holy crap batman, penguin's here

This morning I stumbled upon the newly U.S.-released clothbound Penguin classics collection. When their creation was originally announced all over the internet last year I thought my wallet was safe from their fury of taste and class since they weren't being sold here. And seriously, shipping books overseas is just silly spending.

It's like ordering eggs and bacon at a restaurant... I know EXACTLY how to cook farm animals in a pan so I don't need Hairnet 'n Beergut to do it for me.















Anyway, if you want to buy them, I suggest Amazon, because you might be tempted by Anthropologie's Classy Vintage Taste by Association feeling, but for $7 less you'd like them shipped straight to your door thankyouverymuch.















P.S. Someone decided the designer, Coralie Bickford-Smith was the person to turn to for clothbound modern-vintage mashup design, so she's also done a number of other book series. This is The Arabian Nights set.

I SEE: vector shadows on type

Wedding Invites by Katie Kirk (via Paper Crave)

Perhaps an effort towards clean and controlled design, these vector drop shadows, specifically on type, are taking over where gradients (ptooey!) have left off in recent years.

Hoboken Pie identity by Decoder Ring Design Concern (via designworklife)

I think they have been primarily found on beer and spirits labels in the past. Actually, anything that gets a gold foil treatment and a ribbon banner has been fair game. But now the effect is being paired up with basic, capital letters and bridging a gap from retro to modern.

Coaster by Mikey Burton (via yay!everyday)

For more examples check out my flickr or, for a total overload, check out Jessica Hische. She uses this design technique like her life depended on it. An amazing typographer and all, but she clearly has her go-to methods ifyouknowwhati'msayin'*.

*what I'm sayin' is that I'm totally jealous and her talent makes me want to
punish myself for not being born her creepy clone with comparable skills.

OMG I NEED THAT: Rock Revolution

Knitting cozies for food is for namby pambys, but hoarding rocks and naming them is for the big time. Furthermore, Pebble Pet accessories are so hard core they blow my mind.

Does Junior want to get involved in the Rock Revolution? Of course he does, the little attention whore. This next book taps into the little guy's imagination with wily-named projects that should embarrass you to say out loud. The tomfoolery on the horizon is palpable, and the possibilities are limited to 10!

Please be advised that painted rocks are neither loving or edible. If heart or teeth should become broken, in part or in whole, due to the impossibly stupid use of these products, please send all comments and complaints to human resources and then allow 6-8 weeks for a response as you are ridiculous and tacky.
High-Definition paint not included.


It'll look like you ACTUALLY painted something!


All images are from the Fall 2009 North Light Shop catalog.

laura at work.

When I'm not online, I can be seen posing with condiments.

no, seriously. let's talk about this.

I made zee pillohs!

Fabric is from Anna Maria Horner's collection called Drawing Room

Finally used the fabric I purchased a long ass time ago to make these for the living room. Plus I learned how to sew a zipper.

By learn, I mean took 15 minutes to figure out what a 'zipper foot' was and another 40 to flip the pillow shell back and forth with the zipper pinned in different places to figure out what will/won't show when it's finished.

Even if it's a soup can covered in construction paper, making something for my damn self makes me the happiest little laura in the world. I could almost be nice to someone.

all grown up

My living room is at least. not making any claims for myself.

Before I knew the power of white: The yellow made everything gross and we took advantage of the shelving like it was the drunk girl at the party. Also, it was christmas...or no more than a few months after christmas. shut up.


After: Roommate painted walls & fireplace (which was gross off-white, now brilliant white), IKEA sofa slip covered, her uncle also made that wonderful & simple coffee table, a couple of my projects and BAM, we pass for respectable members of society. Take THAT college!

OMG I NEED THAT (8)

Once again, SkyMall summer 2009 edition. The publication for winners.

OMG EXTREME CLOSE UP

The new slim Casio design is perfect for any décor! Especially if you live in a corporate waiting room! Be the talk of the town and the center of the love triangle between a girl and her cougar mom.

Do be advised though that you should never hit on your girl’s college roommate while playing. She appears to be cross-eyed. And really, if nothing else, her forearm is awfully disproportionate. Poor girl. Actually, maybe you should hit on her. You know, boost her self esteem a little? I bet she could use a little 'hey i like your...teeth'. yeah, that would be nice.

Anyway, white chicks love plastic keyboards!
OMG buy this!

OMG I NEED THAT: for my garden

Thank you Summer 2009 issue of SkyMall

Unlike his fearsome brethren around the world, this garden variety yeti is sure to win you over with his grumpy man-face and huge pecs! Don't worry, his bark is a lot bigger than his bite for sure. Mostly because he's made of resin and can't open his mouth.

Excuse me, designer resin. The kind tim gunn would use for the 18 naked nymph statues of himself.

Anyway, with the rash* of brides-to-be around the office these days, you should stock up for that quirky off-the-registry gift the ladies will surely appreciate from 'that guy' at work! And if it gets you off the meeting invite for the next (surprise!) in-office bridal shower, well then, it's done its job already.

*rashes are generally considered embarrassing and an illness. You make of that what you will.

I'll take 'Circular Logic' for $800.

Everybody, this is my brother. I've stolen this picture from his facebook so I don't know who that chick is, but what is he going to do about it anyway? Really, he should be glad I didn't use any of these photos as his introduction.

I mean, dude, you cuddle a lot with your friends. just sayin'.

Anyway, he recently he informed me that guys always prefer a woman with long hair and that no guy likes the look of skinny jeans on anyone.

Let those uncompromising statements wash over you as they did me.

Though I think he was oddly trying to help my love life, apparently it's easy for him to believe everyone feels the same way he does about otherwise completely subjective preferences. And you can only imagine the dialogue when heavier subjects are waved in front of that narrow line of sight. His assertions have just always seemed so unfounded to me. So intolerant. Needless to say, he's hardly ever agreed with my music, style or politics.

But really, am I any less sanctimonious when I assume everyone agrees over-greased hair is disgusting? That a sense of humor is obviously more important than having money? Cotton superior to lycra?

Those assessments are so natural to me that I just assume people 'get' why they are preferable. If they disagree they just have it wrong somehow...right? They must have faulty logic, be confused or just plain stupid.

But do you see how that just puts me right in line with my brother's resolute habits?

I mean, shit.