I am woefully behind on my Christmas cards this year. Let’s hope they don’t turn into “happy spring” messages! While I may be in denial of how far we are into December, I wanted to round-up some holiday cards that have tickled my fancy this year. It’s not too late to mail cards, deliver them in person or choose winter-focused designs that can be used for “happy new year” messages. While there is plenty of interactive potential in e-cards, there is just something warm and wonderful about a true paper card. Beautiful illustrations or modern typography, I love how holiday cards manage to be full of great design and messages of good tidings from your loved ones. Oh and they sure perk up mailboxes and mantles…

(designers/sources from top: sugar paper, terrain, cotton on, the indigo bunting, the indigo bunting, pretty paper please by mélanie kimmett, paper source, Rifle Paper Co., kate spade, pretty paper please by mélanie kimmett, slim paper, cotton on, terrain, present+correct)

Sometimes, it seems the many options that brands have for displaying colourways are sort of neglected. That’s why I’m always thrilled when colours are not only displayed but showcased in design-focused and 3D ways. J.Crew is tops in that department. I love how they cut squares from actual fabrics, pop in real pins and snap a photo (allowing one to see texture and hue). I made the above mashup of their Spring 2013 and Holiday 2012 wedding hues. So many fabulous palettes for fashion, home and design (and some great colour names too)…

(images via j.crew)   

Yep, today is kind of like the Oscars of Colour. Earlier this morning, the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2013 was announced and it is… Emerald Green! (or PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald Green to be exact). After the vibrance of last year’s Tangerine Tango, I had a feeling there would be a return to the cooler spectrum. Emerald or Pine Green even crossed my mind (I swear!) as there are so many modern takes on the classic hue emerging. Old school emerald can conjure up stuffy, hoity toity or outdated visuals but modern emerald? It seems more clear and more cool toned than its warmer, antique-tinged predecessor. I find this new shade of emerald much easier to wear too (old emerald was harsh against many skin colours). Like navy blue, many shades of emerald are now being used as a neutral of sorts. Mixed with any colour, from hot pink to soft mint, emerald is unexpected and has a grounding effect.

Pantone has declared their choice, “”Lively. Radiant. Lush. A colour of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.” I think lush is exactly how I would define this “new emerald”. It retains its sense of luxury but with clarity and a modern edge. I love this new take on emerald and can’t wait to see how it is explored in 2013. What do you think? A good choice? Will you rethink emerald?

(photographs because i am fabulous, j.crew, pantone, wardrobe oxygen, style carrot and design*sponge)

In his installation Black Cloud, Mexican artist Carlos Amorales created a world that perfectly fuses downright gorgeous with rather frightening. Carlos crafted 30,000 moths of 36 different variations out of black paper and, with the aid of a team, hand glued them to every surface possible of a gallery space. The images above are of the piece installed at Yvon Lambert in 2007 but it was also re-imagined on the walls of a converted old church in Spain called Espacio AV in 2009. I would love to see this fascinating installation in real life so I can only hope it appears again one day. Meticulous handcrafted detail swarms white walls in strikingly beautiful fashion…

(photographs via yvon lambert; information via philadelphia museum of art)  

I seem to be smitten with modern hologram effects lately and I am downright mesmerized by the Stella McCartney Olegram Hologram Clutch. Part of the designer’s Resort 2013 Collection, it is a gorgeous kaleidoscope of constantly changing colour. Click here to watch it turn in dreamy fashion…

(video and screenshots created via saks fifth avenue; photograph via new york magazine)  

I spotted this DIY project on Country Living for creating a wall of shutters and was struck by the palette. A unique gradient of weathered colour including dashes of dusty grey and soft tints of acid yellow and robin’s egg blue. Ah, how colour and texture combine…

(photograph via country living)  

