by Amber on February 28, 2010
Hej! If you think about it for a couple of minutes, I’m sure you’ll agree with me that when it comes to the finer things in life, Sweden often pulls it off better than most. Design, pop music, meatballs and typography for starters!
To boot, some of the best blogs published today originate from Scandinavia, especially in the realm of fashion, interiors and object design. Below are my Swedish bloggy picks – most of them are written in English (oh you multilingual dreams) but if not, the Google translator is helpful.
ANNE’S FOOD: Swedish cooking-eating-enjoying blog written by Anne from Stockholm. There are a lot of recipes on the site but I really enjoy the “Traditional-ish Swedish Recipes” category – populated by exciting edibles such as Daim Cookies and Dammsugare.
CAMILLA ENGMAN: Since 2007 Engman has been sharing her witty illustrations & artwork, thoughtful photography and adventures with her little dog. Simply charming.
EMMA’S DESIGNBLOGG: A blog with an emphasis on stylists and photographers (concepts = good), rather than shopping and products (stuff = not sustainable). I can’t wait to visit Stockholm and use her comprehensive city guide.
FASHIONSQUAD: A nice blog which does what it says on the box – fashion, fun, inspiration, big time dreams.
HELLO TIGER!: Tiger shares her recent decor and design finds and posts great DIY tutorials (she also writes for Swedish ELLE Interiör). I liken her blog to a really excellent pick n’ mix lolly section – bright and sugary favourites and a few new treats to try.
KONSTBOK: I adore Emilie Björk’s blog for its captivating photography, music recommendations and the ‘everyday-moments-in-Gothenburg’ style narrative.
KARIN ERIKSSON: Erikkson is a noted designer/maker of ceramics. Here she blogs her “inspirations and my thoughts on topics such as beauty, patterns and things”. This is one of her gorgeous Signe beakers, crafted for tea, which will no doubt leave you wanting to know where she gets her ideas from:
SANDRA JUTO: Sandra is an illustrator, photographer and knitter. She shares her life through beautifully composed daily photographs: coffee, sign-writing, snow, lamps. Reading her blog makes you appreciate the simple things in life.
SWEDES PLEASE: Swedes Please is the definitive Swedish music blog! Definitely worth a browse because Swedish indie is some of the best in the world. As an aside, my favourite Swedish bands are Loney, Dear, I’m From Barcelona, The Hives, and Air France.
Are there any sneaky Swedish favourites that you think I should add to the list? I’d especially like to read some written by men. Or perhaps there is another country that seems to crop up in your RSS reader time and time again? Please share with the class.
by Amber on February 2, 2010
TeuxDeux is a simple, designy, browser-based to-do app and the first collaboration between studio-mates swissmiss and Fictive Kin. The idea was to build a bare-bones, but visually compelling and highly usable to-do app based on Tina’s personal ideal work-flow.
Aesthete Tina Roth Eisenberg has teamed up with her neighbours Fictive Kin to release a pared back, red-white-and-black day planner. It only takes a couple of seconds to sign up to Teux Deux; from there you can easily add tasks, move and delete them, make notes in the ’someday’ bucket, as well as look at the weekly overview. An iPhone app is currently in development, if you’re that way inclined.
I’ve been using it for about a week now and it’s been really grand – saving my desk from being swamped in a tsunami of scrappy to-do lists. The name is adorable too. My only complaint? I just wish my laptop screen was bigger so I could see everything in one go. Better add that upgrade to my list.
by Amber on September 29, 2009
by Amber on August 26, 2009
Today’s hot shopping tip is to turn your shopping experience global. It’s time to take advantage of the plethora of online stores and your geographic location, to snag some bargains. So, say you’re like me, currently twiddling your cold little fingers in Oceania, there’s no better time than to plug in some Northern Hemisphere sites and check out what summer frocks they have up for sale. It’s also a fabulous opportunity to investigate new brands and designers.
To get you started, I’ve listed a few suggested shops that do ship over yonder seas. Explore, save and hang out eagerly waiting for the delivery of some new threads by your letterbox.
If you live in the Southern Hemisphere:
- In case you were under a rock, a Southern Alp or on a self enforced break from the Internet (ha!), you’ll know that Topshop now ships to New Zealand and Australia! Summer frocks and rompers ahoy.
