Mallard Tea

How awesome are these cups?

and bags...and tins....

          I know this cute little company has been around for some time, but as I'm researching for pattern inspiration for some posters I can't help but find myself responding to the design aesthetic of this little boutique tea shop. I love everything about these designs! The color palette, the silhouettes, the type. All winners. I'm way more partial to coffee than tea, but seeing these designs makes me wish otherwise. Have a favorite pattern?

A Day of Glass

Check out this video made by Corning Glass that shares a glimpse into what the future could be like. The camera follows a family through a "typical" day using state of the art glass and technology. Often when I see or hear about advances into the future, I feel both a little excited and scared. Technology has come a long way and continues to make advances so rapidly. I start to wonder how much is too much?  Lately I've been itching to re-watch Wall-E--the animated movie with the little robot. When I first watched it, I had such different expectations (i.e. I was caught off guard by the deeper issues and message it put out about the state and direction of humans and their consumerism.) Looking back it brings me to think about how we spend our money and how much we rely on technology–almost to a point where it inhibits us from challenging our own minds and bodies. Just something I've been thinking about...

I have to admit though...the video is pretty cool. I love the refrigerator and that phone. Check it out.

Thursday Travels

Last week I spent a wonderful weekend traveling aimlessly across the east coast with the hubby. Okay, not aimlessly but enjoyably, I suppose. Its hard to take time off these days, so with the upcoming break (thank you Mr. Presidents) I was excited for the opportunity to go just about anywhere. 

     With our pick of places, we decided to do a simple "road trip" to New York which eventually led us to Boston. We tasted Halal food for the first time and devoured cream puffs at Beard Papas in New York. Then drove to Boston where we ate Lobster Rolls and Pizza at Quincy Market.  It was all about good food and quality time (and maybe some shopping thrown in for good measure ;) ).

It was a simple trip but I'm hoping to save for a bigger trip later down the line. Not sure where but when I saw this video on Etsy about a candy maker in Vietnam, I'm probably putting Vietnam on my places to visit and this little shop as a must go. Le Thi Tan is a third generation candy maker who shares not just her love for her craft but also a peek into her candy making process. A lovely video that showcases a small but thriving example of handmade goodies.

Handmade Portraits: Sugar Street from Etsy on Vimeo.

Name of Shop: Thoan Tinh Tan Lan
Location: Hanoi's Sugar Street (Vietnam's capital)

A time for everything

1. Original Composition 2. Cup of Jewelry 3. Hope for Patience 4. New York Bridge

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that there is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. How true. As I take this fresh start into blogging my inspirations and ideas I'm reminded of three P's: Present, Patience, Peace.
     I've been meaning to start a new attempt at blogging but have found every reason (not excuse, of course) to save it for another day. But today I am taking advantage of the present moment. Today is the appointed time. But I know that this blogging stuff–it takes work. And time. And patience. Hopefully, this time around I'll be able to channel the countless visuals I come across on the web as well as the crafty ideas that run through my mind on a daily basis, into a creative blog that will organize my ideas--and keep me from forgetting them. Then I'm one step closer to finding some peace in this crazy mind of mine.