Cocktails & Chic Boutiques

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Which came first, the Lil' Chick or the Bee?

Our friends at Lil' Chick are ever exploring new ventures. The most recent of which is bees. Lil' Chick has put out a fantastic all natural and hand-made chapstick, available at Lil'Chick's Etsy shop, perfect for the cold months ahead. Following in the bee theme, Lil' Chick asked us to create a new label for future plans of creating their own honey. We were buzzing with excitement to continue developing their brand.

The evolution of Lil' Chick has reached into many divergent services and products. Its important to support the continuity of identity. SMMS realized this early in the process and built-in elements within the design to manipulate as Lil' Chick changes and grows.

Culture in the City

So how did you spend your summer? You may have noticed that SMMS took a summer break and filled our days with sun, surf, beach and the Brooklyn Flea. We also managed to get in a bit of culture and art. Here are some of our favorite picks of amazing art and design, so go check them out before they're gone.

MoMA: Applied Design till January 20, 2014

"There are still people who think that design is just about making things, people, and places pretty. In truth, design has spread to almost every facet of human activity, from science and education to politics and policymaking, for a simple reason: one of design’s most fundamental tasks is to help people respond to change."

 Guggenheim: James Turrell till Sept 25, 2013

"James Turrell’s first exhibition in a New York museum since 1980 focuses on the artist’s groundbreaking explorations of perception, light, color, and space, with a special focus on the role of site specificity in his practice. At its core is Aten Reign (2013), a major new project that recasts the Guggenheim rotunda as an enormous volume filled with shifting artificial and natural light."

Cocktails and Couture

This past Saturday I attended COCKTAILS & COUTURE: a Designer and Vintage Style Event, hosted in the Varick Room at Tribeca Cinemas. The event was full of amazing fashion, timeless vintage, fantastically friendly designers and yummy drinks while a live DJ filled the room with amazing music.

Check out some of the amazing Designers featured at the event. They all brought truly inspired and lovely pieces. I walked out of there with my new favorite vintage brass triangle bracelet for $6. I saw a similar one at Anthropoli-something for a whole lot more. I feel good about supporting a local designer and vintage supplier.

BUISandWHISTLES / Syd & Pia NYC / BC Design by DG / Visantine Collective

Palate, Palette, and Pallet Gardens

The weather's warm and the sun is shining, get outdoors and start that garden you always wanted. A Pallet Garden is inexpensive and a great up-cycle project. If you have limited space, a Pallet Garden allows you to go vertical with your planting.

This video is simple to follow and will help you get started on your Pallet Garden:

Now get going and get creative. Here are some amazing Pallet Gardens to inspire your green thumb. Feed your palate by planting edibles and feed your eyes by planting a palette of colors.

Four Walls and a Bunch of New Ideas

Put away the painter's tape, rollers and trays because its a mess and so last year. Anyone who knows me, knows I Hate (with a purposeful capital 'H') painting! So I'm always on the hunt for great ways to transform walls with big impact and without the headache of time consuming painting. Here are a few of my favorite wall finishes.

TEMPAPER

Imagine Tempaper like a really big sticker, its that simple to install. To take it off, peel up the corner and let 'er rip. Doesn't get easier then that. Ps- Tempaper works on any flat surface, so get covering.

GRAHAM & BROWN

Get up close and personal with your wallpaper. Frames by Graham & Brown is completely interactive and can be whatever you want it to be: scrapbook of memories, color by numbers, workspace inspiration board

THE PAINTED HOUSE

Ok, get the roller and tray back out. This is probably the only time I'd put the 'H' away and say Love this technique. Perhaps its because with the patterned roller in just one coat you get this fantastic effect! My suggestion, don't just stop with your walls... let that roller roll, over furniture, frames, wrapping paper...

Clerkenwell Design Week

Last week in London, May 21-23, was the annual Clerkenwell Design Week. Showrooms throughout Clerkenwell were opened for tours, hosted talks and activities. The Farmiloe Building was the main hub, exhibitors ranged from furnishings and finishes to accessories and lighting. Emerging designers were found at the House of Detention while the Order of St. John was the location to find design luxury.

In my opinion, those exhibitors who utilized the unique qualities of each location were the most successful in displaying an exceptional product. The product theme which most caught my eye was LIGHTING.

FARMILOE
 

Foscarini / Holloways of Ludlows / Workhouse / Luminosity

HOUSE of DETENTION
 

Donna Bates / Fred & Juul / Philippe Malouin for W Hotels / Fellicia

ORDER of ST. JOHN
 

Ochre / Louis Henri