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While I am sitting here, getting ready to move into my newly-remodeled house, it is easy to forget that there is a downside to the mortgage crisis and the fluctuating housing market. While some of us are able to take advantage of it, there are many who are suffering because of foreclosure and repossession. Putting politics aside, this is still an issue that is affecting every American in one way or another.Gregory Holm and Matthew Radune intend to highlight the crisis with their Ice House Detroit installation. The two artists (the former a photographer, the latter an architect), helped purchase an abandoned home in Detroit (they actually "bought" it by paying back taxes on a different home; read the article) and spent weeks covering it is water from nearby hydrants. The result is a beautiful, glittering, foreclosed home.Holm and Radune brought a little beauty to a run down area of the Motor City, and in the process bring attention to a crisis across the country. Every home can be a palace, and someone lost theirs because of bank mismanagement and poor financial preparedness. Just something to admire and consider this snowy morning...
I know you missed this last week. Let's just be honest... stuff I like dominates your life.
1. Raking Leaves. Autumn is most definitely upon us and with that comes numerous outside chores. Besides cutting grass and pulling weeds (which is how I spent part of one of my precious days off), if you have basically any trees, you need to rake some leaves. A chore? Not at all. Let's talk about something taking you back to your childhood. I don't know about you, but I was a huge fan of raking leaves... and then of course jumping in them. But now that you are grown up, did you know that an hour of raking leaves burns about 300 calories? So get outside, enjoy the sunshine and crisp air, plug in your iPod, and make your yard look lovely. 
2. Office Supplies. OK, I don't know if it's just me, but I missed the lesson on fax machines and multi-line phones. I am hopeless in my office. I think I've finally gotten the hang of the fax machine, but I still can't transfer a call to save my life. Maybe it is a generational thing... I can do everything else better than the other women in my office. But I swear they might fire me if I accidentally hang up on another client. Therefore, I have decided I am a HUGE fan of traditional office supplies. And I showed my love by completely reorganizing the supply closet at work-- without even being asked. I loved it; I got out the label maker and went to town. And now that everything is organized, I can enjoy the magicalness of a brand new Sharpie point or an unblemished binder. It's the simple things in life, really.
3. Ingrid Michaelson. It's not like she has a new CD or anything, but I have just been on a big kick of her music. I saw her live opening for Matt Nathanson last year and she was so down to earth and chill-- awesome. And no, she is not just that girl who is always featured on Grey's Anatomy. My friend Meg inspired the re-listen by suggesting her song "The Chain" for a mix, and I fell in love all over again. If you need something relaxed for work or something, try her quirky melodies... and admire the skill behind singing about having sex like bunnies.
4. The New iMacs. I am a devoted Apple droid. I will admit it, and proudly. As an artist, I just have to believe they are just by far superior to PCs. Yes, they are sometimes more expensive, but I will take that over viruses and crappy operating systems. And now... there is a new generation. With 27" monitors and wireless keyboards and intuitive mouse included, these desktops have immediately found a place in my heart. There is a new MacBook as well, but I am a MacBook Pro kind of girl so I am not as excited. I have been looking at getting a high-powered desktop recently since my MacBook Pro has been suffering from the onslaught of programs I use at one time. Done and done.
5. Gilda's Club. This organization is hands-down one of the best non-profits out there. Named for SNL star Gilda Radner, this place offers a home-like environment for anyone affected by cancer... not just people with cancer. As a child with two parents who have suffered from cancer (my mother is a breast cancer survivor and my father is currently undergoing treatment for colon cancer), I definitely understand the need for somewhere to go for support. As a part of Junior League, we spent yesterday setting up for Noogiefest, a sort of fall festival for the kids who enjoy Gilda's Club. They have many chapters around the United States, so google it and see if you might be able to find a volunteer opportunity. Your time will not be wasted!
