Great products from La Maison De Marina
I found this HILARIOUS blog called F U Penguin. Where the writer, Matthew Gasteier tells cute animals what's what.
He simply finds photos of animals of all types and makes commentary on them that are simply ingenious. This Matthew guy is so good that he's even coming out with a whole book on what he wrote on the blog....seriously f-ed up.
This is a perfect blog to read on a Friday when you feel like taking an extra long lunch break...
But just to warn you...there's no holding back in his writing styles...he shows no mercy on these poor animals...he simply curses the crap out of them.
Here are some of the posts I like...click to read the actual posts.
The Beaver is clearly up to something
Desperate otters turn to cute-based crime in the struggling economy
Moose are the biggest dorks ever
No one wants to hang out with eels
The Tibetan Fox Thinks He's Better Than You.
I just recently found out about this non-profit organization (through Tricia), called Eat-In. An Eat-In is a group of people gathering in public in order to share a home-cooked meal.
Essentially it's using the simple idea of a potluck to make a powerful political statement about the value of sharing food, cooking from home, and bring the communities together. These Eat-In "potlucks"can be as big as 250 plus people dining all together! AWESOME!!
The very first Eat-In meal happened in Delores Park in SF back in 2008 that coincided with Slow Food Nation. I just think it's a great way to just get people out and share an awesome meal for the hell of it! Now people have organized various Eat-Ins in different cities and countries from around the world!
This Eat-Ins took place in Stuttgart, Germany, I love how they even rolled out the red carpet to dine in the middle of a plaza!
It's totally inspiring to see the amazing images of all these gatherings...
Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Seattle??
This is another exciting Seattle based design/art studio opening, Piano Nobile. I was stoked to hear from Jamie (of Iacoli & McAllister) that their studio is right in Ballard! We're coming near to our anniversary of living in our new house in Ballard, and I'm excited to learn about all the new and fun things/places/people around the neighborhood.
Piano Nobile is having their studio opening TODAY, 4-6pm. Should be fun to check out their space and day dream about having a studio collective space.
Check out their shop, too!
I finally ordered some prints from Abby Try Again!
They were neatly packaged, and it was such a delight to open them up and see them in person! Abby even added a beautiful postcard with blue flowers!
It was hard to choose, but I went with photos of objects....
I got collection of printing rollers, a camera, clothespins....
cleaning tools....since I'm known to be a clean freak.
Photo of ladies & gentlemen...this will add to my collection things that represents L&G. I realized it looked more like a wedding figurines...oops.
They all look great as whole collection! Now I just need to hang them up now!
Check it...remember the summer dress I wanted, and how I wanted to wear it everyday and everywhere? Well...someone is validating my idea with this concept of wearing one dress for 365 days, called the Uniform Project by Sheena Matheiken! It's a brilliant concept!
She wears the same dress (she has 7 of the same dress that is...) and find ways to reinvent the outfit everyday for an entire year! She started in May and it's been fascinating to see all the outfits she created.
Shenna got inspired by her childhood memory of wearing school uniforms and how everyone would always try to express themselves by accessorizing their body. So she collaborated with Eliza Starbuck to create an everyday "uniform" that was designed to be worn all year round.
The idea of wearing the same thing everyday can go a long way in changing our perception of fashion and the value of garment.
Clothes should last longer than one time wear, but why is there such a stigma behind wearing something twice in a row or too many times?
I've caught myself thinking before meeting up with someone "Did I wear this the last time I saw them??"
But why do we have those thoughts? Does it really matter whether the person wore the same thing twice...well...it matters to Jerry Seinfield...BUT...WHAT IS THE DEAL?! (In Jerry's voice)
This whole concept is very refreshing and inspiring to see. I mean, just look at all the variety and adorable outfits she's able to put together! Granted she still wears a lot of other shirts and garments with it...but the idea that one garment can be worn so many way is pretty fascinating!
I have about 10-15 pieces of garment that I always tend to grab and would mix and match them and layer them differently. This habit came about because of my own personal laziness of thinking about what to wear everyday....but maybe I SHOULD consider making it more of a fashion philosophy! I mean, why not? It does make more sense to have fewer but more versatile garments where they can be worn for different occasions, weather, and settings.
