Pretty as a Picture

So remember when I introduced you to Gretchen from Chichiboulie?
Well, finally, here is the painting she's done for me - isn't it darling? I had it done for my brother and sister in law when their second baby boy was born. I wanted something mischievous and really boyish - I fell in love with the idea of an old fashioned motorbike and sidecar in bright cherry red. Gretchen was totally amazing and really brought my ideas to life.

Thanks Gretchen for an fantastic job!

Check out all of Gretchen's stuff here.

Cool Right?

How genius are these? Water & tear resistant.

I want one of each.

You can get them here.

If I Didn't Love Loker Yet... This Just Sealed The Deal

This Song Makes Me Want To Start A Revolution

A Word From Simon

I read this letter a few week ago that Simon (does he need a last name?)writes to his younger self on for his 50th birthday. He doesn't say anything too mind blowing (sorry Simon) just the usual don't spend more than you have, trust your instincts, take responsibility...
The part that I liked best is the realization that Simon doesn't become the-Simon-that-doesn't-need-a-last-name until he is over 40 years old. For me, that was especially eye opening because so often I get frustrated at myself because I am not where I want to be in my career, tra la la. It was nice to see that Simon felt the same way, but kept at it until one day, after years of hard work he freaking made beyond his wildest dreams. SOOOO the biggest lesson I've learned from Simon's letter is BE PATIENT. Read the letter, it's interestingly weird.

Shed A Little Light

You can always count on Anthropologie to have some achingly beautiful pieces. Love these (and oh, to be able to afford them)!

This Video Didn't Show Up In My Last Post, And I'm Too Lazy To Figure Out Why

EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.

My Newest Blogger Hero

Meet my pretend friend David Friedman. (He is a real person, just the friend part is pretend.):

He takes uber-cool and often weird pictures

like this:

And this:

He also write a blog where he ponders the complexities of life, such as what if our fingers bent the other way, or the possibilities of a bulb-dial clock.

Sometimes, he even puts up little games for us, like: 

So you think you can tell Arial from Helvetica?

(You have to pick the original logo from the one he replaced the font with Arial) Like this:

He also introduces us to way way cool videos:

EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.

Why haven't I seen this before? These guys are totally directing my first TV ad. In short, David Friedmana, is one fab find (Via HowAboutOrgange) 

Do yourself a favor and check him out. 

Looook What Came In The Mail Today!!!!

Yesssss!!!!!
Off to get smart!

Unexpected Delights

Sometimes you stumble over a film that is so unexpectedly delicious that you just want to slow it down so you can enjoy it just a little bit longer. Here are some of my favorite little gems:

Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School
In a line: Frankie honors a dying stranger's request to keep a date made 40 years ago at the Ballroom Dance Class and finds himself finally finds solace from his wife's death
You'll Like It Because: It's touching and sweet with just the right amount of "swing".

An Ideal Husband
In a line: Based on the play by Oscar Wilde about one reputable couple being blackmailed about past mistakes.
You'll like it because: The wordplay is outstanding, comic timing is perfection, and Minnie Driver and Rupert Everett have the most amazing chemistry.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
In a line: Miss Pettigrew, the dowdy down on her luck nanny, hooks up with Delyesia Lafosse, an American film star, for a day of adventure, learning, and whirlwind romance.
You'll like it because: The costumes and set of the 1930s are impeccably gorgeous and Amy Adams and Frances McDormand enchantingly play off each other.

The Tomato Song: This guy does NOT like tomatoes. By Bryant Oden

Sooooooooooo I don't like tomatoes. And the funny thing is that people who don't like tomatoes, REALLY don't like tomatoes.... like enough to write a song about it.

Nice Vid

I'm still a believer in the separation of Church of State, but this video is nice despite the point it is trying to make.

Giambattista Valli - Man (or WOman) After My Own Heart (what does that mean anyway?)

My latest dress crush, found on Gilt, designed by someone whose name I cannot even pronounce let alone spell. But I think it is fairy-tail beautiful. 

Ready To Have Your Mind Blown?

Have you seen the un-freaking-believable work of the 

Erik Johansson? No? What the hell are you waiting for? RUN to his site. How amazing would it be to work with someone that talented? Erik Johansson, I've got my eye on you! 

