design nomad

Pressing Matters

2011-12-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

A few months back I was in the middle of downloading a new app when my hard drive died. After I had everything restored, I was very intent on finishing the book design project I was in the middle of and had completely forgot about it until yesterday. It was like a opening an early Christmas present, my very own letterpress set-up! The app is called LetterMPress ($9.99) and produces prints that have all the charm and transparency of letterpress printing without the messiness of ink. It’s a delight to work the old way, having to visualize in your head the end results while designing plus the sound effects make it even more fun. The app is available for use on the iPad too. Now time to get cracking on a holiday card…

Baking Bloggers Unite

2011-12-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

It couldn’t be a more perfect time of year to be baking and there’s nothing better than the smell of rosemary teacakes baking on a cold winter day. This coming Saturday, December 10th marks the fourth installment of Eat My Blog, a charity bake sale for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. The vision of Cathy Chaplin, author of internationally recognized food blog, Gastronomy Blog, Eat My Blog unites food bloggers and food enthusiasts who come together to give back to the community. I’ve participated in the last 3 events and if you are in the area this weekend, I highly recommend swinging by and stocking up on treats made by local bloggers and restaurants. The array is mind-boggling and it always turns out a festive crowd. Since the first bake sale, Eat My Blog has raised over $12,000 for the food bank. If you’d like to try these cakes out, my recipe follows below.

Rosemary/Vanilla Bean Olive Oil Teacakes

1 tablespoon of rosemary finally chopped and few springs for decoration.
1 ½ cups granulated bakers sugar (extra fine)
2 cups unbleached wheat flour+ 2 tbsp corn masa flour
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp powdered vanilla bean
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cups extra-virgin olive oil (the better the olive oil, the better the cake)
1 ½ cups whole milk
3 large eggs

Preparation:

Center an oven rack and preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly coat the mini loaf paper cases* with olive oil. Set aside.

In a large bowl, rub together the rosemary and sugar until the sugar is moist and fragrant. In a sieve, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Sift over the sugar. Whisk to combine the dry ingredients, then make a well in the center. In a large liquid measuring cup, combine the oil, milk, and eggs, whisk to combine, then pour into the well in the dry ingredients and slowly draw in the flour mixture, whisking until incorporated. The mixture should be fairly smooth before you draw in more flour. Mix well. Pour the batter into the prepared molds* using ½-cup measuring cup as a ladle. The molds should be three-quarters full. Place the molds on a large baking sheet, half an inch apart. You can add a tiny spring of rosemary as garnish. Bake for 35-40 minutes until nicely browned and firm to the touch. I like to sprinkle a little organic sugar on top right after I pull them out of them oven to add some extra sparkle and crunch.

* I get my plain brown paper mini loaf pans at Surfas in Culver City. You can find them online at N.Y. Cake and at many other baking outlets.

* Powdered vanilla bean: Split a fresh vanilla bean down the center and lay out on a tray in a cool dry place for a couple of days until completely dried and breaks into pieces easily. Grind to a fine powder (I use a Bodum coffee grinder just for herbs & spices to get the fine grain consistency)

Color Treatment

2011-12-05T07:10:00.000-08:00

After a long summer of multiple eye surgeries, an eyepatch, a lot of healing and working in between, my blog was sorely neglected. I am happy to report that thanks to my deft doctor, I now have my vision restored and no longer need to wear contact lenses anymore. Very happy days indeed! On my radar are these Pantone glass ornaments that would make any designer happy to color code their tree this holiday season.

Slice and Dice

2011-07-12T15:56:00.000-07:00

It’s been nearly three months since I've blogged and for that I do apologize to my faithful readers. I’ve been swamped with a whirlwind of design jobs and so many eye doctor visits, I’ve lost count. Tomorrow I will have the first of two eye surgeries and my doctor assures me I have a whole new clear vision world ahead of me. While I am hoping for a new bionic eye, all I can conjure up is this scene from Luis Buñuel and artist Salvador Dalí’s short film Un Chien Andalou. I do plan on blogging during my recovery since I have stockpiled many stories to share with you. See you all after the fog clears :)

Of Moss and Bunnies

2011-04-22T17:12:00.000-07:00

Earth Day celebrations and Easter/Passover prepping seem to be on everyone's mind this week. Tomorrow I'm decorating eggs and cookies with a friend's 4 yr old and celebrating Easter with my cousins Sunday with what undoubtedly promises to be a delicous brunch. My holiday decorations are always subtle and often humorous, so when I spotted this mossy bunny bank, I knew he'd be right at home for Easter and the rest of the year. Available from Greener Grass Design for $20 {back in stock this May 2011}. Wishing all a Happy Easter, Passover and Earth Day!

285 Sheets of Paper

2011-04-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

As a graphic designer for all of my adult life, I pretty much feel I was born with a #11 xacto knife in my hand and I'm very handy with it. But certainly not as deft as graphic designer Taras Lesko is. In this fast-motion video he creates an anatomically correct scaled-down paper model of the new Audi 2012 A7 with 285 sheets of paper, a glue stick, tape and a xacto blade. The assembly took 245 hours and I would imagine quite a few blades and perhaps a few bandaids. If you are in New York this week, stop by the New York Auto Show where Audi will have it on display.

Festivals Abound

2011-04-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

I’ve been too old to withstand an open-air 4 day concert in the desert for many years, so while all my young friends head out to Coachella this weekend I'll be headed to Artisanal LA in Santa Monica. Over 100 local, artisanal and handmade food vendors will gather in a vast space overlooking the bay at Santa Monica beach for a foodie extravaganza. I plan on sipping on Dry Lavender Soda and munching on handmade tiny pies and rustic chocolates. A wonderful event with expert-led panels, chef demos & speakers on craft beer, local honey, urban homesteading and much more. Ah, how times have changed :)

Oh Deer

2011-03-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

When I saw these antler ceramic spoons I instantly fell in love and then I fell even a little more in love when I saw they come pre-dipped with dark chocolate to make a perfect cup of hot chocolate. COCO A is all about creating a unique chocolate experience. Hand-crafted in San Francisco by chocolatiers using locally sourced cream for their ganache from happy Sonoma cows, the finest cacao beans and premium spices from around the world. The collection of truffles and caramels come in a array of exotic flavors, my favorites being the Smoked Sea Salt, Cayenne Pepper and Sage truffles. The Hot Chocolate ceramic spoons are available in the Deer Antlers, Vintage Keys and Cupid's Wings, making a most lovely gift for someone. For more gift ideas they offer a ceramic jewelry box that comes loaded up with either the truffles or caramels in a 6 piece set. Enough of this sweet talk, I'm off to exercise some of this chocolate off, smiling all the way.

