Mega(rad for i)phones....

(via honestly wtf)

Megaphone from RACOON_STUDIO on Vimeo.

           These ceramic megaphones for iPhones is genius, awesome, brilliant, crazy cool! Want want want!!!

2012 Oscars

Hugo

Extremely loud and Incredibly Close

Midnight in Paris

Moneyball

The Artist

The Descandants

The Help

The Tree of Life

(via apartment therapy)

          My favorite awards show of the year is on tonight! Yesss, that's right...I'm talking about the Oscars!!!! I need to make something clear straight off the bat, I DO NOT watch the red carpet. Okay, okay... yes, alright I watch the red carpet sometimes (what girl can't pass up living vicariously thought all those beautiful actresses in flowy long gowns!), but if you're looking' to talk fashion you better look somewhere else because we're talking set design, scores, and screenplays over here. 

       Okay, obviously one of my favorite categories is Art Direction. The above images are snapshots of the interiors from the nominees for Best Film (most of which were also nominated for Art Direction also). Some of my favorites are Hugo (obviously), and The Descandants (but, honestly, how hard is it really to make a Hawaii home beautiful). I did like The Help but I couldn't stop thinking about how much better Mad Men does the 60's. I haven't seen Midnight in Paris (gasp), but from the looks of things it probably would have been one of my favorites. 

       This year I won't be on the edge of my seat (ok, couch) hoping for any particular film to win Best Picture (unlike last year, in which I probably would have died if The Kings Speech didn't win), but I am rooting for Hugo! I also loved the Descendants, but Hugo totally had that quirky magical charm that I'm always such a sucker for. Side note: Speaking of The Kings Speech, last year it was one nomination (leading actress) away from winning the Big 5. My sister told me today that the Big 5 is when a Film wins the five major categories (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Screenplay-either original or adapted). This year, it will be impossible for anybody to win the Big 5 because no one film is nominated in every category. 

         

Consistency

(via designsponge)

            Sometimes, when everything around us seems so absurdly uncertain, it feels so nice to have something consistent. Even if that thing is as tumultuous and foreboding as the unruly waves of the sea. This is the curse of comfort.

Ice Cube and Eames

          If you live in LA, you should have deffinitly heard about Pacific Standard Time by now. "Pacific Standard Time is an unprecedented collaboration of cultural institutions across Southern California coming together to celebrate the birth of the L.A. art scene. Beginning October 2011, over 60 cultural institutions will make their contributions to this region-wide initiative encompassing every major L.A. art movement from 1945 to 1980. Celebrate the era that continues to inspire the world." So basically, a whole bunch of galleries (including every damn major gallery and museum you can possibly think of) in LA are holding exhibitions that are dedicated to recognising art and artists from 1945 - 1980 (aka the dawn of the LA art scene and what has led to the wonderful world of LA art that we all know and love today). 

        To promote the collaboration, Pacific Standard Time has posted short videos of musicians and actors giving homage to artist showcased in PST. (Brilliant! Artist celebrating artists!) I have a mild (ok, not so mild) obsession with midcentury design, and my all time favorite is the video above of Ice Cube talking about Eames! It's absolutely fantastic! Who knew Ice Cube studied architecture??!? He just jumped a few notches higher on my cool scale. He talks about the hidden beauty in LA, bougie traffic, and compares making music to making the Eames :

 "It's not about the pieces, it's about how the pieces work together. Taking something that already exists and making it something special- kind of like sampling. In a world full of McMansions- where the structure takes up all the land, the Eames made structure and nature one. This is going green 1949 style, bitch. Buhhleedat. Who are these people that have a problem with LA? Maybe they're just mad they don't live here."

And those are words to live by, kids......

Faber Castell

(Faber Castell from eric yeo on Vimeo)

          I'm sitting on my bed listening to Tegan and Sara, and I'm too exhausted to write anything witty or interesting or pretty, so I'm going to post this video. I'm about to bust out some FB's and lay on the floor, draw, and drink tea. Catch you on the other side, kiddies! 

What a beauty!

( via honestly wtf)

          Today, my sister and I decided to kick off the new year with our habitual trip (which almost always turns into a camp out) at our usual Starbucks in Pasadena. For some bizarre reason, it didn't even cross our minds that tomorrow is the annual Tournament of Roses parade on Colorado blvd. We drove up to find a tons of people already camped out in front of our beloved coffee house! Parked on the street right next to our Starbucks was a totally rad Airstream. I've always loved the retro design, and I'm convinced that some day I will own one. For some reason, Airstreams (and teardrop trailers!) seem to remind me of the carefree California lifestyle. I've lived in Los Angeles my whole life and never have I once camped out to see the parade on new years. Every year, for a few days leading up to new years the streets are packed, literally with happy campers. How awesome would it be to wake up in this meticulously restored 1954 Airstream Flying Cloud and step outside to watch the parade live??!?! Can you say bucket list?? 

