I was recently at Target and came across Giada De Laurentiis‘ new cookware and specialty food line with Target. The product line was designed affordably for everyday cooking while maintaining both great product and graphic design. I loved the pasta packaging design it simple yet fun in color and type choices reflecting Giada’s brand.

I was in Bethlehem, PA visiting a friend and we went to this wonderful Christmas market full of crafts, artwork and decorations. I came across Georgie LeHoop who painted with drumsticks. Yes…Drum sticks that you play the drums with.
His work was very unique and on canvases as well as t-shirts.

With the holiday in mind I recently strolled through Columbus Circle’s holiday market and came across the booth for The Walking Art that literally had amazing works of art. This vendor had paintings with photographs and objects collaged on top of the, photo collages, and etchings just to name a few of the unique work of a variety of artists. I purchased some art for myself and as gifts. I really loved their work!

December 28th also known as Good Riddance Day was formed by the Times Square Alliance and  has been day for New Yorkers and tourists to shred their bad memories of the prior year.  There is a huge shredder in New York’s Time Square where people come to shred all their bad memories, bills and any other negative in the form of paper in order to have fresh start to the new year!

photo via WPIX

You’ve Got Mail! That was the sound of  first days of the internet for me. AOL has now taken their brand to the next level. A more creative everyday feel has been incorporated into their new look. It almost gives off an MTV vibe. It should be exciting to see what happens with AOL’s rebranding. The rebranding was done by Wolff Olins.

I came across a sort of The Degenerate Craft Fair via Art Bistro. The Degenerate Craft Fair is an anti-art-fair featuring over 20 artists and designers. Just in time for holiday shopping, it will take place in the first three weekends of December at three different locations, and feature works of art generally priced under $50.

Dates and Locations:

December 4th — 8pm – 12am
Silent Barn, Ridgewood

December 13th — 12pm – 10pm
December 14th — 12pm – 8pm
303 Grand Street, Williamsburg

December 18th 12pm – 9pm
December 19th 12pm – 6pm
BravinLee programs, Chelsea

This is something I am definitely going to check out!

AIGA’s 50 Books/50 Covers opens of Thursday, December 10, 2009 and will be
up until February 19, 2010.This exhibition showcases selections from the “AIGA 50 Books/50 Covers of 2008”competition, which aims to identify the best-designed books and book covers published in 2008.

via AIGA

With the holidays approaching this is a great gift idea! This well designed, humorous knife block will definitely look beautiful on any kitchen counter top. Designed by Raffaele Lannello the man knife holder comes complete with five quality stainless steel knives included and is avaliable in red, black, pink, white, chrome or gold effect finishes. The Ex Voodo Knife Block will definitely be a conversation starter. This can be purchased in the US at Amazon.com and other online stores.

Tim Burton’s exhibit at MoMA will open on November 22, 2009 and will be up until April 26, 2010. This exhibition will display Burton’s career of a film director, producer, writer and artist through a variety of mediums: drawings, paintings, storyboards, puppets and maquettes, and sketchbooks to name a few.

I’ll never forget the business card scene in American Psycho. This was probably the best part of the movie. A group of business men discussing the printing effects and design of their business cards. Now why doesn’t this happen in real life?