Surprise Ideas

This Saturday, as it was too hot to think, I spent most of the day curled up next to my air conditioner, catching up on my reading. I finally opened the most recent issue of Fast Company, and I found this ad.

I think what drew me to the ad was that I really didn't know what on earth it was about, but the phrase "you talk. we draw. it's awesome."

Well, it really stood out.

I tore the ad out and went to their website. 

(way to go guys! very successful advertisement: it did exactly what it was supposed to do.)

Anyway, upon further investigation, it turns out Ink Factory Studio is absolutely brilliant.

In an age where engaging your audience is everything, and powerpoint is everywhere (boring), they have this amazing niche in creating unique and inspired real-time visuals during meetings for their clients.

The Chicago based team of three "graphic recorders" at once creates stimulating visuals, but also conveys important information in a very accessible way.

They've even worked with kids in the Golden Apple Foundation to teach the "next generation" of graphic recorders.

You can follow their blog to see some of their most recent projects and keep an eye out for what's coming next.

I have this feeling that it's going to be very exciting to watch.

Night Light

These spacetastic landscape photos by Nydia Lilian have blown me away.

They have this futuristic, other-worldly quality, despite being in black and white, and of an already existing Earth.

The way she has captured the essence of light, even in its absence is enviable, inspiring, and awesome.

The Orient Express

In an ingenius collaborative editorial project, Louis Vuitton has enlisted The Selby to embark on a Pan-Asian train journey from Paris to Shanghai.

The trip recalls the glamourous and fabled Orient Express of years-gone-by, but with a refreshing twist and an air of American nostalgia. 

It's a surprising collaboration, as Louis Vuitton is such an iconic legacy brand, and The Selby is much more of a grassroots documentarian, but the combination of the two in this project feels really fresh and exciting.

It's a 12 day journey documented through photographs, videos, and The Selby's signature scribbled watercolors and sketches. There's something so sweet and inviting about the whole adventure.

Right now, they're on day 2, as they're crossing Belarus and Poland into Russia. You can follow along all the way to Shanghai.

The whole adventure has me pining for a solitary train adventure across half the world and a luxury luggage set.

I didn't even know that was possible.

Things That Are Awesome Thursday: Fireworks

photographs by me

Nothing says Summer, or at least American Summer, like fireworks.

They're loud, they're bright, they're festive-- they're everything America wants to be in one explosive bang after another.

I love fireworks. 

They are awesome....clearly.

Happy 4th of July: America is Awesome Edition

All photographs taken by me

The 4th of July: my favorite holiday. Not because I'm the most patriotic person or I have an unabashed love for all things red-white-and-blue, but rather, it's the one holiday that I can fully support.

America is a really awesome place. It's truly unrivaled. There's a climate/city/place for everyone...and there are amazing people everywhere. People just do things here. They make things, they try things, they risk things.

It's a country founded on revolution. You can feel the lingering sense of revolution in art, politics, and business. 

It's a really amazing place.

Places from top to bottom: Smithsonian in Washington DC, Great Smoky Mountains, NC, 56th St in Manhattan through the window at MOMA, The Ocean at Newport,RI, and Chicago from Millenium Park.

Anaranjado

Light is the most temporal of experiences. 

One of the greatest joys of traveling is being able to experience light in different places, at different times, as it will never be again. When I leave a place, one of the most lingering effects is that of the light.

When I was in Seville, Spain, I was struck by the amazing orange glow that seemed to surround the city.

It was as if Seville is a fairytale city, straight out of a dream book from centuries ago, all covered with the warm orange haze of a Spanish Summer.

The Europeans in December

MSGM on Moda Operandi

I'm still not sure how I feel about Resort collections.

On the one hand, I feel like designer's truly get to design from their heart for their muse and customer. They don't have to reinvent the wheel or show off their mastery of craft, rather they just get to design wonderful clothes meant for life.

On the other hand, Resort comes out in December and January...As much as I would love to wear floral prints and shorts in December, it is the middle of winter.

No matter the weather, I'm totally smitten with MSGM's Resort 13 collection (available for pre-order at Moda Operandi).

As a self-proclaimed jacket addict, I love how they pair the boxy jackets in prints with short shorts and mixed prints. 

It feels at once ladylike and bohemian.

Fashion at it's finest.

Things That Are Awesome Thursday: Knoxville Tunes

I got turned onto Yung Life, through yvynyl.

They're a really cool band out of Knoxville, TN. You can grab the album on their bandcamp, and it is definitely worth it. It's not every day you find a band that's perfect for summer barbecues and chilling at home on rainy days.

This video is of the 2nd track on the album and features clips from Jim Jarmusch's "Mystery Train."

If this doesn't pluck at your heartstrings, what will?

p.s. yvynyl is a totally awesome music blog. if you want to stay ahead in the indie rock/dream pop world, he's your guy.

Link List: How-to-Cool-Off-When-its-1-Billion-Degrees

Blue Lagos, 2012 by me

While the ultimate escape from the heat is traveling to a distant sea-side locale, unfortunately, it is never as easy as it sounds. Here are some links for ideas to beat the heat when you're stuck in the city dreaming of icebergs and sailboats

-these photographs from by Brian Ferry

-the most beautiful and simple mojitos

-sitting in a movie theater for 2 hours

-jumping into a swimming hole

- day dreaming about a colorful hotel in Palm Springs

Finger Tiers

Lately, I've been really drawn to the thinnest rings. I love how they're at once delicate, yet geometric and masculine.

These two rings would make such a beautiful stack. They're by Palomarie.

The jewelry from this Austin based line is stunning. You can tell the craftsmanship is perfect and the design aesthetic is clear and cohesive.

The perfect blend for amazing and unique jewelry.