San Pellegrino Swapping Dresses -- oo la la

Photographed on my kitchen counter

Perhaps the tastiest, most refreshing and lovely water packaging company that exists (in my opinion) is San Pellegrino -- a mineral water brand that adds just a tad bit of carbonation when produced (made in San Pellegrino, Terme, in the Province of Bergamo, Italy). We store this sparkling water by the case at home and several weeks ago I came across a particular design which was unfamiliar to my knowledge of the brand. It looked as if the pattern was an intricate quilt—truly beautiful. I saved the bottle -- thought nothing of it. Ironically enough, today I read about a partnership between S.Pellegrino and Bvlgari. When I read it, I performed the whole talk in my head scenario "Bvlgari? Well why in the world? I wonder if the other bottle I found...Oh...Make sense now". The bottle I stumbled upon however, was an exclusive one made in partnership with the Italian clothing brand Missioni. This special sleeve was designed by the folks at Missioni and it proves to be just as sleek and just as beautiful as the Bvlgari bottle you see below. From dress to dress, this sparkling water brand is continuously going through diva transformations, especially when teamed up with Bvlgari on the limited edition bottle -- clearly stating they accept Bvlgari's invitation to mark the luxury jewelers 125 year anniversary.

http://carpediemclub.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/san-pellegrino-bulgari-bottle/

http://carpediemclub.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/san-pellegrino-bulgari-bottle/

For more info on this post check out:

http://carpediemclub.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/san-pellegrino-bulgari-bottle/

http://carpediemclub.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/san-pellegrino-bulgari-bottle/

Jeez Louise -- Who Made You So Fabulous?

According to Emerson --

"Every artist was first an amateur."

Thankfully right? Although that may be true in most cases, something happened when the design gods made Louise Fili -- she just may have been born fabulous, or something like that. Really, I have only familiarized myself with her work within these past 6 months, however. In these 6 months, I feel like something has drastically changed in my design aesthetic. I'm going to sound really strange right now but the only way I can describe it is in the following manner, now close your eyes:

It's spring.

You're lying on the grass and the sun is warm and the breeze feels good.

Baskets are beside you and they're filled with cheeses and white wines.

At the moment, you're eating 2 scoops of pistacchio.

And when you're done -- you'll have two more.

Every so often, children in white apparel skip by and tell you a joke
about your face looking funny or how they're responsible for
painting the sky such a pretty blue.

Oh and I forgot to mention, the sky is just the prettiest blue!
You welcome the silly-ness, the playfulness. 

You're in feel good mode.

Your boyfriend is playing Here Comes the Sun on his geee-tar.

You're happy and life is good.

You see lots of colors -- sometimes it's soft pinks and other times it's deep reds.

Stacks of poetry by Walt Whitman and Napoleon are by your feet.

Oh hey by the way, you're bear foot.

You'll start reading after you've had a total of 9 scoops.

It never gets cold and it's always warm.

Always happy.

If you don't believe me, just have a look for yourself.

And so, every time I view her work -- I feel this way and as a result, it becomes evermore beautiful. Her style? Refreshing. Her detail? Most admirable. Did I mention her love of that beautiful, beautiful country called Italy? Can I just faint now? She is wondrous in all the ways that one can be. I had the privilege of learning about her through a Professor* who told me I should consider looking through her work if I love design and Italy. Looking back, it's been both a blessing and a curse -- a blessing because the work is out of this world -- and a curse because I browse through it so much, her blog might as well become my homepage.

A presto,
Maria

Yummy designs!

I've found my calling. It involves design and food. I know, you're all so surprised.
It's only 10:15 in the morning and I've already eaten a "lunch" meant for two; i.e.
(fresh mozzarella, prosciutto and melon, arugula salad with cherry tomatoes and
fennel, accompanied by several mountains of olives and crostini (no comment).

While browsing for recipes and food blogs, I came across one who's latest
post featured the title "Enter our competition to win a trip for two to Rome". How coud I NOT continue reading? Little did I know, I would eventually figure out where I want to be and what I want to design. http://www.carluccios.com/menus/blog

http://www.irvingandco.com/page8.htm

Check out this packaging. It's so beautiful it hurts. I find it rather ironic how
everyone usually hates the look of their own handwriting, but to someone else,
it's always uniquely beautiful. I introduce you to: Carluccio's. Antonio Carluccio
is an Italian chef, author, food lover and expert based in London. Many packaging
designs and Carluccio products are created by a London based studio named
"Irving & Co". The designs are exquisite. I'm talking about, so beautiful you need
to purchase a case of panettone even though we're nowhere close to Christmas.

http://www.irvingandco.com/page8.htm

I find their work to be considerably clean while paying particular attention to
detail. The designs scream modern Italy yet maintaining the tradition,
colors and beauty of what is so distinctively Italian. Confession: If I were a food
company, I would be manifested through Carluccio's branding aesthetic.
Not because my work is similar, but because I wish it was. There's an authentic
style to each food package while keeping an apparent consistency all
throughout. Carluccio's packaging is dreamy. "Nuff'said" (sorry, but always
keep in mind, I am from Astoria afterall)...

Here are some more images to have you drooling as well. Please enjoy!

http://www.irvingandco.com/page8.htm

http://www.carluccios.com/menus/blog

Baci.