Happy Weekend

01/ The Empire State Building just got better with an LED light show set to music.
02/ Because fall foliage really is THAT FUN.
03/ Beautiful conceptual clouds.
04/ A drawing machine that records pinball play.
05/ The Fixer’s Manifesto.
06/ A 170-foot long trampoline in Russia!
07/ Turning billboards into giant planters.
08/ A Field Guide to Tech Facial Hair (so true).
09/ This bear blanket for kids is SO GOOD.
10/ Whoa, these birds send tweets by eating pork fat off a keyboard!

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November In the Life Of

I voted! In and out in 10 minutes, I love my polling location.
Celebrated one year of CooperHouse!
Received the most thoughtful gift from Hank+Hunt.
Got crafty with Creature Comforts and Anthropologie.

 

Made cranberry curd (stay tuned for the recipe!).
Ate Thanksgiving leftovers for 5 days. It was awesome.
Put the fuzzy blanket on the bed, much to the cats’ delight.
Did a little holiday decoratin’.

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24 Merry Days

I’m so excited to be a Merry Blogger for 24 Merry Days! Audrey from This Little Street is the mastermind who rounded up a great group of bloggers who will be doing a giveaway (or two) from December 1st through the 24th, brilliant right? After all, this is the time of year to spread a little cheer if there ever was one. The project’s site is lovely and gives you a heads up as to which giveaway is which day on which blog. (Mine is the 11th!) And let me tell you, we have some amazing sponsors giving away things you’ve been coveting all year. I’ll be tweeting which blog is doing the giveaway each day, so I hope you’ll follow along with me at @designcrush if you’re not already. I’m so ready to give away all of the things!!

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Super Duper Christmas Card Roundup

1. Pine Ornament Card by Rifle Paper Co.
2. Alpine Holiday Cards by Avie Design
3. Where The Treetops Glisten Holiday Card by The Nimbus Factory
4. Evergreen Card Set by Darling Clementine
5. Chalkboard A2 Holiday Cards from Paper Source
6. Blackbird Wreath Card by Red Cap Cards
7. Blustery Brownstone by Rocket Ink
8. Animal Sweaters Holiday Card by Hello! Lucky
9. Figgy Pudding Holiday Postcards by Wit & Whistle

 

10. A Scandinavian Christmas by Karte Design Fabrik
11. Holiday Ombre Letterpress Cards by Flora and Fauna
12. Peace Card by Design des Troy
13. Christmas Joy Wreath by one/lantern
14. Reindeer in People Sweater by Man vs George
15. ‘Tis The Season To Be Jolly by Prickle Press
16. Triangle Trees Card by Pearenthetical Press
17. Letterpress Notecard Set by Thimble Press
18. Merry and Bright Letterpress Holiday Card by Dear Lola Letterpress

 

19. Christmas Pudding Holiday Card by nane press
20. Constellation Holiday Card by nane press
21. Merry Christmas You’re Awesome by Hello Small World
22. May Your Christmas Be Merry & Bright by Stone and Feather Paper
23. Snow Crystal Holiday Cards by rendij
24. Merry Merry Letterpress Printed Card by Tabletop Made
25. Peace on Earth Holiday Card by Two Pooch Paperie
26. Letterpress Happy Holidays Card by Foglio Press
27. Winter Wonderland Holiday 2012 by Spring Olive

 

28. Merry Merry Letterpress Card by Parrott Design Studio
29. Couple Bringing Home the Tree with Dog by Moontree Letterpress
30. Pop Fizz Letterpress Card by Anemone Letterpress
31. Holiday Cards by Studio255
32. Happy Holidays Card by Downtime Collective
33. Paper Cut Out Card by Red Cap Cards
34. Holiday Lamp Post by Kate & Birdie Paper Co.
35. Merry & Bright! Mini by Lindsay Letters
36. Season’s Greetings Rabbit Note Card by Banquet Atelier & Workshop

 

37. Merry and Bright Confetti by Sugar Paper
38. Tis the Season by Sent Well
39. Santa Card by Quill & Fox
40. Fizzy Bubbles by Fig. 2 Design Studio
41. Merry Christmas by hartland brooklyn card co.
42. 101 Ornaments by Mr. Boddington’s Studio
43. Mistletoe & Holly Card by Shanna Murray
44. Happy Happy Holidays Card by Molly Jacques Illustration & Design
45. Tis the Season Card by Maple and Belmont

 

46. Winter Wishes Note Card by Letter & Lark
47. Christmas Cards by Ink Drop Design
48. Warmest Wishes Holiday Cards by Jack and Ella Paper
49. Falling Stars Christmas Cards by Sweet Bella Stationery
50. Christmas Holiday Card by Pearenthetical Press
51. Baby It’s Cold Outside by Foreign Spell
52. Twelve Days of Christmas Greeting Cards by Crafted By Lindy
53. Merry and Bright Illustrated Holiday Cards by Bubby and Bean
54. Christmas Tangled Lights Card Pack by Hen Pen Designs

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Ready, Set, Mail

I’ve been writing out and sending Christmas cards since my early teens. What can I say, I love sending mail! In all those years I’ve never once ordered pre-printed cards, but I thought this might be the perfect year for it with how busy I’ve been. I immediately knew that Minted was my destination, their extensive collection of holidays cards is always top notch.

