GETTING SWEET & CRAFTY: VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS

The way to make a holiday feel special (especially for the DIY-crazed folks like me), is to do just a little bit more than the everyday. It doesn't have to be a big thing, but hanging up a banner or making your own card or setting out new, pretty candle can turn a "Hallmark" holiday into something more personal and special and, well, fun! So, here is a little round up of ideas to set that amorous day, February 14th, apart from the rest. Hope you like it!


one | Yrsno Candles, Ikea, $2.99
two | Crinkled Wheel Set, BHLDN, on sale 12 for $16
three | Lace Hearts Tutorial, Michelle Made Me
four | Folded Cards Tutorial, Martha Stewart*
five | Raspberry Almond Financiers, Martha Stewart*
six | Foxy Valentine Favors How-To, PaperSource
seven | Romantic Paper Hearts Garland, thePathLessTraveled, $8.50
eight | Playing Card Valentines Tutorial, Martha Stewart*







Also, don't forget to enter the Bites Dessert giveaway here! It ends today at 5pm so get in while the getting's good! 




*Did I tell you I was on the Martha Stewart Show? Check out the link (in the "Headlines" section of the sidebar ➭) to watch a clip!

CANADIAN COLOR: ANDREW B. MYERS

I am totally in love with the colorful quotidian scenes artist Andrew B. Myers likes to photograph. Something about the color palette (and the nostalgic, childhood-recalling objects) makes these shots seem like dreamscapes or hazy, pastel-infused memories. And wouldn't it be great if all childhood actually looked like this?


Learn more about Myers' work here. And don't forget to enter our delicious Valentine's Day giveaway here; it ends tomorrow!


(thanks to Fast Co. Design for the tip)

LOVE, NOTED

As a stationery nerd, I have to say that my favorite part of Valentine's Day (besides cuddling with my sweetie, of course!) is picking out the right card for the right person and dropping it in the mail as a little surprise. Remember when we used to give everyone in our class a little valentine? Why does that have to stop? I would love to be able to send a note of love/friendship to everyone in my life . . . wouldn't you?


If you are looking for cards that are sure to make someone smile, the companies listed above—Egg Press, Walk Up Press, Fugu Fugu Press, Rifle Paper Co.—never fail to deliver. I am particularly in love with the heart shaped Egg Press cards and Rifle's 'You're a Fox' card. Too cute!


Have a great weekend all! Make sure to enter our delicious Valentine's Day giveaway here! See you back here with more 'obsessive images' on Monday!

GIVEAWAY: MINI AND DELICIOUS!

     


Just in time for Valentine's Day, I am happy to announce a big (and tasty!) giveaway!* The lovely Shreena, owner and baker extraordinaire behind Bites Desserts, has offered to give one lucky reader one of her "Sweetheart Bouquets" (below) which have 12 red velvet cake pops with pink vanilla frosting. Aren't they adorable? I think they would be the perfect alternative to the traditional red roses and box of chocolates.







So how can you win?


For one entry:
Leave a comment below with your favorite way to celebrate Valentine's Day. Make sure you leave your email address so I can contact you!


To double your chances:
Tweet about the giveaway by mentioning @katiejosephson and #giveaway (and tell me you did in the comments).


To triple your chances (whoa!):
Like Bites Desserts on Facebook here (and tell me you did in the comments).


The giveaway will close next Tuesday at 5pm and the randomly-chosen winner will be announced on Wednesday!


And for all of you who can't wait that long, O.I. readers will get 10% off everything in the Bites Desserts shop by using the code VDAYBITES. Also, check out Shreena's blog here and facebook page here.




*As always, I only write about products, people and organizations that inspire me and fit in with the O.I. aesthetic. In doing this giveaway I have received no compensation whatsoever; I just wanted to feature the lovely Shreena and give you a (well-deserved) treat!

CHEERS!

In honor of yesterday's illustrious holiday—National Beer Can Appreciation Day—here is a little round up of all the goodies you need to throw a fabulous Beer Bash. And even if, like me, you are not a big beer drinker, I can promise that all of these things will work just as well for a party with hard cider or soda or whatever beverage you prefer! :)

1 ::::: Mexican Craft Beer, Cervecería Sagrada
2 ::::: Vintage European Beer Coasters (Set of Four), halfpintsalvage, $14
3 ::::: Tubtrug 3.5 Gallon Storage Bucket, Amazon, $6.99
4 ::::: Alessi Marli Bottle Opener, Amazon, $26.42
5 ::::: Lucky Lager Beer Tray, cocodot, $30
6 ::::: The Beer Book Beer Appreciation Poster
7 ::::: Stratton 22 oz. Beer Mug, Crate & Barrel, $11.95


Check back in tomorrow; we are doing a big (delicious!) giveaway!

SAUL BASS DOES IT BEST

              

I have written about Saul Bass before and I had to do it again because the graphic designer keeps popping up on my radar. Last fall a beautiful new comprehensive book on Bass' work came out and it skyrocketed to the top of my wish list. You can buy a hardcover copy from Amazon here and see more page spreads here.








Also exciting? Bass' classic children's book, Henri's Walk to Paris, is being reprinted and will be released in February. The illustrations in this book are truly wonderful; it would make a great Valentine's Day present for kids and adults alike! Preorder your copy on Amazon here.








Dwell has also put together an awesome top five list of Bass' best movie title sequences. Though they are all brilliant, I have always been particularly inspired by Bass' illustration-based designs; Anatomy of a Murder is iconic!

THE ARTIST SPEAKS

While not technically attributed to an artist, this quote was too good to pass up. Learn more about Arthur Hays Sulzberger, the publisher of the New York Times for twenty-six years, here.