Ingenious BBQ

Even though the grill season of Summer is coming to an end, I couldn't pass up featuring this fun find.


Direct Design's "Notebook Portable Grill" breaks down to a notebook sized flat unit that can be carried by hand.



Imagine taking this on a picnic to the park. You can walk with it or even tie it on to your bike. All you need is a hard surface to set it up on, some briquets, something to grill and you're good to go! Tailgating anyone?



Find this groovy grill at A+R Store.

Portfolio: Queen Anne Apartments

I recently completed a fun project for some friends of mine who purchased a fantastic vintage apartment building on Queen Anne. They were in need of a whole new identity for the building...so we started with the logo. Its "regal" Queen Anne location was the inspiration for the crown like mark used, while the text treatment used is hip and fresh but still holds true to the era of the building.


Next we determined a color scheme of deep chocolate brown and crisp white, marrying the historical aesthetic of the fantastic building with a modern, clean twist.


The final look was applied to their "For Rent" sign...which turned out beautifully!



I'm really pleased with the final identity and it was a great treat to get to work with friends!

Jumbo Fun!

Sleeping in an airplane...that is the worst! There never is enough leg room and only a billionaire can afford the seats that barely recline in First Class. But what if the airplane had all the amenities of a swanky hotel?


OK, this baby won't ever take off, but what a wonderful idea! Swedish entrepreneur Oscar Diös recently acquired a worn out Transjet 747-200 and decided to turn it into a hostel...Jumbo Hostel! It is located just outside of the Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, Sweden and has a spectacular view of the runway. The "hostel" features 25 sleeping rooms including 3 bunk beds in each.


All rooms have a flat screen TV where you can watch TV, movies or check the departure times for all flights. The hostel is fully wireless and all rooms have access to shared showers and toilets. A few more luxurious rooms upstairs boast their own bathrooms.


If shacking it up with strangers isn't your cup of tea, you can always book the Cockpit Suite. It is surely a unique room with more space, a private bathroom and gorgeous panoramic views of the runway from the airplane's front window. Can you imagine?!

Bookings start in December...if you're headed that direction, maybe you should check it out! Reservations are accepted on their website. I can't wait until they release photos of the interior. Futuristic and mod, I'm sure it will be spectacular!

Pop Up!

I had a pop up Hansel & Gretel book when I was a little girl and I absolutely loved it. It was so fun to see the characters jump off the page in three dimensions with little nooks and crannies to fuel the imagination. Well, I felt the same way when I found these DIY Kirigami pop up cards.


There are so many amazing designs to choose from. Many inspired by the lyrics of the 12 Days of Christmas...

Ladies Dancing


Calling Birds


And a Partridge in a Pear Tree!


They have other great designs too like jumping fish


And butterflies...


The greatest part? You get to use your own creativity to put the card together yourself...






What a great idea for Christmas or your next special occasion. Find them here!

Keep Calm

At this point, most people have seen the fantastic reproductions of the "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters from the UK. Just look at all the chatter...

photo via Bloesem

photo via sfgirlbybay

photo via Arctic Bar

I even have one and love the way it looks over my bar in my living room...


Now, there is a clever new rendition of the classic original...

photo via Apartment Therapy SF

These super cool "Keep Calm and Rock On" posters are available via The Poster List. Check out their site...there are tons of fun posters available! Personally, I still love the original, but a new twist is always fun. Rock on!

The Good Old Days

All the talk of yearbook photos yesterday got me looking back on my childhood again. As I reminisced, a variety of fun memories came up. Thanks to YouTube, you can walk down memory lane with me...are you ready?

Remember this?

They're coming back you know...but I hardly think it will be the same!

Even farther back...no wonder I lived in La-La Land...these are the shows I used to watch...

Yes, that is Fergie and Jennifer Love Hewitt...too funny!

What about this one? I was so excited one of the dancers was named Chelsea! Of course she isn't featured in this clip...

I think the dancers are a little saucier than I remember. Fancy!

Back to the cartoon days and the memories get even groovier...


They have such great opening songs...



And the toys! What fun!!


I remember I took the adoption application SO seriously. This was my new child you know!


I can't tell you how bad I wanted that dang oven!


What were they smoking when they came up with that one?! I have to admit...I loved them!

Finally the movies round out the fun. I hope you've enjoyed my look back!

Blast from the Past

My friend Brent from Muse Coffee Co. posted the funniest thing on his blog on Friday. A hysterical new site called Yearbook Yourself allows you to superimpose your head into yearbook shots through the ages. You have to check it out...I don't think I've laughed that hard in awhile. Here are my highlights...too funny!

1952

1960

1964

1966 Didn't I just look like this the other day?

1968

1970

1990

1994 Ironically enough, this almost looks exactly like my 8th grade picture!

Kind of scary...but a lot of fun! Which one is your favorite?