Blog Love

I discovered a new blog that I adore! Plush Palete is filled with beauty, I will be adding this blog to my favorites. Take a look, you're in for a treat. Have your coffee ready, you'll want to stay for a while.

Image via Plush Palate. Isn't that lamp just too, too fab? And Renee Zellweger looks so glamorous!

Large paintings as anchors

In writing my rules for decorating, I wrote of my preference for original paintings in decor. I prefer large paintings rather than groupings of small pieces of art. Clusters of small art look cluttered to me, and I adore the way a large painting can anchor each space in your home. I especially love seating areas anchored by a large painting. Have a look at some of the pictures in my inspiration file. Hope you enjoy! (Please note credit is given to the designers of the room, or where I got the image. Unfortunately, I don't know who the painters are. If you know any of these artists, please contact me.)

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Both of these beautiful images are from flickr user Spring Globe. I especially love the colors and texture of the painting in the second picture - and dig that chair!

Sara Dorio.

Miles Redd.

This is Glamorous via Plush Palate.

Apartment Therapy. I'd like to tweak this room a tad. I would edit the small photo on the wall, and turn the painting horizontally. Oh well, I still adore the painting.

Above two images via Villa & Villa.

Miles Redd.

Source unknown for above two images, probably Apartment Therapy.

Image via Absolutely Beautiful Things. Convinced yet? I could go on and on.

Posters Reconsidered or Graphic Art

In a previous post, I wrote my rules for decorating. These are simply my opinions and should not be taken too seriously! :) I'm very opinionated about decor. You'll find there are many opinions in the blogosphere. Take what you like, discard the rest. Each person has their unique perspective and isn't that fascinating?

After I wrote the post, I had to reconsider my stand on posters. I've noticed that there are times when I do like posters.

For example, I love promotional posters. This vintage poster designed by Bonnie MacLean is a stunner. I love the colors, and I am very fond of anything with peacocks on it. This poster would fit well in Bohemian decor.

In reconsidering posters, I thought about type. I love graphic art, and type definitely fits in this category. It wouldn't be fair to mention type without nodding to the great Alexander Girard. He's the father of type as art. Image via YLiving.

In examining graphic art and type, I found a lot of positive messages. The sweetness of the following works is undeniable. Having uplifting messages of love in your home certainly can't hurt.


Jessica Gonacha Swift. Jessica has a lot of beautiful art for sale in her Etsy shop. It was difficult to maintain the focus of this post and not show more of her art. I'll have to plan a post devoted to her work in the future.

I need this one in my office!

Above two images by The Love Shop. Click this link if you are feeling blue. Her motto is "Give Love, Be Happy." Nuthin' wrong with that.

A heartfelt message of unconditional love from Jessie of My Mod Style.

This one makes me smile. There's nothing better than perusing blogs on a rainy Saturday morning with a cup of Colombian coffee.

The above three screen prints by Jennifer Ramos of Made by Girl. Her Etsy shop is here.

Design by Dylan Fareed. Image 20x200.

Design by Tracy Jenkins, image via Village.

Dig 'em but don't know why

Misdreavus is one of my favorite Pokemon. I am fascinated by resemblance to various goddesses. I love the flowing purple hair and the red necklace that absorbs fear.

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I first discovered Pokemon in a little record store in Toledo, Ohio. The owner had a collection of Japanese toys, urban vinyl, and lots of manga. He and I had a great conversation about anime. We agreed that we loved it, but didn't understand it. We also agreed that we wished it were less violent, but that there was an unmistakable beauty to it.

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I marveled at the urban vinyl toys, and bought my first one. I remember the owner saying, "I dig 'em, but don't know why." That's kind of my mantra when it comes to toys, even though I keep trying to put into words why I like them. I consider them a form of pop art. But the truth is: I dig 'em but don't know why. And that adds to their appeal.

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Pokemon are amazing. I marvel at the immense creativity it takes to create the characters, each one has a special ability and many evolve. If you're a collector, Pokemon make a great collection. Since new characters are created every day, your collection will never be complete. You have to be a genius to learn the card game.

