happily ever after {minted} wedding invitations

I'm back at it again. Minted, in collaboration with WeddingChannel.com, recently had their biggest challenge ever...a Wedding Invitation Challenge. I entered a few of my creations for a chance at launching my own line of wedding invitations with Minted.

I kept away from the typical floral backgrounds this time around and focused on a more modern take on the Wedding Invitation. Perfect for the contemporary urban couple looking for something different for their big day.

Background textures, gradients, and geometric shapes make these designs uniquely graphic.

This is the perfect Wedding Invitation for the city couple.

Check all of these designs out on Minted and vote!!

{ Images Via :: LizzyB Loves }

the perfect pair

It's been a while since I've bought myself a decent pair of shoes. I've lived in my black Cons for the better part of ten years (hey, I work from home, no need for more shoes) so when I set my big brown eyes on the gorgeous Chie Mihara Collection I fell in love. One of each PLEASE!!

These could very well replace my every day Converse.

Check out her complete fall collection and gaze for yourself. From her site, "Chie's goal in designing footwear is to create styles that are feminine, fun, and truly comfortable", the latter being the most important point for me.

{ Images Via :: Chie Mihara }

unbelievable carpets

Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay...I'm just in awe as to what I have to share with you today. It involves many of the things I enjoy: pattern, 'textiles', design, food, toys...and you won't believe the imagination these artist have to create them.

I came across these fabulous creations of 'carpet' installations by We Make Carpets via Anthology, and when I started reading the descriptions and the materials they used I was blown away. I couldn't conceive of how anyone could have the mind to create such elaborate art pieces out of such common, and small objects.

Look at the details! Of course, there are some very talented and genius people out there. Sometimes I think: "why didn't I think of that?" (maybe I'm not that genius :P). Aren't these fabulous?!

Can you imagine sitting there and setting all of these up with such minute objects?

I have such a large collection of disposable eating utensils that I can totally create a carpet like this one.

This is my favorite, made out of cotton cleaning products I imagine it to be so soft and cuddly. Unfortunately they're all temporary and one can't roll around in them.

These are only a few examples of my favorites. You have to visit the We Make Carpets blog to be as blown away as I was with all of their designs. Check out the Wounded Carpet (can you imagine what it's made up of?) as well as the Army Carpet. Wow!!

{ Images Via :: We Make Carpets }

mad men withdrawl

Although Gabe and I usually wait for the complete season of Mad Men to come out on DVD before we watch it, just knowing that this season is over makes me crave it more. But well, this means that we'll soon be sitting on our bed for a few hours straight watching episode after episode.

To keep me appeased while the months pass until I have the new season in my hands, I stare at these fantastic illustrations of some of my favorite characters from the series, which I came across via Stanley Chow Illustration & Design. What girl wouldn't want to stare at Don Draper all day long!!?

Miss Holloway...I envy those sexy curves!

And Peggy, well...she's got the smarts.

{ Images Via :: Stanley Chow Illustration & Design }

the beauty of ink

As a paper ephemera designer ink is always on my mind. I came across this very cool video of how ink is made, via Paper Dahlia, and it's a great insight as to the process. Accompanied by some great music, the visuals are are art in themselves.

{ Video Via :: The Printing Ink Company }

views of a city :: parisian graffiti

Only in France can you find such artistic and fashionable Graffiti. I've been visiting a great Parisian photo blog for a while now (which I love because it instantly transports me to my favorite city) and every now and again Eric Tenin, the photographer, posts some very interesting takes on the city: graffiti-ed walls.

Now, I do imagine most other cities have great graffiti art as well, but theses examples seem so Parisian in there content.

This one is my favorite...so colorful and graphic.

Enjoy these Parisian views and have a great weekend.

{ Images Via :: Paris Daily Photo }

black swan

I'm still working on the final pictures for the Quinceañera invitation I just completed, but in the meantime, I came across these dark, graphic, gorgeous posters via Design Crush for Black Swan, the upcoming Darren Aronofsky film. Enjoy.

Can't wait to see the film.

{ Images Via :: Empire Online }