THE GREAT LAKES

LIVIN'

2012-01-26T20:14:00.000-05:00

IN KEEPING WITH MY THEME

OF MURKY- MURKS

& BRIGHTY- BRIGHTS

I LOVE ALL OF THESE

INTERIOR SHOTS

I REALLY NEED TO

REDECORATE.

MOST IMAGES FROM

COASTIN

IIIINSPIRED

ART AND CHIC

THANK YOU FOR THAT

A SPELL

2012-01-25T23:00:00.001-05:00

A SPELL TO WARD OFF THE DARKNESS (TRAILER) from Ben Russell on Vimeo.

IN CASE YOU'VE BEEN WONDERING WHAT MY BETTER HALF HAS BEEN UP TO LATELY

AND THE WARDROBE

2012-01-25T20:07:00.000-05:00

I WOULD BE PLEASE AS PUNCH IF

I WOKE UP TOMORROW AND ALL OF

THESE ITEMS WERE IN MY CLOSET

ALL FROM THE MAGICAL LAND OF

TOTOKAELO

WHICH I FINALLY GOT TO SEE IN

PERSON IN OCTOBER AND IT IS

A BEAUTIFULLY CURATED SHOP

GO THERE IF YOU HAVE THE CHANCE

NO, I SAID, WHAT KIND OF BIRD ARE YOU

2012-01-14T23:48:00.000-05:00

I'M VERY EXCITED

MUSIC THURSDAYS?

2012-01-12T19:14:00.000-05:00

it hasn't really gotten cold here

i'm not complaining

today was rainymistydamp

here's a mix for those kind of days

TUNES

SWEET NOTHINGS

2012-01-02T20:03:00.000-05:00

NEW DESIGNS FOR ALL YOUR

LOVER'S NEEDS

SOON AVAILABLE IN THE

SHOPPE

PEOPLE GET READY

2011-12-30T18:32:00.000-05:00

as i am getting ready to start making new work and products for 2012

(i can't believe i just typed that)

i have been saving these images for a while as inspiration

i know they may not all make sense together, but

i really like the colorway between them all

murky murks and brighty brights

we'll see what happens!

TAKE CARE FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER (COVER IT EDITION)

2011-12-20T19:49:00.000-05:00

DRAKE

CONFESSIONAL RAP 2012

ONE OF

MY FAVORITE ALBUM COVERS OF THE YEAR

SILK FLOWERS

NEW WAVE LONERS 2011

CAN'T HELP BUT NOTICE IT'S A HIP-HOP BLINGED

OUT VERSION OF SILK FLOWERS' LTD. COVER ART.

WHAT?!

WORLDS COLLIDING

MUSIC MONDAYS

2011-12-20T00:03:00.000-05:00

a music mix for you

with few words and sweeping musical interludes

ENJOY!

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE

2011-12-18T20:27:00.000-05:00

so, in case you were all thinking about what to get me for christmas, i've made it easy for you...

images 1-4... CREATURES OF COMFORT

image 5... KAREN KILIMNIK BOOK

image 6... COMME DES GARCONS TOTE

image 7 & 8... no6 & BAGGU COLLABO

image 9 ... JASPER BY WARBY PARKER

image 10... SAMMA RING

image 11... COMME DES GARCONS WALLET

image 12 ... no6

image 13 ... ALYSON FOX

image 14... BYREDO PARFUMS

MUSIC MONDAY (ON WEDNESDAY)

2011-12-14T00:33:00.000-05:00

new music for when you feel like dancing. check it out HERE

HIBER-NATION (A NATION OF 2)

2011-12-09T01:23:00.000-05:00

this holiday season has been a busy one!

i can't complain, but i think the utter chaos of my house might

start to any day now.

longing for a few days (coming up soon) where i can

chill and organize and make things feel as clean and sparse

as possible.

and like everyone else in the world, i'm all about a good

pop of neon pink in my life right now.

so bring it. there might be a tiny tree coming to my house tomorrow.

maybe some neon pink will happen there!

YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE A LITTLE

2011-12-08T00:38:00.000-05:00

i love the holidays. i love gift giving.

these are all things i would both

a- want to give most of my closest bros

b- would want to keep for myself

PLANT HANGER, DEER CLIPS, SATCHEL,

FEATHER PILLOW, SILK SCARF, EARRINGS

LIGHT, PILLOW & CART

*****MORE TO COME*****

MUSIC MONDAY

2011-11-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

as monday turns into tuesday i bring you a new musical mix. i would like to be resting. i don't know about you...check it out HERE

JUST POPPIN' BY....

