With so many lost souls out there “finding themselves” via quarter, third, and mid life crises these days… i loved the idea of reminding us all that “not all haystacks contain needles”. It’s not about looking hard enough to find what you want… if its not there! Usually. Really its about looking in the RIGHT places? Making smarter decisions as we “grow up”? I love this one as a reminder to look up to when you’re faced with more opportunities than are feasible, as it alleviates some of the guilt in turning a few down.

Rant aside ~ these pieces by Damien Correll at the Faesthetic curated “This must be the place” show at the Scion Space in Culver City broke the black + white + teal color palette a little, but his illustration/graphic style is so playful its easy to forgive him and try to find meaning within his could be random juxtapositions. See the rest of his work on the next page!

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On more favorites ~ it was such a pleasure to see Dan Funderburgh again ~ and then literally stand and lose myself in his latest wallpaper pattern. Everyone at the Faesthetic curated “This must be the place” show at the Scion Space in Culver City worked in black and white + one color (Faesthetic style!) ~ and this time the color was their choice of teal. Well, Dan Funderburgh loves the black and white (me too!) ~ but when presented with the teal paint options at Home Depot ~ he couldn’t resist using a splash of Ariel’s Song. Yes. The Disney paint colors for Behr… from the Princess collection. I think it’s the color of her tail? So his black and white wallpaper, with laser-cut/burnt out black and white pieces in black frames… got their splash of color with the Ariel’s Song painted side of the wallpapered coffin. He always did find the most intriguing ways to create serenely complex edgy compositions that make your head spin if you look long and hard enough. So take a look at things up close on the next page… it was particularly interesting to watch people pose for pictures with his Ariel tail colored coffin face.

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Wow. Matthew Curry’s mural at the Faesthetic curated “This must be the place” show at the Scion Space in Culver City was irresistible. Also, always fun to fall for someone’s work and then have a chance to meet him ~ incredibly nice guy, as inspiring to talk to as his work is to stare at. His work is so intricately layered, you can literally stare at it and keep discovering new details. It’s heart breaking to imagine that incredible dragon mural get painted over at the end of the show… if only i could transplant it to my outdoor wall, it would be so awesome! But i digress… the whole show was stunning, and here’s just your first taste. See more pics of Curry’s pieces on the next page…

p.s.
his background is as multilayered and fascinating as his work… RISD Illustration grad ~ twice grammy nominated designer/illustrator/painter ~ principal of design studio Imagefed…

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Is it possible to completely fall for the way someone sees the world? Because i want to live in the world that Kevin Dart has created for Yuki 7 - filled with non-stop jetsetting adventures through the 60’s where “everyone should be SUPER cute” in adorable bikinis and gorgeous clothes and armed to the teeth while relaxing and calculating devious schemes and brilliantly daring escapes in mid-century modern furniture if not laying on the beach. If these feel familiar, we did an amazing giveaway of the series of 4 Yuki 7 posters over the holidays. (I’m still jealous of Jory for winning!)

Seductive Espionage: The World of Yuki 7 - This is the second book from Fleet Street Scandal ~ it is built around the fictitious world of Yuki 7 ~ and they brought together some incredible artist friends to help bring her story to life. From an awesome action packed trailer (you may have seen as .org # 22010 - but its also on the next page!) ~ to absolutely stunning interpretations of this silver screen siren. See a peek at the t-shirt and into the book on the next page!

p.s.
Can someone please turn this into an animated series or movies? It’s as if they pulled out my favorite parts of the old Bond films that the new ones lack… just add some mind blowing gadgets in perhaps?

p.p.s.
I totally flipped out seeing a quote from myself on the back cover! Definitely a NOTCOT first, and i’m so honored to be there! The doodle and signature/note inside the book also made my heart skip a beat… See the pics on the next page already!

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I don’t do roundups nearly regularly enough ~ so here’s a few random pics that amused me as i wandered back over what we’ve been up to over at NOTCOT.org the last week… as usual - click the images to find out more!

