Fake Eyelashes. Aren't they the best? I have a stash of them but I am too afraid to wear them ever since I saw the 1968 version of "Yours Mine and Ours" and her fakes fall into her drink when she's on a date. No Thank You. But these paper eyelashes, based on the Chinese paper cutting tradition, were designed by Chinese artists Ting Yu Wang.
They must be so ticklish if you get butterfly kissed by someone with them!
Chinese artist Liu Bolin may be the closest thing we have to The Invisible Man. He is famous for painting his entire body to perfectly blend in with his background. The majority of these is from a series is titled "Hiding in the City".
I think I like the Mao one best. It's quite amusing.
I have neither the patience nor the foresight to achieve such an affect.
It's kind of like a Chinese-version of "Where's Waldo?"
I will begin with a video my older sister Selina sent me. She is currently working in Shanghai for the creative agency NeochaEdge. Check 'em out. She sent me a link to these short videos a while back but I only got to watching them in the middle of my breakdown. But seeing the one based on Beijing made me miss loving learning Chinese. So here I am, back on the wagon, and ready to start again.
Director Gustav Johansson made these short films for EF International Language Centers to help promote studying abroad with the company. He did that by exploring the quintessential typography of seven cities: Barcelona, Beijing, Vancouver, Sydney, Los Angeles, and Paris. I love the music and the sweet naive character in each film. I suggest you watch them all.
The following is Beijing's. Doesn't it just make you want to hop on over?? Ahh. I miss it.
So this past week I had a mental breakdown. I'm talking tears, phone calls to parents, lots of sad alone time. Why? Because I was incredibly overwhelmed with my Chinese class. Am. This is not something that crept up on me, mind you. Chinese has been my beast of burden these last three years because, although I independently and passionately chose to learn the language, it is incredibly life-sapping and labor-intensive. Surprise surprise.
However, this past weekend, when I was seriously contemplating dropping it, I realized I had been forgetting the reason I had started taking Chinese in the first place. It truly is a fascinating language, as well as visually stunning. Not only is it really cool that I can carry a conversation with someone in Chinese, I also thoroughly enjoy the Chinese lifestyle. Being there for a couple of months in 2010 and several times before made me realize I could easily see myself working there for an extended (although not indefinite) amount of time. Ideal job? Some kind of Shanghainese fashion magazine. That's my aim for an internship this summer, at least.
So this week will be dedicated to re-discovering my love for Chinese. Welcome aboard.
Ever dream of falling asleep outside so you can gaze at the stars until you drift off?
Well, I do. But that becomes difficult for two reasons: the stars are far away and I wear glasses, so I would have to fall asleep in my glasses but then I run the risk of crushing them if I roll over. Second issue: it's getting rather chilly outside.
BUT FEAR NOT!
The Infmetry Romantic Star Projector splashes the heavens across your walls, ceilings and floors with a astronomically accurate depiction. You can set the projector to your exact location and date so that the projector mirrors the skies above.
Pretty neat, huh?
Now all you need is a glass of wine and someone to snuggle with.
Spanish artist Maximo Riera is, in fact, a doctor, so he uses his free time to create. Better yet, the exhibitions and events he organizes for his artwork give all the proceeds to charity. But that's not what caught my eye about this artist.
The sheer magnitude, drama and genius of his sculptural furniture are what has me hooked. Each piece has a beautiful, illustrious black coating and is so realistic that they verge on frightening. Imagine one of these chairs in a huge, lavish drawing room. Wouldn't it be just fantastic?
AHHH just got back from an Okkervil River concert and I am STILL on a high from it. However, I have to admit that it was a bittersweet experience. You see, Okkervil River is one of my ALL TIME favorite bands. My older sister Selina turned me onto them several years ago. So that was the sweet part- the pure ecstasy of the set. The sad part, however, was how very empty the venue was. Tickets were only $15 yet the audience, though dedicated, was rather pathetic. This should not be the case. I blame myself for not forcing more of my friends to attend. The lessons we learn...
(my really great iPhone photography)
(ps how sick is that background? the middle section is a projection)
The band was formed in 1998 in Austin, Texas (hollaaa). I saw them last year at Austin City Limits music festival, but this show was by FAR more amazing. The lead singer is fairly bizarre, but the stage getup was awesome and they played most of my favorites, which is always nice. If you don't know them, I highly encourage you to check them out. Specifically the tracks below. (Also- they have some sweet cover art.)
"Unless It Kicks"
My all-time favorite. I kid you not. This is my ultimate pump-up jam.
"For Real"
One of their creepier songs. But I think that's why I like it.
"Westfall"
DEFINITELY their creepiest song. Which is definitely why I love it.
(Listen to the lyrics)
"Lost Coastlines"
A good drive-and-belt kind of song.
Ever wished that your tablecloth became MORE beautiful after you spilled a drink on it? Well fear not, consumer, I have found just the thing for your niche.
Designer Kristine Bajaadal created a table cloth called "Underfull" consisting of a very subtle butterfly pattern in white on white. However, when a liquid is spilled, only the butterflies in the fabric absorb said liquid and, in turn, take on that color.
Voilà! The definition of a happy accident. And one less embarrassed guest.
Check out artist George Chamon, who seamlessly merges images of Old Hollywood Greats and New Hollywood Stars, such as Elizabeth Taylor and Angelina Jolie (Below). It's fascinating how our tastes of what is beautiful has hardly changed at all over the decades. Some of these starlets and heartthrobs are eerily similar. I think the Grant/Clooney portrait is the most indistinguishable.