2011-11-26T10:11:00.001-05:00

SERIOUSLY!!??

for a quick inspiration post. most inspiring are the tiny bunnies and the last image. a phrase i happen to keep repeating in my head for the past two months. things are gonna change i can feel it!

SUNDAY SONATAS?

2011-11-20T09:52:00.000-05:00

whenever i try to do a post on the same day every week it never works. so instead of monday music, i bring you sunday sonatas. a mix i made HERE. enjoy the smoothness on your sunday.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO....

2011-11-16T23:02:00.000-05:00

the lovely lads of CREATURES OF THE WIND! they were the runners up for the vogue cfda fashion fund award. hard work literally pays off! xo

I WANT TO BE INVITED

2011-11-12T17:19:00.000-05:00

to a party that looks like this.

THE WINTER IS A COMING

2011-11-07T22:59:00.000-05:00

the nesting urge is upon me as it gets slowly colder out. time to cozy up my home and make it lovely to stay inside.

ENJOY MUSIC MONDAYS!

2011-11-06T23:12:00.001-05:00

i'm going to start posting music mixes here on mondays for you listening enjoyment! here's a link to HEAD SPACE, a gentle mix of music to get your week started. let me know what you think!

TIME TO HOLE UP AND READ A LITTLE

2011-11-03T20:19:00.000-04:00

i love when new books come out. just in time for my bday. time to head to MY LOCAL BOOKSTORE and get myself ready for the winter with some reading.

HEY GOOD LOOKING

2011-10-21T10:54:00.000-04:00

not much to say right now. been working like crazy to get ready to go out to show the pacific NW what's up with my trunk show. but i had been weirdly attracted to all of these images sitting on my desktop for a while now. seems like the common thread is saturation of color and/or lack thereof. i know that may not make much sense, but somehow it does it this peabrain of mine!

NIGHT TIME TROPICALS

2011-10-12T21:34:00.000-04:00

dries van noten S/S 2012 collection was full of things that if given an unlimited black amex card i would max it out in a second. they managed to make digital prints look fresh again. the swing drop waist coat dresses- i would literally wear those every day if given the opportunity. i love when fashion excites/inspires me and this collection hit all the right notes.

WHERE NO GREAT LAKE HAS GONE BEFORE

2011-10-07T13:14:00.003-04:00

what's that you say? no, i have never been to the pacific northwest. and i am pumped to go! i have sold my line there for years with the lovely help of CROW & CANARY, but i have never actually seen where it ends up. so, alas we have partnered up with two lovely shops and even lovelier people to have a little get together of sorts. i will be at VELOCITY ART & DESIGN on thursday 10/27 in seattle and TILDE on saturday 10/29 in portland. if you live in either of these places and have even remotely liked what i have made, come by! it will be nice to meet you! and i will have some very special limited items available for the first time for you!
i have been warned that i should put a bird on something and maybe i will!

I DON'T WANT IT

2011-10-07T00:24:00.000-04:00

most of you know of my love of music. you may not know that i have a music BLOG, too. this is mostly like a giant video mixtape of what i love to listen to. it's also where i will be posting anything about music projects that i am working on. enjoy!

THE BRITISH ARE COMING?

2011-10-06T17:59:00.001-04:00

i don't generally pay attention to burberry. i think they make snappy coats and over the years have continued to get hipper and more relevant. everyone loves a good trench! their tailoring is always top notch. but the S/S 2012 burberry prorsum show was full of bright colors, geometric prints, african wax fabric and stripes. it looked so new and fresh. i really love a patterned coat and i think they did these really great. i especially love the striped baseball style hat with giant pom.
well done!

ONEHUNDREDANDONE

2011-10-02T22:01:00.000-04:00

BRAVE NEW WORLD

BRAVE NEW VOID

i loved everything about the balenciaga s/s2012 show. i loved that a lot of the looks had nothing to do with the seasons of spring and/or summer. i loved the camel, black, dalmatian print with pops of red. i loved the shield me from the world hats. so many things. i hadn't had a reaction to balenciaga in a long time so, i was really pumped to see what transpired.

