Paperworld 2012
- frankfurt
I wrapped up my European adventure in Frankfurt for the Paperworld/Christmasworld show.
Pleasantly this years show was a bit more interesting then the last couple years has been. There seems to be a little more innovation hitting the market and it seems there has been some focus on raising the bar on design.
COLOR was the “theme” of the show. Color has earned center stage in the recent Fall12 collections and bold uses of strong and vibrant colors will continue to dominate the trend scene into 2013.
The Paperworld trend presentation was sectioned into 3 parts all based on… yup…COLOR!
BRIGHT: the first section was all about vivid color blocking. Common utilitarian objects were arranged by color and fresh new color combos resulted from the overlaps.
Think: Andy Warhol and Georgia O’keefe have a love child.
- Photos of the “BRIGHT” presentation
DARK: the second of the three sections was DARK. This sophisticated masculine grouping of materials and objects were anchored in the dark nuetrals- black, charcole gray, and deep earthy browns. The design here was very subtle with a focus on texture created by the process of creation. The materials were luxurious and sophisticated evoking quality and wealth. This trend story is no renegade against the dominance of color, for found among the tables of rich warm nuetrals were moments of bold contrasting hues which jumped frm the tables and gave a mod edge to the colorless classics.
Think: Urban Hipster swinging in Stockholm.
- Tables from the “DARK” theme trend
SOFT: The last of the sections was SOFT. This was my fave of the sections. This collection was very pretty and elegant. A classic 1950′s vibe was given a modern handmade feel. High quality goods were juxtapositioned with highly personal crafts. As with DARK, SOFT was also built by the nuetrals, but in this case the feminine nuetrals- white, cream, silver. And like with DARK, the mixing of strong colors, in this case bold chalky hues, give life and pop to it’s coordinating pieces.
Think Jackie O shops Paper Source.
- Oh so SOFT!
To see my complete Paperworld Trend recap: paperworld
Next up: CHRISTMASWORLD is Coming!
Knit Wit
So last weekend I decided I’d once again try to learn how to knit. I’ve tried to learn from my grandmother when I was younger, but just couldn’t get it since she was left handed and I’d have to sit in front of her to learn. Then a few years ago my mother tried to teach me how to knit a basic pair of slippers. Needless to say they came out a mess, full of holes and my mom ran out of patience explaining knitting to me.
so inspiring…
This post is entirely about one artist that I think is so amazing.
I had to share this video of her at work. I think I am going to have to dig out my watercolor paints and give it another try…
here is the link to her blog as well:
http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/
Hope you all enjoy it as much as i did.
Wednesday what not: vday love
My dad’s name is Valentine and my mom likes to say that everyday is Valentine’s day for her! So with that in mind, I’d to share a few highlights of the day dedicated to LOVE (one day late)!
1. This is hand lettered by UK designer/calligrapher Kate Forrester. My handwriting is atrocious so I am very jealous of those who can create beautiful calligraphy with their own hands! (note to self: some day take a calligraphy class) 2. Here in New England we worship at the alter of Dunkin Donuts for all donut and coffee needs and they did not disappoint for a cute heart shaped donut to celebrate. Maybe I’ll trade in my chocolate for one of those! 3. I have written before about my love of nail art and The Beauty Department put up 2 tutorials to create these drool worthy looks! I think the leopard print moons could be rocked any day of the year…right? 4. Now THIS is a Valentine’s Day sundae 
that glittery heart on top is just so cute! Joy at Oh Joy made this sweet treat. 5. Sapling Press has some hilarious cards!! I saw this Bob Ross one and had to share. So funny!
Hope everyone had a day full of love and sweets! xoxo
BONJOUR! My days in Paris- A printworthy city
January is not the best time to visit Paris if you are looking to see the latest trends. January in Paris is about SALES or Soldes to be exact. This is soldes season. Now normally this fact would truly thrill me, but on this shopping adventure I was hoping to see the new spring designer lines in all their glory.
- The normally done up windows of Printempts, done up with a sale sign!
I spent several hours on the many floors at Printemps delighted by this fab department store. (Such a great store) 7 floors of fantastic finds and unique goods. Among all this so many fun patterns and playful color pallets adorning everything from house wears to accessories- truly inspiring!
Portlandia
***OK, I know that the IFC series “Portlandia” is about Portland Oregon. (if you haven’t seen it, check it out- Fred Armisen from SNL has a sick sense of humor) BUT this post is about Portland MAINE. ***
Totally Tubular-The 80′s are back!
One can’t help noticing all the legwarmers, fingerless gloves, neon colors and ripped denim lately. I can’t help but think of Madonna and Punky Brewster, big hair, pink eye shadow. 
And I will confess to crimping my hair, although (hopefully) all the photographic evidence has been destroyed…
But, I admit to being more than a little concerned, these looks didn’t exactly work for everyone the first time around. Why is it coming back, and how long will it last? And more importantly -can you even get “Aqua Net” hairspray anymore?
BONJOUR! My days in Paris-2 days at Maison & Objet (part 2)
Ok so I am so sorry- my days in Paris (and Frankfurt) are behind and I fell off the “blog on road” bandwagon – ridiculously costly internet access fees and an illness that knocked me on my a** put a little hinder in my trip and my desire to take this puppy on the world tour .. bummer! So we must just pretend this is all coming to you live. I can be a good faker!
So… todays installment will be a recap of the trends as laid out at Maison & Objet.
The “trend presentation” at Maison was split into 3 installations all under the idea of
“Crazy”
“Enough of gloom and doom in this crazy world! A pinch of folly and caustic humor can let imagination take the wheel. It’s time to champion the right to a breath of mental fresh air, to have fun. To affirm the jubilant desire to detonate wan conformity. Quirky, festive creativity is turning to whimsy and humor. Insolence and irony, extravagance and outrageousness are sweeping away things we’ve all seen before. Now is the time for sweet delirium and highly euphoric abnormality. In the offbeat bazaar of our contemporary cabinet of curiosities, we don’t take ourselves too seriously, and it feels crazily good.”
confession: i’m a francophile
With Nancy being in Europe this week, I have decided to confess. It all started the summer of 2010 when I went to Paris for a week with my friend Lauren. I could go on and on about how much I love Paris and all things French but lets just talk about a particular sweet that has been having a moment in the trendiness column for a while now and I hope is here to stay. French Macaroons!
Laduree is right up there with Disney Word when it comes to a magical place where all your dreams come true, well mine anyway! Every shop is beautifully designed, filled with macaroons, other sweet pastries and just in general looks like a place a princess would live. The macaroons come in so many flavors and colors, that they are almost too pretty to eat (I said almost – my fave is pistachio).
Wednesday What Not- Hedgehogs Gone Wild
1. dress by AWEAR.com; 2. handbag by kate spade; 3.print by susiegharemani; 4.charm necklace by madison craft studio; 5. throw pillow by earthlab 6. print by the black apple; 7. “sneak preview” of woodland stripes by TGWC; 8. coasters by seabreeze studio; 9. live hedgehog, courtesy wikipedia
