Blah,Blah,Blahg

MONKEY BUSINESS ET AL...

I think if you have spent any time around here you know I like animals--all animals, squishy ones, slimy ones, scary ones, all creatures great and small. This is what I attribute it to, here's an actual excerpt from a conversation with my biological mother 'Charo' a.k.a. Marie:

MISS B:    "You know I read that people that are into animals were neglected as children."

MARIE:     "Joo soocrazee!  Joo was not neeglected."

MISS B:    "But maybe if I was, I wouldn't want to be around things that don't talk..."

MARIE:    "Maybe.  I weel neeglect you now."

MISS B:    "Promises, promises."

So, there is no real explanation for my love of creatures.  My other love is photography and if you can put the duo together you'll have me at hello.  That's just what these two masters have done. They are both so different but equally thrill me and I hope they do the same for you. This is Jill Greenberg.  She has been accused of being a one trick pony but when your trick is this good who cares?

{Ursine by Jill Greenberg}

Yes, these photo's are manipulated but they are so darn cute (for lack of a better word, sorry Ms Greenberg...)

 

{Monkey Portraits by Jill Greenberg}

Yes, I am aware that the photo above is NOT a monkey but a baby Orangutan.  Monkey Portraits is the name of her book:

 

{Monkey Portraits by Jill Greenberg}

Here's another photographer that has me swooning.  So much so that I asked my Fancy if we could go on a safari for our honeymoon.  He said, "No, but I will take you to the zoo."  This is Nick Brandt and these photo's are just really stunning. 

 

 

 

 

{ON THIS EARTH photo's by Nick Brandt}

I did get a new camera for my b-day and my Fancy didn't make me wait until my honeymoon to take me to the zoo! The photo's from that trip will be forthcoming but don't expect anything great like the above. 

LOVELY LINKS...

I didn't have time to make you a download this week nor did I have time to solicit other pretties but I did have time to find you some link goodness.  I am pretty proud of my little list, hopefully you haven't already seen all of these prior and there's a least one or two that are new to you.

This is a peak of what you can pick up at The Small Object:

{The Small Object}

I think the below download from design.wash.rinse.repeat.  Is crafty goodness at it's finest.  I would love to get one of these as a gift... (hint-hint, nudge-nudge...)

{Design.Wash.Rinse.Repeat}

I always love a font that looks like it's handwritten.  This is a sweet one by Alie Edwards:

'A Print A Day' has so much goodness you may never return.  This was my particular favorite since it was noted as a to-do list.  Just beautiful...

{A Print a Day}

For the Photoshop inclined this is a pretty little brush set by Jason Gaylor...

{Stitchy Brushes}

Creature Comforts has hands down some of the most beautiful downloads and freebies.  In the off chance that you have no idea what I am talking about or haven't thoroughly gone through them please visit Miss Ez a.s.a.p.

{Creature Comforts}

P.S.

If you have any desire to make Miss B.'s life easier and more fulfilled, please let me know if you too would like to do a special download for the Blahg.  Your download is sure to bring you fame + fortune and if it doesn't at least it will make this little lady's day a bit brighter. Just give me a quick hello, all I ask is that your download be completely fabulous (no pressure...)

hello@blahblahblahg.org

KATE IS GREAT!

I am in love with Kate Spade.  Yes, yet another girl I am in love with....It's not just love of her products as I am in love with the brand as a whole.  I love that her ads make you want to collect them and that she has a signature color that is all her own (so happy and bright).  I want to be like her, I want my own lifestyle brand when I grow up.  Something that's all my own, when you look at it you go "oh that's Blah Blah" No, I don't plan to name my brand 'Blah blah', but I couldn't think of a great name off the top of my skull...But a brand that you covet and collect.  Something special but not so precious that it doesn't go into regular circulation as your favorite (fill-in-the blank)...

These are some snapshots of Kate Spade ads that I adore, that are perfectly ready for inspiration board prime time:

How utterly chic and lady like is this?  Even though it's retro inspired it doesn't feel dated.

I am a sucker for that blue...

This is NOT a Kate Spade ad but it had something that felt a little 'Kate-ish' to me.  I feel like she would look at it and smile....

{photo by Lori Andrews}

And this is another photo that I felt should be a Kate ad that's not.  It has also stolen my heart away and I hope you get that same funny feeling in your stomach as I do when I see it.  I think it's called utter delight....

{Prue + Annette by Don Guss}

I HEART OCTOPI...

I suppose it's no secret that I am in mad love with mother nature and her animal kingdom.  I find so much inspiration in the natural beauties (geodes!) and curiosities (pygmy fainting goats?) in the world that I am always shocked when people say they are bored.  How is that possible?  I understand the DMV line can be boring but there's always room in the 'ol noggin' for some serious day dreaming, no?  I thought this was a good example of designers love for the curious and using the old imagination...I especially love that I could wake up this a.m. for a craving for a certain piece of jewelry and get on my magic computer and actually find it! 