A NEW WAY TO BE SOCIAL

2011-09-30T00:15:00.002-04:00

REMNANTS OF THE CREEK

JAKE RYAN

THE SLIMER

TEMPORARY TATTOOS WITH THE NAME OF EACH
SUNDAE.

my girl BETH and i recently embarked on a new way to be social. no computers, no phones, just good old fashioned ice cream. that's right, we had an ice cream social. we had plenty of ice cream ( and still do in the icebox), toppings and gentle suggestions to help you make a sundae. what's that, you want to make a sundae themed after dawson's creek? well, first you start with rocky road ice cream, have some chocolate rocks and some pretzel sticks to make the infamous ladder joey used to climb up to dawson's window during those lovelorn days of non crazy katie holmes. this was only one of about 10 different pop-culture themed sundae ideas we offered up- including, the slimer, the jake ryan and michael don't (if anyone can guess what michael don't is, you might get a prize or something). we also went all out decoration styles to emphasize the party aspect of getting together and having fun. we had a pretty awesome time coming up with the concepts for the sundaes so much that we think there could be a holiday cupcake social in the works...stay tuned!

NOBODY WANTS YOU FOR A SUNBEAM

2011-09-18T19:18:00.002-04:00

my increasingly talented friends CREATURES OF THE WIND presented their spring 2012 line earlier this week. every showing of theirs gets more thoughtful, professional and bigger. this time there were so many separate pieces to pick and choose from to either mimic the look they created or create something special within your own wardrobe. it's exciting to see/hear their creations come to life every time. MB , HB and myself all joined musical forces to provide the sonic backdrop to their show. we did a cover of THIS.

I WANT U TO WANT ME BACK

2011-09-13T16:08:00.000-04:00

i am starting to really hate wanting things! all these beautiful dark and gothic and dreamy things are on my mind as of late. glimpses of fall weather and winds are rolling in and making me very, very happy.

images from ANOTHER, MNZ, TOTOKAELO & MY VIBE MY LIFE

HOME INVASION

2011-09-01T21:09:00.000-04:00

i snuck out of the city to visit my mom and my friend CHAR. i somehow perfectly timed it to leave the day before the hurricane craziness started and the day after hurricane craziness ended. i am the buffy of weather. in visiting char, i got to see her new house. back in february she and her james bought a house in rochester, ny. i am jealous that she is a homeowner. even though i am nowhere near ready to own my own house or property, i really like the idea of getting to fix a home up from scratch. they are on a roll with all their renovations and i can't wait to see what they come up with. in the meantime, i will spruce up my apartment (sans garden you lucky devil) with a little inspiration from these images.

ps- a lot of my plants died this summer. i hate summer for just another reason among many.
bonus, time for a plant restock!

also pps- char makes this....

get it HERE

JEKYLL AND HYDE?

2011-08-21T18:25:00.001-04:00

maybe i'm having some split personality issues, but both of the duo-tone pieces make me very happy. available HERE

BORN BRUISED

2011-08-21T18:21:00.000-04:00

check out dan's SITE. pitch perfect selection of music made by some of my friends and beyond....

STREAMS OF...

2011-08-17T14:33:00.000-04:00

just a little running tally of things influencing me from all around. finishing up some orders heading to exciting places. be on the look out for holiday cards at the SFMOMA soon!

ME AND MY ARROW

2011-08-11T21:14:00.000-04:00

harry nilsson said it best!
just when you thought i was maybe slacking on the making stuff to show you, i present, ME & MY ARROW. handmade wooden decorative arrows with plaster cast arrowheads and hand painted striping. will be available for sale in the SHOP soon

BEGINNERS

2011-08-10T23:22:00.001-04:00

the first movie i've seen in a long time that made me feel something. everything about it is sad, wonderful and charming in the best kind of way.

MR. SMITH

2011-08-07T23:26:00.001-04:00

still so very sad

elliott smith

8/6/69 - 10/21/03

my favorite song of his

and of mine

ALWAYS CURRENT TO ME

2011-08-05T21:02:00.001-04:00

marimekko (the clothing, the lifestyle) was founded in the early 1950's but somehow always seems to transcend time and feel really modern to me. every season they put out a new crop of clothing, fabric and home goods that maintain relevance amongst contemporary design heavy-hitters. i always troll ebay for marimekko vintage dresses and shirts and whatnot, rob and i have a collection of vintage marimekko fabric and i even bought present-day reprints of designs that crate and barrel sells to make curtains for our old place. needless to say, i am a big fan! i am also a big fan of the new clothing options they have done for fall. kicky, little aline dresses and shirts that are modern interpretations of prints from the 70s. i want each and every one of these. you can get them all HERE

SUMMER BUMMIN

2011-07-31T17:54:00.001-04:00

seeing as i have spent the last 2 weeks going thru the time consuming process of having a root canal (of which i am still in pain from) i haven't been feeling too inspired. here's some lovely images from around the internet world (forgive me for re-hashing if you've seen them already) soon i will have images of some new work for sale in the shop and just some things i am working on.

images from all over- michael kors resort, proenza schouler resort, earrings from HERE, vases by ai weiwei, scarf by louisa parris etc, etc.

