Normally the holiday season is especially slow for me. Most people are thinking less about having a website designed and more about which Christmas sweater to wear to the big party. Not this year, ut-uh-no-way. Everyone and their sister needs a site, or an ad, or a poster laid out. I've been enjoying filling my days with lots of multi-tasking and creativity, but my RSS feed is suffering dramatically. The blogs I normally spend half my day drooling over have barely had time for a second glance, backgrounds have changed, trends have come and gone, writers HAVE MOVED TO NEW HOUSES for crying outloud, and I was none-the-wiser. It is a sad sad state of affairs. So this year for Christmas I'm submitting a very special request to Sir Claus for a little free time to catch up on some of the blogs I so adore:
It's no secret that I'm in love with blogger-down-under, Raina of If the Lamp Shade Fits, but as it turns out, there is more than one great design blog making it's way north from below the equator. Designalogue chronicles the creative life and interests of miss Camilla Molders (check out her new wallpaper, above). Camilla has exquisite taste, an insane art collection and her Aussie colloquialisms are sure to warm your icy heart right up.
Lauren Kilberg of Double Takes never ceases to amaze me with her super sleuthing abilities. She manages to find thought-provoking images that are both intelligent and witty, her topics range from interiors to art to music yet they always manage to share a common theme and support the strong vision of this always entertaining blog. I can't wait to catch up!
If it's Hip, It's Here is easily the most well-researched blog in my RSS feed. Girl, where do you get all your information? Each post is backed with 18,000 supporting images often showing a designer's process from start to finish. Did I mention that she almost always debuts something I've never ever seen? It's kinda unreal.
When I'm in the mood to literally salivate all over my keyboard, I cruise on over to fellow Craft Mafia member Jesse's blog, Bread Baby. Jesse seamlessly weaves hilarious stories from her past with present day adventures in the kitchen. Bonus: each post is anchored with a new recipe. Jesse is vegetarian and I assume she doesn't mind if I modify each of her suggested dishes with a healthy topping of bacon.
Do you see this screen shot? You probably think it is just another gift guide. Wrong. This is Tula's list of possible gifts to give Amy Sedaris should she ever have the opportunity to meet her in person. So, are you all with me in realizing that Whorange is one of the funniest blogs ever? (PS, Tula, your hair looks great today)
When I want to see good design oddities or just be reminded that I live in Texas and it's hot and it never really feels like Christmas, I cruise on over to Even Cleveland. As a reward for good readership I got to see how to make macaroni snowflakes.
For drool-inducing themed round-ups, Eye Spy is always a great place to stop. The above is from E.S.'s most inspiring counter-balanced-weighted light round up. How can something so ridiculously specific be so good? I don't know, but ohmygod it was amazing.
For great art round ups I turn to le zebra bleu. C'mon, where else are you going to find the works of renowned artists recreated entirely of vegetables? These are things we have to see, people.
I'm pretty sure my ovaries did a little kick when they saw the kiddy costumes posted on Please Sir the other day (don't get excited, ma). Cruise on over there for quick snapshots of art, fashion and interior design.
Exquisite Function is awesome times five. Yep, there are 5 ladies contributing to this clean-lined design gem and every one of them always posts something great. How does that happen?
Woodley Park Zoo chronicles the adventures of a new DC resident living on the Red Line. Her love for the hot pink shoes above and proximity to my old hood keep her near-and-dear to my heart.
Austin's snarky misprint magazine has an addictive blog, which follows, in no particular order: armored cats and squirrels, motorized unicycles, Norwegian death metal, and drinking pepsi out of cans found on the side of the road. I read this every day, but mostly I wanted to add it to the list because I know that co-founder, Bryan, will crap his pants when he sees that I've rotated and drop-shadowed his logo.
And finally, when I need to be reminded that no matter how good I'm feeling about myself there is a 12-year-old girl in Chicago that always has been and always will be cooler than me, I turn to Style Rookie.
Right now I'm subscribed to exactly 80 blogs on my RSS reader. On the rare day when every planet is aligned, I can see all of them, lately, I have seen very few, but to all of you out there that I haven't had a chance to visit lately, I hope to see you soon and I miss you dearly. Find something cute for me!