{Turq Octopus ring by Kenneth Jay Lane} {Octopus necklace by Space Mermaid}
 {White octopus ring by Betsey Johnson} {CZ octopus ring "Ollie" by Emitations}

IF I COULD BLAHG ALL DAY...

I would find you gems such as this for your procrastinating pleasure...

Lest you think you are dreaming, yes this is Poker Dog art at its finest.  This ingenuity is from artist Scott Wade.  His medium?  You guessed it the dirty car...

{Dirty Car Art}

Or I might send you over to this funny little shop named The Runny Bunni to buy presents for yourself or your friends and family.  Perhaps a black gloss owl named Henry is in your future?

{Take Henry Home}

Or if Henry isn't your cup of tea, maybe Johnny would be?

But perhaps you would rather I keep my day job? 

THIS RULES!

If it isn't apparent, I LOVE the internet.  I love to learn new things and I love short cuts to make my life easier.  This may not be my most exciting post but I thought I would share some recent finds that you may or may not know about.  For my blogging friends this is a little nugget that I came across, called 'tinyurl', just as the name suggests it makes your url tiny.  This is great for links that have impossibly long urls, like this:

This makes me happy.  It's nice to know that the little things can still make me happy. The next link will either elate you or make you want to run into oncoming traffic.  It is your blog ranking to see where you are at in the blogosphere popularity contest,  I am ranked in the 4 million range which is better than not being ranked at all, right?...

I don't know how accurate it is...As I feel much bigger than 4 million served...How's that NOT in the top 100,000 box for an 'ol kick to the self-esteem?

If you have a couple hours to kill, (trust me this is not to be looked at if you are pressed for time), visit 'Stumble Upon' it's like the slot machine of searches.  You let it know your interests, pull the handle and it either comes up all cherries in a row or makes you do it again.  I am a tad on the addicted side.  How amazing is it?  Well, I may have never found the following without it's clever little crawlers at my ready:

{How to create Moss Graffiti }

{Get your food on at TasteSpotting}




{PostSecret}

Yes, I did know about Post Secret but I didn't know there was a blog!.  This should be enough to keep you away from doing any 'real' work for the rest of the year....your boss and/or client, spouse, children, pets can thank me later...

{StumbleUpon}

Kisses!

LOBOTO-ME

I have professed my love of lists on multiple occasions, (yes, I love a lot of things).  The list though I hold in the highest esteem.  I believe the list allows me to be more creative because I feel so darn productive when I get to cross things off of it (yes, I do put easy things on the list like buy new shoes...).  The grocery list is another story... I always leave that on the sofa or in the refrigerator or some other peculiar place and when I get to the supermarket I think we need diet Coke, pretzels, yummy smelling shampoo, pretty packaged cleaning products and of course dog treats.  My Fancy is often horrified by this and almost always offers to do the shopping.  Okay, truth is he see's me getting ready for the market and he tosses his body in front of the doorway, he is amazed I got this far in life before he arrived on the scene.  What's wrong with eating cereal for dinner?  I digress....

I found this wonderful little company that makes things like 'to-do' lists, grocery lists, baby sitting lists, etc. a pleasure.  It's called 'Lobotome' and their whole vibe has me on a contact high of happiness.  I love their left brain/right brain list as that's how I have always made my to-do lists with a place to doodle.  I think it's funnier though pointed out...

You must check out their 'Brain-isms', it's a manifesto of sorts which is lovely and light-hearted..."We believe life should be filled with love, laughter and play"  What a coink-a-dink(sp?, never tried to spell that before...), but I believe the same thing!  One of my very favorite things though was their desk top wallpaper which is a series of mantras, "Beauty is everywhere, 'No one other than yourself can determine your destiny, floss.." 

{Get your Lobotome here}

I'M IN LOVE...WITH A GIRL...

Yes, it's true, I am in love.  Deep love.  I am hoping you all fall as madly for her as I have...Her name is Jen. Jen Lobo and she is an amazingly talented artist.   I think she describes herself and her inspiration best--"I like all things avian, aquatic, feathered, and furry."

Now brace yourself for some serious oohing and ahhing because if you haven't been privy to Miss Jen's work yet and you have an affinity for any of the above inspiration this is going to make you burst with emotion...

This kiwi brings me to tears.  So simple a title, so powerful a visual.  I just want to let this little kiwi know it's okay to be  different.  Tell me you aren't mesmerized by all the detail-- the wallpaper?  Divine..the colors? Sublime...I told you I am in L-O-V-E!

{image copyright jen lobo}

Sigh...I have always thought the jellyfish was quite marvelous (yes,even after being stung by a giant one in the Caribbean)There's something so magical about these creatures, not everyone agrees with my fascination, but you have to admit if you are going to think a jellyfish beautiful it would have to be after seeing Jen's interpretation...

