8.29.2008

art at bumbershoot



aside from flatstock, there is another art exhibit i don't want to miss this year at bumbershoot either, the seattle-tehran poster show. last year they featured seattle-havana & i loved it, but this year has me even more excited. taken from the website, "co-curated with tehran designer iman raad, the seattle-tehran poster show is a selection of 50 posters from each city in a variety of mediums sharing cultural themes such as music, film, theater and contemporary art."

seattle-tehran poster show is open from 11am-8pm & in the northwest rooms of the seattle center.

music to listen to - bumbershoot edition

i'm only making it to one day of bumbershoot this year (saturday), i'm a party pooper, what can i say. this week's music to listen to is a running tally of the shows i can't miss.


neko case, 1-2 pm mainstage


thao with the get down stay down, 4-5pm rockstar stage (i'm also debating the kexp private lounge which i have tickets to, but it means missing neko)


estelle, 5:45-6:45pm fisher green stage


band of horses, 7:30-8:45pm mainstage


beck, 9:15-10:45 mainstage

8.28.2008

craigslist finds



chairs & lamps - set of four yellow dining chairs, $50; sphere pendant lamp, $50; moroccan swing lamp, $180; blue velvet dining chairs, $895.

projects for you



i want to make this pinch pouch from small objects. you can find the tutorial here.



i've also been obsessing over garlands, i made some of my own, but these at purl bee are just lovely. you can find this tutorial here.

8.27.2008

take my earbuds out back



i need new headphones, i don't know why this hasn't been a higher priority. my earbuds snap, crackle, pop; i'm about to take them out behind the shed to put them out of their misery (someone find me a .45).

i need two sets, one for the office & one for the gym/biking. i'm thinking about these for the office, any other suggestions?

above image from something monumental.

etsy wednesday





searching through etsy local for brooklyn, i found junkprints. graphic designer/illustrator based out of brooklyn, chanel - she seems to run in the same spirit as me, keeping busy outside the the 9-5. i love her style & all the bright colors, most importantly i appreciate the intent in every piece. i am especially loving the above ladies of soul print ($45) & all of her killer tops (ranging from $25-$50).

the writing spoon



this sexy little thing is shaped like a fountain pen & allows you to write with coffee, juice or the liquid of your choice. designed by julia mariscal, sold on vincon, advert on youtube - i want one soooo bad.

8.26.2008

matthew's inspiration



check out this killer graphic inspiration folder (via design you trust).

above image source not known. anybody?

add it to the blogroll



christine wong is a designer/illustrator in new york. her blog, wonting, is a great collection of her favorite things & artists, interviews & life in general. she is taking a month off of blogging, but reposting past favorites, which means, it's a great time to catch up!

8.25.2008

mike bertino



i'm loving me some mike bertino - beautiful colors & humorous characters. currently living in la, mike grew up in san diego drawing mini-comics. check it.

found type



found on cass's farm. i loved this old sign & the light of the barn made it even better. we spent a few hours catching up, visiting with her beautiful babies, touring the farm & riding the property of an atv.

freckles accomplished



it was a lovely week, i spent most of it visiting with friends & family, eating, taking long walks around the lake & laying in the sun. i sometimes forget how amazing it is to be home & on the lake.

i knew i was back while in portland, getting onto (& off) the jumper plane in the rain. i'm looking forward to a busy week & super fun weekend; ben & stina's wedding, bumbershoot & marques's return.

8.22.2008

music to listen to



lykke li has a new album out! youth novels is getting great reviews, buy it - i'm flipping my shit.

8.21.2008

craigslist finds





reporing from michigan - still reppin' the seattle craigslist. i'm loving this cart, so perfect for me or anyone else in a one bedroom apartment or small space; only $175. ugh, i want it.

8.20.2008

etsy wednesday





sown sells designer pillows made by rebecca tegtmeyer. each pillow is handmade from vintage feed bags & modern printed fabric, no two pillows are alike. i must mention that these pillows will make you think a little before you buy, they are gonna cost you $80 a pop.

on a side note, it seems like most tangible things (music, fashion & goods) i'm loving these days is from the southeast coast or brooklyn while i'm really daydreaming about the southern cali aesthetic & weather - what gives?

