Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Speaking of Creepy...
Do you know the author and illustrator Edward Gorey? he's the creepiest of creepies if you ask me and I love him. I've been so obsessed with pen and ink drawings of late. I just marvel at the detail that can come with a few little scratch marks. I've had a couple of his books for years but just pulled them out to study them a bit more.
His Gashlycrumb Tinies is a hoot, sort of the macabre version of the A B C's as each page starts out with a letter and a one liner about a kid that gets axed. A is for Amy who fell down the stairs, B is for Basil assaulted by bears...
Probably not something you want to read to your 5 year old at bedtime, but a 10 year old might get a hoot from it, and well we know the 40 year olds love it don't we?
Seriously though...the pen and ink work? to die for
Read more about him here
His Gashlycrumb Tinies is a hoot, sort of the macabre version of the A B C's as each page starts out with a letter and a one liner about a kid that gets axed. A is for Amy who fell down the stairs, B is for Basil assaulted by bears...
Probably not something you want to read to your 5 year old at bedtime, but a 10 year old might get a hoot from it, and well we know the 40 year olds love it don't we?
Seriously though...the pen and ink work? to die for
Read more about him here
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Creepy and the Stuffed
I hardly ever visit my old employer Apartment Therapy anymore. Aside from dealing with super cranky responders, I just plain overloaded on home design while I was there.
But today I stopped in and saw this fab gem Gold Bug located here in Pasadena, and I'm super intrigued.
call me crazy, but anyone who has a couple of stuffed beavers displaying crowns and a pocket watch? totally ok in my book
not to mention the many creepy things under glass they seem to have.
thanks to Abby Stone>Apartment Therapy for turning me on to it.
photos via screen grabs on their website.
But today I stopped in and saw this fab gem Gold Bug located here in Pasadena, and I'm super intrigued.
call me crazy, but anyone who has a couple of stuffed beavers displaying crowns and a pocket watch? totally ok in my book
not to mention the many creepy things under glass they seem to have.
thanks to Abby Stone>Apartment Therapy for turning me on to it.
photos via screen grabs on their website.
Monday, December 28, 2009
My kinda ink
if I ever got a tattoo it would be something like this.
via The amazing Jessica Hische typeographer and illustrator
I wonder if...
Yesterday I left my friend Tara a message that said something like this:
"So I'm standing in the sunlight with a magnified mirror, tweezing my face [because it's come to that It's not just a few strays anymore] and I was wondering. Do you think Cindy Crawford has to tweeze her mole? Because it would make me feel so much better to know that she did."
We decided that she probably does but that she most likely pays someone to do that for her, just another perk in being CW if you ask me. I like to imagine that conversation as "Hey You, yah you...come tweeze this chin hair for me!"
UGH welcome to 40.
"So I'm standing in the sunlight with a magnified mirror, tweezing my face [because it's come to that It's not just a few strays anymore] and I was wondering. Do you think Cindy Crawford has to tweeze her mole? Because it would make me feel so much better to know that she did."
We decided that she probably does but that she most likely pays someone to do that for her, just another perk in being CW if you ask me. I like to imagine that conversation as "Hey You, yah you...come tweeze this chin hair for me!"
UGH welcome to 40.
Monday, December 21, 2009
merry merry
have I ever mentioned how amazing my guy is? He is super smart. I don't mean in the book way, but the life way. Don't get me wrong, right now he's probably setting a cast on a 8 year old's arm or possibly amputating a foot or a toe. he's in his orthopedic rotation currently and has done a bit of what I just said on a daily basis for the past few weeks. I might also brag that he's delivered babies and done c-sections in his last round. I couldn't do those things ever so I think that's pretty smart.
but what he's really smart at? real life. he is a man who has had his moments like all of us. The difference with him is that he sat with it for a long while and I swear to G*d got all of life's answers served to him on his yoga mat or maybe it was that time on his surfboard, I'm not sure. It's one of the reasons that I love him to my core. He knows exactly the correct thing to say [maybe not always what you want to hear] for exactly the right moment. I might also add that he has a bit of 6th sense and the biggest heart in the world. It's all of these things that make me adore him down to my last cell.
This weekend I got a pep talk as in "there is no bah-humbugs in this house at Christmas" because I have been a bah humbug and a whiner and a complainer and a cry baby if you want to know the truth. A mixture of things, most notably not having a steady income makes the holidays nerve wracking and my surgery last week that didn't change a damned thing. Saturday night he bought me a ticket to fly home to Sacramento to visit my family. I'll fly home xmas day to be with him when he gets off his 30 hr call.
And in my complaining, moping and pouting because I didn't want to fly home and be chipper or pretend or fake all of the holiday cheer, he told me step by step why I should fly home and be chipper and maybe have real holiday cheer. So I'm going Tuesday Night in hopes that the holiday spirit sets in as we fly over San Jose or Modesto and kicks in before we hit the terminal.
So there you have it, a step by step guide to holiday cheer. Lets hope it goes better than my time spent at the USPS this morning which would turn anyone into the biggest. crank. ever. because right now? not so much.
--------
I hope that you are having visions of sugar cookies and cheer and that your holidays are filled with warm fuzzies and the good smell of a christmas tree or hanukkah bush. There. did that sound authentic? I mean it... really I do.
images via moi, real life linoleum cuts which are pretty cute if you ask me.
but what he's really smart at? real life. he is a man who has had his moments like all of us. The difference with him is that he sat with it for a long while and I swear to G*d got all of life's answers served to him on his yoga mat or maybe it was that time on his surfboard, I'm not sure. It's one of the reasons that I love him to my core. He knows exactly the correct thing to say [maybe not always what you want to hear] for exactly the right moment. I might also add that he has a bit of 6th sense and the biggest heart in the world. It's all of these things that make me adore him down to my last cell.
