Round Up: Valentines.

Valentine's Day is two weeks from today and I've held off on this Round Up because new valentines keep popping up every day! So without further ado - or babble - here are my favorite valentines of 2008. (I tend to lean more towards the quirky/funny side with these cards because that's just where my personality falls in regards to this holiday.)

16 Sparrows Valentine Cards
Together, we make a pretty badass robot.
Take those damn pants off!!

Aran Made letterpress Valentine's Day cards
i'm trying...
i really like your pheromones
hello
run away with me...

Bella Muse Valentine's Day cards
I want to have text with you.
Happy Valentine's Day you saucy little tart.

Ella Studio Valentine Expressions Cards
I Fucking Love You.
Fucking Be Mine.

Earmark Invitations Let's Fork

Orange Beautiful's LOVE cards

Pressa Russa's letterpress V14 cards and envelopes

Melissa Kate's Olive You linocut card set

Tina Seamonster's Zombie Plague Gocco Valentines Day Card

Turtle Papers' Giraffes in Love note card set

Homemade Girl Scout Cookies: Samoas.

That splendid time of year is once again upon us and by that I of course mean Girl Scout cookie time. It's always a tough decision for me. Do I order a few extra boxes for bad days? Do I order some to freeze? The one thing I am aware of when that order sheet hit my hot little hands is that I'll be getting Samoas and Thin Mints. But now I can make homemade Samoas when it's not that glorious time of year and don't have to agonize quite so much about what to order.

:: via not martha

Hiya Crib.

It's official. Half of the world is pregnant and this is the cutest crib ever.

The Hiya Crib conveys a sense of purity, simplicity and sustainability. Featuring fixed sides for maximum structural stability ensuring the crib is as safe as possible and an adjustable platform that can be moved into three different positions to grow with your baby.

Auto Paint Cosmetics.

I love the idea behind Auto Paint Cosmetics. APC draws its inspiration and color palette from the spirit of the '60s and fast cars. Their latest line of ten nail lacquers are each named after classics, offering a physical and emotional connection to a different time and place. Not to mention some really unique packaging design to go along with it all.

The Cause: Animal Rescue Site.

Animal rescue is a cause near and dear to my heart. My cat, Peanut, was rescued before I got him and he makes my every day ten times better.

The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated daily to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on the purple box - fund food for animals - for free. This doesn't cost you a thing and is entirely FREE. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.

I hit up the site every morning before I even check my email. Please pass this on or post this on your blog to help. A sincere thank you in advance.

Periodic Table Printmaking Project.

I love a good collaboration. Today I came across the Periodic Table Printmaking Project. Ninety-six printmakers of all experience levels joined together to produce 118 prints in any medium. The end result is a periodic table of elements intended to promote both science and the arts and incredibly intriguing visually. And I totally dig the tag: Arts and science: together in college catalogs; together in life. Stop by the group's Flickr site for more details images.

More of the specifics:
• 96 printmakers
• 8 countries - Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Italy, Japan, Scotland, United States
• 29 states & Puerto Rico from the US are represented - Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

:: via BoingBoing

Ego Coffee Cup and Saucer.

Designed by Stefan Lindfors, the Ego coffee cup and saucer are a perfect fit for the modern table. The unique design of the handle helps keep the cup steady in hand and on its saucer, which I find to be an impressive design feature. (As a side note, Ego is also available in dinnerware.)

On the Rocks: Raspberry Truffle Martini.

These Raspberry Truffle Martinis look so, so delicious. They're definitely lined up for some after 5:00 quality time this Hump Day.

Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 parts Vox Raspberry Vodka
- 1 part White Creme de Cacao
- 3/4 part Cream
- 1/2 part Chambord Liqueur

Garnish: raspberries or maraschino cherry

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with raspberries or maraschino cherry.

:: recipe and image via Cocktail Times

Quote/Unquote Bookends.

These Quote/Unquote Bookends designed by Eric Janssen are my dream bookends. I've been lusting over them for well over a year now and feel my defenses wearing thin. I love what they imply with all those books lined up in between.

Artist Crush: Juan Francisco Casas.

I can do a mean cross-hatch with the right pencil, but not even on my best day will the end result resemble a photograph. Juan Francisco Casas manages it with a Bic pen. I would give just about anything to have half the talent this man possesses. And if I can't have that, well, then I'll just take one of his drawings.

Helvetica Is 50 Invite.

Can you imagine one of these invitations to the Helvetica is 50 bash showing up in your mailbox? I'd be tempted to keep it and not reply, but who in their right mind would ever miss an event like this. Love the white type on thin board. Nice and simplistic just like the guest of honor.

Vintage Horoscope Sign Necklaces.

I'm a Scorpio by birth and wouldn't want to be any other astrological sign. Although the fact that these vintage pendant horoscope necklaces are only available for Capricorn, Aquarius, Leo, Virgo, or Gemini makes me consider going back on that. But only for a minute. Here's hoping that you fit in under one of the above!

Newspaper Brick Maker.

