by Signify. Location: Florence, Italy

March is definitely in like a lion…it’s been snowing all day today with no signs up letting up any time soon. This means sledding will be in our near future. In the meantime, enjoy a flurry of links.

• These lamps are fantastic. Gave me some good ideas.
• I would love to have these for my house once I get my home decór more cohesive (gotta eventually replace the 1980’s La-Z-Boy couches…)
• Loving these soap tins sold at Anthropologie. They would be great for storing my crafty items, fun travel souvenirs or jewelry once the soap is all used up.
• Frank Chimero came up with a great list of inspirational designers and here are some more I’d like to add: David Carson, Marian Bantjes, Louise Fili and Paula Scher.
• I’m a fan of the updated twist on the classic, decorative look that’s being done lately. These books are no exception.

That’s it. Just a little list for you all today. Now it’s time for me to enjoy the outdoors!

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Murren, Switzerland

It’s springtime in the Rockies and I’ve got the sliding door wide open as I sit by the computer today. Ahh. Can’t wait to see the landscape start changing from brown to green with little bursts of color from the soon-to-be flowering foliage. Just waiting for the day when I can take my computer breaks poolside. I’m ready for summer! Now onto some link mania.

• I’m definitely considering getting this rug for the entryway. Not only is it fun, but it’s a great way for gravel to get knocked off people’s shoes upon entry. Two for the price of one.
• We love our dog which is why these are the best commercials ever. Entertaining and beautiful.
• Duke University’s collection of historic American sheet music is fantastic.
• Loving these necklaces. Great use of found objects that create a modern and unique accessory.
• I’m one of those people who has a great idea or remembers something I need to do right before falling asleep but don’t feel like getting up to write it down. I think I need to keep this journal by the side of my bed.
• I have an obsession with scarves. And now these lovelies by Phillipe Roucou for Reborn are on my wishlist.
• A great daily collection blog, and this ensemble is one of my favorites so far. Ooo, and this one, too.

That’s it for this week’s goodie blog. Happy, sunny weekend!

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Lake Como, Italy

This week I got behind in my Google Reader RSS feeds where I find all my great links for these posts. So when I got around to reviewing them today, I was very overwhelmed with the quantity of cool finds. I may have to get rid of some of my subscriptions or I’ll drive myself crazy spending so much time looking at fun things. In saying that, I’d like nothing better than to overwhelm my readers as well – for the sake of camaraderie. So here goes!

• A handmade CMYK study and Gill Sans poster by Evelin Kasikov.
• Not a 4-color process – check out these fun Pantone® make up concepts.
• When I get into glasses again someday (it’s inevitable even with Lasik), I’m totally getting a pair of sexy specs by Warby Parker. Inexpensive yet stylish.
• Interesting artwork made with corrugated cardboard.
• This chair is wonderful. As is this clothes hanger.
• Date night in Paris at this restaurant, please?
• Stop motion videos are all the rage now. It’s no wonder with videos like this (featuring my talented cousin Lexia’s work) and this out there.
• Custom lettering each day of the year…a fun and beneficial experiment.
• Simple, but beautiful. And I know it’s tequila, but the design is oh so lovely…makes me want to head to a beach.
• Irresistible logo and corresponding packaging. Love it!
• I love this site for the concept and content. One of my favorites out of the bunch is the typographic playing cards.
• A funny yet practical way to show the world you love photography while drinking your morning cup of coffee.
• It’s our new house!
• And let’s end on a more girly note, shall we? Some shoes (select black) to go with that handbag.

Spring is in the air! Enjoy the weekend.

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Cinque Terre, Italy

Because it’s a wintery day and I am already wishing for warmer weather, I thought I’d share a bright, cheery photo with you. And here are my finds for this week!

• A unique and cheery pop can that correlates nicely with my photo. (and yes, being from the Midwest I do say “pop”). This one is interesting, too.
• I love this chair art piece. Great statement piece for the modern house.
• Fun postcard reminders that technology should take the back burner to relationships and non-digital experiences.
• Don’t underestimate cups made from Styrofoam – espeically ones with artwork on them.
• Um, Deuce Creative has an amazing work space.
• Best door hanger ever – make sure to scroll over the images for the full effect.
• A great type evolution diagram by the oh-so talented, Jessica Hische.