1. Business Cards. Confession: my job is not real. OK, that is not true, but my title is basically non-existent and my role undefined. That's OK with me because I am gaining sooo much experience in Interior Design, and one day I will have a real card with a fancy title and embossed letters. Until then, I have decided to invest in my own. I considered putting a title like "freelance designer" or something like that on the cards, but then I decided not to... A. it doesn't sound too professional, and B. what if I don't do that for a long time? Anyway, I guess you could call what I got more like calling cards, but whatever. I chose to get 250 cute cards with my name, email, address, and phone number... oh and my blog! Anyway, now I finally have something to give to the people I meet who give me their cards... and they are super cute without being overly ridiculous. I got them for FIVE DOLLARS at VistaPrint.com and I am obsessed. So if you don't have some from your job, consider it. Can't hurt! (And note: they don't have the annoying company name on the back! Yay!)
2. Strong Boys. I like female equality. I am all for it. Not in the radical feminist way, but whatever. I know how to use tools and I appreciate when a guy cooks. But please tell me what is better than having a strong boy to do your physical labor? My move is going to be upon us soon and you had better believe I will recruit every guy I know with offers of beer and pizza... a fool-proof plan. And some of them may complain or try to duck out (coughRobbycough), but I know their mothers.
3. Pigment Liners. I discover these magical utensils while I studied abroad in Italy and I have been obsessed ever since. For four years, I have recommended nothing else. OK that is a lie. I do like Sharpie pens. But pigment liners give you a smooth crisp line that doesn't bleed and usually doesn't smudge. All good things. I have begun using them for my Interior Design class and couldn't be happier. And I have an amazingly strong revulsion to pencil, so that helps. Seriously. Pencils suck. Bring on the pigment liners please.
4. Files. I like organization. There may be clothes all over my floor, but my files are ALWAYS in order. Most recently, I have been on an organization kick at work. I recently redid every photo binder we have... which is a lot. And there is nothing more satisfying than a bunch of dividers lined up with printed labels and organizational happiness. I love it. I am a dork.
5. Target. OK, we know I love Target. It is amazing. Unfortunately, the Target near my house has been closed for renovations since February, forcing me to visit the Tar-ghetto outside of my normal realm of driving. NOT ANYMORE. Our Target finally reopened this week and I am amazed. I stopped to grab a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte as I walked through the gleaming red doors and wandered the aisles of happiness. One of the moms for whom I babysit said that it was such a surreal experience because everyone was so happy in the store... and she was right. Everyone was just basking in the glory of finally having our favorite retailer back in the neighborhood. And it helps that it is brighter, cleaner, and bigger than ever. Bring on the fun!
1. www.1000awesomethings.com. OK so maybe I am behind and everyone else already knows about this, but I am loving this blog. It is pretty self-explanatory... they list things that are awesome. Common pleasures such as pulling through a parking space so you don't have to back up and getting piggy-back rides are exalted. In addition, there are several hundred entries (they haven't gotten to 1000 yet) and that means hours of entertainment when you are bored and babysitting on a Friday night. I wonder who that could be?
2. Flu Shots. Yes, the oink flu is getting all the press, but the regular flu is still out there hanging around. And as a kid with two immuno-suppressed parents, I basically have no choice but to get stuck with a needle and endure the nausea I get when I think about getting shots. So anyway, for $24.99, arm yourself against the gross week of influenza that will most likely occur during the dreary days of winter. And despite my boo-hooing and almost throwing up on the pharmacist, it really wasn't that bad. 
3. Outdoor Fireplaces. I am obsessed with October. It is one of the only times I seriously love being outside. It is colorful and amazing. And it is starting to get cold. Thus, I heart outdoor fireplaces. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to build one right now, but one of my friends has one and I am obsessed. There is nothing more awesome than curling up in front of a warm, contained fire, while enjoying the brisk October air and the sound of the crickets that are all over my house.
