heysusy

SURREAL STYLE {in my dreams}

Things are not always what they seem...and that goes double for these clever picks. Lately, I've been noticing a trend towards the surreal, and the absurd in everything from wall decals to slip-on shoes. And you know, I like it a whole lot better than the ironic attitude that has been so in fashion for so long.

I love how this trend creates style...drawing in with curiosity and humor, instead of pushing away with a sarcastic hip-factor.

The joke's on us: aspirational (read: high priced items) multi-drawer chest from the exclusive collection at Boca do Lobo and see-through jellies and tromp l'oeil clutch at  Barney's NY (who incidentally are now using the tagline Taste, Luxury, Humor...how fitting)

Register as Independent: Great (and reasonably priced!) Indie designer items from: Avril Loreti, Elly Nelly, Evocative Collage by Michelle Caplan and Ingenious thaumatrope necklace by adorapop (necklace can be spun to reveal a 'bird in the cage' tromp l'oeil). And...does anybody really know what time it is?? Get yr clock on with this great, dreamlike design on a journal at Engrave Your Book.

Okay! That's it for me today...Time to get to work on some dreams of my own. 

NEXT UP {a sneak peek}

Time for the weekly sneak-peek! And a big thank you to this week's readers and Giveaway Contestants. Usually I like to post this on Friday...but yesterday was a very, very busy day. So, here it is for all the early birds on a Saturday morning. Sure beats cartoons.

Essentially Eclectic
Furnishings and fashions with a twist (Think Dali's Mustache). Drawing on Dada, surrealism and absurdism can be a beautiful thing in the right hands.

The First-Ever Interview on HS*
And it's a good one, A must-read for anyone who is interested in learning more about developing a creative idea by putting your life's experience into the mix.. Susy Interviews Rachel of Gemma Redux, who shares her thoughts on becoming a jewelry design rockstar by taking the road less traveled.  Curious? I promised more on this incredible designer back in my post Going For Baroque.

Giveaway Winners Announced
Don't forget...winners announced on 4.2...so, if you haven't entered yet, now is the time.

Type A, B, and C
Typography...I'll wax poetic on the powers of type. Where to use it in the home, and on the page, and some great artists who find beauty in letterforms.

Enjoy your weekend everyone, and I'll be back on Monday!

CLASSIC BATH {elegant + inspiring}

Sorry, I'm a little late with this morning's post...but, I'll try and make up for it with a peek at some incredible packaging!

Decorate your bath with an incredibly designed, nouveau, retro package. When I'm lacking inspiration, I love to head out and check out some of my favorite packaging, which usually is surrounding a bevy of yummy smelling bath products. I'm always amazed at how an object that is meant to be used (and used up) is contained by such decadent, attractive wrapping. I love that contrast.

After a wonderful, uplifting day spent with Melissa of Acts of Kindness yesterday, I was nice and full of ideas for this post. Wandering in and out of shops like Furbish that were filled with incredibly beautiful home and gift items was divine.  (Thanks, Melissa!)

All of the items above can be found at American Soap Company, Bigelow Apothecary, Bon Savon, Sesto Senso,  and French Presents. Obviously, I have a whole bunch of favorites in this category, who can blame me?

Recycle It...A beautiful gift...and a reusable box. Even when the soap is gone, these Roger & Gallet boxes look beautiful on a shelf, desk or as giftwrap.

I'll be back either later today or (gasp!) Saturday morning with a teaser for next week's posts. For those of you anticipating my Friday series...it's in the works, but pushed back til' next week. So, stay tuned!

COTTAGE INDUSTRY {home office basics}

If you work at home, then you might share my feeling that it's rewarding, but sometimes difficult. That's why this April, as a gift to myself for all my hard work, I am going to commit to taking a new look at my office...and making it a place not just of industry, but of comfort.

While thinking about this, I decided the best way to approach it was with elements which make me think not just of work, but also of home and craft. So, these picks are meant to evoke both a machine-age feeling, but with a handmade heart.

Loving the details...steel letterforms in a rusty tone from Paper Source, machine age clock and red metal chair both from The Conran Shop. Spark your space with a warm, springy scent....don't forget your nose. Pick one of diptyques fabulous candles. Budget your time, and your ducats with dovetailed storage boxes  and cool magnets with a minimalist vibe from IKEA.

