Don’t be fooled by the basic sheet of paper. It can be formed and molded into the most extraordinary, meticulous pieces of art. Paper cutting artists are some of the most patient that I know. I have some experience working with paper and creating art books, being a graphic designer. I am fierce with an Exacto blade. But after seeing these pieces by various artists, I should just surrender, lay down my blade at their feet, and pick up this This is For You (a book that we carry!) in order to simply enjoy and be awed by the masters of the trade.
Keep looking after the fold for some more inspiring pieces. These ain’t no paper cranes!…
With the sun warming Pittsburgh closer and closer to summer, the cyclists have brushed off their bikes and begun to come out in droves. And frankly, I love it. This week, May 11-15th, is “Bike to Work Week”! So hopefully you can gain a bit of inspiration from these neon-colored bikes and helpful guide about biking in style. There are some great organizations out there that can help you get on the road, and safely, as well as some really great biking gear that is perfect for the type of gal that still likes to bike in skirts and leggings.
Read on to see a bike helmet that you can finally color coordinate to match your outfit!
[Image above: (clockwise from left) Pin Hole camera for those sunny days at Notre Dame, the Buffy Sainte-Marie bag that will help you rival the chicness of all the Parisian girls, Take on a new face/unibrow with this great Frida Kahlo eye mask (these eye masks are a must for me on the airplane if I want any sleep!), the I Am Not a Paper Cup will help you love the world while you are carrying your 10th double cappuccino of the day, these fabulous and surprisingly reasonable rollaway luggage pieces will help you pack light, and stylish!]
I am hoping that after reading Maggie’s post last week on the top ten places to travel to, you have finally booked your flight and purchased your tickets to anywhere, because this spring some traveling needs to be done! Enough of this recession-shmession, let’s enjoy life! I can’t tell you how many trips I have been sitting on, just waiting for my opportunity to go. And the idea of the Hippie trail going from Germany to India through Western Asia is a dream to me. (Thanks a lot Maggie for putting another ridiculous/somewhat dangerous trip in my mind!)
The world is to be seen, and appreciated. As a world traveler myself (I have been lucky enough to visit 17 countries, mostly in Europe and south Asia), I have pulled out some of my favorite things that will help you be on your way in style. It’s easy to be weighed down in traveling, so I encourage you: pack light, bring a comfortable pair of shoes, and do some planning before you go (you don’t want to end up stranded at the wrong train station at 3am in a country where you don’t speak the language)!
Continue reading to see what other great things you can bring along…!
The past few weeks I have been scouring thousands of sites (well, no not literally) to attempt to find the perfect vintage-inspired frame. After losing my first pair of designer glasses, sitting on my “spare” pair, and buying my third pair while traveling in India and having the lens literally crumble in my hands, I have found myself, pretty much without a decent pair of eyeglasses. I now know that I am careless, forgetful, and also cheap, which leads me to search for the perfect pair of frames within my boundaries. And I came down to the fact that if I want vintage-inspired, perhaps I should refer to or purchase a pair that were actually made in the past.
Read on to see some great frame options, and inspiring looks for that perfect pair of vintage frames…
HER MORNING ELEGANCE I set out in hopes of finding some of the best artistic YouTube videos, and really felt as if I came up short in general. Most were amateurish: lacking in technique, and interesting content. But the one above is my absolute favorite of what I have found. It was created by Oren Lavie, an Isreali artist, and really is beautiful. My favorite parts: the dancing, the wind, the fish, and the part where she is jumping from one pillow to the next (it kind of reminds me of Mario Bros).
There are a few more interesting videos after the fold. Read on! And submit a comment if you would like to share any other artsy vids…Read the rest of this entry »
[Image above: Mara Hoffman spring 2009, influenced by maps]
I seriously cannot say enough about patterns. They have crept into my life from every angle. I love to draw them, see them, wear them, and print them over and over again. While I am not an organization person, I am a color and shape person. Art always seems to pull its influences from other things, whether it be sounds, people, nature, trash, the past, or other fields, art is never generated out of thin air. I have been astounded within the past 5 years at how much fashion and interior design have begun taking cues from the graphic arts world. While I understand that patterns and illustration have been around for years, it is astonishing to see how much the trends in fashion have gone from traditional to the graphical/technical realm. With advances in fabric printing techniques, weaving, and manufacturing, you can now literally wear anything on your clothing. Also with our daily investment in the digital world, we are more and more accustomed to the look of digitally- created objects. Take a look at some of the graphically-influenced clothing below, and appreciate their beauty and digital enhancement.
I have just discovered the wonder that is Fishs Eddy. Maybe I am slow to hop on this train, as I have seen some of these fun products floating around the net for some time, but am glad to finally have a grouping of some graphic-printed dinnerware that I would LOVE to have in my kitchen when I serve up my favorite meal of the day: breakfast!
The Pantone mug is a must for any artist, designer, or lover of color and they come in almost any Pantone shade available. I am intrigued by the “nudy” glass and bowl. They would raise a few eyebrows and giggles as I use them to serve a big ol’ bowl of oatmeal and glass of orange juice. The very colorful plasticware from Kitsch Kitchen is fabulous; I love the pixelated platter and robot cups. The Chemistry Salt and Pepper shakers are a classic for the kitchen. And my absolute favorite are the swimmers glasses and the- ahem- peeing boy cup. These are so clever and would be entirely enjoyed. (All of the images are clickable above, so take a closer look if you are interested.)
[Image above: (clockwise from left) Valentine typwriter circa 1969, a tie dinner napkin I will hand my boyfriend during our Valentine's dinner date since he is neither neat nor dressy, I hope hope hope I get a cupcake from Dozen (hint hint), simple, yet bright, pieces like this vintage fire engine red chair are a good way to add some valentine's to your decor]
[Image above: (clockwise from left) Just perfect Stacked Rings by Deka Ray, Metal rocking chair, Metal pin hole lanterns at Terrain at Styers (VERY pricey but beautiful), For those days of fantasizing about riding into the sunset with your knight: the Camelot ring, Trusty steed glasses, Silver water flask, Grey-t expectations coat]
Grey Days: It has been cold, and snowy and the days have been short. So we have clung to the gloom and embraced the grey colors that are perfect for wintry Pittsburgh.
TRULY INSPIRED:
Regardless of whether your political affiliation is Republican, Democrat or Independent, it is clear to see that many people have been inspired by the recent change in our American history of electing our first African American president. This is made clear through the thousands and thousands of inspired art, ephemera and general glee that I luckily got to witness at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. on Tuesday. ModCloth was kind enough to let me have the day off so I could enjoy the festivities with the 2 million other people who came to watch (yep, that’s right people, I was crazy enough to go)…
[Image above: CARTONLANDIA by Ana Cerrano]
[Image above: Customizable bicycles-
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