I have to admit, I’m a big fan of TV series. It all started with Friends, which was a big part of my teenage years, and it got out of control this last few years with That’s 70s Show, Absolutly Fabulous, Spaced, The IT Crowd, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, Mad Men… The one think I really love about TV shows is that it’s like a almost never ending movie. You get to really know the characters, and they become part of your everyday life. The first time I went to NYC, I kept looking around, half-expecting to spot Phoebe playing guitar somewhere.
So, new year, new series.
Bored to Death is a quite young TV show, seeing that it started last September. There’s 8 episodes as of now, and it has been renewed by HBO for a second season. The pitch is pretty simple : Jonathan Ames is a writer struggling with his second novel who just got dumped by his girlfriend because he drinks too much white wine and smokes too many funny cigarettes. Now alone in his Brooklyn appartement, bored, he posts an ad on Craiglist proposing his services as a non-licensed private detective. The series then follows his cases, along with his pursuit of his ex, his relations with his editor boss and his comics illustrator friend.
Although the dialogues are really good, the characters interesting and the whole show very funny, the thing I like the most about it is it’s incredible inspiring effect on my own creativity. Proof:
1. The intro
The intro is VERY nice. It’s basically text in a book taking life and becoming characters. A picture is worth a thousand words, but this opening sequence is worth WAY more. Enjoy :
After seeing that, I just wanted to get a book and animate it. It reminded me of thoses fantasticboot cuts I saw a while back :
You can see many more inspirating boot cuts on Su Blackwell’s website. There’s also a TON of idead on this OffBeat Earth post. What was once nearly a sin (cutting a book) is now a very artistic activity. Go cut your books !
2. Comic book fun
In the show, Jonathan’s friend Ray is a comic book artist. He does various stories, mostly about his own life, but in a superhero way. The style is very Marvelish, but it’s so funny to see how Ray interprets his own life to turn it into comics.
After seeing Ray’s drawing, you can’t help but grab a notebook and try to sketch your friends comics-style. I did a drawing of myself actually, clicke HERE to see it. Haha ! You can see more drawings (all by Dean Haspiel) at HBO’s website.
3. Jason Schwartzman !
Jonathan is played by Jason Schwartzman. This is a good opportunity to look back on his carreer. This guy has been around for quite a while. I first saw him in Wes Anderson’s “Rushmore“. He then reappeared in Sofia Coppola’s “Marie-Antoinette” and again in Wes Anderson’s “Darjeeling Limited“.
This three movies are very different, but all are interesting and visually inspiring.
And, as if Jason couldn’t get any cooler, he’s also a musician, with a solo project named Coconut Records. He’s the one who wrote and performed on the opening song of the series. Is that cool, or what ? Go play that video again.
4. Brooklyn and NYC
To finish this post, a quick word on the settings of the show. Most of it is in Brooklyn, and HBO has put up an interactive map of the locations shown on the series (scroll down and click on the map). With every new episode, new places are added on the map. That way, next time you wander around Brooklyn, you can check out Bored To Death‘s settings !
So, I hope you’ll check Bored To Death and use it to fuel your creativity !
1) You get gamer t-shirts everywhere, but how many times have you seen a gamer skirt? First on the list, this Mario Miniskirt was actually the result of a DIY project and is not actually available to purchase, but its still really cute! If any of you have any material lying around printed with cartoon video game characters maybe you could try and create incredibly unique gift too!
2) Continuing with the Mario theme, this 1UP Scarf found on etsy looks warm and will attract fellow gamers! The hand crocheted scarf is one-of-a-kind
and it’s the perfect for winter – everyone needs to wrap up warm!
3) Pacman. The classic video game. Its iconic, addictive and these Pacman Rings are will feed any fan’s obsession! I love this idea! You get a set of four rings, that you wear on one hand: one of Mr Pac-Man, and three little ‘pac-dot’ rings! Cute much?
