mockumentary

Kefalonia and Caps for Sale

2011-08-21T03:28:00.002-04:00

This must have been early morning

Thought a lot about this childhood favorite while in Kefalonia for the landscape, the vacancy, and the siestas that all law-abiding islanders take.

Any Easy Picture

2011-08-21T03:28:00.001-04:00

In the Hagia Sophia.

Right. Why would you photograph the Hagia Sophia when you've got cheaply printed reproductions to recapture?

In the Hagia Sophia

2011-08-21T03:13:00.000-04:00

Afternoon

2011-04-13T05:03:00.000-04:00

The view from the boats onto the port of Sami.

Story time

2011-04-12T08:28:00.003-04:00

Rosie and I were just settling down to our evening tea when she spots something caught in our boat's ropes. We hop to the edge to examine, promptly gag, and search frantically for a paddle of sorts. (This was the second time that day that I'd used the oar thing, as I'd dropped a bunch of letters to Baby B into the Ionian Sea that morning.) Pushed the decrepit thing (the former tentacle of a sizable octapus?) away.

Then the wind changed and the currents brought It and The Most Putrid Stink Ever back toward the boats. Ruined tea and -- while I'm proper-nouning and superlative-ing things -- our generous spoonfuls of The Thickest and Most Delicious Greek Yogurt Ever. So tender. And given the setting, I think it fitting to say that it is ambrosial!

So we waited for it to bob back.

Bob bob bob.

I ran around pushing it along the width of the two catamarans until it came to the pier.

Was very difficult to stabilize it, slippery thing.

Flung it across the concrete pier and watched it bob away. The smell lingered on and by that time, our tea was cold. But that's alright, I like cold mint tea.

I will have you know that this is the most exciting thing that ever happens in island time.

Hike to ancient Sami

2011-04-12T07:49:00.000-04:00

Rosie and Emmy go on a hike to the the ancient Acropolis and castle of Sami. All calves, all olive trees, some goats which were terrifyingly agile at first, but very complacent if you don't return their gaze. Like taxi drivers in Rome!

Kalimera, Kefalonia

2011-04-12T07:25:00.002-04:00

My morning walk from the port of Sami to the village of Karavalimos in Kefalonia, the big mama of the Ionian Islands.

For Lillian and Missah

2011-03-29T14:11:00.003-04:00

Someone has bothered to accompany the song with the listed imagery. See climax at 0:56, "when the dog bites."

Blue Doors for Baby Ella

2011-03-27T05:54:00.002-04:00

The English love their saturated blue doors. I have to agree!

Lugano

2011-03-27T05:54:00.000-04:00

You are among the fortunate and more certainly very moneyed if you live in Lugano. It is wonderful to be here and to see Joe -- oldest and dearest!

Giorgio de Chirico, anyone? I got chills walking through the arcades.

Devon, London, Lugano, Rome, Kefalonia, Istanbul

2011-03-07T07:48:00.002-05:00

Six weeks for Easter Break: family in Plymouth, museumi-ng in London, Joe in Switzerland, and traveling with Rosie thereafter. We're going to be living on a catamaran in Greece for several weeks! Cannot wait to sit with sketchbooks/next term's reading and mint tea in 70-degree weather every free moment. AND TURKISH TEXTILES

:)

Cottages for Baby Ella, Part 1

2011-02-25T11:38:00.001-05:00

Parks Road, Oxford

Medieval vernacular: 26-28 Cornmarket Street, Oxford

2011-02-09T08:54:00.002-05:00

At the corner down our alleyway.

Christ Church

2011-02-08T22:20:00.000-05:00

I don't remember making this particularly astute observation that Christ Church Cathedral's nave has a "very high roof." Please disregard

For those among us who learned our cliches through a very close reading of Harry Potter, this is the college of the Great Hall, etc. Have to say though that it was thrilling to stand on the staircase up to the Hall. Just waiting for Peeves to come swooping down.

For Britte: New College

2011-02-08T22:04:00.002-05:00

Victorian Gothic Revival additions to New College, whose actual Gothic structures I was studying last week. A sketch I botched up quite a bit, especially at the staircase, but all the same, here you go. Don't make me 'barrassed.

Between Broad and Ship Streets

2011-02-04T08:09:00.001-05:00

A view behind my house from my staircase landing. There are fragments of Oxford's early 13th century Anglo-Saxon walls scattered about in these mini courtyards.

It was a beautiful day yesterday. Sunny, 50s, windy. Like some place I know!

One of my classes has me exploring the town and using its structures as case studies. Think I might post the images (and my sketches, if I am brave) as they go along. So the town wall, Christ Church Cathedral, and New College coming soon...

My room at Oxford

2011-02-03T09:51:00.001-05:00

Sweet little Ship Street:

My little room in the attic:

They give us this really horrendous bedding that has me singing 'hotel motel Holiday Iiiinn' to myself every time I come in. To be a total baby, having only one pillow is really rough.

And the view from my window onto Jesus College:

So I'm at St Catz, but I'm living in a 17th century (could be 18th) row house in the center of town with an adorable little stoop and red door that belongs to Jesus College. There are ten of us. Quite funny, as we tend to wonder aloud: 'Did uh Jesus come change your sheets today?' 'I guess we should ask Jesus where we do laundry.'

:)

teatime improved

2011-01-27T09:00:00.001-05:00

Finished a boat load of work yesterday and rewarded myself with a new teacup! I have really been missing my teacups that I kept at school. Not to mention teatime with Morris babies!

Green Regency Teacup and Saucer, £7.50

Picked it up from this adorable little gift and stationary shop/bookstore down the street from me. First green set and it holds the perfect amount of tea! I'm a bit annoyed with how excited I get about this stuff.

2011-01-23T10:05:00.002-05:00

I’ve been doing work in the Radcliffe Camera all day. Needless to say, breathtaking, but it is just so toasty and the smell of mothballs permeates ever corner and archway-crevice that I find myself getting even more dizzy than sleepy. And that is saying something!