Help Japan

2011-03-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

It’s been difficult to even think about posting anything frivolous while the people of Japan are suffering so deeply while facing re-building and recovery from this catastrophic event. The design community has responded in a great effort to raise money for the Red Cross. W&K Studio has a simple and direct poster they are donating 100% of their proceeds to Japan recovery. Zac Neulieb designed the stunning text Red Cross poster with a simple message, donate $10 to Red Cross. Put them in your front window and show the support the whole world is rising up to.

Wow Factor

2011-02-24T14:21:00.000-08:00

Show-stopping window installation of neon typography designed by Studio XAG in London for Christian Louboutin. Photos by Susie Rea

Love Day

2011-02-14T09:22:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a day filled with love and kisses :) Bulb from an edition of three bulbs from artist KAWS for the Standard hotel.

Le Cube Orange

2011-02-08T20:01:00.000-08:00

Simply spectacular. Visually arresting. Happiness for the eyes. Another reason to go to France. Le Cube Orange by Paris-based Jacob & MacFarlane architects, a soon to be completed commercial and cultural complex in Lyon.

Speaking of Cats…

2011-02-03T14:54:00.000-08:00

Great music video for cat lovers from the group Best Coast, a track called Crazy for You directed by Bob Harlow/Somesuch & Co Productions.

Cat Scratch Fever

2011-02-02T13:37:00.001-08:00

Anyone who owns a cat knows only too well how independent and fussy they can be, especially when it comes to where they sleep, scratch their claws and feed. My 5yr old male cat has suddenly starting started sleeping on my furniture and bed instead of the throw rug under the coffee table, scratching the couch ends and clearly having nocturnal kitty parties with strays leaving dry food scattered around the kitchen floor. Realizing it was time to buy him an actual scratching post but not wanting most of the ones I've seen at the pet supply, I headed over to CSN's AllModern store for attractive alternatives to the hideous choices at the pet store. I love this site where I can find great wall art and decor to George Nelson lighting and knew I'd find what I was looking for. The Kittypod Couchette Modern Cat Scratcher is perfect and would not look out of place in my mix of mid-century and current furniture. I already have this great Holden Designs bentwood feeder and the cat loves it too but I needed a good mat for underneath. I think this vibrant orange Chilewich Pet Mat is a stylish solution for the crunchies spread around by all the critters that seem to come in and eat.

You’re Glowing

2011-01-29T16:25:00.000-08:00

This is certainly not a blog about just lighting design but I keep discovering such beautiful fixtures! I love the simplicity and clean design of these glass pendant lamps from Hanna Krüger.

Lost in the Mail

2011-01-25T15:31:00.000-08:00

The fact I'm even writing about stamps after the USPS lost nine of my bills I paid out last month is surprising to even myself. Despite the hours spent on the phone and setting up to pay bills on-line, I still want a sheet of these new stamps coming out this month. An ode to 12 very talented industrial designers, the new Forever stamp hosts the Pioneers of Industrial Design in a beautiful sheet perfect for framing :)

Pack Rack

2010-12-30T19:33:00.000-08:00

Simply said, I want! The Pack Rack, a jewelry or light clothing rack made from sustainable woods and plastic animals from The Future Perfect.

Let There be Light

2010-12-29T12:36:00.000-08:00

This winter has brought so much rain and stormy weather, I literally have had to keep my lights on all day. In turn this starts tempting me to change out some lighting around the house and hang some new lampshades, just to mix things up. My friend Krysta sent me a link to these Skull lampshades from textile designer Amy Aardvark that just make me smile. Printed on organic fair-trade cotton, these shades might just bring some much-needed sunshine into any home. Available from the wonderful Hidden Art Shop.

Merrie Merrie

2010-12-24T09:46:00.000-08:00

The last of my cookies are baked, gifts wrapped and my waistline is already suffering from all the indulgent snacking. Kept my decorations pretty simple this year, lime green felt tree from CB2 last year and my favorite little birch reindeer standing in some grass ornament from Small Stump. Wishing all a very very Merrie Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Secret Desert Lodging

2010-12-06T13:31:00.001-08:00

If you have ever wanted to re-live a vintage postcard from the 40-50s then the Hicksville Trailer Palace and Artist Retreat in Joshua Tree, CA is the place for you! Secreted away somewhere in the surrounding area of Joshua Tree in the California desert, this sweet set-up has so much appeal. Each individual accommodation is in a vintage themed trailer all set up around a common swimming pool and outdoor activities area. It is doggie friendly and run on solar power. There is no way to know where it is exactly until you book a trailer and get instructions from the hosts. Truly an under-the-radar kind of place and I love it!

Raising Monies

2010-12-06T13:25:00.000-08:00

The Eat My Blog winter 2010 charity bake sale raised over $3,750 this weekend for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank! My lavender honey shortbread cookies sold out as did most everything else at the sale. Great fun, great sweets and a great cause!

Sweets for a Cause

2010-11-30T17:49:00.000-08:00

This coming Saturday, December 4th the Eat My Blog charity bake sale returns with a menu of sweets that literally makes me swoon! There will be over 2,000 baked goods from 50+ bloggers and bakers all in one location for all your sugar needs. View the menu and drool over such delights as Smoked Salt Toffee, Crack Pies, Curry Macarons, Bacon Caramel Popcorn and my Lavender Honey Shortbread. Founder and organizer Cathy Chaplin of the blog Gastronomy has been such an inspiration and the event has rapidly grown into quite the food event here in Southern California. The first two bake sales raised over $8,000 for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and this sale promises to be a huge success.

