Happy 4th!

The GrayBear and I are headed back to the coast to celebrate the 4th of July with our friends, Lisa S. and Cis-co-bob. Hope you and yours have a delightful weekend. Cheers to Lady Liberty!

1. Balinese umbrella; 2. Morey boogie boards; 3. pink dominoes set; 4. playing cards;
5. J. Crew flip flops; 6. Felix Rey bag; 7. Micheal Kors bathing suit; 8. swim shirt;
9. boys Vilebrequin bathing suit; 10. crocs; 11. visor; 12. eGo ipod waterproof speaker; 10. hat

Miss Fashionista, Miss Recessionista...

Though I'm certainly not recession proof, I figure a good attitude can only help things. Purchase here:


Via Byrd and Bleecker.

Not Your Grandmother's Crochet

I mentioned most of the details from our fun trip to the Point Theatre in Ingram, Texas on Monday, but I saved the best for last: the gift shop. It was a totally unexpected little treat.

The Hill Country Arts Foundation has tapped into an obviously able group of ladies who donates their time to crochet blankets, pin cushions, potholders, pot scrubbers (deemed 'the best in Texas') and various chotskies. These goods are then sold in the gift shop where profits go to help supporting the theatre and arts center. Check out some of the gems:

Granny Square Blankets:


Potholders:


Scrubbers:


Crocheted granny square blankets and potholders are certainly not new to the market, but it seems like more and more are trying their hand at modern applications of the craft. Flickr is flooded with images of granny squares, a fact that has certainly been fueled by the recent DIY surge. I selected a very small handful below:


And check out how fellow interior designers, artists and bloggers make use of crocheted items in their real lives:


I feel my inner-Martha being tapped. It kind of makes me want to find some crochet needles and get to work. If you, too, are feeling so inclined, check out this tutorial for instructions on how to crochet your own creations. Good luck!

Do You See What I See?

Have you ever wondered how to create the same color within different applications - say, create a pink paint that perfectly matches a pink fabric?

You'll likely use the Pantone system, a system that standardizes colors. In doing so, different manufacturers in different locations can all refer to the Pantone system to make sure colors match without direct contact with one another.

One of the more interesting things the company produces is called the PANTONE VIEW Colour Planner. It predicts specific trends 18-24 months prior to a specific season and shows designers how to strategically apply those trends to their products and goods based on color.


Though this was published months ago, I thought it would be interesting to look at what Pantone's summer predictions are since today is the first day of summer. The Spring/Summer 2009 edition focuses on "independence," and is interpreted in seven palettes. One can expect to find these color trends reflected in several design areas including women’s wear, menswear, active wear, cosmetics, interiors, industrial design and graphics (via Pantone):

• Female-ism: medium pastels with a tinge of retro glamour
• Classic-ism: almost devoid of color except for one medium blue accent
• Independent-ism: tart, bold and gregarious colors
• Today-ism: deep, dark shades of reddish blues and brown
• Absurd-ism: combines disproportionate color hues and values
• Fetish-ism: "a carnal inspiration and desire for experimentation"
• Surreal-ism: "plays with scale, combination and expectation to create unexpected, and even strange, creations"

Yes, you say, but what exactly are those colors? See below for a few of the examples.


You can purchase the whole report for $750 (or just enjoy the brief synopsis that I've provided for free).

Geek Chic

Eyeglasses can be a big fashion statement, even if you don't need corrective lenses. There are so many trends, but these days the geeky look is in, even amongst celebrities.


And it's not only the females, either.


Don't be afraid to get in touch with your inner geek... just make sure you are fashionable while you do it. Check out some of these hot looks.

1. Nebb@Moscot; 2. Yukel@Moscot; 3. Risky Business@Metropark;
4. John Lennon@GlassesDirect.co.uk; 5. Faded Readers@UrbanOutfitters

One more thing...

Image via MES Vision

Electric Avenue

I've been waiting for my neighborhood beauty supply store to get in Essie's 2009 Neon Collection. Well... the colors have finally arrived!


My nails are gonna be hot, hot, hot in funky limelight, flirty fuchsia, punchy pink and perky purple - just in time for the really steamy weather only a South Texas summer can bring. (I'm currently sporting the purple on my fingers and lime on my toes.) Find yours now at a local shop or online at Essie.

Though the neon trend was re-introduced on the runways during the Spring 2008 shows, it hasn't quite made it's way out yet. Neons are the colors for this summer and can be found all over the place. Now, I'm not suggesting that you should wear head to toe neon, but a little here and there certainly won't hurt. Mix it in with your basic blacks and whites for a sophisticated (yet playful) look.

Check out all the goodies I found:

1. Chanel handbag; 2. Converse@Hot Topic; 3. tape@Fred Flare;
4. bikini@Target; 5. Medusa's eye shadows@Fred Flare;
6. cameo ring@Tarina Tarantino; 7. watch@Toy Watch;
8. Louis Vuitton by Stephen Sprouse; 9. Grande headphones@Urban Outfitters;
10. sunglasses@Forever 21; 11. plastic frame@Mod Cloth; 12. Christian Louboutins@Saks

Doesn't it all make you want to rock down to Electric Avenue?

Lash "Extensions"

Following up on my previous post, eyelashes aren't just for eyes. Check out all the different types of "extensions" out there right now:

1. "Blink" via Supermarket; 2. Thakoon via Rural Runway;
3. pillow via Fur Tub;4. She Uemura lashes; 5. print via Best Art Studios 2;
6. water bottle via Cafe Press; 7. dress at Miss Selfridge;
8. Mika Olivia via Springwise; 9. eye mask via Patricia Field