Also, the coffee here is seriously strong. Feel like a total weakling

Morris housemate Rosie came to visit yesterday for a bit while on a day trip. It made me so happy to see her and a bit of Smith that I spent a slightly pathetic hour browsing the Spring Course Catalog. Hey Rosie, we have some major Easter Break planning to do!! :)

Trivet

2011-01-16T15:13:00.002-05:00

Just before Winter Break (read: during Finals), I made something that looks a bit like this loopy trivet by TOMA:

Cork Trivet (also in wood), $20, TOMA Objects

Quite happy with how it turned out, especially considering I was using a pretty low quality piece of plywood. Have got to make some more when I'm back at Smith for a proper set of trivets for our new house!

Engaland

2011-01-13T18:08:00.001-05:00

I'm all settled in. I think I may have severely strained/fractured my ankles because I wasn't wearing socks and it was too cold and I slipped a bit. Hurts to walk and feel genuinely idiotic. Pictures of adorable Oxford soon.
:)

We are back in the wood shop

2010-12-12T00:11:00.001-05:00

Making something special for homecoming!

3D Design, Project 3: Clay

2010-11-14T01:11:00.000-05:00

Combined molar and bushukan (buddha's hand/fingered citron) based on Picasso's Head of a Woman.

3D Design, Project 2: Cardboard

2010-11-14T01:04:00.001-05:00

Weight-bearing cardboard.

Now where I put all the nearly fermented fruits Lillian and I love...

2010-11-07T14:18:00.000-05:00

The coolest thing happened the other day. We're talking about anti-Vietnam War protests in one of my classes and my professor casually goes, "Oh so I brought the FBI's files on me." He reaches into his briefcase and extracts a thick folio of crusty old papers, pauses, and proceeds to pull out several more. Roughly a thousand pages, half blacked out and 240 more pages that the FBI wouldn't release to him (under the FOIA). He read some sections relevant to the class, including a special agent's observations of "caucasian long-haired hippie types." So good and I'm so glad that my ill-fitting jeans and corduroy blazer-donning, balding comb-over professor was once...long-haired.

Ginko Green Apple

2010-10-17T23:31:00.002-04:00

Since this is the Craft of the Day...

I attempted this a few weeks ago with an apple we picked on Mountain Day for Britte for Big Sib/Little Sib Week. Forgot to take a picture before it mmm expired but I SWEAR it was just as good at Martha's :)

Image: MS

Highlights

2010-10-11T11:21:00.002-04:00

In photography from one of my favorite blogs, Le Zèbre bleu.

Jenny Saville & Glen Luchford: Self-portraiture. Makes perfect sense that the artists use such thick frames for more than 2D canvases/photographs. Take that, Egon Schiele.

William Eugene Smith

Francesco Giusti: Portraiture. From Marie-Hélène Sirois: "The Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (Society of Entertainers and Elegant People, SAPE), in Congo-Brazzaville, dates back to the 1920s and 1930s when privileged Congolese returned stylishly dressed from visits to Paris. Members of the SAPE, known as Sapeurs, see themselves as artists and often have nicknames and distinguishing gestures or poses. Some have celebrity status."

2010-10-02T17:24:00.002-04:00

Gold plated mirrored tray, Hidden Treasures, only $10!

Mmmmm for all my little jars and fragrance-crazy phase.

A long time coming!

2010-09-29T00:01:00.008-04:00

Suffice it to say that I LOVE the curtains and am so happy that I went through with it. Although I lament that fact that I live alone every time I come home to an empty room.

Plain Ikea curtains, pom pom trim purchased with MM at the jaw-dropping M & J Trimming on 6th Ave, a rod from Home Depot, and lots of might.

Having your bed alongside a window is fantastic, as I basically sleep in the windowsill and have a dreamy view of Sage Hall's dome and fall foliage.

I am really enjoying this $6 palm that Lauren and I both got, but I suspect that it's beginning to foster some little gnats (and possibly a maggot).

Since I've taken this (very dark!) image, Britte has painted me an oil still life which now peeks behind the left curtain panel. Includes one of the 300+ dried fish I used for a 3D Design project. (Now the sculpture is sitting on my floor in a trash bag. Have the gnats discovered it yet?! I guess I'll know when they do.)

For Joe & other Mies van der Rohe OR JB enthusiasts

2010-09-23T22:18:00.002-04:00

Justin Bieber on a Barcelona Chair bahahahha!

Monday to Thursday, Friday to Sunday

2010-09-16T00:17:00.001-04:00

Four days a week, I slosh around from class to class to class to class to class to class to the Box Office to dining halls to bed. The other three days, I've been having the loveliest time with sweet babies fooding and antiquing. We found this gem off of Northampton proper: Vintage Treasures. Very reasonably priced and seriously, was fuer ein Schatz!! Can't wait to go back!

____

Waiting for the sun to take pictures...

2010-09-04T17:38:00.002-04:00

Sea Blossom Knob, Anthro, 10

There are perfect imitations at T.J. Maxx -- four for $10. I have been waiting for years now!!

What to do with them? Perhaps fashion them into curtain tie-backs? Save them for a desk?

Perfect fitted sheet fold

2010-09-02T14:20:00.002-04:00

Would seem obvious, but I always dread wrestling with the elastic on these.

Almost as good as Martha's tip of putting a marshmallow at the bottom of an ice cream cone to eliminate drip. !!!!!

Image and instructions here.

Unstumped!

2010-08-30T14:10:00.001-04:00

Wasn't sure what to make with this Denyse Schmidt fabric, but ended up with a properly huge tote and a folded lunch bag for my little cousin. You can't see, but Velcro under the fold and plum lining (because it hides stains bahah).

Finally remembered to take a picture while furiously packing in my dusky little basement. Sorry so schlecht.

