Excellent Fun: www.polyvore.com

I love the site I just came across. You can make your own collage in real time with fashion pieces and accessories. As you add to your collage, the website info associated pieces you have chosen is displayed for you. VERY cool.

Fun design in PINK

www.chieki.com

LofD: What was the most challenging aspect to launching your own product?
Ambrea creator of CHIEKI: “Overcoming the fear of the unknown; While I knew in my heart that I could do it, Its still a very powerful debilitation. The day I let go of that fear was both liberating and productive; I celebrated by submitting my patent application and my husband, Tim, took me out to a wonderful steak dinner!”

LofD: What was the first step you took while developing your product?
Ambrea creator of CHIEKI: “Because my company focuses on providing a product that fills a need, I looked for what was missing in the foundation industry. It’s a challenge looking for something that isn’t there, but very rewarding when you find it!”

LofD: Your Chieki tubes are pretty and functional, what did you look at that may have inspired you while creating your design?
Ambrea creator of CHIEKI: The female figure is absolutely beautiful by nature, so I take in allot of nature while I design; Beauty is all around us, yet subtle; and more often than not, less is simply best.”

LofD: Did you have any fears about starting your own business and if so, can you share how you overcame those fears?
Ambrea creator of CHIEKI: “Oh, absolutely! The best way I overcame the fear of starting my own business was by making myself more informed. Ignorance is very scary, so I try to learn whatever I can from people and sources whom I trust.”

LofD: Did you experience anything unexpected along your journey to launch the Chieki tube?
Ambrea creator of CHIEKI: “The support of my in-laws! Actually, I’m blessed because my entire family has been very excited for me. It always seems when I need it most, I’ll get a phone call or text with some encouraging words.”

LofD: What is the most exciting thing about running an online business?
Ambrea creator of CHIEKI: “ Being able to share my Trimwear Couture with people all around the world! It’s wonderful to know that women everywhere can enjoy my products.”

LofD: Where did the name Chieki come from?
Ambrea creator of CHIEKI: “It’s such a fun word! I wanted a name brand that would reflect my company: Innovative, fun and feminine; So, I simply started scrambling letters. When I came to the creation of ‘Chieki’ it evoked all the feelings I had inside and I fell in love with it.”

To see more about Chieki please visit the website: www.chieki.com

Leggings. The magic kind.

From left to right: RM by Roland Mouret ~ NET-A-PORTER.COM Kova & T at REVOLVE clothng.com and SIWY at Shopbop.com

Tennis balls

Ralph Lauren on Madison. (map)

Blue on Blue

How I wish I had taken a better photo of this window I spotted in the GK1 shopping area of Delhi India. I love the blue on blue, the window feels like a painting. Dreamy.

Neat.

aplusrstore.com, really great design and creative use of materials.

No one does it better. ABC Carpet and Home.

ABC Carpet and Home is a beautiful space. (map) The window displays only give you a taste of how amazing the store really feels on the inside. The current theme for the window displays is water.

Beautiful shapes and Sexy foils.

Let's call this shameless promotion. This blog is about the inspirations we enjoy at phrizbie-design, sometimes those inspirations come from within. I was just putting together a package of samples for custom shaped cards when I thought, I really love what we do with the customized shapes and foils, I have never had a single person who ordered this type of unique work give anything but great feedback. Here are some that we have created recently, if you would like to check out more about what we create, check out this page on our website. phrizbie-design.com/custom_shape_card_designs.html

BRIGHT!

I love anything bright and happy. What a fantastic contrast to the cool toned streets of NYC.

Fun nightlites!

www.wakeupfrankie.com what a fun site, especially for decorating a girls room. I love these nightlites.

What are we in love with today?

Shoes. Pink ones. Thank you Christian Louboutin for making my day.

Hello Kitty never loses her cute. I just came across these great desktops. If you are like me and a collector of Miss Kitty's image, you will NEED these treats. See more at wallcoo.net

PINUP swim!