I feel honored to be a part of this event and I believe I am the only non-food blogger in the mix, although I do blog about food from time to time. I certainly tweet about it constantly with my food-loving friends on Twitter. So come on over to West Hollywood this Saturday and indulge yourself with this spread of sugar temptations!

Photo: Lavender Honey Shortbread by the very talented Ryan Tanaka

Lucky Love Chair

2010-11-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

Simple, clean and very reminiscent of Scandinavian and Japanese design, the Lucky Love Chair by Dutch designer Maarten Baptist is rather breathtaking. So very inviting, it makes you want to sit in it. A series of them will be launching in early 2011. Via Contemporist

Sweet Tooth

2010-11-18T21:13:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I have a wicked sweet tooth and the holidays are full of temptations everywhere I go. When I saw these mini iced donut ornaments from Urban Outfitters, I almost got a little sugar rush! Decorating a little tiny tree just with mini donuts or any of the other charming food-related ornaments Urban Outfitters carry could be a fun alternative to traditional tree trimmings. For years I have always tried to come up with an artistic or modern tree solution, one year I had a giant tumbleweed decorated with mini lights as my tree. It didn’t last long between the cat and dog:)

The Lucky Winner Is…

2010-11-12T23:14:00.001-08:00

The lovely Abi has won the $45 CSN stores gift certificate! Enjoy shopping and thanks for stopping by Design Nomad to join in on the fun:)

Sunday Snaps

2010-11-07T13:40:00.000-08:00

It's a clear, crisp and beautiful fall Sunday here in Southern California and a perfect day to explore the quiet streets deep in downtown’s industrial area. Astounding painted walls and a toy factory were my eye candy for the afternoon. Enjoy this lovely weekend!

CSN Gift Certificate Giveaway

2010-11-05T15:43:00.000-07:00

I’m very happy to be hosting my second giveaway with CSN stores and bestowing a $45 gift certificate to a lucky reader. CSN is a super-sized online mall where you can find everything from upholstered headboards, iconic furniture from manufacturers such as Knoll, Blu Dot and Dwell Studio, modern baby products to fabulous cookware.

CSN is my go-to spot when indulging in adding to my Bodum collection and shipping is free on a lot of their items. I truly am in love with everything Bodum produces. What caught my eye on this most recent window shopping visit was their acid green Bistro juicer, the double walled tumblers, an orange Bistro burr coffee grinder and an acid green Bistro hand mixer.

Here's how to enter:

1. You must follow Design Nomad either through Google friend connect or Twitter @Designomad. Please leave a comment letting me know how you follow.

2. Follow me on both networks for an additional entry. Leave a comment for each network that you follow.

3. Tweet about giveaway with a link to my blog and leave me a comment letting me know and the link for another additional entry.

Contest is open only to US and Canadian residents and will close next Friday, November 12 at 6:00 pm, PST. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on Saturday, November 13. Good luck!

Circle of Skulls

2010-10-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

By now most everyone has their Halloween decorations up and costumes all planned for a big weekend of parties. Here in West Hollywood, the city shuts down Santa Monica Blvd and hosts a huge Halloween Carnaval and parade. For me, I'd be simply happy with this fabulous Alexander McQueen Skull bracelet and maybe a Dexter-inspired bloody wall covering. Wishing you all a safe but scary Halloween!

Steamy & Modern

2010-10-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

Every winter when it gets cold and dry I make an effort to find a humidifier that is pleasant to look at as well as functional in offering some comfort but have never been able to find one that doesn't look like a prop from a hospital room. The Middle Colors Humidifier from designer Takashi Hiroshi Tsuboi is a beautiful tear-drop shaped vessel that will produce moisture and ultra-sonic steam for up to ten consecutive hours and do it in such style, I would keep this out all year long! Available in small and large sizes from the good folks over at Gizmine in a palette of colors that are delicious to the eye as well as kind to the pocketbook.

Wicked Good

2010-09-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen this October’s issue of W Magazine then you are missing out on this out-of-the-world fashion essay by esteemed photographer Tim Walker. The opening shot is jaw-dropping, as is all of his work. Now I want to wrap my house in hay & organza :)

(From W Magazine, October 2010, Photograph: Tim Walker)

The ABCs of Lead

2010-09-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

I love tiny intricate things, probably because I've been wearing glasses for extreme near-sightedness (and later contacts) since I was six years old. When I first saw the art of Dalton Ghetti, it was a case of instant fascination. Dalton is an inspired and gifted artist from Connecticut who carves tiny works of art into pencil lead and his series of the alphabet is something to behold. Be sure to click on the link and see more of his visually stunning work. (Via Design Sponge)

Pulp Love

2010-08-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

I don't ever use paper plates being so eco-conscious except for during the holidays when I am baking and packaging goodies from kitchen for gifts. Every year I struggle to find decently designed simple pieces that I can work with in creating a great looking finished gift package. Then I found this line of earth-friendly and beautifully designed line of paper dinnerware that looks as if it's made out of the finest porcelain and designed by Japanese artisans. Compote is part of the complete WASARA line, which elevates disposable tableware to a whole new level. Offering the best in Japanese design, WASARA products ﬁt comfortably in the hand, with an elegant texture and sturdy quality that are unparalleled in the category.

Sheer beauty is only half the story, though: WASARA is also an earth-conscious product. Made from tree-free renewable materials (sugar cane ﬁber, bamboo and reed pulp) and fully biodegradable and compostable, WASARA is as good to the earth as it is to your culinary creations. The bowls could also work as containers for things other than food, thus lasting far beyond their original intent.

420 Characters/Miniature Stories of Lou Beach

2010-08-21T17:28:00.000-07:00

Ever since I laid eyes on acclaimed illustrator and artist Lou Beach's virtual book 420 Characters, I've been taxed with trying to put into words how much I love this book. I first met Lou back in the late 70s when I was an Assistant Art Director at New West magazine. Lou's illustrations are original, very smart and reek of a wicked sense of dark humor. I decided to turn to my dear friend Michael Kellner, a brilliant book designer and artist, to write a guest review of 420 Characters for Design Nomad. Michael is the most well-read and literate person I know, so I thought it was a perfect time to defer to a master of words for his take on the book. Thank you Michael for this thoughtful post!

