Inspiration Machine 49

(Due to the upcoming holiday weekend, Inspiration Machine & Link Kaboom will each run a day early this week.)


Clockwise from top left: Corey Hamilton, ipushthebuttons, Diyana Kamaruza, misspaq

1. Make a cat's cradle.

2. Learn your moon sign.

3. Whisper secrets to your houseplants.

4. Learn sign language.

5. Learn how to spell your name in katakana.

6. Make macaroons.

7. Do a cannonball.

8. Spit up in the air, then RUN!

9. Do a somersault.

10. Climb a tree.

Wardrobery: 06/17/09

Top: Gadzooks (defunct); Cardigan: Etsy; Skirt: H&M; Shoes: Frye; Prayer Beads: eBay

Had a very nice weekend playing Dungeons & Dragons, hanging with friends on roofs, playing Rock Band and doing some desperately needed yard work. And when I say desperately, I mean DESPERATELY. Me and Fiance Kaboom extracted the following items from our backyard:

• four 50lb. bags of shrubbery
• 2 giant screens (from doors?)
• a broken table
• an old ladder
• a RUG?!

The old tenants had apparently been very busy, indeed. Due to the excessive rain we've been getting, it's been virtually impossible to do any lawn care for some time. As a result, the backyard had become a veritable jungle, teaming with all sorts of strange, exotic fauna over 2 feet in height (I am really kicking myself for not nabbing a photo). There was so much shrubbery, it broke the weed whacker and defeated the manual lawnmower, forcing FK and myself to use the only other weapon in our arsenal: a machete. Yes, as in MACHETE. Given to us by a friend as a souvenir from Benin, Africa. We usually keep it in a convenient place in case the zombies come, but the backyard took priority.


Top: Gadzooks (defunct); Cardigan: Etsy; Skirt: H&M; Shoes: Frye; Prayer Beads: eBay

Like the shoes? They're made by Frye, and are my first clogs. And yes, I believe my hippy certificate is on its way to me in the mail. I really like them, they are quite comfy, but I have discovered one rather awkward result of wearing clogs: inevitable squishy noises. It sounds a little like my feet have gas.

Bet you didn't expect to read THAT today.

Anyhoo, what was the best part of your weekend?

MY DAILY COVET: Rainbow Love

In honor of this weekend's Gay Pride Parade in NYC (which marked the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots), I am doing a rainbow-themed My Daily Covet this week. The LGBT community has come a long way from those less accepting times, and still has even farther to go.

1. Friends/withYou Friendship Flag Print by Kid Robot

2. My Little Cthulhu by papercraft

3. Philipp Keel's Simple Diary™ by Taschen

4. Large Pirate Cupcake Organic Cotton Unisex T-Shirt

5. "Legalize Gay"
Girly Tank by American Apparel

You can show your solidarity to the cause of equal rights to all partners by donating to the Courage Campaign here.

Link Kaboom 30

Ron Mueck

1. Ron Mueck: This hyper-realistic sculptor's larger than life pieces depict the terrible and beautiful aspects of the human experience. Poignant, powerful, and flawlessly flawed.

2. How An Indie Musician Can Make $19,000 in 10 Hours Using Twitter: Not only is Amanda Palmer wicked talented, she is swiftly becoming a social media genius.

3. Interview with Grace Bonney of Design Sponge: Design Sponge is one of my absolute favorite blogs, and this great interview by The Design Files provides an in depth look at the brains behind the blog.

4. Top Ten Ways Women Entrepreneurs Boost Productivity: Susan L. Reid asked 250 female entrepreneurs "What's the Number one thing you do to boost your productivity?" These are the top ten.

5.Burger King Ad Vets Criticism: Burger King's new fellacio-implying ad has shocking everyone this week. What do you think - tasteless or hilarious?

6.Sea of Shoes Does U.O.: I've spent many an hour oogling the fantastic footwear choices of this high school haute-seeker. Now her own shoe collection is available as a capsule collection through Urban Outfitters.

7.Q&A with Designer Michelle Siwy: My favorite pair of jeans are by Siwy. In this interview with ShopBop, designer and founder Michelle Siwy talks about inspiration and how she makes such fantabulous jeans.

And finally, in honor of Micheal Jackson, who passed away yesterday, my favorite Jackson 5 song, featuring Bill Cosby...

Inspiration Machine 48

Clockwise from top left: misspaq, aragost, Gina Marr, Miss Lulu & The Teaspoon Shortage

1. Keep a bowl of wishes by your bed. Every morning, take one, and do everything you can to fulfill that wish that day. At the end of the day, return the wish into the wish bowl.

