BIg Wigs for 'Little People'

A new trend is bringing back an '80s fad...totally rad wigs... for your baby!

Originally called "Little People", Cabbage Patch Kids were created in 1978 and during the 1980s became one of the largest toy franchises in America. You could adopt your new baby at Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia. 

Today, Cabbage Patch Kids are owned by JAKKS Pacific. Last year, to celebrate the kids' 35th birthday, JAKKS Pacific released a limited edition Vintage Kids range. These dolls were scented with baby powder and more true in look to the original dolls.

So it would seem, that as the children of '80s are now having babies, they've decided to be a little bit creepy... and turn their adorable new child into their favorite old toy.
Never having had a Cabbage Patch Kid, I'd rather dress my baby up like a turtle. But for those of you feeling nostalgic for your childhood toy, you can outfit your baby with wigs from Melondipity or from artists on Etsy.

Trendy Tiles

Two summers ago I was lucky enough to admire the tiles at the Alhambra and the intricate patterns of Gaudí in person. When I returned, I noticed that Anthropolgie was using the intriguing sites, and their patterns and architecture as a backdrop for their photoshoot. 

Well where Anthropolgie goes, apparently others follow. It isn't Spain, but the tile trend is showing up in all sorts of catalogs. I noticed it this month in both Free People and Banana Republic. The bright, colorful detailing is perfect for summer. 

And since everyone loves a colorful accessory pop. So the style transcends the background and appears right in the product!

Check it Out: New Life to Gingham

Ever since the calico cat met the gingham dog* I've loved the classic appeal of gingham—everything from Dorothy's dress to Jackie O to picnic cloths.

The resurgence of retro styling is giving this simple pattern new life. 

And thanks to heavy hitters like Kate Spade, who launched her first collection of bags with gingham linings in 1993, gingham is finally having it's day. Kate Spade celebrates the checkered style on their landing page** and they invite you to follow the hashtag #ginghamstyle (get it—like gangnum style??)

I'm charmed by the fresh take mixed with vintage vibes that I'm getting from the rising gingham trend. Can't wait to mix prints this Spring!


*This is a reference to the poem The Duel by Eugene Field. I made the above calico cat and gingham dog to go along with the poem as a 4-H project when i was in middle school.

** See their history of gingham (in a nutshell)

Printing Pottery

We've been hearing about these 3D printers for awhile now— in fact we have one at work. And I'm not going to lie, they scare the crap out of me. But check out the amazing porcelain sculptures that Belgian Design Studio Unfold has started creating with the equipment. 

Their ceramics 3D printer gives them the opportunity to produce fine layers of pottery forms.   

I'm still terrified, but at least after seeing these beautiful pieces, I'm also intrigued!

The Reluctant Admittance of a FB Cynic

Two weeks ago I switched my Facebook profile to the (soon to be required) timeline setting. I was reluctant to do this but it honestly hasn't been as painful as expected.

Initially I had planned to protest the forced timeline profile and it's awkwardly cropped imagery with cynical and bitter photos. Instead, Central Park took the first shift of the title spot. 

But I saw these great, unique and entertaining applications of the header on Mashable—it may be time to get creative! 

Blending into a Trend

I hadn't seen or heard the word ombre since color theory class, but this week it seemed to litter my blogroll. Starting with these amazing tights from BZRshop.

This was quickly followed with a little holiday ombre—Easter egg decor from Sugar and Charm—and some DIY household furniture decor (along with the acknowledgement of a trend) on Design*Sponge**.

Then, at some point today, I stumbled across this ombre-esque furniture from Lucas Maassen & Sons*. Which is beautiful in it's simplicity and intriguing with it's story. I could whitewash to my hearts content and my efforts would never look this effortless.

Want to try ombre yourself? Here's a great step-by-step breakdown for hand-dying a t-shirt from witandwhistle.

*In addition to their furniture, I also love the LM&S logo!

**Don't want to DIY? For $1500 you can have the folks at Anthropologie do it for you!

The reason I got nothing done last week...

I think it's time that I introduced you to HelloGiggles. That is... if you haven't already met.

HelloGiggles is the three-way collaboration between actress/musician Zooey Deschanel, producer Sophi Rossi and writer/Internet Sensation Molly Mcaleer.

I'm really impressed with the smart wit and edge in the contributors' writing, and I find myself getting lost for hours in the labyrinth of submissions! It's really place where girls can be girls— posting (or ranting) about entertainment*, social issues** and their nails***!

So join in, get lost, and good luck getting back to that pile of work!

*Not going to lie, it may have been this article that launched the site to idol status as far as I'm concerned

**But I also heard myself say "Hell Yes" several times while reading this one
***And these are just so ridiculous I can't not look at them.

And the Oscar for Best Poster Design goes to....

It's a definite trend. Minimalist movie posters are in high internet fashion. No complaints here, I applaud the design aesthetic and the subtle movie allusions.

From Minimal Movie Posters Tumblr

From Inspiration Feed

From Forever Geek

Now assuming these are just-for-fun passion projects— Who are these people who have time to design these?