Lou Beach's online story collection, 420 Characters, is so elegantly conceived and realized as to delight or assuage anyone afflicted with terminal bibliomania. From front cover to back, this simulacrum of a late-19th century octavo--red boards, a small gold-leaf embossed design, the epitome of that condition booksellers generously quote as 'shows some shelf-wear'—collects the famed collage artist's impressive march on the written word. Each story, as we're informed in an Author's Note, is composed of 420 characters, including word spaces and punctuation, and first posted on a social networking site.

As one navigates through the book, the Title Page makes clever use of an early incarnation of publisher Little, Brown's colophon (L.B. now equals Lou Beach) while the stories that follow deliver the narrative goods with commensurate aplomb. Concise, varied, and evocative, Beach's stories are finely crafted miniatures worthy of an expanding readership. The site includes 16 embedded audio excerpts read by actors Jeff Bridges, Ian McShane, and Dave Alvin.

The whole farking thing is brilliant if you ask me, but you don't have to. Authors and artists from Jonathan Lethem to Gary Panter and Terry Gilliam have eagerly enlisted to say as much on the End Credits page. To be coveted, not missed. — Michael Kellner

Pencil Me In

2010-08-20T16:12:00.000-07:00

Sharpening a pencil always puts me in a nostalgic mood. The scent of the wood dust takes me back to the days sitting at my Dad's drafting table while he drew up plans for his landscape architecture business clients. As it turns out, that wood dust smell now just reminds me of the 4 billion trees cut down worldwide for paper industries and massive deforestation. Not a good thing. A much more earth-friendly alternative are these beautiful pencils from TreeSmart made out of recycled newspapers. Go green whenever you can!

A Canopy of Cool

2010-08-13T17:23:00.000-07:00

These ultra cool Coco pendant lights by Coco Flip Design look as if my Danish mid-century furniture had a party during the night and hatched these fixtures! Coco Flip is a design studio established by Kate Stokes based in Melbourne, Australia and is one to keep on your radar for fresh, clean and very modern furniture solutions. Love!

Vintage Nomad

2010-08-13T00:12:00.000-07:00

After procrastinating for what seemed like forever, I have almost finally completed setting up a little on-line vintage shop, Vintage Nomad. Over the years I've collected/acquired a notable amount of mid-century homewares, California pottery, vintage books and some very interesting paper ephemera that will be stocked in my shop. So until then, stay tuned for the link … :)

Tuesday Art Break/Suburban Bliss

2010-08-10T08:52:00.000-07:00

If you are in the market for affordable art, Leah Giberson's serene paintings of suburban scenes and mid-century architecture are definitely worth considering. I fell in love with her work instantly finding a comforting familiarity in the paintings as if I had been there before. She begins her pieces with photographs, painting directly on them with a clarity that is visually stunning. You can find her paintings through Sebastian Foster Gallery, Rare Device, and she also sells prints on her Etsy shop.

Honor Thy Father

2010-08-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

I so do wish my father and mother were still alive to see our house he designed and lovingly built for us in the late 50s showcased in this month's (August issue) of In-Style magazine. I have spoken at length with Robin Tunney and it makes me so happy that she treasures this house and is carefully and slowly restoring it to it's original vision. Finally someone who is removing all the prior owners renovating mistakes like blond floors and marble in the kitchen. My father is turning over in his grave at the mere mention of such things:) We had slate floors and there was nothing blond about this house. I am ever so grateful to have grown up in this beautiful home and under the shadow of my talented Dad and loving Mother. (click on photos to see at a larger size)

Surf Style

2010-08-03T18:48:00.000-07:00

We are well into summer now and I have been living in shorts for the most part, while working at home far away from in-person client meetings. Comfortable shorts that fit well, are edgy and modern are usually hard to find, and then I stumbled upon Shortomatic, 100% custom board shorts. A brilliant concept where you can design your own print design they print for you or choose from a vast gallery of great designs and order them up based on a custom fit chart. I prefer the longer boys style board short but they also now are offering a short board short for women as well. Here's your chance to express yourself with custom designs and a fantastic fit. Brought to you by the folks who created Yogamatic, custom printed yoga mats, another inspired idea!

Vintage Love

2010-07-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

My love of typography has found a new outlet of obsession with these vintage chairs recovered in fabric reproductions from taken from vintage British transfer route bus signs. Designer DeWayne Lumpkin is the creative force behind British Route Sign Designs based in Grant’s Pass, Oregon. He offers fabric yardage, some very desirable vintage seating upholstered with the fabrics, pillows and the vintage signs themselves. If only I had room for one of these chairs!

Alone in a Crowd

2010-07-15T12:09:00.001-07:00

511 miniature figurines from all walks of life, genders, and ages walk alone in a crowd just under the surface of a clear table top by London-based designer Rolf Sachs. From the designer: “Barely any of the figures interact with the exception of society’s crucial units, such as families, couples and lovers. From afar, one sees only groups and crowds yet when seen up-close, you recognize that each figure is entirely individual and you can discover random and humorous frames of everyday life.” It's like an overhead diorama locked inside a coffee table, I truly love it!

Namesake Signage

2010-07-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

A close friend is currently in Italy and sent me this photo he shot in Torino today. A wonderful gift of my name as signage. I have a feeling I'll be using this image for many things. Thanks Steve! Wishing all a great summer weekend.

Independence Day

2010-07-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

Wishing everyone a very Happy 4th of July! This vintage postcard with the numeral 4 built out of fireworks is from a great Flickr set by riptheskull. Be safe and have a great holiday weekend!

Ponyrider

2010-06-22T14:51:00.001-07:00

I recently came upon this wonderful Australian homewares company called Ponyrider and fell in love immediately with their wall dots and typographic pillows made out of beautiful birch linens. All the products have a rustic simplicity and great graphics. Shown from the top: Sliced Player cushion cover, Players Welcome cushion cover, Bambi Nights Wall Dot and the Bambi Nights cushion cover.