4) These earrings based on different elements in the periodic table, are simple, elegant but still show chemical affinity! You can get them is all different elements! I definitely want a pair of these!
5) I love macbooks and generally hate the vinyl stickers that people decorate their macs with! That beautiful design should not be hidden! However, I had to change my mind after seeing this Snow White Vinyl. It is feminine, and complements the apple logo rather than covering it! Of course you don’t need to stick it on an Apple laptop, but it would make the perfect gift for an Apple fangirl who loves Disney (ie. ME)!
6) Although I would never ever be courageous enough to get a tattoo, pretending can be fun with henna tattoos, rub-on temporary designs and now with Tattoo tights! They are an awesome invention and these Follow Me Tights are a fantastic surprise for twitter addicts! WARNING: The tights might attract stalkers, I don’t know how often one would actually wear them out!
7) Finally this Lego Dress. Who doesn’t remember spending hours building things out of those cute, coloured plastic building blocks? The dress, designed by JC De Castelbajac revives many of my childhood memories! Who says that you can’t be stylish and childish at the same time!
Yesterday, while delaying the completion of my FINAL grad school application, I noticed the following gem in my friend, Megan Keely’s, gmail status.
A chicken banjolele! Had I known that a chicken banjolele existed, I would have included it on my Christmas wishlist instead of the Gold Tone banjolele. Oh, but wait my friends. THE FUN DOESN’T STOP THERE…
A MOUSTACHE UKULELE!!! I think my favorite might be the “Sad Cowboy.” Or maybe the “Shirley Temple.” Anyways, this discovery (xylocopa, moustache ukuleles, etc.) is very timely, because I recently noticed mini cracks in my ukulele. Chicago is too dry for my little ukulele. Anyways, the above creations are all by Xylocopa, a design studio in Tuscon, Arizona. I recommend that you wade through their site. The Mad Scientists Alphabet Blocks are especially glorious.
A good year. Some favorites…
1. Favorite short story: “My First Fee” by Isaac Babel
Links: The Complete Works of Isaac Babel on amazon.com ($30)
Text of Isaac Babel’s (great) short story “Guy de Maupassant”
2. Favorite album: Up From Below by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Links: Up From Below on amazon.com ($10)
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros on MySpace
Song “40 Day Dream” Live (youtube)
Official Video for “Home” (youtube)
3. Second favorite short story: “Bullet in the Brain” by Tobias Wolff
Links: T. Coraghessan Boyle reads “Bullet in the Brain” on the New Yorker Fiction podcast
Our Story Begins: New and Selected Stories by Tobias Wolff, amazon.com ($11)
4. Favorite gift: Aerial 7 Matador headphones
Link: Aerial 7 Matador Headphones, amazon.com ($50)
5. Favorite novel: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Links: Lolita by Nabokov, amazon.com ($11)
Great Review of the Novel from The Second Pass
6. Second favorite novel: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Link: The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers, amazon.com ($10)
7. Favorite TV Show: In Treatment
Links: In Treatment Season 1 Trailer (youtube)
HBO’s Offical In Treatment Site
In Treatment: The Complete First Season, amazon.com ($55)
In Treatment- The Complete Second Season, amazon.com (for pre-order, $55)
8. Favorite actor: James Dean
Link: S&D Guide to becoming A Rebel, Without a Cause (including trailer, etc)
9. Favorite song: Skinny Love by Bon Iver
Links: Bon Iver playing Skinny Love live (youtube)
For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver, amazon.com ($13)
10. Favorite historical figure: Napoleon (thanks, PBS)
Link: Empires: Napoleon DVD, PBS Documentary w/David McCullough, amazon.com ($17)
11. Favorite (newish) movie: Rachel Getting Married
Links: Rachel Getting Married Trailer (youtube)
Rachel Getting Married DVD, amazon.com $17
1) Okay, so these aren’t really over the top or unwearable, but they are unique and so ingeniously designed! these TOMS wrap boots have been featured here and I am totally obsessed with them! You ‘wrap’ them on and can wear them in so many different ways! PLUS, for every pair of TOMS shoes that you buy, they donate a pair to a child in poverty!
