My Daily Covet: Pink & Black

1. Sass & Bide Oversized Tank Dress With Corset Print

2. J.Crew Cloud Necklace

3. Dolce Vita Metallic Oxford

4. VERONICA PEARL Pendant Clip on Etsy

5. Helmut Lang Stretch Leather Dress

Link Kaboom 37

Illustration by Phoenix Zoellick

1. Phoenix Zoellick Illustration: Not only am I am completely smitten with her KABOOM illustration (above), but her snowboards and other illustration work is stellar, too.

2. Shit My Dad Says: Boy has dad. Dad says ridiculous, cranky dad things. Boy posts dad's quotes on social networking platform. Hilarity ensues.

3. Things My Boyfriend Says: Girl has boyfriend. Boyfriend says hilarious, sardonic boy things. Girl posts boyfriend's quotes on open blogging platform. Hilarity ensues. (Thanks, Kitty!)

4. How To Make Your Own Brick Pizza Oven: I pity you non-Italians, who can actually consider building this as much as I have without becoming a walking, talking-with-my-hands stereotype. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to position these stone lions out on my front lawn...

5. Tips On Making Tea: I don't drink coffee, but anyone who knows me knows that I like tea A LOT. Like I could substitute it for oxygen. I am going to be one of those crazy tea-ladies when I get older. Actually, I already am. Who am I kidding? More Oolong?

6. Running For Roz: On Wednesday, May 20th, 2009, Lt. Roslyn Littman Schulte (Roz) was killed in Afghanistan when her vehicle drove over an IED that was buried under the ground. In honor of her memory, her friends are participating in the races at the United States Air Force Marathon on September 19, 2009, and donating the funds to the Roslyn Schulte Memorial at the United States Air Force Academy.

7. Jobpic: Do you have a unique, odd or special skill, or are you seeking someone who does? Jobpic is a site that lets you connect with those offering a ridiculously wide range of services, from French translation, to a Cornhole set? Get your mind out of the gutter, it's not at all as dirty as it sounds!

Finally, in honor of my wedding tomorrow (AH!!!), one of the best ceremonies I have ever seen:



So long folks! Next time we chat, I will be a married lady! ;)

Inspiration Machine 56

Clockwise from top left: AlexEdg, verhext, publik_oberberg, verhext

1. Listen to ABBA.

2. Make it your mission to make a new friend today.

3. Try transcendental meditation.

4. Scream as loud as you can.

5. Make your own war cry.

6. Think of three things in your life you would like to change, and then work on those changes for the next three months.

7. Whisper sweet nothings to yourself.

8. Make a rap song about how awesome you are.

9. If you could can anything, conceptual or physical, what would you choose (ie, "hope in a can")

10. Remember this moment matters more than anything.

Kimberly Craven

If there was any piece of advice that was drilled into me at the beginning wedding planning, it was to choose the right photographer. It's the one piece of advice I would pass on to any couple getting married: invest time and money in a trustworthy, talented professional. You can fudge the flowers, the food, but the photography is something that cannot be fudged, and will have lasting repercussions beyond the big day; in the end, it's either done right, or it's not. I unfortunately know many couples who have had disastrous situations arise regarding their wedding photography - from a photographer who went bankrupt shortly after the wedding (and has refused to release the photos), to one that straight up disappeared post-reception. So though I have been pretty easygoing in regards to most details pertaining to the wedding, finding the right photographer was actually something I stressed about and did some serious research on.



Isn't it wonderful when the universe hears your needs, and fulfills them? In the midst of my hunt, Kim was plunked right under my nose. Kimberly Craven and I met via one of my bridesmaids, who brought her to the surprise birthday party I threw Fiance Kaboom this year. She was a true gem, and noticing my SLR on the coffee table, asked if I would mind if she took a few pics. Considering I was completely busy being hostess extraordinaire, I eagerly encouraged her to go nuts. And go nuts she did. By the next morning, I discovered some absolutely beautiful photos waiting for me in my camera - and I had found my girl.



It is always a delight when I meet someone with a special talent, but it is an additional gift that Kim has become a close friend of both myself and Fiance Kaboom's over the last few months. She is a smart, funny, beautiful individual, and FK and I feel truly lucky to have met her. She is also any girl's dream of a perfect wedding photographer. Not only has she lent invaluable help and support in scheduling the day, but she has offered all of her knowledge to both of us when it comes to having a stress-free, ideal wedding (I can honestly say she is a contributing reason as to why I am not running around like a maniacal Bridezilla).