Clam Lab

 

    It's nice to look at pretty things on a Sunday morning. I first discovered Clam Lab while browsing the ceramics & pottery section of etsy for inspiration on my own work in the ceramics studio. I immediately fell in love, and I often find that I keep visiting their etsy shop, especially on days when I feel an inspirational void (and not just when it comes to my ceramic work). I love the organic shapes and the freshness of the glazes. The way the pieces seem slightly off balance and their subtle imperfections perfectly reveal the hand of the artist. Every piece uniquely embodies the perfect balance between blemishes, simplicity, and grace.
    Too often my posts aren't an example of  “a way of living that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfections of life and accepting peacefully the natural cycle of growth and decay” , in which spirit my blog was created. We get to distracted with pretty things, and neat videos, and interesting designs, and cool knick-knacks. While none of these things are really terrible, it's not a way to live an inspiring life. These are the sort of things I find when I look for inspiration, but they tend to leave me feeling a little more lost and dizzy than when I first started. It's sort of like "keeping up with the Joneses", but for artists. Maybe everybody, and most certainly myself, need to take a humbling step back and take a look at this totally imperfect and terribly beautiful world that we all live in, then take a deep breathe and appreciate it all. And if we do, we might makes something as beautiful as what you see above.

 
       On a side note, Clam Lab studios also has a wonderful "clam blog" aaaand the artist behind it all, Clair Catillaz, was featured on etsy with an amazingly cool and insightful interview. My two favorite quotes are:

-(when asked about the name of her future memoir) "Something witty and dashing, but I hope that by the time I am distinguished enough to write a memoir, I will be humble enough to leave it unpublished."

-"Anyone who works in clay knows about letting go. So much can go wrong. Pots break, kilns misfire — it’s foolish to be attached to a fixed outcome. The only survival strategy is to be in love with the process. I make products, but my real work is the practice."

       While following Clam Lab for at least the past year (Clam Lab was only founded about two years ago), it is amazing and inspirational to see its growth and recognition. One bitter sweet detail that I've noticed is the rise in prices. It's disappointing to realize I could have bought the same amazing pieces for about half the price a year ago, but it's awesome to see that some artist recognize the value of their work. There is an AMAZING article about the value of handmade crafts that EVERY artist should read. Aaaand, because I know most of you won't read it, I'm obligated to leave you with a break-down:

-You must value what you are making.

-When you set your prices too low, you are undercutting everyone that creates handmade goods.

-You took your two hands + the required tools + out of love for the craft + your developed talent you then made something beautiful + useful.

-Create something that you love, value what you do + others will value it as well.

I know I rambled on more than usual this today, guess I had a lot on my mind... Hope you all had a wonderful and creative Sunday!

 
    

Friday pick-me-up

(via designscouting)

Sanity is very rare: every man almost, and every woman, has a dash of madness.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Oh, the madness...

(via seesaw designs)

...that sweet, sweet madness. This looks like the freest most creatively infused place in all the world- the perfect nest for a gypsy soul. You have to know that something great (or someone great) calls this home....

Sticks and mirrors



     Oh, be still my little heart.

     I couldn't tell you enough how I am obsessed with artist Lee Borthwick....  Everything Borthwick creates is sooo simple and uniform, but still so mesmerizing.

Colorful Sexism

(via Gold Rush)



Awesome.

Have a Happy Saturday

(via Art Equals Happy)



     Ain't that the truth! And I plan on doing just that tonight while I'm off at the NELA art walk enjoying Chicken Boy Gallery and Cafe de Leche.

Have a fantastic Saturday and check out these things I love from around the web:

A great reminder.

A beautiful nook with desk- perfect for doing crafts!

I would buy this in a heartbeat- it combines my two fav things...

Whoa! Awesome!

I don't like online shopping, but I wish I did so I could buy this & this.

Dead butterflies

     I love beetles. And dead butterflies. They give me the jeebies, but in a good way. So, of course I'm dying to visit The Evolution Store, a fantastic shop in New York  with a taxidermy and entomology department (which was featured on Unruly Things). Before you freak out at the though of decorative dead insects and rodents, consider this- It's part beautiful and part creepy, which is always a recipe for something magical!  

P.S.-Before I die, I will have a framed collection of beetles hanging on my wall. But for now, take a look at some of my favorites:

In my opinion, this is the loveliest Butterfly.

...but how can I not mention the runner-up?

Who said Moths aren't beautiful??

My favorite five beetles have bulgy eyes, looks like moss, are spotted, are blue, and look like Edward Scissorhand.