And don't forget those tender tootsies! Step lightly in a comfortable shoe, if you really want to enjoy your workday...these fabulous mocassins can be found at vintage seller, revivalhouse on Etsy.

Art it up with indie printers who put something special in their work-- I love how these pieces feel really artistic and design-aware, yet there's that mass-produced, distressed, industrial edge in each of these prints.  For more visit AlyoisiussPyker, BellaBella, and UneFemme in their Etsy boutiques!

ps. if you missed yesterday-- don't forget to take a peek at the first heysusy* giveaway of susyjack* desk items! Another fun way to perk up your office...with freebies!
   

GIVEAWAY {susyjack* desk setup}

The best things in life are free, right? Well, celebrate spring with a new pattern for your dear desk. A bright aqua pencil cup, A spiralbound notebook, and a set of 4 scroll clips. Without further ado, I am very happy to announce the first heysusy* giveaway!

All you need to do is leave a comment below, and I'll make sure to register you. Next Wednesday at 4:00 PM EST I'll announce the winner and get in touch via the link they provided. If you have any trouble entering here, just send an email my way, and I'll be happy to add you. At this point, I can ship to a winner in either Canada or the US. (sorry International readers-- my next giveaway will be for all readers-- no matter where you are!)

As you can probably tell, for me, the tension is mounting for revealing some of the new work. I thought this would be a good way to put a little smidge of it forward, and generate, I hope, some curiosity! This pattern is called Dunes and I absolutely love it. It was inspired by a topographical map. Also, for those who are curious, you can see a little more of the new brand elements which I mentioned last week when I posted about my website redesign. So, this shows a bit how it's coming together.

Enjoy! And I hope you'll enter!

ps. I will not use your comment name for purposes other than this giveaway.

WHAT'S IN MY BAG {Really}

This morning, a bit of self-exploration. But first of all, I promise, if you have the courage to read through this whole thing, there's a reward at the end.

I really have to give kudos to the brave bloggers out there who have taken photos of the contents of their handbags. But, after my own moment of spelunking through my black hole....ahem....handbag, I have to say, I am nowhere near that organized. And so, I wanted to extend a level of transparency here at heysusy* as part of the getting-to-know you phase.

So, yesterday, I took a good look at Things in My Bag. As I went through, I really had to laugh. My bag is horrible! I think there might be trolls living in there. Here are the oh-so-glamourous contents. Read on if you dare!

What's In My Bag As of Yesterday Evening:
1. candy wrappers of the chocolate variety  2. malformed, used drugstore lipstick in 'sunburnt kiss'....ow. 3.one roll packing tape 4. one heavy duty masterlock 5. large, folding, laminated tourist map of NYC and boroughs 6. miscellaneous fortunes (minus their cookies, pls. see item 15) 7. crumpled paper (shown as a ball, but usually dispersed throughout) 8. scarf. even if it's 95 degrees out. 9. large, dark, unprotected, badly scratched sunglasses of unknown, most probably generic, tween brand 10. dusty pills...several varieties....all legal. really! 11. wallet bulging with disturbing amount of reciepts/cards of unknown purpose 12. cell-phone/portable answering machine 13. paper clips 2 small, 3 large 14. one or more sharp, dangerous, small objects that should not be in there (thumbtacks, upholstery tacks, staples...of unknown origin) 15. miscellaneous crumbs (also of unknown origin, most likely were edible at one time or another).

So there you have it. My perfect purse. But, it certainly says gobs about my hustle! Now aren't you glad I opted to illustrate it rather than take a photo? Yes, yes....you're very welcome. I have your safety in mind at ALL times.

For those of you still reading this...you have passed the test, and so I now share with you better news!  Later today, I will be listing the first heysusy* giveaway!! Woop Woop! I can tell you this...it's pretty cool. So, I hope you'll come on back to check that out. I hope to have it up by this afternoon!

Much love, and please feel free to share with me what's in YOUR bag, below. I dare you.

JAIL BIRDS {stripes in bolds + earthtones}

OK, If anyone out there wants to get me a gift for being SO diligent here on my new blog, please head over to net-a-porter and pick up the flick minidress by Giles. No, no...it's so nice of you to ask, but I think I have a bag to match, so, just the dress will do.

