hanging out

Hanging mobiles from Flickr. Inspiration for my at-home project to throw some color in my room. I’m thinking about making food-inspired mobile trinkets.

summery

My Generic Surplus mesh “Plimsols” are getting me through the summer. I’m opting to bare the feet over the midriff this summer.

Next on my list: Landscape Wallet from Mohawk General Store!

this isn’t goodbye. this is hello?

I’m not one for visiting graveyards. I loathe revisiting the dead and expired and retired. It’s possible that the fear stems from insecurities about my own incalculable shelf life. Oh, those fears of being just as unnecessary as flared jeans or platform sandals. But when you work in media, you realize that staying relevant and fresh is as much about personal growth as it is about ego. Staying “abreast” is staying in the game. Sure, it’s so easy to listen to the same music you’ve been since college, talk shit about social media, or complain about gentrification. The pendulum doth swingeth, and suddenly your old-fartiness comes off as a self-conscious old fartiness. Who wants to hire an Encino Man? (P.S. Does anyone under the age of 18 even know who Brendan Frazer is?) But importantly, sensitivity to the fluctuating societal vibrations is a strength. It’s the ability to understand and empathize; it’s not succumbing to pessimism about the ever-changing world.

Awareness doesn’t necessarily mean forgetting all the stuff of yore, however. I’ve decided that balance is key. Can you really understand the overarching themes of social and cultural progress without examining the past? It’s uncomfortable to reminisce, but all that “remember when”-nostalgia can be inspiring without being, well, sad. When I was cleaning out computer files, I uncovered pictures of my “fit” days–when I swam, ran, and ate healthfully–daily. As I started to lament, I had to check myself, and realize that while those days of 2006 have come and gone, future days of 2010 can be filled with the same vitality. And with all that–I bring you three awesome magazines that have seen better days–that can live on in our hearts without sleeping in our beds. I look forward to all the inspired, indie iPad-friendly ezines to come.

homage to early issues of Punk Planet here

read more about Link here, and buy issue 10 here.

Ray Gun, all about it, thanks to Wiki.

J’adore the other Christian

Christian Wijnants is one of my favorite designers for reasons beyond his inspiring, whimsical design aesthetic (S/S 2010 is loosely, owl-themed! And you know how I love them hooters.)

A. He’s Dutch. And yes, I have a predilection for Dutch design.
B. He simultaneously creates artful, breathtaking dresses and teaches at the Royal Academy in Antwerp. I like people who can pat their heads and rub their stomachs at the same time.
C. He’s got Dries Van Noten in his rolodex as a “former employer”.
D. One of the dresses is appropriately named “Dalmation Dog Dress”.

Anyway, his S/S 10 collection–which I meant to blog about last fall–is really getting me in the mood for some summer sashaying. Now I just have to figure out where to get cute sized 4.5 heels to sashay in.

I’ve been busy! But a lot of updates to come… stay tuned.

japanese wood stamps

Etsy find of the day: “It’s a multi purpose use anique style ‘JAPANESE KATAKANA’ stamp. Ideal for adding messages to cards, gift packages, scrapbook pages, and more.”

Should I get it?

the kid stays in the picture

Going to miss you Van. See you in Switzerland!

Van’s last days in the States

camel toe

Acne maya leather wedge sandals

Love it or leave it–the return of the suede wedge! How’s this for retro? I think my mom owned a similar pair back in the day that was twenty times cheaper.

Might seem counterintuitive to be decked out in strappy, suede footwear during the summer–especially here, where it’s hot and humid. But actually, have you seen the preferred garb of the Sahara dessert? Acne is on to something here…

A Lover I Have Neglected

I’ve been in the city for about 6 months and have yet to stop by one of my favorite Chelsea galleries, the David Zwirner gallery.

I feel like such a dilettante sometimes, engaging in visual art by way of the interweb. I have to figure out how to manage my weekend time better, meaning, less trekking for foodstuff (Brooklyn Kitchen visits consume half a day usually–do I really need THIS much grasss-fed beef?), more visiting of galleries and museums and the yoga studio. I missed out on a Thomas Ruff show, although from the select works I saw online, didn’t miss too much. However, the gallery is currently housing a joint show for Mamma Andersson and Jockum Nordstrom, Swedish artist couple who until this show, have never exhibited their work together. Talk about separate bank accounts! “That’s MY tube of gouache, Jockum.”

I especially like Mamma Andersson’s style (though quite similar to Nordstrom’s)– not going to critique artwork I haven’t seen in person, so I’ll tease you with some press photos. Maybe I’ll see you this weekend? And then we can head over to El Quinto Pino for a frozen horchata and an uni panini afterwards.

David Zwirner Gallery
525 West 19th Street
New York, NY 10011-2808
(212) 675-0507