When brainstorming about blogging and what cool designs I could discuss next, I had an Oprah-esque “AHA!” moment. We don’t give The Earth/Mother Nature/Spiritual Higher Power enough credit for the natural designs found in the landscape of this planet we call home. So here’s a look at some of the absolutely fantastic designs that were naturally created.
Painted Cliffs, Tasmania
Garden of the Gods, Colorado, USA
Angel Falls, Venezuela
Taughannock Falls, Finger Lakes Region, New York
Packaging. It can make or break your product. I find that packaging is important in many products, but particularly wine bottles. Most people would not consider themselves wine connoisseurs, just people who want a nice adult beverage to accompany their meal. For these people, packaging can be everything. Packaging means your product stays off the shelves. Here are some of my favorites –
This bottle was designed by Emily Hale as a tribute to the late Harvey Milk. The half full milk bottle is a representation of Harvey’s persistent positive outlook and attitude towards life. The wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon.
This bottle was designed by Rethink and is part of a series of Cabernet labels created by them. The other labels feature all different kinds of tables including ping pong, poker, pool, and more.
Matsu wine designed by Maruba.
The Oregon Manifest held a contest in September of 2011 to find the “Ultimate Utility Bike for Modern Living”. They sought to find a bike that would meet the needs of Americans who want to live a healthier and more sustainable life.
The judges panel was made up of leaders in the bicycle industry including the President of the United Bicycle Institute and the VP of Innovation Design and Special Products at Nike. Tony Pereira of Pereira Cycles came up with a truly innovative, exciting, and winning design, and got a $3,000.00 prize for his effort!
Although this bike is impressive, I think the true winner has to be the ‘People’s Choice’ winners, IDEO and Rock Lobster Cycles. In a contest where you’re designing a product to be used by people, this award is a big deal. I have to agree with the voters, this bike is pretty cool.
Let me introduce you to Faraday…
It’s that time of year again where it feels like you need a New Years Eve Party Dress. Here are a few styles to help inspire your holiday wardrobe!
Platinum Paiette by Scala
Golden Samantha Sequin Dress by French Connection
Tried and Blue Dress by ModCloth
60′s Green Party Dress from La Vintage
The Christmas season is one that is full of joy, laughter, and happiness as well as stress, hustle, and sky-rocketing gas prices. In the midst of all the Christmas commotion, there’s nothing better than coming home to the scent of a freshly cut and decorated fir tree. These days it seems Americans lean towards the pre-lit, store bought, perfectly symmetrical, mass produced Christmas trees. In my own home there was talk of ending the tradition of a live tree after this year! Blasphemy. So for all the Christmas traditionalists out there, here are the best trees to buy for your home!
Balsam Fir
Balsam Fir’s are known for their wonderful scent. They are very similar to Frasier Firs and are not very expensive. They hold their needles very well so they are perfect for a tidy home.
Blue Spruce
Blue Spruce trees are also a great choice. Many consumers consider Blue Spruce trees to be the most attractive you can buy. The down side is they are notorious for shedding their needles endlessly! But, if you don’t mind a little extra vacuuming they can add the perfect touch to your family room.
Scotch Pine
Scotch Pines are known for their fantastic bright green coloring. They hold their needles well, but aren’t great if you have an overdecorated tree or lots of very heavy ornaments.
Happy hunting!
Jackson Pollock was one of the most innovative artists of his time. His work was outside the box, and nothing like it had ever been appreciated before. Many still don’t see the beauty in his creations, and some will tell you that their 5 year old could do it better. Some said he created the most exciting and artistic creations they had ever seen.
Pollock was involved in a fatal car accident on August 11, 1956. As a belated tribute to his life and art 55 years after his death, here are a few of his more famous and beautiful pieces.
Male and Female – 1942 – Philadelphia Museum of Art
Lucifer – 1947 – Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts
Easter and the Totem – 1953 – The Museum of Modern Art
When Lady Gaga first burst on the scene a few years ago, I wrote her off as a passing fad. Certainly no Madonna, Cher, or Elton. Perhaps I judged an over-decorated book by its cover. Lady Gaga has become increasingly more popular and outrageous. Gaga continues to dress in the most scandalous and over the top costumes and outfits possible. Going to get coffee requires a full wardrobe department and makeup team. Behind all of the crazy outfits and makeup, Gaga has become a true champion for the under appreciated. On her latest album, Born This Way, she preaches that we were all born the way we are and that God, or ‘capital Him’, always accepts us. She has become a cultural phenomenon, and there’s certainly no denying her catchy tunes. Even the skeptics like me have started to appreciate her eclectic wardrobe. Here are a few of my favorite pieces from her collection.