This could be a worth while challenge...and I think it would just be good to purge a little and re-evaluate the things I REALLY need.
If you're finding yourself wanting to do a little purging, too, make sure you donate it to the UNIFORM PROJECT!
So Finally! Went through all the photos we took...all 200+ of them! Phew!!
You can see the crowd and the space at Ouch My Eye. The sun lit room made the space look even more amazing. Here's all the designs that were at the show. Remember, the show will be up through July, 12th, and the gallery will also be open late for First Thursday Art Walk on July 2nd.
Above: Graypants , Grain, Elisa Werbler
Above: Frame Lamp by Iacoli & McAllister, Paper Flower Shade by Lit, Peep Show Shade by Andrea Claire, Scrap by Graypants, Porcailine shade by Heath Bultman.
Above: Pedestals by Iacoli & McAllister, Ceramic Cans by Jason Neufeld, Doily Clock by Stanley Ruiz, Hookup by Fruitsuper Design, "Pour"by Elisa Werbler, Recycled leather sculpture by Submaterial. 
Necklaces by Stanly Ruiz, Wood & Corian rings by Iacoli & McAllister, Cryon Rings by Timothy Liles, Cinder Block necklace by Kiel Mead.
Hairpiece, and mirror necklaces by FortyFive-09.
Above are some of the figures I made for the Chalk-It-To-Me Series along with the Buddha figure and Piggy Bank. I provided bunch of various colored chalk and people went crazy on all the Chalk-It-To-Me figures. It was fun to see the progression of what people drew as the night went on. As you can see that what used to be the handsome black panther got turned into a drag queen panther.... Good times. :D
I especially enjoyed the art installations and art work by (knee shy). They have a wonderfully analytical, but humorous way of commenting about the audacity of our everyday behaviors and interactions. They didn't begin working on their piece until arriving in Seattle allowing their journey here to inspire them to document a movement of their own creation: O.N.W.A.R.D: Our Nation Want Airport Re-Design. Their installed piece mocked humanity's futile efforts to improve airports by adding things like bad art and crappy shopping to our air travel experiences. Pretty funny stuff.
Brite Collective has a section in the show with all the Brite Lites are displayed. It was fun to see them again in the gallery context and I think it got a lot of people curious and interested in it! Become a Brite Collective facebook fan and get all our updates plus other design-related Seattle happenings!
More of Tricia's Bread Friend Map. It was even more impressive to see the bread board that she had someone custom made for her. I love all the adorable playful doodles that people did through out the map, too!
There's seriously too many photos! You can see MORE on our Flickr!
Another great vintage furniture site for your eyes to feast on: Furniture-love.com
I was specifically drawn to these crazy chairs by Dick Spierenburg for Castelijin 1978. I love the repeated angles and simple simple construction (plus their photography is great).
Also super-duper:
The folks at CoolHunting did a review of the Ctrl+Alt+Design show. They even included L&G's Alphabrass lamps and bench!
How exciting!
Dylan took out the memory card from the camera and I couldn't upload them today! AH!
But thanks to Tricia Martin...who did her homework already! I'm borrowing some of her photos for this post. Thanks Tricia. :D
The Ctlr+Alt+Design opening this Friday was AWE-SOME!! The show looked amazing, and it was a great turn out with more people than I expected. Well...I didn't know what to expect, but there were tons of support not only from friend & family, but also from local Seattle businesses as well as design professionals. We've met lots of interesting new people and found out how so many people are connected!
The show is at Ouch My Eye Gallery and will be up through July 12th. The gallery is this incredible loft space just north of SAFECO field. The show looked especially professional and stunning because of the space and what the guys had done at Ouch. I would love to work...or even live there!
Here's the amazing progress of how the Seattle Bread Friend Map was growing! That was totally fun to have at the opening. It was interesting to see how people are connected! The bread was also DELECIOUS!! We even took a little bit home at the end of the night. :D
I made this little chalk piggy bank to accept donations. Although we didn't make a million, we did receive a whole $20 bill! Many thanks to the generous person! We will indeed HEART you very much. And the other person who put in 0.50 cents. We HEART you, too...AND everyone who showed up for support of course!
More photos to come soon!
I actually got some down time to do this entry half hour before the the Ctrl +Alt+Design show opens.