Here in the Midwest there's a cold front approaching quickly - as in we started the morning near 60º and will be ending it in the teens. It's got me thinking about anything involving heat, namely this newspaper brick maker. *If* I had a wood-burning fireplace this would be on my wish list. You just fill it with damp newspaper, press out the extra water and let the newly-formed "brick" air dry. A very, very clever way to put all those old newspapers to good use. And you get to have that warm and fuzzy feeling about recycling.

Fragile.

Another great entry from designboom's dining in 2015 contest, Mey Kahn and Boaz Kahn's fragile salt and pepper shakers are beautiful and interactive.

When was the last time you emphatically broke somthing? The ceramic salt and pepper shaker offers you the opportunity to do it! The product comes in one piece and by breaking it, you make it useful. Breaking is an experience of impulsive outburst. But this time is an act that builds rather than destroys. In a world of products whose shape is completely dictated by the designer, we enable the user to complete the design himself. The event of the breaking leaves its mark on the shaker and gives it its final, unique, one-of-a-kind appearance.

:: via The Style Files

Business Card File.

Aside from a great business card portfolio (which I have yet to find) I think this card file would be a fantastic way to get the little guys organized and all in one place. I love the little letter dividers and tension rod that keeps everything snug. Another example of great design at work.

Rice Krispie Deep Dish Pizza.

Rice Krispie treats happen to be one of my favorite childhood goodies. Thanks to Cakespy and Michael's Kitchen in Miami I can share this recipe for White Chocolate Raspberry (or Strawberry) Rice Krispie Deep Dish Pizza. A sort of more grown-up, yet nostalgic, version of that yummy, gooey goodness.

Customised Fruit.

This illustrated fruit by Sarah King is incredible. It would be so painful to watch it slowly spoil.

Advice to Sink in Slowly.

These posters are fantastic. An amazingly creative way to share advice and wisdom.

Advice to sink in slowly is a series of posters designed by recent and established graduates of University College Falmouth for the purpose of passing on advice and inspiration to first year students. A poster is given as a welcoming gift to every first year student when they enroll.

:: via BB-Blog

Monday Goodness: Sometimes.

Sometimes I Think Sometimes I Don't light installation by Stefan Bruggemann.

Tag. You're It.

I've been tagged by d.Sharp and Fresh Peel. And since I haven't done one of these in awhile, well, I guess it's time to fess up.

1. You know when there's something rank smelling in the air and people tell you to breathe through your mouth? Yeah, I can't do that. I feel like I'm eating the stench.

2. I'm constantly in the middle of an internal monologue and sometimes make the mistake of speaking it out loud. Make that a very frequent sometimes.

3. My sarcasm runs rampant and if you don't know me, well, let's just say there may be either severe confusion or offense taken. And lots of explaining to do on my part.

4. I have no middle name.

5. I am the Queen of Lists. I have them for everything in a notebook I tote around. Right down to one for Possible Future Pet Names. I'm such a loser. (And not at all antipcipating or looking forward to the demise of my current two feline friends...)

6. I love to purge my belongings at least once a year. (In fact, it's one of the lists!) But I have a rule that 99% of the things I'm ditching either go to charity or someone else who can use them - not into the trash.

7. My favorite word in the English language is quintessential. If you don't know what it means look it up.

I'm not going to tag anyone because I figure by this point we've all filled out this chain letter equivalent at least once. But what I am going to do is open it up to the Design Crush readers. Yes, you. It can be seven strange things about yourself or one. If you feel compelled to share your deepest, darkest secrets there's no better time or place and than here and now.

Candy Colored Glass Pedestals.

I love using pretty little dishes and bowls on my dresser and in the bathroom to hold jewelry and hair accessories. I've been looking for just the right piece for my perfume bottles and think I've found it in these candy colored glass pedestals. The cotton candy pink glass pieces come in two sizes - Small is 6.25" diameter, 2"h and Medium is 8.5" diameter, 3"h. And if I get tired of having it in the bathroom I can always just relocate it to the kitchen for goodies!

:: via Design*Sponge

Vintage Rotary Phone Calling Cards.

Calling cards seem to be making a mad comeback. These vintage rotary phone calling cards are one of my favorites I've seen yet. The vibrant colors and bold use of shapes and white space really caught my eye. Hopefully it will also catch the eye of whomever you bestow one of these upon!

First Look: CB2 '08.

It's seriously time for CB2 to branch out a wee bit more. I popped into their site recently to see what was new - and of course browse the remnants of holiday decorations - and came across these great pieces. I'm pumped about the Beaker Glasses being so cheap when I've seen similar ones elsewhere for much more moola. And stainless steel will get me every time. These snack bowls and shaker are so sleek.

Persida Lapsac.

I'm a bit of a bag whore. Lately I've been glued to my Timbuk2 because I can wrangle my MacBook, my lunch and whatever other "necessities" I need for the day into it. But it was love at first sight when I saw the Persida Lapsac yesterday. Not only is it stylish and design-y, but it has a built-in padded zipper pocket on the front for your laptop. And from the looks of it no one would ever guess that's what you were packing. Genius.

