daniel frost.

Recently, I came across the work of Daniel Frost thanks to Pinterest. I love how Daniel elegantly captures moments of action with bold but delicate gestures. His whimsical characters + interesting use of color and shape are a perfect nod to summer [bonus!].

How fun is this series of kites he created?!

Loving his other commissioned work as well:

Be sure to check out more of Daniel's work on his blog. Can't wait to see more from him!

[illustrations by daniel frost]

swan dive or cannonball?

The clever folks at Kate Spade always have something fun up their sleeves. This year's swim campaign is no different! While we wait for the summer season to heat up, dip your toes [or dive right in] to this choose your own adventure video.

maricor/maricar.

Teaching sophomores + juniors this semester has been a fun experience. I really enjoy getting into the creative process with students—providing insight + guidance, but also observing as they develop their ideas + methods to problem solving.

In compiling grades for midterms, I snapped a few shots of one student's embroidery work on her project. In the spirit of keeping Austin weird, she embroidered colorful cacti + assembled a torn watercolor collage for her final piece. I love the direction she took, and the final piece was beautifully crafted.

Since then, I've seen a lovely array of embroidered designs pop up on the web, including Maricor/Maricar. Not only is their work stunning, but I love that they capture the process on their blog. Depending on the direction, the process varies. Truly fascinating!

From sketching to watercolor to embroidery, Macho Distrust from start to finish...

How great are these patterned letters? You can even commission your own initials. What a great housewarming gift :)

Certainly keeping Maricor/Maricar on my radar.

[images via maricor/maricar]

new york state of mind.

Lovely time getting away for a long weekend in the city. Despite the cooler temperatures, we had a wonderful time meeting new friends, trying some tasty eats, and exploring the sights and sounds of Brooklyn. It was so refreshing to spend some quality time disconnecting. There's nothing better than simple pleasures... people watching over brunch, happening upon a charming restaurant, and making summer plans on park benches. More of these moments are definitely in order.

Being in the company of some wonderful women and putting faces to names at the Design*Sponge Biz Ladies lunch was so inspiring. Besides new friendships, coming away with some great insight, tips, and advice [especially concerning time off] was just what I needed.

As we narrow down our search for neighborhoods + apartments, I can't help but get excited for the next few months. It seems like the right move at the right time [Brooklyn already feels like home], and I'm looking forward to the new opportunities + friendships along the way.

spring break checklist.

Spring break is officially here, and I'm so looking forward to a little R + R to regroup for the rest of the semester + take care of some major things on my list. Sarah from Note to Self kindly asked if I would guest post while she's wrapping up her studies. If you missed it earlier this week, hop on over and see what I'll be doing over spring break [hint: NYC on my mind]!

Nº 1 vespa jute pouch from jonathan alder / Nº 2 brooklyn + coney island bus scroll from flying junction / Nº 3 mmmg lines ver. 2 grid sketchbooks from the hatch + tape dispenser / Nº 4 neon pink duck bag from baggu / Nº 5 gold foiled hello notes from tokketok + essie 'haute as hello' nail polish / Nº 6 brass number clips from kaufmann-mercantile

[SIDE NOTE] wayfare magazine.

Wanted to take a few moments to share a new project I've been a part of since early fall—Wayfare Magazine. Alongside a talented team + group of contributors, we've put together a new digital magazine with a fresh approach to travel + lifestyle.

Fellow art director + editor, Anne Ditmeyer put together a thoughtful overview on our approach to a new format for digital magazines. I'll be following up the next few days with more insight + my favorite features, but for now, I hope you have a little time to enjoy wayfaring!

[image by the very talented peggy wong / cover design by lauren o'neill for wayfare magazine]

twenty-twelve.

So hard to believe a new year is here! What a full year 2011 has been—fun projects, new friends, inspiring challenges, exciting opportunities, and more. Seeing things take form over the last year has been both a teensy-bit trying and super rewarding. Regardless, I feel so fortunate to be doing what I love with the support of friends + family.