This weekend I got a pep talk as in "there is no bah-humbugs in this house at Christmas" because I have been a bah humbug and a whiner and a complainer and a cry baby if you want to know the truth. A mixture of things, most notably not having a steady income makes the holidays nerve wracking and my surgery last week that didn't change a damned thing. Saturday night he bought me a ticket to fly home to Sacramento to visit my family. I'll fly home xmas day to be with him when he gets off his 30 hr call.
And in my complaining, moping and pouting because I didn't want to fly home and be chipper or pretend or fake all of the holiday cheer, he told me step by step why I should fly home and be chipper and maybe have real holiday cheer. So I'm going Tuesday Night in hopes that the holiday spirit sets in as we fly over San Jose or Modesto and kicks in before we hit the terminal.
So there you have it, a step by step guide to holiday cheer. Lets hope it goes better than my time spent at the USPS this morning which would turn anyone into the biggest. crank. ever. because right now? not so much.
--------
I hope that you are having visions of sugar cookies and cheer and that your holidays are filled with warm fuzzies and the good smell of a christmas tree or hanukkah bush. There. did that sound authentic? I mean it... really I do.
images via moi, real life linoleum cuts which are pretty cute if you ask me.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
It sort of feels like this
Nothing to say or report. so I thought I would draw you a picture instead.
I'm feeling a bit quiet these days so I'm just going to wander off for a while and do just that.
Have a great week
Monday, December 14, 2009
My brother may kill me after this
either it will be the best or the worst christmas gift ever. either my brother will love it and want it for himself or I'll get a annoyed phone call in a week or so. Either it will be all my nephew can talk about or possibly a emergency room visit. it's a fine line with rockets. how bad could it really be? it's made with vinegar and baking soda....I guess we'll soon find out.
But really...how was I suppose to pass this up in the store on Saturday? the cute vintage packaging, the way it was screaming my nephew Hunter's name as I pondered it.
Explorers Meteor Rocket Science Kit $19.99
But really...how was I suppose to pass this up in the store on Saturday? the cute vintage packaging, the way it was screaming my nephew Hunter's name as I pondered it.
Explorers Meteor Rocket Science Kit $19.99
Sunday, December 13, 2009
New In the studio - Love, a wedding announcement
Gabriella and Robert are a couple you might remember from this engagement party announcement
They decided to skip the hoopla [much to their family's surprise] and elope. They decided to do a fancy announcement instead.
Keeping with the color scheme and theme for the engagement. We did a two color letterpress using the flower illustration and the navy and silver theme. Fold over navy announcement reveals a pocket that includes a CD movie of their wedding, and interior card that announces their marriage in both English and Spanish for their respective familes.
letterpress, two color, custom illustration, crane's Lettra 100% cotton paper
[PLEASE CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEY ARE SO MUCH PRETTIER BIG]
They decided to skip the hoopla [much to their family's surprise] and elope. They decided to do a fancy announcement instead.
Keeping with the color scheme and theme for the engagement. We did a two color letterpress using the flower illustration and the navy and silver theme. Fold over navy announcement reveals a pocket that includes a CD movie of their wedding, and interior card that announces their marriage in both English and Spanish for their respective familes.
letterpress, two color, custom illustration, crane's Lettra 100% cotton paper
[PLEASE CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEY ARE SO MUCH PRETTIER BIG]
Thursday, December 10, 2009
do you want the good news or the bad news?
I asked this last night to Chris when he called me after working a bizzillion hours in a row [no lie, he has 30hr shifts at the hospital] groggily he said ok lets start with the bad. And I passed along the news of the day. It all evens out doesn't it the bad and the good? it seems to lately.
So would you like the good news or the bad news, I say, knowing full well you won't really answer. The good news you say? Sure, let me show you my picture. Please let me apologize for my SAW IV movie posters, that's what my friend Gary calls them. It's the only way I can show you.
if you might remember I'm in a huge science project at the moment? Me an acupuncturist and a special bodywork person. We're out to save the world. Not really. Just out to saving me from another "cut me open, drill and put odd things into my spine". I thought I might tell you that we're using alternative medicine to cure my scoliosis. I think I might say that a few times if you don't mind. Just incase some poor 19 year old girl is googling this tag line scoliosis, alternative medicine. she may find this and save her from a surgery. because if you asked me now to do this surgery I would say no. There is another way. But when I was 20/21 I didn't know.
So may I tell you about my mug shot? the right photo is a xray taken this past April, the left taken just a couple weeks ago. Can you see it? please tell me you can see it. I drew the pink line in so it would help you. The doctors? they won't acknowledge the change. but I know it's better. I'm off pain medication for the first time in close to 2 years. I didn't think that was possible. We obviously have a long way to go. I don't expect to be straight, there are fusions etc that exsist. But I do expect improvement. That I know is possible, as I've already seen.
One huge thing. if you have someone in your life that has chronic back problems I cannot stress enough, shout enough about this body work series I did. I was VERY skeptical. It's a shit load of money I'm not going to lie but it changed my life. Hellerwork If you're interested in knowing more email me or leave me a note I won't bore you with the details but seriously got out of bed [morning is the worst for me] after my third visit and was pain free. PAIN FRIGGIN FREE. no lie.
So that's the good news. it's great news really. Just figuring out how to pay for the rest before my next xray appt in June. but that's another story.
The bad news? it's not so bad really but my stupid kidney thing is back. I have to have a little proceedure next week to laser the scar tissue out of that asshole tube that connects my bladder to my kidney. Whatevs...it's just a little thing no sweat. Looking forward to the killer cocktail they hook up to your IV if you want to know the truth.