A few weeks ago, Kim asked John and I if we would like to do an engagement session. Considering FK and I didn't want something super mushy and romantic, we decided on Coney Island: it's fun-loving, quirky, and positively ridiculous - just like us. These pictures are the results, and I am absolutely staggered and awed by the power of Kim and her camera. Simply put, they are gorgeous.



Though FK and I were first hesitant to do one, I now see the invaluable opportunity an engagement session can be. Not only does it offer a photo montage that is much more casual and fun as opposed to the formal shoot on the wedding day, but the face time it provides between photographer and subject is a great warm up to the larger event. The session really allowed me and FK to get used to being photographed by a third party (something most of us just aren't super comfortable with), and I am sure it gave Kim some insights as to what to expect from us as well. Not to mention giving all of us the opportunity to curb some of our less appealing photo habits: for instance, we noticed FK has a creepy habit of kissing me with his eyes open. Yeesh! In conclusion, I think all of us will be going into the wedding day more confident and prepared on the photo end of things, and with a stunning set of photos to boot.



You can see more of Kimberly's beautiful photography here. She also keeps a great little photo blog. Thanks, Kim. We'll treasure these forever.

August 09 Mixtape: Bang It Out.

The Four Horses Of Revelations
Originally uploaded by "Day 28 / My favorite position! / Saturday 25 August 2007" by d'gypsy


Hey-O! I get married in 4 days!

This is an insanely upbeat mix. I wanted something bubbly and exciting that could convey my general elation. Summer is almost over, so it's time to ramp-it-up. Play it louder, shake it harder, and suck every precious, wonderful second out of this glorious time of year that you can.



The Playlist:

01. Nelly Furtado - Wait For You

02. Bobby Birdman - Gone Beyond

03. Janet Jackson - Doesn't Really Matter

04. Belle And Sebastian - Another Sunny Day

05. Rainer Maria - Thought I Was

06. Tegan and Sara - The Con

07. Asobi Seksu - Nefi+Girly

08. The Badger King - Flee To Me, Remote Elf

09. Hail Social - Track 01

10. animal collective - Fireworks

11. Architecture in Helsinki - The Owls Go

12. Mirah/Ginger Takahashi - Rock Of Ages

13. Aaliyah - More Than A Woman

Words of Wisdom: Micheal Jackson

“In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.”

“The meaning of life is contained in every single expression of life. It is present in the infinity of forms and phenomena that exist in all of creation.”

“The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.”

“'Lies run sprints, but the truth runs marathons. The truth will win this marathon in court.'”

“And my goal in life is to give to the world what I was lucky to receive: the ecstasy of divine union through my music and my dance.”

"Just because it’s in print doesn’t mean it’s the gospel."

"I don't like pop music."

"I'll always be Peter Pan in my heart."

“Let us dream of tomorrow where we can truly love from the soul, and know love as the ultimate truth at the heart of all creation.”

“You can always dream, and your dreams will come true, but you have to make them come true.”

“If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.”

Link Kaboom 36

Emma Bell Knits, via Style Bubble

1. Emma Bell Knits, Style Bubble: Susie Bubble displays and dishes on some of the whacked out, wonderful style of Emma Bell.

2. Olsen Anti-Fashion: Are the Olsen twins eschewing their fashion icon status, or is anti-fashion the new wave of style for these two celebrity cum-designers?

3. Beetle-Shell Ceiling: Bugs never looked so good.

4. The Human Printer: A collective takes it upon themselves to take the technology of photo-copying to a beautiful new artform.

5. How To Bake Cheeseburger Cupcakes: I have a weakness for food that looks like other food. Particularly when said food involves sugar and icing.

6. Thomas Pink Commuter Tie: Is it an mp3 player holder? Is it a tie? It's both! Now I want them to make a brooch that can hold my shuffle.

7. Supermarket Sarah: Simply loving this inventive store front. Just click on the item, and get the goods!

Finally, I feel like I have been waiting for this FOREVER. The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus!



Keep it real, never steal it!