- American Apparel is great for boys, basics, nerdy accessories and ice skating dresses for summer. Hint: Find a shipping/discount code to make your purchase that much sweeter.
- Pixie Market is the home of many fantastically creative fashion designers. Plus there’s free international shipping for all orders over US$250.
- The Outnet, La Garconne and Shopbop are my picks for high end designer garments. It’s possible to find huge discounts on all the brands you covet at the end of season.
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, obviously you kids have hella more choices when it comes to stores & shipping. However you may like to check out these options:
- Witchery is an Aussie chain store – good for simple, elegant pieces. They love neutral colours and their jewellery/scarves/bags are fantastic.
- Cool as a… General Cucumber. A good place to pick up the best pieces from New Zealand’s darker designers. Highlights include Gothic stalwarts Zambesi, the luxe leather work of Deadly Ponies and Jaeha – Alex Kim’s brilliant label.
- MyCatwalk stocks a plethora of cute Aussie & Kiwi designers – including Romance Was Born (get in there for their new tights!) and Elke Kramer’s heart stoppingly awesome laminate jewllery.
(Inspired by Rural Report, New Zealand Fashion Quarterly, Summer 2008)
by Amber on August 12, 2009
Here’s 5 reasons why I adore Michi Girl:
1.The talented meteorologist sends her daily weather forecasts (for Melbourne & the world) straight to your inbox – for free!
2. With every weather love letter she throws in a hot bonus shopping tip, which always proves to be an item of instant lust. Think darling space dresses, swallow necklaces and Where The Wild Things Are tees (…whatever, I know you’re obsessed too).
3. Cute competitions, for example once I won a hippo’s head brooch. Receiving dear sweet Harriet’s head in the mail made my week.
4. We share a penchant for the watercolour aesthetic, as seen all over Michi’s beautifully illustrated email missives.
5. The daily notes never fail to bring both good design and the lolz…
LOVE YOU MICHI, light of my inbox XX
by Amber on July 21, 2009
First I confessed my Girl Blog Crushes to the world (obviously you need to read this list if you haven’t already – amazing ladies). Now it’s time for the guys:
SETH GODIN – If you’re not reading this, why not? Seth Godin’s marketing ideas and thoughts about changing the world are invaluable, whether you’re in the industry or not.
VERSION 3 – Duncan serves up regular doses of fresh music and things he loves about Auckland in a super enthusiastic way. He is also excellent company if you’re trapped in a van for hours driving around the UK. Reading Version 3 makes me want to explore personally uncharted worlds – like dodgy food courts and drum & bass!
WORKING TOWARDS – Photos, art, Japan. Good. I like to dip in and out of this beautifully designed blog.
THE LESS PERMANENT – Pete’s job is to interview your favourite musicians and assure us that they’re really nice people. Usually this would incite major jealously, but he’s a lovely kid so one can’t be too mean… go read his work.
HARD NEWS – Auckland’s Russell Brown dishes up media and news commentary. Usually reasonable, always clever and often funny.
LÉON – Fashion, food and solid life advice – more what could you want? I adore this blog.
JAKE DAVIS – a film and music video director with dope style. From tennis inspiration, to facial hair, his style musings are spot on.
Making this list makes me see I don’t actually read that many blogs by dudes, personal or otherwise. This must change! In the interest of gender equality, care to share some of your favourite blogs from the male point of view? Please chip in!
by Amber on June 24, 2009
Yay! Progress feels awesome. Emma and and I have finally gotten around to making some decisions on a colour palette. The new CFS colours are: purple, orange, fuschia, green, limoncello and blue!
These are the pastels we talked about earlier – fresh summery colours. We’re retaining the orange I’ve used in every CFS ‘design’ so far.
This is where the word mark and the signature triangle pattern is at now:
The pattern started off as very clean, but over time has become quite distressed – reminding me of screen-printed canvas.
As you can see, we’re developing a series of icons to go on the regular content – so far we have a ‘Photographic Evidence’, a ‘CFS Loves’ and one for all the travels I will be making (hah!), – that’s the icon with the wee sailboat. I’m still trying to come up with a few other symbols – for the occasional Dress Codes and guest contributors – any ideas?
SITE LAYOUT
This is the structure we’re currently playing around with. There are so many questions to answer! What are the essential elements of a blog, how do you navigate, width of sidebars… wait, how many sidebars?
