This past summer while I was in the Bahamas I came across this fun t-shirt and souvenir shop called Pirana Joe’s. I loved the detail in their packaging and t-shirt tags. It was very unique and well branded.

I was recently at REI prior to a camping trip and I had a great appreciation for the design of the door handles which are ice picks. I thought it was very appropriate for this outdoors store. The first time I remember seeing such a thing was years ago at Commerce Banks with their logo being the door handles.

I was recently at Dylan’s Candy Bar which is reminiscent of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. It contains three floors of sweet treats and magical goodness. Dylan’s was created and owned by Dylan Lauren the daughter of designer Ralph Lauren. I love how the wall of the check out counter utilizes jumbo size candy such as gumballs, runts and sweedish fish.

I am a part of the AIGA’s Mentor Program and I was recently with my mentee, Jennifer and we discovered Sur la table. This store is both a chefs and bakers dream. It has everything you can think of from cake pans to kitchen linens. I love the details of their branding like the above photo with the door handles being a fork and spoon and their tag line “The Art and Soul of Cooking.”

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 running errands in the city and passed Print Icon one of my favorite paper and stationery stores. What made me stop and look in their window was the bright colored rolled up paper that formed flowers on this corrugated like board. The idea behind the wishboard is to write a a wish on the paper roll it up and place in the wishboard. What is unique is that you can use a variety of colors and form shapes and objects with the colored paper.

On my way to Luzzo’s I saw this store Surprise! Surprise. I wondered what this store was all about. I never heard of this store. It is located in East Village on 91 3rd Avenue. Surprise! Surprise! is a home goods store packed with all kinds of random things from small appliances, furniture, dishes to paperwares. Definitely check it out in the area!

In the past few years I’ve noticed a lot of retail stores like Borders making recommendations to their consumers based on their interests/previous purchases. This is a unique way to engage consumers on a personal level. You see this more online at sites like Amazon. I think it is a good idea to do this in stores as well.

I came across these Whateverittakes.org bags at Urban Girl Accessories in San Diego. Whateverittakes.org gathers art works from all leaders in a variety of fields. Each ambassador donates a symbol of hope, a self portrait and a message of hope for the future. From wristbands to clothing, from tableware to cosmetics and footwear, each product is ethically produced and sold to raise funds for charitable causes chosen by each contributing leader.

I stumbled upon Babette Schwartz while in San Diego. Everything in this store was well designed or comical. They carried all sorts of items from knockknock.biz, fun tee shirts, unique stationery and Barack Obama dolls. This store was definitely a favorite of mine. Their website does not do this store justice. If you are ever in the area please go check it out.