2. Pick a weekly color palette, and try to dress to it.

3. Hold hands.

4. Remember to make yourself happy.

5. Eat locally.

6. Make yourself a sacred space.

7. Make your own teepee.

8. Build a firepit.

9. Adopt a tiger.

10. Dress like a tiger. Inside and out.

Wardrobery: 06/17/09

top: Victoria's Secret; cardigan: thrifted; jeans: Express; boots: thrifted; necklace: Laura Burnham

I almost never wear jeans in the summer. But it's sooo rainy, that they are still a major component of my wardrobe. Same goes with the boots - though there is something nice about it being cool enough to still wear some of my favorite seasonal duds.



I have been trying to come up with ways not to feel too grumpy about the weather. I believe an exorbitant umbrella purchase may be in order.

CMYK Mixtape 06/09: Marooned in June, Under a Blood Red Moon...

"Featherbed Rocks" by David John Harris

June has been a torrential downpour of obligations and rain, rain, rain. It's as if we were all living in a submarine, peeking out at the rays of light shining in through the sea.

I suppose this mix is "submarine music" - something to guide you through the underwater world, like a Jacque Cousteau club mix, if you will.

Anyway, hope you enjoy.



The Playlist:

01. Billy Bragg - To have and to have not

02. Bob Dylan - Beyond Here Lies Nothin'

03. Mirah - Cold Cold Water

04. The Hidden Cameras - Breath on it

05. The Dodos - Horny Hippies

06. The Decemberists - The Rake's Song

07. Jeff Hanson - Night

08. Sally Shapiro - Miracle

09. Stars - Set Yourself On Fire

10. Grizzly Bear - I Live With You

11. Ume - The Conductor

12. Modest Mouse - A Different City

13. The Dresden Dolls - Half Jack


What have you been listening to this month?

Link Kaboom 29

AJ Fosik,
"Always to Dust"

1. AJ Fosik: This artist's eclectic, electric totems have me swooning - by far, some of the most original work I have seen in a while.

2. 2,500 Bird's Nest Found: First of all, how cool is it that there's an animal called a "Gyrfalcon"? Secondly, the fact that the falcons have been nesting in the same place for the past 2,740 years proves the fact that there is some property whose value IS recession proof. Move over birds, I'm moving in.

3. Mos Def sells album as T-Shirt: Mos Def is offering his new album in the form of a t-shirt: Once you purchase the shirt, you also receive a download code for the new album. Just another example of an artist taking the new media by the reins.

4. Abandonedtheaters.com: A remarkable photo montage of theaters left to decay. Haunting and poignant.

5.10 Fantastic Futuristic Materials that Actually Exist: WebUrbanist takes a look at 10 materials that remind you we must be living in the future.

6.Copyright 101 for Designers: Amy J. Everhart gives a great rundown on the basics every designer should know about copyright. A must read for anyone in the creative field - know your rights!

7.The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland: Catherynne M. Valente's first chapter of her ongoing online story will leave you thirsting for more.

And finally, I have been tickled pink by these coffee commercials, made by none other than Jim Henson! So violent!

Inspiration Machine 47

Clockwise from top left: misspaq, Karla Jean Davis, aragost, eclectic gipsyland

1. Feed yourself with the same sensibility as you would a child.

2. Make a play date with your inner child.

3. Surprise your friends with flowers.

4. Collect rain water in jars. Use it to water houseplants, rinse hair.

5. Write the story of your life in 100 words.

6. Make your own mud mask.

7. Make a list of all the dirty words you can think of.

8. Compose your own underwater ballet.

9. Jump up as high as you can.

10. Sit in stillness, in gratitude and happiness for you life.

Wardrobery: 06/16/09

Wardrobery: 06/16/09


Tops: thrifted, Skirt: thrifted, Shoes: Pixie Market, Necklace: accumulated

My favorite part of this outfit is definitely the skirt and the shoes. I thrifted the skirt a few weeks ago, it fit perfectly, and still had it's tags. It's this mock-houndstooth pattern I find just too wonderful: I hereby dub it, "puppy-tooth."



Also, I am a big fan of these new sandals. These are my, "I can't afford the Ann Demeulemeester's I am in love with because I am getting married and still need to eat" shoe. I got them from Pixie Market, and they are so similar in style to my beloved AD's, but for a teeny fraction of the price. I may be able to do without the high-heeled version. MAY.

