David Mikush, a student at Creative Circus in Atlanta, created the below Burt & Bumble handmade honey products and packaging as an extension of Burt’s Bees line of earth-conscious, natural beeswax products. He and another designer, Samantha Schneider wanted to capture the right aesthetic for new products of the environmentally responsible brand. The designers chose beautiful bottles and jars with copper tops and I adore the wood box containing an assortment of honey, even the handle looks like the honey dipper. The finished result - super sweet!

spotted on thedieline.com

or smitten I should say with Truly Smitten’s brand identity package for Vale of Enna. Organic in shape, texture, and color choice this branding package is pleasantly perfect for a flower shop. Letterpress alone makes me swoon but this die cut business card is magnificent!  I have one suggestion to make this stationery suite utterly sense-sational, I would spray a light floral scent with each note making this shop simply impossible to forget.

See more detail trulysmitten.blogspot.com

As a passerby, who can resist piles of cookies clustered in a window?  Definitely a draw for me, I had to see what this bakery had to offer. Upon entering I thought I had gone to heaven, Bird Bath Bakery not only smells divine but I learned they are a Green bakery, using all organic ingredients and their space and supplies are as sustainable as they come. The ultimate test was the tasting and I can assure you no crumbs will remain uneaten. The cookie package below contains an assortment of chocolate chip, all chocolate and oatmeal raisin cookies for $15, perfect as a hostess gift or if you are having company over. I brought a set to a superbowl party and within minutes all the cookies disappeared. Go on and let your inner monster have a treat or TWO.

145 7th Ave, btw 10th St & Charles St,  birdbathbakery.com

at Moda, the Accessories Show NYC…

Back a couple of weeks ago I went to Moda to poke around and see what’s new in the accessories world. Aside from checking out the product I was mostly impressed by the above two presentations. 1. Silent Gypsy’s booth, showcased creativity and chic design to display their edgy yet feminine jewelry line. Necklaces hung on tattered cardboard walls topped with treated/stained wood.  Rings and bracelets sat atop stacked white porcelain dishes filled with beans and moss greens.  Other delicacies to discover included stacks of old newspapers, woven baskets, lanterns, and balls of wool. My favorite piece was the logo, it was absolutely fantastic! If you can’t tell these are silver push pins hand assembled of course… so utterly time consuming but worth the final effect.  The designer credits Caf Creative for the brains behind this beauty. 2. Whitewash was also a favorite. The mostly pale palette was dainty, feminine and fresh.  Black and white illustrations of Victorian fashion hung among the clothes, and vintage forms, postcards and a crystal chandelier spoke to the age in which the clothing was inspired.  Soft and serene just the way it should be.

Because the packaging is almost more important to me than what’s on the inside, when I received Dwell Studio’s press kit at the gift show my heart soared.  A great way to show off a company known for their love of color and geometric patterns this tote and folio were both perfectly presented.  Dwell Studio was founded by Christiane Lemieux who began her career working in fashion for favorites such as Isaac Mizrahi and The Gap before joining Portico, a New York-based home furnishings company. In 1999 she launched her own company, Dwell, focusing mostly on bedding and home furnishings. Since then Dwell has grown into Dwell Studio, a team devoted to creating decorative and minimalistic design for table top accents, baby & kid friendly linens and accessories, wall art and stationery. See below their inspiration and product available through dwellshop.com.

at the NYC Gift Show…

1-3. It is truly amazing what can be done with die-cut paper.  I first saw this company and their amazing light fixtures just a short while ago, I blogged about my findings here.  When I stumbled upon their display at the show I was mesmerized by their ability to mix functionality with artistic expression.  Their light fixtures are absolutely stunning.  See more of their designs at artecnicainc.com 4. Next I came across this fun display from The Sarut Group, who produce bold and colorful novelty gift and home items.  I love this tabletop idea for a children’s center or playroom.  A fun but green way of recycling old unwanted barrels. 5. Lastly, the paper cocktail number.  Every show I head to Rag & Bone, to see what wonderful paper creation Ilira and the R&B team have designed.  A tradition always inspiring and they never cease to impress me with their patterned albums and book binding presentations.

Scouring yard sales and antique barns has always been a family ritual during trips to Vermont, the Cape and where ever else the road has taken us.  I have inherited my Mother’s thriftiness for making someone else’s junk my treasure, all while bargaining for the best rate.  So when Daily Candy informed me today of Le Grenier in Greenpoint, I nearly died and went to heaven. Owned by Maya Marzolf, a former fashion photography producer, this boutique has the perfect mix of eclectic vintage finds, as well as, modern contemporary wares.  The best green shopping all in one place; find rustic furniture, aged glass bar sets and vanity pieces, porcelain pitchers and delightful candlesticks.  This shop will even do rentals for set design.  And because heaven must have a garden, enter Le Jardin du Grenier, an outside space used for hosting poetry readings and wine tastings.  

le grenier, Antiques & Housewares, 19 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY  781.569.0111

The le greneir website itself is beautifully done, design by FuzzProductions.   It includes a replica of the birch tree mural painted in store by artist, Weston Woolley. Kudos to Maya for making recycling look so good!  legrenierny.com 

I work in the Meatpacking district in Manhattan and down there the pig is all the rage…it got me thinking just how many piggies are used to market restaurants; here are a few of my fav finds:

1. The Spotted Pig, NYC, 2. St. John, London, 3. The Bourgeois Pig, NYC, 4. Florent, NYC - We miss you!, 5.  Zampa, NYC

So simple yet grabbing.  I just love when type is put to good use. Based in the UK this catering company takes a no-fuss approach to their marketing, my eyes are telling me yes and if instinct is right I think my stomach would agree.  The Really Delicious Food Company

As a designer first - wine connoisseur second, labels are usually my deciding factor for purchase.  Crazy I know, but great, innovative labels get me every time.  A friend brought to my apartment The Maitre D Mollydooker Cabernet Sauvignon which I loved both the look and taste of. To my surprise Sarah and Sparky Marquis creators of this fabulous wine had an easy tear-off label so that one like myself could remember what it is called.  However, I liked the actual bottle label so much I spent 15 minutes peeling it off as well.  This lead to investigation of who they are and what other wines they have.  Check out the amazing vintage inspired labels below and their great “Party in a Box” and “All you need is love” gift ideas.  Cheers!