So would you like the good news or the bad news, I say, knowing full well you won't really answer. The good news you say? Sure, let me show you my picture. Please let me apologize for my SAW IV movie posters, that's what my friend Gary calls them. It's the only way I can show you.
if you might remember I'm in a huge science project at the moment? Me an acupuncturist and a special bodywork person. We're out to save the world. Not really. Just out to saving me from another "cut me open, drill and put odd things into my spine". I thought I might tell you that we're using alternative medicine to cure my scoliosis. I think I might say that a few times if you don't mind. Just incase some poor 19 year old girl is googling this tag line scoliosis, alternative medicine. she may find this and save her from a surgery. because if you asked me now to do this surgery I would say no. There is another way. But when I was 20/21 I didn't know.
So may I tell you about my mug shot? the right photo is a xray taken this past April, the left taken just a couple weeks ago. Can you see it? please tell me you can see it. I drew the pink line in so it would help you. The doctors? they won't acknowledge the change. but I know it's better. I'm off pain medication for the first time in close to 2 years. I didn't think that was possible. We obviously have a long way to go. I don't expect to be straight, there are fusions etc that exsist. But I do expect improvement. That I know is possible, as I've already seen.
One huge thing. if you have someone in your life that has chronic back problems I cannot stress enough, shout enough about this body work series I did. I was VERY skeptical. It's a shit load of money I'm not going to lie but it changed my life. Hellerwork If you're interested in knowing more email me or leave me a note I won't bore you with the details but seriously got out of bed [morning is the worst for me] after my third visit and was pain free. PAIN FRIGGIN FREE. no lie.
So that's the good news. it's great news really. Just figuring out how to pay for the rest before my next xray appt in June. but that's another story.
The bad news? it's not so bad really but my stupid kidney thing is back. I have to have a little proceedure next week to laser the scar tissue out of that asshole tube that connects my bladder to my kidney. Whatevs...it's just a little thing no sweat. Looking forward to the killer cocktail they hook up to your IV if you want to know the truth.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
under water
have I told you? I want my bedroom walls to be the color of under water. I've wanted it now for about 3 years.
I thought I had the color worked out but alas when I tested it it was screaming with all the sunlight that comes in. I'm talking electric. It wasn't electric in my neighbors bedroom it was the perfect powdery blue-green, but she lives on the other side of the building on the first floor, my bedroom is on the 3rd floor with all sun. no bueno.
but I was visiting Habitually Chic [do you know her? she's fab-u talented that one] tonight and I gasped when I saw this blue from Aerin Lauder's home.
Donald Kaufman color- have you heard of him? I love him and I just met him. I mean come on? the containers are even the perfect shade of everything. that green that has just a touch of grey to it? and that perfectly silver-blue. I want the labels if nothing else.
If you're someone who likes color or is interested in it even you should go look at his site. The man KNOWS color. Trust me when I say this is a difficult thing. It seems like it should be easy but it's one of the hardest things to do, to be good with color, get rooms to seamlessly meld into one another while still saying something on their own. When I had a place that I could paint [freely], I toiled over how rooms worked with one another. The perfect transition color? something called Tortilla from Martha Stewart Paints many moon ago at Sears is she even still there?[it was horrible paint by the way 5 coats later....] but It was the perfect tan with a touch of grey color.
I'm boring you aren't I? I can see you nodding. I'm boring me, really. Lets stop here shall we?
paint. good. go.
Photos by Francois Halard
Aerin Lauder's East Hampton house from the December 2007 issue of House & Garden magazine
I thought I had the color worked out but alas when I tested it it was screaming with all the sunlight that comes in. I'm talking electric. It wasn't electric in my neighbors bedroom it was the perfect powdery blue-green, but she lives on the other side of the building on the first floor, my bedroom is on the 3rd floor with all sun. no bueno.
but I was visiting Habitually Chic [do you know her? she's fab-u talented that one] tonight and I gasped when I saw this blue from Aerin Lauder's home.
Donald Kaufman color- have you heard of him? I love him and I just met him. I mean come on? the containers are even the perfect shade of everything. that green that has just a touch of grey to it? and that perfectly silver-blue. I want the labels if nothing else.
If you're someone who likes color or is interested in it even you should go look at his site. The man KNOWS color. Trust me when I say this is a difficult thing. It seems like it should be easy but it's one of the hardest things to do, to be good with color, get rooms to seamlessly meld into one another while still saying something on their own. When I had a place that I could paint [freely], I toiled over how rooms worked with one another. The perfect transition color? something called Tortilla from Martha Stewart Paints many moon ago at Sears is she even still there?[it was horrible paint by the way 5 coats later....] but It was the perfect tan with a touch of grey color.
I'm boring you aren't I? I can see you nodding. I'm boring me, really. Lets stop here shall we?
paint. good. go.
Photos by Francois Halard
Aerin Lauder's East Hampton house from the December 2007 issue of House & Garden magazine
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
frumpy art girl
last week it hit me. I'm frumpy art-girl. No, really don't laugh, I am, or rather I've become it. I use to be chic art-girl, and a little frumpy on weekends when I didn't have to be dressed up for the office. But now that my office is exactly 23 stairs away from my bedroom, well, frumpy happens a lot more than I can tell you these days.
I use to feel like this girl, ok maybe not this awesome but I can dream right?
For instance, I've stopped straightening my hair. It's a beast of curly, frizzy and takes a long time to manage so my "do" of choice has been to leave it be, sometimes pinning it back, sometimes a bandana-as-hairdo, sometimes bed-head as hairdo. I never could understand moms who said they didn't have time to do their hair or shower but I understand now. This little business of mine is a screaming- shitting newborn, 24 hours a day. I say that like it's a bad thing, but it's... you know...you love your little wrinkily kids no matter how cone-headed they really are.