Spotted on HowAboutOrange.

Maddie's Pin Diplomacy

I loved this photo gallery taken from Madeline Albright's new book:

 Read My Pins - Stories from a Diplomat's Jewel Box I 

found on the

Daily Beast.

For me, Madeline has always been the epitome of strength and success so I loved seeing this softer, more whimsical side of her. It once again proved that feminine and powerful are not contradicting terms. Here are some of my favorite pins and how she describes them:

“Naturally, not every diplomatic encounter demands a sunny attitude. If I wanted to deliver a sharp message, I often wore a bee. Muhammad Ali used to boast that he would ‘float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’; my message was that America would try to resolve every controversy peacefully, but if pushed into a corner, we had both the will and a way to strike back.

High Heeled Shoe, Designer unknown (USA), circa 2002

“On my 65th birthday, Elaine Shocas, my State Department chief of staff, gave me 65 pins, each costing less than $3. One of the gifts was in the shape of a high-heeled shoe. This was in commemoration of a comment I made when I was designated by Bill Clinton as the successor to Secretary of Sta

te Warren Christopher: ‘I only hope my heels can fill his shoes.’”

Lion, Kenneth Jay Lane (USA), 1968

“While in government, I thought first when selecting a pin about the utility it might have in diplomacy. This is because some figures are laden with meaning. The lion, for example, has been linked to power and the sun since the days of ancient Greece.”

Isn't her amazing? Wouldn't this be a great book to have on your coffee table?

Point and Shoot

Since I've spent my next 2 months paychecks in the past two weeks, it seems I won't be making any purchases until I've paid by credit card bills off, but that hasn't stopped me from window shopping online.

I haven't bought any gadgets in a while and I think this is what I want next:

It's a 12 megapixel Sony Cybershot DSC-T900 recommended by fashion photog Nigel Barker on the Buzz Board of the Daily Beast. I wanted a digital camera since my lil sis broke my last one 4 years ago but never got around to buying one. 

This looks like a nifty little piece that I can tote around with me and still get great shots. 

(Psst: I take gifts anytime, don't bother waiting for my birthday.)

P.S. The flowers on my coffee table smell like tomatoes for some reason, and I hate tomatoes. 

Real World Econ

Anyone who had spoken to me recently knows that I'm pretty obsessed with the study of economics - partly because I have this kick ass professor and partly because I love understanding how things work, specially things as relevant as econ. 

Anyway, this interview with Tim Hartford, otherwise known as The Undercover Economist, made me laugh. 

Via the NY Time Freakonomics Blog

Q.

My wife and I started dating when we were 18 and were still young when we made the decision to get married. We’re in our young 30’s now. I told my wife that she should feel happy by how fondly I view her, as deciding to get married at a young age means that my opportunity cost of getting married was high, as I had a lot of years ahead of me. She said that’s the second most unromantic thing that I’ve ever said to her. Any suggestions on how I can reword this specific attempt of flattering her? — John

A.

I would recommend introducing your wife to the theory of real option valuation. Point out that the option to marry her was likely to remain open for many years after you originally met. By exercising the option so early, you showed your bride that the net present value of your relationship was large and positive and your uncertainty about the decision was very low. (Translation: your love burned with a strong and constant flame. But why would she need the translation?)

Read more, here. 

Bibi, Man of the Hour

I try not to get political here, but this video was too good to resist. He just makes sense, he's not saying he's not willing to negotiate, just that he's not willing to bring the lives of 250,000 people to a halt without some kind of concession from the other side as well. Bibi made me proud. 

Hey, They've Got Great Genes

Remember my niece Sara? Here's a spectacular photo taken by the fab Rachel Fellig. And meet her little bro (any my nephew) Mendel. Isn't he edible?

Google Fast Flip

I'm a huge fan of all things Google - my latest obsession: 

The Fast Flip, a news aggregator in an easy to read "flipable" format, that lets you flip the pages like a magazine. It gathers the headlining stories of most major new outlets including the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Business Week, etc. (and some less scholarly publications like Elle and Cosmo.) You can also flip by topic, such as "business" or "sports". 

I rate: Way, way, cool.