Smorgasburg

Over the weekend, I traveled to Brooklyn to visit some friends. We stopped by Smorgasburg (operated by the Brooklyn Flea) on Sunday morning for brunch and my goodness, it was amazing. Smorgasburg is an all-food market with about 100 vendors. I went to their DUMBO location in the historic Tobacco Warehouse. It was tent after tent of delectable foods, a gorgeous carousel nearby, and Manhattan's cityscape as a backdrop. With so many delicious bites to choose from, deciding which items to get (and knowing when you've hit your full-ness limit) is the toughest part. To give you an idea...

The food wasn't the only thing to catch my eye. Many of the company's names, logos and graphics were so well done. Some favorites are:

Danny Macaroons – how cute is that logo?

Mrs. Kim's Kimchi – an awesome company name

Kings County Jerky Co. – When I commented to the guy working the tent that I liked his graphics, he proudly told me that they were designed by Dana Tanamachi. She's such a talent.

Pipcorn – fun name, nice graphics

Ish – how else could horseradish seem cool?

What an amazing Sunday morning experience. Great food, clever logos, and a pretty backdrop but best of all, a special time spent with friends.

P.S. Brooklyn Flea (antique and repurposed furniture, vintage jewelry, art, crafts, and of course, food) is coming to Philly! It starts on June 2, get the details here.

P.P.S. Feel like salivating even more? Check out the full list of Smorgasburg's vendors here.

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last photo by Regan Stephens, all other photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Live Colorfully

Kate Spade has done it again! This time I am head over heels for the packaging of their new fragrance, Live Colorfully.

This colorful bottle comes with a bow on top. Seriously irresistible!

Ooh, and you can order a free sample here. Can't wait to give this a try.

*****

image via Kate Spade

Ornaments and Necklaces

Earlier this week I wrote about using garland to cover a ceiling. Along the same lines is this post today — ways to creatively use ornaments.

Sure these geometric paper ornaments would look nice on a tree, but what about clustering a bunch together to be a mobile in a baby's room? Or hanging them from a chandelier for a festive update for your next party? Tying them to a ribbon and draping them would look pretty on a gallery wall, too.

The ornaments are by Field Guide Design on Etsy and I just had to share another item of their's, too. Pet rock necklaces in the most beautiful packaging:

I know it's a little early but with items like these, I'm already looking forward to holiday shopping!

Grown-up Soda

I really like this idea.

Soda for adults! I just discovered Grown-up Soda over the weekend while having lunch at Eataly in New York City.

Everything from the concept and the name, to the packaging and the taste (so light and refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness) is so savvy and perfectly marketed toward a grown-up, sophisticated audience.

And for a decidedly adult treat, the people behind GuS offer cocktail recipes for delightful GuS-inspired concoctions like the GuS-sy Navel (a light twist on the fuzzy navel) and
Me Gus-ta (featuring tequila and GuS Dry Cranberry Lime). Yum.

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all images via GuS Grown-up Soda

Sweet as Sugar

I first posted about the design and letterpress company Sugar Paper a couple of weeks ago, here, and just received the greeting cards that I ordered. I must confess that I am completely smitten with their work!

Just take a look at the thought and care put into this packaging goodness.

Handwritten thank you notes accompanying your order are definitely the way to go, and this sweet little note was written on really nice, thick card stock with scalloped edges. Attached (with a gold paper clip!) is one of their tiny letterpressed business cards which is so sweet, especially because the edges are printed in the same pale pink as the type on their cards. Oh my goodness, I just love little details like that!

Yet another thank you card was included on top of the assortment that I ordered, and wrapped in a simple, white grossgrain ribbon. Seriously, so simple, sweet and perfect.

And that's just the packaging...the greeting cards themselves are sensational!

You see why I am in design heaven, right?

I ended up purchasing a bunch of You're Awesome and Happy For You cards this time but I think some Yay's and My Bestie cards are in my future. How can I resist hot pink envelopes lined with gold polka-dotted paper?

I am so excited to send out these lovelies!! Thank you, Sugar Paper. You're awesome!

*****

images by The Pink Chalkboard

Hi Honey!

Have you noticed all of the small, independent honey companies cropping up lately? Many have beautifully designed logos and pretty packaging. They certainly have come a long way from the traditional honey bear of my childhood. These packages are sophisticated and charming, and I think a special jar of honey could make a great housewarming gift. Here are some of my favorites.

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1. Babees Honey, conceived and designed by Ah&Oh, via the dieline  
2. Urban Apiaries, via terrain
3. TruBee, via terrain
4. Denniston Apiary, designed by Michael Osborne Design , via the dieline
5. Nude Bee Honey Co.,  via the dieline

Melt

The clever branding campaign for gourmet chocolate shop, melt, designed by Jesse Kirsch, takes its name quite literally. The "melted" feeling of this logo smartly extends into the packaging design and is topped off with the drizzled chocolate look of the candy bar wraps. So beautifully designed and executed! 

