Living Etc. Magazine, a modern take on kid's rooms

Museum of Modern Art Shop

Some of my picks from the MoMa gift shop. Check it out now click here. Yes, that is a cork umbrella below.

Did you hear the great news?

"The Lorax" has become part of the U.S. school curriculum. All children must have the book memorized before the reach grade six. After all, the answers to many of life's great inner struggles can be answered by the tale of this little environmentalist. Why didn't we think of this earlier?

"Plant a new trufulla. Treat it with care. Give it clean water. Give it fresh air. Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack. Then the Lorax and of of his friends may come back."

Thank you to all the politicians who spent their weekend debating this major "lorax" issue. What, the debate was not about the book? The next one should be.

Join the Lorax Project now, click here.

Wood you like to have this in your house?

Yes, I wood. Now plastic is optional, pinch me, this is too good to be true.

If I were a ninja:

I would single handedly take down Mansanto, telemarketers, the men who abuse women in Africa and the Middle East, fast food restaurants and all politicians (clean house theory). Then I would slip this silk dress on when I was finished with my kick a$$ duties. Go to chocosho to check out some cute clothes and this doll.

Kid's cardboard playhouse @ hivemodern.com

Villa Julia is a house for children in which they are provided with the cardboard and the lines for folding, but the children themselves set it up (under adult supervision), find a place for it and make it their own by coloring the drawings found on the sides. They are given a plan with easy instructions for assembly, in five stages. The game takes place in several phases: assembly, personalization and decoration, occupation and dismounting. Villa Julia has a chimney, eaves, door and windows. Its lines make one think of typical middle-class detached North American homes of the 1950s.

Villa Julia is made of cardboard and comes complete with instructions and stickers for personalization.

Relax, Relax, Charles & Ray have it all under control.

These beauties can be found at Design Within Reach. Click here to peak a boo hoo or buy. Lots of great information and video on the DWR sight about Charles & Ray Eames.

Wood . . . even better with age & a history.

This small cafe' has found a great way to design with reclaimed wood.

Frye Billy Shortie

Who you callin' short? These petite, stocky boots are just right, fashionable, and a must have for summer. Pair them with a smock dress & voila'!!!!!

Yes, Boho summer

Hello ! by fashion goddess featuring Jeffrey Campbell shoes

Items in this set:
S メンズ テープローン : ZUCCa | HUMOR
ガーリーカジュアルに着こなしたい、小花柄コンビネゾン－eruca.[エルーカ]－アイテム詳細
Jeffrey Campbell Brown Leather Chainiator Sandals, $165
See by Chloe Accessories | Skin Mini Cross Body Bag by See by Chloé, 89 EUR
ASOS Statement Interlinked 18 Bangle Set, $21

Staff Benda Bilili

Staff Benda Bilili are like nothing you have ever seen or heard before. A group of paraplegic street musicians who live in and around the grounds of the zoo in Kinshasa, Congo, they make music of astonishing power and beauty. The band's mesmerising rumba-rooted grooves, overlaid with vibrant vocals, remind you at times of Cuban nonchalance, at other times of the Godfather of Soul himself. You can hear echoes of old-school rhythm and blues, then reggae, then no-holds barred funk. Four senior singer/guitarists sitting on spectacularly customized tricycles, occasionally dancing on the floor of the stage, arms raised in joyful supplication, are the core of the band, backed by a younger, all-acoustic, rhythm section pounding out tight beats. Over the top of this are weird, infectious guitar-like solos performed by young Roger Landu, (an ex-street kid the band took under their wing), who plays a one-string electric lute he designed and built himself out of a tin can.

Peopleforbikes.org

One of the coziest men alive told me about this movement. This is for you Sir Steiny.

Whether you’re a bike commuter, a roadie, a mountain biker or just a casual rider, by uniting your voice with a million others, we can build a national movement to improve bicycling in our country. We can make a statement through our sheer numbers by raising public awareness and demonstrating our passion to our leaders in Congress and in cities and states throughout the country.

Harry Gesner soul surfer/genius

He sketched the design for his famous 1957 wave house with a grease pencil on top of his surfboard while trying to get to the "soul of the site" (aka surfing late when he should have been working). The "wave house" inspired the Danish architect Jorn Utzon, who went on to design the Sydney Opera House.

Harry Gesner is over 80, still works & still surfs (with a seagull feather encrusted Gath Helmet).

To read the Vanity Fair article click here. The dwell article is a must see as well . . . follow the link.

Below the sketch of the Tahitian bachelor pad, Gesner designed for Marlon Brando. He created a natural air conditioner out of a 25 ft long aquarium that pumped cool water in from a reef outside the house.

Coming June 2010 by Pia Jan Bijkerk

Follow stylist Pia Jane Bijkerk’s ten “wanders” through Amsterdam to the places where she sources the props, accessories, and objects that she uses in the sets and photographs she creates. You’ll find jewelry, clothing, home furnishings, antiques, collectibles, and more, all made by hand. Along the way, discover the real Amsterdam (Pia lives there—on a houseboat!). Learn more, click here.

Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard is brilliant.

I was supposed to inherit this book when Andy finished it but it disappeared, gonna buy a new one this weekend. Hear that it is super inspiring.

Succulents . . . my favorite in San Diego gardens

Almost too good to be true: draught tolerant, low maintenance, and magical.

Dear & Yonder, buy the movie, support TIffany & Andria.

Click here to go to the Dear & Yonder website.

France, a farm road, family, baguettes and bikes.

Time's a wastin'. Gotta make a move on this. . . been dreaming it for too long.

Trying to learn French, this is how I feel.

None but ourselves can free our minds.

Andy Davis by Aaron Regan

I love these pictures of Andy, trying to organize all the family photos, came across this cool set of pics his friend Aaron took. Funny how you can look at someone every day, but a photo captures a different side of them. So great to look back on life that way. If you haven't already checked out the new website for Andy Davis Art, then take a look: www.mynameisandy.com

Jeff Canham

Andy has many talented friends: musicians, artists, film makers, surfers & shapers. I am so inspired by all of them but Jeff is one of my favorites. Over the years he has always been so friendly and warm to our family. Click here to visit his site.

Crazy Talent & no ego = RARE BREED

Byron Bay, Australia

Looks like a fun show, wish we could jet down to Oz for the night to check it out.

The lure of the adventure.

Enticing!!! No matter what happens, the moment you step off a plane in an unfamiliar land, you are forever changed. Few things in life are as promising as a plane ticket. Vintage ads say it best.

"A woman who changes her hair is about to change her life."

I can relate to this quote from the Coco Chanel movie. Sometimes life demands more from us than we are willing to accept lightly. Defiance, is the name of the game with the drastic hair cut, especially at a time when women are seen as desirable with long locks (some things never change.) "How dare you not care what I think of you" says society. Humpf !!!! Thumbs up to all those women who take the bull by the horns & charge forward with their lives. If a chop of the locks is what it takes to prove to yourself that you have the strength to face society irregardless of how THEY perceive YOU or your actions, then go for it. I on the other hand have done my chopping for the century. I jumped off the cliff, society gave me their sad face & I don't care. Oh the liberation . . . sweet it is.

Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel

Just saw the Coco Chanel movie, Audrey's face is captivating as usual. The designer's story is heartbreaking, there is usually a reason tough people are . . . tough. She worked for 60 years in fashion before her death in 1971. That is dedication.