microscopic

I toured the CDC in high school, completely oblivious to the fact that we had to wear gowns, gloves, footies and masks. Oh ... to be totally invincible again.

When I saw these exquisite illustrations of animal, plant and sealife by German biologist, Ernst Haeckel, I couldn't help but think about the scientists at the CDC spending every hour of every day staring into microscopes. I am thankful for their passion and expertise.

I am also thinking about our biology teacher Mrs Minick and how our summer reading was Robin Cook's Outbreak (long before it was a movie). Although it was fiction, it does give us a window into what is really happening.

via: DesignWorkLife

more beautiful etsy finds, sans pigs

While finding much swine yesterday I also stumbled onto these gorgeous corsages and garlands, adorable and reusable lunch bags and clutches that remind me so much of the winner of Bravo's Project Runway (we always called her "Portland girl").

bad rap

In honor of the swine flu (which I am totally freaking out about) here are some great pieces from Etsy featuring the star of the hour.

{click on image to go to artist's Etsy shop}

food inc

It's no secret that we are food snobs. I easily spend money on local and organics over having cable TV. So we're a little bit hippie. Food Inc. is coming out in June and I really hope that it changes our nation's view of food much like An Inconvenient Truth changed our view of global warming. Our overall health as a country depends on it.

On a creative level, the opening title sequence is very well done.

sketchbooks

I have mentioned it before, but since I have become a mom I have totally stopped journaling. I spent hours in the parks and random spots around my current cities (one of my favorite places in Chicago was Marshall Fields' food court). I really miss letting my mind wander and letting my pen flow freely. It's amazing how much I worked out by just being still and seemingly thinking about nothing.

This sketchbook project by Pikaland reminds me of my old journals. There is a sense of design without overdoing it.

venn diagrams + ink posters

Frank Chimero is at it again. He has some awesome Venn diagrams on his Flickr site. His sense of humor is always just right.

And the posters can be found at Ink (along with a few other beauties!).

mobiles

It's not that I think mobiles are wasted on children ... they can be magic for a screaming child. But I think that we need to have mobiles in more places than the nursery. They are such beautiful pieces of sculpture. And there are now so many cool, modern designs.

Elsie Marley, a crafter and blogger, sponsored a mobile swap and the images can be seen on Flickr. You can pick up lots of good ideas to make your own.

away we go

T just sent me this flick. I have recently had several conversations with friends about how we are not where we expected to be at our age or at our place in marriage or as parents. This movie appears to be written for us. Both endearing and funny, we will be getting a babysitter for this one. It's interesting that both of the recently featured movies on S+C have been co-written by Dave Eggers.

I think this is Nick Drake on the trailer. He seems to be the voice of our generation (even though he's no longer with us). Thanks VW and Wes Anderson.

Correction: the song is Alexi Murdoch ... who we also know from the Garden State soundtrack and Honda Element commercial.
{Thanks Kev}

cowboy

A friend introduced me to the music of Cowboy right after graduating from college. Think Neil Young + The Allman Brothers. My world at the time seemed to be in Technicolor and I was soaking every last drop into my core. The band Cowboy was the soundtrack of those years, which is ironic considering they recorded most of their music around the year I was born. I had a tape which is now long gone. I have searched and searched the internet for their last album A Different Time - The Best of Cowboy but to no avail. Please let me know if you find it.


These pictures remind me so much of Almost Famous. Maybe Cameron Crowe found some inspiration in Cowboy, too.

little people

Small Magazine has a new blog, Smaller. I rediscovered Arthur's Circus via Smaller. Arthur's Circus has so many wonderful vintage toys and paraphernalia. I love this little people print. My mom saved some of our old ones. D uses toilet paper as blankets to put them to bed.

things I am loving ...

So Very Happy by Studio Mela

Reading the Stars embroidery by Miniature Rhino

Letterpress counting poster by Sweet Beets

Colorful bowling pins at Sweethorn Vintage

adorable

These wedding programs by Erin Jang are so simple and sweet.

worth repeating

I don't like posting stuff that is on Design*Sponge because pretty much everyone already reads it. BUT these rooms, posted by guest blogger Jan at PoppyTalk, are too wonderful not to see again.

smart movie posters

Movie posters are usually so dull. Big pictures of the stars are what seem to sell a flick. But what if they were actually smart? Brandon Schaefer has recreated multiple movie posters in brilliant graphic ways.

is this your luggage?

So this guy buys lost luggage at auctions and then photographs the contents for this site. I feel like this would be a great exhibit at the MCA. It is a great example of art in the everyday.



Thanks Maggie!

notebooks

I had to stop buying any kind of paper/notebooks. My supply completely goes against anything environmental. I have told myself that I will not buy any more paper products until I use up what I have (that also goes for lotion and shampoo). But I can still look. Modern Craft featured these wonderful notebooks recently. I love the Notefolio (below). It is the modern day (and more ecological) Trapper Keeper.

Above from Violet. Below from Poketo.

jill bliss

I have been obsessed with this idea ever since I saw it on Pinball Publishing's blog. Jill Bliss, the fabulous illustrator & designer, created a multi-purpose label. It makes anything you attach it to a piece of collateral. I think Seymour Cornelius will be giving Jill the compliment of copying this lovely idea!

snow face

T put his face in the snow while he and D made a snowman. It turned out really cool.

needing rescue

The title of this post is a bit overdramatic. But I have been feeling slightly overwhelmed lately. Our landlord has asked us to be out of our place by the end of May. It is not easy moving with two young children. But I will simply "do the next thing" and all will be OK. We are so lucky to have a great group of friends who are willing to help.


These illustrations are by Julie Morstad. I discovered her through Book By Its Cover (Julia Rothman's blog). Julie has illustrated a bunch of wonderful books by Sara O'Leary and just recently published her own alphabet cards. Her style reminds me of Mel Kadel who was featured on S+C last year.