So for the past week I've been texting my friend and hairdresser saying help me! [all ugly duckling storys begin with a transformative haircut right?] I was thinking of cutting it off Audrey Tatou short but Chris, he said he likes it longer. That's another thing, before I would have just hacked it off and now I'm checking in about my hair. ugh. I don't know what's become of me.
next up red lipstick and maybe a manicure where I actually wear color. I can wear red lips to walk to the kitchen right? Maybe I'll just start with some makeup in general and go from there. So excuse me while I google "short hair for round faces" and see what comes out of it. Meanwhile, maybe I'll pop in Amelie in and enjoy the cuteness.
top image oscar de la renta pre-fall 2010 via elle news blog and here
the others I'm not sure of, if you tell me I'll credit them.
I use to feel like this girl, ok maybe not this awesome but I can dream right?
For instance, I've stopped straightening my hair. It's a beast of curly, frizzy and takes a long time to manage so my "do" of choice has been to leave it be, sometimes pinning it back, sometimes a bandana-as-hairdo, sometimes bed-head as hairdo. I never could understand moms who said they didn't have time to do their hair or shower but I understand now. This little business of mine is a screaming- shitting newborn, 24 hours a day. I say that like it's a bad thing, but it's... you know...you love your little wrinkily kids no matter how cone-headed they really are.
So for the past week I've been texting my friend and hairdresser saying help me! [all ugly duckling storys begin with a transformative haircut right?] I was thinking of cutting it off Audrey Tatou short but Chris, he said he likes it longer. That's another thing, before I would have just hacked it off and now I'm checking in about my hair. ugh. I don't know what's become of me.
next up red lipstick and maybe a manicure where I actually wear color. I can wear red lips to walk to the kitchen right? Maybe I'll just start with some makeup in general and go from there. So excuse me while I google "short hair for round faces" and see what comes out of it. Meanwhile, maybe I'll pop in Amelie in and enjoy the cuteness.
top image oscar de la renta pre-fall 2010 via elle news blog and here
the others I'm not sure of, if you tell me I'll credit them.
New In the studio - A Cowboy's Dream B&B
I've been printing for another design group here in town. It's been amazingly fun and cool to work on such a fantastic project for A Cowboy's Dream a Luxury B&B located in Alamo, Nevada
More about the project here
design and illustration by Kuro Collective
printing by Moi
photos courtesy of Kuro Collective
Monday, December 07, 2009
A Single Man
Get out your liquid eyeliner
man designs the one of the most noted fashion collections in the past 25 years [Gucci], quits, takes some time off, starts his own men's collection and decides to make movies. Tom Ford does it all. Garnishing tons of accolades for art direction, his stars and their performances and how great looking things are universal.
Did you notice the right side of the "A" perfectly in line with the "I" hanging over the "M" in the poster? this is the dorky stuff that makes my heart sing.
man designs the one of the most noted fashion collections in the past 25 years [Gucci], quits, takes some time off, starts his own men's collection and decides to make movies. Tom Ford does it all. Garnishing tons of accolades for art direction, his stars and their performances and how great looking things are universal.
Did you notice the right side of the "A" perfectly in line with the "I" hanging over the "M" in the poster? this is the dorky stuff that makes my heart sing.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Dear Santa,
Dear Santa,
If you are a sugar daddy, like I hope you are, I've been very, very good this year. I think this super cute Isetta 300 on Ebay would be the perfect stocking stuffer for me, don't-cha-know? I mean, really, don't you think I would look SO XTRA cute driving around our little beach community in this? people would stop and point I could advertise my letterpress on the side. It would be a talking novelty and convince people I was the the shizzle and buy fancy invitations from me.
Current bid is at 12k and the reserve isn't met yet I think you still have time, hurry!
An essay on Marriage
A long but interesting look at how one couple set out to improve an already good marriage. In todays NYT. Funny, honest, touching and sometimes a little scary to read the honest truth about communication.
"According to a widely accepted model, intimacy begins when one person expresses revealing feelings, builds when the listener responds with support and empathy and is achieved when the discloser hears these things and feels understood, validated and cared for. This is not news. It’s not even advice. Offering a married couple this model is like informing an obese person that he should eat less and move more."
"Much of the commentary on modern marriage is frankly terrifying. Miller describes “the marital ghetto” — the marital ghetto? — as “the human equivalent of a balanced aquarium, where the fish and the plants manage to live indefinitely off each other’s waste products.”
Essay written by Elizabeth Weil a contributing writer for the NYT, is working on a memoir about marriage improvement called “No Cheating, No Dying.” photo via Dewey Nicks for The New York Times
"According to a widely accepted model, intimacy begins when one person expresses revealing feelings, builds when the listener responds with support and empathy and is achieved when the discloser hears these things and feels understood, validated and cared for. This is not news. It’s not even advice. Offering a married couple this model is like informing an obese person that he should eat less and move more."
"Much of the commentary on modern marriage is frankly terrifying. Miller describes “the marital ghetto” — the marital ghetto? — as “the human equivalent of a balanced aquarium, where the fish and the plants manage to live indefinitely off each other’s waste products.”
Essay written by Elizabeth Weil a contributing writer for the NYT, is working on a memoir about marriage improvement called “No Cheating, No Dying.” photo via Dewey Nicks for The New York Times
Friday, December 04, 2009
Dear Eloise,
I cry at most everything these days. I'm getting soft in my old age.
This morning, cried over a story on the NY Times about the notes children write to Eloise at The Plaza Hotel.
I didn't read those books [past my age when they came out] but I can get behind a little girl that lives at The Plaza can't you?
Apparently, they have staff on hand to answer each and every note left. Santa Style. Come to think of it, I think I'd like a note myself, from The Plaza. Dear Eloise...
>photos via Evan Sung for The NY Times
This morning, cried over a story on the NY Times about the notes children write to Eloise at The Plaza Hotel.
I didn't read those books [past my age when they came out] but I can get behind a little girl that lives at The Plaza can't you?
Apparently, they have staff on hand to answer each and every note left. Santa Style. Come to think of it, I think I'd like a note myself, from The Plaza. Dear Eloise...