The Bellagio Conservatory...

     Today, I'm leaving for a mini-vacation to Las Vegas with my mom and sister!! I'm really excited even though I actually really don't like gambling (probably due to the fact that I usually have absolutely no idea what I'm doing). Although I feel like Vegas is slightly overrated, I am totally looking forward to visiting the Conservatory at the Bellagio!!!! Seriously.. you can't look at these pictures and tell me it's not magical!!!

Have a happy weekend : )

Flirty texts: 850

(via meg ruth photography)

     I love this so terribly much. 

     Since we're now only two days away from Valentine's Day, I've been trying to stick with the love theme. In my efforts to avoid that feeling you get when you walk into a late night Chinese restaurant in February (the one's that have fabric red roses everywhere you look, shiny cheap hearts taped to every wall surface and swirly sparkly ribbons stapled to the ceiling), I have found this little quirky and real life chart of love. My favorite is the tiny red "Momentary Freak Out" sliver that comes right before the large peach "Back on Track and Feelin' Groovy" bar. And the stats on the bottom are charmingly humorous, my favorite is Miles driven to see each other: 700. This chart is the epitome of what real love is, and no hallmark Valentine's Day card can do it justice like this.

Ps. I know the chart is a little too small to get a clear view, but you can click the link and then click the chart to get a closer view!



Naturally Sweet

     This is THE sweetest Valentine's present of all!!! I know a lot of people aren't big fans of one special day to give fancy gifts and eat expensive dinners- besides, it's those little thoughtful surprises that really pack a punch, anyways. For all the couples who don't celebrate the hallmark season, these endearing fruit stickers are a fantastic way to say, "I still remembered". They're not exactly homemade, but these beauties are downloadable from Twig and Thistle for free.

     Call me greedy, but I think that lovers should treat each other every day the way they do on Valentine's. Wouldn't it be sweet to print these out on a random non-Valentine day and stick them on his or her* breakfast?!?!

*most likely her, let's be honest most him's wouldn't even notice the sticker...or eat fruit for breakfast!!!

Ten Venn Diagrams

    In my last post, I wrote about how two separate worlds overlapped, in a venn diagram sort of way- which made me realize I'm sorta obsessed with venn diagrams!! They may be slightly nerdy, but they're beautiful and creative and colorful and quirky too! Here are a few of my favorite venns from around the web...

(via foodbeast)

     These colorful pancakes are made into a super cool edible venn! I'm not a big fan of cakes, but if somebody stuck a few candle in this and gave it to me on my birthday, I would be in birthday heaven. 

(via supermarkethq)

   Framed venn art!!! I can picture this print in a nursery, right next to another colorful venn print that replaced the word love with a baby's name! That would be the sweetest baby shower present!

(via collect3d)

     Combining broidery, venn diagrams, a pair of working clock hands AND crucial zombie info... why didn't I think of this?!?!! Although the venn clocks are no longer avalible, the artist responsible -Beth Cummings-  has an amazing etsy shop.

(via buzzfeed)

     Because I am such a closet nerd, I know that venn diagrams are often used to represent logical concepts. I also happen to love logic. I also love quotes. And art. And have a general appreciation of quirkiness all together. This diagram pretty much sums that up.

(via: unknown)



    I can't get enough of this venn doodle. Who knows if the artist was inspired by wishful thinking of just pure puppy love, but whichever the case, they were clearly smitten! ...not to mention whoever drew this fantastic diagram of love had excellent cross hatching techniques.

(via swiss-miss)

     Speaking of love... Valentines Day is around the corner. This print would make the lovleiest Valentine's card. And yeah sure, proclaiming your love via venn diagrams is slightly nerdy... but who says that's a bad thing!?!

(via lucinda)

     These beautiful venns were created by a 4th grade class as part of a geography lesson!!! UH-MAZ-ING!!! I want to frame them and put them in my bedroom! I'm telling you, the world would be a better place if we stopped underestimating the raw creativity and profound intelligence of all those babies out there!

(via yay!everyday)

     I love quirky tattoos! But nomatter how much I dream about getting one, they just aren't me... It's sorta like the pixie hair- everybody loves it, but only twiggy can pull it off.

 

(via buzzfeed)

     This is just silly! I couldn't help myself...c'mon, a unicorn and a narwhal!!!! I mean, unicorns ARE kind of overrated, in my opinion. BUT WHO ISN'T INTRIGUED BY NARWHALS?!?!?! They actually exist!!

(via flickr)

    This venn-like peice of art is magical and fancy and lovely and perfect in every way! It looks like it is the last illustration in a whimsical childrens book. Although it only whispers, "I'm a venn diagram!!!", it's my favorite.