FREJA

2011-07-24T10:19:00.000-04:00

there's always something so casual about the way freja beha erichsen takes a photo. i was happy to see, as i was flipping thru some magazines, that she's back in the rightful place of a chanel girl in the fall chanel ads. it was kind of a bummer to see BLAKE LIVELY in the previous seasons' ads. it just didn't make much sense. don't get me wrong, she seems like a lovely all american girl but there was something missing. there's no way she could have gotten all coquettish and feline in a photo booth without making you feel like she was acting. and as much as i hate to use that word cool, freja just seems really cool. james dean style cool. which is rare in 2011.

IT'S TOO HOT

2011-07-18T18:44:00.000-04:00

we have entered the hell spot of summer nyc weather

lamp by whippy lamp, uk and poster available HERE

BOSSY-STIR-UP-PANTS

2011-07-16T20:02:00.001-04:00

first off, i finally finished bossy pants. and i listened to it on audiobook. which i must say was fun. i am also totally prepared for some backlash here, but i was kind of disappointed. obviously the most important message of the book is to remain true to yourself as a female and help other ladies out instead of the bulls*** competition that a lot of ladies find themselves in with one another. it's hard enough competing with the dudes, but then to have to compete on a whole other level with ladies is exhausting. if we all toned it down a bit we could actually find that we can help each other out a bit more than hurt each other.

and i was really excited for like the first 90% of the book, but somehow it took a wrong turn for the last 10%. i know i have a hard time disassociating tina fey and liz lemon, but when tina fey was doing tina fey on weekend update i thought she was the best. when she declared bitch was the new black with so much assuredness i thought she was genius ( and i don't use that word lightly cuz somewhere a couple of years ago people started using the word genius to describe things like dresses and shoes and i like to reserve it for einstein level importance). when she said that- it was the perfect cutting remark to backlash that hillary clinton and any other lady had been getting/not getting during their political rises to power. and then in the book she dis-owns it by saying she didn't mean it. and that she didn't want to take a political stand and that she didn't want to start something by saying it and bam...no more bossypants.

and then she starts talking about her baby struggles and her nanny/babysitter/caretaker of her child and it got real weird for me. i guess i never thought of her in that way. i understand that she has a life and a world outside of what i have grown to admire her for, but i guess i thought it wouldn't boil down to worrying what to call the nanny. and don't get me wrong-girl built something from nothing (hilarious nothing) and works crazy hours and probably doesn't get paid enough (by enough i mean as much as the dudes) but, she also makes enough money to not have to worry about who's taking care of the kid and paying the bills. i guess i didn't think a book titled bossypants would boil down to such a blasse ending.

so, i'm not saying that i don't still love tina fey. i think she and amy poehler are single handedly responsible for bringing smart women to the forefront of comedy and some of my favorite comedy moments have come from watching 30 rock. but, i guess reading that book made her more human to me, which i should have known she was along.

amazing photo comparison from HERE

INTERIOR SOLUTIONS

2011-07-15T20:42:00.000-04:00

anyone who knows me knows that i am a terrible mover. i have lived in my "new" apartment for a year and still have managed to not unpack a few boxes. it doesn't help that ROB and i are terrible pack rats with bad stacking tendencies ( piling magazines, papers, receipts, you name it). but, now that we have decided to stay here another year, i am going to get the ball rolling on finishing it up. it's a lovely apartment with vintage moldings and built-ins and i need to celebrate it! until then all of these images are inspiring me to be better at living in my space.

images from HOME IS WHERE THE COUCH IS, ROSE GOLDEN and various other places around the internet.

STELLLLLAAA

2011-07-14T19:50:00.000-04:00

stella mccartney proves time and time again that any shape or pattern or color looks great as long as it's tailored to perfection.

COVER IT

2011-07-14T01:10:00.000-04:00

MAXWELL THIS WOMAN'S WORK

cover songs are always tricky. a really good cover of a song can make you re-think the original version and/or even replace it. this is a video of maxwell's this woman's work which is an original song by kate bush. maxwell sounds like an angel. there's such a sensitivity and gentleness to the way that he handled the song. almost like more of a tribute than trying to change it into something it shouldn't be. when i hear this song i become transfixed, not distracted by it not being the original.

