332 : lunch posts

I came across this blog and was completely captivated by its content. The concept is pretty simple (and very creative): everyday since Kindergarten, a father sticks a sticky note to his son's lunch box with a half-completed drawing and a half-written story. These drawings just prove how seriously awesome children and their imaginations can be.

You can check out all the post-its at wandermonster.com

286 : body type

I have no plans of ever getting a tattoo, but I think some of the reasoning behind getting a tattoo can be rather interesting. Being the lover of typography that I am, this book titled, Body Type by Ina Saltz, caught my attention. An entire book (with a Body Type 2) dedicated to typographic tattoos and the reasoning behind each tattoo. I've seen the ampersand done numerous times, and it's a pretty graphic, I'll give them that, but tattooing the name of a typeface on your arm? Now that's just ridiculous.

Check out the website to find out more.

285 : facebook

There's really not a day that goes by that I don't check Facebook. It seems everyone these days has a fb account (even my grandma's cat has one...don't ask). I can connect with people I haven't seen in years and actually put some faces to names, since I have clients I have yet to actually meet in person. It's so easy to stay in touch via posts and pictures. Ah, the internet. Such a wonderful thing.

Hey, go show some dmmh love by "liking" our page.

279 : good fucking design advice

Today I stumbled upon the website, goodfuckingdesignadvice.com. Yes, I know it's kinda harsh, but that is what makes it's funny... its blatant, no nonsense statements related to design (ironically, I got the one above about Comic Sans). And the site is full of advice. Each time you visit the site (or click the button for more advice), you'll be taken to a new statement.

Offended by the use of the f-bomb? You're in luck. There's a family friendly version...

249 : welovetypography.com

When I have the desire (which is often) to look at beautiful typography, I head over to welovetypography.com. A compilation of various images of type from all over the web, this site definitely feeds my need for visual stimulation.

198 : foodgawker.com

I used to cook ALL the time. Now when it comes to dusting off my apron I try to make it a special thing. I scour the web trying to find the perfect recipe to make for the bf. As a visual person, I can't help but be turned off sites who's photography is seriously lacking. It really is true that you eat with your eyes first. So I was super excited to have discovered foodgawker.com. Reminiscent of notcot, the site shows thumbnails and a brief description of various recipes from various different sites.

It'll definitely be my go-to site the next time I break out the pots and pans.

190 : what the font

Ever wonder what font is being used on a campaign? Client need the font matched, but have no clue what it is? I'm sure many of my fellow designers out there can relate. Luckily for us, What the Font comes to the rescue. A website dedicated to identifying fonts, it scans an image you upload and analyzes the sample characters to provide some options for what the font could be. Amazing.

181 : bing

I know what you're thinking...I'm a traitor. Here I am blogging about how Google makes me happy, only to now mention Bing. Well people, I still love me some Google action. But since the bf and I are planning a trip to NY in September, we're looking to get the best deals on airfare. And the hands-down winner of flight amazingness is Bing. Bing checks tons of airlines airfares, lets you compare prices in all the major online travel sites (expedia, travelocity, etc) AND tells you if you should buy tickets or wait, and what confidence percentage they have in that decision.

With the WAIT icon still showing (as it has for weeks), it'll be interesting to find out when they say to buy. And I just discovered that they'll email you alerts. Dude, I'm in love.

179 : jimcarrey.com

Jim Carrey's official website is so amazing, I can't even put it into words. I'm so happy to have stumbled upon it this morning while browsing the internet. The time, imagination and detail that went into making this site just blows my mind. Kudos to Mr. Carrey and Media 65 on a fantastically engaging site.

172 : diy concrete bookends

I came across this today on notcot and LOVE it! It's a diy concrete bookend. So ridiculously simple to make (at least it sounds simple) and so many possibilities for what could be done with it.

Check out The Beat That My Heart Skipped to find out how to make your own.

127 : hulu

I don't watch much tv the conventional way. It seems like it's only when the bf and I are together that we'll sit on the couch in front of the tube.

The majority of the time, all of my tv watching is done at hulu.com. Hulu offers both tv shows, as well as movies (although I never actually see any movies I want to watch on there), all for free. While you could go to each networks website to watch the episodes you missed, hulu offers everything in one place. Miss the last episode of Desperate Housewives? How about Family Guy? Yup. Hulu has you covered.

125 : postsecret

A world of secrets come together at once on the blog Postsecret. While there are many so called "Postsecret" blogs, the original was started by Frank Warren on January 1, 2005. The actual secrets that appear on the blog aren't the part that makes me happy, although some make me burst out loud laughing, its what the blog means to people that makes me happy. Such a unique concept, Warren meant for secrets to bring people together. Even though the submissions are anonymous Warren "claims that the postcards are inspirational to those who read them, have healing powers for those who write them, give hope to people who identify with a stranger's secret, and create an anonymous community of acceptance." Beautiful. I was even so lucky to hear Warren speak at our local Borders in Torrance and bought another book while I was there. Was truly inspired when I left.

