Dining Out Sketch Series - Eatily

Illustration © Melissa Camacho

If you are a foodie like me, you like to remember the places you eat and enjoyed. Some people like to photograph the food and I like make quick doodles. So I have started this sketching series where I would quickly illustrate the places and the food I have sampled with family or friends. Over the summer, we finally got a chance to check out Eatily in NYC. It's a visual and delicious feast that one should visit if ever in NYC. Go early to try to beat the crowds.

Globetrotting Wonder

All Artwork © Wendy Gold

Wow! I love how this Bay area artist, Wendy Gold of ImagineNations transforms old globes into beautiful art pieces for your home or office. This would be a great gift for someone who loves to travel or loves globes in general. She can do custom work too.

Yulia Brodskaya-Quilling Master

All Artwork © Yulia Brodskaya

Yulia Brodskaya has a MA in Graphic Design. She is an amazing designer who took on the craft of quilling from the 18th century to create beautiful images she calls papergraphic. She marries her illustration, type sensibility, design skills with this tedious but breath taking medium to deliver fresh and modern work. I remember working with the tool and supplies of quilling when Martha Stewart featured it in one of her magazines a few years ago. It is not an easy craft to master and requires lots of patience. Check out more of Yulia's work on her site. Wonderful.

Alejandro Paul Crush

Every time I visit Veer or My Fonts to shop or window shop for fonts, I tend to gravitate to the work of a graphic designer from Argentina, Alejandro Paul. His fonts are beautiful and timeless. I note he is a graphic designer who is also a type designer. I think that is an important trait for designing fonts. They are more keen on understanding the design needs when coming up with fonts. Most, if not all his fonts have options in Open Type or a glyph palette which allows you to customize. And the ornaments and swooshes that come with it, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Some of my favorites are here and here and here.

Tree of First Wishes

Photo from The Indigo Bunting

I saw this post on A Subtle Revelry and wanted to share with you. This tree idea was a baby shower present where each guest wrote what they hope the baby will experience in his/her life such as their first baseball game, etc. I thought this was a refreshing idea of using the tree DIY. Usually you see it more for a family tree project. This can be interesting to use for other celebrations such as birthday milestones and each leaf is a special memory from a friend/family or special saying. Or instead of a baby shower it can be prepared for baby's first birthday and the theme is first experiences. Or perhaps for a wedding? What other ideas do you think it can be?

My Jersey Shore

Summer is half-way done. I can't believe how time flies. I thought it would be fun to post what would be my Jersey shore experience along with soaking up the sun, making sandcastles with the girls and catching waves (quite different from Snooki's). I hope you are having a wonderful summer.

(1) This would be my ideal beach cover up and look. (2) The best caramel popcorn to snack on from Ocean City. The warm sweet aroma as you past their stand is irresistible. (3) Strolling down the boardwalk in these would make me happy. (4) Having lunch at this Italian restaurant in Asbury Park. The pastas are yummy. (5) Would like to stay at this boutique hotel in Long Branch someday (real soon)! The furniture and decor...I would love to have for my house. (6) Indulge in these almond macaroons from Ocean City. They are heaven. (7) Visit and get lost in this beautiful lifestyle shop Bodega in Asbury Park. Michael (who is so sweet and adorable), the owner, has such incredible taste...mixing high with low and old with new. -photo by Jenny Holiday (8) Take a break from the heat with these Italian ices. My all time fave is watermelon but love the new flavors such as cantaloupe, mango and pear! Thank goodness there is a Rita's near me.

Magazines from Across the Pond

As some of you may know, I am a crazy about magazines. It has always been an important part of my research and inspiration since I was a teenager reading Rolling Stone and Vogue. I think it is great that there are electronic options out there but there is something personal to read a magazine non-electronic (I guess I am old school). Here are a few from the UK that I have recently been reading regularly. Fortunately, these are accessible since you can find them in Barnes and Nobles. These magazines have a nice matte finish which is a nice departure from the glossy mags out there.

(1) Making - I like how this craft magazine creates themes. You can order back issues. One of my fave is the one on paper craft and cutting. (2) Mollie Makes - Very fun and exciting for the creative crafter that wants to dabble into all kinds of materials and techniques. Lots of inspirational images. I love the photos and each issue's cover always has a pair of hands holding a craft creation. Plus, they always attach a freebie craft gift. (3) Selvedge - I have seen this around for quite sometime but didn't really pay attention to it on the special new stands I'd visit in NYC. But Kaari from French General who I did a workshop at Tinsel Trading last year got me hooked on it. She was very excited about this mag and wanted to share it with me. It's quite pricey but I love how they show case things. It feels poetic. (4) Jamie - From the famous, charming and "passionate about healthy eating" chef, Jamie Oliver. His mag has been around for a while but what got me hooked was his Italian issue. I loved how the issue covered certain regions in Italy. It felt a bit like a travel issue for foodies. You can get back issues here.