Inspiration Machine 55

Clockwise from top left: °flo, Rödel LA, yyellowbird, Bibimorvarid

1. Have a light switch rave.

2. Eat icing out of the container.

3. Pick a wildflower bouquet.

4. Make the biggest sundae imaginable, and share it with friends.

5. Design your own tarot deck.

6. Wear a locket.

7. Have a ten second kiss.

8. Write your own vows, to yourself.

9. Write a list of your top 10 favorite memories of this summer.

10. Write a haiku about the thing you love most.

Serious Wedding Planning

"Groom's Men" by Shane Neufeld Photography

Me: I don't know if I like the phrase, "You may kiss your bride."

Fiance Kaboom: How about "Cindy, you may smooch the groom"?

Me: 'The groom' or 'your groom'?

Fiance Kaboom: There shouldn't be any other grooms there.

Mev: But what if there's some guy named Groom present, and I have to smooch him?

Fiance Kaboom: Well then he wasn't invited, and he can't have any of our crab cakes!

My Daily Covet: Funk-A-Lunk

1. INCASE HunterGatherer iPhone Slider Case

2. AKA NEW YORK Admiral's Jacket in Black

3. Flower Brooch by zoeest

4. Cheap Monday Insane in Steel Blue

5. Analog Brown Dial Watch

6. True Religion Vernon Sequin Sneaker in Gold

Bachelorette Madness

This Saturday I had my bachelorette party. It was absolutely FANTASTIC.

We started off the evening at NINJA, a ninja-themed restaurant that I have been craving to go to since I alighted up here in NYC. I am happy to report that they did not fail to impress: the ninja wait staff were friendly and funny, and the performance-meals were totally fun and engaging: picture lots of entrees spewing smoke and fire.



I had a strict "No penis policy" when it came to my bachelorette party: that is, no penis popsicles, party favors, or lewd apparel of any sort. However, when the ninjas brought out this little gem, I had to make a wish, lest I offend them and incur their ninja wrath.



After dinner, we headed over to the Slipper Room, to partake in a little burlesque performance. The floor show is brilliant, and with a $5 cover, I declare it on of the most entertaining and affordable acts in NYC. One of my favorite performers was Dirty Martini - she is larger-than-life, and positively gorgeous.



Finally, we ended the evening with copious champagne and serious dancing The Box, care of my sugarplum of a sister-in-law. Many tail feathers were shaken.

A portrait of a tattered, tired, very happy princess:

Link Kaboom 35

"They're Not Pets, " Slinkachu.

1. The Art of Slinkachu: Street artist Slinkachu makes marvelous little tableaus in extreme miniature.

2. Gene May Determine Sleep: Scientists have discovered a gene that might control how much sleep you need, and, get this, some people may actually need LESS than others. And those people are definitely X-men.

3. Nightlight: NightLight is an international organization committed to addressing the complex issues surrounding trafficking and prostitution by catalyzing individual and community transformation. They also offer jewelry for sale to support the cause - wear that bling with pride!

4. Is Word Obsolete?: Coming on the heels of news that Microsoft has been Banned from Selling Word in the US, this article takes an in-depth look at whether Office's most used program, Word, is functionally relevant in today's interactive climate.

5.Linus In Hats: My friends Maggie & Bill have created an insanely hilarious website displaying their beloved cat Linus in a variety of drawn hats. Ridiculous? Yes. Funny? Extremely.

6.What's in a New Logo?: An interesting article and video slideshow on how some of the most recognizable logos in the world have changed since their inception.

7.David Thorne: David Thorne has been amusing me a great deal. Whether paying his bills, talking to his landlord, or parlaying with his neighbors, he takes even the most mundane communication an experimental foray into the absurd.

Finally, Craig Ferguson lays down the law in terms of advertising:



Have a nice weekend. Don't drink too much tequila.

Inspiration Machine 54

Clockwise from top left: °flo, Rödel LA, yyellowbird, Bibimorvarid

1. If you could create a combination animal from any two other animals, which animals would you merge? Which traits from each would it have?

2. Start a cheerleading team with your friends.

3. Fill your home with old fashioned candy.

4. Make crowns and tiaras from thrift store jewelry.

5. Capture fireflies in your palm.

6. Make daisy chains.

7. Design your own bookmarks, with your favorite book quotes written on them.

8. Have a Frida Kahlo themed garden party.

9. Make a pinhole camera.

10. Laugh until you can hardly bear it; then laugh some more.

Jean Yves Lemoigne

I am absolutely smitten with almost all of photographer Jean Yves Lemoigne's stunning, fantastic work. But a personal favorite is his unicorn series. Positively magical.













To see more of Jean's work, click here.