Thumbs Off

2010-06-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

Despite having had a pretty horrific accident this week (big glass water bottle fell & shattered in my hands) I have had to adapt to having only 9 digits available for use for what looks like 3 months. As mentioned in the prior post, I've been busily baking, designing labels and getting packaging together for the Eat My Blog charity bake sale when this all happened. Well, I'm proud to say after 3 days of hell I am figuring out how to do most everything without it and finding clever ways to keep it waterproof. I'm off to bake more of these Rosemary Honey shortbread wafers and call it a night.

Eat My Blog!

2010-06-15T17:34:00.000-07:00

Getting very excited to sample sweets and participate in Eat My Blog charity bake sale this coming Saturday here in West Hollywood at Tender Greens. To make this upcoming event even bigger and better than before, the organizers have recruited 70+ bakers/bloggers who will be cranking out over 2,000 baked goods. Expect to see carrot cake cookie sandwiches, bacon chocolate chip cookies, homemade salted caramels, Momofuku’s Crack Pie, and chocolate Guinness cupcakes with bacon cream cheese frosting at the event. I am making Rosemary Shortbread Wafers for my donation to this great event. All proceeds will be donated to the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank.

The Eat My Blog tables will also be lined with special donations from local chefs and restaurants including Evan Kleiman, Chicks with Knives, Debbie Lee, Drago Centro,Starry Kitchen, Bakelab, Cube, Fraiche, Hollywood Corner, Choppe Choppe, Valerie Confections, Plaisir, Scoops Ice Cream, Chef Ludo Lefebvre and Tender Greens. Please come and join us for a day filled with tempting sweets, good company and very good intentions!

and the Winner is…

2010-06-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

I’d like to congratulate the lovely Jessica from the delightful blog Style-Obsessed for winning a $60 gift certificate for CSN stores! Head over to her blog for lots of eye-candy and loads of great finds. A big thank you to all who participated, keep checking in for more fun offers and global design coolness from Design Nomad!

Behind the Type Curtain

2010-06-10T16:55:00.000-07:00

Target continually tempts me with items I never thought I would need. From their online shop, I found this great typographic shower curtain and matching towels. Now if only I didn't have vintage green and yellow tile in my bathroom, these would be a great option. Not available in store, online only.

Hot Doggie

2010-06-07T16:19:00.001-07:00

This just made my day, a great packaging design for hot-dogs. Designed by Subconscious Co. Via: Lovely Package

Rockin' It Mid-Century

2010-06-07T13:28:00.000-07:00

I won’t pretend that many of us aren’t being hit hard with the economy and job situation out there. Just because we are all watching our money more carefully doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice style. I was helping out someone to find a reasonably priced Eames-style rocker when I discovered this beauty that sells for $176.00, a fraction of the cost of the original. While it might not be the exact design of the 1948 Eames RAR rocker, it certainly has eye-candy appeal and a tempting price point! Only available in white and this beautiful baby blue, get it here.

*Just a reminder: Don't forget to enter the CSN $60.00 gift certificate contest below, it will end this Thursday at 8:00 PM.

CSN Gift Certificate Giveaway

2010-06-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

The good people of CSN stores have generously offered to host a $60 gift certificate giveaway to one of my readers from any of their 200 online stores. From bathroom vanities, to Herman Miller and Eames furniture, to Bodum glassware and coffee accessories, to Dwell baby bedding — well, the choices are simply vast.

It seems like everyone I know lately is pregnant or has small children as I find myself constantly hunting for cool, hip baby products and CSN is where I've been shopping. The Dwell baby bedding, the Oeuf Classic convertible crib, the Vitra Eames Children's Elephant, Offi Dachshund Pet Lamp, and the Dwell Baby soft blocks are on my radar for shower or birthday gifts and are all available from CSN's All Modern store.

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment with your name and email, state if you follow my blog or @designomad on Twitter. For additional entries tweet and/or blog about the giveaway and provide a link in the comment section. (Offer is only good for US and Canada residents) This contest will end in one week, Thursday June 10, 2010 at 8:00 PM PST. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday, June 11, 2010. The Best of Luck and happy guilt-free shopping!

Organic Landscapes

2010-06-02T20:05:00.000-07:00

This life-long fascination of mine with dioramas and miniature landscapes is fueled by discovering these organic shaped, modern terrariums by artists Paula Hayes and Lauren of Lítill. The combination of the hand blown glass vessels and the miniature desert landscapes are nothing short of delightful. I really wish I had enough light inside my house to successfully upkeep one of these. See much, much more at their websites. The first two photos are from Paula Hayes and the last two are by Lítill.

Please Stand By

2010-05-27T20:26:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note that I plan to update this blog very soon after I hold funeral services for my dearly departed computer. Should be up and running in a few days with its newer and bigger successor :)

Getting Grilled

2010-05-13T12:26:00.000-07:00

Come summertime, there's no way I use my stove or oven for anything other than making coffee since I have no AC in my kitchen. Everything gets cooked outside on my gas grill. Lately though, I have been missing the taste of real charcoal and was considering getting a small BBQ and then I saw this mini picnic Fyrkat grill from Bodum. Finally a BBQ that speaks good design! They come in an array of stylish colors and at $49.95, a great pop of color for your outdoor cooking area or beach party.

Strung Out on Gardening

2010-05-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

Like many other gardening enthusiasts, this spring I have been busy planting and potting every last square inch of my tiny yard with bounties of herbs, vegetables and flowers. I get extreme pleasure watching things grow, the beauty of flowers and being able to cultivate my own small amount of veggies. To say I have a limited amount of space would be an understatement. A few months back I discovered the hanging string gardens of Fedor, a young Dutch landscape artist and fell in love immediately. There's just a perfect Zen feeling with these clumps of moss and grass that host every kind of plant, flower or vegetable. They are inspired by Kokedma, a Japanese style of hanging gardens that I also knew nothing about. With all this inspiration, I am determined to try my hand at this sometime this summer. These gardens are irrigated in several ways, with a glass built-in reservoir, an artificial root made from moss which transports water to the ball or with a drip system that keeps the netting damp. You can also follow String Gardens on Facebook for frequent updates on projects.

