Cluster of Goodness

While exploring the great blog, Atypical Type A, I came across a post about alternative uses for pallets. While all of the images are beautiful and so interesting, I was quite taken with something else in this photograph -- that cluster of goodness above the bed.  What a unique way to add pizazz to a room.

image by photographer Ashley Ann

It looks like there are a few lights in there along with tissue paper pom poms and confetti.  What a fun and easy weekend project this would be.  It doesn't look too complicated and can be easily customized to fit in any color palette and at various levels of sophistication.

Here are some items that could be combined to make something lovely like this:

spherical lantern

tissue paper pom poms

rice paper daisy

And here's a how-to from Martha Stewart on how to make these tissue paper pom poms yourself:

Perfect for a kids room, a fun dining room, or even specialized for an upcoming party. Have you tried something like this? If so, please let us know. We'd love to see photos!

10,000 logos

Wow, this is one of the most ambitious projects I've ever seen!

Designer Nicole Meyer is creating a logo for each of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes. Called Branding 10,000 Lakes, she is unveiling one logo each day and it will take her over 27 years to complete!

Here are just a few of my favorites. She is really quite talented.

You can see all of her logo designs to-date here and view her other marvelous work here.

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all images via Branding 10,000 Lakes
first spotted on psfk

Memories of NYC

I moved away from NYC two and a half years ago. I'm happy in the suburbs but every now and then I see an image of New York that makes me wish I was back on those city streets. Here is the latest one that I've come across.

Prince and Lafayette by Jorge Colombo

There is something so special about this.  The glow of the lights against the dusky night sky are beautiful. It reminds me of my walks home each night after work as the sun set behind the buildings and the streets started to quiet down.

So lovely...and so very New York.

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image via 20x200

Wishful Thinking

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's hoping all your wishes come true this holiday weekend.

See you back here on Monday!

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Thanksgiving Platter via West Elm

Thank You

This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for our family and friends and for all of you who check in with us each day here at The Pink Chalkboard.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday!

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Thank You Burst single letterpress folded card via Smock. 

Speaking of fabulous florals...

Isn't this chair from Found Design Miami gorgeous?

I was immediately reminded of Jillian's Fabulous Florals post when I spotted it on Etsy. The pattern and bright colors are so beautiful.

Do you know what is even more fabulous about this chair?

The floral pattern is completely hand painted!

The ladies at Found Design Miami rescue old furniture and refinish it. In this case, they spent over 20 hours painting the floral design on upholstery-grade linen. I think the effect is absolutely amazing. Check out more of their work here!

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Pardon the Garden Chair via Found Design Miami on Etsy

All Wrapped Up

I read one time about someone who wrapped all of his presents in the same colored paper and tied them all with the same colored bow.  His "signature wrapping" made for a nice presentation but it also was economical and easy to maintain.  Instead of buying rolls upon (small) rolls of wrapping paper, he bought both the paper and ribbon in bulk.  And when the gift-giving season was over, he wasn't left with various amounts of odd-shaped bits of miscellaneous wrapping paper taking up tons of room in his closet.

I've always liked this idea.  So simple, but I feared it would get boring.  That's why something like this is so appealing to me:

What if you had one color wrapping paper (white, for instance) and just decorated each package with different colored masking tapes?  Each package would look original and unique but so chic.

Good looking and fun but best of all it's so easy!

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images and masking washi tape available at CB2

be-ribboned

Do you remember Jillian's post about ribbons? She featured a terrific photo that showed various ribbons hung across a wall as room decor. I thought this Be-Ribboned Mobile from PB Teen was an interesting twist on that idea.

Isn't it so sweet? I think it would be absolutely charming hanging in a girl's room. The mobile includes little chalkboard disks on which you can write little words or messages, giving it a personalized touch.

I also think this could be a really easy DIY project. Find a lampshade with a nice silhouette (like this or this), cut apart the shade and paint the exposed frame (feel free to go wild with color here!). Hang some pretty ribbons from M&J Trimming at the top (think fun textures and colors), glue or stitch in place, and hang from an "s" hook in the ceiling.

Voila! You have your very own mobile.

