Colorful eye candy...

Photography by Tim Walker via Greedy Girl > Darling Darling.

(Vogue UK, May 2006)

Recycled Tire Swing by guest Rachel McGinn

I mentioned in my first post that we may be moving. Our new house has a big, beautiful back yard and what I am most excited about is that I will finally be able to hang a tire swing! My friend has one similar to the one posted here. It is made from clean, recycled tires. It is easy and fun to be green after all.

Hanging Garden

Inspired by this installation by Gerda Steiner & Jorg Lenzlinger.

Sarah Drake

Beautifully designed and letterpress paper goods at Sarah Drake....

Think It Ink It by guest Rachel McGinn

With summer time fast approaching I start to panic about how to fill the kids days, especially Sara. Her mind is so active during the school year, I hate to see it turn to mush once June comes.
I read about thinkitinkitpublishing.com in Cookie Magazine. It is a wonderful activity for kids 4-12 who love to read and write. The company supplies a template with colorful, fun illustrations and kids get to create their own story. The book comes printed in hardback complete with your child's picture and bio on the book jacket. Sara got such a kick out of this and asks to do one once a month.

Banana Nut Muffins + Cupcake Liners

We made these yummy muffins this morning, they are scrumptious and perfect for guests. (Because of food allergies we substituted pecans for walnuts.) Every time they are made in our house they are gone in a snap. My favorite recipe and culinary guru shared them with me. Thanks Steph! Having guests in town, means trying out some old and new favorites recipes for more than just us to enjoy, love it.



Unfortunately I ran out of cute muffin/cupcake liners. Here are some ones I am looking at in the Bake it Pretty to have on hand for next time. Making things look pretty is all about the details, right?

Peacock Wedding Invitation

This wedding invite is wild, bold and lots of fun. Another fine print job by Studio on Fire, designed by Sheraton Green over at CSA Design. See more...

Kid's Room

Did you see Amy Zurcher's sneak peak at Design Sponge? What a wonderful room for a little one.

The Blairs...

Looks like they are straight out of a crewcut catalog in the best of way, how adorable is Design Mom and her family? Incredibly inspiring. Good luck with the move! See more photos here.

(photos by Candice Stringham / styled by Brenda Barrett Taylor)

Kireina Paper Brooch Winner

Today got a little hectic, hence the late announcement of the winner. The Brooch giveaway winner is ..... #56 : Vanessa who said...beautiful! Vanessa please email me : blackeiffel@gmail ASAP so we can get your custom order in.

For those who didn't win, Kireina Paper is super kind to offer Black Eiffel readers a special $3.00 discount off their Mother's Day brooch. To receive, enter code "BLACKEIFFEL" at checkout, which makes them only $23! Thanks Kireina Paper!

Favorites of the Season by guest Rachel McGinn

The weather here in Philadelphia has been unseasonly warm. It has been 87 for the last 4 days! Days like these I rummage through the summer bins I stacked away last September and realize I am in desperate need of warm weather clothing. Of course I always buy for the kids first! Here are a few of my favorites for this season.

For me- Kate Spade Bloomington Daisy Top but I think Kate Spade should be a hot spot right??



For the girls- Melodie dress with anchor by Pears and Bears.




Some websites I buy from, others I visit for the photography. One of my favorites is Flora and Henri.



They have a new table linen line! This is my dream breakfast. So simple and sophisticated. I'd like to actually sit for a meal one of these days!



I came across the wildly talented photographer Stephanie Rausser while reading about Flora and Henri. She used to shoot the adorable catalog I can never throw away. I go back to it every now and again for inspiration before a kids shoot.

Stop Motion Clip

My brother shared this clip with me, I can't get enough stop motion.

A Few Movies....

This weekend I finally got around to watching 2 films on my list. Helvetica... which is a must see for the graphic designer type or anyone interested in typography, pretty cool.



and Son of Rambow, which made me laugh multiple times. If you are looking for an imaginative, artistic, takes place in England circa 1980s, feel like a kid again flick... add it to your list.

What are you watching?