Yes, the festive season is officially here and since I am holiday bonkers, expect some posts devoted to the topic! In my latest post for Rena Tom, I focused on how festive details can be applied to retail (online or brick and mortar). Holiday shopping can be stressful but with the right atmosphere, any retail space can be full of joy and striking creativity. Packaging, seasonal photo styling, welcoming decorations, online details, window displays, interior installations – the post is plump with inspiration. Oh and it can certainly be applied to home holiday decor too! Take a peek here if you are interested…

(photographs via confetti system, cox and cox, habitually chic, real simple, martha stewart, a beautiful mess, platinum blonde life, CAMP and black eiffel)

Who knew soap and jewels could come together so magically? Available in three sizes and seven colours, these beautiful hand-cut soaps by Brooklyn studio PELLE will make any washroom sparkle…

(photographs via pelle)  

Construction, renovation, DIY projects – I love all elements of building and home design. One of the best parts? Colour swatches of course! I came across some sample pages from Sydney Harbour’s 2012 Interior Exterior Fan Deck and fell in love with the well-curated, saturated hues. They prove that colour (beyond expected neutrals) can be chic, sophisticated AND vibrant…

(photograph via sydney harbour; spotted on architectural digest)  

Toque is a distinctly Canadian word and describes what are otherwise known as beanies, knitted caps or stocking hats. Hmm… But toque is just way more fun to say! Whatever the name, it is hard to resist these superbly knit, patterned hats from ALL Knitwear by Annie Larson. Modern 80′s winter fashion (with some rather awesome pom-poms)…

(photographs via ALL knitwear by annie larson)   

Oops, I am slightly behind in my palettes of the week! But I think this fantastic photograph taken outside the shows of SS13 Paris Fashion Week makes up for it. Captured by Kuba Dabrowski, the image is a smashing combination of sidewalk grey and vibrant blue (with a pop of red). Birds-eye fashion photography might become my new obsession…

(photograph by kuba dabrowski via women’s wear daily)

I stumbled upon Cox and Cox last weekend and I could honestly post just about everything on their website. Fabulous products and gorgeous styling. They seem to seamlessly mix raw concrete with whimsical elements. An opulent industrial look perhaps? Just a few examples: 50-50 Pencils, Corkboard World Map, 20 Small Ink Pads, Leaf Chocolate Moulds, Zinc House Tea Lights and Fancy Pants Crackers. I better look into Canadian shipping ASAP…

(photographs via cox and cox)  

In my latest post for Rena Tom, I explore the details that turn online retail from good to great. While lacking the tactile quality of brick and mortar stores, online shops have complete control over how they are presented aesthetically (a rather rare creative opportunity!) With careful attention to even the smallest design elements, a shop can turn into a unique corner of the web that features mindful navigation, striking design and its own style voice. Community building via a blog or Instagram, creating a unique shopping cart style, highlighting colourways, art directing fabulous opening photography – great online stores are all about the details. To read my post, head over here.

(shops featured above: j crew, douglas + bec, leif and field)  

I have a thing for design and art pencils (showcased via three overflowing bins on my desk). Anthropologie is full of some great examples at the moment including the Color Sheen Pencil Set, Fluorescent Pencil Set, Mechanical Color Pencil Set and Banderole Pencil Set (nice lokta paper). Yep, I might “need” those beautiful metallic colour pencils…

(photographs via anthropologie)   

Gorgeous lettering by illustrator Lord Bunn for the rear of The Great Gatsby pub in Sheffield, England. I love it when a typical graffiti location features beautifully modern typography. Streetscape meets art gallery…

(photograph via lord bunn; spotted on typeverything)   

Paint made from paint that has been thrown away? That’s downright brilliant. Newlife Paints rescue waste paint from landfills or incineration and reprocess it back into premium grade emulsion. And they can match any colour! Working with the eco paint manufacturer, Mini Moderns has launched a new line of 12 paint hues to match their textile and wallpaper designs. I love the neutral yet bright palette and how the swatches are styled as colourful lids on a modern backgammon wallpaper…

(photograph via mini moderns; spotted on we heart)