At phrizbie-design.com we have some of the best clients and the coolest opportunities. One of the "looks" we are known for is working with retro pin up girl images. If you want to dress up in your own pinup look, check this site out unique-vintage.com. SUPER CUTE suit designs for your inner pinup self.

No Thanks, Mr. Announcer Man.

A recent trend I’ve noticed in the voice-over industry is the lack of need for the announcer-style voice. It seems that right now, particularly in advertising, a much more conversational voice is being sought after. Unless it’s the hard-sell vehicle pitch, most advertisers are realizing that consumers prefer to be sold to by an old friend, so to speak-someone who’s been there and can advise them about what they should do, not preach to them in a type of Zeus-like voice. This is where some real acting comes into play. In order to feel the part I’m playing in a voice-over roll (and to avoid going into my announcer-style voice) it’s not uncommon for me to really start physically acting out the character I’m playing behind the microphone, even just in the slightest way. Yes, it sounds a bit silly and trust me, it can be! But who cares? Isn’t having fun with this one of the best parts of the job anyway? So yes, I’m often found making really strange faces to go along with what I’m saying or how I’m saying it because let’s face it-this really is acting without the camera (which can require even more skills to convey your message and affect your audience without the visual aid-but that’s for another blog!) In summary, unless directed to bring out the commanding announcer in you, leave it on the back burner for now. Until next time…

~Tanya~
www.tanyamcgill.com

DESIGN element ~ the cameo.

Cameo images originally appeared crafted in shell and glass as decorative objects enjoyed by both Greek and Roman civilizations. These delicate carvings were coveted, collected and commissioned by the wealthy and powerful. Emperors, presidents and beautiful women graced and inspired the production of these objects during it's many fashionable revivals. Today, the essence of the cameo is available in plastic, paper and even deliciously decorated food. Above are some of the coolest cameos around.

“Hey, That’s My Organ!”

Who the heck am I and why am I writing as a sound specialist on this splendiferous “Ladies of Design” site, you ask? Well, that’s an excellent question. Here’s my best at answering it for you: The Ladies of Design certainly aren’t only concerned with the visual look and feel of any given work of art-no, no, no! These chics are design mavens inside and out, meaning they savor design through and through in all forms: sight, smell, taste, touch and sound. And this is where I enter the picture. Ever since my earliest memories, sound was the sense that moved me the most. I remember my grandmother giving me a small organ to play when I was about five years old. That organ was my pride and joy; I loved that thing! I didn’t know how to play it properly, but I played it like crazy nonetheless. At one point I remember a family member my age rudely attempting to take it away from me so they could have it at their house for their own evil doing and they somehow got one of my aunts or uncles involved and coerced into thinking this was a good idea, too. Were they crazy? Were pigs flying? Let me tell you now that I was having none of this. I ran around the house screaming at the top of my lungs as they tried locating the plug so they could disconnect it & move it out to their car, “Hey, that’s my organ! That’s my organ!” Thank goodness for mothers who recognize a child in need. My mom thankfully stepped in, saving my organ from certain doom and future neglect. Hence, my love affair with music and all things sound related continued. I’ve studied many different instruments (the recorder, clarinet and tympani drums to name a few-hey, don’t laugh about the recorder! It’s a serious instrument, you guys!) but I do believe my absolute favorite instrument is the one I carry with me each day, everywhere I go: my voice. Sound fascinates me and I adore the way it feels (quite literally.) Sure, I’ve had some professional vocal and voice-over training and all that, but the best thing my gurus have taught me was to teach myself and learn from everything around me. The world and everything in it is constantly giving us information in all kinds of amazing forms; it is us who decide whether to be open enough to perceive it and learn from it or not. With that, I thank you for taking precious time to read my blog today and I invite you to read my future blogs should the beauty of sound be something that twinkles your fancy as it has mine for so many years.
photo: Adam Gallagher