UK artist, Peter Crawley, has reinvented what it means to embroider. Using a pin to pierce various stocks of paper, he then stitches the paper with a needle and thread, to create one of a kind artwork that is simple, modern, graphic, and fun. It’s hard to gush about something that truly needs few words, so with that said, please enjoy a few of my favorite pieces below.
(sorry… I had a hard time narrowing it down)
What better way to come back from my hiatus than with a bang! As some of you already know, and for those who don’t, I recently got ENGAGED!! Which, I know, doesn’t necessarily warrant such a highly enthusiastic blog post, but what does is my ring. Well- the company that made my ring, at least.
As I’m sure many girls do, I had spent years fantasizing about what qualities would make my perfect engagement ring; vintage and delicate, simple- yet breathtaking. The perfect size, the perfect cut, the perfect sparkle, and the perfect thing to show off to everyone I know. But I’m also aware that the ring isn’t everything; it’s just a symbol. A tangible item worn by the woman that figuratively shouts to the world “I’m taken and look how much he loves me!”.
Now allow me to give you a little insight into my life:
Both my fiancé and I are in our mid 20’s, and living “well-enough” in our one bedroom walk-up in Manhattan. If you don’t know where I’m going with this yet, it means that the typical “3 Month’s Salary Rule” for the engagement ring budget would not have afforded the most stunning of rings. But- thanks to DiamondNexus, I didn’t have to sacrifice the perfect ring due to a slim wallet.
DiamondNexus diamonds are lab created (for more info, click here). Using what they call the “simulant creation process”, they have technologically figured out a way to scientifically recreate a diamond, with the added advantage of each stone being completely flawless. And because it’s all man-made? The price is totally affordable! Visually indistinguishable to anyone not in the know, DiamondNexus diamonds wear, look, and act the same as a mined diamond. Fun fact: DiamondNexus is the company behind all of the Miss Universe crowns!
Check out my ring below, and a few others from their site that I love.
this ring is under $400!!
I love modern items. They’re clean, sleek and simplistically unassuming. The natural progression from how things used to be to where they are now seems a natural progression. For instance: Vintage cars are breathtaking; painted buttercup yellow and robin’s egg blue, with delicate chrome detailing to outline the car’s wings, whitewall tires and windows.
But I’ve have always had a sweet spot for vintage pieces. Cars, absolutely. Hats, most definitely (seeing as how I have an unhealthy collection). But I also love retro appliances. Over the past handful of years, KitchenAid has become very well know for selling vintage inspired mixers, blenders, and the like. But what if small pops of red and chrome doesn’t cut it for you? What if you’ve always wanted that robin’s egg blue refrigerator your grandparents’ had when you were a little kid.
Luckily for you, Big Chill has gone full on retro and since 2001, bringing 50’s inspired refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers to kitchens everywhere! These pieces are immaculately designed, offering eight standard color options, as well as four different refrigerators- a standard and studio size, retropolitan model with a bottom slide out freezer, and an under the counter option! As functionally modern as you’d need, with all the yesteryear charm you could hope for, Big Chill has defrosted my chilly modern heart with a little old-fashioned love.
Just in case the 8 standard colors weren’t what you were looking for, you can custom order any of these
It’s simple. It’s brilliant. It’s perfect. I love this chair!
The Master’s Chair by Kartell pays homage to three of the most iconic chair silhouettes; the Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen, the Tulip Armchair by Eero Saarinen, and the Eiffel Chair by Charles Eames. Combined, the lines of these three chairs make for a fun, modern, and beautiful piece.
Enough said.
A few months ago, I was half talked into and half excited to watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy. (Although admittedly after the first movie, I was more excited than I was forced to continue). I did immediately however, fall in love with the Hobbits’ homes. Their houses were simple, quaint, and rustic; beautifully designed with circular doorways and windows, planked ceilings and floors. Although distinct enough to know they were “hobbit-made”, these homes seemed as if they were as much a part of nature as was anything else. There was a sense of oneness.
I have always wished I could one day have a home with as much charming detail (true, I wouldn’t opt to live in most of these as permanent residences, but I could see having one to escape to every now and then), so I did a bit of research. Natural homes are in fact a reality, which I had known about. What I was amazed to find, was how adorable some are! These homes range from extremely tiny one room houses, to modern takes on a Hobbit-esk dwelling. Below are a few of my favorites… enjoy!
Once again- life has become increasingly busier, and I in turn, have spent 2 months on an unintentional hiatus.
I am the singer & songwriter in the band DARSHANA. I feel that because music is such an important part of my life (always has been), I will be adding music posts to my blog. Just as one can appreciate a well designed object/ space/ piece of artwork, one can appreciate well written/ sung music. That being said- this post will remain short and sweet. Here are a few tunes for your enjoyment that I have been listening to a lot lately.
Joe Banamassa – Long Distance Blues
And now for my shameless plug- DARSHANA will be preforming next Saturday, September 17th at Tammany Hall at 8:00PM. Please come down and check us out- I promise it’ll be a lot of fun =)
First of all, I’d like to say – I’m back! After a very busy 2+ months I have returned to blogging. I would also like to say to whomever has been visiting this site in my absence; thank you for your loyalty… new stuff is on its way! And so we begin…
Back in November, I posted a blog called “The Perfect Product” in which I highlighted my overwhelming desire to purchase items solely based on their package design. This urge I have to buy beautifully designed products has once again worked out in my favor, and I feel it is necessary to share my find.
