Dynamic

Howies always makes me think.

Muji

On my to do list for my Saturday with designer friends in NYC is to go to the new Muji store that just opened. It appears to be an ikea/container store with emphasis on clean functional design. I just read this article in the NY times about the opening in which a couple who is being interviewed states that they are selling all of their possessions on e-bay until they only have the things they use on a daily basis. I like the idea of minimalism, but the creative lifestyle is kind of inherently filled with inspiration...better known as clutter.

I also love how the article calls Ikea a "gateway drug" for good design.

And you know how I love a good manifesto.

Because there is complexity in purity.

Elegance in plainness.

Intricacy in streamlining.

Richness in reduction.

Depth in minimalism.

Surprise in uniformity.

Innovation in re-use.

Cool in the avoidance of cool.

And there is true
sophistication in simplicity.

Talented Friends

One of my college graphic friends, Nikki, is a designer for the window displays for the flagship Anthropologie store in rockafeller center. She periodically e-mails sweet photo updates of her work. The windows are absolutely gorgeous! They make me want cocoa.

PLEASE look at her slideshow!

Wishlist

Adding to your amazon wishlist is one of life's greatest simple pleasures.
Here's mine.

I also just bought this book at the Urban Sample sale called Listography: Your Life in Lists.


you get to compile all of your favorite things in lists in this book. Super cool.

How to be an Artist

I would love to check out this little zine about what it takes to be an artist.

Apparently being an artist has something to do with getting no sleep and fleetwoodmac. I have to tell you that I am intrigued.

Christmas list!

You only have to look through previous posts to figure out what I want for Christmas. So I figured I'd give a list of resources to find the coolest most thoughtful gift ever.

1. Ebay
I could only hope to receive a lot of vintage polaroid cameras.
2. Etsy
Just search for screenprints and you'll get a host of beautiful posters, gifts, clothes etc.
3. Amazon
Magazine subscriptions are the coolest.
4. Kiva
Make a loan to a small business owner in someone special's name.
5. Tastespotting
Find the perfect recipe for some Eggnog latte cupcakes that you can give to you coworkers.

What do you want for Christmas?

Ben the Dinosaur

Ben texted me a joke today at work, and it was so good I had to share.
-Be warned I love cheesey jokes-

What's black and white and black and white and green?
.
.
.
.
A penguin and a skunk fighting over a pickle.
HAHAHA

Where I work

Philadelphia magazine had an article this week with the best places to work in Philly. They had a nice spread on Urban. The image shows our coffee bar and newstand. It's pretty much amazing.

Click the photo below to see the larger image.

Guitar Hero

Joel and I rocking out. I think this photo says it all.

Non Planner Datebook

Have I blogged about this yet? It's a planner for the creative unorganized types...right people like me. It has fun creative exercises and kind of embraces the fact that you will never be organized.

Rob Ryan's Cut Paper

This man is brilliant.

Good Reading

An article on Sufjan's BQE project
"It’s not easy being 2007’s wacko cultural wonder boy."
Courtesy of Joel.

David Sedaris's favorite books.

Philly is Ugly

According to Travel and Leisure Magazine:

Philadelphia is home to the least attractive people in the United States, a survey of visitors and residents showed on Friday.

The city of more than 1.5 million people was also found to be among the least stylish, least active, least friendly and least worldly, according to the "America's Favorite Cities" survey by Travel & Leisure magazine and CNN Headline News.

This makes me happy to still be living in Wilmington...it also ups your chances of being the cutest girl in the room when you go out. Pretty much hilarious.

Nickel Creek

I saw Nickel Creek perform last night at The Delaware Opera House with some friends. They put on a phenomonal show. They are to bluegrass what Iron and Wine is to folk. Chris Thile plays a mean mandolin.

How I feel today

I found this on Rachel's Blog and decided to post it in honor of another rainy day.

The Best American Non-Required Reading

I'm loving this book of the best American short stories of 2007 (edited by Dave Eggers from McSweeney's). I picked it up because the cover looked interesting, and then when it said "Intro by Sufjan Stevens" I was sold.


The intro starts out like this:

"There are some things you tell no one, secrets packed and folded away in the far reaches of your mind - admissions of mouth herpes, for example, or athlete's foot, or a night spent in jail for drunk driving. These irreversible facts, like birth certificates and blood donor cards, we keep under cover in the fireproof safe-deposite box hidden in the closet, under the Ouija board and Christmas-tree stand and the packs of Nicorette gum."