8.19.2008

add it to the blogroll



please sir has a wonderful collection of inspiration. diana writes, "please sir is a daily site devoted to passions like modern and vintage design, inspiring art, and personal stories." she's got great taste & a sense of style that i can really relate to.

8.18.2008

oktapodi



i think beefy is right - octopuses are the new owl. great short animated film.

found type


















i stumbled upon this lovely old sign in petosky as kacey & i hunted down a place to get food & watch the sunset.


i arrived safely on saturday morning; it was a painful flight, but i was happy to be home, chatting with my parent aboard the new pontoon boat & basking in the sun. i've gotten to see most of my family, had the girls to fife, made it to petosky to see kacey (next time i hope to see more of nora & aaron), went to water aerobics with my mom & two aunts & picked up produce from the cherry street market. ahh. what will i do today you ask - be out on the lake with family, grilling, eating avacodos & fresh salsa, reading & dosing off. this is the life i tell you, this is the life.

i tried to upload more photos, but i can't deal with it, i'm on vacay & formatting is not happening properly.

8.15.2008

in the pursuit of freckles - gone on vacation



i'm taking off for the week; heading back to michigan to visit friends & family. i plan on spending my days water skiing, sitting on the 'rents boats & drinking beers (i'm sure there will be lots of food involved as well). on the creative front: i'm hoping to steal my dad's camera as much as possible, capturing life as we know it at fife lake; i'm also hoping to spend some time setting solid goals for the next year & thinking about my next adventure. but mainly, the following week will be the pursuit of freckles.

i have some posts in the queue - you should def stop by while i'm gone. you might even get some pics of the trip.

image by julia mogensen.

music to listen to



i got a little taste of lcd soundsystem last night at jaime's - thought i'd look into it a bit more. i likey!

8.14.2008

craziness

today is craziness - big interview at work. no craigslist finds today, maybe later tonight.

josephine schiele





josephine schiele has such a beautiful portfolio - everything from products & still life to portraits & lifestyle. this makes me want to move to southern cali.

8.13.2008

etsy wednesday



today is another theme day - celebrate the octopus! ever since i saw that tattoo on lou o' bedlam's flickr site, i've been daydreaming of them. here are of my favorite octopus finds on etsy.

sterling silver ring from western mountain, $15; to do list notepad from boygirl party, $8; octopus pendant from picky picky, $17; package pouch from oreadduffy, $23; sucker tie from toybreaker, $30; octogirl print from cicada field journal, $20.

ferris wheel cards

















i'm not sure if they'll go up in the etsy shop or not. i'm all over them & using them in the near future - i just can't get over the ferris wheel thing.

8.12.2008

add it to the blogroll



white & wander is a fantastic, romantic blog based out of australia; i mean, it's how i discovered my dream home. white & wander is the creative outlet for emma, a self-proclaimed wanderlust traveler with an affinity for all things white. check it out for beautiful interiors, places & goods.

found city











bart & i went to santa cruz last weekend. needless to say i'm as red a lobster & completely convinced that i need to live in a beach town. we had such a wonderful time walking along the ocean bluffs, laying on the beach and strolling downtown. everything seemed so, california. california the way i imagined it as a kid; surfers scattering the beach, carnivals along a boardwalk, bright green yards in front of mid-century architecture. sighhh - i loved it. a couple other side notes: we went & saw tell no one at the nick, you must see; visit the red room if you are ever in santa cruz, you'll feel rebellious & sexy; get breakfast at the saturn, perfect breakfast spot - vegetarian greasy spoon with all the hippy love you every wanted at 10am; get some baked goodness at kelly's french bakery, located in an old brussel sprout packing warehouse; finally, visit natural bridges, it's gorgeous & a nice alternative to the hustle of the pier.

8.08.2008

can i get a


this or anything from eclectic eccentricity


lavender dark wash - um yes


leather goodness here


i wanna read it


camera?

music to listen to



black*eiffel leads me to the ting tings - ting tings lead me to joy. check out this english indie pop band.

8.07.2008

print mags - something to get your hands on



The last few months have had me thinking about inspiration & brainstorming, but more than just that they have had me thinking about where I get my inspiration & ideas from. I spend 8 hours a day in front of a computer & usually come home to another 2; I visit graphic design blogs, artist sites, photoblogs, flickr, design blogs, fashion blogs & a variety of online mags. I take in so much, too much sometimes. The content is neverending, but somehow after all of my searching & bookmarking, blogging & saving I feel a little less full than I'd like.