Moving into a new year, I'm excited by a fresh start! A chance to tackle some life-list to-do's and refocus on what makes me love what I do. Over the holiday break, it's been nice to pull out my sketchbook and really plan 2012. There are a lot of things in the works—some near completion, others just getting started. I can't wait as things unfold, and I hope you'll stick around for what's to come.

Speaking of life-list to-do's... Just today, I accepted an exciting offer to teach two graphic design classes next semester at my alma mater, VCUarts. With the #4 ranked graphic design program in the country, I'll be in the company of some amazing colleagues + hardworking students.

I'm thrilled by the two classes I'll be teaching: Print Design II and Imaging II. The former will tackle the bridge between print + web, print methods + materials, and publication/editorial design, and the later will explore semantics through type + image via various media. I'll have the opportunity to work with some great designers + teach some of 'those things you didn't learn in school (but wish you did)'.

Should prove to be an interesting few months!

[image via present & correct; treatment by lauren o'neill]

give colorfully.

It's been a bit of time since I've posted here. Things have been go-go-go the past two months, and I'm very anxious to share some recent projects. In the meantime, I've spent my free time getting into the holiday spirit with a little early shopping and these Kate Spade videos...



And as a Beetle girl myself, I just love this behind the scenes video of the Kate Spade crew wrapping a bug:



Admittedly, I've even watched Love Actually and tapped my holiday iTunes playlist a time or two...

Hope you're easing into the holidays + making fun plans with family and friends :)

[videos by kate spade]

matthias heiderich.

These photography studies of line + color are just stunning. I've pinned Matthias's work before, but viewing the full studies sure does take it to a new level. Love this series...

More lovely work from Matthias Heiderich out of Berlin.

[images by matthias heiderich]

[SIDE NOTE] foster your way infographic.

The lovely ladies over at BITTERSWEET kindly asked if I would contribute an infographic for their quarterly zine. Just received a copy + so stoked to see it in print!

Every quarter they focus on a specific topic that highlights the work of area non-profits. This fall they turned their attention to foster care + juvenile justice. After a fun + inspiring zine lab bouncing ideas with other creatives and non-profit reps, I started out on a 'Game of Life' concept outlining ten ways to help DC foster kids.

It's so exciting to see how the other contributors interpreted the ideas we discussed. Certainly a worthy publication to pick up at select shops around town.

[infographic: lauren o'neill for bittersweet*zine | image: lauren o'neill]

[DULY NOTED] fielding + coco rocha

Last week I jetted off to sunny California for a little R&R. Perfect time to take a breather, get a change of scenery, and feel inspired. For the last few months, I've been squaring away some pretty big (+ exciting!) projects. Though some are still in the works, I'm oh-so-excited to share soon!

Getting back into the groove, I hopped over to Pinterest, and while I was scrolling through my pins, I noticed this juxtaposition that I couldn't resist sharing. Love the contrast, undulating lines, and tiny pops of red.

[photos via the art of fielding + coco rocha for elle quebec by nelson simoneau]

homemade pizza.

Summer is my favorite time for homemade pizza. I love adding seasonal vegetables and crisping it on the grill for added depth of flavor. Before summer slips away completely, I thought I'd share a slice or two…

Last week, I was in my hometown for a few meetings, so stopped to see my family for a quick visit. Walking through the garden, I couldn't resist snipping a bouquet of herbs as a special souvenir. Later that night we threw together a pizza and topped with the greens. So tasty!

Karen from Sunday Suppers has a great archive of grilled pizza recipes for anyone interested. I'd dying to try this combo next—manchego (my favorite cheese, at the moment), figs, and serrano ham. Yum!

[photos by lauren o'neill]

the art of the menu.

I love a good restaurant identity, but so often the branding fails to carry through on the website and menu. While I'm dying to get my hands on a restaurant branding project, I've been eyeing this new site, Art of the Menu from Under Consideration. Great site design + great collection of menus!

Order up!

[image via art of the menu | design by mucca]

top pops.

One of my current design crushes, Kelli Anderson, recently shared this popsicle truck she designed. Dating a food truck foodie not to mention my love for sweets + good design, I couldn't resist sharing this fun truck. Take a look at the before and after—from standard mail truck to a top pop-mobile...