Which brings us to the first (very messy) draft:
Everything is still being tweaked – from the typography to headers and footers; but thanks to Em’s hard work, something wonderful is starting to take shape….
While I’ve been in Melbourne stalking the streets for vintage and eating like spoiled child (mm, mini cupcakes for dinner); darling Emma has been curled up in front of her laptop, slaving over a hot design. This is where we get into the creative part!
I’ve always joked that an alternative name for CFS could be “coolshitamberlikes.com”. So as core part of the Code For Something identity, Emma is developing a wordmark – we feel that creating a logo with a more pictorial element could tie the site to one particular direction in in the future (and y’know we like all sorts of rad stuff).
A wordmark is a type of logo, a ‘text only/typographic treatment of the brand name used for simple and memorable identification.
PLAYING
After our initial boards and discussion, Emma came back to me with a design exploration:
I liked the way the letters linked up, and the softness of the big curves. There were a few things that weren’t gelling with me straight away, but I had to remember these were just rough drafts! “Normally, it’s unusual to show work half done” says Emma, “But we are collaborators, so I feel it best to work together.”
DEVELOPING
Developing the bits I loved further, Emma wanted to make the letterforms a) more aesthetically pleasing and b) ownable!
“With this one I’m working on the geometric edge, to work with the to-be-designed patterning. It is quite rigid but the pastel colours will soften it!”
REFINING
After a little more work, this is a sneaky peek of where the wordmark is right now (draft only, insists the perfectionist designer!):
I loooooove it, don’t you? The first time I saw it I squealed.
NEXT STEPS
From here, Emma will tighten up the typography until she’s 110% happy; then develop a few extensions of this mark. For example, how will CFS Loves be executed? She’ll also get her hands dirty with a colour palette (she has a good idea of what she wants to use, but will define further) and a signature pattern. While there is a lot of work to do, it’s starting to feel real, and I’m really energised about the site.
If you have any burning questions about this project or design in general, please fire away! We’ve both been immersed in design for more than 5 years and love to nerdily natter away about it.
Currently I’m working with a designer to remodel this blog from top to toe – which is thrilling step to take in a little blog’s life.
Why work with a designer? To put it simply, they make things not only look better (whether that’s more professional, fresher or friendlier) – but they make things work better. Logically, if things both look and work better, you’ll be able to deliver your message even more clearly… and that’s the aim of the game!
Of course, it can be a scary prospect to work with a designer if you don’t know the various stages or aren’t too sure of the lingo. While I work with designers every day (they’re a beautiful breed) – I realise many people haven’t had the same joy.
That’s why over the next few weeks I’ll be taking this opportunity to take you step by step through the design process and give you an insight as to what it’s like to work with a graphic designer – from a client’s point of view.
MEET THE DESIGNER
I’ll be working with my friend, and frequent collaborator, Emma Kaniuk. She has a particularly genius approach to typography, publication design and small identities.
Aside from being an awesome designer, Emma is an accomplished foodie and frequent globetrotter!
Stay tuned as we take this beast on and give it a fresh new look.
Poorly kept secret #264: I have more RSS subscriptions than sense. So when I started making a list of the blogs I love to read/look at best to share with you, it got out of control quickly!
Hence I’m splitting the master list into parts – this first post comprises of my favourite female bloggers. A lot of them I have mentioned before, or you may already be familiar with (lucky you, they’re grand).
SCOUT HOLIDAY – Written by Cheri, a stylist/creative based in New York, Scout Holiday is where I turn to for a dose of charming graphic references (bunting!) and fashion treats.
SAILORETTE – I’m convinced Loulou is some sort of higher creative being. Her designs, photography and illustrations and are all a constant source of inspiration/swooning.
COUNTRY FRIED - I only recently came across this blog but I really like it. A well written peep into a totally different world - life from a Cornish caravan.
LILY’S MAKE BELIEVE – Oh, what can I say about Olivia’s cute blog? To start with, she likes sort of things I do – hydrangeas, vintage hunting and crafty stuff. Currently Lily’s Make Believe is chronicling her tales around South America and beyond – it’s so hard not to be totally jealous!
STYLE LINES – Kat George’s snappy fashion commentary never fails to alert me to good design. Australian designers are producing some of the most interesting collections in the world right now so it’s cool to read a blog that’s at the heart of it all.