That's wear my print magazines come into play. I get a handful of mags at work (GD USA, Print, ID, HOW, Metroplis, Dwell), about once every two weeks, the lovely front office manager drops a magazine in my inbox. I always get giddy & tell her thanks; sometimes I have to resist hugging her & sometimes I do hug her. Then there are the magazines at home (Fader, Nylon, Lucky), they wait for me in my mailbox, they wait to make my evening. even further than that are the exchange mags from my boyfriend & friends (Real Simple & Juxtapoz). I love seeing that stack of magazines next to my couch; I love flipping through them, running my hands over the pages, tagging them with post-its & tearing out things i truly love. there is something about the glossy, the matte, the textured, the scented - the print.

When it all comes right to it, sitting down with a print magazine is good for the soul. I've asked some of my favorite bloggers (they do other things too) what their favorite magazines are & I feel honored to have them share their thoughts with us.

--

First up is the lovely Erin Loechner from Design for Mankind.

1. Name the magazines that you can't live without & why

Print
: I love print because the quality is like none other. Super great texture that you enjoy flipping through (I can't help it- I'm a tactile person!). The articles are to-the-point and often illustrate the current trends of graphic design while still maintaining a classic perspective of the art.

Domino: This, in my opinion, needs no explanation. I love the beautifully styled images of interiors and think it's the best representation of emerging home design/decor here in the states.

I.D.: It's hands-down a must read for me. Brilliant international coverage and fantastic product design highlights. I always find something I've never seen in I.D.!

2. What are the biggest differences between print & web for you

I think the difference lies in the mood. Because I research on the web all day, I don't pick up my print magazines until the end of the day when I'm finished with blogging. A print magazine is my ticket to me-time, where i peruse and create tear-sheets and inspiration notebooks from what I see on the pages. there's just something to be said for holding inspiration in your hands rather than online.

3. Do you have a favorite feature, issue or image?



I've included an image of the cover from Print magazine (Sept/Oct 2007). This was a super great issue, as there were so many great articles that spoke to the growing relationship between design and people. isn't that what we all strive for?

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Second is Strath Shepard from Pacific Standard.

1. Name the magazines that you can't live without & why

T: The New York Times Style Magazine & The New York Times Magazine:
I like it that essentially our country's paper of record pays really smart attention to its visuals (and obviously the editorial content is great). The regular NYT Magazine executes conceptual, interesting, beautiful graphics in almost every issue, and I always look forward to seeing what they'll do next. The tone of T can be a little annoying sometimes, just like any trend-focused magazine, but the art direction is always impressive and full of surprises. Each issue is a well-realized set of ideas surrounding a theme, at that specific point in time.

Self Service: To me, this is the best fashion magazine out now. There are many magazines with great fashion photography (V, all the Vogues, Numero, Purple, Another, etc.) but Self Service covers fashion in such a unique, really smart way, and has great long interviews with people like Vince Aletti and Malcolm Gladwell and Stefano Pilati, so it's all done within this larger context of art and creativity in the world. The typography is also mind blowing. It's $30 an issue, but if you think of it as a book, that's a pretty inexpensive, really beautiful book.

New York: I will always subscribe, even when I move to Seattle. I am continually impressed with how much information they are able to pack into it while still managing to keep the layouts airy and fairly luxurious. In part I think it's because they don't do a lot of color type inside the magazine—other than the images, things tend to be very black and white—and they maintain their grid consistently. They know when to make things big and when to make them small. The art direction for things like The Strategist is top notch. I also love the food styling.

2. What are the biggest differences between print & web for you

New York magazine is actually an interesting one to think about in comparing print and web, because their website translates and expands on the magazine very well, and maintains the style of having a lot of white space and a lot of really well organized information. I use the website for more utilitarian purposes, whereas I will spend time with the printed magazine.

With magazines in general, I like the feeling of having a self-contained object—when it's really good, a magazine is like a little world you can escape into.

3. Do you have a favorite feature, issue or image? (oh what gorgeous pics!)











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Next is artist extraordinaire, Jess Gonacha of Treasuring.

