Biking!

A few months back, I sold my bike. She was a beauty. And I miss her.

However, my girlfriend has a bike--so lately, I've been "borrowing" hers. And every day this week, I've enjoyed my 2-mile bike ride to our work studio. I still feel like a giant idiot with the bike helmet on, but I realize it's for safety. Couldn't really do much without a brain, I suppose. Anyways, the daily rides have been very relaxing. Pedal left, pedal right, watch out for pedestrians, look out for that car door...it's been fun. And for at least a 10-15 minute stretch, I'm essentially stress-free!

I'm happy with this new regimen--and my girlfriend's bike is just dandy. Almost makes me forget about my old bike too...almost.

"Green Lightning" bicycle print, $20 - from Michele Maule.

Bike Kit (tools included), $35 - from Bike Cozy.

Recycled bicycle tire belt, $30 - from Rebicyclist.

Bicycle wallet, $22 - from Marty May.

Owls. I won't go there.

Guarantee: I will not use the word, "who", in pun form during the course of this post. Let's proceed...

I was skimming through the pages of Etsy this morning and noticed a certain lovable, hirsute, woodsy-ish character popping its head up all over the place. Yes friends, our beloved night-flier and hunter of small rodents, the owl.

I've always been fascinated with owls--yet, never seen one in the wild. I've always imagined it as a somewhat haunting experience--to look up in a tall tree and spot a mysterious owl staring right back at you. I suppose it'd be similar to the feeling you had the last time you were "rocking out" with your headphones on--only to open your eyes and see your mom staring at you, puzzled...

Kind of like that owl I was talking about earlier.

Owl Patterns Print, $16 - from Love Sugar Design.

Pair of Vintage, Bronze Owls, $25 - from Zwzzy.

Letterpress Notebook, $15 - from Blackbird Letterpress.

Vintage Red Lucite Earring, $22 - from Alisaw.

Monsters, Inc.

I was a huge fan of the "X-Files". But it wasn't the government cover-ups or myriad of alien takeovers that tickled my fancy...

...It was the monsters.

The forest creature, with glowing red eyes, that hunted its victims during the daylight hours...Leonard Betts, the cancer victim who could regenerate his appendages...Rob Roberts, the man with an unhealthy addiction to human brains...Chester Banton, a physicist, whose shadow is pure dark matter...or Flukman, the sewer-dwelling survivor of a nuclear waste dump gone horrendously wrong.

Those episodes gave me goosebumps. They were episodes that made you run, jump in your bed, and hide under the covers. But then, slowly, you began to realize it was just a TV show--and those fictitious "monsters" simply don't exist...

...Or maybe they just live under your bed.

Braaains Mobile, $33 - from Salty and Sweet.

Pizza Monster Print, $11 - from Heidi Burton.

Anatomical Mook Creature, $35 - from My Grey Sky.

58 Famous Monsters T-Shirt, $25 - from The Chop Shop.

Animals!

I watched a special about the Andes last night. And despite watching the entire "Planet Earth" series, I was not prepared for the awesomeness that ensued. Salt pan seas, glaciers, boiling lakes and overnight winter freezes were among the highlights. But the diverse animal life was the topper--rabbits sporting giant whiskers, penguins marching through a crowd of sea lions, alpacas chasing down zorro foxes, and condors swooping down for a mid-day meal.

Yeah, there's a zoo by my apartment...but the Andes win this round.

From top to bottom:

1. "Shy" Print, $18 - from Amber Alexander.
2. Vintage Brass Penguin, $45 - from The Sunday Times Market.
3. Fox Letterpress Print, $9 - from Raw Art Letterpress.
4. "Legend of the Thunderbird" Necklace, $24 - from Christine Domanic.

In Focus: Senioritis

Clear! Now pick up the paddles and give your art collection a jolt. Al Capone, Charles Dickens, Babe Ruth and my personal favorite, Michael Faraday, are the stars of Senioritis' collection of prints, "Remember Famous Seniors". Each 11" x 17" print sells for $15 and features a historical figure set against a background of bright, bold colors. There's an iconic image for everyone, whether your field of interest is art, philosophy, writing or even politics.

Senioritis also has coasters, magnets, and framed/limited edition prints. Currently they're running a "Christmas in July" sale -- all bookmarks are only $2.

What time is it?!

I'm obsessed with time. At least, that's what it must seem like to an outsider. I'm constantly looking at the microwave--what time is it? Or my phone--what time is it? Or even the coffee machine--WHAT TIME IS IT?!

And it's not as if I'm a very busy person. I have plenty of time to do most of things I want/need to get done. But something compels me to constantly monitor these ever-changing digital readouts.

My world was turned completely upside down this past week when two of my vintage clocks stopped ticking. It's like the world stopped spinning. What was I going to do? Now, every time I enter a room, I have absolutely no idea what time it is. And surprisingly, I'm starting to love it.

Sometimes, factors beyond your control force you to pause or even slow down to a sluggish crawl. But inevitably, you end up noticing things you may not have noticed before...

From top to bottom:

1. Cherry Pie Pillow - $35, from Diffraction Fiber.
2. Terrarium Ring - $110, from Woodland Belle.
3. Gorilla and Girl Print - $20, from Irena Sophia.
4. "Tetris" Gift Boxes - $21, from Little White Dog.

Friday Faves - 4/23/10

That's right, it's Friday.  And that means it's time for this week's edition of "Friday Faves"!  Lots of great discoveries this week, but only room for 7.  That's the rules!

Before we begin, one more shout out to The Sunday Times Market.  Although I didn't win the recent "Trash to Craft" Challenge, ST Market was kind enough to plug the contest (and my shop) on their blog.  Very cool--thanks guys!

O.K., here's the magnificent 7:


"Buy a Bonnet and Shawl" Print, from Copperinc - $10:

Vintage 1970's Polaroid Camera, from Rhan - $18:

Handmade clock, from Uncommon - $36:

Embroidered dinosaur card, from Bybelinda - $5:

Vintage Popular Science books, from Little Dog Vintage - $20:

Fabric Pushpins, Bicycles and Scooters, from The Dove Tree - $6.50:

Batman Handbound Notebook, from Tas Makas Kagit - $19:

Anywhere but here...

It's raining.  Again.  Thought of all the places I'd rather be today.  These wonderful photographs and prints helped:

Le Daydream.

"Tour Eiffel" 8" x 12" print, from Michael Garbutt Fine Art Photography - $35.

I dream in black and white.

"Be Bop De Do Dop" print, from Copperinc - $12.

A sunny day.

"Colorful Street Corner" 8" x 10" print, from Marissa Obscura - $15.

Am I awake or asleep?

"PUCCI" 8" x 11.5" giclee print, from Sandrasuy - $35.