One Sugar or Two?

Since the Hub's and I are moving, in a couple of very short months, I am on a decorating kick. You know, when you are all excited about moving into a new space and you just think all day about how you can reinvent it to be just yours. Ok, well I do that! One project I know I have wanted to tackle for a while is changing out the drawer pulls on our "old person" bedroom set. I really think these would do the trick to make it just a little more "us."

Back to the point! I was perusing the Anthro site and came across these pretty amazing chandeliers. I am not sure if I would ever have the guts to hang anything this quirky in our home (or if the Hub's would let me), but I do appreciate them for what they are.

I just can't get over how unique these are! I mean, imagine the conversation a piece like this in your dining room would start. I would have to hold regular tea parties if I had that first chandelier. Hands down.

Would you be gutsy enough to give one of these a try?

{image cred: Anthropologie}

Too Cool.

The Alphabet from n9ve on Vimeo.

I could seriously watch this video over and over. Genius. 
{as spotted on Design Crush}

A Classic Case

I was recently given a bit of a design challenge (more on that later, well potentially) and in doing so I have come down with a classic case of designers block. Don't you just hate that? It always seems to get you at the worst moments, like when you are on a strict deadline. I decided to shut down Illustrator for a bit to cruise the design world and found this inspiring image along the way. I can't get enough of it. Don't you just love it? So clever. Beyond clever actually. Let's go with brilliant. Much better fit.

How do you get over designers block? I would love some suggestions other than what I found here.

{image cred: Wink via grain edit}

Office Space

If you know me and the Hubs, you know a move is in the works. In fact I announced that last week! We have been pretty heavy on the apartment search and with the proposed salaries we should be bumping up to, we both have a few requests. 

First and foremost we want a loft. A spiral staircase, your bedroom is a separate floor from all your other crap, loft. One of my biggest requests is enough space to have some sort of an office. Yes, I know that is quite the luxury when you are looking at one bedrooms in the city but this chica is tired of settling for the so-so. (Cough, my 9-5). 

Here is my argument, I need a creative space. Most of you other designers know exactly what I mean. I need a space where I can have cork boards with pins where I can plaster my space with inspiration. It is really hard to do that in our current diggs. Currently our "office" is parallel with our dining table. On the wall above the desk is all of our Lynchburg College accolades. Yup, it takes up the whole wall; diplomas, (yeah we have the super awesome frames with the water color painting of the school, it was non-negotiable for me) field hockey and baseball stuff galore. There is just no room for any of my design materials let alone some inspiration boards. 

I want office space. 

I want to be able to shut the door when I make a mess, heck I want to be able to make a mess! Your office and living space should be separate. Oh whoa is me!

I think I found the solution here, but the Hubs is not as sold on this place as I am. In my mind it is everything I could want! Thoughts? I think it is so me!

Do any of you have this problem? How in the world do you cope? Do any of you share a desk with your significant other? How do you organize it all!! 

{image cred: design*sponge here and here}

Punctuate away, 

Jessie-Lee

Getting Into It

So, I am just really getting into Polyvore. I love having it as a resource! I have seriously been missing out. Then again, now I want so many more things than I already have, but I think that is more being a girl than anything to do with Polyvore.

Ok so I had a go at picking out an amazing J. Crew outfit. Here is to a first try!

Winter Dream by jhyphenl featuring cluster jewelry

Men - outerwear - Luminosa puffer vest - J.Crew
$70 - jcrew.com
Sequined tops »

fabric - cotton - Jackie cardigan - J.Crew
$62 - jcrew.com
J crew cardigans »

J. Crew Velvet schoolboy blazer - dark plum
$80 - jcrew.com
Plum blazer »

J.Crew Pleated wool-flannel tuxedo shorts
$98 - net-a-porter.com
J crew shorts »

Women's accessories - socks & tights - Lace tights - J.Crew
$23 - jcrew.com
Lace hosiery »

Langford two-tone high-heel oxfords - J.Crew
$198 - jcrew.com
J crew shoes »

Women's jewelry - bracelets - Crystal cluster cuff - J.Crew
$88 - jcrew.com
Cluster jewelry »

Oh man, and it is so nice to blog with! Ahhhh! Ok, for the new year I think I may instill at least one Polyvore post per week.

Let me know what you think!

I hope all of you had amazing winter holidays! I am so sorry I missed you, but I was quite busy myself. I promise from here on out to be posting at least five days a week. I have begun to reshape some priorities for 2011 and blogging is in the top five. The 9-5 got thrown out! And for good reason! I plan to tell you so much more about my resolutions later this week.

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

Skills

I am going for the short, sweet and simple route today.

I am digging these illustrator skills. It is a back to basics moment. And it looks good.

Check out the Etsy shop here. 

This is what it all means:

"During the Great Depression, U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt employed artists across the country through the Works Progress Administration. The WPA and its subordinate projects such as the Federal Theatre Project and Federal Arts Project embarked on a campaign of education, entertainment and art that brought the arts to people ways unprecedented in America, before and since." -Roosevelvet

Plain and simple. I like the prints. I am into the inspiration. I want to research it some more. Find anything? Drop me a line. 

Now to finish out this beyond exhausting day. 

{image cred: Roosevelvet}

Punctuate away, 

Jessie-Lee

What A Treat

So, plans change. I was going to tell you how excited I was about holiday cups debuting at Starbucks, but then I decided to do you one better. Actually, Google did. Google is my hero today, hand down.

