Holy Sh*t!: The Last Year of My Twenties.

Happy Birthday to Me.

Goodsh*t: Simpsonized

Get yourself "Simpsonized". I did.

Goodsh*t: My Work at Work

"Crown Town" © 2007

"Squirrel Hunt" © 2007

"Hundert's Castle" © 2007

"Pixie Party" © 2007

"Miffy's Forest" © 2007

"Richard the Gnome" © 2007

"Gillespie" © 2007

So my work at work has come to fruition a.k.a. it's available now so I am able to post it. So anyway, enjoy a little girlie-girl fun in print and pattern for Fall 2007. I absolutely love these prints, and this is just a reminder on how far the design collaborative has come.

Goodsh*t: Archive Topshop

The Archive at Topshop.com is showing off some fancy vintage finery from the British high street of the 60's and 70's. Handpicked by Topshop's in-house buying team, it is described as "a top-of-the-chocolate box selection of rare finds for die-hard vintage collectors". Such designers as Biba, Ossie Clark, Mary Quant, and Jean Varon are just a few of the featured and while the clothing is fabulous darling, it's all about the prints and patterns for me. (Uh, plus anything costing in pounds is a little frightening, times 2!)

PS How appropriate, I have Ab Fab screeching in the background.

Bullsh*t: Heat Stroke

I am too hot to think! Baaaaaaaah.

Goodsh*t: Roberta di Camerino

Roberta di Camerino S/S 2007

I am currently trending for Fall 2008, so that essentially means a trip to the Japanese book shop Asahiya. My work colleague and I love to check out all the fashion mags, not only because most of them have little prizes, the trends and graphics are more modern and edgy, if you can imagine, than most European and American glossies. I always gravitate towards CUTiE (the bulk of my design load is for the tween girl) and this time I tried out Spring (a bit of a hipster feel) and In Red (higher end fashion). I found these Roberta di Camerino bags while flipping through and they have given me the confidence I need to approach that tuxedo t-shirt idea I have been wanting to try out for ages! (This will also be a nice accent while I continue to copy my dad's boating get-ups circa 1985.)

Goodsh*t: Papabubble

The best hard candy hailing from Barcelona is coming to NYC.

Inspiration: Milton Glaser

I have always been on the hunt for Milton Glaser's "I Love New York Even More" poster, it's certainly nothing new but I was very glad to have finally found it available. I will never leave behind my southern roots, but it's design like this that makes me feel that I have finally found my home. Awwww.

Goodsh*t: Bonbon Oiseau on ZooZoom

Clockwise from Left: Le Vie en Rose, Aurore Astrale, Ile de L'Ocean

(All available at www.bonbonoiseau.com)
Bonbon Oiseau © 2007

I have had the pleasure of accompanying Deb Stein of Bonbon Oiseau in search of antique and rare finds for her specialized line of jewelry and have witnessed her "bonbons" over the years come into their own. While she has been written up loads and loads, I always like to see her land on such sites as ZooZoom. It's modern, it's a bit glossy, but not pretentious, as they feature designers, culture, beauty, art, all on one little site with clean photography and design. She is known for her feminine whimsy, but there is also a sophisticated-Bauhaus-modern feel to her work that has finally been captured. There's more to this little story than meets the eye and I am very curious to see what she comes up with next.

Goodsh*t: Seeing Green: iWood Ecodesign

I live in the city, I am outside a lot walkng from place to place, so I like to keep plenty of sunglasses handy. Since I have been in the way of my dad's style circa 1980's (think boating shoes, Roy Orbison glasses, short shorts) and being green as of late, these were obvious. Not only are they eco-friendly, but are also hypoallergenic! They aren't exactly cheap, but you can't put a price on environmentally friendly badassness! They are available at one of my favorite lil' shops in Williamsburg, YLLI.

Goodsh*t: For Like Ever

I bought myself a little present today. A limited edition silkscreen print in pink and fluorescent red. It's huge and retro-happy.

Bullsh*t: Anya Hindmarch, It's Not Easy Being Green, Is It?

Thought I would do little update on the US version of this "eco-friendly" bag that I mentioned earlier in the spring. There has been a lot of raised eyebrows about the production of these bags. Turns out they are made in China which doesn't really match up with the message this bag is sending. The idea or now what is being claimed, is that they were only to raise awareness on the wastefulness of plastic bags and that they aren't actually eco-friendly, just fashion. While bummed to find this out, I was over the fad the minute I read they were hitting the states, now I have an even better reason to save my money. Still Anya, that's Bullsh*t.