Okay, I made the piggy bank for suggested donations. This little piggy is gonna make BANK!!....I hope. 
I got a stack of Ladies & Gentlemen business cards, with our Alphabrass lamp silhouette! Check!
Not to be a girl or anything...well... But I am girl, so whatever.
I've picked out my outfit for the show opening! :D I'm gonna wear this AMAZING dress from La Casita De Wendy!! I did a trade with Ines for something from our vintage shop and I can't be happier!
They now have an online shop!!
Hope to see some of you around!
This is it! Tonight is the opening of JOIN's Ctrl+Alt+DESIGN show! 7pm-Midnight!!
There's so much stuff at the gallery space that it is starting to look like a design store! (I wish we have design store!)
Lots of things are for sale and really affordable...DANGEROUS!! I'm already eying on some stuff and gonna get first dibs! Muah ha ha!
Here's some photos of us setting up late last night.
Jamie organizing all the jeweleries including an array of awesome crayon rings!
Nin & Dylan setting up the BRITE lites. It should be a fun little wall with some crazy lights!
Oh and here's Dylan eating some takeouts from one of our favorite late night place for some Cantonese comfort foods, Purple Dot Cafe in Chinatown. Nothing like eating delecious sticky friedrice at 11pm for dinner!!
Still more to do! As you can see it's still quite a mess. :P
I'm sure we all be running around till the very last minute!...totally feel like we're students again!
Here's a little preview of what L&G will be showing for the Friday Ctrl+Alt+Design Show.
This was taken with a Polaroid camera. I just really like how this photo turned out...
Gotta love Polaroids!
So this week it's gonna be packed with some awesome design actions along with JOIN's Cltr+Alt+Design Show this Friday!
JUNE 10th, WEDNESDAY: UW Design show 2009, 5-7pm
showcasing senior design students of Visual Communication design, Industrial design, Design studies, and MFA designs. I like their simple yet playful poster and website.
JUNE 10th, WEDNESDAY: Objectified Screening at Cinerama, 7pm
Join director Gary Hustwit for a special screening and post-film discussion. Sponsored by AIGA Seattle and IDSA NW. I'm Looking forward in seeing some my design heroes like Hella Jongerius, Naoto Fukusawa, Dieter Rams, and the Bouroullec brothers in the film...this will probably be the closest I'll ever get to "meet" them. I'm excited nonetheless.
Oh! Look closer and find the word "objectified" spelled out with objects!
I know, A lot going on, but if you miss the opening and screening, don't fret, the student show will be up for at least 2 more weeks and also Objectified will be playing at Northwest Film Forum in July.
JOIN us for a celebration of 26+ fantastic designs from Seattle and across the states! Our next show, Ctrl+Alt+DESIGN will be opening on FRIDAY, JUNE, 12th from 7pm-Midnight.
Ouch My Eye Gallery is sponsoring the event by letting us use their awesome studio/gallery space with a bar and a new Cafe, Occhio. (Pronounced OH-KEE-OH)
This show is gonna be EPIC!! This is our first juried design show, and we were thrilled with the quality of work and design from the submissions.
There's a great selection of designers and design work from small accessories, jewelery, home decor, lighting, to furniture.
There will be music, all the designers and artists will be there, art installation by (knee shy), all of the BRITE lites, AND a one day only event at reception: Bread Friend Map by Tricia Martin. All I'm gonna say is, YOU+(2 x FOUR FOOT long loafs of bread)=AWESOME FRIEND MAP. If you wanna find out what all this is about, you just gotta come and check it out!! Here's a process shot of the homemade mega bread from Tricia....crazy.
Dylan and I are gonna have some smaller L&G designs there as well! ...Meet Mr. Rhino. Pleasure.
See you there!
Was killing some time and somehow ended up in Anthropologie for a "quick" look. I saw this dress in the June catalog, and just thought I give it a try...ugh..big mistake...because now I can't stop thinking about it! I usually don't go for their dresses since I think they're a little too girly for me, but I think THIS dress is made for ME!!
It has a asymmetrical draped piece on the front going from top left to bottom right. It's interesting, playful, comfortable, and super cute...most importantly, I look awesome in it! (I don't want to brag or anything...)
But I NEED this for the summer!
