Since buying our iPhones we have been going with them naked - that is, without any sort of cases on our favorite new toys and business tool. Of course, in the last 3 months we both have dropped the phone once. After each terrifying dropping experience we examined our phones closely and while there wasn’t any devastating results we quickly realized we needed some sort of case to protect our newly acquired “can’t live without item”.

We were recently looking into buying cases from Incase because of how others have raved about their products. We just haven’t pulled the trigger yet, that is until now. Incase just came out with their Metallic Slider Cases and that was it for Whitney. Soon, she will be sporting her new midas touched iPhone, choosing to go with the gold metallic color. I will probably still go though go with the plain black. It really is a shame to have to cover over such great industrial design, but I would really like these to last longer than a few months. Hopefully the new iPhone bling will protect it from the vigorous days in Whitney’s purse. Fortunately, these too have some good design to them.

Back in early 2000s I was introduced to Orchestra Baobab, a Senegalese Afro-Cuban music group. Their sound intrigued me very much and I loved the music. Whitney and I even used some of their music at our wedding as mood music while people mingled and sipped on cocktails from the bar.

When I bought the re-release of Pirates Choice and their new release at the time Specialist in all Styles I absolutely loved the design of the cover and CD insert. They had great colors, vintage pictures, a fantastic design style and a great all-around feel about them. (See covers above)

I recently picked up a free download card from Starbucks for one of their songs from iTunes. Once downloaded I realized this was from a new album, Made in Dakar, that was released this year. I immediately went to check out the album art. It did not disappoint. (See cover below) It too had the same style and feel as the last two and immediately wanted it. In doing a bit of research I found Intro, a design firm based in London, UK is responsible for the great designs. If you don’t know Orchestra Baobab, do yourself and favor and check them out. If it’s not your taste, then at least appreciate the great design of the albums.

I love this headband from Etsy seller giant dwarf. I also love that their items are eco-friendly and made from recycled materials. It looks like they accept custom orders - wouldn’t this be a fun bridesmaid gift?

I love these chairs, in both white and coffee. Hmmm, maybe a dining room makeover is in order…

From Brocade Home.

Susan and Pete’s chocolate brown and burnt orange pocketfold invitation was featured on the Better Homes and Gardens website in their series highlighting invitations perfect for fall weddings. Check it out!

I can hardly wait to share more details for this wedding with you - but for now, only a taste. These invitations, created for a wedding coming up in November, have been on of my favorite projects this year. Not all guests have received their invites, so I can only show some snippets for now…

My favorite aspect of this invitation suite are the belly bands - they are actual pieces cut from vintage map prints, so no two are alike.

We’re working now with this bride and her coordinator on other really fun items for the reception, so we’ll definitely post more about this wedding and the paper products for it later on!

Attention, all BSD Blog readers!

Voting for Evening Magazine’s Best of Western Washington competition ends tomorrow at 7:00 P.M.! Be sure to cast your vote for us as Western Washington’s Best Invitations by following the link below:

VOTE HERE!

We are so honored to have been nominated for such a great award! Thank you again for your continued support of our work!

Seattle’s Bella Signature Design was asked to be a featured coordinator for the newest issue of the Bride and Bloom magazine (Winter 2008 - out now!) and Daniela, the talented designer behind Bella Signature, asked us to provide invitations, menus, place cards, and table numbers in line with her vision of “old Hollywood glamour.”

Our letterpress “Clara and Paul” invitation was perfect for the palette, with its vintage details and plush cotton cardstock.

She created a gorgeous color palette of warm gray, subtle nude, and fresh fuchsia - read more about her inspiration in her blog post about the shoot.

There’s a chill in the air now, and the leaves have turned! I love autumn!

I feel the need to do some shopping - on a budget. I’ve been really into warm grays and purples. Love these items (so cheap, too!)

Clockwise from top: Forever 21 wool blend herringbone dress: $26.90, For Love 21 Sequin and Feather headband: $12.80, Old Navy Silver Reptile Belt: $12.50, For Love 21 Aya Metallic Scarf: $7.80, Old Navy Double-Breasted Coat: $99.50, Mossimo Kinsey Boots in Gray (from Target): $34.99, Merona Opaque Tights in Plum (from Target): $5.99

Jonathan and I are big fans of the design blog Making it Lovely. It’s the creation of the designer from Pink Loves Brown, Nicole Balch, and is a sweet look at both her work as a stationery designer and also a homeowner in the process of, well, making it {home and life} lovely!

I especially have enjoyed following her Making It Yours series, where she follows a piece of furniture through a fictional life. I love the first piece of furniture (Z Gallerie’s Borghese 3-drawer dresser) and can’t wait to see the next piece she uses!

Hmm…maybe I especially enjoyed the series because we’re in the process of shopping for a dresser…