Goodsh*t: Design Spotter

Pure genius for aspiring new designers: Design Spotter. This FREE e-zine is dedicated to everything related to young modern contemporary design including: accessories, audio furniture, books, design-contests, exhibitions, fashion, furniture, hotels, lighting, new materials, residential architecture, interior design and prototypes. The designers featured are some of the most innovative and creative I have seen lately and you get a taste from all over the globe. I think my favorite has to be the Flirtstation.

PS Also check out Design Spotter Agency to take your design to the next level.

Goodsh*t: Green Design is Good Design

"Inhabitat is a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future."

The Lighthouse: The UK's first zero emission home.

I have been working on trying to be more conscious of the environment, like refraining from purchasing from the ever-so-polyester fashion giants (think: Forever 21, H& M), using less paper at work, canvas carrier bags for groceries, recycling at home, etc. I ran into Inhabitat while trending for work and it has inspired me to the point where I would like to strip my apartment and make it more sustainable.

Holy Sh*t: Twice in One Week!

"The Morrow" © 2005

I did this poster a while back for my friend's band The Morrow. I did this for 2 of their shows one in Brooklyn and London. I am so international.

Inspiration: Naja Conrad-Hansen

Naja Conrad-Hansen© 2007

Naja Conrad-Hansen© 2007

Naja Conrad-Hansen© 2007

Drool. If there is anyone I could trade places with, it's Naja Conrad-Hansen. An artist, graphic designer, fashion designer, speaks 5 languages, phew, and has lived all over the world and she's Danish. She has illustrated for MaxMara, Filth, and a variety of magazines and publications as well as various print and pattern design for different clothing labels including her own brand: Meannorth. Drool.

Holy Sh*t!: Another Piece of My Art!

"?" © 2004

This is so old I can't even remember what I named it. Jeez. I am behind in my little body of work, but I am just getting started.

Goodsh*t: Leslie Feist

If you haven't heard Feist's first album, stop here and go get it. Then follow up with Kings of Convenience's Riot on an Empty Street (she does backing vocals on "Know How" and "The Build Up"). These are the prequels to her latest album "The Reminder". Full of buttery matter-of-fact love ballads ("Honey Honey", "So Sorry") Feist "reminds" me not to take myself too seriously in between with her catchy melodic sounds of summer ("My Moon My Man", "1234", "I Feel It All"). Her voice is timeless, she a badass with a guitar, and I am not ashamed to admit that I had a full-on drunken cry at her show 2 years ago at The Knitting Factory. (You know it's good if you catch me alive at the Knitting Factory.)

PS She used to live with Peaches. Niceeeee.

Good Sh*t: 365 Portraits

Brie Walsh - Creative Individualist / East Village - ©2007 Bill Wadman

James Stuart - Hot Chocolate Connoisseur / The City Bakery -
©2007 Bill Wadman

It's very self explanatory. People around New York. In fact, I looked long enough and saw one of my many freaky roommates. Think New York Mag's Look Book but without all the details.

PS If you think you are cool enough, email the photographer, he's got atleast 7 more months of this.

Bullsh*t: My Lack of Concetration

"Cutter" © 2004

So I do a little painting on the side. We have a love-hate for one another and I have a fear of people seeing my work. This one, "Cutter" made me post it or it said it would do damaging things to my creativity. I won't hide anymore, out of fear of the painting.

Good Sh*t: The Dawn and Drew Show

"A podcast from two ex gutter punks who fall in love, buy a retired farm in southeast wisconsin and tell the world their dirty secrets… always profane, rarely profound." I am surprised I have not been fired for laughing so hard at work. Listen up, Bitches!

Anglophilia: Lily Allen's Cute Ass Dress

Happy Memorial Day.

(Check out Lily's line of dresses for the UK's New Look.)

Inspiration: crooked arm

Nathaniel Russell© 2007

I ran into this blog by hitting the "next blog" button at the top left hand corner. Much to my surprise (most the times when I do that it's either porn or just crap) I ran into this artist: crooked arm - Nathaniel Russell. The blog is inspiring and informative and not only limited to drawings but a little graphical design too! I like these redheads and there is also an interpretation of the Deadwood cast. Reminds me, ever so slightly of Hundertwasser. (I recommend going through all his posts, hilarious and a lover of Kurt Vonnegut.)