I love this ‘one for one’ premise, because I have seen first hand how shoes can make a difference for children. Over the summer, as part of a 4 week expedition to Southern Africa, my team spent a week helping to renovate Luhlangotsini Primary School in Swaziland. Most of the children had to walk barefoot for several kilometres to school. The school had an amazing football (soccer!) team that beat us hands down, barefoot. So, now that we’re back, we’ve started a ‘Shoes for Swaziland’ collection where we are collecting unwanted shoes from students in our school so we can ship a massive container of shoes to the school!
Anyway, I think that by buying TOMS shoes you can make little children happy! Do you need more convincing!?
2) How cute are these Origami Shoes? I cannot believe someone made these. OUT OF PAPER.
3) These Mirror Mosaic Shoes designed by Thakoon are just beautiful! They dazzle me with all the mirrors and are completely unlike any shoes I have ever seen! Although I highly doubt I could walk in the 4.5 inch heel and have no where to wear them, I want them so much! (Keeping them all shiny could be quite hard work!)
4) Thea Cadabra has designed a range of Fantasy Shoes that are so creative! My favourite pair is the ice cream pair pictured above (Is it even possible for shoes to look delicious?) Every single pair of shoes is completely outrageous, and although they might not be to everyone’s taste, no one can deny that they will take any outfit to a whole new level! Some of my other favourite pairs:
5) I’m really not an aggressive person. And I don’t dress very ‘edgily’ at all. I don’t think I’d ever feel the need to take my shoe off and use it as a weapon. So why am I drawn to these insane ‘Spike Shoes‘ designed by Louise Goldin for Topshop’s spring 2010 collection? If I were to get these, I’d not only need to learn how to walk in them properly, but also master the art of walking without getting too near to anyone, you know, in case I poked them by accident (those spikes look like they could do some harm!) Also they wouldn’t go with any clothes I own, so I’d need a whole new wardrobe! I still want them!
6) So number 6 is completely unwearable. Because it is a Bathtub. Shaped like a shoe. As if that isn’t any fashionista/shoe addict/person who is obsessed with original design’s dream. I want one so much! I think that one of these baths can turn your bathroom into a work of art.
To conclude, this list is of shoes that I would never actually wear, can’t actually afford or wouldn’t be able to walk in if I had them. But, isn’t that the whole point of a currently obsessed post!
We’re going to take a break until Monday! Viscious snow storm and REDESIGNED PENGUIN CLASSIC DORIAN GRAY, here I come! In the meantime, below is a menagerie (literally, there are some critters below) of links to entertain you. I’ve attempted to arrange them in a logical groups, on a scale of varying relevancy:
THE THINGS-MOST-RELATED-TO-STICKERS & DONUTS SECTION
2. Redesigned Stickers & Donuts About page (there are pictures!)
3. overdue book calendar on Design*Sponge
4. “as a graphic designer, 95% of your time will be spent on unpaid favors” image on swissmiss
5. best comic books of the year (many contributors, many lists)
6. grain edit limited edition t-shirt pre-order (there are monsters and its storytime!)
7. Kitsune Noir Mixcast 19 (Christmas themed)
8. Ace of Cakes Lost episode (streamable on Food Network) (I am obsessed with Geof) (if you enjoy Lost and live in Chicago, I highly recommend that you go see Sonic Weapon Fence, a Lost novelty band, on Dec 28th at the Elbow Room. I’ll be there!)
9. Figure out how to play Bananagrams on Facebook
10. Cutest, Funniest, and Most Important Animal Stories of 2009 (actual title, thanks to taylor for sending me this)
THE TRICIA-YOU-ARE-BATTY-WHY-ARE-YOU-SHARING-THIS-WITH-ME SECTION
Let me know if you have other links you’d like to share. I could probably use additional internet distractions during the next few days…
The following is my train of thought. Please bear with me while I attempt to explain my logic in a flurry of words.