It’s always such a pleasure to go visit the DesignGlut booth at ICFF ~ i’m not sure how to describe it other than delightfully edgy ~ it is so playful, yet realistically dark ~ basically i always end up wanting everything ~ and as silly as Kegan Fisher and Liz Kinnmark may seem, they manage to pull it off this playfulness with more charisma and seriousness than you may expect from a design duo selling your eggs pants. Their photo shoots and booth design were stunning as always, and they’re even launching a new product… the Candlestrip ~ just like what it sounds like ~ candles with plug bottoms, ready to stick into almost any outlet (i still think they were pretty risky to have outlet plates as well as candle prototypes in the same booth waiting to be plugged together!) ~ but basically the candles go into a power strip like holder!

Take a look at some closeups of the new goodies, and their fun booth on the next page!

p.s.
i hate that every time i see them i feel like i need to buy a few dozen more hookmakers!

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Walking by the Stella McCartney store in the meatpacking district you can’t help but notice, stop, stare and giggle at the window filled with inflated dinosaurs ~ some even taking over the heads of mannequins while others swoop down on those with their arms raised… It’s bizarre to say the least, but part of me can’t help but wonder what it takes to get hired to come up with and execute THAT idea. It sounds like it’d be terribly fun! See more pictures on the next page… the close ups crack me up.

p.s.
if you’re in need of fun attention grabbing playful ideas like these, we should chat!

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Ørgreen Optics and Artsee’s “Playground: Where Danish Design Meets Japanese Perfection” ~ was an unexpected surprise as i turned the corner near the Standard NY while wandering the meatpacking district… you know i can’t turn away from a room of balls… especially a room of pink, silver, and black balls! Unfortunately it was a bit of a tease, since they were only about ankle/shin deep ~ so no ball pit diving! Oh, and how can you ignore the huge hot pink glasses outside too…? Unfortunately they were closing the doors as i wandered past, but it is Ørgreen handcrafted Danish architectural eyewear Solo Exhibition at Artsee Gallery - See more pics on the next page!

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Firstly, oh yes, i will probably be that girl at the supermarket rocking the metallic bronzey Tom Dixon tote in line… with my random magazines staying dry from wet goods and showing off the title perfectly in its exterior pocket ~ clearly made FOR that reason! You will suddenly know exactly what mood i’m in… artsy, businessy, car-y, fashiony?

But seriously ~ how can anyone resist these parties in empty Soho condos on GORGEOUS days with never ending Veuve Clicquot flowing ~ Tom Dixon lighting and furnishings surrounding you ~ and nearly 360 skyline views to stare out at? Dwell hosted a great party! Met some really cool folks ~ and yes… i’m impressed with their very trendy tote. Also see the sweet grassy kid friendly rooftop i spotted as well as many water towers… and all the Tom Dixon goodies on the next page!

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Have you ever found yourself mesmerized by a curvature? A silhouette? Just stuck in your mind, and you could stare at it for ages? And it doesn’t help that as you stare at it you can’t help but sip it as well? Well there’s something so beautiful about the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and La Grande Dame champagne glasses that i’ve been obsessing about since that trip to paris with them last year… It actually had me paying much closer to attention to both champagne and champagne glasses, since. You’ll see what i mean in the many pictures on the next page… there’s a comparison of some of the various champagne glasses rounded up from holiday gift boxes…

… also further indulging my curiosity about the origins of Champagne Glasses, the Veuve Clicquot historian was kind enough to put together some information on their background as well as some gorgeous visuals - from vintage Veuve ads ~ to scans from their library to take a look at what types of champagne glass styles exist and how they have evolved over the years.

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So, you may have heard Mark Hoppus (yes, of Blink 182) ~ loves him some Octopus… it’s even his personal logo that a family friend (Sacha, screen writer by day, artist by… amusement?) made for him… and its quickly spreading to stickers, shirts, vinyl toys, and now a limited edition laser engraved USB key. Actually only 100 USB keys… and on even more amazing things, apparently Mark is a long time NOTCOT reader, and was kind enough to toss one my way to give away to one of you!!! (Also he is an avid twitterer, and those who follow me may have noticed when i found out he was a reader.)