 

I chose this clean, modern design by Kelli Hall, I love the sentiment. Minted also offers an amazing triple thick paper as an option, it makes your cards feel like a million bucks!

 

The address wrap and kraft paper envelope option gave my cards just the feeling I was looking for. My only regret was not ordering an extra 25, seems I completely underestimated my mailing list!

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2013 Calendars – Part 6

1. 2013 Wall Calendar by Mr. Boddington’s Studio  2. A Year in Seasons 2013 Desktop Calendar by The Nimbus Factory  3. Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar 2013 Calendar  4. 2013 Illustrated Calendar by The Indigo Bunting  5. 2013 Wall Calendar by The Hungry Fox  6. 2013 Wall Calendar by Form by Stina  7. 2013 Recipe Local/Seasonal Wall Calendar by Liz Carver Design  8. 2013 Linear Calendar by The Made Shop  9. Marimekko Wall Calendar  10. 2013 Succulent Paper Cut Wall Calendar by Curious Doodles

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Taste Tour: Red PrimeSteak

I’m really excited about a new monthly feature I’m introducing to you this morning – Taste Tour! The premise behind it all? To highlight incredible eating establishments, starting with those in my current town of Oklahoma City. The only requirement is tasty food and a great environment where you wouldn’t mind whiling away an hour or two with family, friends, or a hot date.

First up is Red PrimeSteak, or Red Prime as it’s commonly called. It lives in the elegant 1911 Buick Building, making the incredible neon red interior that much more of a standout. Eighteen foot ceilings and skylights add even more to the modern, airy ambiance.

 

As you might have guessed from the name, red plays a major role at Red Prime. A cement walkway lined in floor to ceiling neon tube lighting bisects the interior, creating two main dining spaces and a focal point for their eighteen foot tall wall of wine.

 

As you can see, wine is just as much a part of the Red Prime culture as steak. In fact, I was so excited about it that I forgot to take my jacket off for all of dinner, whoops! I tried a lovely Pinot Noir and an equally delicious Riesling.

 

Red Prime’s wine collection is very impressive, so much so that when deciding which wine I’d like with my dinner I had the waiter choose for me. Always a great idea when you’re somewhere with such a vast knowledge and an overwhelming list.

 

My dinner date and I both settled upon the Prix Fixe. We had our choice from a sizable selection of salads, main courses, sides, and desserts. We both had the Chop House Salad as a starter. And with the first bite I think I made an audible YUM noise. Spinach, roasted corn, marinated tomatoes, cous cous, bacon, pepitas, asiago, cranberry, and buttermilk-pesto dressing. A combination I never would have thought of – which is why I’m not a chef – that totally made my taste buds sing.

 

For my dinner I selected the Beef Tenderloin Strogranoff, featuring exotic mushrooms and crispy onions. It was so precariously stacked upon arrival at the table that I didn’t want to mess it up! But that didn’t last long, and I’m pretty sure my eyes rolled back in my head a few times as I devoured it bite after bite. I also had a delicious side of fresh seared green beans that were so garlicky they burned (just like I like). My date ordered the 7 oz. filet and green-chili mac and it received rave reviews as well.

 

There wasn’t a lot of room left for dessert (part of my Strogranoff and green beans went home for lunch the next day), but in the name of Design Crush I forged on. To Pumpkin Brioche Bread Pudding. It wasn’t overly sweet, the ideal dessert after such a decadent meal. My date tried the Warm Chocolate Spoon Cake, which was also delicious.

 

Red PrimeSteak is a restaurant I’ve enjoyed several times, and I can’t recommend it enough. Delicious food, a fantastic selection of wine, attentive service. The atmosphere is dark and moody, perfect for date night or their exceptional Happy Hour. And during warmer months their sidewalk patio is a great place for people watching and enjoying the weather. Obviously I’m a fan, I’m willing to bet you would be too.

 

All photos ©Caroline Cohenour

Disclaimer: Red PrimeSteak provided both meals discussed above. All opinions, ideas, and thoughts are my own.

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Luke Twyman

 

Luke Twyman‘s latest illustrations remind me of Antarctica, research grants, and scientific experiments. And I love that. Snowy wildernesses mixed with just a hint of humanity on a muted palette of color. I find myself wishing these were all available as prints! (via The Fox Is Black)

 

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