inspiration: sticking to my long term goal

(Gah!! WORK!!....deep sigh)
I plan to eventually leave my 9-5 job and start my own boutique. It's a pretty typical goal for a design conscience 20 something shopaholic, but it's truly been a passion of mine for years.
I've never been to Urban Flower Grange Hall in Dallas but the second I came across their site and sneak peeks of the shop I was in love. Their luxury fantasy aesthetic is so beautiful and it definitely inspires some ideas for my future curiosity shop.
Another equally inspiring resource I glance at is the Independent London/Store Guide I picked up last March in England.This teeny book is loaded with exclusive shops and boutiques throughout the city that are all run by savvy entrepreneurs. I so need to go home and flip through this tonight and remind myself there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

sushi

I'm waiting for 1 o'clock to hit so that I can stop pretending to work and go have lunch with my mom.
Sketches by kozyndan; Flickr

<3 lab rat

I've been getting some Holiday shopping done recently and I have to admit I just love buying things. I love gift giving and I certainly enjoy treating myself to goodies. So with that said, here is something that would make a wonderful gift and addition to my growing collection of rodent theme art:
This hand knitted lab rat by The Crafty Hedgehog makes me squeal. Everything from his colorful felty innards, his pinned back mohair pelt to his teenie X eyes are precious. I would cuddle him and love him everyday and I am definitely putting him on my Christmas list this year. The Crafty Hedgehog is a wonderful Etsy resource that will not disappoint. One of my good friends purchased Monsieur le Moustache Grenouille (aka Marcel) last year and he is even cuter in person. Here he is traveling throughout England and Ireland with us:

ebay score: kitty painting

I've been on a hunt for the perfect cat painting and I can tell you, it isn't a simple feat. Just browse Ebay or Etsy and you'll find hundreds of pieces that are eligible candidates for the MOBA. But after some patience and luck I can now happily say that I am the proud winner of this yummy/tacky little gem:

"Oriental short hair white", 8x10" oil on canvas board; 2008; T.F. Lu

When I came across this auction I was instantly reminded of a photograph by Terrance Koh from the 2006 VICE photo issue.

This image titled, "Gilbert with herpes in eye" is nothing but amazing in it's subtle grossness and tranquility.

I love: coe & waito

Instead of a chandelier I want these hand sculpted porcelain jellyfish please.  This installation piece by Alissa Coe and Carlie Waito of coe&waito has been featured in a few art spaces but I think my home would make a great final destination. 

champagne & diamonds vicodin & icepacks

I just had my wisdom teeth removed and right now I don't feel nor look fabulous.  I figured since I'm under the weather, this would be an appropriate time to introduce you to two ladies who are always glamourous and smashing.

This foxy duo from Champagne and Diamonds is the first edition of taxidermy curio art by Lovedtodeath.  

We enjoy hosting these teenie lushes at our apartment everyday. These girls are always sipping on bubbly and gossiping about society while we toil away in our normal little lives. 

Found object

Edward Newman Horn; published 1941

This precious little book is one of my most cherished treasures. I found it laying on the ground near the lower east side in NYC a few years ago. I have since moved into several small apartments and have showcased it in every little space.

outsider art: David Shrigley

I want this tiny sculpture by Glasgow-based artist David Shrigley. I so don't need an other small white decorative piece in my apartment but this little eff-you swan makes me so happy. "Swan", 2000; cast polyurethane resin; open edition
Check out his website to see paintings, drawings,photos, sculptures, and animations that will surely make you smirk at least once.


funny house warming gift: Cocaine and Heroin salt and pepper shakers

err...Monday

I've had a rough Monday...What is also equally frustrating is that I one day randomly saved this image and now I don't remember who the artist is. I know nothing about this print but I love it. That might as well be me writing a note to my co-workers right now. The drawing style kind of reminds me of Neil Farber's work.

mini obession: sugar bush squirrel

I just came across the world's most photographed squirrel and I am in heaven. The sugar bush website offers everything from calendars to squirrel clothes and even $3 5x7 personally pawtographed prints. (Ehem...which is what everyone is now getting for Christmas this year.)

The discovery of Sugar Bush Squirrel undoubtedly reminds me of Satoru Tsuda's "RocknRoll Cats" work that fueled an outright obsession of mine a few years ago. Tsuda's work helped inspired my senior photography thesis at MassArt.

bunnies and trash

I love garbage bag art!

Leave it to the Japanese to design adorable trash bags. Check out the deliciously clever Oscar the Grouch series:Designed by Tokyo-based creative group MAQ, Inc., Rabbit-kun aims to inspire a more responsible attitude toward waste by providing a cute and stylish way for people to carry their trash home after a day outdoors. The bunny-shaped sack is the latest in a line of eye-pleasing Garbage Bag Art Work trash bags by MAQ.
Via: Bunnylicious

Craigslist find: vintage wing chair

I want this $150 vintage reupholstered wing chair I just found on CL.

Bear Market

Due to the election excitement today, things might be looking up for the Bear Market.
Untitled, Marcel Dzama; 2002
Marcel Dzama; Still from "Lotus Eaters"; resources: ArtReview: bear-bating, Artnet. "Everyone who's been paying attention to the artworld over the last six months knows that the secret to being taken seriously is to dress up as a bear."
"Watch Out, Goldilocks!";picapicadesign;graphite, ink and paper collage;$220Karl Lagerfeld Bear; $1500, Neiman Marcus
"Recline Bear Control"; Ghost Patrol; Acyclic and ink on pencil
"grizzly transplant";Brian Donnelly; oil on canvas,2008"Porcelain bears in love!";kgrandey;$68
The Above piece will go perfectly with the hugging bears print by Christina Vantzou that I previously posted.

good book:Tales for Little Rebels

With politics and tomorrows election on everyone's mind I thought it was appropriate to post this fun children's book: Tales for Little Rebels. It's an illustrated book that covers a broad range of leftist political theories and revolutionary events.
below are a few excerpts
Rather than teaching children to obey authority, to conform, or to seek redemption through prayer, twentieth-century leftists encouraged children to question the authority of those in power. Tales for Little Rebels collects forty-three mostly out-of-print stories, poems, comic strips, primers, and other texts for children that embody this radical tradition. These pieces reflect the concerns of twentieth-century leftist movements, like peace, civil rights, gender equality, environmental responsibility, and the dignity of labor.
NYU Press

I'm in the mood for some cute

Benzadine
Popcorn timeSome work by Allyson Mellberg; resources: blog, cinders gallery
A few illustrations by Sachiko Kanaizumi