A sweet bonjour from San Fran

Happy Tuesday folks! Well, if you weren't feeling happy before, you certainly will have at least a twinge of the jollies after checking out the work of multi-disciplinary designer Chloe Fleury (who's work I came across on Daily Imprint). Originally from France, Chloe hopped the pond and now calls San Francisco home. Check out her series called The place i live, which was inspired by the love of her adopted city. The set of 3D posters have caused such a stir that she's been swamped with requests from people trying to buy them. Sadly, they're not up for grabs, just part of Chloe exploring her creative process, which is also inspired by cats, cupcakes and fashion. Now there's a girl after my own heart. Check out her portfolio here, and follow along on her French girl in San Fran adventures on her blog here. Oh, and yes, that's Chloe in the last shot with the pink paper ice cream!

Guest blog / Julia Black: Old school movie style

Julia Black: Ever since I can remember the Oscars® have been somewhat of a religious holiday for me, and every year I start counting down the days way before the spectacular event. Of course all the award shows leading up to the Oscars are also scribbled into my agenda, and the most recent ceremony, on the 21st of February, was the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden. Checking into the BAFTA's I discovered illustrator and graphic designer extraordinaire, Tavis Coburn. Tavis was commissioned to design the program covers of the five Best Film nominees, and he brought each film to life in his brilliant retro-style. I love his work, and how his inspiration - 1940s comic book art, the Russian avant-garde movement and printed ephemera from the 50s and 60s - informs his take on each film. Now, with his illustrations in mind, I am over-the-top excited for Sunday night! Oh, and btw, The Hurt Locker won Best Film at the BAFTA's! Click here to see more of Tavis Coburn's work, as well as his online store. [images via: Joey deVilla]

To read more posts from Julia click here, and to check out her cool blog click here.

Julia Black: Judging a book by its cover

I just love buying books! I love finding stunning hardbacks to put on display, dusty classics to refer to (or to remind myself to read someday), and style books that always inspire. Most especially I love buying books in the holiday season because they make a wonderful gift. So, when I discovered that Penguin had released a new classics collection of gorgeous clothbound books I knew I could check off tons of names on my gift list. A senior cover designer at Penguin, Coralie Bickford-Smith, has designed these beautiful book covers, and its her admiration for vintage printed ephemera that distinguishes her designs. Whether she uses literal or symbolic references to drive her work, the alluringly dramatic covers are the perfect reason to revisit and rediscover a bit of Jane Austen or Oscar Wilde. The only problem is choosing which title to buy, since they certainly are lovely as a set!

To read an interview with Coralie click here, to snap up the books at Indigo/Chapters click here and, if your a total bookophile check out Penguin's fun blog here. [Image 1: Liam Goodman via Vogue.com. Image 2 & 3: via Coralie Bickford-Smith]

For even more of Julia's point of view check out her cool blog here.

Ready for a thank-you

Normally, we have a drawer somewhere in the house dedicated to cards and ribbon (giftwrap is stored elsewhere, lol), but in our current state - still in set-up mode at the new house - lawd knows where all that gear might be. We always try and keep a bunch handy for thank-you's and birthdays, so I tend to grab them whenever they catch my eye. These lovely cards, illustrated by Meg Mateo Ilasco and printed on walnut veneer, definitely stopped me in my tracks this fine Friday a.m.

Meg has her own web store where you can find more of her work (here); and make sure to check out her new Utile line too, which is pared back and graphic and all about organizing. The Boheme Veneer designs below: Vases and Vessels (my fave), Hanging Rattan Chairs and Macrame Pattern sell for $5 US each, or $14 US for 3. And yes, Ms. Mateo Ilasco will happily ship to Canada.