Juliano on Lexington and 91st

2010-08-27T09:51:00.007-04:00

Gonna swear to it: the best coffee on the Upper East Side. Juliano Gourmet Coffee in Yorkville. This semi-dark corner cafe. Seems family owned. Crowd is a not as stuck-up as the rest of the neighborhood -- bit more granola. And their small is only $1. But it's too late!! I've only been there twice after MM of The Plain Scone's recommendation and I'm leaving New York today! Small regular black yesterday, upgraded to a large today as I definitely wanted to savor all of it. Incredible.

Joe, maybe we'll have to do a side-by-side comparison to the Blue Bottle in Brooklyn...

This makes me so excited for pear almond tart at Woodstar in Northampton and the sticky pecan rolls at Arizmendi!!

Deepest sleep last night

2010-08-14T15:28:00.001-04:00

that I've had in a long long time. (Will credit this to my adorable new pajamas.)

I've been trying to edit this paper for weeks. I open the document, stare at the title, do a bit of scrolling, heave and fidget, watch the rest of the Saturday crowd in the Rose Main Reading Room, and end up doing this or spending some quality time with old HIMYM episodes. This had better not persist at school where the libraries seem to specialize in the most dangerously soporific of conditions.

Vulcan mind meld

2010-08-07T14:41:00.010-04:00

I'm sitting in the Main Library again. Beaauuuutifuuul! But I can't seem to get any work done, even though I imagine people seeing my computer screen and cursing me for being unproductive. This is the downside of having an adorable little netbook - I always feel like I'm doing something secret and devious....
Soo, this came in letters and emails to some of my closest friends and family. Apologies for using the same thing, all. I often get pegged for repetition. It's just that I want to tell you all about farts and fat people... Anyways, tidbits of my days I've remembered to scribble down:

I am only able to carry bags on one side. I think this is the case with most people. The left side is bruised from slinging a duffel across my collarbones during my travel to and fro SF. I told someone that my right side is my Schlepping Side and they pointed out that even with my bag on the right, I was still standing crooked.

The worst thing about the heat and the humidity is the stagnancy of smells. Farts linger exactly where you expelled them from your anus. And where there is no breeze but your own intake of breath and when the sense of smell is heightened by the heat, it is a good thing that I like -- nay, love! -- my own brand, as the Fat Bastard says.

Walking home. Two little girls skip past ahead of me. Little girls nowadays smell like berries and plastic.

Woman on the train in night wear. From a Tuesday night! Oh girl I am totally judging you! Or does she normally dress this way! Her thigh cellulite is frothing over her high-waisted booty shorts. Trashy trashy. But her boyfriend is so attractive!

In the 96th St Station: An androgynous boy, most definitely a model. Tall, thin, and slightly slouched. Velvet monogrammed slippers. Blazer and silk dupioni trousers. Still had make-up on. Yellow eyeshadow up to his temples. Legen...wait for it...

Siblings on the train with the same laugh and sandals. It made me feel so lonely! Another family of a mother and two children. She is ill-equipped for this, sitting with her legs spread and eyes adhered to a tightly clutched Gameboy like a growth from her hands while her older daughter screams, fidgets, and thrashes about the seats. While all six of the other family giggles in unison. I guess it's not productive to blame her?

Guns n Roses says, "What is civil about war anyways?" It made me think for a second and then I decided that the phrase lost all credibility when squealed by Axl Rose. I disagree anyways.

The D Train is so crowded I'm forced to face my side and can either close my eyes or stare on this giant of a woman's midsection. She's wearing a b/w floral shirt in some polyester material and the tire several centimeters below her belly button moves at twice the speed of the train's regular lurching. I watch it jiggle and wait at each stop for all-aboard. All the ride from Manhattan to Brooklyn.

I will not tolerate making out on the subway.

This man has a thin line of a beard. Makes him look severe. Which is I suppose effective because the only reason he has a stupid line beard is to sculpt his face, as he has too prominent of a double chin to reveal any bone structure.

Walking home, a kind-looking old man approaches. I smile at him as we pass. He does not return my smile but leaves behind a trail of second-hand smoke for me. The air is still not budging.

Rich Frog Rulers

2010-08-07T14:08:00.002-04:00

I saw this several weeks ago in a Crane and had to have it! Especially since I've permanent markered and X-ACTOed my roommate's poor ruler for two consecutive years now...

Downright adorable! The perfect little gift, I'd say. And there are many others from Rich Frog: Rulers of Exploration, Jazz, various sports, the Sea, Women in Literature, Impressionism, la la la.

And ah, of course the top man (never a woman of course for architecture) is Le Corbusier. I really could not find a better image. Just sayin'...their marketing and buzz are not very effective.

Image: Rich Frog

"Darling Vikki"

2010-08-06T23:13:00.005-04:00

Dear anime guy on the 4 train,
Sorry about reading the letter you were writing, but it's not my fault you were scribbling in public. Particularly because any concept of private space is diminished on da bus yo.

I spied...:

Dear Vicky,
I don't know what to say. Thinking about you drives me insane and my brain is triggering the smell of lavender everywhere. I can't believe it's been 5 weeks since we last spoke.

He spent the rest of the ride with his head in his hands. I don't know. That's not really sad to me. This is not because I have a salted duck gizzard (sooo delicious!!) for a heart -- if you know me, you'd know that I'm very inconveniently sentimental -- but he just emitted such feelings of uselessness that I really could not empathize. He wasn't going to send the letter. SEND THE LETTER! (Or, should he send the letter? I always send the letter, so perhaps I cannot determine...)

Snohetta for SFMOMA

2010-07-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

Huzzah!

The Beekman

2010-07-20T21:33:00.005-04:00

So I hadn't heard about this new Frank Gehry building until I saw it near a friend's apartment:

There was a hilarious review of starchitect/Big Head's design in am New York the other morning. Will find the exact quote and commentator, but something to the effect of its resembling "an elegant woman in a Miyake dress wearing Ugg boots" for its six levels of brick at pedestrian view.
Mmm man that is good! Take that, Frank Gehry! How do I phoneticize (word?) that sharp intake of breath through a split frown? You know you know.
SO GOOD!!

