Quantitative Easing Explained.

Great, we can all laugh while we shit our pants. Yikes. Thanks KJ for sending this on.

Well-rounded.

left image from knitted bliss & right image from ion mag.

Two of my favorite new things.

1. Die Antwoord.

image from interview mag.

Umm. Well yeah. These guys are on some next level shit that I'm still trying to wrap my brain around. Zef punk rap rave from Johannesburg. The first time I saw this video, I was somewhat disturbed, and rather annoyed by my friend A, who showed it to me. I was like, "great now I'm going sightseeing in quaint little Delft with that macabre shit rattling around in my brain all day." And rattle it did. Couldn't get it out of my head. So I gave in. This shizzle is the raddest, scariest, mind f*&$ng coolest stuff around. And the lady, ¥o-Landi Vi$$er, has just about the most baddest ass fokking look around. Who else can pull off bleached eyebrows and a razored mullet?, I ask you. Anywho, go check 'em out, just don't go crying to mommy afterward, ya wuss. Oh and to my BF who's been listening to them for a full friggin year without letting me in on the secret. Shame on you. I like to be cool too, ya know.

2. Knitted Bliss.

I've been knitting lately. It's very relaxing, and goes perfectly well with my fave podcast and a cuppa tea [by the fire of course]. I was looking for a good pattern for a huge chunky loop scarf and ta-daa! Little Miss Knitted Bliss was there to save the day.

Could this lady be any cuter or more adorable? And that shock of red hair! I'm gushing. Miss Bliss is the cat's meow, the bees knees, and the cherry on my sundae all rolled into one.

She writes all about knitting and her cozy life up in Toronto with her cute mans. Her blog is a great cheery respite from the doldrums of a hum-drum day, and great inspiration if you're getting into knitting, which I can't recommend more highly.

So yes. Punk Zef and Knitting. 2 tastes that surprisingly go great together. enjoy.

get ready to fall in love...

I'm talking about the chairs, fools. Remember when I said here that there were 2 things at DDW that blew my mind? Well this is numero dos. Max Lipsey makes one hell of a chair, or stool. The Acciaio series. He tells me they're inspired by racing bikes. I think they're inspired by awesomeness.


The slender tapered powder-coated steel, the perforated leather, and the crayola colors all collide to create a perfect balance and harmony that left me breathless when I encountered them at the show. And...they're actually comfy. No shit. I could go on and on, but really they speak for themselves.




Not yet available for consumption [I hear they are on their way to production], you can bet your sweet ass, I'm going to beg, borrow or steel [steel...get it? har har] to get my hands on one...or two or three. Check Max's site out here to see more of his chairs and his other masterful designs.

Oh and he tells me, he'll inform me of any new developments, chair or otherwise. And I, in turn will share with you, my faithful posse. Keep your eye on my man here. I think we can expect some seriously great things from this industrious chap.

If you like the pics, feel free to peruse more of Max, and more of DDW on my flickr.

I ♥ Lanvin!

So cool, it's ridiculous.

DDW 2010 FILM+DESIGN Festival.

So as many of you know, I spent Dutch Design Week playing volunteer, ahem Gal Friday for the Wunderkinds at the FILM+DESIGN Festival. I had an excellent week and it was due in no small part to the team, their kindness, creative energy, and bitchin' movie selections. They even let me flex my public speaking skills, [which, as you've guessed, rock!] and introduce the films. I got audience applause, not once but twice! I think the Dutchies are starting to take a shine to us exuberant, over-enthusiastic, slap-happy American types.

So here's the skinny on the event:

The FILM+DESIGN Festival is a film festival with a design, art, & architecture slant. It's comprised of collections of short films, talks, and of course, the feature lengths. I saw almost every last film in this festival and one of the talks and must say, I was impressed.

I never go to the movies. Why? Because I nearly always leave with a great sense of disappointment and a feeling of regret for the 10 bux and 2 hours of my life that I will never get back. Seriously, I averaged about a movie a year in NYC and I've only seen one here. And we all know how that cinema fiasco went down. And then in one short week, I watched nearly an entire friggin' festival and loved every minute of it.

How did this happen? You might ask yourself. And here's the answer. The folks over there at the FILM+DESIGN Festival can curate their asses off. They used a discerning eye and impeccable taste to garner a tasteful, thought-provoking, and [thankfully], enjoyable collection of cinematographic delights. This was no slap-dash throw a bunch of drivel together and put a poster on it kind of affair. Yeah Tribeca, I'm talking to you. I volunteered with this bunch because I found out they were screening The Visual Language of Herbert Matter, [which was sinfully good by the way] but I had no idea who or what to expect when I arrived. I found my expectations wildly exceeded.

And I'm not the only one. My BF, a non-designer scientist type, loved the films he saw too. And really, when films about design and art etc. can reach outside of their creative bubbles and pique the interests of the uninitiated, I say hats off to you, because that ain't easy. I'm not at liberty to discuss their upcoming plans, obvs; but there are talks of new cities, new countries, new continents even! I am so thrilled to have been a part and hope to continue to be so in some [even small] way.