>photos via Evan Sung for The NY Times
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Madsen Cycles
There's a guy in my neighborhood with one of these [I think] he totally puts his kids in it! [apparently legal from their site]
doesn't it just make you want to grocery shop with one, just because you can? check out their scratch and dent section [save some bucks]. super cute designed website too I might add
something frivolous
I own about 3 dozen scarves. Mostly because I'm cold all the time but I found it's easy to jazz up an outfit with a pretty colored scarf.
The Blanket Scarf looks pretty yummy $48
The Blanket Scarf looks pretty yummy $48
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Perfect
accurate. thorough; complete; utter: perfect strangers. pure or unmixed. expert; accomplished; proficient. These are the words you find when you dictionary google the word perfect. Not a surprise I would guess, we all know the word perfect.
Did I tell you I hate the word perfect? I do.
People have called me this since I was very small. I didn't ask for this label. I was a kid who didn't like to get dirty, who didn't like the way grass felt, who preferred to listen to commercials and draw pictures than cause trouble with the neighbor girls. I had moments of the trouble, don't get me wrong but they were small infractions compared to others I guess. I was also a kid who did her homework at recess. I read books during the summer and did practice book reports. The label weird kid is more apt don't you think? I don't know what it was I just wanted to be good. Unless somebody pissed me off then I wanted to ruin them but that's another tale.
In my 30's after my life fell apart with my divorce I realized that this perfection thing was a lot of f*ing hard work with not the best in returns and I decided to let it go. The idea of perfection is wonderful, but to attempt to live in that space is horrible. I still fight it a good deal. The not wanting to fail thing. It's a giant struggle of mine to be ok with failure.
I find that my outside person doesn't display this as well and this title still follows me around and appears when I'm least expecting it. Such as Thanksgiving with friends and someone pulled out a game.
did I tell you I don't do games? I don't.
The reason I don't do games is that I'm not very good at them. I don't know the answers quickly ever, I can't add to save my life, and lord help me if you ask me to spell something. I reluctantly played the game [and blatantly cheated I might add] and my friend yelled at the table "oh my gawd she's not perfect!"and what I wanted to scream was "I'm not perfect. please don't call me that". It's what I want to say any time someone uses that word directed at me.
If I might, will you just indulge me in a moment of non-perfect barfing? here are just some of my many short falls: I leave water glasses all over my house. At any one time there are 2-4 in my bedroom alone. I leave my laundry in the dryer for as long as I can. My poor roomie is left to schelp my undies out to the couch a number of times a month. I use to be organized but my desk looks like a hurricane set down. My car looks like a homeless person lives in it, wrappers clothes etc. it's a sad state. I hate cleaning out the fridge - as you might guess there are science projects growning as we speak. Lastly, because I don't want to bore you but I just unloaded my dishwasher for the first time in oh... 6 months. I just left the dishes in because I didn't want to unload them.
wooah. monumental right? not very exciting I know, but it makes me feel better, just knowing, that you know, that I'm not perfect.
the photos? they are perfection via my friend Gyslain Yarhi He's a French photographer don't you know? The French, they are perfect, that I'm sure of.
Did I tell you I hate the word perfect? I do.
People have called me this since I was very small. I didn't ask for this label. I was a kid who didn't like to get dirty, who didn't like the way grass felt, who preferred to listen to commercials and draw pictures than cause trouble with the neighbor girls. I had moments of the trouble, don't get me wrong but they were small infractions compared to others I guess. I was also a kid who did her homework at recess. I read books during the summer and did practice book reports. The label weird kid is more apt don't you think? I don't know what it was I just wanted to be good. Unless somebody pissed me off then I wanted to ruin them but that's another tale.
In my 30's after my life fell apart with my divorce I realized that this perfection thing was a lot of f*ing hard work with not the best in returns and I decided to let it go. The idea of perfection is wonderful, but to attempt to live in that space is horrible. I still fight it a good deal. The not wanting to fail thing. It's a giant struggle of mine to be ok with failure.
I find that my outside person doesn't display this as well and this title still follows me around and appears when I'm least expecting it. Such as Thanksgiving with friends and someone pulled out a game.
did I tell you I don't do games? I don't.
The reason I don't do games is that I'm not very good at them. I don't know the answers quickly ever, I can't add to save my life, and lord help me if you ask me to spell something. I reluctantly played the game [and blatantly cheated I might add] and my friend yelled at the table "oh my gawd she's not perfect!"and what I wanted to scream was "I'm not perfect. please don't call me that". It's what I want to say any time someone uses that word directed at me.
If I might, will you just indulge me in a moment of non-perfect barfing? here are just some of my many short falls: I leave water glasses all over my house. At any one time there are 2-4 in my bedroom alone. I leave my laundry in the dryer for as long as I can. My poor roomie is left to schelp my undies out to the couch a number of times a month. I use to be organized but my desk looks like a hurricane set down. My car looks like a homeless person lives in it, wrappers clothes etc. it's a sad state. I hate cleaning out the fridge - as you might guess there are science projects growning as we speak. Lastly, because I don't want to bore you but I just unloaded my dishwasher for the first time in oh... 6 months. I just left the dishes in because I didn't want to unload them.
wooah. monumental right? not very exciting I know, but it makes me feel better, just knowing, that you know, that I'm not perfect.
the photos? they are perfection via my friend Gyslain Yarhi He's a French photographer don't you know? The French, they are perfect, that I'm sure of.
Monday, November 30, 2009
product review M2 skin care
In full disclosure the fine folks at Skin Care RX who are also my only sponsor here at richie headquarters asked me a while back would you be interested in testing a skincare line called M2? Skin care? Me? hells-to-the-yah. And then I stopped. Er...um I dunno, I'm really partial to my Clarins I thought, what is it you want me to test? They said this set that involves an Alpha Hydroxy Acids or something of the sort.
