiful dot com

Home imitates fashion

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EDT

I am completely obsessed with the September issue of Elle Decor, which includes a look at fashion designer Nanette Lepore's home (designed by Jonathan Adler).

Twice I have visited this issue at my public library because I can't find it in any stores yet. So while searching online for images of the Nanette Lepore feature, I came across a blog that's new to me, written by two ladies brought together by a love of interior design and beautiful fabrics. Their blog is called, appropriately, Material Girls - and the duo's names (Emily and Lauren) sound strikingly similar to this blog's E and L.

So, via Material Girls, feast your eyes on some truly beautiful rooms inspired by the slightly quirky tastes of Ms. Lepore. I can't stop thinking about that peacock feather print rug anchoring the sunny, luxe parlor in the top photo.

Emily and Lauren did a fantastic job drawing connections between Lepore's home and fashion designs in this post. They also found a mass-market source for the (totally eccentric, and incredibly cool) sparkling ship chandelier shown in the photo above.

Images from Elle Decor September 2008, via Material Girls.

Carry On! :: 10 Things... (e's list!)

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:45:00 EDT

I'd be remiss if I didn't write a follow-up to L's 10 Things... List post from over the weekend.

So, here goes... my 10 (in no particular order):

1) my Pop French earrings, from my favorite jewelry designer, IMOOI... I wear these more often than not...

2) wear would I be without my MacBook Pro? After the OB studio's iMac crashed, it's been quite the lifesaver.

3) I have three (3) American Apparel Jersey Knit scarves & to be honest, I kinda want more ;)

4) yes, another IMOOI item... hands down my favorite piece of jewerly (that I wear every day): the Orbit ring, in yellow.

5) the Princess Leia flash drive (from mimoco)!!!

6) Jw isn't really a "thing," per se - but he's definitely my favorite... he made the yellow & black print in the center for me for OrangeBeautiful's open house last fall. (You can get your very own Sidedown print, too... right here!)

7) I'd be lost without my russel+hazel Mini Binder! (check out the NEW colors!)

8) my GOCCO printer!!! (pictured: a box of Gocco bulbs)

9) one of the best gifts Jw has given me: my (now irreplaceable) Tokidoki for Lesportsac Nuvola bag (Foresta print).

10) IKEA Expedit shelves... we now have four of these in the OB Studio - and we'd certainly be neck-deep in cards & paper if we didn't have them!

Hope you've enjoyed my list!... I always love seeing how different Laura & I are in our tastes, yet somehow, we're just perfectly matched!

Love your list, L!

10 Things...List

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:30:11 EDT

What a great idea...Joslyn at Simple Lovely started a new series of posts based on Elle D�cor's "Short List" and domino's "10 Things That Make Me Happy" features. She asked several bloggers for "lists" of things they simply love, and my roundup posted Friday (you can check it out here). I truly enjoyed compiling my list and getting a sense of the other bloggers' personalities by reading their favorites. I can't wait to see more - and I'm grateful to Joslyn for asking me to participate!

kickin' it into high gear...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:45:00 EDT

In case you were wondering, OrangeBeautiful's line of Motivate Prints (which are very nearly sold out, by the way!), started with the Get Your Sh*t Together design - made, completely selfishly, as inspiration for myself.

This weekend will be all about taking my own advice & really focusing my attentions on all that my growing business currently has on its plate:

I've got estimates to put together, logos to design, product designs to finalize, a 2009 calendar (!) to continue working on... not to mention new SCOOP posts for next week.

And, while I'm at it, I think I'll also hang up my green & tan CASH MONEY print and go buy a couple of lottery tickets ;)

Thanks to everyone for reading theSCOOP & for shopping our online stores... thanks to our custom clients, fellow small business owners, and wholesale stockists for all of their continuing support. It's all greatly appreciated!

Have a great weekend - and if you need it, too, be sure to get your sh*t together for Monday!