I am under the assumption that you read Stickers & Donuts, because you think we’re rad. (Or, maybe you’re one of our friends and have fallen victim to the unbridled guilt we’ve lashed upon you.) Either way, if you read us (rad), you must have an affection for other (rad) people… who you still haven’t found a holiday present for.
Thus, for the next three days, we will feature the wishlists of all six contributors. As one writer chimed in, “is this a trick orchestrated by my mother?” A formidable question, friend. Although it’s quite possible that this is a sneaky ruse for the entire staff to get what they want for Christmas, maybe our wishlists are meant to inspire some Vince Guaraldi holiday spirit.
If you feel uninspired after our blitz of wishlists, please visit our popular gift guides from last year. FYI- In California, I noticed that Urban Outfitters recently started selling stylophones. I’d like to think that I contributed to this recent re-interest in the instrument.
Picture from IMDB
Hi everybody ! Today I’m going to share with you my current obsession : bookshelves. There’s many reasons why I love bookshelves, some are pretty straightforward, some are weird, but all are very good reasons. In a nutshell, let’s just say I love looking at bookshelves because they’re another way of knowing someone.
Look at it this way : you go to somebody’s house for the first time, take a quick look at their bookshelves and notice a copy of “So, You’re Attracted to Grandma” (no kidding, it’s on this list of 102 self-help books you can do without)… Well, let’s just say you see them in a different light.
At my place, the books are just lying around in every corner, pilled up in unbalanced towers, but that’s just because I don’t have the funds to buy some nice bookshelves. Instead, I daydream about it…
So, I have here some great bookshelves ideas for your consideration :
#1. This is a GREAT idea for those who like nice-looking things but don’t really have the money to furnish their place. Just re-organise your books by color ! The result is quite breathtaking, don’t you think ? (More pictures here)
#2. A really nice design idea. I guess you need to have a quite big flat to pull this off, but it’s definetly a winner bookshelf. Ho, and it’s $999…
#3. This is not a bookshelf, actually, but look at how cute this is ! AND you can do it yourself with not much fuss, the directions are over here.
#4. My personnal favorite. A speech bubble (well, square) bookshelf ! This is the perfect example of my idea that a person’s books speak for themselves.
#5. A bit De Stilj, a bit child-like, a lot of fun : the tree shelf ! By Thorun Arnodottir design.
#6. I really love the boudoir style of this one. Very sleek design, a perfect addition to a nicely decorated room. You can see much more images and even the makin of this shelf on Behance.
#7. I actually lost the name of this bookcase, and that bugs me because I love the overall aspect… but I just found another one in the same vein, at West Elm. Yellow + Black = NICE.
There’s a thousand other great ideas out there, so go out and look around !
Because this obsession is not just a fad, I put together a contributive blog called “Check My Shelf“, where anybody can submit pictures (photo, drawings, diagrams… anything you want!) of their bookshelves and share it with the world. Here are some examples of past posts :
If you want to contribute, you’re more than welcome ! Take a look at the website : http://checkmyshelf.blogspot.com and get in touch at contact@ookah.com.
The more the merrier !
And to finish, a fantastic poster by Mikey Burton for WILCO :
Since I don’t have a car at my disposal all of the time, the time I’d otherwise spend window-shopping at the mall I spend window-shopping on the internet. Many an hour has been spent filling e-baskets with goods and services, only to delete them (while pretending I actually hit the “checkout” button) or let them languish in open tabs. But now I have the means to force my desires on the rest of the internets. So now I present today’s diversion: I Want To Buy – Holiday Party Edition!
