Q2 2023 Inspiration Report: Colorways
Second Generation Seeds is a living seed bank working to “preserve the crops and foodways of the Asian diaspora.” I love their packaging; each seed pack is hand stamped by illustrator Emily Yao, matching their attention and love for the seeds they harvest.
I’ve been enjoying my entomology class. I’ve always liked bugs, but I have a different level of love and appreciation for them now. I had to pin and make a shadow box for a final project, and honestly I want to make them for myself outside of class because I think they are beautiful.
I adore this “slumped glass” sculpture by artist Mary Shaffer.
I’ve been night gardening this spring. Spending 30 minutes with a flashlight looking under rocks and leaves, finding mushrooms and salamanders — it’s a totally different, magical world.
Gretchen Rubin’s new book Life in Five Senses has been a timely reminder to tune in to my surroundings and embrace the fun side of sensory.
Interactive card decks have long been a powerful brand workshop tool, with versions sold by Eames, IDEO, and The School of Life — helping to spark new ideas with a set of bold visuals and short text directions. I was reminded of these creative decks when I recently explored the Wanderer’s Tarot Deck with reimagined illustrations by Casey Zabala. Could tarot decks be another technique for navigating brand directions and blocks?
In love with this bold statement wall in Oakland, CA.
DC is in bloom!
Accept no imitations. Yamajirushi Yuzu-it hot sauce is perfect. Fragrant, floral citrus combined with hot green chili.
Molly Shannon’s Hello, Molly! was the saddest, funniest, hardest-working, and most-forgiving memoir. I read the whole thing in one day. Trying to embrace that Mary Katherine Gallagher awkward superstar energy.
The One Recipe podcast is perfectly short and sweet about favorite recipes and eating. Interviewees share their methods of cooking delicious meals, rather than a list of steps and ingredients. Much more inspiring for a busy cook!
A quote from the great Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu that I have begun to live by. Learned this in a class on thought distortions and adopting more positive thinking patterns.
A friend made me a bunch of candles for my birthday. The resulting drippy candles remind me of my favorite prohibition-inspired bar in Baltimore called WC Harlan.