 I absolutely love all the infographics + little details Kelli put into the design.

How great is that pop-out sign?

What an inventive, new, and yummy way to promote solar energy! So clever. No more nasty truck fumes while you read and wait for tasty treats [courtesy of Good Pop—yum!].

For a full 360º of the truck, check out this video of the truck in action or stay up to date on their whereabouts (to a Sungevity city near you!) via Twitter.

Since D's obsession + the launch of several DC trucks, I've been dying to design a food truck identity. Hopefully one of these days the right client will come along with a dream project like this one :)

[design + images via kelli anderson; project led by jason anello for sungevity]

[NOTEWORTHY] making marimekko.

Marimekko has been a long-time go-to for inspiration. The first time I spotted their bright, bold patterns, it was love at first sight. I was a junior in high school, and I knew I wanted more.

This past May, while in New York, I stopped by the Marimekko Shop at Crate & Barrel—what a lovely, well-edited collection of products and textiles! Shortly after, I came across this wonderful video of Marimekko's printing plant, which beautifully captures the spirit of the bold color and pure joy of their products…

Based in Helsinki, Marimekko embodies the simplicity of Scandinavian design. Founded in 1951 by Viljo and Armi Ratia soon turned bright, colorful fabrics into clean cut dresses. Not long after, architect Benjamin C. Thompson began featuring the colorful frocks in his US-based store, Design Research. When Jackie Kennedy bought seven dresses in 1960, well, the rest was history.

From bedding to kitchenware and apparel to toys, Marimekko has maintained their signature style over the last sixty years. Today, in the US, Marimekko products are available in select stores including five Crate & Barrel stores as well as a Marimekko concept store on the Upper East Side, which I will be paying a visit to very shortly!

Marimekko is an anagram, taking its name from the founder, Armi, and the Finnish word for 'dress'.

[SIMPLESONG] hiring fall interns!

It's been a great summer working with Amanda at SIMPLESONG—from dying fabric to assembling paper goods, no two days have been the same! While we're sad to see her go, we are looking for fall interns!

Applications accepted through tomorrow, so send 'em in!

PS Thank you to Amanda for the kind shout-out on her blog today :)

[DULY NOTED] motocross + full skirt.

One of the things I love about Pinterest is the juxtapositions of images. Every so often I notice a string of similar pins—whether it's a run of red, a group of graphic prints, or a bunch of bold typography. Today I was looking about my board and noticed these two images and thought they played off each other quite well.

Does this ever happen to you?

[nike 6.0 motocross logo by allan peters + oasis full skirt by asos—love these!]

summer [birthday] fiesta.

We've been dying to try our hand at paella, so we planned to celebrate my birthday with a fiesta complete with tapas, seafood paella, and a sangria bar. We had so much fun creating the menu, shopping for ingredients, and cooking together. Before the sun set and we put on the fire, I snapped a few shots and thought I'd share...

The paella was perfect—thanks to D—and the sangria was a hit. The strawberry rhubarb [courtesy of the latest Everyday Food] seemed to be the favorite. We'll definitely be making these again!

Great friends, delicious food, perfect weather. Couldn't be better. 

All in all it was a fun evening—looking forward to our next gathering!


[photos by lauren o'neill | paella recipe via josé andrés + our own twist | sangria recipes via july/august 2011 everyday food | tapas recipes loosely based on jamie oliver's recipes + our own concoctions]

2012 love stamps.

As a huge fan of Louise Fili & Jessica Hische's work, I'm super excited for the upcoming release of these USPS Love stamps! Aren't they just lovely?!

Even more exciting for Jessica—they should be out in time for her own wedding invitations! Talk about an exciting launch!

[illustration by jessica hische | art direction by louise fili]

roy g. biv.

Before we settle into a weekend of red, white, and blue, how about this lovely sampling from a ROY G. BIV spread?

More beautiful combinations + compositions of colors (as always) over at J.Crew. Sure does put you in the summertime spirit!

[image via j.crew]