Carry On! :: Cold-hearted snake

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:30:00 EDT

Here's a quick Carry On! to L's snakebite post... these are my snake-inspired finds!:

Clockwise from top left: UNEARTHED Natural Snakeskin Mini Cuff Bracelet (on Etsy); Odette Snake Necklace (at Cog & Pearl); SweetskinZ Reflective Snake Skin Tires (via NOTCOT); Unionbay Vega Sandals (at dELiA*s; kateblack Lipstick Traces Faux Snakeskin Journal/Sketchbook (on Etsy).

Images from UNEARTHED.etsy.com, Cog & Pearl, SweetskinZ, dELiA*s and kateblack.etsy.com.

Cold-hearted snake

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:51:54 EDT

This post is dedicated to my sister-in-law, who was, surprisingly, bitten by a venomous snake in Chicago's Lincoln Park last week. (No, even she didn't believe it until doctors took a look at the bite! And she's doing fine now, by the way.)

So, here is a roundup of beautiful snake-inspired objects. And watch out, urban-dwellers...they're not just slithering around the desert anymore! Hiss hiss...

Clockwise from top left: Bottega Veneta snake trim hobo; Crane Brown Mamba rollerball pen; ginette_ny small snake necklace; Anthropologie stacked vase (looks like a snake's rattle!); Pour La Victoire sandals; Jayson Home & Garden tray.

Images from Bluefly, Crane, ShopBop, Anthropologie, Zappos, and Jayson Home & Garden.

My Old Toyko Home...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EDT

Tokyo residence, by architect, Yasuhiro Yamashita. See full-size image here.

I've lived in the States for my entire life (except for that one year, when I live in Scotland) - and, pretty much since I was 12 years old, I've imagined having a permanent residence abroad.

I'm starting to realize that a big part of that desire comes from the diverse architecture of other countries.

Tokyo residence, by Beige Architecture & Proces2. See full-size image here.

After watching a program on (I think) the Discovery Channel about living in Tokyo, Japan, I can't stop thinking about moving out of our apartment, buying a 1/2 lot here in the city & building a tiny little house like the ones pictured here...

The American ideal of having thousands of square feet of living space just baffles me. Jw and I live in a 3-bedroom apartment on the North Side of Chicago, and we're just swimming in space. Give me 1000 sq. feet and a 1-car garage and I'm all set! ;)

images c/o bruno.nihon's Flickr photostream.

Special Request :: OB needs your help...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:45:00 EDT

After seeing this photo in a post on PJ's blog, Somewhere in Middle America (the pic is of her collection of prints, including our very own Laugh Dream Love print, in turquoise), I thought that it would be really great to collect some more shots of OrangeBeautiful product displayed in people's homes.

So, if you're the owner of one, or more, OrangeBeautiful products - and have a great picture that you'd like to share - please email it to me at thescoop (at) orangebeautiful (dot) com.

Thanks!!!

Richard Chai for Target :: my picks

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:59:40 EDT

I visited my Target bright and early yesterday morning to check out the new Richard Chai collection. Lots of very wearable pieces; sizing seems to be all over the place. (I really wanted to like this jacket, with its pretty color and great gathered collar, but it looked like I was a little girl trying on my mom's clothes.)

My store didn't have the trench pictured above left, but photos and customer online reviews give me confidence that it would be a great fall piece. I love the pattern and color. I took home the ruffled top shown above right. The color is a bit of a departure for me to wear (orange!) - but I love the piping, and it has a flattering cut.

Images from Target.

Take that, Economy! :: Cash Money prints

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:15:00 EDT

Bright White printed in Black Ink

If you're like me, and you've just had enough of hearing economy-this and gas-prices-that, maybe this new limited edition print from OrangeBeautiful will help give you a new (more appealing) perspective on your finances.

The Cash Money print is the third in our series of type prints (following the Laugh Dream Love & Love Together Forever prints)...

Tan printed in Metallic Gold Ink

Bright White printed in Metallic Gold Ink

All of the prints are hand-printed on our large-format PG-6 in 6 different color combinations, and are available NOW on both of our online shops: Supermarket and Etsy.

Chocolate Brown in Metallic Gold Ink

Bright White printed in "Money" Green Ink

Not pictured, Tan printed in "Money" Green Ink.

Please click here, and vote "NICE"!