Johanna Basford is a spectacle that was unknown to me until this morning. I am now obsessed with her work, and I am sure you will be too after you see these amazing images. Ms. Basford is an old school illustrator. Yep, she uses pencils and pens. Ink, graphite and paper, that is all there is to it people.

"I love the tactile nature of the materials I use and the joy of smudgy fingerprints. For me, computer generated work lacks soul and depth of character - hand drawing captures a sense of energy and charm which no pixel can ever replicate." --Johanna Basford

She clearly has a mantra, and it works for her.

This past September she caught the holiday cheer bug. (I know, a little early but hey I was going to tell you all about mine today until I found this.) Instead of Christmas shopping she used her powers of loveliness for a better purpose. This is how she envisioned the Starbucks Christmas cup, and let me say I am no longer excited about the coffee cup I am holding in my hand.



And because she goes above and beyond, here are some more lovely creations for all seasons:

I mean really, these are astounding. These cups are just plain beautiful. Starbucks needs to notice, and then commission this girl because I want to drink my lattes from a cup like these.



Besides these cups Johanna Basford sells amazing prints. I really could get lost in this pen and ink world. Check out her website and her blog, she posts her own work on a regular basis. Swoonworthy, that is all there is to it.

{image cred: Johanna Basford via her blog}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

Friday Kitsch

What a find for today! Seriously, these made my morning and I have no doubt you will fully enjoy them too.

Wit & Whistle is my new favorite stationery shop. From this point forward this is where I am going for all greeting cards. They are just too original, and well designed might I add.

I just love them! And I am also swooning over the photography skills here. Some Etsy shops have it and some don't and this one pulls it off magnificently. I always find that well photographed shops hold my interest so much more, don't you? Major props!

Wit & Whistle also runs a blog, which is pretty snazzy. I am adding it to Bloglovin as we speak. What can I say, I am impressed. I told you this was a good find! And might I add I am totally jealous of this chick, she is pulling off the lifestyle I can only imagine having; the blog, the stationery, the career you enjoy waking up to everyday. Yeah, I have a large green monster on my back here. I guess situations like these let me know it's possible, and I need that to get through the day sometimes.

I really hope these super fun cards jump start your weekend. I know I am completely ready for mine to get here already (more on that next week).

{image cred: wit & whistle}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

P.S. The Hub's and I are taking a mini-getaway weekend, we need some romantic time. So, that means I may or may not be around these parts on Monday (it all depends on if I am sanctioned to leave the MacBook home or not!) Just stay with me, I will for sure be back on Tuesday.

Hand Lettered and Letterpressed

What better combination could you ever even try to imagine? Yeah I couldn't come up with one either. I cannot get over these gorgeous invitations I found on Paper Crave this morning.

These are the wedding invitations of Los Angeles graphic designer Satsuki Shibuya (who recently launched Zakka Nouveau a graphic and product design studio). Pretty impressive. For more details about the concept and for more photos, visit the original post over at Paper Crave.

And the colors? I don't care if you are a guy, pink has never looked so grown-up and classic.

{image cred: Satsuki Shibuya / Zakka Nouveau via Paper Crave}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

P.S. Sorry about the light posting the past couple of days. My 9-5 has been pretty hectic and I haven't had the down time I normally do. Oh what we all suffice for a paycheck. I am not giving up on the blogging world, I swear! I am just super busy!

The Root of My Problem

Design is not what I do, it is who I am.

And, just by the way...this is post number one hundred.

{image cred: Jessie-Lee Nichols}

Punctuate away, 

Jessie-Lee

Hand Drawn Merriment

If you love hand drawn text, or not so traditional calligraphy you need to check out this site! Gracie Finn's website is incredible. I think I could spend all day here.

{image cred: Gracie Finn}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

One Word: Prints

I don't think I could ever get tired of a quality print. Bring them on. I will find a spot on my wall for them. Seriously, when I purchase a house one day the walls will be covered with frames of all shapes and sizes with varying work from floor to ceiling. I wish I was exaggerating.

It is an understatement to say I love design blogs, but one thing I find attractive is the advertisers on design blogs. Quality. That is all there is to say about it. Designers are very picky about what represents them, so they pick the best of the best of sponsors (btw: I would love to get some offers, hint, hint!). I found one of these hidden gems today, and let me just show you the lovelies it has to offer.

I know, a little backwards today. I usually tell you about the pretty things before I show them to you, but I couldn't help myself. Spur Stor is an extension of Spur, a Baltimore, MD design agency. And let me tell you, this agency is pretty bad ass. If there was a dream position with dream clients this might be it. They describe themselves as:

"visual problem solvers who approach every project by connecting words and images with wit and clarity."

How brilliant is that? I strongly encourage you to check out their portfolio here. They have some amazing work in there, it's crazy. Anyway some of their favorite pieces, and those side projects we all like to get involved with are for sale in Spur Stor. Some of those for sale are what I have pictured here.

I personally love their collection Couples, which is comprised of Dada inspired collages. Now if you know me, you know I adore Dada. It is one of those things I don't have much rhyme or reason for, but I am insanely attracted to that time period and the brilliance that came from it. Love. If I could have these on my wall I would, but the Hubs might look at me like I am crazy (he often does, in times like these he smiles and says "sure, Babe").

I am super excited about this find. From now on I will be checking out their blog on a pretty regular basis. I need to be in the know about their work, it really is in a class all its own and therefore extremely inspiring!

So, question of the day, just because I want to know. How do you feel about Dada? I swear I won't criticize you if you hate it, OK well I might judge...I kid, I kid!

{image cred: Spur}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

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