As for this limited edition USB key ~ 100 were made by Mojo Laboratories to promote the Mark Hoppus remix of Fall Out Boy’s “America’s Sweethearts”. On the keys are the remix mp3, music video, a special Hoppus/Octopus pic, and a behind the photoshoot video… and a special code to get a Tshirt!

THE GIVEAWAY: Here’s the deal ~ to win the key ~ leave a comment with your favorite Blink 182 or Fall Out Boy lyrics and which song they are from. And Friday midnight 5/15 EST (i’ll be in NY) ~ i’ll pick a random winner from the comments!

Now, if you’re ready, head to the next page to see the tons of pics and Octopus info and closeups of the tiny adorable drive (yes, i’m having a hard time giving it up!) and sneak peeks at some of the contents you’ll find on the drive…

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I couldn’t help myself. Ami and the Cool Hunting kids clearly had tons of fun with Kidlandia ~ and i had to try it too! Sure it’s for little kids ~ but its like mad libs for a playful crazy MAP! Anyhow, check out NOTland ~ and close ups on the next page! According to CH - “Kidlandia, a website that lets you create personalized fantasy maps for kids, evolved from illustrator, entrepreneur and former Disney producer Brian Backus’ intricate, personalized maps that he started making a few years ago.”

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Freshly landed in my mailbox, the fanciest wrapped newspaper yet ~ The Arkitip Intel Newspaper Supplement, Volume No. 1 ~ it came preciously sealed in plastic in a stiff mailer ~ i felt like i should save it forever and not open it, but curiousity got the best of me… again. So what is this mysterious newspaper? Here’s how the folks at Arkitip describe it:

“What better time than the present to publish our first newspaper. Going against the grain has never stopped us before and no matter what might be happening with news media and publishing in general, we will always continue to work on and publish projects that interest us.

Over the years, The Arkitip Intel has evolved into an online publication that brings together the most unique voices in the world of art, fashion, music, design, and retail. Now we’re taking The Intel into the tactile realm.

The Arkitip Intel Newspaper Supplement will feature all twenty of our reporters expanding their online musings to the printed page. Four colors on 22 x 11 In. broadsheet newsprint, packaged in re-sealable bag.”

It’s pretty awesome ~ i love the smell/feel of newsprint ~ there’s just something fun about flipping through the paper! So are you ready to take a peek inside? And i just love that Ace Hotels ad up there ~ tempted to frame it for constant typographic reassurance… See pics of the un-wrapping and flipping on the next page!

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Children’s books inspiring art? “Beyond the Pages” at Gallery 1988 SF that opens tonight is STUNNING ~ this post would be up sooner if i wasn’t so busy deciding and buying a few of the pieces first ~ then looking up book covers and reliving my love of Roald Dahl, Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, and more to help pull some of your nostalgic heart strings too. I’m sure so much of my art tastes were influenced by those book covers of my childhood. And yes, even today, i’m still prone to impulse buying books for great covers (there are some i’ve purchased in other countries and read possibly because the cover made them that much more enticing to me)…

ALSO noteworthy? While they never charge admission ~ “we are asking each gallery visitor to bring one new children’s book, which will be donated to the San Francisco Unified School District. The gallery will also make an additional donation on behalf of the show.” What a nice gesture! So ~ take a look at some of my favorites of the MANY pieces, and some of the sources of their inspiration alongside on the next page!

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My morning excitement was ordering one of the limited edition Moebots prints (seen above) - a collab between Moedigliani and Angry Woebots! Drawn in by the combination of the usual awesome angry pandas as they sneak up on that unsuspecting Moedigliani frog…

Anyhow, all this lead me to discover and explore the awesome works of Moedigliani ~ aka Moedigs aka Mr. Digglesworth III aka Maurice Radke - Graphic designer, illustrator, artist, and web designer ~ from Honolulu, currently living in Los Angeles. Check out his blog here. See some more of my favorites of his work on the next page!

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