Links are fun…please share!

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Venice, Italy

Well it’s nearing Valentine’s Day, so I thought I’d showcase a photo from one of the most romantic places on earth – Venice. And normally I don’t recognize the holiday because it just seems to have the opposite effect of what’s being celebrated. Something just feels so unromantic to me when every other couple is celebrating their love on the same day. So Ryan and I like to cheat the system and go against the norm by celebrating on the 13th – our dating anniversary. It works for us!

Anyway, for the special day I wanted to share some links reflecting my favorite kind of design in honor of love – packaging design. So of course thanks to thedieline.com, here are the finds for this week!

• To kick things off, these printable love coupon matchbooks, chocolate wrappers and tea bag cosies are super pretty and appropriate for the special day, or any other romantic time.
• San Fran beer packaging – love the city, love the look. Did I say love yet?
• Minimalistic design and economic, too.
• Speaking of economic, check out these cool school supplies.
• Perfect – ABC paper cups for the typography lover and party planner.
• Tea packaging is among the most interesting and beautiful design, and same goes for alcohol.
• Lovely letterpress wedding invitations.
• Not necessarily packaging, but I think this set of collages is very romantical.
• Okay, and I could not resist sharing this link even though it’s not packaging design or romantic, but it is another one of my favorite things – a delightful type mobile.

Happy day of love!

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Venice, Italy

We’re now already in February (dang, time flies), and it just so happens to be Ryan’s birthday today! So I’d like to dedicate this post to him on this very special day. However, since he didn’t provide me with any of his favorite links, I’ve selected a few I know he’d enjoy.

• It’s making a comeback in an unlikely, unique way – the mullet, social media style.
• The art history poster cheat sheet. Ryan’s favorite is: “Duchamp owns everything” – well, it’s true. And I especially like this one: “Calder owns mobiles” – he does and they are amazing.
• Our friend is a pilot and we like design, so this airplane rebranding blends the two professions together quite nicely, as well as adds a punch of humor.
• Liking these hand-painted ceramic bowls, and I’m sure Ryan could replicate them.
• We like beer and we like graphics – if these taste as good as they look, this beer would be on our list of beverages. And give me a weizen with this fun label design.

That’s all we’ve got for you this week. Cheers!

- Laura

by Signify. Rome, Italy

Can you believe it’s the last week in January? Here’s what I’ve got to wrap up the first month of the new year.

• My extremely artistic cousin sent me this link – vinyl graphics that gives insight into a designer’s world. Nice.
• Want to look scholarly even if you’re tech nerd? Try this MacBook case out for size.
• An inventive and beautiful use of recycled materials by an Etsy seller – who would have thought old ink cartridges could be so stunning?
• A paper sculpture exercise done by students.
• More recycled works – a hilarious take on the rotary phone as it relates to sculpture by Jean-Luc Cornec. And check out the work of Ptolemy Elrington. Wow.
• Tea is great and all, but hot chocolate liquidy goodness really hits the spot sometimes. What would make this delectable treat even better? Cloud marshmallows, of course.
• And seriously? Typographic cookies to go with it? Yes, please.
• Absolutely stunning landscape studies by Scott Mansfield.
• For my salon ladies in Michigan, lovely hair care product packaging.

Please share your inspiration with me! I always love seeing what people are drawn to.

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Vatican City, Italy

Apologies again for the slacking in my posting, but I just got LASIK eye surgery last Thursday and I’ve been limiting my computer time in an effort to not over-stress my eyeballs (they are kind of important). So needless to say, I took last week off. And as you’ll note, the featured image this week has an optic feel to it – I do like my themes. Anyway, here’s my extensive collection of links for this week to make up for last week. Some really good stuff to feast your eyes on!