Image: Artadox

Cockroach Count: 4

2010-07-17T17:58:00.004-04:00

I drink as much water as I always have, but have not, as per usual, been peeing like mad. This is because this climate makes me sweat so much with inactivity that my glasses are constantly foggy. Maybe sit in a vat of ice water? Wow how nice would that be if I did that whilst being attended to by a lazy Susan/sushi boat-type device rotating a sewing machine, a computer, a minibar, and three screens showing Jeeves and Wooster, Martha, and The Graham Norton Show?! Ohg, a girl can dream.

Bedecked a pair of white Ikea curtains for my dorm room a few weeks ago that I have yet to take photos of... Will do! Maybe not today, as I have ADORABLE postcards to respond to, thank you very much!, and a several gallons of water to consume. :)

Stumped Again, Part II

2010-07-17T17:20:00.001-04:00

Not quite the right hue in this image, but since this is a pretty heavy home decor fabric, Lillian suggested a book bag with notebook cover and pencil case.. I likey likey!

Ribbons Floral in Porch, County Fair, Denyse Schmidt Designs

2010-07-05T22:49:00.006-04:00

I did today what I did all summer when I was twelve: sit around reading fantasy and sci/fi novels, eat all the fruit/snacks in the house, and avoid getting properly dressed. I even contemplated seeing if CMC is still running. Then I laid out all the uncut fabric I have around and stared at this medley for an hour. Other than paint my nails, that is about it.
Maybe I'll take a walk around the block.

______

I think I miss work. SCHOOL. And friends who are out of my reach!

stumped by adorable print again

2010-07-05T21:26:00.000-04:00

Too cute to cut, I'm afraid. What should I make with it?!

Minny Muu Collection, printed by Lecien

from Peapod

This is why you shouldn't buy fabrics with nothing particular in mind to make!

2010-07-03T23:30:00.005-04:00

Pretty torturous flight to SF. I usually try to get an aisle seat because I pee so often, but got barricaded by an old dude flying in scrubs (I guess it would be really comfy) and a too-interested-in-my-life dude. I tried to refrain from consuming liquids the entire five and a half hours as I adhered myself to the window trying to come up with one-word answers other than "no," "yes" and *glare.*

Oy, I'll stop complaining. We started the day by picking up kitchen cabinets and finally selecting counter tops. Then went to Trimark Economy Restaurant Fixtures to look for a stove, on to Building REsources, SF Antique and Design Mall, Japantown for Lillian's favorite Japanese home and craft magazines, and finally, stinky tofu at Spices. And tomorrow we're going to the flea market in Alameda! We're all ecstatic about the possibilities!

Ah... I'm so happy that it seems all members of my family have the same need to scrap and craft!

Inertia?

2010-06-28T22:44:00.006-04:00

I have a sad story again. Can't stop thinking about it and apologies, I can't tell it straight.

I was on the bus from NYC to Boston. There are the usual suspects: another college student, several Chinese and Indian tourists, a nun, a twenty-some couple with their eight-month-old daughter, and a very fat fool of a man. Look, I couldn't help but detest him. His breathing caught thick and short and he was all pink and emitted even more heat than I do. He was traveling alone, laughing a big whooping "HAH!" to himself every so often when he wasn't trying to engage the driver in conversation. Did you know he killed Lee Harvey Oswald? In 1971 (Oswald was shot in 1963).

He notices the baby. "Oh you are beautiful. You are gorgeous! I wish I had a little baby like you. I'll make all the funny faces for you. You must be such proud parents."

And he starts singing, "You are beautiful, you are beautiful, that is for very sure."
The baby gapes -- probably only sure that she's being adored -- until he cuts short for a big belly breath. This is when her expression twists into a grimace. Parents and caretakers certainly know the jolt of fear which accompanies that face. I braced myself. The impeding cry!

Across the aisle, the man's face fell and he crumpled into his seat. He was so soft, shy and boyish now as he faced the front windshield again.

Without looking at the happy couple, his eyes bore into one of the vacant seats surrounding him. "I'm very happy for you. I wish I had a babe to love."

I felt guilty all the way to Boston and was very glad when the Lucky Star pulled in to South Station.

What upsets me is my reaction to this. My thoughts and conclusions consist of worries that I should end up as fat, delusional, and alone as this poor fellow. And while I call him a poor fellow and say I felt guilty for finding him disgusting, it's difficult for me to garner much empathy for him. Horrible and horribly, annoyingly self-aware.

Going to the circus tonight

2010-06-19T11:30:00.000-04:00

Dressed as a pirate!

2010-06-19T11:29:00.000-04:00

So bored this minute. Wish I had my Edward Gorey coloring book.

Just got back from the post office. Sent my dad THE BEST gift idea I've ever had. I'm so thoughtful sometimes BAHAHAA!! Waiting for a call on Monday...

a good food day

2010-06-16T23:03:00.005-04:00

I've been cheap. Good cheap though. Really delicious so far and I've only been spending about two to three dollars a day on lunch foods. Today was especially satisfying after realizing that the corner grocery place has stacks of pistachio baklava in the perfect serving size!

So today at work, I had milk and baklava after a breakfast of yogurt and granola. Lunch of arugula, beets, goat cheese, and pear. Savory zongzi at home for dinner. Mmm so happy!

Beets in Union Square, NYC a bajillion (two) years ago:

____

Forgot that the reason I am saying this: I pulled a Melissa and freaked out over a bit of a magenta aura in the toilet water. Too bad I left my Poo Log at school because this would have been the perfect entry.

for Lillian

2010-06-14T22:40:00.002-04:00

When life hands you lemons... by dearcolleen

One of those things I see, love, and always forget to send you! Don't you think the Mocks need a motto?

