Happy New Year!

I'm signing off for 2007, kids. I'm here in Milwaukee, wishing you all a safe, fabulous, fun evening and new year where ever you are.

(image courtesy of Jack Cards)

I'm curious.

Do you use reusable shopping bags? If so, do you find it awkward?

Over the last month, I've done a lot of shopping for the holidays. I carry Envirosax with me and use those as often as I can. I love them. They're sturdier than plastic bags, and I don't accumulate tons of bags under my sink.

Unless I'm shopping somewhere like Whole Foods, though, cashiers always seem perplexed when I pull them out. And they never offer to help me pack up my purchases.

I've been thinking about this and realized this probably isn't a bad thing -- I suppose there's a risk for the cashiers of spreading cold germs and such. But cashiers often look at me as if I'm doing something peculiar or old-fashioned -- like paying for everything in pennies.

I'm curious. Do you live in a city with or without plastic bag regulations? What's your experience?

A selfless post.

Had I not resolved to mercilessly beat down my credit card debt this year, my little plastic friend/enemy would be out right now, buying this huge (48" x 36") Joe Suta painting from the Threadless Chicago store. Instead I post it for someone else out there. You can thank me later. (sniff)


Threadless T-Shirts :: Display Art for Sale

Tiny Showcase newsletter.

If you haven't signed up for it yet, you should. Seriously. Very few things make me laugh like Jon and Shea's weekly update for their print store. F'rinstance, this is from this week's newsletter:


I love new years, the concept in general. As someone naturally prone to reflection and nostalgia, it's healthy to take a last look back on the former year before resolving to leave it all behind. So I'm taking my cold pills and cough syrup out for a night on the town. Anyone looking for a midnight kiss better have some serious socialized health care, suckerzzz.

As well as a solid understanding of jujitsu. My defensive karate skills are both spastic and fierce.

Tiny Showcase

Dosugus cushion.

By one of my fave design houses, Art. Lebedev Studio. I think I know some people who might like to decorate their whole pad like this.


Dosugus cushion

(via Freshpilot)

Vintage posters.

From the Imperial War Museum. I'm fascinated by these.





Welcome to the Imperial War Museum Online Shop

the Laugh-Out-Loud Cats.

My fave:


the Laugh-Out-Loud Cats - a photoset on Flickr

"On Being" video series.

onBeing is a project based on the simple notion that we should get to know one another a little better. What you’ll find here is a series of videos that takes you into the musings, passions, histories and quirks of all sorts of people. The essence of who they are, who we are.



Washington Post :: On Being

Part of Best of the Post 2007.

Dita's Bazaar.

Wonderful type and graphics.





Etsy :: dita's bazaar

(I was bouncing around the interweb so much last night, I can't remember if I found this or saw it on someone else's blog. My apologies.)

Vintage loveliness.

While my taste usually falls squarely on the modern design side, I do have a weakness for vintage product design. In a world of mass-produced cheap plastic, it's good for one's soul to remember a time when even trivial things were unique and seemingly handcrafted.





Parishotelboutique.com - Hotel silver, antiques, and vintage online catalogue

(via the equally lovely and good-for-one's soul poppytalk)

Chinese Newsprint Flip-Flops.

These sturdy foam-core flip-flops [by Goods of Desire] are built into a sheet of printed foam. the foam sheet, and the soles of the flip-flops, are printed with advertisements taken from chinese newspapers, which creates a fascinating grid of numbers and characters. these versatile shoes are suitable for indoor, outdoor, or shower use. shoes have soft plastic thong portion designed to lie flat against the feet. the frame has a portion that pops out for hanging on a wall.

Chinese Newsprint Flip-Flops :: Unica Home

Parkitechture?

Finding beauty in the lowly car park. Came out a few months ago, but worth sharing anyway.




Simon Henley's new book, The Architecture of Parking Thames & Hudson, £24.95), casts an objective eye over car parks, one of the most important but most neglected building types of the modern era, and finds a strange and haunting beauty.

