green and cream

Last Tuesday was just a green and cream sort of day.

First, a friend and I went to Starbucks, where they passed out samples (always good) in the cutest little mini cups! Observe:

Second, as I drove home, I spied a redone VW van, the kind I always wanted to drive when I was little ( I still do )

This color scheme, hm, simple but it does give an air of old fashioned elegance, dontcha think?

Happy day : )

Kickin’ it Old School

While perusing Design*Sponge, their NSS coverage mentioned letterpress business Old School Stationers.

courtesy Old School Stationers

Not only cute, also in Portland, OR! Yet another adventure field trip to put on my list! Letterpressing is another detail that adds a personal dimension to what can sometimes be an impersonalized field.

Scanning in images, using specific paper stock, and other physical elements all lend themselves to conveying a piece was human-created : )

Anyways, definitely worth it for that special someone! (like you, when you feel the need for yet another wall decoration)  : )

Izze

Lemme preface with this: I don’t drink alot of soda, but when the packaging is this cute, and the soda is natural (still not super good for you but much better than high fructose corn syrup!) it’s hard to say no to an old-fashioned mixed with new-fangled Izze soda : )

Mmm, okay, so Izze has to be one of my favorite sodas (okay, sparkling juice, but soda is more fun to say, just try: so-dah).

The glass bottle alone makes soda more fun, but the logo (which especially fits the citrus flavors by creating an abstract dissection of a lime, lemon, or clementine) is fitting, and the bottle cap cute, sparkly and sweet. All in all, this soda… okay, sparkling juice … is a winner!

Alberta art

So Diana and I went to Alberta street Saturday to get our portfolios for the upcoming review/show/interviews. We both agreed it would be a perfect opportunity to go to the Vita café to try their breakfast cuisine, but they are still closed! (for relocation and renovation across the street.)

Both our tummies still grumbled, so we decided to try the next neat looking place on the block, tour de crêpes!

You can tell someone has put alot of heart into this place, but not too much budget while still making it beautiful. Par exemple: (en français)

This great blackboard (announcing French Film Fridays) is not just a blackboard…see the handle? C’est trés magnifique!

Also, the menus each had their own unique paper backing, and most of the doors inside were made into tables : )

I love the atmosphere from Alberta street/surrounding area, eco-conscious + vegetarian friendly + artsy makes for a happy Caitliny mix : )

photo via diana

Hide and Seek

So one of the cards I got recently was one that I haven’t seen the technique used before, but I love it!

If you haven’t guessed already, here’s what it looks like before:

But after:

How cool is that?!?

I’m thinking this would make a great business card idea for a children’s toy store, named ‘Hide and Seek’, okay, maybe that’s a little specific, but this would be so neat in alot of applications!

Fabricated

Today’s post is flowers again. It never ceases to amaze me how the same subject matter can be perceived in so many different ways.

Also, today’s post is accompanied by some swatches as well, I think it’s a trend I’ll continue : )

New Fav Following

So there’s this blog… : ) isn’t that how all stories start? Pikaland is amy’s … I think … place to showcase illustration she’s in love with, and let me tell you, I can see why!

via Pikaland

The name might be a reference to the measurement unit pica… misspelled? Either way, there is a fantastic amount of illustration, and one post in particular had me thinking as well: this one.

Animated inanimates

It’s funny when inanimated objects seem to be saying something, this cone for example:

seems to be saying: “stay away from this grate, don’t end up like me.”

It would be neat to use inanimate objects like this in an ad campaign, or in a clothing commercial, I think that it’s ironic how human objects can be. : )

happy day : )

stuff it.

The story of stuff, discovered originally on Pikaland brought up tough info in an easily processed form, I love resources like this! It made me think, and already I was convinced this is good for our homes, I hope that others who aren’t yet will be.

In a field where we are encouraged to keep up with new trends/technology/etc. it stretches me to think of ways I can do that without adding to the consumerist pool. Also, these ten tips were a quick start to changing,  I could hear her voice narrating this list of Ten Things you can do NOW. : )

Mother’s day

So I have to be one of the worst people at ‘guessing’ what people will want. You know those friends who catch on to really subtle little hints throughout the year of things you didn’t even realize you wanted sometimes, but love when they get exactly what you really wanted even if you didn’t consciously realize it? Yeah, not that kind of person.

Fortunately, as I’m getting older (every May 7th!) I honestly enjoy gifts as an opportunity to ‘force’ time spent with someone I care about. It also makes a sincere and appreciated gift when someone asks what I want, and I have not a clue!

Also, another great part of this is the opportunity to create an impromptu design for someone you know very well, and for something I care about, which will not always be the case! Needless to say, this was the idea for mother’s day, and as usual, my mom loved it. Works every time. : )

Another definite perk is the chance to come up with fake ‘restrictions’ love those asterisks!