5-Card Swiss

2010-04-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

File this under Why Didn’t I Think of This since I find the traditional design of playing cards oh-so-boring and very dated. Appealing both to the typophile and card player, Helveticards ($10) are a tastefully designed modern take on the playing card and are just too beautiful not to own. Too beautiful not to plan a modern poker party around!

Botanical Rap

2010-04-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

I have been fascinated by botanical illustrations since I was a young child and even spent 8 hours of my London vacation one year in the archive library at The V&A Museum poring over countless original botanical watercolor paintings and drawings. When I saw this recent poster for a concert Snoop Dogg held in Richmond, VA, I burst out laughing. Beautifully designed by Tricia Kleinot and originally printed on hemp paper, it is available in a limited run of 50 prints from GigPosters.com for $30.

My, What Big Ears You Have

2010-04-02T13:45:00.001-07:00

Wishing everyone a splendid pastel-colored Easter weekend! Miss Fortuna bunny ears headpiece from the very chic Benoit Missolin, Paris.

Spell it Out

2010-04-01T15:13:00.000-07:00

Being a lover of all things typographic, I was suddenly obsessed last week with obtaining some classic alphabet blocks to play with, specifically to spell out messages around the house. So far, I am loving this plan. I can “decorate” for the holidays or vent a particular thought anywhere I want. I found this great set of embossed blocks from Amazon and look forward to leaving words around the house all year!

Kitchen Alchemy

2010-03-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't need some Umami paste or Inca Dust to charge up one's spice rack? I'm absolutely in love with the whole concept and exotic ingredients of Easy Tasty Magic created by food writer Laura Santtini. The Easy Tasty Magic collection of taste-enhancers stimulates the senses, both with modern and original flavor combos and beautifully clever approaches to packaging. Shown from top: Umami Paste, Alchemical Larder w/16 rubs & spices, a little vial of Inca Stardust (bitter chocolate, burnt orange and chili), White Mischief Rub (smoked China tea, jasmine, orange flowers, Facing Heaven chili & peppercorns). There are also Food Bling Mixed Metals, sprays and salts in the collection as well. All available online at Selfridges.com.

& Then I Found It

2010-03-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

I’ve been wanting to update/change-out my throw pillows on the couch for awhile but hadn’t found anything that caught my eye until I spotted these Ampersand Pillows ($45) from House Industries Eames Fonts & Objects collection. A great use of typography that creates a modern and organic pattern.

A Pint of Heaven

2010-03-21T11:26:00.001-07:00

Quite possibly the best store-bought gelato I have ever tasted! The clean design and reusable screw-on lid are just side benefits to the perfect smoothness and a very intense aroma of Tahitian vanilla bean. Just heavenly! From Talenti, I got mine at Gelsons.

Through a Green Lens

2010-03-18T16:20:00.001-07:00

I have yet to start back using a film camera but this army green Holga might just sway me over. Uses square format 120 film and has a variety of extra accessory options. Just loving the whole military look it has! $75 from Lomography.

Just Because

2010-02-23T22:26:00.001-08:00

Cracked me up. Kermit's x-ray.

Tom Selleck, Waterfalls and Sandwiches

2010-02-11T14:54:00.001-08:00

How I did not know about this addictive and downright amusing site until now? Updated often, selleckwaterfallsandwich is a vast gallery of very well done photo composites of Tom Selleck, waterfalls and sandwiches. A simple equation that never bores!

Flight 101

2010-02-04T10:14:00.001-08:00

South Africa’s Kulula airlines recently underwent a rebranding from their in-house creative team. Applying this 101 guide to the body of the airplane is so fresh and playful a design. Being a great lover of typography-driven graphic solutions, this definitely made me look. Now I finally know where the black box is. (Via: PSFK)

Munching on Helvetica

2010-01-26T12:48:00.000-08:00

I want these! Helvetica cookie cutters by artist Beverly Hsu. She is currently looking into making more cookie cutters to sell, so check her site for updates.

Head Trip

2010-01-20T14:58:00.001-08:00

I admit that I am a lightweight when it comes to hard liquor, red wine being my choice of spirits but seeing this Crystal Head Vodka bottle may change my mind. Even if I never drink it, my occasional guest might enjoy tasting vodka from this crystal skull bottle. Produced by Dan Aykroyd, which makes it even stranger.

Punctuated

2010-01-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

Living in a house that is almost 90 years old means lots of things don’t exactly work the way they were intended to, such as doors swinging closed on their own. The Stoppy doorstop which looks like a cartoon apostrophe and comes in a rainbow of colors is a wonderful way to keep pesky doors open with style. $6.99, available at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Office Max and the Container Store.

Measurement Totems

2010-01-10T10:21:00.001-08:00

A wonderful typographic ode to the yardstick, on steroids. Whether you have growing children in the house or simply love typographic objects as much as I do, these MeasureMe Sticks from Studio 1AM are simply fab. I could see it mounted in my studio and also guess I could check the slow process of shrinking as I get older and older which has already started.

The Bauer Pet

2010-01-07T11:56:00.000-08:00

It was love at first sight seeing these re-issues of Bauer Pottery’s 1930 cat and dog bowls with simple vintage typography. I doubt my cat will appreciate the cool style and reminder of his species but I certainly do! Available from the delightful e-shop Ancient Industries, $25-30.00.

Getting My Mojo Back

2010-01-06T22:20:00.000-08:00

After a very long break from blogging I think I've finally got my mojo back. It's all Twitter's fault. Between working, the holidays and this new-found addiction for social media my poor blog has suffered. Damn that little blue bird! (Photo of Black Cat Juju from New Orleans)

Modern Family

2009-12-18T13:31:00.001-08:00

Simply the best Nativity set, ever. Typographic wood Nativity set designed by Oliver Fabel.

In the Bag

2009-12-16T13:18:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of giving green this holiday season, I always try to find gifts that are imaginative and recycled if possible. Jenny Adams, a handbag designer from Santa Barbara has just launched an e-shop offering these beautiful one-of-a-kind handbags made from recycled, vintage and new fabrics. I really love the retro print on the top bag shown and her prices are very reasonable. I've been assured many more bags will be added to the shop in the next few days, so have a look while trying to survive Christmas preparation and maybe do a little shopping!