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image via PB Teen

Michelle Armas

With the gray and chilly days of winter ahead of us here in the Northeast, I'm already thinking to Spring, sun and warmth. It may be cold outside but these paintings by Michelle Armas make me feel warm and cheery all over.

Find these and much more at michellearmas.bigcartel.com.

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names of each piece, left to right are:
top row - Simplicity, Happy Birthday, Myloft
middle row - Combertus, Colt 45, Nebularicol
bottom row - Zombie Jeeves, Infowar, Pontulious

Dear H&M

Dear H&M,

Please bring your home accessories line here to the United States! Especially now that you've launched your holiday collection, I really can't resist!

Loving this shiny sparkly goodness...

cushion cover

teddy

...all of this great typography...

shower mat

tea towel

bath mat

napkin ring

...and your pretty floral patterns.

duvet cover set

tray

shower towel

Oh, yes you do!

pillowcase

H&M, when you do decide to open your stores here, can you be sure to open your first in Philadelphia?

XOXO

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all images via H&M (United Kingdom)

you can see more of their great selection of home accessories right here!

Rex Ray decals

Oh boy, look what Mindy came across recently -- Rex Ray decals!

 

I posted about Rex Ray a while back and am delighted to now not only be able to bring some Rex Ray into my home, but to be creative about it, too.  A wall of decals could become your own custom Rex Ray wallpaper.  How fun is that?

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decals available at Blik
all images via whatisblik.com

Reflections of H&M

I just stumbled upon these images of the launch of H&M's Home line at their flagship location in Stockholm (back in 2009). Oh my goodness, it is breathtaking!

Entitled Home Reflections, branding agency UXUS created this incredible installation, making use of mirrors, illustrated suspended furniture (hello! so creative!), and H&M's home decor items to create a "looking glass" effect. Isn't it captivating?

The concept here was to "imagine the world through a looking glass, to explore our ever-changing relationship between identity and style."

The result? The trendy H&M aesthetic captured within the surreal world of Alice in Wonderland. I wish I could have hung out here!

Sadly, the H&M Home line is not available in the United States yet. 

Stay tuned! I'll be posting some of my favorite things from their line later this week...

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all images via UXUS

first spotted on Trendland

Delicious Dishes

I'm a cupcake (and cookies and ice cream) kind of girl, but Mindy's favorite treat of choice is a doughnut. I came across these plates at CB2 and just had to share.

Of course, no one ever wants a moldy donut, but a moldy donut plate? Yes, please. So witty and charming they are hard to resist!

Curly Ribbon Pendant

I love this Curly Ribbon Pendant light from Possini. 

It looks so swirly, reflective, and pretty.

This sparkly light would make a fantastic statement piece. 

Like Jillian's favorite mirror, I think it would look best paired with something in a completely different style--maybe hanging over a big rustic farm dining table (and these really cool chairs). 

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images via Lamps Plus

Thanks to Lisa and Rick for the great tip!

Happy Baby!

I have wonderful news to share...

Early this morning, Jillian gave birth to a beautiful baby girl!

Just wanted to take a moment and congratulate Jillian and her family on this wonderful news!!

Love and Hugs!

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Paper Dolls Wall Decals via Dwell Studio

Children's Story Posters

Clever and graphic, aren't these children's story posters amazing?

I love how they make you think.  Just one small item -- like a bitten apple or the smile of a cheshire cat -- can totally link you to the story.  Well done, Christian Jackson. See the rest of his special collection here.

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originally found via atypicaltypea.com

Inspired by Starbucks

Have you seen the latest Starbucks commercial?



It is a really inspiring ad! Starbucks is collaborating with the Opportunity Finance Network to start the Create Jobs for USA Fund. The Starbucks Foundation is matching individual $5 donations with a $5 million investment to support and sustain jobs in small businesses.

Great graphics, animation, and inspiring music all support a simple, yet powerful message. Work together to support small businesses and jobs will grow.

Now that's an idea we can all drink to!

Colorful Chevrons

Mindy has written before about zig zags, and I certainly love color.  Put the two together and what do you get?  Colorful chevrons!

I like these notecards with their somewhat subdued color palette.

These pinback buttons would look cute on a jacket, but I would want to use them instead as push pins on a cork board.

And then what's not to love about this scrapbook paper?  The possibilities of things to do with this are endless!