4. You Don't Know Jacques. I am not sure how many of my readers are female versus male, but ladies, this OPI nail color is the best thing to ever happen to my hands. Ever since my friend Meg introduced me to the idea of gray nail polish almost a year ago, I have been searching for the perfect shade. Released this past July, You Don't Know Jacques is a neutral without being boring and trendy without being black. I tried to switch to red, and it just didn't do it for me anymore. Go gray.
5. Color Twinkle Lights. Some people call them tacky, I call them retro and awesome. I fully intend to string some on my patio when I finally move in. I will bask in their complimenting glow and enjoy every minute of it.
A long week sans posts... I need to get my act together.
1. Sunshine. Welcome to something I don't actively miss until it is gone. This whole week has been rainy and gross. Walking ten minutes to class with my paper portfolio is also not ideal. Additionally, my normally relatively tame hair has reached epic proportions on the frizz scale... after washing with straightening shampoo, using a straightening spray, and even adding a straightening finishing cream after using a straightening iron, I came home from a day of work with perfect ringlets under a fine layer of frizz. Not the look I was going for.
2. Wallpaper. OK, so upfront, the major drawback is expense. But pick a smaller room or choose an accent wall and DO IT. Wallpapers coming out right now are amazing. Go big or go home. I am considering doing my smaller downstairs bathroom in a fun BIG print... perhaps with some metallic accents? Whatever you do, have fun... wallpaper can easily send your room in a decidedly geometric or organic direction. For the record, I would choose a more organic prints for bathrooms or small rooms, and bold geometric prints for accent walls and larger rooms. Also, do not put wallpaper in a bathroom without a vent. Steam = death for wallpaper. I will record my adventures with applying wallpaper when the time comes (luckily, they often come with a sticky back now so that you don't have to worry about messy paste).
3. Fall TV. I am a huge dork, but fall TV makes me happy. After a summer of enduring the Hoff on America's Got Talent, I can't resist rejoining the stories of my favorite characters... Jim, Pam, Meredith, Issie, Heidi, Tim, Lynette, Bree, and even the new kids on Glee. Thank God for DVR though, or I would have a crisis every Thursday night. Sigh... at least I resigned to my dweebyness.
4. Higher education post-degree. As some of you know, I am currently taking a drafting class at the University of Louisville. I already have my BA in Art from Furman University, but in the course of working at the interior design firm, I realized I need some more technical skills. Not sure if I am going to continue to try and get my Master's or even a BFA, but for now, I am loving taking one class in a discipline I love. No pressure for grades, and best of all, because it is such a specific class, I am actually applying what I am learning in my everyday life. Yesterday, I drafted out the top floor of my house and played with renovation options... amazing. If you need to learn a new skill, give it a try. I am loving reliving my glory days as a stereotype. Much better than the cliche I am now.
5. Decluttering. I have glorified this in a past post, but I am loving it right now. Most recently, I have applied this to my time at work... we have so much stuff that it is ridiculous. Broken candle even I can't salvage? Toss. A million tiny picture hooks? Put in a labeled box and put away. Supply shelves? Tidied and cleaned. Workspace? Five paper trays found hidden on the messy supply shelves, labeled, and put to use. Additionally, to
morrow night I plan on cleaning out the garage at my new house. The previous owners left some things that I either want to save or throw away... and then I might even get a little crazy and paint the inside with some Kilz to keep it nice and clean. Boo-yah.I will be a better blogger... I promise.
Right now I am exhausted and all I really like is my bed, but alas... the blog beckons. Oh, and work does too. Remind me to stop working on Saturdays when I am an established rock star.
1. Art in the Highlands. The end of summer and beginning of fall is the ideal awesome time for art fairs, no matter where you are. Louisville has several, most notably the St. James Art Fair. However, this weekend I am checking out a new addition to the scene, Art in the Highlands, put on by Louisville Collegiate School. The show includes an excellent representation of local Kentuckiana artists without falling too far into the trap of exclusive jewelry and fiber arts. Additionally, it is a juried show, which means you won't have booths of bored empty-nesters peddling their handmade scarves and beanies full of dropped stitches and made from yarn procured at the local Wal-Mart. The show runs today and tomorrow at Louisville Collegiate School, 2427 Glenmary Avenue. If you are not local to Kentucky, google juried fairs in your area and check them out--support local art!
