Tuesday, September 30, 2008

instant vintage

I love all things vintage, especially old family photographs. Now thanks to a link I discovered on Little Brown Pen's blog, I can make any of my present-day photos appear vintage with just the click of a button! Check out this site to see how (there's a button in the top right that will change the language from Japanese to English!)

Look at this "before" photo I took in the Netherlands:


And wow, instant vintage in the "after":


Here are a couple more – now go play with your own photos, it's so much fun!

Monday, September 29, 2008

more eye candy

This weekend I actually had a bit of time to surf the web and I stumbled across Cox & Cox, an online store based in the UK. The photography is so soft and serene, it really creates an amazing mood - it makes me wish I could live my life in close-up mode!


Plus, their product selection is very unique. Yes, there are a few things I've seen before in the US but plenty of things are new to me – enough to make me consider ordering a few things and paying the price to have them shipped across the big pond (I simply must have those heart-shaped brown sugar cubes to hang on the rim of my tea cup!)


COX & COX
www.coxandcox.co.uk • International: 0870 442 4787

Thursday, September 25, 2008

eye candy

Do you ever come a cross a website that makes you say "wow" out loud? Well, I do (quite a bit, actually) – but this site by Amy Atlas not only made me talk to myself like some old cat lady, it made me wish I lived in NYC and had some fabulous event coming up so I could hire Amy to create her magic!


Amy's desert tables are simply out of this world! Just take a look at these amazing displays of confection and creativity:


And should you need any inspiration for your Halloween party this year, look no further:


To see more of Amy Atlas' delicious designs, just visit her website. (all photography shown here is from her site - isn't it gorgeous?)

AMY ATLAS EVENTS
New York City • 917.974.9285

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

shop talk - camellia

After driving by this store for months and always thinking "I gotta stop by there!" I finally had a chance to visit Camellia on Fremont in NE Portland. And boy, was I in for a treat!


Shop owner Emily has scoured the country and come up with a huge selection of beauty products that pamper your body and soul. And best of all, they're all natural and organic! Just think: beauty, cosmetics, skincare, and body care that you can feel good about in more ways than one!

Just take a look at these snapshots to get a sense of Camellia's fabulous selection:


And you'll feel rejuvenated just walking around her spacious store, taking in all the goodness it has to offer. Don't forget to look up at the ceiling for a visual treat:


CAMELLIA
4941 NE Fremont • Portland • 503.287.4645 • www.camelliapurebeauty.com

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

studio visit

I'm always so inspired when I see where other people work. Ink & Peat's shop (see previous post) certainly was inspirational – Pam has created a fabulous work space for herself! So I thought I'd share with you my own work space, which I happen to love.


I'm one of those people who is influenced by her physical surroundings. When I was in college, I always found it really hard to study in a cluttered apartment. While those college years are decades past (yes, decades!), I still find it hard to concentrate in a messy office.

So when I moved my home office for my design studio Defteling Design from the attic to the basement, I decided I had to have a nice view. A little hard to do when you're six feet underground, but I nevertheless achieved success: I look out on a beautiful, calm collection of various objects and photos while the messes pile up behind me.

Above: view behind me (desk was a great find at the Portland Antique Expo a few years back)
Below: view in front of me (the display ledge above the bead board was my hubby's idea and it turned out great!)


The view to my right: I started collecting old type back when I was studying graphic design. That then expanded into old enamel signs (I picked up the vintage document clip from a Dutch grocery on my last trip to the Netherlands). And my wall of fame, if you will: a sampling of logos that have won design awards over the years.


The view to my left: these simple Ikea magazine boxes store printed samples of various client projects from the past five years. Love the great Pottery Barn clock, which was a Christmas present from my sister and her hubby. The built-ins cupboards at the bottom are where I hide all my various computer manuals and software boxes.


One of my favorite things, though, is my entry way. I had my logo recreated in cut vinyl that makes the window look like etched glass. Now my clients can park on the side of the house (we live on a corner) and know they're at the right place before they come knockin' on the door!


And yes, I work in this very same office when designing all my greeting cards and paper products for Cecily Ink! No need to reinvent the wheel, right?

Monday, September 15, 2008

shop talk – ink & peat

This past Saturday, I was invited to attend the grand opening of Portland's newest floral design and home decor stores, Ink & Peat. I was SO excited – I had been meaning to stop by Pam's store since she first opened her doors a few weeks ago and knew I would be in for a treat based on the pictures she had posted on her blog.


And boy, she did not disappoint! Ink & Peat is filled with treasures big and small that include must-haves for the home and body. While taking the photos below, my heart kept jumping with delight as I discovered piece after piece.


And yes, I did not leave empty-handed! Besides a set of dish towels (you can never have too many designer towels!), I snagged a gorgeous blue serving bowl, a delicious-smelling candle, an adorable silver ring, and a beautiful gift for a friend who's having a birthday in a few weeks.


And the flowers, oh, the flowers! Pam's arrangements are so beautiful, they're like pieces of art! I especially loved how she sprinkled vases and containers with just a stem or two throughout her displays. It made the store come to life!


And what would a grand opening be without a spread of goodies? Pam and her family outdid themselves – everything looked gorgeous, of course, but was absolutely delicious as well!


And aren't these little party favors adorable? Amy with Candywinkel did a great job tying in the favors with Pam's colors and tags!


INK & PEAT
3808 N. Williams Avenue • Portland • 503.282.6688 • www.inkandpeat.com