ABCs of Xmas

2009-12-06T11:13:00.000-08:00

Being the typophile that I am, there's no resisting decorating my little tree this year with these typographic ornaments from of all places, Ballard Designs. Measuring 2.5", these vintage looking ceramic ornaments come in a set of 26 letters of the alphabet. I'd prefer if you could order extra letters to actually spell out something but now that I think of it, adding rub down type could work too. I sense a DIY project brewing.

Big Head

2009-11-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

I am blown away by the creativity and amount of skill it took to create this fantastic Halloween mask. A vision of designer Eric Testroete, you can follow each step and the software he used to produce this eerie costume on his website. Wow.

Boo 2009

2009-10-31T13:01:00.001-07:00

A Happy Halloween to all! I live a few houses down from the West Hollywood Carnaval spectacle and plan on prowling the boulevard with my camera to capture some of the insanity. We are expecting a crowd of 500,000 revelers. Oh my. (My tiny skeleton is sitting atop my treasured photo of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera from the NY Times Photo Archives.)

Get Down with Your Inner Wizard

2009-10-29T16:49:00.000-07:00

Whether channeling your inner wizardry or looking for an alternative and fun way to change channels, this whimsical buttonless Kymera Magic Wand universal remote must be most entertaining to use. The website design looks like an ancient tome with hidden links, worth a visit even if wanding your TV isn't your thing. I probably would end with with some kind of wrist whiplash but I'd love to try performing some magic!

Urban Candy Corn

2009-10-29T13:22:00.001-07:00

Street artist Diabetik has been leaving candy corn traffic cones on the streets of Washington, D.C. Art like this just gives me such a chuckle and a smile!

Tiny Travelers

2009-10-27T13:07:00.001-07:00

I know these are for kids but I so want an orange one! These mini vintage styled suitcases are from the Land of Nod and would make for a very good studio storage container.

Papering the Walls

2009-10-24T15:44:00.001-07:00

I’ve never really been a fan of wallpaper but lately I keep stumbling upon examples that are very tempting to play around with. Darkly elegant, the flocked skull wallpaper is by Barbara Hulanicki and produced by Graham & Brown. The palette of urban concrete textures from Bentontapete is so refreshing as an option for wall coverings that I might have to try to find a way to use it other than on walls.

Food Tells a Story

2009-10-13T09:35:00.001-07:00

It’s no secret that I love good food, typography and great graphics. When the two collide and tell a story, it becomes an art event mentally, visually and on your tongue. Chef John Sedlar is making magical and thought-provoking dishes such as these at his restaurant Rivera in downtown LA. From Rivera’s website: “Food tells a story. One sight, one scent, one taste, one bite and it can evoke whole worlds of memory and transmit experiences and truths that words cannot convey. We eat with our eyes and minds as much as with our mouths. Food is powerful. It sustains body and soul alike. It captures the essence of entire cultures and countries. Food unites us. A shared experience, it overcomes differences and distances to form common bonds. It is a dynamic vehicle for human understanding. These are the principles that guide Rivera. Through food and drink, the restaurant relates and celebrates the story and spirit of Latin culture around the world, from the past to the present day and on into the future. It aims to empower both body and spirit, to provide a convivial experience that leaves its guests pleasurably transformed.” Love the whole concept and execution, after having had the pleasure of eating his food at prior restaurants, I really am looking forward to a meal at Rivera.

Seasonal Impluses

2009-10-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

Whenever I go to Target to stock up on household staples and cleaning supplies I try really hard to limit my impulse spending. This becomes nearly impossible during their seasonal offerings such as Halloween. I was overwhelmed with the cool choices of goods emblazoned with skulls and bones. The best part is I will use these things year-round, skulls stopped being a Halloween-only home accessory. My favorite so far are the red dish towels with a black skull applique and the green flannel skull pj bottoms which are awfully comfy. Find more choices here and at your local Target.

Attitude Adjustment

2009-10-05T19:50:00.000-07:00

Had to get out of my funk this weekend and clear my head, so I headed off to the beach and Getty Villa with my camera that had been collecting cobwebs since last May. I ended up spending most of my time by the fish ponds taking photos, enjoying the first cool weather of the fall. Dinner with friends later at Top Chef Stephan Richter's LA Farm was great and the food was exceptionally attractive. My dining friends & I have become food paparazzi, unable to control ourselves when waiters bring course worth ooing and ahhing over. The table lights up with flashes of light and at least here, in Los Angeles, restaurants now know that bloggers are busy photographing every dish that hits the table before actually consuming the food. Sometimes this results in a great photo, my oyster shot being one of those. That oyster perched atop a bed of salt with an emerald "pearl" of absinthe gelatin just knocked me out in it's presentation. Result of days' activities, a slight attitude adjustment in the right direction.

Got Wood?

2009-09-29T11:50:00.001-07:00

I seem to be finding quite a few faux bois 'objects of desire' lately and these slim wallets make me wish I could fit all my stuff into one. I love the simplicity and of course the faux bois embossing, a great holiday gift for any stylish guy on your list. Available from Evergreen.

Love Lost

2009-09-29T09:10:00.001-07:00

The loss of a pet can really take the wind out one's sails and the loss of my sweet grey cat was no exception. I was lucky to have his constant company for 11.5 years and now have to adjust to an almost pet-empty house & studio for the time being. The good thing is that when I'm ready, there are so many cats & dogs that need rescuing, making the next pet choice will be a joyful occasion. Time to wipe the tears away and get back into the swing of things, notably—my poor neglected blog.

To Dry For

2009-09-19T14:57:00.001-07:00

First, my apologies for neglecting my blog. It has been a difficult couple of weeks tending to my sweet cat who is very very sick and keeping the work flow going here at the studio. That being said, here's a delightful link to To Dry For and all they sell are fabulous tea towels. I've picked a few of my faves from a huge selection. A little humor and great graphics never hurts when washing the dishes. Have a splendid weekend!