KATE BUSH THIS WOMAN'S WORK

DON'T GOOGLE YOURSELF...

2011-07-04T11:57:00.001-04:00

or do because you never know what you will find. i found this image of a small series of drawings i did based on the catcher in the rye 3 years ago. i actually have no idea where these drawings are. i have since moved 3 times since making them. let's hope they're still in one of those boxes i have deemed unable to unpack due to procrastination.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

2011-07-04T11:45:00.001-04:00

are you serious olsen twins? so far, they seem to have done no wrong with their clothing line- THE ROW (even their website is clever) i never thought about wearing fur before until i saw that striped fur jacket. whuck?!

DREAM CLOTHES

2011-06-29T00:11:00.000-04:00

wishlist of a dream wardrobe from the beautiful maryam nassir zadeh. all of this awesomeness is on sale, too!

THE IN- BETWEENS

2011-06-29T00:06:00.000-04:00

these are all looks from chloe's latest resort line. i was sad to hear that hannah macgibbon has left chloe because i felt like it had hit it's stride again. but this resort collection was designed in between head designers and it seemed like a greatest hits of the line. i would wear any of these looks any day. they are great shapes, interesting textures and what i think of as new basics. now, let's get it going with an unlimited budget and all of these looks in my closet. good luck to hannah macgibbon wherever she ends up next!

NEWSHOUNDS UNITE

2011-06-24T00:20:00.000-04:00

what's up nerds? (yes i am including myself in this group) in case you haven't picked up a newspaper lately or you have resigned yourself to saving the planet by reading things online, you can now reignite your senses with a new york times inspired scented candle. the smell is being likened to one of my favorite papers of all time, newsprint. i think this is pretty clever. the print nerd in me is going to buy one now. available at the ace hotel gift shop and bond too

COVER IT

2011-06-21T18:08:00.000-04:00

not too much to say here. a girl seemingly under duress blanketed in soft color fades. all these things make we want to know more. a beautiful cover on another lovely edition of LULA

A SWANSONG

2011-06-18T23:49:00.000-04:00

i was recently in chicago and had an awesome time with some bros. S & J & i kicked it with a little drunk ron swanson. this one's for you guys!

ROW ROW ROW

2011-06-16T10:25:00.001-04:00

a while back i did some custom work for reform school in LA for a new craft project kit to build your own canoe. it contains all the plans to aid you in building your own canoe from plywood and basic tools. i just recently saw it featured in readymade magazine. congrats, reform school! it looks like an ambitious and awesome project!

THESE ARE A FEW....

2011-06-04T00:08:00.000-04:00

just a few of my current favorite inspirational things in my still-going-strong love affair in a blush and neon palette.

terrible at listing where images come from ... in no particular order...tote by FIELDGUIDED, shoes by mui mui, graffiti from france (?) tile by rob ryan inscribed with my current mantra, shoes rachel comey and flowers by SAIPUA

COVER IT

2011-06-02T11:18:00.000-04:00

today's cover it features the covers of 2 things in my collection of stuff that i realized made me feel the same way. the top image is the cover of the new SILK FLOWERS record and the bottom image is the cover of the dictionary of superstitions. i have had this book in my possession for a long time and usually leave it on top of the stacks because i love the image. the record cover was made in the last year and feels so time lost to me. they are polar opposites of each other in time and place in the artistic spectrum but something about the still life quality of each image makes me respond to it in the same way. if i were to combine the two images, holy crap, minimalist maximalist still life perfection.
by the way, the new silk flowers record LTD. FORM is one of my favorite records that came out this year.

MEMORIALIZE

2011-05-30T21:55:00.002-04:00

rest in peace, biggie and 2pac
happy memorial day!

MY HERO

2011-05-26T23:56:00.001-04:00

amy poehler. parks and recreation is the highlight of my week. she and ben. man. she gave the graduation speech at harvard. check it out HERE

COVER IT

2011-05-26T14:36:00.000-04:00

i thought i would try to start doing some regular posts here on this old blog of mine. this one called COVER IT, will be dedicated to inspirational covers of books, records, movies and anything else of the sort that i feel drawn to. sidney poitier, sunset colored dahlias and maybe the text for one of my next cards equals a trifecta of inspiration.