1) The dress is the foundation for this outfit – a nice basic black, with a cute cowl that makes it cozy for the winter. The Express Cowl-Neck Sweater Dress also comes in red and grey/white stripes. It’s belted at the waist to help define that hourglass shape! If like me you live in the arctic north, then jazz it up a bit more with some brightly colored tights. Check out We Love Colors, which has an AMAZING selection. They are the Baskin-Robbins of legwear. … Now I want ice cream.
2) Because I am a heretic, I favor the version of Pride & Prejudice with Matthew Macfadyen over the Colin Firth one. Because Hot Mr. Darcy is so HOT. Have you SEEN him?
“I love you, Elizabeth Amber.”
SO HOT (and wet). Anyways, anything that reminds me of Hot Mr. Darcy automatically goes on my “MUST HAVE” list. It’s in capitals, that’s how serious this list is. Therefore the Ms. Darcy Bracelet, which also seems to indicate that by owning it I will be married to Mr. Darcy, is an immediate need.
3) If you aren’t reading Sea of Shoes then you are doing yourself a disservice. Unless you don’t like shoes, which makes me a little sad. The collaboration of Jane Aldridge & Urban Outfitters resulted in an amazing collection, in which the Tall Buckle Boot caught my eye. Fancy boots are great for the cold & snow, since the need to be sex-ay wars with the need to not slip on ice and die. A nice stacked heel & cushioned footbed make these shoes comfy AND fashionable! Super win!
4) I am constantly on the prowl for the perfect bag. Because I carry basically everything I may ever need with me at any given time my bags are usually quite large. In fact, my current bag is actually a briefcase. And just when I was beginning to doubt the existence of this perfect bag, the Pocketful of Pretty Bag came along! It is large (although perhaps not in charge), pretty, and converts between a shoulder bag and a tote! I will now take this time to point out that gift-giving opportunities are rapidly approaching, and if you feel the need to cheer up a certain Stickers & Donuts writer, this is basically a giant hint.
5) The Perlah necklace is amazing, because not only can you wear it super long (and live out your flapper fantasies), but you can double it up, tie a knot in it, or wrap it so many times around your wrist for a chunky bracelet that could likely deflect bullets (don’t try this). Since pearls go with everything, this is a multi-use investment every lady needs to make.
6) In what I can only assume was a miracle, I actually found the Dressy Pearl Trio at my local Forever21! (They almost never have what is actually shown on the website.) I love F21′s super low prices, and since I have multiple ear piercings the sets are perfect for mixing and matching. I wore the top and bottom earrings to work & was complimented many times! Sometimes by people I didn’t even know! It was frightening but thrilling. NOTE – this set is now gone, try the Floral Pearl Trio instead!
7) I love Etsy. So many cute, fancy things that I need need need, (mostly) all handmade! The Snow Flowers Bridal Comb by Etsy seller WhichGoose definitely falls into this category. Hair combs work for every hair type and length, and make doing your hair a snap. In fact, a simple bun, ponytail or side-parted-bob would probably be the best backdrop for this dramatic spray of flowers. HAIR PROBLEMS SOLVED. You’re welcome.
Yes, I just went there.
Last week marked my 23rd year of life, and I celebrated in San Diego, Chicago, and NYC. Literally all three cities in one week. As a continuation of our series promoting consumerism, the following are things that I bought and received recently.
1. BOUGHT. I admittedly walked out of the store thinking I had just purchased an owl teapot. Then I looked at the receipt. A penguin. Oops. Mama Gentoo Teapot from Anthropologie, $14.95 (matching mugs also available).
2. BOUGHT. If you have an inkling of interest in Jazz, and miraculously find yourself in Chicago, go to the Jazz Record Mart. It is a wondrous place with endless aisles of jazz, blues, r&b, and gospel CDs and records. The website claims it is the world’s largest jazz and blues records store! Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66 Four Sider is a great compilation of covers with an enthralling Bossa Nova/Brasilian twist. Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66 Four Sider CD from Jazz Record Mart, $12.99 (I bought it on vinyl; you might have to sleuth for a vinyl edition).