I don't think I'm the right person for you, I said. I'm super sensitive. I'm allergic to everything I say trying to weezel out of it [the Alpha Hydroxys have not been kind to me in the past]. Some more emails went back and forth we have one for "sensitive skin" it will be great they say, I say sure and expect to be making a trip to my allergist when it's all said and done.
This review thing is harder than it seems I have to admit. What if I hated it I thought? Ok, I just won't write about it. I mean they did give me a free set of product I would hate to bum them out by a bad review. No wonder every product reviewed in a magazine talks about how amazing it is. Don't believe it unless you hear first hand I'm telling ya.
But here's the thing, since we're talking about it. I like it. And I've been using it for 4 weeks or so and no skin irritation [amazing I might add on that part] and this Malic Acid [a type of hydroxy acid] thing? whoa a little zingy but I'm telling you whatever it is ate off the top layer of skin and my face is baby-butt soft. I'm not blowing smoke up your ass either. This weekend when Chris was home I had planned on handing it over to him for his take on it but I don't think I'm ready to give it up just yet. I am as surprised about this fact as you are at the moment.
so exfolating cleanser, skin refinish and skin recovery moisturizer. is what I've been using. The kit is $90, which considering I've paid that for one product, makes it a steal.
Some side notes on the product though. I don't find the moisturizer to be enough for me [I'm dry] and I've needed to supplement it with some of my standbys. I also might add I didn't care for the neon yellow color of the moisturizer either but it was just color, the smell was fine.
The Skincare RX site is pretty impressive. I've been poking around a bit to make sure they were on the up and up. Sothys, Murad, Perricone, Jan Marini, Kinerase, Dermalogica, Decleor [love their oils!], Cellex C are just some of their brands that I know and either have personally used, or have been used on me in treatments.
So from this skin junky...a surprising thumbs up
I don't think I'm the right person for you, I said. I'm super sensitive. I'm allergic to everything I say trying to weezel out of it [the Alpha Hydroxys have not been kind to me in the past]. Some more emails went back and forth we have one for "sensitive skin" it will be great they say, I say sure and expect to be making a trip to my allergist when it's all said and done.
This review thing is harder than it seems I have to admit. What if I hated it I thought? Ok, I just won't write about it. I mean they did give me a free set of product I would hate to bum them out by a bad review. No wonder every product reviewed in a magazine talks about how amazing it is. Don't believe it unless you hear first hand I'm telling ya.
But here's the thing, since we're talking about it. I like it. And I've been using it for 4 weeks or so and no skin irritation [amazing I might add on that part] and this Malic Acid [a type of hydroxy acid] thing? whoa a little zingy but I'm telling you whatever it is ate off the top layer of skin and my face is baby-butt soft. I'm not blowing smoke up your ass either. This weekend when Chris was home I had planned on handing it over to him for his take on it but I don't think I'm ready to give it up just yet. I am as surprised about this fact as you are at the moment.
so exfolating cleanser, skin refinish and skin recovery moisturizer. is what I've been using. The kit is $90, which considering I've paid that for one product, makes it a steal.
Some side notes on the product though. I don't find the moisturizer to be enough for me [I'm dry] and I've needed to supplement it with some of my standbys. I also might add I didn't care for the neon yellow color of the moisturizer either but it was just color, the smell was fine.
The Skincare RX site is pretty impressive. I've been poking around a bit to make sure they were on the up and up. Sothys, Murad, Perricone, Jan Marini, Kinerase, Dermalogica, Decleor [love their oils!], Cellex C are just some of their brands that I know and either have personally used, or have been used on me in treatments.
So from this skin junky...a surprising thumbs up
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The cutest art book in history
OOps I used that word again but seriously...Do you know Jay Ryan of The Bird Machine? I've featured him here before. He's famed for his snuggly bear posters kinda like this:
I was at the book store today and saw his new book, featuring many of his top posters and graphics featuring his curious animals: bears, fish etc. It's really swell and I had to fight myself to put it back.
If you have a art person in your life, or a teen involved in good music they would love it. He has done posters for bands such as The Melvins, The Flight of the Concords, The Monsters of Folk, My Morning Jacket, Jeff Tweedy and more. The book also features a funny graph in the back of the book listing the amount of times an animal appears in his graphics. The bear I think won out but, fish, cats, pigs and the like made appearances.
The book is available at Amazon $15.61 significantly less than the Barnes folks or check out the other book he has called 100 Posters 134 Squirrels also available on Amazon or The Bird Machine Site.
I was at the book store today and saw his new book, featuring many of his top posters and graphics featuring his curious animals: bears, fish etc. It's really swell and I had to fight myself to put it back.
If you have a art person in your life, or a teen involved in good music they would love it. He has done posters for bands such as The Melvins, The Flight of the Concords, The Monsters of Folk, My Morning Jacket, Jeff Tweedy and more. The book also features a funny graph in the back of the book listing the amount of times an animal appears in his graphics. The bear I think won out but, fish, cats, pigs and the like made appearances.
The book is available at Amazon $15.61 significantly less than the Barnes folks or check out the other book he has called 100 Posters 134 Squirrels also available on Amazon or The Bird Machine Site.
Friday, November 27, 2009
#3 IN THE SERIES
I purchased camera poster #1 some years ago, then I purchased #2 and gave it to a photog friend for his new home, #3 is done and as cute as always. I mean not cute, Chris says I am not to use cute when describing masculine things. Are cameras masculine or feminine? anyway it's RAD and it's $30 And if it didn't cost $200 to match the frame I have on the other one I would totally buy it right now.
by Rod Post
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
funny how...
shoe image from here who by the way, I'm jealous of. I might add she's 13!! and dog image from here, she's for adoption.
Sade is back
short music week finishes up here with the queen of smooth
via starworks Sade's new CD drops Feb 2010
Till then lets have a listen to a lovely tune. sorry it's a static pic but the song wasn't available in full video.
via starworks Sade's new CD drops Feb 2010
Till then lets have a listen to a lovely tune. sorry it's a static pic but the song wasn't available in full video.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday Music
More Tunes for this holiday week.