HELL HATH FROZE ITSELF

2011-05-26T00:04:00.001-04:00

i am trying to head the advice of friends and colleagues and get more involved. i have joined something. !!!

LONG HARD ROAD

2011-05-19T13:11:00.001-04:00

so, the national stationery show 2011 has come to a close. i have been steadily prepping new product for it for the past month and i think it went well. i thought i would post a few pictures of my booth so, you could see what i was up to. i will also post new product shots and product in the shop in the next few days. thanks to everyone who stopped by and people that i got to meet who i had previously only known thru email. that's always the fun part. someone equated the show to summer camp and it really does feel that way. a bunch of friends getting together once a year chatting and catching up!

(i will also post some of my favorite things from the show, too!)

SNEAKIN' PEEKIN'

2011-05-11T12:19:00.000-04:00

getting ready for the NSS and i thought i would give you a sneak peek into some new stuff debuting this year! stop by booth # 1567 if you are gonna be around for the show! as always there will be an awesome candy selection. xo

NO WORDS

2011-05-07T16:26:00.001-04:00

things have been incredibly sad, incredibly stressful and somehow life rolls on. prepping for the national stationery show next week. i should be posting new work very soon. and that's what makes life roll on

FALLING THEATER

2011-04-22T13:02:00.000-04:00

my musical partner in crime MATTEAH is raising funds thru kickstarter to make a film and record about the lost art of theater performance. i think it's going to turn out to be a really beautiful project documenting the nostalgia and romance associated with the old-school feelings of a staged theater production. if you feel like supporting her check out her PROPOSAL.

PROCRASTINATING

2011-04-22T12:48:00.000-04:00

prepping for the STATIONERY SHOW when all i want to be doing is reading this book. someday i will have it all.

EYES ON MY WRIST

2011-04-14T19:47:00.000-04:00

this could be one of the most amazing pieces of jewelry i have seen in a while. check out more work by DAVID NEALE. the australians are crushing it lately for me.

WEARSTLER

2011-04-14T19:26:00.001-04:00

i have always been a closeted fan of kelly wearstler. she always goes for big, bold and glamorous in her designs, which i feel can go all wrong, but there is always a sense of humor in her proportions that i really enjoy. i am enjoying getting a glimpse further into her life and style via her BLOG. i was also unaware of that fact that she showed her new up and coming clothing line. totally charming and girly. and i think it will be exciting to see what she does next. if she can bring her big, bold, glamour influences to the clothing and accessories line i think it could make for something very interesting

ANOTHER LOVER

2011-04-11T15:58:00.000-04:00

i know this is kind of old news, but ANOTHER MAGAZINE has a feature on their site where a group of selected tastemakers do a daily post on their "love" of the day. every so often i go through it and i need to remember to do it regularly. there are some really great images all together in one spot! here's some of the ones i found inspiring (note my unintentional rainbow theme)

OMFG

2011-04-03T14:13:00.001-04:00

Just knowing that there is the possibility that i could one day hold a handful of baby owls, might make everything seem worth it! but seriously, i know you are thinking "oh owls, they're so 2009." but, whatevs. owls are forever.

DELAYS

2011-04-02T10:37:00.000-04:00

there have been a lot of bumps in the road in the past few weeks. the most annoying one was my computer trying to not work anymore. alas the good people at MIKEY'S got it working again. so, i haven't had a chance to put together new posts i had wanted to do. in the meantime-enjoy this little guy. i believe he is a real live dog. i have named him mr. franklin delano higgins monopoly. yep. enjoy

.

image found via DEBBIE CARLOS

SPRING HAS NOT YET SPRUNG

2011-03-26T10:38:00.000-04:00

SORRY- i keep disappearing, but i am working on a bunch of new stuff for the great lakes and hoping that my computer doesn't die like it keeps threatening to. in the meantime just a quick little image round-up of things that are making me hopeful that beautiful things exist in the world.

images from acne, chloe, junya watanabe, celine, LULU, mr. sutherland, LOUIS REITH and a few others that i can't remember

HE DOES IT AGAIN

2011-03-14T18:52:00.000-04:00

raf simons does it again with an awesome fall 2011 collection. it sort of looked like luxury ski wear combined with amazing shapes. he maintained a lot of the rich colors and tones from the ( my favorite spring presentation) spring 2011 collection but makes them richer and more autumnal. i love the flower print bag dress and i don't gravitate towards flower prints. i would wear each and every one of these looks- if money was not an issue- all the time.