3. BOUGHT (the postcard version!). I decided to go on a last minute trip to NYC 11am last Friday. I departed at 8:50PM. Besides visiting friends, I WANTED TO GO SEE THE TIM BURTON EXHIBIT at the MOMA. Really badly. A month or so ago, I saw a snippet about it in a New Yorker, which led to a decision to visit NYC prior to April 26, 2010 (THE DAY THE EXHIBIT CLOSES). My friend and I woke up early (to stop by Babycakes before the MOMA opened Saturday morning, of course), and floated around until our assigned Tim Burton exhibit time. Worth the wait, the exhibit is the best special exhibit I have ever seen at any museum. The exhibit is an extraordinary chronicle of Burton’s creative prowess. I wanted prints of his number series, but couldn’t find them at the store (I might have to order them later). Instead, I got a postcard of Burton’s “Romeo and Juliet,” which now resides in a frame on my wall. “Romeo and Juliet” postcard from the MOMA store, $2.00.
4. RECEIVED. Curiosity convinced my friend and I to investigate The Camp Site and The Lab in Costa Mesa, CA. We honestly spent more time driving to/from Costa Mesa, than the time we spent walking around this pocket of Costa Mesa. Although a slight disappointment (the architecture is stellar), I noticed a book that looked like the cover of Vegan Cupcakes Takeover the World, except instead of a cupcake, the book featured a COOKIE. Turns out, the author of my favorite vegan cupcake book had just released a cookie book. Cosmically, my sister gave me the cookie book as one of my birthday presents. I flipped through most of the book on my return trip to Chicago, using torn up pieces of American Airlines napkin to mark cookies that I want to make. Excitement. Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar: 100 Dairy-Free Recipes For Everyone’s Favorite Treats, $12.21.
5. BOUGHT/RECEIVED. When I asked my friend Tiffany, Assistant Designer to Tracy Reese, what piece she would consider her masterpiece (I think I actually integrated the phrase “blood-stained” in my question, not that this is essential clarification), she responded “Midnight Garden.” Bought by Anthropologie (and renamed “Bubbled Meadowlands”), the glorious dress has a perfect bubbled bottom (sometimes bubbled edges are depressingly limp and frumpy). The most stunning aspect, however, is the brilliant print.
There are amazing layers of teal, black, and magenta. It’s difficult to notice in the above picture, but there is also a translucent layer of flowers and leaves. Bubbled Meadowlands Dress from Anthropologie, $190.
6. BOUGHT. While in NYC, I attended the Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival, which I heard about from Minty Lewis’ website. I picked up a collection of stories by James McShane, an unfamiliar cartoonist from Rhode Island. It’s wonderful, and I’m grateful to have a platform to express my love for this new acquisition. I have a limited attention span, and I enjoy being bombarded with different images. Perhaps my preferences condition me to be the perfect audience for Japanese seizure cartoons. One of my favorite stories, “Carmine and Darnell and the Sleepy Creatures, has 40 tiny scenes per page! Besides the prolific detail (err…quantitative affection?), McShane’s stories are whimsical, but with sprinkles of eccentric. A perfect combination. You can download or purchase the collection here.
7. RECEIVED. I needed a new wallet, and my friend Angelica surprised me with this Poketo gem. Designed by Silvia Portella of Bukubuku (off the cute scale), this wallet never fails to make me chuckle when I pull it out of my bag. I think my favorite cast member of the wallet is the red glasses-wearing bear drinking coffee. I’d want to be his friend, and I’d want to avoid the saber toothed ice cream cone (good grief).
If you have ever wondered about how functional a Poketo wallet is, or what Tricia’s wallet looks like, below is a REAL TIME PICTURE OF MY VERY OWN WALLET. The bearing my soul!
Note: The image of “Romeo and Juliet” by Tim Burton is from this Guardian article.
