schwood you or wouldn't you?

Here's my dirty little secret. Well, for those of you that know me, already know - I'm a bandit for some thick-rimmed nerd glasses. The nerdier the better in my mind, picture girl with large glasses doin' the running man, nerds needn't be quiet - I say!

I've been eye-ing these off for a while ever since I caught sight of them in Capsule, a wee wooden shop in Westfield Sydney. And alas, even tried to find them in the land of the U-S-of-A, but failed. Instead choosing to down many a cocktail, stroll aimlesssly around Central Park and eat bacon donuts *sigh*.

So with the dollar so high (nearly 1.10 oh yeah) , and the help of hop.shop.go, I'm seriously considering these nerd slash sunglasses with super polarised lenses, because *cough cough* the sun is soooo strong these days... hey, I'm hoping to keep these puppies in the bag for that blimp of sunshine, that seems to POP up now and again.

So schwood I do it? Tell me, too much or right on?!
(Adele I can hear you going yes! Just do it sister!)

Worming around the bookstore

The 5 day weekend was bliss - wasn't it?! If only it was every week... Here's to dreaming.

I often go into bookstores, and just wonder around and see what catches my attention, I don't discriminate, self help, cooking, design or business - they all turn into a blur and I just look for a good cover that hopefully will be a little pot of gold I choose to buy and take home. These are a few that caught my attention.

How do you choose a good book? Do you judge a good book by the cover? 

Happy Hump Day

A little something to get your short week going. We've got to give it to him, the boy can move... Just wait til he bends over.

Left us truly speechless here at 31stHQ. View the video here

What we'll be getting up to this long weekend

Here's a few ideas for your upcoming easter long weekend. We've got a whole heap of baking, brunching and blogging planned over the next five days mixed with a little two up, just for fun! (and as the resident yellow, gambling is built into the blood).

Now, get your eggs on and get the baking and brunching done in one go. Move-over chocolate, we're going gourmet. This recipe will start off the long weekend with a b-a-n-g. Here's the receipe, from la tartine gourmande. Give it a go, so you're not chocolated out.

For the blogging, I'll be getting some fresh new posts up on my-little-foodie-side-project, the gook. There's some more posts to show and tell you about the magnificent Osaka alongside some amayzing food experiences from my last trip to New York. Alongside, lots of my own gooky recipes as well.

Curly wurly

CD Rach is a funny chook. This week she marvelled us with her beauty regime whilst multi-tasking at the same time - on a pitch of course!

Then ta-da. Curly wurly unravelled her locks and went off with Adele to present some winning concepts. Yep, it's been a great week here at 31stHQ. We've won a B.I.G. new client *cheers all round*

Trend: Paper and craft step out of the box

Paper artist and engineer, Benja Harney is incredible with making paper look, well, H.O.T.

More than H.O.T he makes it look amazingly sophisticated, intriguing and makes us see paper more than just something we scribble on, scrunch up or toss to one another. It is that basic material we take for granted and forget its true potential.

We are in awe of his self taught talent and we're sure you've seen his work around in print, tv and in stores. One to keep an eye on.

The wings are my pick, so simple but work so well as a window display. Paper may be an avenue you want to explore for your next campaign, window display, cover image, print ad, pop-up book, paper set - the options are endless...

My obsession with...

It's pretty clear that we luuurrrveee stripes at 31stHQ, we not only live and breathe them as our uniform (black isn't the designer uniform!) but, we use them as inspiration for our work. Here's a little collection of stripes we've collected lately as inspiration.

And, let it be known that stripes come in so many varieties... here's proof, No. 5 is our fav - by far!

Nail it!

Nails have been a serious problem for me. As a chronic biter, I chewed and chewed and chewed. Nails, skin, sides, cuticles - the lot... Yes, it was a pastime that I enjoyed then loathed as my fingers hurt from the endless chewing.

To conquer the 20 year problem, nail polish has been the key. No, smelly or disgusting tasting stuff but a good mani with lovely colours, seems to do the trick. Lilac is my polish colour of choice of late. I've found that if they look lovely, I tend to steer away from biting.

I found these lovely nails over at Lazy Oaf who do great tees, very Karen Walker but at a fraction of the price. Check them out and their cheeky cards too. My pick is the hamburger nail - will have to give that a go on the weekend.

Ceci style

With an upcoming wedding blossoming - not me silly - it's my sis! I've taken to the world-wide-web for inspiration. A friend of mine put me onto this site cecinewyork, and I've got to say its been a god-send.

It's gorgeous styling, invitation, loads of ideas and just makes you want to go and make some freakin' good looking stationary - just for kicks. Even if you're not getting hitched - it's worth looking around, I love the colour palettes and inspiration boards... and want all of it. Yep, flowers, Jimmy Choo, candles - I'll take it!

Cards like no other

Able and Game duo Anna and Gareth create. make. print. and sell. cards!

Not just any old Happy Birthday, Congratulations or Yay for the new baby - they make clever, of-the-moment, pop culture, off-beat cards that make you smile, laugh and make your pressie go arrrhhhhhhh.

They are thought up and illustrated by Anna herself in her studio in Melbourne and sold all around Australia. So, chuck out those boring cards and say a little hello in a kooky and kinky way. And, better still you can buy them online - easy peasy.