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I recently watched the first Pokemon movie and was fascinated and repulsed at the same time. The characters are amazing, but I tire of the omnipresent violence. And I was irritated that the humans "owned" the Pokemon. Those pesky humans, always dominating everything. I was astounded, though, that the most powerful Pokemon's consciousness was raised in the end. He said (paraphrasing), "I have learned that it is not the circumstance of our birth that matters, but what you do with your life that matters." Profound. Lessons come in unexpected ways, all we have to do is listen.

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Images by Peggy

More of my toy collection

I love My Little Ponies by Hasbro.

My favorite. Look at that sweet face.

These are vintage. Stamped 1982 on their foot.

These are new. I love all the colors.

Images by Peggy.

A childhood favorite

I've been having a lot of fun photographing my toy collection.

Remember the Flatsies? I used to smuggle them to school with me, along with my Liddle Kiddles. I think she looks sweet with the toy poodle. Toys are not just for kids!

On my coffee cup

Happy Valentine's Day to all my dear readers! xxoo

This cup is part of the Starbucks Love Project. To see more, click here.

Love, love, love

Isn't this the sweetest picture? Andre Benjamin and Liya Kebede via AphroChic.

I dream of riding around Italy on the Vespa! Cute picture from Starbucks pamphlet. I love the Starbucks artist!

Beatnik Dish by Fantoni.

Above images by unknown artists. Please contact me if you know the artists. Thank you!

John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

A Serious Man by the Coen Brothers

I adore the work of the Coen Brothers, so I was very excited to watch A Serious Man. It didn't disappoint. I was pleased to see this film nominated for an Academy Award (even though Avatar is going to win). The Coen Brothers' are superb writers. It's not easy to pull off a story about a man whose life is falling apart and not make it whiny. If you're a Coen Brothers' fan, you already know about their incredible character development. I love the characters in this film, they are all wacky and over-the-top, but a little subtle and controlled too. Hey, it's 1967 in the midwest.

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I have to admit I find Michael Stuhbarg's depiction of Larry Gopnik extremely sexy. I gotta thing for nerdy guys whose lives are falling apart. And oh yeah, he's a physics professor too. Awesome. I just want to hug him. I wish Michael would have been nominated for an Oscar, but at least we will probably get to see more of him since the film did well.

You gotta love how Professor Gopnik sticks out his butt as he explains Schrodinger's Paradox. Hey, it's 1967. Those pants have absolutely no give. At least they're not on the ground.

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My favorite scene occurs when Larry's quiet desperation leads him to Mrs. Samsky's door. Larry is trying to follow the hapless advice of a Rabbi who hints at being neighborly. Amy Landecker gives a remarkable performance as Mrs. Samsky. Mrs. Samsky is ultra hip ennui personified. Everything a 60s housewife should be.

She's a sad, nonchalant beauty.

Just look at her! No one could pull off that short set better. Love the colors. To Larry's surprise he is invited into Mrs. Samsky's home. Mr. Samsky is away.

Mrs. Samsky's pad is a reflection of her ultra cool. Look at that groovy lamp! Look at that groovy Moroccan stool next to the end table. I love movie sets.

Mrs. Samsky has an orange living room! Too fab.

She and Larry smoke a joint. Poor dear Larry, you know this is the first time he has lived in a very long time. As they comfortably sit in quiet sadness together, he speaks of his visit with a junior Rabbi. It turns out the junior Rabbi is the one who is correct. He spoke of our problems being a matter of perception. This really struck a cord with me.
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When we are feeling lost, it's a matter of perception. And perhaps we are looking at the world through tired eyes, the Rabbi says. Profound.
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The theme song by Jefferson Airplane says it perfectly. When the truth is found to be lies ... you better find somebody to love. That's really what it's about isn't it?

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Images: I photographed these from my computer while viewing the movie. Didn't turn out too bad.

Display of my vase collection - falling in love with soft lighting

Dear readers, I have been very busy with art projects and organizing my apartment. It's a challenge to set up a 450 square foot studio apartment as work/live space. But it's a fun challenge. It's a humble space, but I love it. I want to display my collection of vases, yet I don't want clutter. As I contemplate the form and the function of the space, I have found that I am fascinated by night photography. Here's a couple photos taken at night. I love the soft light.

I want my place to be beautiful, but a little edgey too. That black Danish piece provides an unexpected edge to my pottery display.