Good Sh*t: Ghetto Gourmet

Supper clubs are on the rise. The Whisk and Ladle is handling the Williamsburg area and getting good use of their loft space (make your reservations now, they get booked quickly!), Ghetto Gourmet is making the rounds from Los Angeles to Chicago and now Manhattan. The "original underground dining experience" scouts cool dining spots around the city and is great opportunity for new chefs to try inventive ideas and diners to have a laid back almost secret experience. There's also about 10-20 minutes of entertainment between courses, now I think I know some poets out there...

Good Sh*t: Only in Los Angeles, Part 2

“I don't like jail, they got the wrong kind of bars in there” - C.B.

"Ray's Mistake"

Here comes the best part.
Eat, Drink: I have always heard about the Cali-Mex. Sounded a bit healthy at the time, if you ask me. Come to find out it's just as greasy and fantastical as my beloved Tex-Mex! (alright, sans the Velveeta, but I can stand to loose that.) I made a point of a strict Mexican diet for the duration of my trip. Starting off with La Cabana in Venice, the fish tacos were tops and the margaritas potent. El Compadre had, by far, the best margarita I have ever had, never mind the food, this thing was on fire. Literally. Limit 2. The Frolic Room elbowed itself in, I had to make a toast to the late Charles Bukowski on his old stomping grounds. This is the epitome of the old school Hollywood hang-out. Professional. El Chavo! was a bit of a blur thanks to the Ray's Mistake at Tiki Ti (absolutely not public affection here people, you will get tossed out!). But how could I forget the homage to Dolly Parton, an enormous shining iridescent portrait over the bar! Ole! (This was a great line up to familiarize with Silverlake!)
So I did manage to get in a little sushi, to curb the guilt, Wabi-Sabi. Some of the freshest most authentic sushi with a little fusion, go for the spicy tuna roll and basically, anything on the menu.

Goodsh*t: The Trucks

Oddly enough, I didn't have to fall out my front door onto a hipster to find these lovely ladies. Thank goodness they were safe at home in Seattle, broadcasting their scuff knee'ed pretty vocals on NPR. Kinda like a diary from my early twenties: sugar sweet naivety meets kung fu. I like to ride my bike to it. Check out Shattered ("You cannot keep your pretty hands off me, no I won't sit nice and be quiet!") and Old Bikes ("Peddle, Peddle, chain and metal, you went riding with the devil!")

PS They have a yummy yummy show coming up at Cake Shop on the 21st.

Bullsh*t: My @$&*! Mulberry Roxanne Bag

Ever since I did some photo assisting for British Marie Claire and one of the fashion girls introduced me to this antiqued leather luxury, I have been completely obsessed with Mulberry. I gave this fine purchase a lot of thought, knowing it was going to set me back quite a lot of money, I decided on a carefree "what the hell, it will make me prettier and thinner". Now the damn metal button thingys are falling off. Nice. I will GET you, Mulberry of London, I will get you. (Even though I still love you.)

Good Sh*t: Only in Los Angeles, Part 1

The Getty. Where it's not about the art.

Vintage Ray Ban Aviator's From Chuck's Vintage.
I know.

I am ashamed that I did not give ol'Angeles the time of day earlier. I am not packing my bags anytime soon, but I did leave with a bit of a soft spot. Basically all I did was: Beach, Shop, Eat, Drink, repeat.

Beach: It was nice and full of the homeless and hippies. Mom, you know where I will be when that whole independent wealth/riding-the-coattails-of-others thing goes out the window.

Shop: I found some tortoise shell Ray-Bans from the 70's and a nice rare selection of deadstock jeans at Chuck's Vintage. I also hit up the infamous American Rag, which has a profound shoe department (anything from Repetto, Marc Jacobs, Chloe to Keds), denim bar the size of China and the vintage section was impressive and certainly not overpriced, for the most part. Nice. Next time, the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Also check out Waraku on Abbot Kinney (Tokyo street wear, Shinzi Katoh bags and limited edition sneaks), Work Custom Jeans (custom made jeans to order for your badass, in Echo Park) while you are in the area check out Show Pony for some girly-glam fun (In God We Trust, a Williamsburg fav, was also featured at this shop.)

Museum: Oh wait. Some "art" culture made it on the itinerary. The Getty Center should not to be missed! It's understood to be a museum, but you certainly don't go there for the art.

Holy Sh*t: TOPSHOP is coming!

Oh. My. God. It has been reported that Topshop will be opening 3 shops in our fair city of New York!

The Sh*t: Los Angeles

After years of boycotting Los Angeles, we have finally agreed. Stay tuned for my adventures...