happy new year

Hello friends, just wanted to wish everyone a happy new year! I like to think of the whole world as being sparkly, because that's a happy thought.

Top image by Spanish artist Chema Madoz, second image from Confetti System.

favela painting

Have you guys seen this project in Praça Cantão? What used to be "hillside slum" is now a monument for this community Santa Marta, a favela in the heart of Rio de Janeiro.

Art & design projects of this magnitude really blow my mind. I bet this would be amazing to see in person.

the talented ashley meaders

Oh my, aren't the scenes in these photos enchanting? This fabric installation was made of braided fabric, hand-sewn garland, fabric strips, and lights by the ever-creative Ashley Meaders for the wedding of the uber-talented photographer, Max Wanger.

Ashley makes a lot of other neat things for events & parties... like plush yodel bubbles for photobooth props at Google's Annual Oktoberfest. I like the way this lady thinks....

It's the magical mystery kind

I spotted this video on Beach Bungalow 8 the other day, and I just can't get enough of it!

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

I see they [Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros] will be coming to Florida in October, too bad none of the stops are in Jacksonville!

painted & patterned

This image is another one that has sort of stuck with me after seeing it featured last month on Design*Sponge. Look at that magnificently painted floor. First of all, love that pattern and hello, yellow! Love it, love it.

memorable type

A few months ago I spotted these adorable recipe boxes made by the lovely folks over at Rifle Paper Co. And memorable they are because I have not forgotten about them since.

Something about the lovely white script against the raw-looking wood just really strikes a chord with me. They come with cute recipe cards too.

I think this would make a lovely wedding gift, assuming your newly-wed friends have an appreciation for great type and carefully crafted wood. Something about recipe boxes seems timeless to me though, the kind of thing you keep forever and then your grandkids keep once your gone. I think these look like they could stand that test of time.

Dear blog,

I am a bit ashamed of the way I have neglected you. I hope you will find it in your guts to forgive me. You see life has a funny way of interrupting things. And then technological advances like Google Buzz and Twitter come along and all the sudden I have found an easier way to share things. But I think I'd like to come and hangout with you again, blog. If you'll have me, I will sprinkle images of inspiration and creativity upon you and things will be just like old times.

Your grateful author,
Rachel Best

[image from nerdboyfriend.com]

loepsie: not your average braid

I know I haven't posted in ages. But I decided to jump on here and quickly share a cool little resource. The other day curiosity peaked me and I went looking for a video tutorial for creating fishtail braids. Not only did I learn how to fishtail braid, but I found a youtube channel by this lovely lady named Lucy. She has a bunch of videos with easy hairstyles for long hair. At the moment my hair is short and being grown out, but my boyfriends' children live with us and his 7 year old daughter Ella has long hair (almost identical to Lucy's in the videos). I am looking forward to adding some new hairstyles to my repertoire for Miss Ella. After all, with long hair such as theirs why not exercise all the more options they have?

kanzashi masks

I know the time of year for carnival celebrations has passed, but a few weeks ago I spotted these beautiful masks on Etsy, and I keep thinking about them.

These intricately designed masks are made out of paper kanzashi modules by Barcelonean Etsy user Ccaspia. Kanazashi is a Japanese art form of folding paper or fabric into small flowers which were traditionally worn in a woman's hair.

Ccaspia has used them to make masks for masquerade parties, carnivale, or whatever you desire. She has many other mask designs in her Etsy shop, be sure to jump over and check them out.

{all photos from Ccaspia's Etsy shop}

fab pillows under $25

I can't take credit for finding these gems, I saw them on this post from Michelle's blog (Design Evolution). But for spending under $25 you can't beat these crafty designs... I'd like one of each please.

Spring Green and Bright White ruffle pillows by Hettle, $24 and $16.



Love and Doily pillow covers by Nuka, each $14.