2. Louisville Stoneware. I swear this is not a Kentucky-centric edition of Stuff I Like This Week. Louisville Stoneware has been around forever (since 1815) and is a point of pride for many Louisvillians. These ceramics are sturdy, durable, and meant to be used. The company has recently begun making efforts to expand the awesomeness outside of Kentucky; I can't wait for the world to know about it. You can shop online for one-of-a-kind pieces. Instead of applying decals like most "pottery" stores, Louisville Stoneware employs artists who hand paint every piece, ensuring that your dinner plate is unlike anyone else's. I don't think you can buy them online, but the artists will also make custom pieces with your name or monogram (these make for great gifts as well). I know my dog Chip loves her personalized Louisville Stoneware food and water bowls... who wouldn't?
3. Imeem.com. OK, so giving credit where credit is due... my friend Molly intorduced me to this awesomeness. I used to be addicted to Pandora. Love it. Who doesn't? Sitting at work, bored out of your mind... no iTunes to keep you entertained, your iPod battery rapidly being depleted... what shall you do? You used to type in www.pandora.com to stream "radio," now you go to IMEEM. It is the same idea as Pandora (streaming music from the web when you don't have access to your own tunes), but this is so. much. better. Whereas with Pandora you entered one artist you like and the site automatically generates a playlist which you cannot control save for pausing and skipping songs, Imeem allows you to create your own playlist for no charge. Virtually any song you can think of, you can listen to... and on repeat if you so desire. They also have music videos, though it is a little harder to justify watching those at work. While I was a huge fan of Joshua Radin radio on Pandora, I am an even bigger fan of being able to switch from Joshua Radin to Taylor Swift to Brand New to Badly Drawn Boy to Jay-Z and back again. Check it out next time you are at work and enjoy free music from your computer... and annoy your coworkers by listening to Miley on repeat.
4. Damask Prints. So in preparing to write about how much I love damask, I found out it was really a misnomer. Damask is actually the type of fabric that used to be woven in a reversible pattern, not the actual pattern we imagine when we hear the word today. Either way, I am becoming a tiny bit obsessed with the pattern right now. We are seeing it in everything that is coming into the store... wallpapers, fabrics, dinnerware, you name it. The print is classic and fun and let's be honest... will most likely end up somewhere in my new home. Try integrating it into some part of your life, whether it be in decor, fashion, or accessories. You won't regret it.
5. Baby Jam. I love The Office. I love Jim. I love Pam. I love the idea of Jim and Pam procreating. Done and done. (PS rumor has it that Jim and Pam will have their wedding as early as the fourth episode... I might die. I am also having a crisis considering Thursday nights will soon include The Office, Project Runway, AND Grey's Anatomy. Someone get me a life ASAP.)
I know you missed me last week and are probably chomping at the bit for five more things that are awesome. I know I am. So here is a list of a few more things I am obsessed with this week (besides corks).
1. Design Clubs. Get on google and find one immediately in your area. In these tough economic times, interior design businesses are suffering because no one wants to pay thousands or dollars and commission to redesign her home. These clubs allow individuals access to the resources of designers (products such as carpet, paint colors, and furniture) for a fraction of the cost. You pay a small set of dues and lose out on designer advice, but if you know exactly what you want, you are set. I know my company offers one and they may be somewhat exclusive, but if you know of an office near you, it can't hurt to call and inquire. Done and done.
2. South Carolina Politicians. I am not a huge fan of politics... yet another subject in which I feign interest in order to please the gentlemen. But I can't help to swell with pride and comment on the recent awesomeness of the politicians of South Carolina (my former home state, if we do so remember). Whether they are hiking the Argentinian Trail or interrupting our president with some ill-timed insult, they are really making the Palmetto state shine. Thanks, boys.