The architecture of car parks | Arts | Guardian Unlimited

(via The Aesthetic Poetic)

Colour Cage Hoodie.

Funny idea, but I can't imagine who would pay €180.00 for it. It looks like a perfect DIY Halloween costume for designers, though. Take notes for next year...


100% Cotton hoodie with yellow velcro detail and detachable highlighters and felt tip markers.

Angry Retail :: Colour Cage Hoodie

Happy Birthday, Gabriel!

From this...



To this...



In just ONE YEAR. Wow.

Auntie BB wishes you a happy birthday from way up here in Milwaukee, little man. x!

The Postman's Decision Is Final.

The Postman’s Decision Is Final is a small performance using the postal system, a game of chance or a gentle hello to the postman. Two postcards are stuck together so that only the address sides are showing. Each side is stamped and addressed to two different people, then posted. Somewhere along the line a decision is made as to which person receives the card.

Dan Rees (Artist) in Berlin (Germany) from Re-title.com

(via VVORK)

Make Your Own Path.

Sold out in two days. Must keep an eye out for reprints.




Keep Calm Ltd :: Make Your Own Path

(via NOTCOT.ORG)

Photobooth Animal Kingdom.

I would have loved to be at this photo shoot.




Etsy :: Photobooth Animal Kingdom Collection by Kyley

Areas rugs that make a statement.

Possibly the most original rugs I've ever seen. Fantastic.



Dan Golden Rug Collection Menu

Film titles by Saul Bass.

Wonderful click-through title sequences. (So much better than a grainy YouTube video.)




(Coincidentally, a nice followup to this post.)

notcoming.com | Titles Designed by Saul Bass

(via I like)

Vintage Soviet Christmas cards.

All about the rocket ships.




Mazaika.com :: Old Soviet postcard collection.

(via linkbunnies)

Photographing holiday lights.

Photographing holiday lights is no easy task.

Luckily, we’ve had the Photojojo elves round up the best tips and guides to taking successful Holiday photos. Call it our gift to you… now go make Clark W. Griswold proud.

Photojojo ::
How to Photograph the Holidays


(Photo by Pure Emotion)

1950's Siamese Cat TV Lamp.

Kitschy fabulousness. With jeweled eyes. Only $60. Fantastic.



In the 10 years after World War II, television exploded into prime time in America. Early American television programs were wildly popular as the public for the first time got to see their favorite stars from radio and movies live on television. TV lamps were originally manufactured because there was a demand for indirect light sources to soothe the eyes while watching television. The 1950s TV lamps were made in exotic and interesting shapes including horses, birds, panthers, and figural shapes. The base portion of the lamp was typically produced in ceramic with a high gloss glaze, although they were also made of plastic and painted plaster. As the rock & roll fifties came along with pink poodles and other whimsical design, 50s colors like pink and chartreuse became very popular and were often coupled with elaborate shades with trim of leather of material. Most TV lamps are backlit with a single bulb hidden from front view, providing a low wattage, indirect lighting source for use while viewing television. (copied from Collectics TV Lamps of the 50's and 60's.)

Ruby Lane :: 1950s Siamese Cat TV Lamp 2 Cats Television Light - 9169

p.s. I could spend my whole Christmas break looking at the Ruby Lane site. It's incredible.

Film title boards B.C. (before computers).

Ever wonder about how studios did their graphics in the era of Black & White Films? It was done by hand with brushes, rapidograph, airbrushes and the fine details were pasted up. These boards are large at 20.5" X 24.5".





Ruby Lane :: Title Boards

Please look after this bear (in the pokey). Thank you.

Paddington the illegal immigrant?

Paddington Bear is to face a police interrogation over his immigration status.


It happens in a new Paddington novel, released to mark the 50th anniversary of the first, due out next June, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Ananova - Paddington the illegal immigrant?

(Thanks to Tom Steel for the great story and photo.)