Ok, now that's out of the way, on with the show. For a while now, I've been accumulating boldly, beautifully striped items in a folder here on my laptop, and now...it's time to show them off! Loving all of the personalities that are possible just by using subtle color variations. Bold in black and white or soften it in neutrals and earthy brights. Isn't it great how you can apply basically the same pattern formula to different items and end up with so many incredible results?

Coveting  these intense striped vases by ethnique, which remind me of beautiful bowling pins. Paying homage to the old-style, versatile hip factor of manoeuvre's Meeting Max seersucker tie. Teetering on the brink in shoes by the unparalleled Alexander McQueen.

For immediate gratification, and a great selection of stripes in cool colors DYOB  (design your own bag...which is sorta like BYOB but won't land you in rehab...or will it?) with Freddy & Ma  and get your stack on with this cool built-by lamp concept at Inhabit Living.

Last but not least, serious, serious eye candy over at Hayden Harnett. Especially the accessories. I love how the collection includes so many different influences-- from that cool fold-over clutch from the early 60's to the prepped out Gucci bags of the high 80's. this is one design team obsessed with handbags.

PUFF + STUFF {Pillow Talk}

As promised, a pillow post! I have a really major addiction to pillows. It's at the point where I am not allowed to bring any more into the apartment. In fact, I think my boyfriend is beginning to believe that our pillows reproduce when no one is looking. So, I thought I would decorate heysusy* this Monday morning with a few favorite, fluffy finds.

Pillows are like canvasses, but more comfortable. And, like a new pair of shoes, a pillow purchase makes me feel full of hope and joy. And I love that pillows are easy to make. The pillow is truly the great equalizer when it comes to decor. Hooray!

So..if anyone has good pillow sources that they love, definitely post them in comments, because I, for one, would love to check them out! Does anybody know if there is such a thing as National Throw Pillow Awareness Month? Is April taken??

 

I'm loving this new design using silhouettes and inspired by surrealist and dada art by the funny and clever Jonathan Adler. Also of note was the collection by Unison which I can't get enough of. Another great design co. (who designed the red tree pattern above) is Plush Living. Loving their beautiful, rich colors on silk.

More places to indulge in a pillowy, billowy fantasy, Karen Hilton, Pillows and Throws, Maharam, Urban Outfitters,  Unison, Inhabit, Velocity  and the website of the uber-talented textile artist Judy Ross. 

 

NEXT UP {a sneak peek}

As promised, here's a little hint at some of the things you can expect to see here on HS* next week.

Going Soft: Pillow talk
Choicy pillows, rugs and soft goods to delight and revive.

Product News: SusyJack*s latest
Some of the new collection will be revealed, yaay!
And readers will have a chance to enter to win a special prize package of my newest items.

Friday Feature: Series launch!
Next Friday, I'll be launching the first in a fun new series of workweek closer-posts.

Look Around: Beauty of Basics
Design which takes it's cues from the everyday.

So, hope to see you on Monday!  And, If any of these topics seem especially of interest, feel free to  submit a recommendation, leave a comment, or enter your email in the box on the right for updates right to your mail.

Thanks for visiting!

PERFECT DESIGN {MAKING IT YOUR OWN}

Today's post and images are about creative expression and storytelling.

I love trendy colors, patterns and design, and work with them often. But, it's easy to overdo it to the point where things start looking contrived, lacking personality and a deeper style or story. One of the things I'm constantly trying to do is add my own voice, while still giving things a friendly, enjoyable mass appeal.

Looking at Harlequin's Collections was really delicious. Found via an older entry on Print and Pattern, I was entranced by their beautiful use of color in their motifs and the simple setups of their uber-styled shots.

So, I love what happens when these controlled interiors are in concert with more natural and poetic and personal elements, like my favorite Jennifer Altman photograph, an illuminated and glowing curiosity like these Casablanca Lanterns  or a symbolic natural element like a butterfly. Not only does it add an deeper note to the decor, it makes the space more about the individual(s) who created it; truly unique and inspiring beauty!

LATER TODAY...
I will be back later today with a sneak peek of some of next week's features. For those of you who have spent the week with here at heysusy*, a sincere thank you! I've really enjoyed it, and it's great to know that people are reading along.