Favorite Design Compilation Book of 2008: For Sale

When I was a kid, I always saved the packages that things came in…from candy wrappers to toys. I was never sure why (and I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I always knew I would be a graphic artist when I grew up and be obsessed with packaging for the rest of my life. More likely, I was always a hoarder).

Now that I’m all grown up and fancy myself a designer, I spend a lot of time looking through design books and annuals throughout the year. And, I’ll admit, in most cases you can’t judge a book by looking at it’s cover. Especially a beautifully designed design book cover. Sometimes what’s inside just isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. And it’s always such a disappointment because I get my hopes up every time. Hoping that this time the book will give me all that I want and/or need.

When I put For Sale: 200 Innovative Packaging Designs by John Foster on hold at my local library, I thought the cover seemed really cool (oh no!) and I did, like always, get my hopes up. The day I picked it up, I flipped quickly through it, shut it quickly and I instantly got butterflies. Filled with beautiful (and big) 4-color imagery throughout, For Sale actually gives you a detailed overview of each project with a little blurb by the artist. That can be so very helpful when you’re not only looking at books for pleasure, but also for inspiration. And, it featured great artists, great work and really great detail of some of the work. None of that using small-ish photos so that the reader/viewer can’t “steal” your ideas.

So, if you’re at all interested in beautiful, innovative package design, I highly recommend this book.

Tim Gunn or no Tim Gunn, I think it’s a grand idea.

During lunch today, I took a mental break from work and plopped on the couch to watch a Tivo’d episode of Tim Gunn’s Guide To Style. Matthew joined me (for those of you who don’t know, Mr. Matt is one of the latest casualties of the economy’s downward spiral. So we’ve both been working from home these days.).

During this particular episode, Tim and Gretta decided to get rid of 95% of their pupil’s wardrobe. And, during their critique of this particular woman’s clothing choices, Matthew looked over at me and said “what would Tim Gunn say if he looked in your closet?” Of course, this question has crossed my mind…the old “WWTGD?” And, at times I think he would be only mildly disappointed. But other times, like today, I thought about how nice it would be to have Tim come to my home and force me to throw everything away and start from scratch (and preferably leave Gretta in New York).

Then I took that thought a little bit further: What if I just did it myself? What if I decided to get rid of everything in my closet? E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! Down to my layering tank tops and my sleeping zubaz (as Matthew refers to them). How liberating would that be? Of course, this crazy talk could be a side effect of this cleansing phase I’m going through but, quite honestly, there’s nothing that I would cry over. Nothing that I couldn’t improve upon (except, maybe, my pair of Joe’s Jeans that I found at TJ Maxx for $60).

The trick is, I’d have to come up with the money to buy new and better clothes. And, I’d have to do it pretty quickly. Of course, I could sell some of my clothes to local consignment shops and get some money to go toward my new and improved wardrobe, but I’m still looking at a minimal $1,000-2,000. Not a ridiculous amount, but maybe I could even hit some sale racks and get more bang for my buck.

So, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my newest harebrained dream.

I’m not sure what this says about me.

I just returned from my local Indianapolis Target (Glendale to be exact). Is it bad that, while perusing the food/snack/beverage section, I came across the empty aisle that will eventually be the wine and beer area and almost peed my pants from excitement? Seriously, I felt like I needed to call someone to tell them about this joyous occasion.

So, to all my boxed wine bitches, the 46220 is getting the hook up.

My Top 10 Albums of the Year

I was just compiling my Top 10 Albums of the Year for my favorite local music store, LUNA Music. I thought I would share:

1. Destroyer – Trouble In Dreams
2. The Ruby Suns – Sea Lion
3. Hot Chip – Made In the Dark
4. Stereolab – Chemical Chords
5. TV On the Radio – Dear Science
6. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
7. Lambchop – Oh (Ohio)
8. Deerhoof – Offend Maggie
9. Sun Kil Moon – April
10. Jay Reatard – Singles 06-07

What are some of yours? Any that I missed that I should have remembered or, better yet, haven’t listened to yet?

Etsy shop of the week: T.T. Collections: Peas & Carrots

I’ve been doing a lot of online browsing this pre-holiday season, looking for handmade goods for family and friends. T.T. Collections: Peas & Carrots popped up on my Etsy homepage last week and, ever since then, I’ve been obsessed with this bag (and many of her other handmade treats) for a special someone or, hell, maybe for myself:

She’s running a December special right now ($20 discount on special bean bags). This little gem is included, originally priced at $69.00, and you can get it in a variety of colors.

Indy Craft Mafia. You know you want to.

Calling all Indianapolis area crafters! Whether you’re an experienced, craft-oriented businesswoman (or man), or you’re a weekend crafter, the Indy Craft Mafia needs you.

We are having our first meeting at 6pm this Sunday evening at the Earth House Collective, located in the Lockerbie United Methodist Church at 237 North East Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Bring your ideas and be ready to meet some pretty great people. It will be very informal and be a chance for all of us to meet and talk about all the things we’d love to do.

For more information, check out www.indycraftmafia.com.

I hope to see you all there!

Right around the corner.

I find myself, again, being MIA as far as my blog/flickr/online socializing responsiblities go. See, the thing is, I’m prepping for an upcoming sabbatical. Well, I’ve been calling it a semi-sabbatical because I will be, in some ways, working. But, I will have the majority of my one month (December 10th thru January 12th) all to myself. No computer. No deadlines. No panic attacks (here’s hoping).

So, needless to say, I’ve been working my arse off…finishing up projects taking care of all the lose ends that are bound to be hanging here and there. I’ve had a couple of meltdowns. Mostly stemming from my fear that this upcoming semi-sabbatical must be a dream. That it won’t happen and I’ll end up actually working straight through January and only realize then that I’ve missed it entirely. Or something ludicrous like that.

The truth is, it’s going to happen and my brain is swimming with all of the things I want to accomplish (have I mentioned I’m a Virgo and even have schedules for my down time? Yeah, I know.):

• Lots of crafting
• Lots of reading
• Lots of sleeping
• Some working out/Some yoga
• Long walks with the dog (weather permitting)
• Re-branding my business and implementing all of my new marketing materials (this actually does sound like fun to me, because I never have time to actually do this in a normal week…or year)
• Organize my CDs
• A little bit of shopping
• Organize recipes
• And, QT with the boyfriend

I’m sure there are many other things, but this is the initial list.

So, apologies for my long absences these days. I’m hoping that this sabbatical will breathe life into all aspects of, well, my life. I’m sure it can’t hurt, right?