A NEW FAN

2011-03-14T18:44:00.000-04:00

i was only ever a fan of hermes' packaging, not so much the product. but that may be changing upon viewing the fall 2011 collection. so many looks that i was inspired by. it looks like the ultimate in luxury comfort wear!

LOAFIN' AROUND

2011-03-10T14:14:00.000-05:00

i love the way a shoe looks without laces. it's a thing of mine. other than my clarks desert boots, most of my shoes have no laces. which is why i may become a loyal wearer of tuxedo loafers. a little riskier than a penny loafer and a little classier to boot ( shoe pun). these ones from STUBBS AND WOOTEN are super old school and crazy expensive, but nonetheless, inspiring my search for the perfect pair.

CURRENTLY INSPIRED BY....

2011-03-07T16:28:00.001-05:00

this might seem like a more random group of inspiration than usual, but they are all images that have been floating around in my brain for a while now. as i work on new designs and products to get ready for the stationery show in may, i think some of these folks will all be influencing me.

jet korine life coat, stephen eichhorn, dieppa restrepo loafers, rochas, lover, ryan gosling and michelle williams, debbie carlos and zero maria cornejo

GREENWICH LETTERPRESS

2011-03-06T15:29:00.000-05:00

one of my favorite stationery lines is GREENWICH LETTERPRESS. they have all the magical ingredients of wit, nostalgia, self-mockery and plain old fashion hilarity that make me wish i had thought of that. these social networking cards are new for them, and as someone who has a hard time accepting the world of social networking into her life, they are right on the money.

COMFORT ZONE

2011-03-05T18:15:00.000-05:00

i don't normally pay too much attention to vanessa bruno's collections. i think that she puts together really pretty VIDEOS every season for her collection that make me want to be wherever she is filming them. but, i really liked the pre-fall 2011 collection that she did this year (all though i am not so sure about everyone's need to do prefall, but i did find myself liking a lot of the work that came out of it). it has that casually-comfortable-but-put together vibe that those lovely frenchies are so good at crafting

BROS BEFORE...

2011-02-22T20:57:00.000-05:00

just a little inspirational photo of 2 buddies hanging around. the friendship between keanu and river seemed so tender and real.

WORDS CAN FLOAT, TOO

2011-02-21T14:05:00.000-05:00

i never really cared about ED RUSCHA. when we learned about american artists i sort of just dismissed his work as an obvious statement of fact. he seemed like such an la fame-starved artist. which is why it's becoming apparently ironic to me that most of my work, as of late, has been text and image based. and as i look back at ruscha's work i have a real affinity for the nostalgia and emotion that the simplicity of it all causes me to feel. there is such a romanticism of language and image that sometimes it makes me uncomfortable to look at his work, but that i think is why i have grown to love it.

A WIDOW'S WALK

2011-02-20T22:51:00.000-05:00

CREATURES OF THE WIND have done it again. my friends presented their show during ny fashion week, on valentine's day no less, to great aplumb. the collection was entwined with the idea of someone waiting for their lover to come back from sea. with high collars, layers and ladylike touches the clothes seem almost like a protective layer from the sea winds and their emotions. ROB performed a soundtrack live that only enhanced the feeling of being lost. i am so excited and proud of them and for getting to see their growth every season!

IMAGES VIA STYLE.COM

LUKE BEST

2011-02-20T10:32:00.003-05:00

inspired by the illustrations of UK artist LUKE BEST

HAPPY HAPPY

2011-02-15T23:24:00.002-05:00

SUITOR has some new designs at the ready. get classy, send a suitor card.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

2011-02-14T18:40:00.001-05:00

my love for you in the form of ron swanson's pyramid of greatness

GRANDIOSE LAB

2011-02-12T17:54:00.002-05:00

grandiose lab is a line out of vancouver, bc. the coffin soap makes me unbelievably happy. it's a wooden coffin that's hinged so you can open and close it. the candles are natural beeswax in vintage army canteens. packaging can take something that seems not so exciting and make it the best ever. check it OUT.

LITTLE HOMES

2011-02-12T15:52:00.002-05:00

poplar wood mushrooms that i would like to live with. available at LARS BOLANDER

IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS AND WISHES...

2011-02-11T20:08:00.006-05:00

these are the jewels i would gift myself to show myself how much i loved myself (you dig?) i love MOCIUN'S jewelry line. it's just simple, interesting and full of enough turquoise to keep me wanting more. as a girl who never wears the same earrings at the same time, i appreciate someone who thinks of me when they design mismatched pairs!

