This may be the smallest record player in existence... so portable, you can carry it around in a pocket. The designer, Charlie Pyott warns...
You should be using this if you:
-Enjoy music
-Like to casually collect records
-Travel frequently and have limited space
DO NOT USE IF YOU:
-Do not like music
-Are an audiophile
Link - Pyott Design
Really lovely, vintage watch/apple pendant that done got snagged already. Offered by an etsy seller who has a really nice selection of vintage jewelry and one-of-a-kind finds.
Link
Word has it there's a group of young and enthusiastic graphic designers on the east side of Austin making wonderful things like this comforting and lovely poster (available in their School Supplies section).
Public School is a group of creative folk working on the east side of Austin together, yet not together. The same studio, different professions. Similar tastes, varying favorite Bob Dylan song. Consistently unified love for the Mexican food on the east side of town.
I'm not sure if that which is sexy about bikinis peeking out of low-rise jeans remains intact when the effect is deliberately recreated and designed to be a more comfortable, one-piece garment.
Link (via Hoard Gazette and the wise souls on Supernaturale.com)
J. Crew is doing some very serious work in creating derivative versions of classic clothing - and I don't mean that in a bad way. Inevitable hand wringing is required whenever a big company dips into such a deep, meaningful well. The difference in this case - they get it. They really, really get it. I applaud J. Crew for caring.
Boys Selvedge Levi's (Boys!)
Object, Meret Oppenheim, Paris 1936 (Swiss, 1913-1985)
In the absence of my weekly garage sale report, D+R points you to our man Steve's excellent score. I had a Gilbert chemistry set like this when I was a kid, though mine did include a cheap plastic microscope as part of the laboratory. From the box lid, "today's adventures in science will create tomorrow's America." Empowered junior scientists that are conducting glass blowing and criminology experiments not as preparation for a career but, rather, born from the curiosity to engage in epic science for science's sake. My heavens, may we find our way back to that righteous path.
Steve Lodefink's Garage Sale Scores
Jody Daily and I recently completed a "spirited" project for Disney that required just about every creative skill we could muster.
Tucked away around the corner from the world famous Portobello Road market (remember from Bedknobs and Broomsticks?) - itself a great place for treasures of all kinds - is The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising.Museum of Brands, London (Thanks, Jarred!)
It is stuffed to the rafters with the kinds of beautiful, wacky items you would only find when clearing out your late grandma's attic - 'Blood Stomach Pills' anyone? It's an Aladdin's Cave for retro packaging design. If you're in London, it is a must-see.
MOM & POPism at Gawker HQ (Via Gothamist, Thanks Susan!)
Sometimes, garage sale purchases are terrifically mundane, like this water damaged, but unopened, box of plant food. At 25 cents, it is easy to get spoiled by garage sale prices. Plus, it avoids trips to stores - the prime killer of time and pocketbook.
But, the finds are not always so commonplace.
Look, I'll just stop protesting too much and admit I love shoes. Okay? Fine. After realizing I was about to clock in my third or fourth entry on ideal shoes, I figured it would sound hollow. I discovered Re-Mix Classic Vintage Footwear several years ago in NYC and was immediately drawn to the 40's wedge, perforated lace-up red leather. What's incredible is that they have faithfully re-created the look of many shoes from the 20's, 30's and 40's without any cutesy, contemporary flair added to ruin the entire point and "update the look". The look doesn't need to be updated. It needs to remain available. I don't know what it is about slightly orthopedic, nurse-like shoes that attracts me. And I can hardly get away with wearing them, since they look like moon boots on my scrawny legs.
Link
Related:
Hand-tooled Leather 40's heels from ReMix
Warishofer Sandals
Embroidered Hand-Made Boots
Previously on D+R:
Nina Ricci Shoes
YSL Shoes
Lamborghini Gallardo Stilettos
Kansas Project: Ruby Slippers
Vivienne Westwood x Melissa
I liked my Scion mainly for its boxiness. So you can imagine my feelings about this Studebaker Pickup. (Via This Isn't Happiness)
UPDATE: D+R reader Steve points out that the above Studebaker truck never made it into production and was featured in Cars that Never Were. Given the myriad of issues facing the automobile industry, it is unfair to blame design solely for their problems. But, they did lose the confidence required for differentiation.
From Japan Society:
Coupling traditional metalworking skills with imported machinery, Japanese tin toys established a worldwide reputation in the 1920s and 1930s for their quality and detailed workmanship. With the resumption of international trade in 1947, exports grew rapidly. Leading American marques such as Ford, Packard, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Belair, Buick, and Cadillac competed to market ever more seductively styled cars to U.S. consumers in an increasingly automobile-based society. In Japan, toy manufacturers followed these styling trends closely, retooling often in order to offer miniature versions of the latest models to eager American children.Buriki: Japanese Tin Toys from the Golden Age of the American Automobile
It's easy to imagine this ad being the inspiration for a Zooey Deschanel photoshoot.
Eccentric Roadside's blog takes the words right out of my mouth regarding the new Holiday Inn logo and sign.
Pallet and Ziptie Outdoor Room, Just After Construction
Poblano Chiles
Orange tree in an old mop bucket
Despite some gardening setbacks, the room has yielded two tomatoes!
Lacoste is one of the few brands I still care about, so, why would I embroider over the iconic crocodile? Because it is one of the few brands I still care about.
D+R reader Damian sent me this cool notepad! How did he know I am always looking for the perfect notepad? Thanks, Damian!
This vintage embroidery transfer inspires me to wax on about lofty ideas of embroidery design for a moment. Ahem, ahem: Often taken for granted are what makes an embroidery pattern an embroidery pattern. We can stitch up any illustration our hearts desire (which is what I love about embroidery), but not every illustration is specifically designed to be embroidered. This is a gorgeous example of a design that blends fine line illustration with embroidery technique. I am convinced that the person who drew this must have been an embroiderer themselves. Convinced, I say! (pounding fist on lectern) Every line is thoughtful and meant to create a beautiful effect once stitched. The simple but lovely hands, the extremely miniscule lines of her face (that still convey emotion), the French knot dots on her headpiece...folks, I am in awe of this pattern. It looks simple, but simple is hard. Simple. Is. Hard.
Even the most stubbornly culturally obstinate are familiar with the idea of a donk automobile. Though dismissed by most, it is a principle I understand. The idea of taking a modest Chevrolet Caprice and imposing a toy-influenced mania of excess to stretch the very concept of what a car is. Frankly, I think it is more inspired than most art cars.
Beyond these extreme examples, perhaps it is time for an academic reconsideration of the base mid-70s Oldsmobile/Caprice. Arguably the least successfully designed automobile of all time, from the darkest era of Detroit, the computer controlled carburetor smog equipment choked 305 engines mean the car was as big a mechanical failure was it was aesthetically.
Amanda Blank with Caprice
From Freshjive:
Freshjive, Reserve, and AIGA/LA present
An Exhibition of Hand Lettered Posters by JOHN DOWNER
Opening Reception Thursday, August 13 from 8 to 11 pm
At RESERVE, 420 N. Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(directly across from Canters Delicatessen)
John will also hand letter your name tag while you watch!
Refreshments and Music provided
Reserve announces an exhibition of hand lettered posters by world renowned letterer and typographer, John Downer. John has been working with Freshjive on various t shirt designs, and the event coincides with the release of 4 more graphic t shirts and an in depth article on the Freshjive website. During the evening, he will also be hand lettering anyone’s requested name tag while you watch!