I can wear it over jeans...or with colorful tights...or just as a dress. I can wear it to the beach, to a bbq/picnic, to the movies, to the stores, to the library, to a cafe or a restaurant, even to work!(which is more like at home)...but,man! what a versatile dress, RIGHT? I can pretty much wear this EVERYDAY...that's how damn versatile this dress is!
Sigh.....I want to wear you....THIS bad!!
I recently flew on Virgin America for the first time coming back from SF. Their planes are crazy...a little silly, but entertaining nonetheless! I wished I had a reason to try the absinthe cocktail drink they served on the plane....but I was by myself, so it would of been a little weird to do that. :P
I ended up listening to the French electro house duo, Justice, and it just reminded me how much I love their D.A.N.C.E video. Even though it's pretty old, I still love the video AND the song!
Just thought I share this.
Have a great weekend!
This backpack/purse is pretty awesome, too.
So summery feeling!
Hello! We apologize for the delay!! We held our first BRITE event on May, 16. We FINALLY went through the photos (I took 400+ photos!) and can now share with everyone what a fun event it was!
Just to backtrack a little, Dylan & I and Christa & Nin (from Cafe Weekend) teamed up to organize this design charrette (and a trial run) with a mission to start connecting people through interactive and spontaneous design activities. We're calling it the BRITE Collective.
For this first event: BRITE lite, LOCAL DESIGNERS & CRAFTERS teamed up to participate in a spontaneous 4 hour community scavenger hunt/design-build to create ready-made lamps from household and second hand materials.
There was a good turn out with 18 people (total of 9 teams) who participated that day. We asked people to bring materials to share with everyone and there were a great mix of lamps that came from it. We gave every team a BRITE lite kit...which I had a little too much fun with. :D
Everyone also got a special wooden BRITE badge! Our plan is to do that for every event! ...I mean , who wouldn't want to be rewarded for such accomplishments! A simple badge is a perfect item that says "HEY! I accomplished something today and that's a wonderful feeling! (blank stare and a giant stiff smile)" And THAT's pretty darn special, wouldn't you agree? 
We were all about making this event special. Christa even went and got some cheerful balloons!
It was a beautiful Seattle day so we were able to open the garage door at the Hiawatha community space and some people worked outside or walked to the nearby Goodwill Dearborn to hunt for interesting materials for their lights.
Nin and I were in charge of documentenging the event...we followed people around trying taking candid shots capturing their process at the Goodwill. And in the process of taking photos, I crept around like a creepy stalker trying not to get noticed....and also trying to stop myself from shopping. That was hard.
Oh and look! Here's Steve with his new Friend! Apparently he decided to replace his hand with a rubber dinosaur head instead. Oh! all the wonderful things you can find!
It was so inspiring to creative energy in the room and see everyone brainstorming, sketching, playing ,and exploring with materials. It was just amazing to see everyone use ordinary things and turn it into something extraordinary!!Okay I'll stop with the talking.. On with the results!
Here are some lights people made in 4 hours! Drum roll.....
Pair of hanging lights made with walnut edge banding and paper cups by Lindsay & Sena.
Table lamp made with stainless thermos and glass coffee pot by Joelle & Steve.
Hanging shade made with wire ring, staples, and letter envelopes by Mat & Dylan.
Table lamp wit braille paper and Stevie Wonder record at the base by Christine & Nick.
Hanging chandelier made with mix match of magazine organizers by Chika & Cat.
Come see TONS more photos here to see the entire process! The lights will also be exhibited at JOIN's Ctrl Alt Design show at Ouch My Eye, beginning June 12th, with the opening starting from 7-midnight.
Hanging shade made with wire ring, staples, and letter envelopes by Mat & Dylan. Table lamp wit braille paper and Stevie Wonder record at the base by Christine & Nick. Hanging chandelier made with mix match of magazine organizers by Chika & Cat.Come see TONS more photos here to see the entire process! The lights will also be exhibited at JOIN's Ctrl Alt Design show at Ouch My Eye, beginning June 12th, with the opening starting from 7-midnight.If you like what you're seeing and would like to know about our future events, please join our BRITE facebook !
Thanks to everyone who participated. It was a very fun day and great way to kick off the BRITE Collective!!