3. Pottery Barn's Pressick Lanterns. I have been trying to determine what I want to do with my outdoor space at my new house, and no matter what, I know I want it to have a fun and somewhat Bohemian vibe. Enter the Pressick Lanterns. On sale, no less. There are only a few colors left, so grab them while you still can. Hang on a patio or leave sitting on tables. Either way, these fun and colorful lanterns will brighten up any space and bring you lots of joy in the waning days of summer and into the autumn. Mix them up with some large bulb retro white lights and enjoy the ambiance.
4. Target Summer Clearance. Everything must go! OK, not really, but they are practically giving away some items, especially in home furnishings and decor. Rock the sale. I picked up some bathroom accessories in addition to a few outfits the other day and I am loving them. Something about getting an excellent deal just makes an item so much more appealing. See what you can find before everything is gone!
5. Tuesday. Why? Because THAT is the day I close on my house! I don't get possession until Sunday, but who cares? It will be mine! I can fill out change of address cards and start the whole renovation process and get excited for finally being on my own. Usually, Tuesdays are not my favorite, but this one is going to be AWESOME.
Although I have been super busy the past few days with my house and everything else going on, there are a few things that have been helping me get through. Enjoy!
1. Patio Furniture Sales. The end of summer marks the end of grilling out and relaxing on the porch with a glass of sangria. Oh but wait, not really. We still have all of September and most of October to enjoy some beautiful outdoor weather (though you might have to trade your margarita for a glass of cider). But shh... don't tell retailers. They are currently pushing all outdoor furniture by discounting it heavily. Target is practically giving things away and even Pottery Barn is drastically reducing their prices on outdoor furniture. While PB is still a little pricey for me (I am borderline house poor, let's be honest), Target has always impressed me with their reasonable quality for an even more reasonable price, so if you are in the market for some outdoor furniture, check it out. I am personally looking for my reclaimed-brick patio... can you tell I'm excited much?
2. Melatonin. A special shout out to my friend Elizabeth for this suggestion. After hearing me bitch about my chronic insomnia, she suggested I try this natural supplement to help me get to sleep. I am only using it like one night a week (when I know I can be lazy the next day... I am always scared stuff like this will make me too groggy to function), but it is a miracle. Melatonin is the hormone that your body releases when it is time to sleep... something to do with your circadian rhythm and all that jazz. It seems safe enough used in moderation and I am enjoying it as such. Blah blah blah talk to your doctor before you use it blah blah blah. But try the magicalness.
3. Richard Misrach, On the Beach. A few weeks ago, when I was in Atlanta on business, I took an afternoon to visit the High Museum. After regaining appreciation for Monet's Water Lilies (there is a reason he is so widely beloved), I stopped by the other visiting exhibition... and was blown away. Richard Misrach's series On the Beach features large format photographs taken from his high-rise condo in Hawaii. Though the subject is tropical, the photographs have definite melancholy undertones... Misrach eliminated the shoreline in most of them, which removes any point of reference for the viewer. People seem to be floating alone in an endless ocean or lying entwined with a lover on a deserted beach. Beautifully sad and amazing at the same time. Grab an image from google and make it your computer background. And then have your sister make fun of your having two people making out on your desktop.
4. External Hard Drives. These magical devices are somewhat expensive, but totally worth it. As a photographer, I needed somewhere to back up all my digital images. I have found even more use for it now that so many important documents are kept on the computer. Everything for my loan and my home is now backed up to be saved forever. Amazing. If you don't have one, get one. They hold more information than a flash drive, and please imagine if you one day lost all your pictures and music. Devastating, right? Nope. Suck it up. Do it. Now. Right now.
