Cupcake Inspired, Vegan Bath Bombs

Like most ladies, I like the occasional soothing bath after a long day. Most of the time, I just take quick showers like most working adults do, but I’ve been spoiling myself lately. I actually only take baths if I have a bath bomb around. I really don’t see the point in taking a bath if you aren’t going to make a ritual out of it.

As I was browsing for my bath bomb fix, I came upon the Pink Dandy Shop. They have an excellent selection of vegan bath bombs for the lady that likes to bathe in bubbles and lovely scents. They even look like cupcakes.

I really love these types of products. They are lovely, functional and green. If you want more information on any of the products below and many more, please visit the Pink Dandy shop.

Images via Pink Dandy

Bold, Eco-Friendly Fashion By Fink

I absolutely adore Fink’s recycled garment designs. Their style is very bold and unique. I am really crushing on the Carlton design right now. Who doesn’t love Carlton Banks? Designers Karen and Kristen’s collaboration produced versatile pieces that have a lovely vintage flair. They screen print their own designs, and hand sew the fabrics into several garments. If you fancy one of their designs just visit the Fink website.

Images via Fink

Stunning Sea Life Jewerly by Barbara Umbel

I was absolutely stunned when I discovered Barbara Umbel’s sea life jewelry designs. At first glance, her pieces seemed too perfect to be actual sea shells. I was amazed to discover she actually uses seashells, gemstones and freshwater pearls found on Pawleys Island in South Carolina.

Barbara’s designs are beautiful, and the creative use of materials found in her environment is very inspiring to me. All of Barbara’s designs are one-of-a-kind, and can be found on BarbaraUmbel.com or Barbara Umbel on Etsy.

Images via Barbara Umbel

Link Loving: Portfolios, Typography and Green Design

I have been throwing myself into the study of design and and it principles these past couple of weeks. I did take a break from it for a bit while Dennis and I sorted our new flat, but I am happy to be at it again. Here are a few articles I’ve found very inspiring and informational.

• Very cool collection of illustrations, typographic work, lettering, web design and user experience work via I Love Colors. I love this blog and I love the articles.

• Beautiful and creative way of creating card and garland by using recycled paper scraps. This article was written by Laura Normandin and posted on Design Sponge.

• PRINT Magazine is hosting a webcast on August 4th Pangea Organics CEO and lead designer. The will discuss their sustainable packaging and biodegradable soaps and products. Tree Hugger has given us a small preview of their accomplishments and company policies regarding sustainable design.

• I know I’ve asked myself this question before, and Nubby Twiglet provides some very informative answers with tips for creating a print portfolio.

• Interesting article by Jason Santa Maria regarding the use of print design principles that might not work the same for the web. I have to say I agree with him on this one.

• A fascinating inside look into the inspiration and work of Alice Savoie. In this interview, Alice discusses her studies, her process and future projects. The interview is via I Love Typography.

Fashion Crush: Melissa Plastic Dreams & Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Collaboration

I nearly fell over when I saw these in a window while out taking a stroll in the Lanes this Sunday. Two of my favorite designers have collaborated to create these fabulously funky shoes. I have written about Melissa Plastic Dreams shoes before and I have good news to report. Since then I have tried them on and they are quite comfortable. Additionally, the claim that they smell of bubble gum is very true. Now, Vivienne Westwood has collaborated with Melissa Plastic Dreams to bring us this new collection called Anglomania. Let the girly screams commence.

Images via Melissa Plastic Dreams

Ethical Homeware by Bridget West

I am very fond of Bridget West’s company and products. She designs and produces ethical products for the home made from recycled textiles and their labels. Almost every piece is unique, and the rest of her designs are digitally printed onto organic hemp cotton canvas. Aside from her product design business called Pieces of You, Bridget runs eco-workshops and she lectures on the topic of ethical design and consumption. She is certainly someone I admire greatly. I love her designs as well as her dedication to her cause.

If you are interested in any of the products below please visit Pieces of You where you will find many more lovely products.

Images via Pieces Of You

Fashion Crush: Lovely Organic Designer Clothing by Pretty Birdie

Stephanie Teague’s clothing designs are just absolutely lovely. She uses recycled, surplus and sustainable fabric exclusively in all of her designs. Every piece of couture offered at Pretty Birdie is handmade by Stephanie. I certainly recommend giving her shop a view. If you are interested in any of the designs below you can find them on the Pretty Birdie site.

Images via Pretty Birdie

Jimmie Martin Restyled Antique Furniture

Jimmie Martin is a luxury brand furniture design studio based in London since 2004. They purchase each antique piece from auctions, and restyle them to create beautiful and eclectic designer furniture. All of their designs seem to one-off or custom made pieces.

Their work is very unique, and it’s really no surprise Jimmie Martin won “New Designer in Practice” at the Design and Decorations Awards in 2005. The founders have come up with a truly clever idea, and their end product is amazing. I really do want to decorate my home with these pieces. I haven’t seen anything like this before, and I am really very impressed. What do you think?

Images via Jimmie Martin

All Natural Soaps From Elegant Rose Boutique

Elegant Rose Boutique is one of my favorite shops on Etsy. The owner creates these beautiful bath and body products made with all natural oils and ingredients. The boutique offers a range of natural soaps, scrubs, lip balms, lotions, deodorants, bath fizzies and body scrubs. You can purchase any of the products below along with many more through the Elegant Rose Boutique website. I am really crushing on her soaps right now.

Images via Elegant Rose Boutique

Link Loving

• 40 free high quality hand drawn fonts to download via HONGKIAT.com

• Lovely vintage inspired, hand made bags by Bari J. I LOVE her designs.

• Ultimate Mac setup for photographers. 50 apps that will help you with photo processing

• Void LP Player. A really trippy take on the record player via design boom.

• A really great collection of tutorials useful for converting PSD’s into useful html/CSS by dzineblog.com.

• Award winning Spanish design company develops a new fabric using recycled PET bottles. They are creating some really fabulous products with this fabric. The article is via Tree Hugger.

Image: Longest word in the Welsh Language as I understand it. It’s a train station between Holyhead and Crewe.