Affordable Apartment Art (or Amazing Engagement Gift)

I’m constantly on the prowl for interesting and affordable art ideas for my apartment.  So…lo and behold my latest discovery, Ixxi, a system of interconnecting tiles that form large pieces of art.  This highly versatile product can be customized in a wide assortment of ways to construct an enlarged version of your honeymoon photographs or a pixelated rendering of the Easter bunny (see below for versions of Mona Lisa and Girl with the Pearl Earring).   The best part?  Because the pieces are small squares, the shipping is much, much lower than you would imagine.  #Winning.

PS – Use your imagination and this could be a super-amazing-showstopping engagement/birthday/anniversary/baby shower/graduation/congrats-on-your-2012-gold-medal gift.  Not that you’re competitive and need to have the best present out of the entire party.  No, not at all.

My Olympics Obsession

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been racing home from work this week to plant yourself on the couch and eat ice cream cones while watching some of the most amazing athletes in the world.  I’ve been obsessing over women’s gymnastics and both women’s and men’s swimming.  Below are some of my other Olympic obsessions.  I hope you enjoy and bon weekend!

These incredible Olympic flame cake cone treats from Stasty.  I need that now.  And a mucho creative take on the Olympic rings by Cody Hamilton.

I’m loving this miniaturized Lego-version of the London Aquatic Center by artist Gary Davis.

These food flags are pretty perfect if you’re hosting any Olympic viewing parties.

If you’re bored at work, send your cubicle-mates a hilarious Olympic-themed Someecard.

Other uses for Ryan Lochte’s ridiculous grill. And if you’re up for it, 10 reasons to dissuade you from finding him attractive.

And above is a hysterical montage showcasing Lochte’s inability to conduct a good interview.

If I had all the free time in the world and kids, I’d copy-cat this fun Olympic-themed Party.

Clever Olympic-themed posters by Alan Clarke.

How to Wear Camo

Camo is so hot right now.  Taking a lesson from the street style shots above, thy shalt:

1. Stick to one camo piece

2.  Know that a camo jacket adds an unexpected element.  I especially love the juxtaposition of supremely girly pieces like lace dresses and flowing peach skirts with the masculinity of camo.

3. Treat camo pants like a neutral and pair them with patterns for an interesting ensemble.  If you decide to brave pairing different patterns with camo, here are some of my favorite combinations below.  Just be sure to keep the rest of your ensemble relatively simple or you could get up looking super busy.

And here are some of my favorite pieces on the market right now: 

1. MZ Wallace Camo Tote | 2. Topshop Jacket | 3. Herschel Backpack | 4. Topshop Camo Sweatshirt | 5. Current/Elliott Jeans | 6. Old Navy Long-Sleeved Tee | 7. Pointer A.F.D. Canvas shoe in Canvas Forest Cameo | 8. LL Bean Camo Bag

Anatomy of a Pinata

I love this.

By Carmichael Lynch of Carmichael Collective via This Is Colossal 

Mondays: It’s No Picnic…

…But you can bring your own picnic to work in these clever boxes by Boxsal.

Clever Design: Movie Puzzles by Designers Anonymous

To celebrate Fox Film Studios’ 75th anniversary, London-based design firm Designers Anonymous created a mural consisting of six movies representing each decade.

Rather than present a straightforward representation of each film, the designers fashioned cryptic graphics that can be deciphered based on one’s cinematic knowledge.  An accompanying book provides solutions to each puzzle as well as information about the film.

Photographs courtesy of Designers Anonymous

Great Engagement Gift: Maps

Crafterall is an Etsy shop that features beautiful hand-cut cardstock maps perfect for a birthday or wedding present.  Marnie Karger, the woman behind the maps, can custom-create locations and colors based on your request.  For my engaged friends, I am ordering a triptych featuring their hometowns plus a map of their current residence.