Illustrating Design : Penelope Dullaghan

The truth of the matter is this: if you can illustrate really well, you can probably make it as a Graphic Designer. Case in point- Penelope Dullaghan. Her work is absolutely beautiful and can be seen in editorial layouts, typography, icon and logo design... common platforms for Graphic Artists alike. If your work can transcend a computer- you've definitely got an edge in the Design world. Her work makes me want to go back to school to spruce up my illustration skills! I may never be able to draw like this, but I can certainly incorporate more hand-drawn elements into my future design projects. Theres something admirable about a designer who's willing to take risks with their designs- and illustration is a way of putting yourself out there on a more personal level. And the payoff is great- look at what great work can come of it!

An illustration alone can tell a story- and not always in a literal sense... pretty clever ideas here!

Slouch Jean Fashion

I love these looks I've been seeing with revived jeans. Cut off or rolled up, jeans are comfortable, cute, and totally inexpensive if you do it yourself! I found my first inspiration pic from (right) Glam Canyon and my other from the super cool shop (left) Madewell. I decided to show you how to make these sweet outfits yourself on a real artists budget!

Both shirts are from the awesome store Need Supply Co.

Cross Front Drape Tank for $38.00

Lace Belted Dress Shirt for $48.00

You can find all these accessories at Ruche

Skinny Weave Belt for $17.99

Ruffle Ice Flats for $37.99

Take Me With You Canvas Bag for $48.99

Collecting Coins Scarf for $17.99

Coffee Love

It's 8AM. My alarm rings. I lay in bed as excuses race through my clouded mind of why I won't be able to get up today. And then my senses start to kick in. The sunlight appears brighter, my ears pick up the frantic footsteps of my upstairs neighbors, and the coffee smells better then ever! Coffee, mmm. Okay, maybe I can get up.

Not only does coffee have the power to awaken the minds of countless designers, myself included, it also inspires incredible work. Dear Coffee I Love You is a blog dedicated to this very thing. With it's fantastic collection of mugs and packaging from the best resources around, it can make you fall in love with the beloved bean- and the wonderful culture it's produced, even more.

Knuckle Dusters

("Drink your coffee without losing street cred...")

Multiplied Moka

Loving this java-inspired print!

Coffee Dream

Paper crafted by talented design team Zim & Zou

Caffeinated Pixels

Yep, those are cups of coffee! Designed by Fabien Jochen Kanzler

Editorial Design : Brave New World of Coffee

Beta Cup Design

I'm all about this print from Made by Girl : Blogs and Coffee

Yep, I can relate. By Adam Brackney (Workerman)

Shiney Little Beans from Daily Shot of Coffee

Mmm : What Katie Ate

I feel I may have been neglecting one of my favorite catergories here on More design Please: FOOD! I haven't featured it enough even though it's got such an impact on the design world! Everything from packaging and presentation to photgraphy and menus- it's all conceptualized by a designer. Katie Quinn Davies, of the blog What Katie Ate is a self-proclaimed "foodie." Through her photography and quirky excerpts recording her journey with photography and food, she captures her beautiful recipes from execution to completion. Take a look as some of her lovely photos and scrumptous recipes!

Lemon Delicious

Apple Cinnamon Buns

1 cup (140g) diced apple without peel

1/3 cup apple sauce

3/4 cup (190ml) milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/3 cup (75g) white sugar

1 3/4 cups (220g) plain flour

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon aniseed

1. Combine the sugar, cinnamon, ginger and aniseed (if using the latter).

2. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, sugar mixture, salt, milk and apple sauce. Do not overbeat.

3. Stir in diced apples. Spoon batter into 12 greased muffin cups.

4. Bake at 200 degrees C (390˚F) for 20 to 25 minutes.

Black Forest Chateau

Mocha Chocolate Mouse with Irish Whiskey

170g good quality dark chocolate, broken into pieces

170g butter

1/4 cup strong coffee (I find instant in this case works best)

4 eggs separated

2/3 cup caster (superfine) sugar, plus an extra tbsp which you'll use later in recipe.

2 tablespoons of dark rum or Irish whiskey

1 tbsp water

A pinch of salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1. Heat a saucepan of water and set a heatproof bowl on top - be sure that the water does not touch the actual bowl.

2. Into the bowl add the coffee, chocolate and butter, warm slowly over simmering water until melted, stirring occasionally. Once melted, set aside.