*****

images via JJAAKK Design

G is for Great-Looking Gifts

I recently posted about using colored masking tape to make your wrapped presents distinctive and good-looking. Here's another wrapping idea that I found on Martha Stewart's website:

Gosh, I think this is great. I'm a big fan of monograms but I've never thought to use them on presents.  I like this example particularly because of the big, bold size of the letters. Plus, the website recommends recycling holiday cards from previous years and cutting out the monogramed letters from them. Genius and gorgeous.  A wonderful combination.

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image via marthastewart.com

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!

*****

images and masking washi tape available at CB2

mast brothers chocolate

While in D.C. a few weeks ago for a friend's wedding (an absolutely beautiful affair -- congrats Grant and Kristen!), I had some time to wander around Georgetown.  Hungry, I went into Dean & Deluca and came across Mast Brothers Chocolate.  Beautifully packaged in patterned paper, these chocolate bars definitely caught my eye.

Drawn at first to their graphic packaging and clean, simple logo, I then went to their website and learned more about this great company and their craft chocolates. Their website says:

Our handcrafted chocolate begins with the most prestigious cocoa farms. Not unlike wine making, variances in the geography of farms (terroir) create one-of-a-kind chocolate. We seek to pay tribute to these unique characteristics by crafting chocolate with beans from a single farm, village or province.

Mast Brothers makes and sells their chocolate from their factory in Brooklyn.  They do factory tours, too! I wish I knew that when I was living in NYC. Sounds like such a fun activity. Imagine how divine that factory must smell!

Mast Chocolates have lots of flavor options. The Dean & Deluca I was in didn't have the Fleur de Sel or Almonds & Sea Salt flavors but I'm officially on the search for those in my hometown.  Don't they sound so delicious?

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top image by The Pink Chalkboard

bottom image via mastbrothers.com

Venn Diagrams

While combing through The Dieline, a wonderful package design website, I came across this packaging by Ricardo Colombo for Eyo, a cellular phone maker.

I like the layering of translucent colors and it reminded me of venn diagrams.  Venn diagrams are often colorful and simplistic, and therefore, right up my alley.  Here are two sweet ones that I've come across recently:

Unity 'You & Me' Print

You & Me Venn Diagram Perfection

And just think of the other clever messages you can use in a homemade venn diagram. Maybe for an invitation for a party thrown by two people? Or even a birth announcement? Oh, the possibilities!

Rochdale Cider

Here on the east coast, the weather is slowly turning cooler and I'm starting to think of all things fall. There's plenty of time to get into the pumpkin and Halloween spirit, but until then, it's apples that are on my mind.

Maybe that's why I am so drawn to the packaging on this Rochdale Cider.

Designed by Supply in New Zealand for the McCashin family, the goal was to "...revive Rochdale Cider, one of its original brands from the 1940s. Rochdale was, and still is, produced by a local orchard and brewery in Nelson, New Zealand. The family wanted Rochdale to represent history and tradition, but feel fresh and new within the growing cider market.  So the brand, packaging and collateral needed to communicate a "retro cheek" that referenced its heritage but captured a modern audience."

They certainly succeeded -- and were then recognized with a Third Place win in The Dieline Awards 2011.  Well done, Supply!  Now I just need to find this fabulous packaging (and I'm sure delicious drink) here in the States.

*****

quote and top images via The Dieline

bottom image via rochdalecider.co.nz

Cupcakes and Chocolate

I've mentioned before that I am a big fan of cupcakes (here, for example). Yes the cake and icing is yummy, but that's not their only appeal.  I actually just think that cupcakes are kind of fun -- a perfect, pretty package of cake goodness and cuteness.

Baked by Melissa takes cupcake cuteness, though, to a whole new level. 

These literally bite-size beauties are absolutely delicious.  If you are in New York City, you have to stop by one of their locations.  The tie-dye cupcake with it's colorful sweetness is my favorite but cookie dough is a close second.    

And check out the newest member of the Baked by Melissa family -- cupcakes dipped in chocolate!  

I haven't tried them yet (yet being the operative word) but their packaging alone makes them purchase-worthy.  With their colorful graphic pattern, and knowing the rest of the Baked by Melissa products, I'm sure these are equally, if not more, delicious.

Voluspa

A few weeks ago, Jillian wrote this post about her favorite fragrance company, Thymes. I know she's not a fragrance person, but I very much am. I light candles just about all of the time at home so I like to think that I've done a lot of research. My favorite brand is Voluspa and not only are their scents delicious, but their packaging is really great too.

I think Voluspa's best candle is the three-wick tin from the Japonica collection. The illustrations on these tins are moody and graphic which I just love. And this scent, Santiago Huckleberry (comprised of huckleberry, vanilla pods, and sugar cane), is my absolute favorite.

Santiago Huckleberry tin via Apothica

Here are some other examples of their great graphic packaging.

French cade & Lavender diffuser via Bloomingdales

Crisp Champagne candle via Lucky Scent

Golden Rose and Lilac Muguet candle via Mimi's Mercantile

Voluspa also makes some body care items, such as these bar soaps. The graphics here look so luxe and sophisticated, I think I need to give them a try...

Triple-milled shea butter soaps in Laguna and Suede Blanc via Corner Store

Wishing you a day filled with heavenly scents wrapped in dazzling design!