Iron and Wine's Naked As We Came
They haven't been on my radar even after one of the cool kids at the local music store told me about them oh, 7 years ago or something. Which as we know in music is like dog years. I don't know why I didn't like them then. I'm a sucker for sad, melancholy music as all my friends will attest too. I prefer to think of it as quiet, soft, thoughtful music myself.
So Naked As We Came? I hear it and want to curl up under my down comforter. Warm and Fuzzy for your holiday week
Iron and Wine's Naked As We Came
They haven't been on my radar even after one of the cool kids at the local music store told me about them oh, 7 years ago or something. Which as we know in music is like dog years. I don't know why I didn't like them then. I'm a sucker for sad, melancholy music as all my friends will attest too. I prefer to think of it as quiet, soft, thoughtful music myself.
So Naked As We Came? I hear it and want to curl up under my down comforter. Warm and Fuzzy for your holiday week
Sunday, November 22, 2009
She Does
she said yes, and so did she
There is the most stunning photos up over at my favorite wedding photog Anna KuperbergI don't know these two women, but you can just tell that "this is what love is" by the way they look at one another.
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I often wonder what it says about our society that can deny LOVE because it doesn't look the way they think it should. Love prevails always. This, I'm sure of.
please go click to the full slide show, it gave me chills, made me cry and smile all in 3 minutes flat
There is the most stunning photos up over at my favorite wedding photog Anna KuperbergI don't know these two women, but you can just tell that "this is what love is" by the way they look at one another.
------
I often wonder what it says about our society that can deny LOVE because it doesn't look the way they think it should. Love prevails always. This, I'm sure of.
please go click to the full slide show, it gave me chills, made me cry and smile all in 3 minutes flat
Happy short week
Well, how about that excitement from Friday hu? I've been catching up on the breathing thing and the sleep thing ever since. We had a lot of prep around here to make sure we had enough goodies in stock. Anyway, I'm still recovering. How about some tunes for this holiday week?
First up Nick Drake
I dunno it just makes me think of itchy wool sweaters [in a good way], fall leaves blowing along the ground and drives with the heater on and the windows down. perfect for this week
First up Nick Drake
I dunno it just makes me think of itchy wool sweaters [in a good way], fall leaves blowing along the ground and drives with the heater on and the windows down. perfect for this week
Friday, November 20, 2009
This is why I couldn't breathe
I didn't want to say it until it actually happened but this is why I couldn't breathe.
Author, TV star and the patron queen of style featured me on The Zoe Report today. My Illustrated shoe cards were spotlighted.
I'm truly honored and a little speechless today.
Author, TV star and the patron queen of style featured me on The Zoe Report today. My Illustrated shoe cards were spotlighted.
I'm truly honored and a little speechless today.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
SUPER CUTE
a look book for a clothing brand Suno. Shot in cuba with the girls being towed behind moving cars?! The music is to die for, makes you want to cha cha.
> fashionista
Do you forget to breathe?
I forget to breathe all the time. It's much better than years ago when I barely inhaled at all. I got super sick during those years as you might guess since oxygen is important and all. I guess enough seeped into my skin to keep me standing upright. Some day I'll tell you how it began, the not breathing, but I feel like keeping things happy and chipper today.
Somehow I programmed my body from that time that anything good, bad or in-between that's out of my day to day norm sets me into this little not-breathing-thing. Even the good or the great.
And today I'm not breathing because of great. Something exciting is suppose to happen tomorrow. I'll tell you when it actually goes through because well, the chubby lady hasn't sung just yet. So I'll wait for a little Do-Rey-Me before I spill. Till then, posting a big yellow stickie to my computer reminding me.
image
Somehow I programmed my body from that time that anything good, bad or in-between that's out of my day to day norm sets me into this little not-breathing-thing. Even the good or the great.
And today I'm not breathing because of great. Something exciting is suppose to happen tomorrow. I'll tell you when it actually goes through because well, the chubby lady hasn't sung just yet. So I'll wait for a little Do-Rey-Me before I spill. Till then, posting a big yellow stickie to my computer reminding me.
image
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Fishing
Don't laugh but I went to a fishing and tackle store on Saturday. And no it wasn't of my own accord as you might guess.
Chris has a small lake outside his back door over at his other house by school and he's been borrowing his roomies fishing pole. And as you might remember me telling you, I met him in a fly fishing store. As-in he was a professional guide for a number of years. Pros have to have the right gear don't cha know. Even if you only are catching little catfish out your back door in a man-made lake and tossing them back.
He got me suckered in with a comparision to shoes and a bag matching or something fashion related. Got it. Let's go. So we did. 15 min into it I got antsy and trying to humor myself began taking pictures of sparkily fish kinda like this.
they're all very facinating. These rubbery,sparkily pretend fish. I dream of having 400 of them and glueing them to a skirt so that the little rubbery things dance all over as I walk down the isle of the grocery, or maybe this saturday to the movies. But after my red carpet moment faded in the lovely tackle store [next to the sports bar I might add]. I began posting them to facebook along with a humorous note that read "I feel like dudes do when their chicks force them to the mall. Honey, are you still looking at plastic fish? Really?"
and my lovely brother who has a similar quiet, wicked sense of humor responded. "Hell yeah, still looking at plastic fishy, then hooks with fuzzy stuff tied to them, then some long sticks (aka fishing poles)"
Fair enough, next stop though the shoe department at Macy's.
Chris has a small lake outside his back door over at his other house by school and he's been borrowing his roomies fishing pole. And as you might remember me telling you, I met him in a fly fishing store. As-in he was a professional guide for a number of years. Pros have to have the right gear don't cha know. Even if you only are catching little catfish out your back door in a man-made lake and tossing them back.