1. Name the magazines that you can't live without & why

Domino: I love looking through Domino for inspiration on what to do with my house! It's also a great place to get the scoop on what's going on in the design world right now, and showcases lots of current trends. I tend to not follow the trends per se, but I think everything that is going on right now influences my work. I love how Domino doesn't feel stuffy at all, and they have projects for al budgets and is very hands on.

National Geographic Magazine: I especially love the really old ones, because they always spark ideas that I wouldn't have had before. I love the aged feeling of the photographs, and I am so curious about the world that the features on different cultures and places in nature are fascinating to me. These are my go-to magazines when I want to spark my imagination.

IDN: All I can say is this magazine is INCREDIBLE. It costs a lot here (it's published in Hong Kong), but is totally worth it. The first time I saw it at Barnes & Noble, I grabbed it and went straight to the checkout counter. The magazine is filled with incredible art and design and amazingly talented people-- it has a raw feeling to it, and full of passion. This is by far my favorite art/design magazine.

2. What are the biggest differences between print & web for you

The difference between print and web for me is VAST. A lot of times the internet doesn't seem real to me-- I can't hold onto any of it, and I have a hard time keeping track of everything I like on the internet. I LOVE tearing things out of magazines, posting things on the walls around my desk, hoarding copies of favorites magazines for later inspiration...
I just like the feeling of being able to actually hold an image in front of me and know where I can find it when I need it-- plus, I love the aesthetics of stacks and stacks of old magazines. It's like a mound of inspiration just waiting to be had! Also, it's harder for me to get overwhelmed by magazines. The internet can be such a rabbit hole, and there's so much visual stimulation-- sometimes it's too much for me. A magazine has a contained amount of stuff in it-- a beginning and an end, which is great for me!

3. Do you have a favorite feature, issue or image?


image courtesy of stewart barrett

My favorite part of IDN is when they interview artists. I love hearing about the process behind an artist's work, so I just devour interviews.

--

Sarah Taylor of Design Dig.

1. Name the magazines that you can't live without & why

Domino: It's a perfect mix of chic and whimsy. I am never disappointed.

Teen Vogue: This is a guilty pleasure of mine. For me it is unlike any other fashion magazine. It's young and free, yet still classy and totally doable.

2. What are the biggest differences between print & web for you

This may sound totally dorky, but when I get a magazine in the mail my day is officially good! It becomes an experience for me. I love laying out by the pool with my dog taking in every little detail from my favorite current design or fashion magazines. My mom and I have very different taste, but its always a joy when we look at our design magazines together. We eat treats, drink coffee, and straight up chill on our big blue couch. It's a good time. Blogs are brilliant. It is such a blessing to see so many beautiful things everyday, but blogs (at least for me) don't give me that experience that magazines do.

3. Do you have a favorite feature, issue or image?



This living room is so so so dreammyy (May issue of Domino)

--

Ms Rachel Jones of Black*Eiffel.

1. Name the magazines that you can't live without & why

Cookie: It makes motherhood feel hip and fun. There are a variety of great ideas ranging from children's clothing lines, food and travel ideas, interiors ... etc..

Living Etc: Multiple foreign magazines are constantly finding their way into my hands because their content often seems a bit more fresh and edgy. The most foreign back issues on my shelves are those of (british) Living Etc. It is full of modern and glossy full bleed images of gorgeous interior spaces.

Communication Arts + Print Design Annuals: These are a couple more that I can't live with out. I feel like a kid in the candy store when mine arrive. They share the best selections, awards, and trends of what is going on in the design and art world.

Domino: I think their tagline pretty much sums it up, "The Guide to Living with Style". This is one of the few U.S. interior design magazines that I love and read cover to cover.


2. What are the biggest differences between print & web for you

Print: Glossy, tactile, extremely portable, tearable, eye contact friendly, color rich
Web: no physical storage needed, easily organizable and accessible, less expensive, no printing/paper used

3. Do you have a favorite feature, issue or image?













--

Now the lovely Tula of Whorange fame.

1. Name the magazines that you can't live without & why

I've subscribed to each of these magazines forever -- perhaps over 80 years.

Bust: It's a magazine "for women with something to get off their chests." That's their tagline. If this magazine doesn't make you a mag hag, nothing will. from kick ass book and music reviews, to articles about the lives of international women, to sex advice from aunt betty, to fashion spreads featuring fine looking ladies with REAL bodies, I can't get enough of bust. It's the ultimate, cool, no-holds-barred celebration of gal-hood.

