Tactile

A close-up of my first class project.

Okay, so I said I was going to try participating in a photo contest--so far, I've had entries for about two days out of thirteen, or something. It's harder to stick to than I thought it would be. 

But that's partially because my new class has started, and it has started with a bang. I'm already up to my elbows in sharpies and rulers and giant sketch books. 

I am slowly rediscovering how incredibly wonderful it is to make things. To have tactile materials in tow on my way to class is intensely more satisfying than lugging my laptop to a lecture to take notes with, and certainly more satisfying than the hours I spend at my office desk pounding on a keyboard, printing out letters and spreadsheets.

There will never, ever be a replacement for paper and pens. I don't care how digital our culture becomes--we still have a need to touch things, to hold books in our hands, to run our fingers along the gritty cardboard packaging of a new CD, or across the embossed lettering of a fresh business card. 

We have an obligation to not let this stuff die. 

Don't get me wrong--I'm interested in computer-based graphic design too, and computers can help us create incredible, magical things. But at the end of the day, I don't get any comfort from a computer screen. I do, however, get comfort from a fine-tipped marker and a pad of paper. Send it my way. 

I'll be on my way to my second class shortly, and I'm super stoked to continue work on my first project. I'm out of practice, but I will not be deterred. I've been waiting for this for a long time.

Summer Bike Style

Oh friends. I made a pact with myself to ride my bike to work as often as possible this summer, and since the weather broke last week, I thought I was safe. Yesterday, though, I should have suited up a bit better, because it was cold. I think I almost lost a few fingers.

With thunderstorms in the forecast today, I gave myself a break, but I plan to be back in the saddle tomorrow. In the meantime, here are some things that have me thinking about summer biking in the city.

1. This I'm with Bluegrass t-shirt is merch from one of my favorite bands ever, the Punch Brothers (any old-school Nickel Creek fans out there? Anyone?). I get to see them on April 16th, and you can bet your booty this shirt is coming home with me. 16-year-old me is already jealous that she didn't get to wear it first.

2. This is one of my favorite maps of Pittsburgh, by Commonwealth Press. I live in Greenfield--can you spot it?

3. While we're talking maps, Woodcut Maps might be my new favorite design idea ever. Choose a location on Google Maps, choose up to four different woods, and they'll ship your map in two weeks. How beautiful is that?

4. Yes, this is a planter that attaches to your bike. Yes, it is orange with a teal elastic, and yes, it is holding succulents. No more needs to be said about this.

5. I'm addicted to gray sneakers, and these ones by Born look right up my alley. Sure, they're $95.00 a pair, but this is my bloggy dream world, so I'll do what I want. ((P.S., did anyone realize that Simple Shoes is on hiatus? So very, very sad. I should grab a pair from Zappos before they disappear forever.))

6. I can't wait to make one of these jersey, finger-knit bracelets, as shown in Vanessa Christenson's how-to. Can I rewind to a couple years ago when I donated all those old college t-shirts during a closet binge? There are accessories to be made!

The weather was perfect for my lunch break, so I got to have a nice lunch with my favorite boy and even sneak in an orange-pineapple ice cream cone. I'm so, so glad that the sun is back.

Girl Walk

If you ever wondered what the person in my head looks like when I listen to my iPod (of course you have!), then watch this video.

Girl Walk // All Day: Chapter 1 from Girl Walk // All Day on Vimeo.

Seriously, this is great stuff. Set to music from Girl Talk's All Day, Girl Walk // All Day follows a quirky dancing girl through New York as she courts a gentleman, avoids a creep, and makes every New Yorker fall in love with her--and with dancing.

The whole film is about an hour long, and can be watched in chapters on their website. It's a journey of urban exploration, free movement, and personal expression, and I'm loving every second of it.

Also, how great is their icon of her pastel-colored windbreaker? It makes my heart go pitter-pat.

Back to the office for me, but if you want to come dance with me on my lunch break, I'm game.

Houseplant Villages

I have become newly obsessed with the idea of turning all of my house plants into tiny villages for tiny, invisible people.

Cottage Town, designed by Ontwerpduo: Tineke Beunders and Nathan Wierink. Photos by Lisa Klappe.
Used with permission from the owner.

Bonsai-B, by Takanori Aiba

Little Blue Cabin Living Terrarium on Etsy, by bakerkristen

In fact, I already bought a tiny metal-cast soldier to hang out in my jade plant. Now all he needs is a castle to protect.