designCLAIREity

Back in Black (and White)

2011-01-21T19:09:16Z

Back on the blogging.... feeling all techy since I am the last person on the planet to get an iPhone.... but when it was only $50... how could I not? However, I refuse for this to cut into my love for actual paper maps, remember those? I am ready to hop back into the blogging after too long of being away from it....bad Claire! I am now settled into a new place in San Diego. Here is my front window where I peep on all the goings on of the neighborhood :) And work at my temporary desk whilst my friend Quinn builds me a custom one! More to come....

Chanel No.5

2010-06-09T23:13:58Z

I guess this was made over a year ago, but I have just now come across this short commercial/film, pairing together the Amelie team... director Jean-Pierre Jeunet and the gorgeous actress Audrey Tautou... there is something so romantic about the vintage railway travel that takes you away to a Hitchcock kind of world..here is the extended 2 minute version... Enjoy!

Lonny Magazine

2010-06-08T21:59:59Z

To take care of my Domino fix (tear), I have enjoyed reading the online Lonny magazine. April/May was the "Eco" issue, full of great product. A neat feature of this magazine is that you can click on any product for a direct link to the website to purchase... here are a few favorite images from this issue...

Cupcakes!

2010-06-02T17:46:26Z

Saw this on a favorite blog, ink and post. I am planning to attempt soon...

Unhappy Hipsters

2010-05-26T19:06:43Z

This is a hilarious blog that I came across that adds deadpan captions to photos of people in very modern interiors that you see in magazines like Dwell. So funny!!!

"Which unfiltered sake goes best with the sour taste of loneliness?"

"She was warming to him, he could tell, but the house looked on in silent terror."

"With her eyes closed, water tickling the tips of her fingers, she could conjure memories of a time before the bomb, before the zombies."

"As he sorted the 1970s atlas collection (alphabetically, by state) the chair nervously tried to blend into the scenery."

The Smoking Goat

2010-05-26T01:29:33Z

A new San Diego spot, The Smoking Goat, was featured on one of my favorite design blogs... Design Sponge!!! Here are a few of the great before/after photos that they shared of the fantastic design by Bells & Whistles. If you haven't checked out their work, they have a great website as well!!

Susan + Claire's Excellent Pizza

2010-05-22T17:36:04Z

Here is an easy pizza recipe that critics have called, "The best pizza I have ever had in my life." This is low-effort and so easy it seems unreal, but trust me, it tastes like you have slaved away. Feel free to lead people to believe that you have.

Stuff you need (makes 2 pizzas):
2 Trader Joe's Pesto Pizza Dough
1 cube-thing of mozzarella cheese, grated
1/4 lb. of sliced prosciutto
1 large red onion
1 Tablespoon of brown sugar

Let the dough sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. In the meantime, cut onion into rounds, then in half. Throw some olive oil in a pan and cook these.. as they are starting to brown thrown in the brown sugar to caramerlize them. Mmmmm. Roll out your pizza dough. Spread some olive oil over those bad boys. Sprinkle some salt over them. Add cheese. Add the onions. Cut prosciutto into chunks and add that. Dough instructions say throw in at 425 degree oven for 10 minutes, though mine were in for a little longer. You be the judge. Let cool for 2.5 seconds, cut. Eat.

Bike To Work Day 2010- Yippee!!

2010-05-21T02:57:10Z

Awesome T-shirt design!! I have to 'fess up though, this is my Dad's shirt! Go Dad!

Egg Press

2010-05-20T02:28:52Z

Check out all the cute letterpress cards put out by Egg Press. I love them all! Punny quotes, animals, RUSSIAN DOLLS????... you've got to be kidding me. For the love of Pete! Will somebody please have a birthday so I can send you one of these adorable paper creations?

Thanks, West Elm.

2010-05-18T21:47:48Z

You know last weekend when you were sitting around thinking, "What am I gonna do with ALL OF THESE WOODEN PALETTES???" Well here is a swell idea from when I went to the West Elm in the hell that is Mission Valley last week... very cool look. Though I think it would work best in an outdoor spot. (Note to self: need outdoor spot).

Gum Tree L.A.

2010-05-18T00:17:37Z

Here is a lovely little birdhouse that i got for me Mum at a new favorite store and cafe, Gum Tree, in Hermosa Beach. A husband and wife team run an Aussie-inspired, eco-friendly operation in a sweet historic craftsman bungalow right on Pier Ave. The food is mouthwatering (hungry just thinking about it!) and the store has the latest in chic gifts. The store is also featured in an article from one of my favorite blogs, Apartment Therapy (second photo credit).

Spring Cool

2010-05-16T16:54:00Z

From The Sartorialist

The Drybar

2010-05-15T16:38:33Z

I saw this L.A. salon, The Drybar, on Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP newsletter and was so impressed and inspired by it's clean, classic yet updated design. So fresh! They only do blowout treatments, hence the "Drybar" name. The website design is clean, simple and creative as well. And the light fixture... makes me want to expand my electrical knowledge beyond the dimmer switch.

Orange Envy

2010-05-14T23:08:04Z

I can't seem to get the April cover of Living Etc. out of my head... perhaps because of my new found love of the color orange? Image from Living Etc. , a great English shelter magazine with hours of inspiration...

Voyageur!

2009-07-15T14:21:13Z

Here is an adorable print that I am adding to an imaginary birthday list... Spanish artist Blanca Gomez, a graphic designer and illustrator, has so many whimsical vintage-feeling prints it was hard to choose which piece to post. Something about them reminds me of doing puzzles as a kid. She also has an Etsy store.