The Hunt for Pink October.

Back in the day, October used to be associated with the color of the turning leaves. Since AstraZeneca founded October as National Breast Cancer Awareness month in 1985, it has become become synonymous with the color pink. While some may criticize manufacturers and retailers for their pink products, if it helps to raise awareness while raising funds to find a cure, all while giving us more pink to shop from, then we're all about it.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation has a collection of pink products whose sale benefits their organization. Above are a few office favorites, from Andy Boy broccoli rabe to a sugary sweet pink Tory Burch puff vest, all available throughout the month. What better excuse to get shopping?

illustrated "missed connections"

Sophie Blackall's been creating illustrations inspired by Craigslist's Missed Connections section. I think it's a guilty pleasure for a lot of us. Lord knows it's closer to PG than the "Casual Encounters" section!

Some of my favorite picks:
You had a guitar. I had a blue hat. "You were lovely."
Scrabble Tattoo on Roof "Asked myself why the letter 'n' all night long, then you were gone before I got a chance to ask."
Hipster Chick Who Passed Gas "I'd like to see you again. The flatulence wasn't a turn-off. "

Find Sophie's work on her Missed Connections blog, or at her Etsy shop. Goes to show you: inspiration is everywhere.

a W makeover

A whimsical interpretation of the W Hotel's logo installed on our building's entrance for a Boston Fashion Week event.

Print meets Prada

We know newsprint, and have become very intimate with it over the years. Designing for it, isn't always easy, but designing with it proved to be an entirely different challenge for the talents of Project Runway last night. Every season they give a similar challenge where they've used everything from Hershey Candy Store paraphernalia to flower shop supplies, but I have to say, this one blew me away.

See all of the designs here.

pebble tabletop

Meg spotted Little Factory's great line of pebble placemats and coasters on Design Milk. We love their organic shape, and simple design. How cool would they be set on a long table even as trivets? Zen man, Zen.

good night

Christoff Niemann's latest series is called "Good Night and Tough Luck". I love the illustrations and I just wish they used his handwriting for the notes. They're hilarious and so spot on: The chivalry of warming the bed for his wife; the spooner's dillemma. Good stuff.

street sweets

Street Sweets is hands down the coolest mobile bakery I've ever seen. Even if I didn't have a sweet tooth, the truck's graphic typography would reel me in. You can find their location via Twitter updates. All around great branding. Food carts are huge in NY, and I wish some of the snackeries here in Boston would take their show on the road. Hello, Anna's Taqueria cart?! Mike and Patty's mobile brunch?! Blue Ribbon BBQ truck?! I'm just saying... we need it.

Surf's up on the North Shore…

Finally got to visit the Peabody Essex Museum over labor day weekend. My husband and I spent our Sunday morning there, taking in the entire collection which was rather impressive and way more robust than I had expected. Their Native American collection alone, is definitely worth the trip, but if you can get there in the next 3 weeks, then you'll be able to view Joni Sternbach's: Surfland exhibit.
From the postcards on display in the vestibule, we were sure these were vintage, but come to find out, all of the photos taken on Long Island or California were taken with the past few years. The photographer uses a 19th century process called Tintype, and then applies them to aluminum. The images are rich, contrasty, telling and sexier than Chris Isaak's Wicked Games video from the 80s.
If you're so inclined, Joni Sternbach is offering a class on Tintypes on October 3rd, the day before the show closes. Come on, that'd be cool.

petrina hicks

Haunting images from Australian photographer Petrina Hicks. Spotted on NOTCOT.

malibu dream house

We're out on Monday for Labor Day, so in the spirit of vacation homes... Jonathan Adler's Barbie Malibu Dream House is so over the top! I love the hot pink poodles and the piece made of barbie dolls above the mantle in the lounge. Great way to keep the essence of the brand while translating for a new format (interiors). I have to draw the line at Chris March's "Hair Chandelier", that took it a little too far. Why weren't the poodles in the Barbie loves Jonathan Adler line?

Have a great long weekend!

new Seb Lester

New at Keep Calm, Seb Lester's Home Sweet Home. Loving how it's printed in white ink on Mirri paper.

learn something everyday

Learn Something Everyday delivers daily factoids in the form of fun sketches. (Betcha' didn't know Salvador Dali designed the first Chupa Chups logo?!)
via FredFlare