121 : notcot.org

Whenever I'm feeling the need for some visual eye candy (which is often) I check out notcot.org. It's a website for "ideas + aesthetics + amusement" and boy is it. Updated various times daily, the site currently features over 30,000 different items. From product design and painting, to exhibit graphics and concept design, I can no longer imagine life without a notcot fix. Yes, I am addicted.

Also part of their site, for all you fashionista's out there, notcouture, and we definitely have to mention, liqurious...an alcoholics dream...which currently tops at 96 pages of amazing photos of booze.

119 : jamba juice

My newest food obsession is steel-cut oatmeal from Jamba Juice. That and a chai latte is just the right start to a Saturday morning. What's more, is that while I'm waiting for my order I get to glance around at all the nice design Jamba Juice has to offer. I love the latest posters & signage with the hand drawn fonts, painted edge textures and bursts of color.

Their website carries over the same hand drawn look with some nice flash animations. Love it.

116 : surprises

I've been a bit obsessed with scouring Etsy lately. My objects of desire: vintage ampersands. In the past few weeks I've found a variety of new additions: a plaster one from the 40's that was originally used to spell out movie titles, old wooden and metal letterpress blocks, an oxidized stencil from the 40s, and today I received my latest...a zinc ampersand that was originally part of some sort of signage.

When I opened the envelope, I saw a little bag of goodies in addition to my purchase.

This amazing package was full of all this:

From old playing cards, to dictionary pages and a torn music sheet...there's even a page from a ledger from April 1920. Forget the ampersand (just for a minute, of course) this is what brought the smile to my face.

She even put in my initials. Someone else who gets that it's all in the details.

 You can get your own package of goodies by visiting her store on Etsy, Panache Paper Goods.

 Thanks, Debra. You made my day.

114 : kapitza

Years ago, while looking through an issue of Communication Arts we landed upon a beautiful little font from kapitza.  In '07 we purchased "Blossomy" and "Victoria Park" and still after a little over 3 years I'll check back and see what new font they've come up with.

They have a passion for what they do and it shows. The graphic shapes, beautiful colors, and detailed silhouette fonts are exquisite. You can even purchase some of the image fonts as stickers to place on your wall. Lovely.

109 : etsy

If you love handmade items (art, jewelry, soaps, clothing, etc) or things vintage, you must check out etsy.com. It's full of independent "shops" were anyone can sell their handmade or vintage goods. A friend even sent us a delish sampler box from Whimsy & Spice that she found on the site. Yum.

I've found some amazing things there myself...and check it daily, in order to grow my current obsession of collecting ampersands.

It truly is addicting once you start browsing through. You won't find many of these items at your local store, and it's nice to know you're helping other small business owners in the process.

One day I may even revive my old jewelry making skills and set up shop on etsy. We'll see.

102 : fauna pet

It's great when you work with clients that you truly love. Take Renee at Fauna/Knotty Girl for example. She can make me laugh so hard I almost pee in my pants. She's one of the funniest people I have ever met. We redesigned her website for young/teen girls bath products, Knotty Girl, and then the following year, worked with her on the redesign of her line of bath products for pets, Fauna. During the course of working with her she sent us tons of samples; both from Knotty Girl and Fauna. And while I love love love the Drama Queen Marshmallow shampoo and conditioner, I am head over heals for her Fauna Shampoos. 

We've already established that Gizzy is hardcore spoiled. I only want the best for him...food, treats, toys, and of course, bath products. Fauna shampoos make what little fur he has so soft and silky. Plus, he smells so good afterward. You'd be silly to wash your pet with anything other than Fauna. Seriously. We're not just saying that because she's our client. It really is that amazing.

Oh, and look who's Mr. October <3

86 : fmylife

Ever have one of those days when you feel crappy, and wonder if things could get any worse? Well, check out fmylife.com and see that yes, things can in fact be much, much worse.

One of our guilty pleasures involves the occasional browsing on fmylife. A website where anyone and everyone can post embarrassing, shocking and sometimes down-right disgusting "events" (we use this term loosely, as we don't really know if all these stories have actually happened). Each post starts with "Today..." and ends with "FML".

Whenever we need a good laugh, or to remind ourselves that what we're currently dealing with, just isn't that bad, you know where we come.

Here are some of the top posts of all time... Let's just say, we're glad none of these happened to us.

54 : kitchen nightmares

Lately, if you catch us at the office after hours, we're doing one of two things: watching a movie, or watching Kitchen Nightmares online. There is just something oh-so-entertaining about watching Gordon attempt to turn around failing restaurants by telling it like it is. 

With 26 full episodes currently on FOX, we'll give you one guess what we'll be doing tonight?