PRESENT & CORRECT

I'm so in love with everything from Present & Correct that I had to show you everything! I'm infatuated with this concept of designers-turned-online shop keepers. They style their photos in such a clever way. Lots of people are doing it, but P&C's style gets an A+!

HOT TYPE PART DEUX

If you read my blog on a somewhat regular basis, you know that I am a sucker for found type. Take anything that has a decent typeface on it, repurpose it and I am sold. Check out this super portable BBQ from Delight.com for on-the-go summertime action. So many places to Q it up!

TILT TYPE

Tilt, 2006

Check out the work of Polish artist Paulina Olowska. I love how she incorporates image and type in a sophsiticated, yet still collage-y way.

More slides at artkrush.

Soviet Life, 2006

FRIDAY GOODNESS

This Memorial Day Weekend, celebrate like this German sunbather— in absolute style!

CHIC BIKES

from Velovotee

I am a chick in heels most days of the week. If you dress on the fashionable side, fast/intense bicycle riding is not an easy option in heels or a suit. Still, everyday cycling for transportation has been around since the invention of the bicycle. Stylish cycling is seeing a revival on the streets— and online.

With a bike, you can still be all about style. Don’t feel like your only option is that beat up old mountain bike you inherited from your last roommate. A lovely coaster/city bike can save a fashionista!

The best way to buy a bike is always a test ride, but you can find your bike online by knowing the type of bike that will suit you. When buying a bike, you’ll need to assess the kind of ride you’ll take most. Does your city have hills? Do you dare to ride them? Do you prefer a men’s or a women’s frame? You don’t have to stick to a particular style of bike; many women prefer to ride “men’s” bikes. Still, a step-through frame might help you if you plan on riding with a skirt. Also, know the size of frame you will need for a comfortable ride. Either way, the key to avid cycling is to love your bike!

City and coaster bikes come in fixed, single and multiple speeds, so choose what fits your riding style best. Do you want a fast ride or more of a coast? If you need speed, go with the sportier road and track styles. If you like a mellow ride, coaster bikes offer a laid back, comfortable seating position and ride. Coasters are best for flat areas as their heavier and upright style makes steep inclines more difficult, but not completely impossible. Most new coasters come with a Shimano set up with either manual or auto shifting. Check out Shimano’s coasting.com for more auto shift information.

Now that we have the practical issues out of the way, cycles that are either European or have European styling are definitely the chic-est. Customize your bike with a sweet bell and basket (for your purse, naturally). A new coaster can come with the smooth ride of a brand new bike, but with the styling of a vintage model. Here are a few chic options.

SPORTY SIDE

Specialized Langster Seattle, $740
This Velodrome/ fixed- gear road bike is a speed demon. The fenders will keep you dry on a rainy day and the sporty flat handlebars scream racing style.


Sweet Pea, custom, about $3500
Sweet Pea, a Portland-based company, builds custom bikes for women. This is a great option of you feel like bikes never quite fit you. Dress up your bike for the commute with vintage inspired parts like wood fenders and a classic Brooks saddle.

COASTY SIDE


Bobbin Bicycles, various styles, from $1500 to $2500
For an authentic European bike, check out Bobbin. There are too many frames to choose from… which is a good thing. Bobbin is a UK-based company, but has limited distribution in the US. These cycles are highly detailed with fine pin-striping, fenders, racks, and more. Available in the US at dutchbikeseattle.com.




Schwinn Sid and Nancy, $499
Named for the notorious punk rock couple, the Sid and Nancy are the ultimate in retro, but new, cycles. Design geeks rejoice in the vintage typography and classic styling.

my pretty lil Pake

Pake Urban, $350
Check out this Pake coaster step-through. It’s a super stylish but functional town/urban bike with a low price point. With 6-speeds, fenders, a chain guard, and a bell, it has all you need for chic cycling.


Electra Amsterdam, $549
The Amsterdam is a sweet ride with a nod to Dutch bike design. Available in an ever-expanding array of colors.

Bianchi Milano Café Racer, from $499 to $699
With four different sizes, the Bianchi Milano is a functional and comfortable ride. The sporty Milano is available in 3 and 8 speeds.


Raleigh Coasting, $500
Boasting automatic Shimano shifters, this bike recognizes slight grades and will shift gears accordingly. The front luggage rack does not accommodate as much booty as a rear rack, but it is still a great way to fit in more cargo under a basket.

Retrovelo, various styles, from $2000 to $2500
A German cycle-maker known for their “balloon racers,” Retrovelo bikes really stand out from the crowd. The slender frame, yet fatter tires, offer a rugged city ride. Retrovelo’s bikes come in great color combinations like this pink and cream number. Available in the US at clevercycles.com.


If you are more of a DIY type, search for a vintage bike online and really make it your own with fresh paint, components and accessories.


DIY diva Callie Watts over at Bust magazine did a fantastic story on how to pimp your ride! (Grab the PDF instructions from me by emailing sara@designporvida.com)


Chanel, $12,000 available in boutiques only.
For the loaded fashionista, Chanel released a bike complete with quilting and double c logo detailing. Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2008 bike celebrates the heritage of the house, which is steeped in Coco Chanel's love of sport.


Best of all cycling is social! Get into the Cycle Chic culture! Here’s a list of my favorite places online:
http://cyclechic.co.uk
http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/search/label/Bicycles
http://ridingpretty.blogspot.com/
http://www.copenhagengirlsonbikes.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/velocouture/pool/
http://www.copenhagenize.com/
http://chiccyclist.blogspot.com/
http://velovogue.blogspot.com/


Since I am a contributing writer to Coolhunting, I re-purposed a version of this story here.

