Graffiti is Cute

I'm hoping I'll come across some of Banksy's graffiti while in Paris. I've looked for specific locations online, and all I can come up with is his Paris Hilton stunt-- which is hilarious, by the way. Does anyone know of any Paris, France Banksy art?? The pictures above are some of my favorites, click for enlargements.

Agree to Disagree

So Bennigan's is closing today. A loss for the economy, not so much for the palate, you know? I, like many of my peers, always hated those shitty restaurants with random crap on the wall that desperately tried to make it look "unique" and "crazy." Turns out there's actually a name for those restaurants and they're supposedly THE place to see and be seen! Direct from Wikipedia I give you the FERN BAR....

Fern bar is a slang term for an upscale or preppy (yuppie) bar or tavern usually decorated with ferns or other "fussy" plants, as well as such decor as fake Tiffany lamps. The phrase came into common use in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Typical drinks served included wine spritzers or pina coladas. Franchises sometimes labeled "fern bars" include T.G.I. Friday's, Bennigan's, Houlihan's.

Fern bars were a gathering place for well-dressed "upscale" young men and women, pejoratively felt to be more interested in seeing each other and being seen than in simply drinking and talking, as might be expected in a "bar-bar" (i.e. a local dive or watering hole, etc.).

Iranaian Typography

These are pretty...can anyone translate?
More at PingMag

Overheard

"If you're going to walk around in heels, you should get them in your size. You'll break an ankle."

A 30-something woman lending advice to an 8-year-old boy at Neiman Marcus.

P.S. yes, that's Leslie Cochran, former Austin mayorial candidate.

Thrifty

Just about every fashion magazine finds some way to incorporate vintage, thrift store finds into their pages. I've never been one to hit the jackpot during a thrift adventure, I usually find myself leaving, rushing to the nearest bathroom to rid my hands of the gross feeling I get after sifting through endless color-coded racks.

Yesterday, I hit Goodwill with a few silhouettes in mind, inspired by photographs from Sartorialist, a fabulous fashion blog by Scott Schuman and former Bergdorf Goodman fashion director. I was mostly looking for big silk shirts (like the one above) that could be paired with pencil skirts or skinny jeans and I was pleased to find out that women's work shirts from the 80's hit the spot. Also found some loafers... and I pixelated my face. Thanks.

Sunset Sky

Last night's pre-hurricaine Dolly skies. Pretty Pretty.

Self-Portraits

Yesterday I walked a good mile or two around Downtown Houston making deliveries for work. Fortunately it was windy, allowing any my sweat to serve it's function and cool me off. I took a bunch of pictures of my reflections (with phone) and these are the best ones.

Every Day Matters: Draw a Bag or Purse

Here's an illustration of my purse. I like the way it turned out. Halfway through it was looking really stupid but I managed to turn it into something cheery and ironic. Sorry for the poor picture quality.

What is Every day Matters?

Nephew. Version: Baby

My nephew is developing quite the personality. I could just watch him terror around all day long and of course return him to his parents at the end of the day.

Man's Best Friend, Sidecar Rider

I saw this man with his four-legged pal a few weeks ago while I was on a walk. At the time I didn't have a camera, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to pull up behind them last weekend.

Habitat 67

I just love this...
Habitat 67 is a housing complex and landmark located on the Marc-Drouin Quay on the Saint Lawrence River at 2600, Pierre Dupuy Avenue in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Its design was created by architect Moshe Safdie based on his master's thesis at McGill University

Every Day Matters: Draw a Lamp

I don't know where the spiders came from? This is sick, but I think I got bit by a spider during my sleep a few nights ago. So how about that sleepover at my place? I'll provide the tunes!

What is Every Day Matters?

Charles & Ray Eames Stamps

© 2007 USPS. All Rights Reserved.

The USPS issued these stamps recently, love it. Possibly the closest thing I'll own to an Eames product:)

What Advertising Should Be..

These are all images from various Kate Spade advertising campaigns. There's always a fun, whimiscial theme and liberal use of color that manages to hit a chord of nostalgia for memories I don't even have.

Every Day Matters: Draw Your Shoes

My drawing.
And just for fun, the shoes:


What is Every Day Matters?

It's Official! Paris.

A couple days ago I bought a plane ticket to Paris. It was such a liberating feeling to purchase this with my own money and know that this experience will enrich my life. I know it sounds cheesy, but there really isn't any other way to describe it without sounding like a complete lame-o. I've never been overseas and I am beyond excited.

