lorena barrezueta bakeware

I love to bake.  That is no surprise to those of you who know me.  I have a cookbook collection that has been growing larger by the year, that I will one day take with me when I move out of my mother’s house.  What I don’t have is a set of bakeware to call my own.  Over the past couple years of taking baking lessons, I have picked up a cake pan here or a loaf tin there and love the non-stick, metal bakeware.  However, I would not say that this functional bakeware is at all pretty. 

Wait till you see Lorena Barrezueta ‘s colourful, bold, Gourmet Collection.  You’ll want one of everything.  I sure do!

Artist Note:  Lorena Barrezueta is a New York (Brooklyn) based artist who earned a BFA in Product Design from the Parsons School of Design.   Lorena’s porcelain dishware are cast from aluminum takeout containers and can be purchased online from the Curiosity Shoppe here.

via funky finds

via luxist

via design alphabet

via olive bunny

Sweet Treat Round Up

I have been making mental notes of new (that is, new to me) and notable sweet treats that I think deserve a prominent space at an event, as a host/hostess gift or just for pure indulgence.  

First up, Twisted Sisters by sisters, Missy and Jill are the two enterprising women behind the Toronto based gourmet pretzel company.  They offer four products with lots of variations including twisted apples, marshmallows, pop’ems (pretzel sticks) and of course regular pretzels dipped in chocolate, candies and more.  I have done chocolate dipped pretzels at a wedding, they were packaged in two’s for guests to share and they turned out to be a hit.  I will definitely keep Twisted Sisters in mind for my next salty/sweet table!

via food and drink magazine

Next up is More Cupcakes from Chicago.  Move over pastry chefs, owner Patty Rothman is a cupcake curator!   Patty designs cupcake creations using high quality ingredients.  To me, More Cupcakes look sophisticated and are a far departure from “grandmas kitchen” cupcakes.  For a sophisticated dinner party, More Cupcakes (sadly only in the US) would make a great after dinner indulgence. 

via jtwoo

via chicago bites

Lastly, Suite 88 in Montreal ranks high on my list of sweet treats that are not to be overlooked.  Their modern chocolates are complemented by the equally modern, minimalist interior design of their two boutiques in the city.  If you happen to be in Montreal and can stop by Suite 88, in addition to purchasing chocolates, you can relax in store and taste their amazing waffles, gelato, chocolate bars and rich hot chocolate.

via suite 88

via suite 88

entrepreneurial art

I have been noticing more and more talk on the integration of art, design and business;  the marriage of right and left brain, yin and yang, arts degrees and business degrees, together to produce more value out of the sum of the parts.  The increasing support, awareness and talk over integration of design and business makes me happy because I subscribe to this way of thinking whole heartedly.  I am the arts degree and the business degree in one.  I grew up performing on stage, playing musical instruments, taking art lessons and doing other crafty things but I also have an interest in business and work in real estate.  Are the two things so at odds with each other?  I don’t think so.  

To learn more about my own philosophy,  I started reading up on these two unlikely opposites and ended up studying a business case on the design firm, IDEO and their practice of ethnographic research in solving business problems.  I think IDEO is a great example of a company that “gets it.”  IDEO created an entire company (very successful- that was later purchased by office furniture company, Steelcase) on the marriage of design and business and countless products have been born out of this integration.  Fast forward to this year, the Dean of Rotman Business School in Toronto, Roger Martin published a book that I read called the Design of Business which discussed the value of attacking problems through an integration of design and business philosophies.  Finally, the other day while reading the blog, Out of the Way, I saw a piece of art that caught my attention. Artist/entrepreneur/blogger/cartoonist, Hugh MacLeod, produces great pieces of work that I find are representative of the marriage of design + business.  For an interview and to learn more about Hugh MacLeod click here.  Hugh also published a book called “Ignore Everybody”  on how to unlock your own creativity and brilliance and unleash it on the world. For the events/entertaining industry where the pressure to be innovative, new and relevant is ever more pressing, Hugh is a great source of wisdom and inspiration for us all.  His book is already on my library list and look forward to reading more about his opinions and experience.  But for now- you can appreciate his art! 

via gaping void

via gaping void

via gaping void

chocolate pencils

With Valentine’s Day behind us, I am sure everyone is looking for a way to do some chocolate detoxing.  I respect that but just have to share a fabulous chocolate-meets design product from Japan.  The product is called chocolate pencils and are the product stemming from a collaboration between design firm Nendo and patissier Tsujiguchi Hironobu (from Mont St. Clair and Le Chocolat de H).  Toronto born Oki Sato is the designer behind Nendo and as his website states, Nendo is in the business of bringing “!” moments alive.  (Giving people small “!” moments).  The chocolate pencils are a great example of a small “!” as it is both functional as a means to shave chocolate on dessert and whimsical in its design.  The pencils come in different blends of chocolate varying in intensity and come with a special pencil sharpener to assist users shave chocolate as they please to decorate sweets.

via nendo

via nendo

new online mag: nonpareil

There is a new online magazine that hit the web not too long (only one issue has been released at the time of writing) ago called Nonpareil.  The magazine came to market thanks to Maddy Hague (Inspired Bride) and Kristen Magee (Paper Crave).  Nonpareil is an excellent resource for brides and entertaining enthusiasts alike.  It comes with downloads, tutorials, lots of spiffy pictures and idea-inspiring layouts.  Martha Stewart may have some well deserved competition from these two!  Best of luck Nonpareil!

via erin vale design

valentines day art

What a sweet little piece of art for Valentines Day to give to someone you love.  I found the first picture on Moderne Press. and dug around to find  source of these hearts are from artist, Sarah and Bendrix whose work can be found on Etsy.

via moderne press photo by sarah and bendrix on etsy

via sarah and bendrix on etsy

via sarah and bendrix on etsy