Kinda Kinky

Happy Friday!! Do a kinda kinky friday dance!

Bamn!

Another thing that I loved during my last trip in NYC was being able to return to BAMN! and sample more of their food. If you're not familiar with Bamn!, it's really fun. Basically, they've taken the concept of the old vending machine "automat", and modernized it with fun japanese pop graphics, and gourmet food. It sounds weird, and kinda is weird- but it surprisingly was really yummy! not to mention fun to do too! During my trip to ICFF, we stumbled upon it, and since we already ate, I wasn't too hungry to try any of the food, but I couldn't pass up the Green Tea Ice Cream SOFT SERVE!!!- that was yummy. This last trip, I had to go back, and me and my two other travelling companions made it a point to try as many items as we could. Everything is basically $2. You have to put in $2 in change into the compartment, and then just open the door and pull out your yummy food. We tried the cheeseburger, teriyaki burger, the yummy appetizer thingy that I don't totally remember what it was, but was tasty, and my favorite was the mac and cheese croquette. Again, it sounds like it would be gross, but it actually was quite good. A definite must try on your next visit to NYC... I wish they'd open one up around here... Read more about the whole Bamn! experience here at their website. You can see more photos on my Flickr page.

New Rex Ray book and mural

I'm such a huge fan of Rex Ray. I remember seeing some of his early pieces at this store called Homework in Los Angeles. I thought his collages were so simple and brilliant and I loved how he used magazine clippings for color and texture. Cut to a few years later and now he's huge and amazing and sold at Jonathan Adler. He has a new book coming out this fall from Chronicle books that you can preorder now at Amazon. It's called Rex Ray Art + Design. I have one of his other books that I bought at the Jonathan Adler store when I was in Chicago, but this one looks like it will be bigger and perhaps have more! I was looking on his website and in the News section that he recently completed this mural painting for the Bank of America headquarters in San Francisco! What gorgeous colors! It totally reminds me of those stunning iconic murals of Mary Blair, for Disnyeland!

cupcake baking cup garland

I always enjoy looking at the window displays at Anthropologie- they always have some great ideas. While in NYC a few weeks ago, I spotted this fun idea- They used different colored paper and foiled cupcake baking cups as garland- Would look great for a party- even as everyday decor if strung in a grouping maybe in a corner with some string lights or something... what do you think?

Jonathan Adler and C. Jeré!

Wow- Jonathan Adler really scored! He was able to get an exclusive partnership with the C. Jeré studio to release 4 amazing classic designs. If you're not aware, C. Jeré stands for Curtis Jeré and their studio churned out tons of these brass sculptures back in the 50's-70's that are now classics and now highly collectible for any mid century modern fan. The funny thing is that "Curtis Jeré" is not a real person. I read about it in a recent issue of Modernism magazine, which I posted about on AT:LA awhile back. (Read more about C. Jeré here. ) Check out the iconic designs here.

Time for Timer!...

and then when you get the late afternoon munchies...

Target College 07 catalog

Target's latest College 07 catalog came in the mail the other day. This year's theme is "Brave new Dorm". Now, it's been a loooooooong time since I was in college, but I always enjoy browsing the college offerings, because generally, it's this time of the year where you can find affordable versions of more trendier furnishings. To be honest, I'm a little disappointed with this one in comparison to last year's awesome offerings. Which, for those that have been following me on this blog know, is weird for me to say, because I'm a huge fan of everything Targé. However, this year's caatalog seems almost like a not-as-good "knock off" from last years. That being said, there still are a few noteworthy things. I'm liking some of the prints on the bedding. Some of the camo pieces could be kinda fun too. There is also this really clever lamp that has multi outlets on it. It reminds me of the lamps I see in hotel rooms, where the outlet is conveniently on the side, so you don't have to search all over for a plug. Plus, it's nice to see a classier looking task lamp than your traditional swing arm or moveable arm one. None of this stuff seems to be up on the website yet for purchase, but I have been seeing it creeping into the stores within the past few days. I'm sure more is coming so stop by your local store to check it out in person. In the meantime, you can explore the mini-site here.

Tara Donovan

I'm surprised I've never mentioned Tara Donovan before, but apparently I haven't. If you are not familiar with her, she does some amazing installation pieces using "mundane" objects. Her installations are large scale and incredibly intricate. She'll create landscapes made out of cups, stacked drinking straws, sculptures with fishing wire, or pencils. You can view a lot of these at the Ace Gallery in NY. A few years ago, I remember seeing this stunning image of hers from mocoloco, of a large cube made of toothpicks.
The latest issue of Surface Magazine (#66) showcases some of her past work and also notes some of her most recent pieces. She did a series of ink drawings and relief prints from rubber bands that form interesting organic patterns. Surface Mag describes them as "organic formations resembling sea grass and anemones." She is quoted as saying "It is not like I’m trying to simulate nature. It’s more of a mimicking of the way of nature, the way things actually grow."

I am in awe of the patience she must have, but I guess it's a good reminder to slow down a bit and appreciate the forms that are right in front of you... More images at the PaceWildernstein Gallery.