Early summer Fridays at work

2010-06-13T00:33:00.004-04:00

2pm if I don't go off for lunch, 3pm if I do. So I stuck it out until 2, had a really delicious lunch (is it annoying/pretentious to drink coffee out of bowls if it's a bowl?) and spent a few hours at The Met waiting for dinner with a friend. I eavesdropped on other visitors' conversations when I could understand the language. Why do we visit museums? I don't understand. If it's what we're saying - "Cool." "That's really powerful." "I feel it." - then I know much better eavesdropping/people watching spots.

John Paul II is soon to be a saint.

So excited about Ikea AND Costco!

lucky me

2010-06-13T00:11:00.003-04:00

There's an Ikea in Brooklyn and we've been itching for a trip.
THE WISHLIST (who knows what a cheapo like me will actually follow through with):

Björkefall candlestick, $5.99

Dekad alarm clock, $5.99

Solig net, $19.99 in white

Solig solar-powered table lamp, $19.99 in black

V ågen double wall hardware, $2.99 / 2 pack

What should I do for a rug? Valby? Or maintain the hardwood? Where can I get heavy velvet curtains on the cheap? I should just make them?

Must remember: keep purchases small for the haul back to school blargh..

When you think you're on to something

2010-06-08T20:12:00.007-04:00

And someone moneyed does it too, only way better and much, much bigger.

Exposed: Voyeurism, Surveillance & the Camera at the Tate Modern/SFMOMA versus my "Stolen Moments: Photographic Voyeurism and the Law."

Exposed! That is much snappier than anything involving "moments." I guess I should be happy about concurrent thoughts? Or we are on some sort of collective kick/social trend with voyeurism? At least I am in good company!
____________

Uncomfortable commute home. Two guys got into a ridiculous argument on the subway. I changed lines. An eerily emotionless mother-to-daughter interrogation about being gay (on the freaking subway during rush hour!) Transferred again. My trip made all better by seeing a guy in a seriously tailored pinstripe suit and patent black ANKLE BOOTS. How cool is that! Does he own a bowler hat, too?!

Woolly Pocket Living Walls

2010-06-07T22:02:00.005-04:00

A while ago, I posted about Woolly Pocket Living Walls as living art. We saw them at Flora Grubb recently and even my parents were really impressed with how the pockets work, particularly with entirely recycled materials.

Woolly Pocket is competing in Pepsi's Refresh Everything contest to win a $250,000 grant to provide school gardens to 250 schools across the States and has asked that you spare them some browser time (I mean, you're here - you can't be that busy at work/with finals/with UE).

Learn more about Woolly's school gardens here, then vote daily for them here!

new schtamps

2010-06-07T19:32:00.002-04:00

I got my stamp-collecting inclinations (can't call myself an actual collector) from my mom and my appreciation for correspondence from Joe. USPS's 2010 Stamp Program includes a series of ten works central to the abstract expressionism of the 40s and 50s. Got mine today! I'm so happy that they haven't been cropped out of their original proportions. Can't wait to use these (instead of the stupid stamps of intertwined marriage bands that the Smith Post Office lady uses on all my letters, gah!)

There's a Motherwell at the Smith College Museum of Art. I can't remember the title, but it never fails to make me crave kidney beans.

Image: USPS

gold envelopes

2010-06-01T23:52:00.005-04:00

I have all these letters written and no envelopes at hand. Think I'm going to go to Kate's Paperie and Jam Paper after work tomorrow to stock up on envelope-making paper and GOLD ENVELOPES!

Gold Stardream Envelopes & Paper

Antique Gold Recycled Parchment Envelopes & Paper

Gold Stardream Paper Button & String Envelopes

Holy moly!
______________

Never mind, all the gold envelopes were ridiculously gaudy. God I'm really trashy sometimes.

Images: Jam Paper

"I don like no cheap cuhstahmahs"

2010-05-30T23:35:00.001-04:00

One of the best shopping days of my life! Lauren and I exercised a great deal of restraint, but cute things and fantastic deals just kept coming...

I got my first dose of New Yorker attitude (people have otherwise been so sweet, counter to the stereotype) this morning at this giant antiques/flea market somewhere Downtown. When I tried my hand at bartering, I got pummeled with "I don like no cheap cuhstahmahs" and a list of designers (some of whom have been long dead) who supposedly hail her as The Vintage Source. Lady, I don't think they would appreciate your selling fakes of their bags.
There was this gorgeous boxy Anne Klein purse in burnt orange. It resembled a camera case, actually. But alas! - overpriced.

Anyways, don't you love this book cover? My little brother used to watch Dumbo every day as a toddler. That drunk scene is so awesome. Come to think of it, Ratatouille must have gotten their fireworks tidbit from that, hm?

Alcoholism, Kessel and Walton

And on wishlist!:

Penguin by Design, Phil Baines, £25.00

"Ever since the creation of the first Penguin paperbacks in 1935, their jackets have become a constantly evolving part of Britain's culture and design history. Rich with stunning illustrations and filled with detail of individual titles, designers and even the changing size and shape of the Penguin logo itself, this book shows how covers become design classics.
By looking back at seventy years of Penguin paperbacks, Phil Baines charts the development of British publishing, book-cover design and the role of artists and designers in creating and defining the Penguin look...
Filled with inspiring images, Penguin by Design demonstrates just how difficult it is not to judge a book by its cover." Penguin synopsis

True dat!

you are the wind beneath my armpits

2010-05-27T00:11:00.000-04:00

I just realized that for the last few days, I've been dressing according to the 10-day weather forecast of New York Mills, MINNESOTA rather than New York, New York.
You can surf the Interwebs efficiently with bookmarks, but you can't exactly breeze through a ninety-degree day in black pants.
(But to tell the truth, I'm really enjoying the warm weather.)

out door wall mount lighting

2010-05-16T16:05:00.002-04:00

Portfolio 1-Light Rustic Brown Wall Light, Lowe's, 20

Cute, hm?