Tear Drop Memories

This weekend, Fiance Kaboom! and I went to Doylestown to pick up our marriage license, and have our walk-through on the wedding premises. During the weekend, we stayed in New Hope, a great little artist's community in Pennsylvania. I have been going to New Hope since high school, and it never ceases to hold some new wonder or surprise on every visit.

This year, that special place was Tear Drop Memories, a gothic antiquities store owned by proprietor and historian, Greg Castillo. Greg has amassed a stunning collection of Victorian mourning antiques and antique bird cages, and to wander inside is like stepping into a time capsule or playground of the strange and surreal.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Tear Drop Memories offers much of their collection for sale on their site. To see more of their fantastic collection, click here.

Ports 1961 - Spring 2010

As a follow-up to my post about the pre-spring show, I wanted to show more of the pieces in Ports 1961 newest collection. There is this lovely, 20-s vibe that is so lovely and easy. Totally eating it up.

Link Kaboom 35

Erykah Badu photographed by Timothy Saccenti, via "You Look Marvelous"

1. "You Look Marvelous": A photo aggregator blog dedicated to the marvelous, which is marvelous.

2. Origin of Miss Mary Mack: This clapping game is an American, staple of childhood, but did you know the Mary Mack is not a girl, but a boat? Wiki fills us in.

3. Timberbrit: Composer Jacob Cooper has created a contemporary opera that imagines the tragic end of one particularly tempestuous pop diva.

4. 100 Things Your Kids May Never Know About: Wired.com successfully makes us feel incredibly old. Awesome!

5.Okhotsk Blue: A Japanese beer company recently lauched a blue beer called Okhotsk Blue, made using water melted from icebergs that float each year onto Hokkaido beaches from the Sea of Okhotsk. I really, really, want this.

6.How To Dye Your Own shoes: Black Lace Photography shows us just how simple it is to change the color of your favorite kicks.

7.The Anti-Energy Drink: In a world full of energy drinks, Slow Cow offers it's imbiber an alternative to teeth-rattling caffeination: relaxation.

Finally, a unicorn?

Unicorn or what?  @ Yahoo! Video

Make it amazing, kids!

Inspiration Machine 53

Clockwise from top left: kevin.allenjr, misspaq, P.Retuta, tdub303

1. What would you title your personal biography?

2. Write your own story about how the earth was formed.

3. Learn how to beatbox.

4. Name your own star..

5. Go on a no-yeast diet.

6. Instead of a rain dance, do a sunshine dance.

7. Try to incite a creative revolution.

8. Discover your personal legend.

9. Have a walking-backwards race.

10. Sing your heart out, every time.

Ports 1961 Pre-Spring 2010 Collection Presentation

Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the Ports 1961 Pre-Spring Presentation. It took place in the Meatpacking District, in the midst of a torrential downpour. There's something extremely amusing showing up to a fashion show, resembling a drowned rat.



The presentation was delightfully small and informal. Unlike your standard runway show, the small setting allowed for a much more close-up perusal of the clothing, hanging on racks and displayed by models. An ideal environment for a blogger.



The collection did not fail to impress: beautiful, clean pieces, that harken back to classic standards, yet all the while completely fresh and modern in their simple comfort and sensibility of form.





A perfect example of some of the detail one can appreciate in such an informal, personal showing.





One of my personal favorite pieces was a series of crocheted necklaces. They feel so organic, and quirky in a lovely way.

My Daily Covet: Gypsy Queen

1. ANTONIO MARRAS Dress

2. Locket, MStevensonDesigns

3. Light Coral Stud Earrings, chrysdesignsjewelry

4. Tinker - Open Edition Giclee Print, numbereight

5. Elizabeth and James, Olivia Open Toe Two Piece Pumps

6. Crystal Ball

CMYKaboom! in Shoe Form

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Nike Store in Manhattan , and designing my own custom sneakers!

The staff were absolutely amazing, extremely knowledgeable on all the different types of shoe, and the best ones to fit your needs. They had hundreds of sample sneakers to try on to find just the right pair. I desperately was in need of a new pair of running shoes, and fell in love with the Zoom Victory's, a ultra-lightweight running shoe with great support. Of course, I couldn't resist making shoes that paid tribute to my little old website. Hence, I dubbed them the CMYKaboom Sneak:



Pretty snazzy, eh? The neatest part is, other people can order your design, too. You can order this design on the Nike iD site, here.

To make your own unique Nike custom shoes, visit the NikeiD Store.