· a brand is born ·

I have always been a fan of Orangina...the light, effervescent and citrusy drink is very refreshing on warm days. I even love the shape of the bottle! My favorite Orangina flavor, however, is one you can't find stateside. I remember the first time I tried the blood orange flavor...it was one of my first purchases on my visit to Paris. In a small convenient store near the Centre Pompidou is where I picked up a bottle. Now, I've always been a little confused by the statement on the side of the bottle which says 'shake it' (because of the carbonation)...so here I was in Paris...and once again I'm questioning the command to 'shake it'. Well, apparently this Frenchmen standing nearby overhears me stating my confusion to my traveling companions because he looks at me and confirms: 'Yes, you shake it!'. (Actually, I think he gave more of a charades gesture to 'shake it'...but you get the picture.) Anyways, I think we all got a bit of a chuckle out of that.

Reminiscing aside, it's fitting that I have fond memories of Orangina in Paris. Why, you might ask? Well...these lovely abstract Orangina posters that you see above were designed by French artist Bernard Villemot in 1953. His swirling orange peel design would become the mark used by Orangina in their logo. Aren't the colors great?! So vibrant and colorful!

As a graphic designer and an artist, I am always appreciative to see such a fun and lovely logo come from a great piece of art! Now go get yourself an Orangina and don't forget to 'shake it'!

· quick share ·

One of my favorite illustrators has recently come out with another children's book and I wanted to share some art from the book and a link to her site. Jen Corace creates some of the most adorable illustrations I have ever seen, check it out: Little Hoot

· the smell of spring ·

It always amazes me how the scent of something can transport you to a different time and place. I remember reading somewhere that our memories are closely tied to our sense of smell. To put it another way, our noses are a great memory inducer! It's like a natural high. The other night I was talking with a close friend of mine about how at the start of Spring it feels like my senses begin to wake-up. It's as if my senses have been hibernating. Everything seems to have a scent now... a scent that hadn't been there for several months. One scent that jogged my memory recently is kind of an odd one. My bedroom has taken-on a more inviting scent (not that it was bad before). It's kind of hard to explain this scent... it's one that reminds me of the first few days of summer. Back in my schooling days... those first days of summer would be filled with joy. Joy because I would have just finished another year of school and I didn't have to go back for 3 months! This scent can somehow bring about feelings of joy and sadness at the same time. The joy is there because I know warmer days are near... and sadness because I know that I can no longer fully enjoy those warm days like I used to. Oh how I long for those days of playing outside and going to the pool in the middle of the day... in the middle of the week!

What are some scents that bring back memories for you?

Here are some of my favorite "memory inducers":
• fresh cut grass (even though I'm allergic to it!)
• the smell the rain leaves behind on a balmy summer afternoon
• coffee brewing
• cooking with garlic
• scotch tape
• linden
• sunscreen
• clean towels
• iodine (weird, i know)
• spearmint
• fresh baked bread
• cucumber
• citrus fruits
• tropical hibiscus
• salty sea air
• the earthy smell of beets
• a good wine
• grilling
• moss
• pencil erasers