Floor Depot + Flora Grubb

2010-05-15T20:17:00.013-04:00

Best Saturday ever following my parents around. We hit up all the kitchen/bath/floor warehouses in the industrial area around Bayshore, searched through Building REsources (if my dad had a storefront for all his stuff, it would be BR), stared at the vertical succulent gardens at Flora Grubb, and checked out my dad's friend's workshop LatticeStix across from FG.

A very Mock day. Too bad somebody else had to stay at home because little Jolly Jowls fell asleep ;)

I've really been liking corrugated iron lately, particularly when colored, as above at Flora Grubb.

Images: Building REsources, Caitlin Atkinson/Flora Grubb Gardens by Kevin Smith

Can I get an AMEN?

2010-05-15T01:23:00.005-04:00

Tadao Ando (b. 1941), Church of the Light, Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan, 1987-89

I may have a favorite contemporary architect. More on this soon.

2010-05-13T18:42:00.004-04:00

Last summer, I tried to make a headboard for the bed in my old room. Then a twin. But I wasted one upholstery nail for every successful one. Crooked rows. This is what it ought to have looked like but in gray:

And I'm not even going to take a picture of mine in its half-done state. (In fact, I have no idea where it is now. And good for me! - I refrained from any jokes about nailing.)

Image: CasaSugar

Mein Bett

2010-05-13T18:23:00.005-04:00

I'm so excited to decorate my room next school year! I'll be in a west-facing room, so I'll get a lot of warm afternoon light.
I've been planning on doing this:

But with cream curtains and trimmed with 1.5" black grosgrain ribbon? Probably can't afford dupioni silk, but oh boy that would be nice.

This canopy headboard might also be a good idea:

I just had a crazy moment. S-i-l-k? Looks so strange.

Images: Stephen Stubel for House Beautiful, Xavier Béjot/L'Hôtel Récamier

2010-05-13T14:59:00.001-04:00

"What have you been up to? What's new?"

How the hell is my life? I realized today that I have no idea how to answer those questions. I always have to think about my answer, deriding myself for a while before I blurt something out. Whatever I'm doing, I only ever feel a collision and a flurry of activity. I lack that degree of external perspective of self and I just don't have a prepared elevator speech. If you ask me what I AM doing, I can tell you: I am using the excuse of not having summer clothes to go shopping. I am dousing these two crickets in calcium and multi-vitamin powder and feeding it to the gecko. I will lie here on my belly for a long time until it eats all of them. I am reading Norwegian Wood and let's just say that HM has really developed his storytelling abilities since then.

But I notice that I always start out my conversations with those questions. Poor Ethan - I think it drives him crazy, too.

Perhaps I am just anxious because no one else is off yet?

If not for the mosquito bites!

2010-05-07T02:13:00.003-04:00

I have rarely been this awake and prolific. It seems that I can only work when sidled up to a looming deadline (three, actually). I owe this to Mr. Earl Grey, Turkish wunderdrink and Susan Sontag.

And then: pass, pack, party, SAN FRANCISCO.

2010-05-02T22:19:00.007-04:00

Jay Pridmore, Shanghai: The Architecture of China's Great Urban Center, Abrams, 2008

Why I've just started to look into Shanghai's built environment after spending a month there... Maybe if I had spent less time buying garlic shoots and shoes. I wish it were a more walkable city. Taxis unfortunately barely more than public transit.

Need do-overs!

What an awesome cover photo. Dawn of the dusty skyscrapers! Doesn't it inspire the post-apocalyptic sci-fi-lit-obsessed you in fifth grade? Oh I miss the fifth grade! It was the year that my hair suddenly started to curl. My group of friends had a comic book enterprise. We were the characters. I was "Shenaynay." Yes.

Related: "In Shanghai, Preserving Buildings Takes Work" in the NYT (is that not the dumbest title you've ever read)

!!

2010-04-27T22:12:00.005-04:00

nOir Jewelry, Bryan Buddha Ring, 150

Remember Funky Buddha of the Notorious MSG?

Art at SFO

2010-04-25T21:16:00.007-04:00

"The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the country's only airport with a museum program accredited by the American Association of Museums. Exhibits are scattered through various terminals and change several times a month."- NPR on SFO

Hard not to imagine art in airports as "airport art" or even "corporate art."
I'll admit that I never look at the exhibits while walking through Terminal 3 because I like to run down those bouncy motorized walkways. So bouncy!

By the way, does anyone else think that SFO

looks a bit like Deep Space 9? Radiating appendages...?

Don't think any less of me.

After the Bilbao Effect

2010-04-23T13:25:00.001-04:00

Comes after the Starbucks Effect.

Berkeley, no Toyo Ito

2010-04-21T22:48:00.002-04:00

Try again!

for your progeny

2010-04-19T14:27:00.003-04:00

In a child's nostalgically nautically themed bedroom:

Deep Sea Curtain, $too much, Anthro

Ethan! You like?!

book forest

2010-04-18T19:52:00.002-04:00

Not only do I love Michael Kimmelman, but this "book forest" featured in his article re D.I.Y. culture - mmmmm!! Give-and-take reading is not new, but this idea is so sweet. Reminds me of Jo's idea to make reading sexier by turning the rusty old birdcage on my attic balcony into a beside table and bookshelf.

Image: Beatrice de Gea for the New York Times

2010-04-18T14:01:00.004-04:00

Really like this cerulean ottoman, succulents as centerpiece, and giant tray as table.