"Un-modern" Modern Nursery

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:23:45 EDT

Thanks to Danny at Fawn & Forest for alerting us to the new Nurseryworks American furnishings collection. These pieces represent an interesting marriage of traditional and contemporary elements, resulting in a streamlined take on classic forms.

Ever since the sleek Netto nursery series launched a few years back, "mod nursery" prevailed - even mega-chains Target, Walmart and Babies R Us added clean-lined shapes and high contrast finishes to their baby furniture offerings.

The American series seems almost an avant-garde reaction to all the "sleekness", paving an entirely new direction in nursery furnishings. I love the fabrication and tufting of the Empire rocker, and the beautiful spindle legs and drawer pulls of the Canterbury changing table.

Images from Fawn & Forest.

A Good-Looking Family Reunion T-Shirt.

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:45:00 EDT

Melzer Family Reunion Tee.

Is this idea no longer an oxymoron?... these tees, made by Angela & Clint (of the lovely seesaw designs), are for two different family reunions they attended this summer. Hot Damn, these are good-looking tee-shirts! Is that even allowed?... Isn't part of going to a reunion that you have to be slightly mortified to wear the same horribly printed & ridiculously designed shirt that 50 other people are wearing as everyone drinks beer and feels awkward around each other?

I'm really happy that, clearly, I'm wrong.

Blake Family Reunion Tee.

Kudos, A&C - these are hot.

via my little corner of the world.

Keeping a Journal :: Handmade Books

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:30:00 EDT

Screen-Printed Journal / Wicker Pattern in Black, 4.125 x 5" (50 pages), available at OrangeBeautiful's Etsy shop.

I wanted to say a quick thanks to those of you who commented (and emailed) in response to my Get On With It Already :: Keeping A Journal... post! All of your advice has been very helpful & inspiring. I'm hoping to start up a new journal this weekend!

The most ironic thing about my "problem" is really the fact that I make journals as part of my business. I could write in a new journal every day for the next year, if I really wanted to...

Feel free to take a look through our current inventory (which is always changing & growing!) and see if there's a journal or album that could help you with your problem! ;)

(Also, check out our inventory at Supermarket.)

Love this place :: Three Potato Four

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:45:00 EDT

Fully Reconditioned Telephone (1960's) - Orange, $195.00.

There's not really much I don't want from the lovely collectibles shop, Three Potato Four... the store features design products and their signature batch of ever-changing vintage goods, some of which there are (sadly) only a few of available.

Enamelware Collection - Mint, $68.00.

It's definitely worth constantly checking in on their inventory to see what's available... and, if you like torturing yourself with that "ah, man, I would've loved to have bought that!" feeling, then be sure to check out their section of what's already been sold to some lucky person!...

Orange Stripey Sugar and Creamer Set, $36.00.

1950's Royal Typewriter (Restored) - Cherry Red, $495.00.

Yellow Striped Vessel, $20.00.

images c/o Three Potato Four.

Get On With It Already :: Keeping a Journal...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:40:10 EDT

image c/o che moleman's Flickr site.

From the age of 11 'til I was probably 22 or so, I was a devoted journal-keeper. I have boxes of ratty, old notebooks filled with my ridiculously neat handwriting (not so much any more ;) and it makes me reminiscent of the days when I had enough discipline to write a little something every day.

Sierra Sophie Sketch Notebook, by International Arrivals - B got this for me for my 30th birthday... she bought it at Sprout Home in Chicago!

In the last few months, I've acquired several really great books & journals - all of which I could be filling with sketches and writings, but, weirdly, all of them are still completely blank.

Do any of you have any suggestions for how I can really get on track with writing/drawing at least a little bit every single day?

All-Weather Journal, by Rite in the Rain - I got this for myself at the The Boring Store, which is an AWESOME shop on Milwaukee Ave...

I think part of my problem is that I get really self-conscious when I write and when I draw... I can't seem to get over my OCD/perfectionist sh*t and not worry about how messy my handwriting is, etc. At the same time, I think forcing myself to write/draw every day might actually help to curb some of those anxieties.