• To carry on my eye theme…now, I don’t use Re-nu but I have to admit, it’s new box design is quite “eye-catching.”
• I love tea, especially when I’m feeling under the weather like I am this week. So these fun tea bags totally made my day.
• For my fellow Mac lovers, check out these great new gadgets for the iPhone (turns your phone into a mini Mac – funny) and Macbook (turns your MacBook into a tower – genuis).
• I don’t know why, but wooden spoons/objects make my skin crawl. However, I find these Scanwood products irresistible with their great packaging.
• As you know, I’m a huge fan of clean, sleek design and this packaging for Buck is beautiful yet also very masculine – great design by Mint.
• Lovely design, awesome mission – Water for Water.
• Okay, I think ampersands are one of the most beautiful characters in typography. And that is why I love this blog.
• Living in Colorado has caused me to buy fun winter hats – thinking about getting this adorable one for the slopes.
• By now you know my love for packaging design so in addition to the great finds from Dieline.com, I SO want their new book to drool over.

Not enough? Check back in next week for more, you greedy little buggers.

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Paris, France

After accidentally skipping a week of my Link Lineup in all the New Year excitement, I’m back and ready to share my first link picks of 2010. Get excited and check them out.

• The photo this week has an accompanying link – discover scans of the original blue prints of the “Monsieur Effiel” on the official Eiffel Tower website. So cool.
• I absolutely love mobiles. And this one is no exception. One day, when we have kids, they will have one of these hanging from their ceiling.
• A great goal for the new year – read one book every week. I think every creative or business professional can find that inspiring. And here’s a great bookmark to use.
• Some more fun necklaces for all you unique jewelry lovers.
• Wintery and wonderful, these Outofstock stools are fantastic. Want.
• More winter goodness with a graphic design study of the snowflake.
• We have a dog and I would love to get one of these Hyperakt leashes for us…er, I mean her. Awesome branding, too.

It’s a great start to the new year – hope you all enjoyed your first full week.

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Castiglione, Italy

Merry Christmas!! To keep celebrating the holiday with festive links, here are just a few more that are wonderfully Christmas related.

• Enjoy a variety of festive and super creative holiday typography.
• A collection of gorgeous wrapping for the season from around the web.
• Just a fun, typographic holiday wine label to enjoy.
• Ring in the holidays on a good note – use these music-inspired salt and pepper shakers to add a little flavor to your holiday meal.
• I just love paper cut out creations. These placemats are no exception!
• And now I have to share some Esty.com finds. These gloves are pretty and practical. And this necklace is funky and festive. And my alliteration wouldn’t be complete without a comfy cowl scarf.

Have a very jolly time with friends and family this week!

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Venice, Italy

So in honor of Christmas, I’ve decided to make the focus of my links primarily on the holiday. Hope you like these little gems!

• Here are some fantastic glass ornaments that showcase bits of nature inside. Beautiful!
• It’s coming up sooner than twelve days, but check out this great “Twelve Days” gift idea and countdown candy calendar.
• If your house is still not fully decorated for the season, here are some great DIY projects to do and get on display before guests start arriving. And check out their mantel ideas – stunning!
• Gifts, gifts and more gifts for your artsy and organized friends.
• And here’s one for avid readers when normal bookmarks just won’t do.
• Let’s not forget the perfect gift for those who always grab a cup to go.
• Here are some beautiful PlayShape puzzles for the youngins in your family – or for you. And check out the best stuffed toy idea ever from Shidonni – draw your own toy. Build-A-Bear has got nothing on this one!
• This set of vintage storefront photos sort of reminds me of the best Christmas movie – “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
• And to bring in the new year, why not get this simple wooden calendar? (zoom in for better views)

More on the way next week. And despite all of my gift ideas, I hope you remember the real reason for the season!

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Gimmelwald, Switzerland

The start of this week’s link-y goodness has a gardening/farming theme. Hence my lovely cowbell photo. I’m somewhat of a farm girl myself and I love landscaping so it’s about time I made this a feature. Happy “digging!”