Unison home bedding

If you're looking for summer palette inspiration, I'm in love with the latest offerings from Unison home. I think the image above feel so fresh and could translate to any kind of room. I love the combination of the light grey with the hits of forest green and peachy/sherbert-y orange. The light blue and turquoise accents finish it off with just the right punch. I also love how simple and graphic their bedding is with just clean thin stripes. Check out the rest of their line at their website.

Sanna Annukka online Shop!

Ugh. so yesterday's "allergies" have morphed into full blown sickness/cold. ugh. i hate being sick in the summer. it's so lame and a waste of time. sux to be me.
anyways- in happier news- I just got an email announcing the opening of Sanna Annukka's online shop! I mentioned Sanna Annukka last year, she's the one who did those incredible Keane covers. Well, she's now selling limited edition prints and soon, other items including jewelry, textiles, and stationery! I hope she sells some of those mugs and stuff i am seeing on the pictures- they are AMAZING. Check out the prints she has on sale right now at her shop. I am dying over this gold foil one...

Blue Munday: Hot Tamales Ice

Ugh. It's munday and I can't breathe. I woke up with a runny nose that isn't going away. Last night I started sneezing spontaneously and I think it's allergies because my head feels fine and I don't feel sick, just the nose thing. Ugh. I hate it when I feel like this and it's hot outside. Anyone have any good sinus/allergy remedies?

In the meantime, not that this will help anything, but I discovered this new candy over the weekend. I'm sure many of you are familiar with Hot Tamales. Those chewey spicy cinnamon flavored candies that are a movie night staple. Well, they've now come out with Hot Tamales "ICE"- which kind of is an oxymoron I guess. They have the same shape and consistency, but they have an icy cool minty flavor instead. They're actually quite yummy. And they're kinda pretty too- all aqua with light specks of icy frost white-ness... (don't worry, it's not mold!). So for this blue munday, I give you some Hot Tamales Ice!... try some if you see it at the counter.

Kate Spade Book covers

How awesome are these bookcovers (perhaps to conceal that scandously trashy novel you're reading... you know who you are, hehe)- by Kate Spade?! download them for free here (click on "downloads) What are you reading this summer?

table light idea in BluePrint

Happy Thursday! It's such a weird week for me, since today feels like a monday- (since we had July 4th holiday yesterday, and I've been in NY since Saturday) yet it's actually Thursday, which means the weekend is going to start tomorrow! I really should have just taken the rest of this week off, but alas, I have projects and clients to tend to, so... a slave I must be. I hope everyone that did have a holiday yesterday enjoyed it. I saw this great idea in the latest Blueprint magazine for transforming a simple wine glass into a cute table light. So simple but so elegant and fun! I don't know if I'd necessarily need to do put the design graphics on it, I'd probably just opt for it to be plain, but it looks fun nonetheless. Have any of you considered or have done something like this? By the way, in case you missed the very first issue of Blueprint (which came out about this time last year), did you know you can download it? Click here.

Apple Juice bottle birdhouse by Marcel Wanders

I love this Apple Juice Bottle Birdhouse by Marcel Wanders for Droog (via dezeen). I wonder if it couldn't be a fun DIY project...

Blue munday: mundane aesthetic: city blue

Happy munday. Just a little blue from the city...

a quick bite out of a big apple

happy saturday- or well, what's left of it. I find myself tonight in NYC! I guess in retrospect it probably isn't the most ideal time to be travelling across the nation, what with scary fire bombs going off in airports and increased security and all... but alas, the big city calls. I'm only here for a few days, but hoping to soak up lots of visual fun, as the city never fails to provide. If you're an NYC happy mundane-er that happens to catch this, i'm here til tuesday- let me know if there's anything new I should check out- here's the view from my hotel tonight (I'm right by TimesSquare)The one exciting thing so far is that I got to play with one of those new iphones at the big apple store on 5th. oooooh fun! it's really really cool. I even tried calling someone at it worked! anyways- Tomorrow (sunday) i'm hittin' Brooklyn! stay tuned...

Surf Shack Chic

Today on AT:LA I posted the final two designers from the 1.7 Ocean showcase homes. These were my favorites as they embodied the surf/skate/retro so cali lifestyle that makes living here in OC special. Check out the post here. I love the green/seafoam colors both designers used, and all the vintage paintings... great inspiration if you're looking for some summer freshen-up ideas for your place.

Diesel: super holographic cool

ooooooh- special effects!! check out the super cool holographic effects at the Diesel "Liquid Space" fashion show for Spring/Summer 08 (it's kinda long...)

here's the preview for it-

Todd Oldham's door pulls

I LOVE these branch door pulls that Todd Oldham used in his treehouse that Design*Sponge mentioned and House&Garden is featuring on their site. I also love the cool wood veneer design in the background. I betcha you could do something fun like that with contact paper... hm... more ideas....

Decorating with straws

You can always count on Anthropologie for fun display ideas, and this one really seemed perfect for summer. They used simple white and clear bendy drinking straws in lieu of flowers. It looked great paired up with the green/blue tones of the glass and japanese-ish pottery plates. They even connected a few together for height that resembled modern branches. Might need to try something with straws at home... (I think I saw a pack of those straws at IKEA)...