Okay... these last two are not under $25, but I love the colors and I am particularly fond of the 'Be Nice or Leave' sentiment and I wanted to show them off anyway. These are made with recycled materials and love by Alexandra Ferguson.

le love and why i love it

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and while I'm not into the consumerism/commercial aspect of it, and I believe love should be celebrated any & every day, but I love seeing all the creative things the design world has put together in honor of the holiday [hence the last few posts I've made]. I also really love the way a single image/thing/project can make you feel, and that is what art and love is all about. Happy Valentine's Day everyone, I hope you take a moment to appreciate something in your life that you love, whether it's a person, a feeling, or a creative endeavor and celebrate that.

Having trouble coming up with something? Find some inspiration here on this relatively new [and ingenious] site, by Thought & Theory, called yiloveit.com where you can read about profess love about anything and everything.

{images from the Le Love blog, which is also definitely worth checking out too}

kate spade valentines

Some more free valentines! This time from Kate Spade and a whole slew of talented artists. Check them out here.

{via Creature Comforts}

obey this

Going on sale tomorrow (Feb. 13th) are these Japanese Fabric Pattern Obey prints. They come in a set of 4, each 18 x 18 and are a limited edition of 100. Get 'em while they're still around.

freedom

Did you know that this week is Freedom to Marry Week? Yep, just wanted to give a little attention to a good cause and nice logo design.

arturo tote bags

While I have your attention, I just wanted to take a moment to point out some adorable tote bags. These bags, adorned with Bean the Boston Terrier, are hand screened by a local Jacksonville company called Arturo Clothing Co. I think they are just wonderful and would be perfect for, say, a small birthday gift (ahem, March 2nd, pink one). One can never have too many tote bags, right?

just. add. paper.

In need of another easy or last-minute valentine? I love these printable Valentines from Little Brown Pen. For just $5 you get folded notecards, flat notecards, gift tags, an envelope and 8.5 x 11 stationery. All you do is download and then print!

Nichole and her family are currently living in a beautiful apartment in Paris. I have been enjoying reading her updates on her blog and catching her daily tweets on twitter for the last few months. Her and her hubby started this ingenious idea of "just. add. paper" and I must say, ever since I first saw their idea, I have seen it popping up all over the place; Trendsetters they are indeed! You must watch their beautifully crafted video (it was made during the holidays to exhibit the concept of "just. add. paper"... but you get the idea, it translates to any of their products).

Check out the Little Brown Pen etsy shop, there are other valentines, stationery, calendars and such too.

made with love

Check out this fantastic little freebie made by Twig & Thistle... the idea is you make the heart-shaped brownies, download Twig & Thistle's free graphic, print the graphic on a paper bag or sticker, and tada(!), instant valentine's gift, appropriate for anyone. A genius idea if you ask me.

If you're feeling a little more adventurous in the kitchen, click here to see Twig & Thistle's recipe for individual apple pies and another free graphic to go along with them. Twig & Thistle is on a roll, make sure to give the blog some love.

{photos from Twig & Thistle}

transmogrification

Today I saw this cute little illustration entitled "you are what you eat" by Hiss Illustration. Isn't it adorable? It reminded me of this silly video my boyfriend sent me earlier. Check out the transformations of this crazy looking bird...

[For those of you using an rss reader, click through to the web page to see the following you tube video]

{illustration found via so sweet & so cold}

merry christmas!

Good Morning, folks! This season has been hectic, and I haven't been able to produce much blog action, but I just wanted to take a quick timeout to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope your day is pleasant and filled with family and love. Hope to see more of you guys (and free time) in the new year!

[Our tree this year. Excuse the barren space, the photo was quickly snapped before I got a chance to wrap all the presents!]

whimsy & spice

I used to bake [and blog] pretty often... but lately my free time has been slim to none. Today I stumbled upon a lovely website, Whimsy & Spice, and I am smitten.

"Whimsy & Spice was founded in 2008 by the husband and wife team of Mark Sopchak and Jenna Park, who combine their skills and more than 12 years of experience in culinary arts and graphic design to produce a distinctive line of handmade sweets."

I love how amazingly styled the photographs and website are. Which I'm sure is thanks to Jenna, whom leads all of the company's branding and creative efforts. I'll have two Pumpkin Ginger Sandwich Cookies, please.

{all photos from Whimsy & Spice website}