The Artist

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to see The Artist as a sneak preview. Knowing little (well, nothing, really) about the storyline, I was surprised to discover that the movie was created as a silent film. Initially, I was skeptical of whether it would hold my attention for 100 minutes but by the third scene, I was totally captivated!

Set in 1920s Hollywood, The Artist tells a story of two charismatic movie stars. George Valentin, a prolific silent film star, struggles with adapting to the world of talking pictures. Peppy Miller, a young and energetic aspiring actress, is destined for talkie stardom. The two serendipitously cross paths and develop a relationship that bridges the generational divide.

Beyond the unique storyline, endearing characters, and feel-good ending, I liked that this film was set in a time when my beloved 1913 letterpress also existed. It confirmed for me that truly great concepts are timeless.

Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Stars: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo and John Goodman

Get a Grip

Check out these little beauties from Mayfair Lane. Clips that grip to surfaces where magnets don't: stainless steel, whiteboard, glass, mirror. And there's a patchwork of lively designs to choose from.


Photo: Mayfair Lane

Kiitos Marimekko

I’m a bit of a google junkie and I often find myself searching for something specific and stumbling upon all kinds of great bits in the process. The other day I did a search for “white Queen Anne sofa” and discovered Kittos Marimekko, an independent textiles boutique located in New York City. I love that their textile designs are both bold and organic – what a great combination.


Photo credit: Kiitos Marimekko, New York

Black Chandelier

If the Bendant Lamp had an arch nemesis, this would be it. The Concerto Black Chandelier. Props to The Home Depot for carrying such a cool line. Check out how Color Confidential used it in Episode 75.


Photo credit: The Home Depot

Protection with Style

I love my iPod touch and want it to stay shiny and new forever. Thanks to GelaSkins there’s now a practical and stylish way to protect our cherished toys without adding extra bulk. With dozens of designs to choose from, I spent about an hour on their site before finally deciding on Blow Fish designed by Nanami Cowdroy. My new skin arrived in the mail today and it’s every bit as adorable as it looked online. The vinyl isn’t stretchy like “gel” would imply, but is extraordinarily easy to reposition — for all those perfectionists out there (like me) who want it applied just right.


Photo credit: GelaSkins

Fishs Eddie

A friend of mine and fellow creative visits this shop every time she travels to New York. With her rave reviews and one visit to their website it didn’t take much to turn me into an equally fanatical fan. Their 212 New York Skyline original pattern is a perfect mix of sophistication and charm. And classic black on white—you can’t go wrong. I try to make a habit of visiting New York once every few years and Fishs Eddie is definitely at the top of my perpetual I-heart-NY to-do list!


Photo credit: Fishs Eddie, New York