As mentioned in a previous post, I am currently working on a project focusing on introducing bike culture to young children. Through storytelling, building, and playing, children will be exposed to bike culture early on and become more familiar with the idea of using their bike for more than just recreational purposes.

We are collaborating with an extremely talented illustrator & graphic designer, Melissa McFeeters, to create a storybook that will be paired with the toy. Here are some examples of her talent……

When environmental consultant Andrea Romani challenged himself to design a business card for himself, he realized he needed one that reflects what he does professionally. He realized that the business card didn’t need to be on a piece of paper; it would just create more waste & use more natural resources.

He created a rubber stamp that allows any recycled material to become his business card; a napkin, a yogurt top, a gum wrapper, cardboard…. anything. Not only does this reflect him as an individual & professionally, but it communicates new ways to recycle & protect the environment.
Photo credit: Inhabitat

From NPR:

“Someone in West Cape May, N.J, has been covering tree branches and lamp posts with brightly colored little scarves and sweaters. Police are on the lookout for the perpetrator dubbed The Midnight Knitter by a local paper. Technically the action is illegal because it’s being done on public property without permission.”

Probably one of the best things to happen to New Jersey.

My cat Pencil matches my wood grain floors.

“Artist Ramon Coronado relocated several years ago to Los Angeles and was immediately struck by his new neighborhood: a low income area that was covered in trash and unsafe. So Ramon took it upon himself to turn trash, or abandoned shopping carts, into a statement criticizing the scarcity of recreational functions for children growing up in an impoverished city area.”

Credit: re-nest

Art History (Part 1 – version C) editioned print by artist Vuk Vidor.

This is brilliant.

Tretorn is Swedish shoe company that not only has beautifully designed shoes & boots, but they have a commitment to the environment & responsible business practice. To maintain what Tretorn calls a “symbiotic” relationship with the environment, employees, business partners, and stakeholders… they established S.A.F.E. (Social Accountability Fundamental Environment) to establish their company as a sustainable business. Their shoes are also all PVC-free.

I was very excited to finally have an excuse to buy a pair of rain boots (for my new job) so I bought myself a pair of lake blue Tretorn Skerry boots and I am very happy with them!

1. the girl in the green dress: This blog is maintained by Traci Roloff, co-owner of FilzFelt (distributors of felt based in Boston). The simplicity of this blog is what makes it one of my favorites; mostly images with almost no text and a variety of posts (design, fashion, video, etc).

2. Philebrity: This blog keeps me informed on everything Philadelphia. Featuring neighborhood gossip, local music recommendations, and cell phone pictures proving how evil the PPA is… this blog is always informative & entertaining.

3. La Blogotheque Takeaway Shows: This blog provides video of intimate sessions with musicians on the streets, in cars, in barbershops, etc. Some favorites include sessions with: Man Man, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Sigur Ros, Bowerbirds, Jens Lekman… and I’ll stop here because I could go on forever.

4. FunnelPages: This is a source for all art happenings, show reviews, and interviews with artists in Philadelphia. FunnelPages features a nifty Philadelphia gallery map to make your travels easier!

5. The Cool Hunter: All things “cool” in design, architecture, music and fashion. Categorized by subject, this blog makes for a more effecient way of viewing a lot of content.