Bond Girly

Everything surrounding the 007 empire intrigues me. It continually inspires and influences art, design, literature and film. 

Recently, I came across a new series design for the James Bond books that made me come to a halt (despite my frenzy of christmas shopping, and people weaving). Published by Penguin (so classic), and illustrated by Michael Gillette. Read an interview with Michael here. I LOVE the illustrations and the typography, and I wish I had half the talent of this guy. 

Previously to finding these book covers, I had really enjoyed the typography in Quantum of Solace. To see some screen shots, Doublenaut blogs about that here. Oh and check out their work too. Not Bond related, but also good.

All I want for Christmas

Forget the front teeth, I want this stuff! Some of it is no longer available, but a girly girl can dream, can't she? Make it happen Santa! 

Here are some links, as pictured counter-clockwise: Owl Mittens - originaly sold at Art Effect, Pretty Ring - not sure where I found this one, Burburry Purse - I cannot fathom paying $1495.00 for a purse but this one sure is pretty, and this Peacoat from Couture Candy. 

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have a great holiday filled with warmth, love, cheer and maybe a few good presents!

Illustrator + Designer = My Hero

In an attempt to bring my blog up to speed, I am posting some excellent holiday illustrations from my newest favorite illustrator Tad Tarpenter. He is everything that I aspire to be. Check out his flickr for even more visual awesomeness. Oh, and he has a blog.

Spooky Sock Monkeys

K, I realize Halloween is over, but I just came across these Spooky Sock Monkeys and the are too cute not to share! After purchasing this Monkey n Round Blankie (from Holly at Small Potatoes) for a baby shower recently, I have had sock monkeys on the brain. Sign up for the mailing list to find out when a new batch is coming out!

Gimme More Mad Men

Just sitting at home tonight, avoiding sleep, watching "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day", (featuring wonderful performances by Amy Adams and Frances McDormand btw)  and surfing. I came across this flickr set via Drawn and I almost fell out of my couch groove! I am a huge Mad Men fan, so it was great to see someone who is so into the show that they dedicate their spare time to cranking out inspired illustrations, which capture moments in the show so perfectly! Kudos to NobodysSweetheart on her fabulous work!

Design Camp 2008

I just got back from a weekend at Design Camp in Nisswa, Minnesota. The overarching theme of the weekend revolved around the idea of change. It was all about taking chances, looking at things in new ways, and restoring the powers of the undo and redo commands. The highlights of my weekend included:

- An Adobe presentation on CS4. My friend and fellow designer Jen Young of KiK Associates who is infamous for winning Apple products, managed to win a copy of CS4, as well as winning a fish-naming contest! Long live the Red Eyed 2 Ply Southern Fried!

- Amazing, unique and inspiring speakers. We heard very different vantage points from Jen Trolio of Readymade magazine, Brain Collins of Collins Design Group, The Art of Chase and Tronic Studios (Theo Daley is our fellow Canadian from Torontonia). All though their paths are all very unique, their messages all revolved around change for a better world and the importance of following your personal convictions!

- A Silkscreen workshop with Aesthetic Apparatus! 

- Discovering my "katra" and dominating the dojo! I participated in a workshop about leveraging my strengths. I learned that I am a mouse, who can work well with a group, stays out of the limelight, and who can bring out the strengths in others. I have an opinion, but I am not quick to form one, as I like to take everyone's views into consideration.

- Morning cinnamon rolls!

- Grandview Lodge, for all of it amenities and beautiful fall surroundings. 

- All of the really cool people that I met over the weekend. There ARE other designers out there, dealing with the same things that we all deal with. We emerged from the glow of our computer screens for some much needed fresh air.

- The really cool people that I knew were cool all along. My weekend cohorts were Jen Young and Ana Morgan of KiK Associates.

-  And the mandatory stop at Target on the way home!!!!

Design Camp happens on the same weekend every year, so mark it on your calendars for 2009! I guarantee that you will have the time of your life and come back refreshed and ready to change the world with the click of your mouse!

Dane Cook airbrushed within an inch of his life

I found this a while back, on PhotoshopDisasters. It's a hilarious rant by Dane Cook, about the poster for his movie "My Best Friend's Girl". Just one look at this poster, and you can tell there are so many things wrong with it. I went for a double feature yesterday, and this movie was one of them. I still laugh every time I see the poster. Seriously, read the rant, it's funny. On a side note, Kate Hudson is always a sure bet to cast in Girly Movies. I loved her in "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days". It might be time to watch that movie again.