And !!! re these sets:

Images: Sex & the City 2 via Perez

2010-04-15T21:01:00.004-04:00

Image Courtesy of: National Transit Database - Federal Transit Administration (http://www.ntdprogram.gov) All figures are for 2008

Can all tables and graphs be this cute? From SFWeekly (I'm so homesick).

beans + manure

2010-04-14T10:42:00.004-04:00

I was thinking last night about how much I love beans. Then in class this morning:

Annibale Carracci, The Beaneater, oil on canvas, Galleria Colonna, Rome, 1580-90

Mmmmmm!! But really, who doesn't like beans? Little pods of nutritious and delicious.
___________

The last few days have wiped me out (always out by Tuesday). Lack of sleep...caught the cold going around. My nose is so stuffed up that the only thing I can smell is the manure/bark that the gardeners have been spreading all over campus. Is it gross that I am enjoying the scent of manure? Perhaps all the methane is getting to my head. In any case, happy that it's Wednesday - only have one class and a few hours of sitting around the Box Office. Think I will avoid reading and go for a walk after responding to letters/postcard from sweet babies. :)

2010-04-12T19:36:00.002-04:00

The last few days, I've been surprised to see the greenery. You get used to the look of bare branches and the feeling of bare-boned cold and forget that trees are supposed to have leaves. You think, "how clever of them!"

Spring makes me so happy to be where I am. Expanses of yellow and white daffodils and loose swarms of gnats. Also, magnolias...mangoes? Don't they look like white or deep pink mangoes, peeled back?

Will take pictures. Daylight savings has made the late afternoons so glorious. Warm and delicious.

2010-04-11T18:57:00.002-04:00

I fell asleep at my desk just now and dreamed that I was in a place like this:

and this:

and this:

Ochs Design

With my roommates Rafters, Exposed Brick, Natural Light, and Polished Concrete Floor.

better than Dolfin Hot Masala

2010-04-10T15:02:00.005-04:00

But not nearly as good as Chuao Firecracker.

Theo Fig, Fennel & Almond, 3.25

The Justice in the Bow Tie

2010-04-09T18:32:00.010-04:00

Paying my homage to our retiring senior Associate Justice and his love of bow ties. Have you noticed the bow ties bin in the SF Jeremy's? I want a good dig!

He looks so wrong without a bow tie (but with hipster frames):

Images in order: NYTimes/Platon, Orlando Sentinel, via Zombailey, SDFLA, Corbis Images, L Magazine, AJC, USCourts.gov, via Zombailey

2010-04-06T17:09:00.006-04:00

What I came across while making fact sheets for one of my classes:

Michelangelo Buonarroti, David, from Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy, 1501-1504. Marble, 17' high. Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence.

Juxtaposed with

Florence Studio, Wonderful World, "Beautifully Big" collection, David.

And
Sandro Botticelli, Birth of Venus, ca. 1484-1486. Tempera on canvas, 5' 9" x 9' 2". Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.

With

Florence Studio, Wonderful World, "Beautifully Big" collection, Venus.

Ohh yes. My god. Trashy, gaudy. Art imitating life? They're both unrealistic in some way: Michelangelo's idealized David versus Florence Studio's musculature on the surface of his fat.

Florence Studio

Aqua

2010-04-04T13:25:00.005-04:00

All the rage: Aqua, Jeanne Gang's eighty-two-story skyscraper in Chicago. Concrete facade of wind-blown ripples for balconies. So genius! Her first skyscraper! Beautiful beautiful.

Image: The New Yorker

E. L. M.

2010-04-01T22:49:00.004-04:00

On the phone with my little brother, who is eight:

Ethan: OH. OH. Truth or dare?
Me: Dare.
Ethan: No fair. You're far away.
Me: Truth.
Ethan: What's my middle name?
Me: You don't have one.
Ethan: Yeah but I have a real one now. Like a real one.
Me: Oh a real one? What is it?
Ethan: L.
Me: L?
Ethan: Yeah, L. That's my middle name.

Pritzker Prize 2010

2010-03-30T17:48:00.003-04:00

Announced!! Ryue Nishizawa and Kazuyo Sejima!!!!

(I feel to need to end everything Japanese with exclamation marks!!!!!!!!)

water monopoly

2010-03-30T17:23:00.010-04:00

New website find of old-timey bests! Especially a fan of this outdoor/greenhouse-y bath mmmmm:

Teak bath

Copper bath

Paris bath

Porthole bath

Empire on Fleur de Lis feet

Marble top basin on legs

Bow fronted basin on frame

Bow fronted double basin

Thomas Crapper lavatory pan

Original blue and white lavatory pan

All images: Water Monopoly

Quilted Old-lady-bed!

2010-03-28T16:55:00.000-04:00

Lauren got an awesome new quilt! So in addition to the eraser bits, binder paper detritus, stinky feet, drinking chocolate stains, and toots usually on our bed from our sweet friendses, Superbed is quilted and extra old lady! I want to make tea every time I look at it!

chartreuse!

2010-03-25T19:16:00.003-04:00

Since sweet Anastasia accidentally broke my french press (it vos very funny), I had an excuse to replace it with this cute chartreuse one! Yes for clumsiness! :)

Also, LOOK AT HER. What a lovely way to feminize the bomber jacket. Will only set you back $4,550...

nice knob

2010-03-24T04:00:00.002-04:00

Other than full on refinishing, perhaps the best way to revive or refine an old chest/commode/desk/vanity:

Liberty Hardware 1-3/8 In. Double Beaded Knob, 3.79, Home Depot

Liberty 30 MM Victorian Glass Knob, 3.99, Home Depot

Sea Blossom Knob (mother-of-pearl), 10, Anthropologie

Silhouetted Zinnia Knob, 8, Anthropologie

Cinquefoil Knob, 2.95, Anthropologie

still want this

2010-03-23T23:30:00.000-04:00

Pictorial Webster's: A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities
John M. Carrera
$35
Chronicle Books
512 pp
1,500 b/w images!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-21T04:46:00.009-04:00

Speaking of boba, there's a new tapioca place on Irving! And they're so much cheaper than Wonderful Foods. Jo and I of course went to WF to get tapioca first and decided to walk over to the new place, which occupied the old Tutti Frutti space. Everything was in Chinese/legit. I read "small" and "red" somewhere (suckaaaaaaa!!)

Tried Ginger Tapioca. Initially too sweet, but once the ice melted, grew on me and pleasantly bitter. I didn't watch it being made, but I suspect they don't use any fresh ginger. Disappointing because what I want is the fresh kick and spiciness, herro-o?!

