The Lucky Few

A few days ago I became one of the Lucky Few on Facebook. I think this is a pretty cool concept and a great way to get updates on sales and new items. I've always dug the Lucky Brand, not for the jeans, for their bags. This is the Soul Survivor Fold Over purse. It's the perfect balance of simplicity and detail. I think it will be my next splurge.

Please share: 1)social networking groups you like and 2) your future splurges...

Morning Sunshine

I often ride the B or Q train on my Brooklyn into Manhattan morning commute--groggy and in need of a cup of caffeine. Shortly after passing Dekalb Avenue a piece of artwork similar to a enlarged flipbook intrigues me. The array of sequential colors and shapes has a spellbinding rhythm that magically perk me up.

Yesterday while reading one of favorite design sites, The Daily Heller, I learned this history of the work that gives me a little jolt before my cup of coffee.

Check out the Masstransiscope video; it's very cool.

Here's a little bit of background on Bill Brand's Masstransiscope. The work was installed in September of 1980 and has been seen by millions of commuters. It is composed of 228 hand-painted panels that are seen through a series of slits. The piece works on the principle of the Zoetrope, a 19th century optical toy.

What are the public art pieces that have a lingering effect on you? If you have pictures, please share them.

Born Again Vintage

Here are details about an eco-friendly fashion event happening Thursday evening:

Got Green? A Sustainable Style Event
Thursday, January 15th, 2009 from 7pm-10pm at EDGE nyNOHO

Trunk Show featuring J.B. BORN Vintage Fashion and B. Artis Originals Recycled Fashions. Book Signing for the newly launched book BORN AGAIN VINTAGE: 25 Ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent, and Recycle Your Wardrobe from author Bridgett Artise. Bring a gently worn business attire outfit for Dress for Success and get a free gift.

RSVP gotgreen@prnoir.com.

(click to enlarge)

This looks like fun! Let me know if you're thinking of going...

Below the Belt

My mom and I came across this Simplicity pattern while thrift shopping. We stopped and locked eyes -- we both wanted to buy it. Our compromise? I'll trace it and then mail it to her. This way we both win.


I'll be sure to post pictures of the final product. Which view should I make, belt 1 or 2?

It's All About Joy

I love my kichy little neighborhood yoga studio. Yesterday was the beginning of a 6-week series called, Grounding Joy in Stressful Times. The class incorporates meditation and a delightful mix of Kundalini, Hatha and Naam Yoga. As all yogis know, the real practice happens off the mat. So, I am sharing the 28-day “homework assignment” given by my instructor with you.

Daily:

1. List 3 things you are grateful for.
2. Take a few minutes to reflect on your answers to the following questions and write it down:“What one thing could I do today, no matter how small, that would increase my joy?
3. Once a week, do the following 15-minute visioning exercise: Move into a good feeling place and write at the top of your paper: “The is my ideal, joy-filled life.”
   

Pretend a miracle occurred and your ideal, joy-filled life manifested right now before your eyes. Write down every glorious detail of what this life looks like at the highest level, concentrating on the feeling. You have only 15 minutes, so keep your vision big. How is your health? Your relationships? Your home? Your career? List ideas as they stream through your mind. Let your deepest hopes and desires come forth and dream BIG! Act as if this is really happening now, and feel the joy and excitement inside you as write.

-From, “The Joy Study” by Jackie Kelm

I plan to post my responses daily to question number 1; follow me on Twitter to see what brings me joy!

Butcher Apron for a Cookie

A friend of mine just moved into a new house and has no free time for sewing, so she let me borrow several vintage patterns from the 70s, hooray! This one made me pull out my scissors the fastest-- a butcher apron, how cute.
I made views B & C. They are adorable and comfy...I think I created something great! I'll be sure to share photos when I wear them.

Nerdy New Year

Here's my collage of hopes and aspirations for 2009 that I whipped up on New Year's Eve.

(click image to enlarge)

In 2008 everything on the collage that I created manifested in some form. So, before the year gets old, I'd like to suggest that you do some creative visioning of your own. To check out pointers on how to create your own collage and to view my collage from 2008, click here.

Why do creative visioning exercises, like collage making, work? What are some other modes of creative visioning?

Hearing your thoughts makes me happy!

Framed

During my holiday vacation I watched Delicatessen while enjoying a scrumptious vegetarian meal. The film, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, is a surrealist French comedy about the landlord of an apartment building who creates cannibalistic meals for his kooky tenants.

Almost immediately I was struck by the exquisite art direction, each frame was sublime. As a person who likes glasses, I could not help but notice the “frames” worn by a few of the cast members. Check them out:

Kamau Ware, © 2008

As always, if you’ve seen it (which many folks have) I’d love to know your thoughts. If you have not, rent it. What you eat and drink while watching is optional.

New Year's Evolution

A fellow Hip Tranquil Chick sent me this quote. Needless to say, it quickly became my new favorite.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” -Howard Thurman

Two-thousand and eight was about finding what makes me come alive (and acting on it) and 2009 will be about manifesting it deeper. I am curious to know, what ideas have helped you evolve in the last year?

Wishing you a lively 2009!