• Utensils made to look like gardening tools – how perfectly fitting. The designer, Vladimir Rachev, says: “Food is more and more produced in artificial environment. In [the] future we might need a reminder of the cultivation origins.”
• Simple but great “GrowYourOwn” seed packaging design – an easy way to become an amateur farmer.
• On a related note, wouldn’t it be fun to put some freshly cut flowers from your garden in a few of these rubber vases? No worries about knocking these over!
• Follow the doctor’s orders – make sure to track the apples you eat every day on this calendar. From the Etsy seller, VikDesign, “Keep it interesting. Try a Belle De Boskoop, a Newtown Pippin, how about a Peasgood Nonsuch, or maybe a Turley Winesap.” An odd idea but kind of a fun one.
• These typographic coasters are neat-o.
• More for my fellow type nerds – Garamond created out of powerlines.
• Some very cool photo experiments by Adam Voorhes – “exploded” objects.
• And check out this very minimalistic approach to the Nativity scene by Oliver Fabel. Haha.

That’s all for now! Have a fun weekend.

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Milan, Italy

Today’s lineup includes a lot of great packaging design from thedieline.com (one of my favorite inspiration sources) along with a few other goodies. Enjoy!

• I love to see organic elements like handwriting, hand-drawn type and illustration incorporated into design.
• Who likes olive oil? What difference does that make…these bottles are beautiful.
• Speaking of bottles, I would like this bottle of wine to grace my table at Christmas dinner.
• When I have kids, you can bet I will be buying this baby food. They will then graduate to this juice.
• Awesome laser-cut paper packaging and an AMAZING stop-motion paper animation video.
• This necklace is simply beautiful. And this one is super fun – maybe I’ll make this my Dad’s new jewelry project for me…
• Vintage cameras – 28 Camera Drawings by Christine Berrie.

Well I think I’ve given you enough to oogle over for today. Have a great weekend and as always, let me know some of your finds so I can admire and enjoy.

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Lake Como, Italy

I’ve got some real goodies for you this week that are quirky and witty…my preferences definitely reflect my personality.

• A weird and irresistible start to my link lineup – introducing the chest hair t-shirt available at veer.com.
• Similar to my earlier link about hotel door hangers, check out this collection of bus tickets.
• Hilarious typography/language poem by Taylor Mali interpreted by Ronnie Bruce.
• Just some fun and clever leaf art – bio-diversity by Christoph Niemann.
• A new and inspiring meaning to the phrase “paper cut.” Beautiful.
• Love these classically designed Christmas cards by darlingclementine.
• Speaking of Christmas, I’ll have this letterpress necklace made with movable type, please.
• Thanks to thedieline.com for showcasing BVD’s lovely packaging, I am missing H&M again.

It’s Black Friday today – pick up anything special?

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Schwangau, Germany

I’ve got some great features this week, so feast your eyes!

• All right, these lamps from Sha-Do are simply gorgeous.
• I have always wanted to incorporate the Rorschach inkblot tests into a design. This wine label is the perfect application – pure genius and beautifully executed.
• The perfect statement for anyone who needs a reminder.
• Great package design by Fay K.Pal. These travel containers are simple and effective.
• Another Fay K.Pal gem – I don’t even like goat milk/cheese, yet I want to buy these products (little confused by the sheep logo, though).
• Are you kidding? Check out the latest in photo frames.

Share your finds with me! I love to see what inspires you.

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Florence, Italy

Here are my finds for you this week:

• Want to be inspired by some deliciously bold typography? Look no further.
• Check out a fun little collection of vintage hotel door hangers from one man’s past travels.
• This set of witty typography cards from Etsy totally made my day.
• Two fantastic and inventive sets of Japanese barcode designs. Why aren’t we doing this?
• Stunning bird photography by Andrew Zuckerman. Yes, it’s worth the wait.
• A couple more typography links for you to admire and enjoy. Also, I am getting this. Awesome.
• The CommArts 2009 Design Annual is out – love it!

Got any good finds? Please share!

- Laura

by Signify. Location: Cinque Terre, Italy

Every Friday, I will be featuring a list of links that provide creative, insightful and inspiring  sites, articles and photos. Today’s lineup includes:

• Inspired thoughts from some of the most creative professionals. I’m totally on board.
• An updated list of awesome blog designs from Smashing Magazine.
• Super sweet site from Anthropologie that is simple, yet delightfully complex.
• A fantastic collection of watercolor paintings with creative typography.
• Who wouldn’t want to have some of these or these? I love unique cards and letterpress.

What inspires you? Let me know if you have any links to share.

- Laura