Harper's: magazine is "a monthly general-interest magazine covering literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts from a progressive, left perspective." I just lifted that from wikipedia. Nice, right? Along with the fantastic articles and clever literally excerpts, I love the "Harper's Index" which is a compilation of ironic statistics ranging from the terrifying and political to the culturally bizarre. I once worked for this film production company where I pitched a few political articles I found in Harper's magazine. Everyone nodded their heads and couldn't believe I found an article of such political depth amongst the makeup tips and fashion spreads. I realized they thought I was talking about Harper's Bizarre.

Ready Made: The do-it-yourselfer's bible. Ready Made has always been the spring board for inspiration, eco-living, and DIY design. Over the years, I've cobbled together everything from a bed to my wedding invitations using their ideas. One of my favorite sections is the MacGyver challenge in which readers are presented with the challenge of repurposing everyday, common items such as a broken umbrellas, film negatives, and light bulbs into something useful and/or artful. Ready Made also has a great website which features an archive of all of their projects.

2. What are the biggest differences between print & web for you

I prefer reading as much as I can online as a way to reduce my paper use. Everything from books to scripts to articles...give 'em to me online. I can handle it. However, most magazines (wisely) do not offer their print content online. Therefore, my small collection of must-have-mags continues.

3. Do you have a favorite feature, issue or image?



Some of my favorite features are Bust's gift guide and Ready Made's IKEA makeovers.

--

Last we have Uncle Beefy of The Bedlam of Beefy.

1. Name the magazines that you can't live without & why

Domino: I know. No one has ever heard of this so it probably won't be mentioned by any other bloggers. ;) But, I can't help it!!! I just enjoy it so much! It's so well put together from an editorial perspective. That alone! Almost. I love the way they encompass travel, design, decor, diy, food & entertaining...so comprehensive. And there's generally a good balance between astronomical and affordable. Show me how I can redo my kitchen for $200 and I'll let that $12,000 pillow slide. Know what I'm sayin'?

Country Living: Honestly, I never thought I'd pick this one! But what can I say...I'm a little bit country and a little bit rock n' roll! It calls to the more rustic and playful side of my aesthetic and is a refreshing change from the high-design magazines I [still] love and enjoy. When I was thinking about my favorites this automatically came to mind as one I hope to see in the mailbox. Now...that said...they've recently "freshened up" the format (which I liked) but then seemed to call upon the mid-1970's for the actual print production...? The quality of the printing and paper seems a bit lacking now. Which, to me, starts to lend the feeling that the publication is dated and not modern or relevant. I hope they reconsider this before it affects circulation. (Sorry...now I'm sounding all cocky and authoritative!) I still love you Country Living :)

Gourmet: I know it isn't a design magazine but this one is a certifiable gasp and swoon when unveiled! From an aesthetic standpoint, it is top-notch with it's luscious photography and layout. From a food perspective...BRING IT! So many wonderful features about regional and cultural cuisines, great recipes (I haven't been disappointed yet.) that range from easy-peasy to all-day-in-the-kitchen, and I seriously heart Ruth Reichl's Letter['s] From The Editor. I have something of a foodie-crush on Ruth.

2. What are the biggest differences between print & web for you

Obviously, as a blogger, I have no major issues with the web versus print publication. When I am online I feel I can connect to multitudes of information at such a rapid pace...link, link, link! It's great but can become something of a whirlwind. At heart, I'm a tactile kinda guy. I love to touch, feel, smell, etc. And magazines help connect me to that tactility. And it's just nice, in this crazy, multi-tasking-is-the-greatest-thing-ever (NOT!) world to have an opportunity to just relax and flip through the pages...one at a time.

3. Do you have a favorite feature, issue or image?



--

Thank you so much to all of you for taking to time to help compile this list of our favorite print mags! Do all of you need a rundown?

Graphic Arts & Illustration
Print
ID
Communication Arts
IDN
GD USA
HOW
Juxtapoz

Fashion & Style
T: The New York Times Style Magazine
The New York Times Magazine
Self Service
V
Numero
Purple
Another
New York
Teen Vogue
Lucky

Interiors & Design
Domino
Living Etc
Country Living
Gourmet
Metroplis
Dwell
Real Simple

Culture, News & Other
Cookie

top image from jim skea