design cruuuuuush.... have you ever been more inspired? ( sigh. )

A love letter to the site TYPEVERYTHING.COM

Forgotten Chicago- Snappy Service Station restaurant.

     I drive by this everyday.
A few weeks ago we noticed that the facade had been stripped, revealing a gorgeous 1930's enamel- tiled original front.
And a beaming sign that reads

SNAPPY SERVICE SYSTEM
5¢.

A little google digging reveals:

Forgotten Chicago research department went to the Newberry Library to go through Chicago white and yellow pages from 1925 to 1959, looking for “Snappy Service System” restaurant locations. The Snappy Service System restaurant recently revealed at 1141 North Ashland was curiously not listed in any of the phone books examined. 

Following are the Snappy Service Systems restaurants listed from 1934 (the first time these restaurants are listed) until 1959 (the last phone books examined): 

• 6340 North Ashland, 1934 through 1939; restaurant and general office 
• 3229 North Ashland, 1935 only 
• 3757 North Broadway, 1935 and 1936 
• 57 West Chicago, 1935 and 1936 
• 3309 North Ashland, 1936 only 
• 21 South Ashland, 1936 and 1944 to 1946 
• 1156 North Western, 1945 to 1959 
• 1603 West Madison, 1947 to 1949 
• 5605 West Chicago, 1948 to 1955 
• 6351 North Western, 1948 only 


And- a little more digging revealed that the chain had their own plates:
(How cute are these?)

mothers day loot

Mothers day is right around the corner, friends. It's time to show your mom's how much you love them, with something sweet and memorable.
Here are a few cards and gifts that I have been coming across, that I think would make any mom glow with happiness.

mothers day cards: They always make them go "aw" and always melt their hearts. So make sure to get them one!

House That Lars Built

Rocket Ink

Anemone Letterpress

(This one is my favorite!)

Printerette Press

Small Gifts to say I love you.

Odelae: hand bound journals. Beautiful and original love. 

Schoolhouse Electric: Fill one of these trophies with a beautiful flower arrangement. This way your mom gets to smell the roses and win a trophy!

Royal Botanicals by Ariel Dearie: Get her some calming bath soak for those times she needs to relax.

Cities in Dust: A modern twist on elegance. These earrings will make her smile from ear to ear!

Camp Wandawega: The Iron Scoutmaster has a long history of family and honor. Mother's are the scoutmasters who pick you up and brush you off. Get her something that lasts as long as her love and is as reliable and her hand. 

awesomeness

Stumbled across this site 'official mfg. co.'
and fell head over heels in infatuation with -
well-
everything that they do.

Here is a taste:

Invites they designed for Spirit of 77, Ace Hotel Portland, Olympic Provisions & Clyde Common “Holiday” Party. Letterpressed fronts, stamped envelopes.

check them out here

P.A.R.

I am a sucker for great graphic design. The other day I came across a company called P.A.R. based out of Barcelona. Their graphics are modern and fresh with a vintage twist. I am particularly drawn to their Strata Bakery project and their Shooting with Garlic project. Clean lines with colors and type that make a nod towards the past. Great seal, too! Can't wait to see what else they come up with!

 Best of both worlds if you ask me. Plus, they are dolls! Check out more here.

this. is. adorable.

Check out the wintercabincollection.