Definitely does not top Almond Tapioca - all time favorite!

Oh noes is this turning into a WF boba review?!

While I'm at it then: I've had Taro a few times but absolutely no taste recollection. Maybe I just get it because I think it'll turn out pretty. Avocado Tapioca is so thick! Seriously a meal. Honeydew too watery.
What else? I'm curious about other odd[tapioca]balls... perhaps durian is next?

KUMQUAT!

I've-been-traveling-all-day rant

2010-03-21T01:45:00.008-04:00

I was rummaging through our art supplies drawers at home in SF. My old room. What was my senior yearbook doing there? Had to have a flip-through.

One of the most depressing half hours of my life. I read autograph after autograph. Of the legible ones, largely the same message: woot! what a great time...faith in the future...see you around, I'm sure.

The thing is, all the signatures are entirely illegible. So all the "glad I got to know you. Have a good time in SoCal. I always appreciated your dirty jokes" entries get blurred. It doesn't make a difference who signs and you have no idea who you "got to know better." Not to discount the friends with whom we've maintained close ties post Lowell, but I'm so tired of acquaintance-building.
You should do it though. This is a part of cautious Emily. I can't really help it, but you should help yourself to some.

In some ways, I'm almost looking forward to what will probably be a rather solitary, if not very lonely, summer in NYC. You know what I mean: you miss people so much (so much!), but if you ever have to run into anyone you know (who pretends not to recognize you) from high school at any fucking boba place on Irving...

Apparently really melodramatic today,
E. Mo.

old boys club

2010-03-19T02:00:00.010-04:00

"I'm a man of exquisite taste." - Prince

Influenced by Mr. Purple and echoing Britte... Want. Three. Piece. Suit. Now.

Ralph Lauren Spring 2010

Or just new suit

Neil Barrett Spring 2010

Images: Style.com

Living Art, Part 4: Su Zhe Hui Restaurant, Shanghai

2010-03-17T14:42:00.008-04:00

I'd forgotten to post this! While we were in Shanghai, we went to this restaurant chain called Su Zhe Hui a few times. Food was standard but I was really into their decor. Sleeker version of Hollywood Regency.

Especially liked their succulent vertical garden, which stood at the very end of a smokey-mirrored hallway.

Some sort of hammered/pressed metal tiling in the bathroom. Nice!

_____________

I went along with Lillian and Tim to check out The Art of Cartier: Masterworks from the Cartier Collection exhibition at the Legion of Honor today. My favorite piece was a tiny daguerreotype camera as a frame on its rear standard side. So cute!

2010-03-14T21:42:00.004-04:00

All I've done since coming home is shop, eat spicy stews, nap, craft, write papers, and pound and chop mounds of garlic.
Only wish other peeps (YOU) had this week for Spring Break as well :(

Haven't used my mom's high-speed industrial sewing machine in a while, so I hope I don't sew over my finger again. That was bad.

Going on a walk to buy loads of ginger tea now :)

Peony season!

2010-03-14T14:31:00.003-04:00

A boring issue, but I love March's Elle Decor cover, especially the walls in Farrow & Ball's Off Black. There will definitely be a semi/gloss black or navy room in my Tiffany Blue Victorian :)

You gotta get yourself some marble columns

2010-03-12T10:24:00.006-05:00

It's a little after 10am. I'm at the airport. My flight isn't until 3pm. God knows how much money I'm going to waste on coffee and magazines... :)

In case you're bored, here are some funnies:

Bought in Boston, Part II: Whitelines

2010-03-08T15:36:00.007-05:00

Notebooks of white lines on light gray rather than harsh blue on ultra-bright white. Another case of "why hadn't I thought to market this?!"

Whitelines notebooks come in hard bound, hard wired, perfect bound, wired, orange glued, and saddle stitched, as well as lined/squared.

This is what the pages in my Whitelines Squared look like:

And of course it's Swedish!

_________

Think I'm going to finally make a planner over Spring Break. So excited to go home! Although Spring is finally making its way to New England - the first time in months that I've felt the warmth of the Sun rather than dry radiator heat.
Lauren's daffodils in full bloom in our room. Can't wait for Smith to get completely covered in them.

Bought in Boston, Part I: Five Year Memory Book

2010-03-07T23:11:00.007-05:00

One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book

I went to Boston/Cambridge for the weekend! So happy to finally visit Heejin and hang out/have an extraordinary shopping adventure with Lillian. We both got these Five Year Memory Diaries at Bob Slate Stationary and Rugg Road Paper Company. So cute - in Domino colors, too! Made by Chronicle Books of SF.

Check out Lillian's blog for images of our walk all over Boston and around Cambridge (especially the art nouveau store front). Loved all the red doors around Beacon Hill.

When I have monies, I really want a SF Victorian in Tiffany blue with lacquered black double doors.

Hagia Sophia

2010-03-01T15:38:00.001-05:00

Unknown photographer
Hagia Sophia
Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey
532-537
(LUNA Imagining, Inc.)

Mmmm I think a religious conversion is on its way just from this photo. (But which religion?!)

Learning about the Hagia Sophia in 7th Grade history with Herr Jacob was the first time I thought a building could be remarkable. For that reason, I will actually remember 532-537 on my next exam. I'm so bad with memorization and numbers... and memorization of numbers...

do it yoself: postcards from vintage book covers

2010-03-01T14:22:00.009-05:00

Adorable! But sad?

I've done something similar with an album cover (May seems so long ago!)

Can we send postcards with rounded corners? I thought USPS wasn't okay with this? That would be great though - all cards/papers are cuter with rounded corners.

What are your feelings on this? Is it salvaging or sacrilege?

via AT, from J ason Thompson's book Playing with Books: The Art of Upcycling, Deconstructing, and Reimagining the Book

________

On another note: it seems like my brother is always sending me realistic/pessimistic articles on unemployment. Listening to Don Peck re his Atlantic article right now. I'm staying in school forever.