Still of the Night Dreambook, by Poketo - I love this journal - A LOT. I bought it nearly a year ago at Willow (an amazing boutique on North Damen).

If any of you have some advice for me, I'd really appreciate it. I desperately want to be one of those people who has shelves of maxed-out journals and sketchbooks... I want the pages of all of my blank books to be filled with ink and watercolors; thoughts and memories; worries about the present and dreams of the future... is that so much to ask?!

Maybe someday my journals will look like these excerpts from the sketchbooks of David Fullarton, via pica + pixel... someday.

Outdoor decor inspiration :: Nicole's patio

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:10:29 EDT

On Saturday we had a brief, albeit destructive, hail storm that shattered the glass top of our outdoor table (this is the second table we've "lost" in this fashion). While my husband spent the evening picking shards of glass out of the grass and deck boards, I feverishly clicked around online looking for outdoor furniture made of sturdier materials.

The best inspiration came from Nicole at Making it Lovely. She kept her patio (pictured above) straightforward, yet fun and colorful, with modern furnishings that carve out areas for both dining and lounging. (I'll admit I find the fully-furnished "outdoor room" concept - complete with canopy-clad cabanas, beds and bars that Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware would have us believe should come standard with a suburban backyard - to be oddly resort-ish and silly, so I appreciate Nicole's simple approach.) She also created the adorable vignette below that served as a planning tool for placing the elements together.

Images from Making it Lovely.

spoiled by beautiful things...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:20:00 EDT

To add to the already immense collection of art & design pieces in our apartment, Jw ordered this set of 5 prints from Los Angeles non-profit 826LA (design by Amy Kate Martin)...

Each of the 5 prints (beautifully) represents a different time period in history, and I love the type work & color palettes on each one...

I can't wait until the set arrives at home - and then there will really only be two problems: 1) framing all five 18x27" prints, and 2) finding a suitable place to hang them all!

You can buy each print individually for $19.99 or the entire set of 5 for $89.99, right here!

images c/o Amy Martin.

Redmond Aldrich :: Pacific Heights Apartment

laura@orangebeautiful.com — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:07:31 EDT

A favorite interior design firm, Redmond Aldrich, has posted a new project in its online portfolio.

The Pacific Heights apartment has a luxe and playful vibe with its mixed patterns, bright and muted colors, and vintage-inspired lighting and mirrors.

The look is lush yet clean, and edited enough that all the fun details throughout the rooms can be appreciated.

If you haven't already visited the excellent home of Redmond Aldrich founder Chloe Warner via domino's video tour, definitely check it out! Her home is also featured in the Redmond Aldrich portfolio.

I'm putting together a "look for less" post based on key elements from this beautifully designed space...so stay tuned.

Images from Redmond Aldrich.

some pics from our trip to Ohio...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:16:00 EDT

For those of you who also live in big cities, you can probably relate to the strange sensation of visiting somewhere "quiet"... I put that in quotes, because there are still noises - but it's the chirping of birds (instead of police sirens) and the humming of cicadas (instead of car alarms going off).

I'm definitely a "city girl" (whatever that means), but I certainly do appreciate the calm of being outside of the city.

So, needless to say, our trip to Ohio was good & restful, and not long enough... We were fed lots of delicious food (thanks to Jw's parents!), and we spent a good amount of time going through a lot of Jw's stuff (Boy Scout paraphernalia, old school projects, tons of photographs & boxes of toys - Matchbox cars, included!)

Our trip (in the Mini, shown above) was only about 6 hours, so I'm thinking that we should be making this trip more often!

images c/o me & Jw's really nice camera... for more images of Jw's found toys, go here!

headed to Ohio for the weekend...

emily@orangebeautiful.com — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:45:00 EDT

Jw and I will be in Ohio for a long weekend visiting his parents. Among other things, I've been promised some waffles (which may or may not have strawberries, bananas & whipped cream, like the one shown above) - either way, I'm looking forward to a great, relaxing weekend away from the city.

Have a great weekend, everyone - and I'll see you on Monday!

(p.s. I'm on the hunt for Neisha Crosland goods for you, L!)

image from nibblekibble's Flickr photostream.