Who is the man behind Elmo?

We can't wait for this documentary to come out.

Austen-ophile

I love Jane Austen's novels.

I love them so much that I almost convinced hubby to name our child Fitzwilliam (after my beloved Mr. Darcy.)   So, imagine my delight when I saw this Pride and Prejudice board book shown on this lovely blog.  (Photos taken from blog)

Men's shirtdress

While reading one of my favorite blogs, I happened to see this amazing video:


Ex-men's shirt as new dress for you from general ink on Vimeo.

I tried it out with hubby's shirt, but it didn't quite work.  I would have posted a picture, but the shirt stretched in weird ways over my post-pregnant belly.  Plus, no one wants to see a large bum exposed to the cool autumn air.

Surprise!

Imagine opening your fridge and seeing this little guy grinning at you...

Hello!

Isn't he cute?  (Check out our aunt's amazing edible creation here)

If my history teacher could see this

What do you get when you mix history, fashion, and dance?  Probably something that looks like this...

Capturing summer in an instrument

Summer is swiftly rolling by, as evidenced by the shorter days, cooler nights, and the abundance of "back-to-school" sales.  Hubby and I are trying to savor these last weeks of good weather and freedom by stuffing ourselves with Michigan fruit and ice-pops.  Lately, I've also been listening to people play the ukulele.  Whenever I hear that happy strumming, I think of smiling people and summer island living.

Savage Beauty

Sometimes I find myself wishing I was back in New York.  Don't get me wrong, I'm growing to love our new home, but sometimes I miss ethnic food, people watching (one of my favorite hobbies), subway rides, and artistic and cultural opportunities.

Yesterday was the last day of the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Met.   Hubby and I never made it back to see the exhibit, so I was thrilled that the Met posted photos of selected objects online.  Now even though I'm far away, I can still experience some of that McQueen magic.

“I try to push the silhouette. To change the silhouette is to change the thinking of how we look." ~ Alexander McQueen

He was an amazing artist.   

OMG(litter)

Look at Crafty Chica's diy floor.  Isn't it amazing?

It's time for a dance party!

Maybe one day I too could have a girly, glittery room.

Circus Smirkus

Here's a confession:  I dislike clowns.

I find them quite scary.  They like playing tricks on you.  They wear garish clothing.  They have oddly proportioned bodies.  Plus, they wear tons of greasepaint, so I can never tell what they actually look like.


Yet, even this self proclaimed "clown-aphobe"* couldn't help but feel inspired by Sam Ferlo's story.  He's a 14 year old clown-in-training who wants to follow in his dad's very large footsteps. (See this NY Times article for info and photo.) 

Perhaps they're not scary after all?

If you're in the New England area, you can see Sam and other talented kids performing here.
 
* The official term describing a fear of clowns is coulrophobia. 

One store, many stories

"It would not just be items mingled, but also stories."  ~Masamichi Tohyam

I recently watched this Etsy video on this blog.  I loved the store owner's sense of style and philosophy.  Second hand items have history and it's neat that you can uncover part of their stories at his store.  Enjoy!


There's No Place Like Here: Pass The Baton from Etsy on Vimeo.

Transportation

I keep listening to this piece of music over and over again. Somehow it transports me somewhere else. I'm not sure where this place is, but it's a place more beautiful and more hopeful than here.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Batman

This grandfather transformed his scooter into the Batmobile!

Bad guys beware!  There's a new crime fighter in the retirement community.

 To see this photo and read the accompanying article, click here

MoMath?

A new museum is going to open in 2012:

It's the New York Museum of Mathematics!

Anyone interested in visiting it with me?

To see this photo and read the accompanying Times article, click here

Should strollers...

wear costumes?

I'm inspired. Halloween is just around the corner...

(Thanks for the link, Esther!)  To see this photo and other rocking strollers, click here.

Mobiles on my mind

I'm making a mobile to hang above baby's crib, so  I turned to the internet for some diy inspiration:

These birds are so cute!

Oooh-  I could use embroidery hoops!

I'm drawn to these cheery colorful elephants... hmm...

Ooh- stylized elephants!

Not sure if I'll use this design, but this Calder mobile is AWESOME nonetheless. 

Armed with inspiration, I'm off to the thrift store and craft store to scout out materials!



image sources:  [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

Gum-spiration

Ben Wilson, a British artist, uses an unusual medium for his paintings:  used chewing gum squashed on sidewalks.  The process of transforming the flattened gum from litter to artwork usually takes between a couple of hours and a couple of days.       

I  love how his art transforms something ugly into something beautiful.

To see this photo and others (and to read the original NYTimes article), click here

Long standing memories

I love the design of this photo album.

They stand upright!  (Above:  A herd of albums)

Just remove the album's binding...

and voila, your pictures are revealed.  How elegant.

Images and album found here

When I grow up

I want to be a lovely, funny, brightly dressed grandma. 

My style icon:  Iris

Image by Chester Higgins Jr/NY Times and taken from here

Dream appliance

I was poking around the NYTimes when I came across this image.  Suddenly the heavens opened before my eyes and I fell to my knees in awe.

I swoon for you, bike-o-worsher.

Apparently, volume 25 of Make magazine has directions.  Now all I need is a copy of that magazine, a house with a large garage, a lesson in welding, and an agreeable hubby.... easy.

Image taken from here c/o Tony Cenicola and The New York Times