He got me suckered in with a comparision to shoes and a bag matching or something fashion related. Got it. Let's go. So we did. 15 min into it I got antsy and trying to humor myself began taking pictures of sparkily fish kinda like this.
they're all very facinating. These rubbery,sparkily pretend fish. I dream of having 400 of them and glueing them to a skirt so that the little rubbery things dance all over as I walk down the isle of the grocery, or maybe this saturday to the movies. But after my red carpet moment faded in the lovely tackle store [next to the sports bar I might add]. I began posting them to facebook along with a humorous note that read "I feel like dudes do when their chicks force them to the mall. Honey, are you still looking at plastic fish? Really?"
and my lovely brother who has a similar quiet, wicked sense of humor responded. "Hell yeah, still looking at plastic fishy, then hooks with fuzzy stuff tied to them, then some long sticks (aka fishing poles)"
Fair enough, next stop though the shoe department at Macy's.
Monday, November 16, 2009
strong girls
Karey is worried about her NO Girls today. The talking back girls, the possibility of teenage years run-amuck. Because I was not really a kid that said no and I'm not a parent who has to contend with the no, I'm seeing it as a positive.
Now don't let me fool you I was and am stubborn. I'm a Taurus after all. We invented stubborn. But I was a quiet-give-you-evil-stares-kill-you-with-silence kinda stubborn. I don't think no was allowed. By the way I'm still good at evil stares. I'm quite good at it really. Chris has seen a couple and was surprised at the level of evil I can shoot out from the hazels. He was on the receiving end of only a couple, most were aimed at others who don't know how to read it quite like he does.
But the No part. What if the good part is learning to stand up for yourself? I didn't know how to do that until was in my mid 30's. No, wasn't allowed remember? No, can be a good thing to the boy in highschool who thinks too highly of himself, or No, can be a great thing when someone mistreats you. No, could be a better thing if the wrong person asks for your hand in marriage. It can also be good when a friend throws you under the preverbial bus for the last time. Maybe one day one of the NO Girls will be sitting in her big office on Wall Street and someone comes to her with a shady deal and she says no.
This is my thought, I think that No can be a positive when you learn it along the way to becoming strong and independent. And I say this without having a 4 yr old having a giant screaming match with me by the way. But just remember to giggle a little when you walk away, they're just getting strong just like you want them to be.
So now little ladies, you have to do your chores and no, isn't part of the answer for that. Aunt Richie says so.
isn't the word no, suppose to have a comma after it each time? lordie I hate english rules. anyway, I thought about it here but sometimes it just didn't read right to me. I never claimed to be writing for the NY Times people.
Now don't let me fool you I was and am stubborn. I'm a Taurus after all. We invented stubborn. But I was a quiet-give-you-evil-stares-kill-you-with-silence kinda stubborn. I don't think no was allowed. By the way I'm still good at evil stares. I'm quite good at it really. Chris has seen a couple and was surprised at the level of evil I can shoot out from the hazels. He was on the receiving end of only a couple, most were aimed at others who don't know how to read it quite like he does.
But the No part. What if the good part is learning to stand up for yourself? I didn't know how to do that until was in my mid 30's. No, wasn't allowed remember? No, can be a good thing to the boy in highschool who thinks too highly of himself, or No, can be a great thing when someone mistreats you. No, could be a better thing if the wrong person asks for your hand in marriage. It can also be good when a friend throws you under the preverbial bus for the last time. Maybe one day one of the NO Girls will be sitting in her big office on Wall Street and someone comes to her with a shady deal and she says no.
This is my thought, I think that No can be a positive when you learn it along the way to becoming strong and independent. And I say this without having a 4 yr old having a giant screaming match with me by the way. But just remember to giggle a little when you walk away, they're just getting strong just like you want them to be.
So now little ladies, you have to do your chores and no, isn't part of the answer for that. Aunt Richie says so.
isn't the word no, suppose to have a comma after it each time? lordie I hate english rules. anyway, I thought about it here but sometimes it just didn't read right to me. I never claimed to be writing for the NY Times people.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
what's a blind impression?
remember the holiday notecard project?
I didn't have a chance to photograph an example of a blind impression [no ink] the other day, this morning the light was pretty in my office and I got a snap off. blind impression is letterpress with no ink involved, just impression.
click the photo to enlarge the super yumminess
I didn't have a chance to photograph an example of a blind impression [no ink] the other day, this morning the light was pretty in my office and I got a snap off. blind impression is letterpress with no ink involved, just impression.
click the photo to enlarge the super yumminess
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Let's Letterpress for the holidays
after a number of people inquired for affordable letterpress gifts for the holidays, I came up with a simple, affordable way for paper lovers to give something unique this year.
you have a few choices to make. It will be difficult, I know. I think you’re up for it though. There are a couple of things to note:
1. Don’t dilly-dally around, there is limited space available [hey, I can only print so many hours a day! ]
2. Registration closes Saturday November 28th at noon
3. Packages will be shipped out on Wed Dec 16th
4. first name only for this super swell dealio but if you would like a full name [first, last] we can work it out. lets chat via email first.
5. sorry US folks only
6. To order: Email me to set it all up and I'll make an Etsy Order based on your requests and send you the link to pay.
RICHELE[AT]RICHIEDESIGNS.COM
7. ready? here’s the scoop...
[CLICK TO ENLARGE THIS FOR DETAILED INFO]
[CLICK TO ENLARGE THIS FOR DETAILED INFO]
[example of a blind impression/click to enlarge]
Domino Mag goes online
I'm not reading the usual suspects anymore [design sponge etc] so I'm sure it's out there already but did you know this? It's not really Domino, but almost Lonny Mag
Former Domino Editor Michelle Adams and her side kick Patrick Cline are kicking some serious internet bootie with this one. All the pretty but none of the snuggle in bed factor I'm afraid. None the less. Very Impressive all the way around.