5. Grosgrain Ribbon. This stuff is everywhere right now, and on sale. Besides being ridiculously cute, I keep finding cheap and easy crafts that utilize it. I will eventually post some of them on here, but for now, mosey on down to Michael's (not Hobby Lobby because I am boycotting them right now) and pick some up. Seriously. I am going to teach you how to make an adorable cup and maybe even a pillow if you are lucky. Rock on, ribbon.And there you have it... stuff I like this week. Now I am off to make myself cross eyed at work with spreadsheets... be jealous!
While sitting here at work on a rainy Saturday, I decided to start sharing a list of things I like this week. I am a big fan of the following items, and I think you should be too!
1. Dick Blick Art Materials. I giggle at the name every single time without fail, but this retailer is well-loved by all art students. While it can be a pain to pay for shipping sometimes, Dick Blick is the most comprehensive online art supply retailer that I know. When I set off this week to find enamel paint, Dick Blick came through for me with a large selection of colors and styles despite the obscurity of the item. Additionally, they were able to take 15% off the list price... just because they are awesome. So next time you are looking for some art supplies and can wait a few days to receive them, try Dick Blick... you won't be sorry!
2. Arnold Select Multi-Grain Sandwich Thins. Like most people these days, I pack my lunch before I go to work so that I can save a few pennies. After about two days of that, I got sick of sandwiches. Not anymore! These delicious sandwich thins are multi-grain, but not completely saturated in whole oats. They are also the perfect sandwich size. Since getting them, I have tried them in numerous roles-- including just as bread for a good ol' classic turkey sandwich. They are also great to toast and cut up for dipping in hummus or with a black bean cake. Basically, for 100 calories a pair (as opposed to 120 calories per piece of yucky bland overly processed white bread), these sandwich thins are the bomb diggity. Yup, I said it.
3. Sharpie Pens. Really, I promise: they do not bleed through paper. I am addicted to Sharpies (call Betty Ford!), but fortunately not in that I like to sniff them. At any given time, you can ask and I most likely have a Sharpie on my person. I don't know what it is... something about the combination of felt tip construction, permanence, and the challenge of not getting a little bulb at the end of every line gets me every time. However, I hate having to waste paper when it bleeds through on the next page. So, ta-da! Sharpie pens that do not bleed through paper. Perfect for someone starting school in a few days.
4. Julia Child. I feel like she is everyone's favorite person right now following the release of Julie and Julia, and I'll admit that the movie motivated me to read the book. After slugging through My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell (remind me that blogs are blogs for a reason and not to try to publish the drivel I post here), I found myself wanting to know more about Julia Child (Julie Powell was OK too, I guess, but she wouldn't be anything without Julia). I turned to her memoir, My Life in France, and found a charming recollection of life abroad as lived by two amazing individuals lucky enough to be madly yet comfortably in love. While the time line was a bit confusing at times, the book itself was adorable, inspiring, and a new favorite. Julia had an amazing life that she lived by following her own beat and even if you are not a chef, you can learn something from the story of her life. Off to debone a duck now...
5. The Kentucky State Fair. For ten days in August, the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center is taken over and people flock to Louisville from all over the state to experience the Kentucky State Fair... a marvelous experience in culinary wonders (mmm fried Snickers bars!), agricultural phenomena, and sketchy-looking carnival rides. Yes please! OK so actually, the fair is not my favorite thing, but the flea market at the fair? BINGO! Admittedly, a lot of the stuff there is junk, but you never know what you might find that is super cheap and ready to be transformed into something wonderful for your home. I know that not everyone lives in Kentucky, but your state fair is probably coming up soon, so make sure to check it out!So there's the first installment of "Stuff I Like This Week." Hopefully, I'll like enough stuff to keep this going past today...
While I am sitting here, getting ready to move into my newly-remodeled house, it is easy to forget that there is a downside to the mortgage crisis and the fluctuating housing market. While some of us are able to take advantage of it, there are many who are suffering because of foreclosure and repossession. Putting politics aside, this is still an issue that is affecting every American in one way or another.