Like many, I enjoy a nice glass of wine on occasion, but (despite having taken a wine tasting class back in college) still know little about the subject. Due to my lack of wine knowledge, I tend to choose my wine selection based on the label that’s wrapped around the product I intend to consume. Admittedly, this puts a great deal of faith on my end that the body of the wine- its aroma, flavor, finish, etc… follows suit with whomever the company has hired in their graphics and marketing department. Luckily in the case of my last find, it did.
Below are a few wine labels that I believe are worthy of acknowledgment; be it for their unusual packaging, their bold graphics, or just their overall quirkiness.
Educated Guess | It’s a little witty and a little scientific, but mostly a really well designed label. This particular wine is what inspired me to write this blog. I highly recommend it.
(oops) Wine | There is a reason some Merlots don’t taste quite like the others; it’s because they’re not. Carmenère grapes and the Merlot grapes grew freely amongst each other, and were believed to be the same grape… until 1994. Oops.
Lazarus Wine | Sensorial Wine Making is a method pioneered by Antonio Tomás Palacios. He discovered while working with a blind winemaker, that they were able to detect subtle changes and aromatic differences in the wine earlier than he and other skilled winemakers could. Due to this discovery, Lazarus Wine employs blind winemakers thus perfecting the taste of their product. Along with this wines outstanding flavor, comes an outstanding and beautifully designed label. A tip of my hat to you.
B Frank | This witty label allows you not only decide your reason drinking with a friend, but gives you a place to tell them.
Esule Wine | Beautifully bold, black & white pop-art graphics adorn this jet black wine bottle giving it a retro twist to a modern design. Love.
Inkwell Wine | A clever take on the Rorschach tests, this label is simple, but bold enough to grab your attention. What do you see?
This past week I was in Austin, Texas during the music portion of South by Southwest. Although I find it a bit small, and slightly difficult to take Austin seriously as a major city (I guess I’d be what you’d consider a jaded New Yorker), the overall location and festival was delightful. I, along with a few of my friends, spent our days in the sun listening to live music, and our nights surrounded by thousands of other music lovers, partying, drinking, singing, and having a good time. Though there were some performances I could have done without, there were a couple notable bands whose music I have not stopped listening to.
The first is a band called the Click Clack Boom. I saw them live at Lipstick 24, and instantly fell in love. Their music is mellow, yet upbeat, and they sound just as good live as they do recorded. Currently residing and playing in NYC, you can be sure I will attend one of their shows again very soon. Below is one of my personal favorites of theirs, but do yourself a favor and check out more of their stuff.
the Click Clack Boom | “Open Hands”
The second band worth mentioning is a band called Lost in the Trees. I saw them at the Muzzle of Bees even, hosted by a friend of mine. The band features a 3-part string section, which was an immediate draw for me. Here’s my favorite song of theirs.
Lost in the Trees | “Time Taunts Me”
All in all, Austin is a lovely city, and SXSW was an amazing event to have attended. Hopefully I will be back next year, not only as a spectator, but with any luck, as a performer.
Despite my love for the instrument, and my ever deepening desire to be able to play, I sadly live a guitar-less existence. And for as many beautifully crafted, shaped, stained, and painted guitars I’ve come across, the guitar pick has remained relatively simple and unchanged. StoneWorks has put an end to that that by offering the most beautiful guitar and bass picks I have ever seen. Each pick is one-of-a-kind, and carved 100% out of natural stone. Enjoy!
Stone | Kingman Turquoise
Stone | Dinosaur Bone
Stone | Montana Moss Agate
Stone | Dendritic Agate
Stone | Ocean Jasper
Stone | Graveyard Plume Agate
Stone | Landscape Jasper
I’ve heard that the philosophy behind Apple’s packaging, is that when the consumer looks at the product and the box it comes in, they think, “Yes. This is meant to be in that”. Very often, we take for granted the thought process that’s put behind what seems to be the perfect packaging, or even the most obvious of products. Well duh! umbrellas should have an open & close button. And of course the ketchup bottle should be facing upside down… it’s how we poor it anyway. It’s so blatant, but it took years before someone thought to make those changes to these products. Inherently smart inventions are often so taken for granted, that we easily forget the times before they were made. With that in mind, I am happy to introduce the latest product invention that falls into this category.
The Cane Stay is a wonderful widget that keeps your cane upright, in place, and where you need it. Immaculately designed, this rubber-like gadget easily attaches to the shaft of the cane, thus allowing its user to rest the cane against a wall or corner, hang off the back of a chair, table top, counter, or be wedged underneath. The invention of this product has made leaps and bounds in the medical field, finally aiding those who are unable to walk a distance to reach their canes, or bend down to pick up a cane that has fallen.
The best part? The Cane Stay works on household tools as well! Say goodbye to brooms, rakes and shovels falling over, because the Cane Stay holds them up too. And if you can think of another use for the Cane Stay, send an email to the company, and if approved, it will be added to their website!
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