have yinz seen Fallingwater?

Hey there kiddos! Lego just released a new model kit for Fallingwater. I'm a fan of The 'Burgh, and an even bigger fan of Frank Lloyd Wright. It's not just Star Wars kits anymore, they also have one for the Guggenheim and some other choice architecture. Yinz should check it out. (via NatGeo's intelligent travel)

i heart charts

I think infographics are such an interesting niche to get into. I've posted on the topic enough to admit I'm being more than a little redundant. Forget pie charts, these folks are upping the ante on organizing information.

The folks at Always with Honor have made their name as regular contributors to Good and Monocle. I enjoyed their feature on the Largest Bankruptcies in History.

Wired consistently delivers some of the coolest infographics around. I like how Stephen Doyle and Zack Zavislak tackled The Future of Food.

Cumby's gets a facelift.

While watching the Sox game the other night, we noticed a new Cumberland Farm's logo in the background. According to Tom Moseley, the president of The Moseley Group who was hired for the job, “We updated the concept with new identity, new décor, new food and new packaging… Yet we were careful to remain true to the core of the brand."

What do you think?

how to be smart and charming

My mom found this little treasure: How to Be Smart and Charming, by Alma Archer, 1941. This is book six from a series of publications brought to you by the Personal Improvement Guild in NY. I especially like the delicate script type laid over the bold stripes on this cover. Not so much legible, but sweet nonetheless.

The lesson on "How to Avoid Mistakes in Dress" made me snort! It's a hilarious mix of the practical and ridiculous. One of her better words of advice included,"Being well-dressed is more a matter of planning than a matter of money, and you will shine at a party in your $10 dress which is suitable both for you and for the occasion, while the upper-bracket-salary girl who buys expensively but thoughtlessly will be a complete flop in her too-dressy dress." Timely tips, thanks Alma!

I Can Read Movies

Here are a couple of fun cover designs from a fake book series called I Can Read Movies. Spacesick (the designer) was most definitely giving a nod to Saul Bass. I love how they boiled down the movie to a single visual pun. I love the design nerdery behind it all!

MagCloud

Like lulu and blurb before it, MagCloud offers print on demand. More specifically, they let you publish a magazine. According to their site,"It costs you nothing to publish a magazine on MagCloud. To buy a magazine costs 20¢ per page, plus shipping. For example, a 20-page magazine would be four bucks plus shipping. And you can make money! You set your issue price and all proceeds above the base price go to you".
I know that traditional magazines are on their last leg, but I still love the format. Wouldn't it be great if you could publish smaller sizes, like a Teen Vogue or Everyday Food? And for the love of God will someone please bring back Domino?!

photo illustration

Came across these great photo illustrations by Tom Schierlitz for The New York Times. (Prop Stylist: Amy Henry. Food Stylist: Brian Preston-Campbell.)

Untitled Art Project from Bravo.

Saw this on HowDesign.com, a reality show ala Project Runway except for artists "Untitled Art Project"! (I can't tell if that is the name or if its yet to be titled.) Regardless, if its anything like PR its sure to be a hit. Plus SJP is involved, so chances are its going to be good. If you're an artist in the Miami, Chicago or NY areas this is your week. Gather up your portfolio, throw it on a jump drive and head on over to auditions.

Good luck!

because seven "ate" nine

We've been talking about the fun anomaly of the day: 12:34:56 7/8/9... Grab Veer's "numb3rs" wallpaper for your iPhone to celebrate the rareness of the occurrence.

Merde Il Pleut

Raindrops, a Toronto boutique which specializes in weather gear, is selling a "Merde Il Pleut" umbrella line. Translation from French, "Shit it's raining".

Boston, Dinner is served…

In collaboration with the City of Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development, we get to work on some pretty fun projects that help beautify neighborhoods in our historic city. Over the past 6 months or so, we've been working on two of our favorites, James Hook & Co. "a New England Tradition since 1925" located in the Financial District and Macys Liquor, a West Roxbury landmark. In their respective neighborhoods, these businesses are a testament to hard work and exceptional products and services. They continue to thrive even having endured changes in ownership (Macys) and even a tragic fire (James Hook). Even in an economic recession, we still need to eat—and drink and its cheaper than eating out.
We approached these projects with caution and finesse, and gave each business a modern facelift with the fabrication help of Barlo Signs (ML) and Metro Sign and Awning (JH), while still keeping their traditional integrity. If you're in Boston for the 4th, pick up a few bottles of Sauvignon Blanc at Macy's and then head downtown to James Hook to grab some crab legs, put on your scarf and hat and fire up the grill. At Macys and James Hook its business as usual, they just look a little different.