Well, I dont know who they are but I seem to have found their clubhouse.

It's Society6. And according to their facebook page,

"The artwork on Society6 is created by thousands of artists from around the world.... Society6 empowers artists to make their artwork immediately available for sale as a variety of products, without giving up control of their rights."

I stumbled upon the society earlier today and I haven't been able to find my way out! So enter with caution, do not proceed unless you have hours to lose!

Outlook Bright

In case you haven't been to the mall lately, the Spring fashion color report is in... and it's bright. It's bright and it's striped and I'm in love with it!

Yes sir, the Color of the Year is Tangerine, (See Pantone's full Fashion Color Trend Report for Spring 2012) and according to today's DSW mailer, "This season, we're inspired by bright colors and playful prints."

Don't believe me, simply surf on over to your favorite clothing sites. Here we have Gap, Banana Republic, Forever 21, NY&Co, J Crew and Kate Spade.

Of course, Anthropologie isn't about to be shown up by no-one. Check out their incredible Spring Windows.

And, for the cherry on top—while I was typing this Target commercial came on. "Color Changes Everything." Nuff said.

Anyhow, I'm excited for the season, and not just because I despise snowy weather, but because I know it's going to be a great one for color, clothes and shoes. Brighten up— it's going to be great!

It May be Time

I haven't yet embraced the new Facebook Timeline. (Resistance is futile, rumor is the new layout will be mandatory before the month is over). But what I dislike about the new Facebook profile design*, I love about these Timeline cards from Moo.com.

So clean and simple, yet they say much! What a great opportunity to infuse a little personality into your calling card. See more timeline designs here.

*Doesn't it seem like the design violates the "above the fold" design rule? That top picture is so large I have to scroll down to see any info. Plus those oversized timeline windows encroach on one another. CLUTTER!

Trending ID Tags and Codes

Before the QR Code and the SnapTag there was the barcode— an acceptable and entirely functional design irritant.

Almost every product available comes with its very own barcode, which carries essential information regarding the item’s description, price, etc in those ugly little lines

Barcode Revolution, established in 2005, has come up with creative ways to mask the barcodes un-aestheticness. They've managed to find a little amusement in something that has always been ignored as strictly functional.

Costs for your own custom barcode start at 4,000 plus a yearly license fee. While not the cheapest addition to your packaging costs, it is something uniquely yours to make your product stand out.

Trend Spotting: Spain!

Espadrilles

The shoe of Spain. In cities where they walk a lot, a comfortable shoe is important. There was a shoe store every 20 feet in Barcelona. I felt right at home in my Toms. By the by, I'd totally be a Toms spokesperson—if you're going on a vacation involving any sort of walking, it's Toms all the way.

Harem Pants

I noticed harem pants in Italy 4 years ago. Was slightly horrified to find that they now come in a full bodysuit variety, and in loads of loud patterns and colors. This bold statement was purchased in Granada.

Cupcakes

Just like home—you can get pretty personal cakes in Valencia too.

Macaroons

Martha's been spreading the word in Spain too—macaroons are in! These beautiful pastries were spotting in the San Miguel Market in Madrid.

There's a New F-word in Town

2010 was a big year for Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg was named Time's Person of the Year and the critically acclaimed blockbuster, The Social Network, receives 8 Oscar nominations and wins 3—a movie that the founder of the $50 billion company claims to be widely inaccurate.

I think one of my favorite lines in the film is when one student says "Facebook me" to the co-founder of Facebook. These two 20-something, nothing college students created something more than a website, or even a word*—they created an action.

So what do the crafty, opportunistic sort do when they realize online social networking has replaced quilting bees? They act.

Here are some Etsy entrepreneurs cashing in on the website that Americans spend more time on than any other.**

Facebook Icon Pillow

Facebook Anony Avatar Pillow

Like/Dislike Pillow

Like Pendant

Like Coffee Mug

Like Stamp

For those Facebook babies

AND for anyone ready to declare their "like" more permanently, try some ink!

*Both a noun AND a verb!

**http://bit.ly/i3rXTn

Totally Radical Sweetness

Anyone who was in third grade in 1991 knows how important slap bracelets were to your coolness factor.

I'm happy to say I'm officially cooler than I was in 1991.

Thanks to my new slap watch!

A few years back I saw a really cool denim slap bracelet on ebay. Cool, because it had a watch face embedded into it. Of course, those ebay lunatics outbid me in the final minutes of the auction and I was never able to find anything quite that cool again.

But it was only a matter of time before the '90s were back and with it, the slap bracelet. New and improved of course. I found this silicone slap watch on ebay last week, and while not as intrinsically cool as the denim one, it's still.... well a watch that slaps!!

Now for those slappers of the '90s, there are some key differences: this band is silicone and quite a bit thicker. Also, for mini-peeps such as myself, it sits a little large on the wrist. AND be warned, the metal clock face allows for some pretty brutal slapping.

If you're wondering what time it is, just ask me—I'll slap you with it!