Thanks to my girl Caroline for the shot!

Bikes are so chic and fun to ride. I even ride out to bars with my friends! Spandex not required.

CHANEL VW

Such a sweet ride! Cartype showcases typography used on vintage buses. Tons of inspiration!

I wish I knew more of the story of this van. I googled "chanel van vw" but to no avail. I want to know when this van was in use... Where did it drive? Was it used for promotions? It looks like the van was used in Germany from the word "kosmetik." If anyone knows more about this little gem on wheels, I'd love to hear about it!

VIA Cartype

IN THE SWEET BYE & BYE

from Memo Pisa el Lodo

One of my fav artists is Margaret Kilgallen. Her work is is warm and ironic, infused with hand painted type and endearing characters. Of course all of her work on a flat plane is amazing. Details compound upon details, often with a slightly sinister undertone.

What really got me, tough, was her type installations. Words become larger than life, still friendly enough to sleep under.

from Deitch Projects

mystery type

K, I know this is a humanist serif, but what is this typeface?
(ps. I know the scan is terrible. I didn't do it!) This is driving me insane that I don't know it!

looks like it is from ELLE decor:
(see "it's spring!")

UPDATE: looks like Mikey over at Typophile figured it! All the design geeks over at QBN tried too! It is super easy to get caught up in those threads. Then again, I'm a type dork too.

BROCADE BLOG

The people behind Brocade Home have a new-ish blog. Clearly, they are inspired by beautiful, and even functional design.

from artist joris laarman

from gamplusfratesi

RE:MAKE

Check out this sweet project from my friends over at MAKE: how to repurpose all of your old plastic bags into a messenger bag. I worked with these guys a few years ago on illustrations and design for MAKE, and I art directed the launch issue of their sister publication, CRAFT.

TYPE IS HOT

Check out this video of pop up type...

BIKE CHIC

Super swanky Chanel bike.

I have been an on-and-off bike rider all of my life. About three years ago I got back into it with my 80's TREK roadbike. It is teal with fuchsia grips. Awesome.

There was something I disliked about it though... By nature, a roadbike makes you want to go fast. Perfect for city riding and dodging cars. And the HILLS in San Francisco! Shout out to all my fixed gear riding girls, but it is just not for me! I am pretty girly, so on most days, fast/intense riding is not an option unless I am riding for fitness. This is where my lovely cruiser comes in...

My black Pake step-thru with a wicker basket meets all of my girly bike needs. I can ride it wearing a skirt and throw my purse in the basket up front. It is so chic and fun to ride. I even ride it out to bars with my friends!

I just found this awesome blog from the UK all about chic riding. My buddies over at PSFK just did a story on it too...

Here is a shot I grabbed from the Pake site of my lil one. If only I could fit my dog in the basket!

BEEN BUSY

I recently became a contributor to coolhunting.com! Love the exposure! Thanks to Ami and Josh for the opportunity.

THE DAVID

David Shrigley has been a fav for a while. Drawing wry observations about everyday life, he depicts a rough, sketchy infographic style. Some of his pieces seem to be pages torn straight from a journal of spontaneous prose.

He just published a new book with Chronicle, and the title is so funny, you have to click here.

REGALIA

I’ve been traversing the scary world of taking up a new hobby. While knitting is useful, I’m not so good at it. How can I concentrate on a computer screen for 3 hours straight without getting up– while sitting down to knit I get cagey and frustrated after 20 minutes? Who knows. Still, the crafty, detaily hum of needlepoint has been more appealing. Right now I’m making an art deco monogram. I googled fashion patch, or something like that, and found this awesome crown. I am going to scour the craft books for new patterns. This new thing– for me– also reminds me of the piece I designed at Craft. We profiled Jenny Hart, her work is amaze. Check it out at Sublime Stitching.

OBSESSED

by Mette Løber

by Julia Rothman

I am obsessed with wallpaper... always have been. Even as a little girl, I used to stare into the pretty scenes on the wall. And want to draw all over them. Check out wallcollection.com. They print wide-scale pieces as wallpaper. Don't frame your art– paste it!

THIRST

I'd feel way-chic drinking from these little canettes from Perrier. What a great way to evoke the brand's roots with a Frenchie looking girl in a hat, a modern flora pattern and an unexpected green tiger. 

(PS. Not a fan of much of their design, especially the illos on their website.)

ANTI ANOREX

The Phillipine news site Inquirer reports:
The French fashion industry on Wednesday signed a charter to promote healthy body images among ultra-skinny models in magazine ads and on the catwalks of Paris, the world's fashion capital.

After more than a year of talks, officials from fashion houses, advertising firms and media outlets joined Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot to ink the voluntary charter, joining a worldwide drive to combat anorexia.

The charter outlines a series of guidelines but falls short of imposing restrictions, as is the case in Spain which has set a minimum body mass index of 18 for catwalk models.

This translates to a minimum weight of 56 kilos (123 pounds) for a height of 1.75 meters (5.74 feet).

French fashion supremos committed to a series of "positive actions" to promote healthy body images, mostly through awareness-raising and information sharing.

Signatories pledged to refrain from using "images of people, in particular youth, that could contribute to promoting a model of extreme thinness."

more...

NYT article here...

FINDING ASIA

At the end of last year, I went to Hong Kong for work. This photo shows off the city's gorgeousness. I wish I could have stayed longer.

At luxuryculture.com, they've assembled chic city guides. The site is definitely for people with deep pockets; but is well-edited by Yaffa Assouline, a publisher of elegant books.