3. Into a new large bowl add a few handfuls of ice and fill halfway with water. Set aside nearby.

4. Using the same saucepan of water, continue to simmer and place a new bowl on top into which; add the 4 egg yolks, caster sugar, water and rum/whisky. Using a balloon whisk or what I find (much) easier - a hand-held electric beater - whisk for about 3 minutes until the mixture thickens, pales in colour and has a similar consistency to runny mayonnaise.

5. Remove from heat and place bowl into the larger bowl of iced water. Be careful not to let any water into the smaller bowl.

6. Continue to whisk for a further few minutes until the mixture thickens considerably and is cooled.

7. Add the chocolate mixture into the beaten eggs and stir to combine.

8. In an electric mixer whip up the egg whites along with pinch of salt until almost stiff and frothy. At this stage add in one tablespoon of extra caster sugar and beat again until almost glossy.

9. Using a large mixing spoon, add one spoonful of egg whites into the chocolate mix, fold in gently then add the remaining egg whites, folding in until almost fully combined. Be careful at this stage not to over whip as you'll lose all the air which is needed to be present to produce a light mousse.

10. Pour mixture into a jug and in turn into individual serving bowls/glasses.

11. Place in fridge and chill for approx. 3-4 hours and serve. They will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Bike Accessories : Cycle Chic London

I'm loving all these new finds from The Bicycle Muse- London Cycle Chic. They also have a sweet blog worth checking out HERE. Since I've started riding my bike to work every day- I've been all about finding new little accessories to make the ride even better. The adorable messenger bags and back caddy come in handy on your long peddaling excursions.

Check out more Helmets HERE

MORE HERE

Hungry for Design: Irving & Co. Packaging

I came across this website today and had to share it with all of you. Irving & Co. is a Graphic Design company based out London who focuses primarily on FOOD packaging. Some of my favorites designs are for Artisan Biscuits, Carluccios and The Fine Cheese Co. Hungry much? If not, you will be after to you see all of their work!

DIY : Scratcher Lotto Ticket

Here's a cool DIY idea. If you ever host parties or events where theres a possibility of a giveaway/prize, scratchers are a cool way to pump up the guests! This post from ArtMind will show you how to make your own personal scratchers! These are also a great promo idea if you run your own business... use them like business cards or for give-aways. 

What you'll need:
Cardboard, your lottery ticket design, glue stick, clear sticky back plastic (contact paper), metallic acrylic paint (preferably silver) and washing liquid.

Before you get started, print out a design that you want to be on the lottery tickets.
If your printer can take thick paper, you can print it directly on the cardboard and skip this part. If you do it in two steps, it is nice to get a fun color background paper and glue the design onto the card.

Then you take a piece of sticky back plastic and put it onto the design.

Mix some metallic acrylic paint with washing liquid.

Try to use 1 part washing liquid and 2 parts of paint. Mix the substance.

Paint the plastic part on the ticket and let it dry.

Make sure that the picture underneath the paint is hidden.

Add another layer if this is not the case.

And then SCRATCH! Awesome....

Inspiration : Collage Design

Australian based artist Liesl Pfeffer has wonderful photography and collages that I'm excited to share with you today. Her unique compositions and use of layering photography is really incredible. 

Dressing a Table : A Beach Cottage

I can see the weekend on the horizon and I can't wait to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful California weather! I hope to stop by the beach at some point and take in all the beauty the coast has to offer. This leads me to my blog topic today: I've been perusing "A Beach Cottage" blog and love the table scape ideas they have- all of which are, of course, beach-inspired. Whether or not your a fan of coastal decor- there are still some really inspiring table setting ideas for you to check out. I especially like the use of a music sheet for a placemat... so cute and clever. This site makes me want to have a cozy coastal theme party- and what better time than now during this great season with lovely beach weather!?

Lessons to be learned from A Beach Cottage: (1.) Limit your palette! If you stick with a white base, silver, glass, and natural browns- you're sure to look chic (2.) Add a pop of color with flowers. Their natural organic shapes and will add that extra something to your table settings (3.) Get creative! Re-use old bottles, candles, fabrics, and dishes- just be sure to stick with your palette! (4.) Change it up! Don't be afraid to rearrange your tables as your bring new objects into your home, or re-discover those treasures you may already have!

Fabrics and Colors for Summer : Shabd Design

I love the clothing collection put out by Shabd Simon-Alexander this Summer. The bright colors, effortless styling, and lightweight fabrics are exactly what I'm looking for this time of the year. I guess mixing plaid and tie-dye can work... well, at least it does in these lovely photos. It's a fun idea- and thats what summertime is all about- having fun with your clothes. Perhaps this will inspire you to take some chances with your outfits too... Take a look!