Yearning for Fall

2009-09-11T14:28:00.001-07:00

By this time every year, I start looking longingly at my dusty pile of firewood, long unused here in Southern California and yearn for cooler weather. Anything below 80º would be nice, quite frankly. I love to bundle up in the fall and winter with any one of the dozens of scarves I've amassed over the years. What I don’t have is a faux bois scarf and I am ordering one of these today from the delightful shop of RCA graduate Donna Wilson who creates beautiful and humorous knit home furnishings, accessories & bizarre stuffed dolls. Loving the wood-patterned throw too!

An Explosion of Color

2009-09-10T14:42:00.000-07:00

This series of artwork really caught my eye with it’s graphics and depth of colors but when I found that the artist’s technique was blowing up fireworks on paper, I loved them even more. Rosemarie Fiore’s work is beautiful and dangerous.

Quoted from her site:

"Firework Drawings" These large works on paper are made by exploding and containing live fireworks, resulting in bursts of saturated color that are overlaped and collaged into abstract compositions.
Shown above:

"Firework Drawing #50", 2008
Lit firework residue on paper, cardboard, collage 30 in x 24 1/2 in

A Fine Dance of Typography

2009-09-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

Delightful typographic video. Watch for the potato & ham letters being sauteed, brilliant! Typophile Film Festival 5 Opening Titles from Brent Barson. Handcrafted with love by BYU design students and faculty, for the 5th Typophile Film Festival. A visual typographic feast about the five senses, and how they contribute to and enhance our creativity. Everything in the film is real—no CG effects! Via: Black Eiffel

Such a Deal!

2009-09-04T10:44:00.001-07:00

While I love the design of original Eames tables, the prices are a bit challenging in this economy. When I saw that this Eames-inspired Eliptikal coffee table from Lunar Lounge Design is on sale at $179.99 (+$62.99 S&H) for a limited time, I started trying to figure out if I have room for it. The handcrafted table is 54" long and 23" wide, and it comes in 12" or 14" high. Removable steel legs come in a chrome or semi-flat black finish. The MDF tabletop comes in white, gray, black, red, eggshell, blue, brown, orange or pink. A really fine alternative to the slightly larger original Eames version at $649!

Modern Camo

2009-09-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

I love camo print on just about anything, in fact today I'm wearing a 10 year old camo mini skirt that I just can't get enough of. When I saw that Bape is releasing a Camo Side Chair, I really got excited. The iconic Modernica Eiffel Side Chair design comes in three Bape camo colors – green, blue and pink. The chair is a collaboration with Modernica and will come to Bape stores on September 4th. The green colorway is a Bape exclusive and the blue and pink are exclusive to Modernica.

Top Chef Tats

2009-08-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

Love Top Chef's Michael Voltaggio's spoon and skull tattoo! Classic and bad-ass at the same time. There's a great slide show called Chef d’Oeuvres over at the NYTimes of imagery & words chefs have chosen for their tattoos. Bad to the bone.

Mad About Don Draper

2009-08-25T14:49:00.001-07:00

AMC, the home of the much acclaimed Mad Men, has released its own MadMenYourself microsite, letting you transform yourself into a character straight out of the 60’s ad-men-era-inspired television show. Using artwork from Mad Men illustrator Dyna Moe, you follow along as the site walks you through the character creation process from body,head, hair, facial features, clothing, accessories and backdrops. Characterizations are formatted to be used as your Twitter avatar, iPhone background, or desktop image. Just a little too much fun when I should be working, but how fun is to pretend to have a drink with Don Draper!

Going to Need Food Rehab

2009-08-22T16:16:00.000-07:00

I'm going to need some serious food rehab, as MyLastBite put it so well today, we are going to go through "Ludo Withdrawal". Tonight marks the end of a food-lovers dream with LudoBites shutting down for the summer after a wonderfully successful 3 month pop-up food event with chef/artist-in-residence Ludo Lefebrve. He & his wife Krissy created an atmosphere that quickly became the only place you wanted to eat dinner at, he would talk about his inspirations for the night's menu on Twitter and made sure he met every one of his customers (between cooking) all with the feeling you are eating at their home. I mean really, who else in the world could teach me how to make charcoal oil or put curry or wasabi in my dessert? Who else can combine cantaloupe, chorizo & smoked paprika in a soup and make my eyes roll back in my head? Ludo has ruined us by cooking food that is so memorable, one finds it hard to even eat the next day for fear of blandness in everyday food. For now I plan really studying & making some of the recipes in his cookbook Crave. We have been assured he will be back by mid-October in a new location and for now I wish he & his wife a most relaxing vacation. Follow him on Twitter @chefludo.

Photos: Omar Kalifornia

Eggs & Sausage

2009-08-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

Wonderful typographic music video by Jackie Lay for the Tom Waits song Eggs and Sausage.

Surprise Package

2009-08-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl, every once in awhile my father would bring me a surprise ball from a little shop in Little Tokyo. I have such fond memories of unwinding what seemed to be endless strips of crepe paper until little by little, small toys and treasures would fall out. Such a simple but totally exciting thing for a child. When I saw that the wonderful shop Kiosk offered a surprise ball of considerable size filled with vintage trinkets, I knew I had to have one and somehow re-live the joyful memories of early childhood. I still got the same rush as I unwrapped this colorful orb. Haven't figured out what to do with the trinkets, maybe they'll be attached to Xmas gifts this year. My cat loved the mound of crepe paper, so all was not wasted.

Artist on My Radar

2009-08-17T12:55:00.001-07:00

I happened upon a few paintings by Don Fritz completely by accident in a back room at Billy Shire Fine Arts gallery in Culver City and fell hard for his work. Multi-layered and appearing almost as if encased under ice, the paintings are rich with symbols, graphics and memories of childhood, something to behold in person. See and read more here.

Good Enough to Eat

2009-08-15T12:23:00.001-07:00

Years of designing on the computer have left my hand-drawing skills in the dust but I just might try again with these striking multi-colored crayons from Japan. The crayons make harmonious colors as you draw with them, blending as you go. Almost too pretty to use, get them here.

Fanged

2009-08-10T17:07:00.001-07:00

Along with millions of other viewers, I am completely smitten with True Blood on HBO. These little baby silver fang rings have just the right amount of Goth attitude. Subtle but sharp, available from Bittersweets. Now if only Eric the vampire came along in the package…oh my!