November 17, 2011

Phink-spiration: Process gets processed

The Daguerreotype is a photographic process that has been used commercially since it’s patent was issued in 1839. The process has evolved time and time again and will continue long after I finish typing these words. Luckily, Ink was recently reminded of our love for this process thanks to a slew of beautiful photography released by Ralph Lauren for the men’s Fall / Winter 2011 collection.

RRL-Ralph-Lauren-Autumn-Winter-2011-Collection-2

RRL-Ralph-Lauren-Autumn-Winter-2011-Collection-5

We have done some digging and can’t seem to find out if credit is being given to one particular photographer on this series, so if you have any insight, please let us know! It is truly a beautiful and innovative collection of images and prompted us to think about our own style history (both photographically and personal style). After a little digging one Inkster found a photograph of her grandmother, Mattie, taken in 1928. Luckily (and beautifully), the handwriting is preserved directly on the image, “On top of Howards Knob, July 1928.” And for any North Carolina folks out there, Howards Knob is located in Boone, near the ASU campus.

Mattie, 1928

Images like these are a personal treasure, but artist like Chuck Close are exploring (and altering) the Daguerreotype process to create fine art photography for all to see. Close’s latest exhibit, “A Couple Ways of Doing Something,” at the Loveland Museum/Gallery in Loveland, CO, features his own interpretation of portraiture. According to author Stacy Nick, “Daguerreotypes use a long exposure time requiring subjects to sit extremely still. Initially this created very stiff portraits but Close used high-intensity strobe lights to impart more life to the image; the effect also puts some facial elements in striking focus while leaving other features slightly blurred.” The following image of artist Cindy Sherman demonstrates this impeccably.

Chuck Close Exhibit at Loveland Museum/Gallery

We are always reminded how imagery can lead you on your own personal journey, and I do thank Ralph Lauren and their artistic team for taking us there.

November 12, 2011

Pin-it-to-me: November

Pintrest is a style seeker’s dream. A dream that can take hours from your day, but inspire you to create at the same time. Here at ink we use Pintrest as a tool to create mood boards for projects. Find an idea online? Just pin it to a specific board and it is automatically a shared resource. Brilliant! Here is a quick look at a few of our November Favorites, so far…

Lauren:

Via Pintrest November Favorites

Natalie:

Via Pintrest November Favorites

Kelly:

Via Pintrest November Favorites

November 10, 2011

Phink-spiration: Holiday Cards

As the holidays are quickly approaching, one thing that is on my To-Do list is to find/order/address/mail out our Christmas cards.  I absolutely love getting cards in the mail each year around this time – seeing photos of old friends, reading quick notes about what family members across the country have been up to, or just simply being reminded of the warm fuzzy feeling of the season, while filling up every inch of blank space on my refrigerator.  On my hunt for the perfect card, I have been reminded of the importance of good design.  Whether your personal style is funky and bright, or classic and clean, there are so many great customizable options out there!  Check out these festive favorites…

From tinyprints
xmas cards 3
xmas cards 1
xmas cards 2
xmas cards 4

From ChampagnePress on Etsy…
xmas card 5
From creativitycards at Etsy…
xmas cards 6
From moontreepress at Etsy…
xmas cards 7

Phink phaves: The Soap Dish

Ink is very proud to introduce to you The Soap Dish.

The Soap Dish

This blog comes to us from Good Health Natural Products, and we are so honored to be weekly contributors!  The Soap Dish is all about “living a cleaner lifestyle”.  And don’t think it’s all about keeping a tidy home – here you’ll find tips on health, beauty, home, family and more that will keep you focused on the most important things in life, and won’t cost a fortune either! Share this blog with your friends, and follow it daily for inspiration and ideas.

Check out Ink’s first post at The Soap Dish – Here’s some American flair for an English Invention. It actually makes me excited for post-Thanksgiving meals!

Leftovers from The Soap Dish Magazine

November 9, 2011

Phink Phaves: Bluum and Subscription Commerce

During our recent trip to New York we met with the Creative Director at Bluum Mom + Baby, Joel Edmondson, to learn more about this company and how their membership based service know as “Subscription Commerce” works. According to an article written by Courtney Boyd Myers, “What is better than receiving a box full of great products every month? Receiving that box when you’re a mom-to-be or new mom who doesn’t have an hour in the day to discover great, new products, let alone eat, sleep or shop for new products.” We couldn’t agree more, especially because of our expecting inkster, Natalie. We recently signed her up to receive the 12 months of, “Ooh! I feel like it’s Christmas morning!” so that we could see for ourselves what was involved.

Bluum Box as baby shower gift

Natalie’s first box arrived just in time for her baby shower (definitely consider this gift potential, friends) and it was truly a hit. Guests were very interested to see what would emerge from this little box and it did not disappoint. Luckily our friend Sara (of Sara Lyn Photography) was one of the hostesses, so this shower was well documented  – note to self, future blog post about the importance of good baby shower photos.

November Bluum Box

November Bluum Box

November’s Bluum Box was right around the corner, holding a very expensive sample of the coveted StriVectin cream, along with 5 or 6 other goodies that will be so fun for Natalie to try before AND after her baby arrives. We are so glad that we were able to connect with Joel and truly wish his company the best in the future!

November 8, 2011

Phink Phaves: Old is New Again!

Anthropologie Issue 11, 2011

I am dying to see someone at our office typing on an old school typewriter like this USB typewriter featured in the Anthropologie holiday catalog. Any takers?

November 7, 2011

Phink-spiration: Windows to the Outside

Doing a little surfing and found the site Freshome.com this morning. It had an article titled, “Warming your Outdoors with ‘Floating Windows’ Designer Claudia Schmutzler,” that caught our eye… this is a really lovely effect that helps truly define an outdoor space as a room. Nice work!

Freshome.com article

Freshome.com article

November 5, 2011

Phink-spiration: Funded Street Art

This amazing projection was produced by KLIP Collective, the inventors of Video mapping, to celebrate, commemorate and generate funding for New York’s Bethesda Terrace. According to KLIP’s website, by using their mapping process, “any surface can become a video canvas without distortion and with seamless integration.” Tim Nudd of Ad Week interviewed Terri Coopersmith, VP of Development and External Affairs at the Central Park Conservancy. Coopersmith is quoted as saying, “Something so technologically savvy on something so historic – it told an old story in a new way.” Looking forward to learning more about video mapping from KLIP… the possibilities are endless.

 

November 4, 2011

Phink-spiration: Tempaper

We ran into these ladies at the Fall Furniture Market and were very close to leaving with are arms filled with rolls of Tempaper. This is a great product that according to the website, “is family owned and operated by an aunt and her twin nieces who have all been involved in the film, television and entertainment industries for several years.” We watched as sister, Jennifer Biancella, placed and re-placed this wallpaper over and over again, leaving no residue whatsoever on the wall. And what we were most excited about was the paintable Tempaper. Commitment-a-phobes, take note: Position the wallpaper, paint whatever today’s current trend may be, then change it tomorrow! Perfect.

Tempaper From Fall 2011 Market

November 3, 2011

Phink Phaves: Lifestyle in Crate & Barrel

CB_Holiday 2011

Crate & Barrel has been stepping up their game with their lifestyle photography (and photography in general)! We are really enjoying the fresh look… nice work!

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