LOVE

2011-02-10T21:45:00.000-05:00

i'm just saying....the day is nigh

LOVE FOR SALE

2011-02-01T22:48:00.002-05:00

don't forget your valentine...more available in SHOP

STELLAR

2011-02-01T22:42:00.002-05:00

words cannot express how amazing i think the work of STELLAR QUILTS is. amazingly hand crafted quilts with a celestial theme. unreal.

SERIOUSLY UP A TREE

2011-02-01T22:35:00.002-05:00

some dreamy and often times comical photos by ALEX STODDARD

JUST IN CASE...

2011-01-21T00:59:00.002-05:00

you've ever wondered what it looks like inside of my brain

great work by ADAM EKBERG

STELLAAAA

2011-01-20T16:43:00.002-05:00

i can't get enough of stella mccartney's oversized tailoring. i love those gigantic boxy coats.

HOW PRE-FALL CAN YOU GET?

2011-01-20T16:36:00.004-05:00

IMAGES VIA STYLE.COM
PROENZA SCHOULER AND CELINE

i am not sure when pre-fall collections became so popular. i have read the term before and probably just logged it as a really exciting way to bump fall closer and closer as it's my favorite time of year. it seems that a lot of lines are turning out some stellar looking jams for pre-fall. i would definitely be able to handle all of these pieces in my current wardrobe.

LALALOVE YOU PRETTY BABY

2011-01-17T16:38:00.005-05:00

i know i have posted about LULA magazine before, but i have been going over some of my back issues at my leisure over the past few weeks and feeling totally inspired by it all again. it's not a magazine for everyone and it's definitely not trying to solve anyone's problems. it often features repeat ladies that they feel embody the spirit of the magazine and in that way i appreciate that it really seems like a family of women making something special. it completely invokes an inner girliness that i often try and hold back, but i feel like it's time to let it out. i feel like if i bring one more sparkly champagne hued object into the house ROB may barf ( i secretly know he loves it)! plus, he's gonna appreciate it when i find that perfect vintage (pink?!) disco ball i have been looking for to scatter sunlight throughout the rooms.

NEW DESIGNS

2011-01-16T20:15:00.004-05:00

some new card designs for the new year. available for wholesale now and soon to be in the SHOP

BRIGHTER, BRIGHTER STILL

2011-01-14T18:25:00.004-05:00

just a little rainbow brightness to ease into the weekend. it's been really cold here in brooklyn. i would love to go to the desert.

UNE CERTAINE VOIE

2011-01-13T18:59:00.005-05:00

i know that there are leagues and armies of ladies who strive for that certain air of chicness that french women seem to have in spades, but there is one mademoiselle in particular that i admire for this... ISABEL MARANT. everything about the world that she has created as a fashion designer seems like an extension of the world she herself lives in. effortless, carefree, confident and chic. ms. marant is always seen with a messy bun and little to no makeup. beautiful and natural, the way her clothes make ladies look. if only i had ever started smoking and drinking coffee i would feel a little closer to my goal of total french chic world domination.

WINTER DRESS

2011-01-07T14:33:00.003-05:00

still coping with being cold. i like it more than being hot, but i haven't found a perfect winter coat yet, nor boots, nor hat.
but all of these looks (warm or not) i have recently found to be inspiring.

YOU'RE A GEM

2011-01-03T18:03:00.003-05:00

into these pieces available HERE. i never tire of his work.

AND THE WINNER IS...

2011-01-02T14:32:00.004-05:00

so, pantone has announced it's pick for color of the year...honeysuckle. a bright-ish pink color that is supposed to cheer the spirits and enthusiasm. it might just be me, but i feel the opposite when i look at this color. it's not not pretty, but it feels a little dated. and when i think of honeysuckle i think of summery white golden days. i am not sure how i feel about this. last years' color was a turquoise shade which was re-interpreted all over the place in different hues and i ended up liking it. maybe the same will happen for honeysuckle.

SO MANY ONES

2011-01-01T17:51:00.004-05:00

it's another year. 01/01/11. it's nuts. shouldn't we be in flying cars by now? 2010 was a year of crazy work and constant movement. 2011 isn't looking like it's going to be much different, but there are some fun and exciting projects that i will be working on and of course the continuation and growth of the great lakes goods. thank you all for checking in with me periodically and always feel free to get in touch! HAPPY NEW YEAR BUDDIES!