Lady Gaga wore this bubble outfit during her last tour. She sported a similar look on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
Gaga accepted an MTV Music Award in this red lace ensemble.
That same night Lady Gaga sat in the audience wearing this headpiece.
Gaga walked the red carpet at an event with this giant black leather bow on her head.
Armani designed this beautiful dress for Lady Gaga to wear at the 2010 Grammy Awards. This look is definitely my favorite, combining just the right amount of Gaga with Grammy.
Lady Gaga may be extremely out of the box and sometimes a little too over the top, but it doesn’t look like she’s going anywhere any time soon. While she’s here, we might as well sit back and enjoy the show!
There is no introduction necessary for the bright red soles of these stilettos, but in case you’ve been under a rock for the last ten years here are some of the beautiful creations from shoe designer Christian Louboutin. I’m so enamored with these shoes that I had to do a second post about them – show off some newer looks. Louboutin exploded onto the shoe scene in the midst of a Blahnik overhaul and has not taken his foot of the gas yet. In a world of women who have ‘grown up’ watching Carrie Bradshaw strut down the streets of Manhattan in her Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik shoes, Christian Louboutin created a product that was dying to be bought. These shoes can only be described as wearable pieces of art, and wearing this art can make a girl feel more beautiful that ever. Another perk to a great pair of Louboutins? EVERYONE knows you’re wearing them. The unmistakable red sole is now synonymous with the designer’s name. So, feast your eyes on some of the more extravagant and beautiful pieces in Louboutin’s collection.
Jeff Lewis has been a fixation of mine since his series, Flipping Out, premiered on Bravo in 2007. Lewis and his quirky staff flip houses and generate profits, laughs, and awkward silences. The self proclaimed OCD narcissist is often times placing himself in the middle of conflicts that I love to watch unfold. Last season (in a less dramatic scenario) Lewis was honored by House Beautiful when he was asked to design and create their Kitchen of the Year. The kitchen Jeff designed was modern, clean, and beautiful. Using dark, rich tones throughout the kitchen Jeff created a room that has become the envy of every housewife and Martha Stewart wannabe in America. Take a look at Mr. Lewis’ masterpiece.
In his House Beautiful interview Jeff Lewis states, “The kitchen is number one. It’s what really sells the house. It doesn’t matter how nice your living room is, or your dining room. Don’t spend the money, because people are going to end up in the kitchen.” His logic certainly rings true in my experiences. People seem to constantly gravitate towards the food!
Here we see Jeff using a wine rack as a divider to break up the room. This creates not only a beautiful aesthetic look, but also a talking point for guests at dinner parties. If you look in bottom right of the photograph you can see that the microwave in this kitchen is placed in an unconventional location – under the counter! At the push of a button this Jenn-Air microwave opens like a drawer for easy access and a less cluttered look.
Lewis also included specific touches like these customized drawers. These pegs can be removed and reorganized if you were to update your kitchenware.
The kitchen table was by far my favorite part of the room. With one end of the table resting on the counter top, the table became more dramatic. The large slab that is used as the table is very masculine and strong and serves as a great contrast to the rest of the kitchen. I was also struck by the intricacies and fantastical design of the light fixtures throughout Lewis’ kitchen. Jeff leaves the readers of House Beautiful with one tip to a quick, cheap, and easy kitchen remodel. Lewis advises that a simple change of your cabinet hardware can completely change the look and feel of any kitchen. Guess it’s time to head to the hardware store!
There are few artists who actually create a color. One such man was Frenchman Yves Klein, a somewhat polarizing figure among art critics (was he Neo-Dada? No, Post-Modern!) and an artists with the intellect to invent a new color, the talent to put it to good use, and the audacity to name it International Klein Blue.
He painted in free-form styles, using everything from wind and rain to blowtorches to work his canvases. He also used, famously, naked women. He generally worked with a single color; can you guess which?
International Klein Blue