Jon and I are going to visit his former foreign exchange student and friend, Arthur, who just visited him/us earlier this Summer (pictures from his departure here). The trip is less than two months away and I cannot wait to experience the food, people, art, and architecture, all the things that make it the number one destination in the world.

For my birthday, Jon's parents got me the Moleskine Paris City Notebook, which I've already started jotting down places to I hope to visit. I can tell this baby will come in handy with all the maps and blank pages to write down the food, people and places I will encounter. It looks like it will last me a few trips across the pond. Does anyone have any suggestions beyond the usual tourist attractions?

Every Day Matters

Some pretty ladies in color. Lately, I'm only drawing super girly things.. just keeping it pretty.

I was feeling pretty uninspired, so I was looking for a list of things to draw. I found this group called Every Day Matters, and everyone in the group draws the same thing for a year or something? The "challenge" happened last year, but it's a nice long list and I'm going to start doing it. Join me? I'll start tagging them "Every Day Matters."

Baby Panda for Cutenessness

Couldn't help myself. Baby Red Pandas. Have a greeaattttt day.

Deep Sea Slumbler

Please discuss how awesome these pillowcases are. I never thought I would find such nautical treats at the house of Howard Edward Butt (HEB). It's not the grown-up-woman look I've been going for, but I suppose it confirms my suspicians I am turning into an 8-year-old boy.

Salty Sweet Fries

If there's one thing I ask of you, it is that you go to the store, buy a sweet potato, chop it up and fry it in a pan with some olive oil, brown sugar and salt until it looks right. You will never go back to plain fries ever again.

Jon and I made some last weekend with no direction what-so-ever and it was easier than boiling water. And much more delicious!

P.S.
According to nutritionists at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the single most important dietary change for most people, including children, would be to replace fatty foods with foods rich in complex carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes.

CSPI ranked the sweet potato number one in nutrition of all vegetables. With a score of 184, the sweet potato outscored the next highest vegetable by more than 100 points. Points were given for content of dietary fiber, naturally occurring sugars and complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. Points were deducted for fat content (especially saturated fat), sodium, cholesterol, added refined sugars and caffeine. The higher the score, the more nutritious the food.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!I'm headed to the hill country:) Everyone be safe while, wear sunscreen,eat lots and light fireworks!

Also, Happy 23rd birthday to the fircracker that is Ashley. Ironicly, she's down in Costa Rica.. Live it up!

Red, White and Blue

In the spirit of the holiday and general office boredom, I put together this patriotic outfit on Polyvore.com. I don't think I'll get enough of gladiators short and a white tee this summer. I personally am not much for accessories, but I had to beef it up a bit for my dear, dear readers. I cannot tell you how many emails (zero) I recieve begging me to beef up my life with accessories. It's absolutely maddening.

Items are:
perfect-fit tee jcrew.com $19.50
Superfine Minty shorts net-a-porter.com $235
Miu Miu Leather gladiators net-a-porter.com $450
AE Nautical Bikini ae.com $54
nautical bangle bananarepublic.com $39

hot melon treat?

I'm hoping I get to taste some delicious watermelon this 4th-of-July weekend. For anyone who's going to be grilling and wants to mix up the usual, here's an easy recipe for Grilled Honey Watermelon.

Several slices watermelon
Some honey for brushing watermelon slices

juice of 2 limes
the zest of half a lime
3 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons water
a few dashes of cayenne pepper
a couple of pinches of salt

Preheat grill to high. Cut watermelon into 1-inch thick slices. Brush each side lightly with some honey and place on grill. Grill until just browned, about 2 minutes per side. Place watermelon slices on a plate and drizzle with the honey-lime syrup.

Felix and The Hunnies

Another something from my Moleskine. It's a picture of my rabbit, Felix, being admired by some shy ladies.

Summer Sweets for your Desktop

Happy July 1st. Treat yourself to a fabulous desktop graphic from Smashing Magazine. Every month, a few designers submit some really awesome desktop calendars.

I couldn't resist this sweet little girl taking a break from her V-Dub-driving-job and cooling off with some ice cream while sharing some music on her iPod with her BEAR-y best friend. I think I over punned myself. I would bet they're listening to Lollipop by Lil Wayne because it's the summer jam.

But seriously, is that not an adorable scenario? If too you're hardcore for it, there's less girly options that still nod to summer. Click Here.