Holt's Birthday by guest: Rachel McGinn

Today is my son's second birthday. He is such a joy to have around and everything I think a little boy should be. Usually I would make a fuss and create a fun kids party but with the tanking economy and a move for us ahead we decided to keep things light. I will never skimp on cake however especially the cake pictured here. It is from one of my favorite old school bakeries in Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania called the Bakery House. For my New York City gal pals it is the equivalent to Magnolia Bakery. Something about the icing just makes me melt.

2. I had high hopes to have a party for Holt and was looking for ideas in one of my new favorite publications from Williams Sonoma- Kid's Parties

3. Another great source for kids photographs comes from my favorite photographer Thayer Allison Gowdy. Visit her Kids portfolio and go GAGA! I hope to reach her status someday.

Guest Blogger: Rachel McGinn

I am thrilled to introduce guest blogger Rachel McGinn. She is a wonderful photographer and through our email correspondence over the past several months an all around sweet and lovely person. She was a former editor for the J. Crew catalog and continues to shoot gorgeous weddings and other photography like the shots I previously posted here and you can view more on her website here. What I most highly respect about her is that she gracefully balances her creative life with being a mother of 3 adorable children. Welcome Rachel!


First things first, a big thank you to Rachel Jones for giving me this fabulous opportunity. I have been reading Blackeiffel religiously for the last year and it is truly an honor to be guest blogging this week. Rachel is tremendously talented and her ideas have been a tremendous source of inspiration for me.

I am a mother of three, Sara, Lila and Holt and live outside of Philadelphia along the Mainline. I have been blessed with wonderful friends, family within 5 miles of one another and the ability to take pictures. I concentrate mostly on weddings and children, still shoot film and probably always will.

I hope you enjoy what I share with you this week. I am so excited to show you all what inspires me.

More charming St. Augustine...

Dripping southern trees, a beautiful lighthouse, old historic homes, blossoms, hidden gardens, Spanish influenced architecture... all more charming elements of St. Augustine.


(The house with a picket fence was a mail order home... still not sure how you put them together, but pretty cool.)

Homework

Lovely design work by Homework for the lab.
(via September Industry)

Swedish Summerhome

I want to go to there... photography by Rachael Smith.
(via the seventy tree)

Weekly Favorites: Portfolios

I hope your weekend is full of laughter and beautiful weather. This weekly favorite wrap-up is all about portfolios that I've seen around the web this week that made me smile. Take a look at the links for more eye candy. Coming up next week a lovely photographer/guest blogger. Yay!



Hugh Stewart's portfolio is amazing. Thank you Chelsea for the introduction. Love... love.. love... and be sure to see Chelsea's new website too.


Cynthia Warren's Portfolio via Jordan. Gasp, stunning work.



Nous Vous Creative Studio via Lena>Man Make Home


Graphic Designer Alvin Diec's portfolio is clean + lovely (via ffffound)

Kireina Paper

With Mother's day just around the corner Kireina Paper is offering a lucky Black Eiffel reader a lovely brooch and personalized handwritten address. Isn't this a sweet way to express you gratitude for that special lady? Aren't they pretty? See all of Kireina Paper's offerings here, there is some fab stuff!

For giveaway: leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, April 28th at noon. One comment per person and no anonymous please. Winner will be announced Tuesday afternoon, and will need to respond quickly in order to get the custom order complete and shipped for Mother's Day. Thanks Kireina Paper!

Envelope A + D

Did you see this home of Claire Bigbie and Jay Shapiro over at Desire to Inspire or the New York Times designed by Envelope A+D? It has a very hip vibe, Kim is right... photos are now being added to inspiration file. See more photos here.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine, Florida is an incredibly charming city. It is the oldest city in the U.S. being founded in 1565. It has walls throughout the city made of shells, charming old homes some that are said to be haunted, narrow cobblestone walkways and street performers, horse drawn carriages, beautiful architecture, museums, and bed & breakfasts galore. It also is home to Flagler college which I posted here.

Anthropologie Windows

Creative Anthropologie goes with a bee style theme for a good cause. See more snaps here.