{image copyright jen lobo}

When I wrote to Jen and professed my undying love for her, I mentioned that this image nearly had me bursting out in tears, the kiddie kind where you need to suck in your breath and wipe your runny nose with the back of your hand across your swollen face. It's a heartbreaking piece.  Maybe it's supposed to be happy?  But I just feel sad for the rhino and the story I have made up for him in my head. 

{all images copyright jen lobo}

If you liked this little gallery glimpse please do visit Miss Jen and tell her how much you like her. These paintings are truly a labor of love and I am sure she would appreciate the appreciation... (I think she thinks I am a bit kooky..) so if you can let her know that this love is real....

{Jen Lobo Portfolio}

{Jen Lobo Blog

OPERATION NICE.

After the week I had...I am so happy to know that there are good, good people in the world.  I was thrilled when a little birdie mentioned her friends' success  (which of course can be measured in not just shoes but heaps of good will and general happiness) with a project she is doing called 'Operation Nice.'  The founder is the sweet Melissa of Melissa Head design.  The premise is simple-- 'Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all tried to be a little nicer, polite, kind, gracious..?'   Operation Nice covers 'good news' (what a concept!), They feature 'nice' stuff, they have 'nice' downloads and it's generally a feel good pit stop on the pretty procrastination highway.

I am in mad LOVE with this idea as I try to be nice most of the timeand wish that others would follow suit.  In fact I mentioned to my friend that my co-worker and I were going to kill our boss...with kindness.  It really works almost every time.  To do my part for the 'op' to spread the word and be a nicer person I created some 'nice' cards.  They are the size of a business card and the idea is you can leave them with whomever you feel needs and deserves a little niceness.  You don't have to use them as cards, although it could be nice to leave a personal note on the back of card, print them on adhesive paper and stick them to some lucky individuals lunch bag at the office, or on your outgoing mail (I bet the IRS would be pleased to see how nice you are!)  You're creative, just get out there and be nice...

BE NICE DOWNLOAD

OPERATION NICE

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Yesterday started off odd.  I went to my local coffee shop before hell, work, which is where I go pretty much every day of my life (the coffee shop not the other place).  I stepped out of my car and a couple minutes later a banshee of a woman did as well. For the visual, this is what she looked liked (yes, a hybrid of both of them with a Bluetooth in her ear hole):

This woman accused me of cutting her off and not signaling.  I was a little confused as I always signal (I am COMPLETELY anal about signaling and stopping) and since she was coming from a totally different direction and not exactly at them same time I was, I wasn't sure the physics of the remark.  I apologized genuinely and tried to make light by saying, I hadn't had my coffee yet (empathy card?)  I walked towards the coffee shop and it looked like she was going the other way. NOPE. She preceded to say:

"You 'c-u-next-Tuesday, narcissistic, b-word, you couldn't even hold the door open for me?'"

Is your chin in your lap?  (She used the real version of those words, Miss B. doesn't like to use naughty words, nor does she like to hear them directed at her..)  I said, I'm sorry I thought you were going to Subway', She said,

"'You effin weirdo Subway's not even open".

I think Subway is open for breakfast, but I didn't want to engage her and besides, it really gets under my skin when people call me weird.  Really.

I went on with my day as my future in-laws were coming to town and I wanted to be relaxed and want them to still think I was a good choice for their favorite son.  I came home and walked in on my future father-in-law while he was on the toilet.  I screamed.  Not a regular scream--a horror movie scream.  I raced into the livingroom and announced to my future-husband to-be and future mother-in-law:

"It was great knowing you, but this will never work out now as I can never look at any of you ever again."

The day wasn't all crap.  I did get a surprise in the mail.  I say surprise because I ordered it over a month ago, sent emails of it's whereabouts without replies and thought that the company I ordered it from had just run off with my hard earned cash, but this arrived (this is where you insert the harps playing soundtrack):

 

This is the greatest little printing book by artist Lena Corwin and it is AWESOME.  It's filled with beautiful photo's, graphics are nice and clean.  It's even better than Lotta J's (instructional wise), which you know I revere me Miss Lotta.  This is done so nicely and not crafty+crappy=more junk in my abode (trust me I know about this affliction) but 'craftista', so chic.  I just LOVED it.  If you have any interest in hand printing or making some cool gifts for the upcoming holidays, she has great projects that look fairly easy to follow plus some simple but new to me ideas that made me pop my palm against my forehead more than once and go 'why didn't I think of that?'  When I make some projects from the book I will be sure to do some posting for you.  Lena also has  a little forum at 'Good Reads' where you can do a little Q & A with the genius.  Isn't the Internet grand?  

BUY PRINTING BY HAND

GOOD READS

LENA CORWIN BLOG