Wardrobery: 06/15/09

Tank: Target; Top: Free People; Cardigan: Etsy; Slacks: Zara; Shoes: Zara; Necklace: Laura Burnham

Hi! Did you know that August 29 is only 75 days away? I do - and I can feel each one of them PRESSING on my skull. Yeah, the wedding is right around the corner, or anatomically speaking, jammed somewhere between my stomach and my throat. There is still soooo much to do, and it's really sinking in with me and Fiance Kaboom just how much we have to get done. However, this weekend we made some lists and plans, so hopefully we'll make some real progress in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, the weather on the east continues to be baffling. It's unseasonably cool, and I've heard rumors it was hailing in New Jersey yesterday. I am anticipating a plague of locusts, maybe a tornado or two before things settle down. All this crummy weather has meant my beach trips are on indefinite hold, which is pretty darn disappointing.

However, one great thing about the weird weather is it is not unbelievably hot in NYC, as is often the case this time of year, which allows one to break out those great "in-between" pieces - you know, those things too warm for summer, but too cold for winter. I have been piling on the light sweaters and cardigans in anticipation of the chillier spring days, as exemplified in this outfit. It's a rather nice feeling to do this: you feel bundled like you would in the winter, yet without feeling frigid or underdressed.


Tank: Target; Top: Free People; Cardigan: Etsy; Slacks: Zara; Shoes: Zara; Necklace: Laura Burnham

This was also the first time I got to rock these harem slacks I got from Zara. I picked them up during the winter, but it was far too chilly to wear them at the time. They are satin, and feel like warm water is sliding down my legs all day. It's too wonderful.

Wallpaper Chase

The grass is always greener, I suppose. First, we lived in an apartment, and I coveted a house desperately. Now we rent a house, and whereas I should be happy as a clam, I am not. Because now I want to OWN a house, so I can fill it with wonderful, permanent things that I will never have to worry about moving again, like wallpaper. Sweet, sweet, wallpaper...

Not helping my house-lust is the fact that I am absolutely, positvely smitten with the wallpaper of Grow House Grow!, an independent wallpaper company owned and operated by Brooklyn resident Katie Deedy. Between balancing two bartending jobs, Deedy hand prints these magnificent wallpapers, based on such whimsical inspirations as historical figures and stories.









A picture of the artist, in studio:



To see more of Deedy's fantastic creations, visit Grow House Grow! by clicking here.

Link Kaboom 28

Asianposes.com

1. Asianposes.com: I know it SOUNDS like a porn site, but it's not! Instead, Steve posts informing articles and pictures of some of the hottest photographic poses the hip Asian girls are doing. I am smitten!

2. SPIN Liner Notes: Neil Gaiman & Amanda Palmer: Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending this lovely charity event at the Housing Works Bookstore. Neil & Amanda collaborate on singing songs and telling amazing stories. SPIN has compiled some of the best moments, for you to watch too.

3. DIY Leggings on Burda Style: Lets face it, money is tight these days. So how about we all start MAKING fantastic leggings, instead of shelling our hard earned greens buying them? Let's do this.

4. Not-So-Great Expectations: NY Times writer Judith Warner contemplates the desire, and subsequent inability, to be perfectly ambitious. A mom's point-of-view, but a message I think we can all take something from.

5. Sustainable Seafood Guide: Love fish, but flabbergasted as to which are environmentally conservable? This little guide is just what you need.

6. Blind Search Taste Test: With the innumerable search engines on the world wide web these days, it can be a little daunting to determine which you prefer. This blind search query brings up the results of 3 different engines, and then let's you vote on which you think is working the best.

7. Underwater Peoples Records Showcase Compilation : I've been jamming out all week to the low-fi paradise that is this album. Just the kind of thing you want to listen to as you sizzle next to a pool. Best part, it's a free download!

And Finally, this music video by Nyle is simply stunning. Taken in only one long, perfect take, it actually makes the song appear before your eyes (and ears).

Nyle "Let The Beat Build" from Nyle on Vimeo.

Have a nice weekend, lads & lasses!

Inspiration Machine 46

Clockwise from top left: verhext, aragost, Fairytale Vegas, Kunio Monji

1. Take a milk bath.

2. Make your own aerobics video, and give to friend's as a gag gift.

3. Wander through your house donned in a beautiful house robe a heels, whilst eating bon-bons.

4. Acquire a crystal ball.

6. Start participating in hand written correspondence.

7. Carry a cloth handkerchief.

8. Plate unusual objects in gold.

9. Paint your front door your favorite color.

10. Try to have at least one adventure a day.

A Reluctant Bride Gives Thanks!

"vintage button bouquets in action" by lilfishstudios

I am totally blown away by the responses I have received in response to my last post about the bridal role - who knew so many eloquent, sympathetic lasses read my blog! Your personal stories and comments mean the world to me, and it's incredibly good to know I (we) are not alone in feeling awkward in this unique cultural position.

Seeing as there seems to be so much interest in this subject, I am going to make an effort to be more forthcoming about the upcoming wedding, and my experiences and lessons regarding it.

Thanks again - you guys are fantastic!

Cyn~