HALF GIRL – Young roams the globe, camera in hand. She never fails to capture a beautiful moment, whether it is clothing, nature or delicious food. I am a huge fan!
GNARLITUDE – This blog rocks my bogan socks. Jen and her blog is probably the reason my wardrobe is filling up with shredded singlets, zippers and purple garments. She is also responsible for introducing me to a whole ‘nother sphere of rad music.
THIS IS WEENY – I love how Sheena uncovers the tiny joys of the city and shares her discoveries with us all. Also, unlike the feeling many other DIYs on the net evoke (“That’s just super, I have no craft skillz, next!”) – I always feel inspired by Sheena’s adorable fashion mods.
❤❤❤
And with that I am off to stud my Chucks! Care to share some of your favourite blogs?
by Amber on April 27, 2009
I know I’ve expressed my adoration of Google’s logos before but this one is so cool it deserves a spotlight:
Happy Birthday Samuel Morse, aka Mr. Morse Code! Yay. Communicating with morse is almost as neat as signalling with flag sephamore, but not quite.
by Amber on March 21, 2009
Yesterday this popped up on my screen, a Very Hungry Caterpillar/Eric Carle logo for Google:
Aw sweet. It’s one of my favourite picture books! Two reasons for the occasion – the start of fall in the Southern Hemisphere and the 40th anniversary of the book. Google also celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday with a logo recently:
Here’s the archive of Google’s special event logos for the last 10 years. 2008 was a cracker year, while 1999 is pretty much lifted straight out of Word art. I’m really enjoying these crazy tributes – tiny moments of search joy.
by Amber on March 3, 2009
I’ve been asked a few times recently – “How do you find so much curious information“?
Good question. It’s inspired me to compile a list of my favourite online ‘newsy’ resources. Hopefully you’ll find something new to you. It’s always a funny feeling to discover a giant site – simply dripping in information – and wonder just how you missed it. Here’s my top level picks in: Lifestyle, Business, Branding/Design, Culture and Hard News.
LIFESTYLE – for the discerning individual…
DailyCandy, cute daily emails with localised & global cute stuff.
Michi Girl, ditto, with a Melbourne option available.
Notcot, a little bit of everything.
Josh Spear, Jet setting trend spotting.
The Cool Hunter, a great selection of retail experiences and architecture.
Cool Hunting, good overview of what’s interesting.
The Selby, oft updated site with photo essays of creative and crazy lifestyles.
BUSINESS – make that money, shake that ass…
Business Week, great sections on design and innovation in business.
Fast Company, ditto.
The Economist, meaty weekly reading.
BRANDING/DESIGN – beyond pretty pictures…
Brandchannel, branding commentary.
Brandnew, funny and spot on logo analysis.
Creative Review, intelligent blog of the magazine.
Booooooom, emerging and inspiring artists.
The Die Line , fresh new packaging.
Swiss Miss, graphic design in the internet age.
Dezeen, a bit of this and that design-wise, but it’s all good.
HARD NEWS – up to the minute and commentary…
Guardian.co.uk, British brilliance. I like the cooking and fashion sections too.
The New York Times, important things you need to keep up wtih.
International Herald Tribune, the global edition of NYTimes.
New York Magazine, cultural/style barometer.
CULTURE – hibrow and lobrow cultural insights…
Hipster Runoff, scary or funny? Not sure but always authentic.
PSFK, brain gum.
DListed, celebrity spawn and belly aching laughs.
Anthrodesign resource list (Yahoo groups), for folks with an interest in anthropology & design.
Jean Snow, Japanese design and culture.
Monocle Magazine, the online presence of my favourite magazine, ever.
However, my most important resource isn’t listed here because it’s far too squishy and malleable. The very best resource is other interested, curious human beings. Talking to people, getting out there (whether that’s physically or online) and making connections – these actions wins every time. So thank you to my twitter buddies, flickr friends, facebook allies, rss fuellers. Real life people – you’re the best. Awwww.
By the way, this list is just the tip of the iceberg… if I told you how many feeds I subscribe to you’d faint. There’s always room for more though! What’s your favourite site to geek out to? What do you check no matter the time of day or current media wave? Sharing is caring.
by Amber on January 8, 2009