Licking icicles

I got it! Andy Goldsworthy! Andy works with natural materials like ice, sticks, leaves, rocks and dirt. For the most part his artwork is assembled with natural materials like thorns and even saliva (used for the ice star shown here). There are many books out featuring his artworks, and the one that I had the opportunity to flip through was titled "Wood". There is also a documentary that I am hoping to watch called "Rivers and Tides". View a clip here. I laughed at the end of this clip when he says "I am so amazed that I am even alive". I know when I lose a day worth of work (computer crash, lost notes, etc), my sentiments are a little different, and often involve cursing profusely.

Green Graffiti

Fall is my most favorite season. I love everything about it, especially the focus on nature. When I recently came across two artists who utilize natural elements in their works, i got really excited. The first artist that I would like to share with you is Anna Garforth. I love the concept of her "Moss Graffiti"! The piece shown here is titled "Mossenger". She is also featured on the site Environmental Graffiti. 

I will post about the other artist as soon as I can remember his name (watch for this one soon).

Tweed Beasts 3

This little guy is so CUTE! I love his tweedy-ness! Plush by feltmistress, based on the illustrations of Jonathan Edwards.

beach life

I am back from a wonderful week in Hawaii. We spent our week on the island of Oahu. If you are planning a trip there, feel free to contact me. I would love to share with you my insight into "things to do" on the island!

I tried surfing for the second time, and it is the hardest workout I have done in a long time, but I would totally love to do it as a hobby. I have also decided that the surfboard in the middle, is the one that I would own if I lived in Hawaii. Too bad we don't have much ocean around these here parts!

eye candy

I love the illustration of Mike Lowery so much! You can share my love here, here, and here.
(Illustration: copyright 2008 Mike Lowery)

Speaking of Zooey Deschanel

Amber mentioned in the comments on my last post about Katy Perry, that she looks like Zooey Deschanel. I agree, and that reminded me that Zooey has some music out of her own, that is quite good. More sampling of she & him on myspace! You may remember Zooey's singing voice from when she was in Elf!

I kissed a girl

Well, not me personally, but apparently Katy Perry. I like her 2 singles "I Kissed a Girl" and "Ur So Gay". I probably like them, because they were written by the same person who wrote "Toxic". Check out the video for "Ur So Gay", is quite amusing, and features barbie and ken dolls.

Interesting fact about Katy: She is the middle child of two pastors, she grew up listening to gospel music and singing in church.

Summertime flowers

I just want to share some lovely flower photography, taken by my friend Miss Amber Dawn, of The Cherry Journal.

Sex and Ze City

A classic tale of love, life and friendship. Not as classic as "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants", but that is a good thing. I may not have 3 "specific" friends (with different hair colours) to fall back on, but I know my girlfriends will be there for me if I ever need them... and that's a nice feeling to have. If true love is found in a closet, my guy gets extra credits for giving me the whole main closet, upon my move in. I am a serious sap, and this movie successfully managed to pool tears in my eyes a number of times.

Here is a link to the soundtrack - you will need to unrar it, so add .rar to the end of the file name if it's not there when you download the file. You will need the "Unrar" program:
http://www.mediafire.com/?mmmmpyn5dcg

You Don't Mess with the Wedding Singer

I watched "The Wedding Singer" the other night for the first time. I don't know how this one slipped by me back in 1998, but it is a cute romantic comedy. Maybe at the time, I was experiencing an oversaturation of Sandler. After a break from him for a while, I was happy to hear his voice again. And of course, Drew Barrymore is cute as a button. She can always light up a room with her smile.

This movie was a good primer to get excited for "You Don't Mess With the Zohan". We can once again see him sporting a goofy hairstyle. There is a fun website up for this movie, which is due out on June 6th! It is a collaboration movie between Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel, and everyones fave Judd Apatow!

www.youdontmesswiththezohan.com

I has a blurg

I am thinking about trying out the old "blog" thing. You may or may not see posts here in the next little while. But if I do get into the swing of things, hold on to your skirts ladies, because you will be in for a girlie roller coaster of a ride!