Wine That Loves.

Wine That Loves doesn't only come in a great package, it comes with a great idea. These wines have been expertly designed for the foods you love by sommelier Ralph Hersom. The people behind the brand believe that the pleasure that comes from wine and food paired right should not be so hard to find. You don't have to be at a restaurant and it doesn't have to be a crap shoot any longer. I love that the bottle design really gets that across with simple, well thought out communication.

Hamburger Phone.

This Hamburger Phone has quite literally made my day. For those of you who have seen Juno you'll remember that she has one of these in her room. While watching the movie I physically turned to my friend and said "Oh my gosh, I need that phone!" Now my prayers can be answered for a mere $14.99. Apparently there's a lot of orders being placed by other enthusiastic fans such as myself, so if you want one act fast.

:: via Core77

The Classics.

Definitely for the furniture geek at heart. I need these notecards from Modern Printed Matter asap.

Boston Brown Bread.

I have great memories of Boston brown bread as a kid. There was a restaurant in my hometown in Pennsylvania that always served you a slice when you ordered a salad. I'd slather it with butter or cream cheese and slowly devour the molasses and raisin-filled delight. I've never actively searched for a recipe to make it before, but just happened to trip across this one last week. It's a little complicated to make (it involves steaming!) and is actually more of a traditional pudding than bread I found out. Beware that if you do decide to try the recipe that the bread itself doesn't keep very long, so eat it up fast. Which wouldn't be a problem in my house...

Eco-cook.

Kechenyl Camille's dining in 2015 entry - eco-cook - is design brilliance.

The artist describes it best saying "In 2015, environment problems from energy will become more and more serious. I believe that everyone’s life will be concerned. Thus kitchenware will be modernise to reduce energy consumption. My eco-cook is an object that helps to save water, energy and time. Everyday, everyone, has to cook pasta, rice or various vegetable. Therefore different pots are needed. In a unique pot, the eco-cook enables to divide 2 or 3 space and to boil different food at the same time. Thereby, water and gas or electricity is saved. Moreover when food is taken out the eco-cook, it will automatically drain out, allowing to win precious time. In 2015 I also believe that most people will always be in a hurry. The eco-cook design permits to help 2015 people that pay close attention to energy and time."

:: via Boing Boing

Unitea Teaware.

At some point during winter I switch from coffee-guzzler to tea-guzzler. It just feels more therapeutic. And the fact that it has more caffeine tends to help out a girl who shows up and leaves work when it's still dark out.

The Unitea Teaware at Rare Device is so, so pretty. Unfortunately, the tray isn't included and all the pieces - including mugs - are sold separately.

On the Rocks Spiced Apple Martini.

The poison-du-jour this Wednesday is the Spiced Apple Martini. Mainly because it's about 15º outside and I can rationalize its relationship to apple cider in my head.

Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 oz 10 Cane Rum
- 2 oz apple juice
- splash of amaretto
- 2 pinches ground cinnamon
- cinnamon/sugar mixture

Garnish: cinnamon stick

In a mixing glass, add rum, apple juice, Amaretto, ground cinnamon and ices cubes. Shake vigorously and strain into a superfine sugar and ground cinnamon rimmed chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cinnamon stick.

:: image and cocktail via Cocktail Times

Photographer Crush: Nicholas Lorden.

Photography is one of my absolute favorite forms of artistic expression, so I'm not exactly sure why I don't feature more photographers on Design Crush. Maybe since I have more personal experience in this category versus illustration it takes more to bowl me over. I'm not quite sure. Regardless, whenever a photo emotionally paralyzes me I have no choice but to share it and such is the case with this image by Nicholas Lorden. The framing is amazing as is the perspective. The silhouettes are perfect. The flare on the snowflakes is magical. And the black and white lends itself to all of the above oh-so-well. Lorden captured the moment so that I want to be a part of it and to me that makes a true photographer.

Helvetica Ink.

One word: hardcore. Yet I like it lots.

Arc Table Lamp.

As if I need any more obsessions I've recently developed a pension for table lamps. As in I purchased not one, but two in the course of a few weeks. It would be one thing if I'd been on the lookout for some light sources, or even if I knew specifically where they were going, or had room for them. Nope, I just bought them because I couldn't say no. One is a an acrylic ball-based lamp that I've had my sights set on for awhile and the other a beautiful oversized dark purple glass gourd lamp.

This Arc table lamp is the next on my hit list. I love how the steel arc dangles the white linen shade so elegantly. The best part - in my opinion - is that the top of the shade has a sheath of linen over it to help diffuse light. Oh wait, I changed my mind - the best part is that it's actually affordable!

Snow Squall Hat.

Short of brewing up some mulled wine tonight when I get home from work, I can think of nothing that will warm me up more than this snow squall hat. It's the kind of cold today where that hat wouldn't come off once I got inside.

Red Berry Vases.

These red berry vases are drop dead gorgeous. I love the simple shapes in vibrant red against that stark bone china. Pricey, but perhaps worth a splurge?? A beautiful way to bring some color to winter at any rate.