So if you haven't checked out the site, please do! If you have, or know of a film that would be perfect for this top-notch event, send me a link in the comments or email me at chateausavoie [at] gmail [dot] com. I have been sanctioned by the powers that be, to look into and pass on any films I deem noteworthy. Also, be sure to check out the Cicada Studio website. These are the creative forces behind FILM+DESIGN and their gorgeous site and blog are assuredly worth a gander.

And finally, I would like to issue a sincere thanks to mes amis over at the Fest. Marijke, Ward, Eva, Rico, and Ger. You were all so kind and made my week so very excellent. Even worth sleeping in a hostel for! Ha.

Met vriendelijke groet,
anna

ps. Most of the pics I took are on the studio's camera, so they've got the files. Here's a couple I got on my phone. Crappy for sure. Don't judge. It was hella dark in there.

Marijke and Wouter.

The restaurant downstairs at the theatre.

Ward, in iphone polaroid-vision.

DDW 2010 Lenneke Wispelwey.

As we speak I am uploading many albums to flickr of my Dutch Design Week pics. But here's the truth. I liked plenty, loved some and swooned over precisely 2. Lenneke Wispelwey is one of the 2. [more on numero due later] I have been onto her for awhile now through various blogs and keeping an eye on her own site. And it was with great unbridled joy that I happened upon her lovely table at the Klokgebouw in the Strijp-s locale. I had no idea she would be there. DDW is HUGE and as much as I tried to make a proper schedule and map, I was frankly overwhelmed with all the offerings and am sure I missed much. But who cares? I found my gal.



She was friendly and sweet. I gave her my card. She gave me hers. And I promised to send her my pics [which I'm about to].





The problem? I'm afraid my pictures just don't do her work justice. Really. So be sure to check out her blog and a couple of cool articles on her here and here. And check out my flickr set too. Maybe you'll like the pics a bit more than I do.

At any rate. I love her work. The faceted ceramics, the playful tone, the somber grays interspersed with plucky blue-greens, reds, and golds. It all convenes to make me a happy onlooker. And when I head back home [in Italy at the moment, more on that later] I will be checking out her goods at my local Lenneke supplier. And hopefully making off with a piece or two.

Yay Art!

I had the good fortune to meet the very talented artist, Wouter Verhoeven, at the FILM + DESIGN Festival. Beautiful work. The light reminds me of the Dutch Masters. Dutch and artistically brilliant. Shocker.

Check out his work on his site... a must. All pictures are the property of Wouter Verhoeven and are used from his site, with permission.

Dutch Design Week Part 1

I know it's been a minute but in my defense, I have been going nutty preparing to leave, doin' up the old business card, cementing my accommodations [which of course got shut down by the fire dept. sorry dudes no death trap tents. but I may go back for the tree. apparently the tree house artist wants to show me around the flat.]

Anywho. Point is,I'm back. And Dutch Design Week is kicking so much ass properly, I hardly know where to begin. Since I'm typing on a laptop so small, it's more like an 80's cell phone [in size and useability] I figure I'll show ya a coupleof pics and leave the heavy writing to the macbook pro pining away for me at home.

Lastly, if you're in the NL. Get your ass on 'ova here. The Film+ Design Fest is so rad [and you'll get some face time with yours truly, if you pop on over] not to mention all the great films and the stunning hostess Marijke. My new boss for the week, is well... hmmmm.....inspiring isn't right, gorgeous isn't enough, stylish, suave, accomplished, unbelievably kind. They're all true but none of my adjectives do her justice. Swing by for a film, stay for the company. You'll see what I'm talking about.


So with my previous accommodations condemned, I'm staying at a Hostel. Coed dorms. My 2 biggest fears [bedbugs & rape] a clear and present possibility. But sitting in the common area. sipping a glass of crapo white wine and looking around; at least rape doesn't seem like much of a clear and present danger.Lotsa innocuous skinny euro guys. Some goofy Italian is kicking it to me in broken English.

His english is better than my dutch but way worse than my french if that tells you anything. He's so awkward, he keeps giggling when he can't understand me. In a minute, I'm gonna turn you guys off and bust out my knitting and really get this party started! Enjoy the pics. Much more to come!

PS. I will do a proper report and properly credit all the designers in these pics. It's just, this keyboard sux,and je suis fatigue.

Yay Art!

Ball-Nogues. Words don't cut it.

Big ups to Design Boom for showing me the way.

Things I liked this week...

A charming nursery.

Samuel Wilkinson's Vessel.

Jurianne Matter & Pink Ribbon Magazine.

100 Million handmade sunflower seeds.

Pics from the respective websites.

Facing my Fears.

Me, in the throes of a massive panic attack on the top of the Sacre Coeur. *Quick note: if you have Vertigo and/or Claustrophobia, do not climb the Sacre Coeur tower, or any other old tower for that matter. Narrow lightless winding stairwells that go on forever...shudder.

From reading my blog, I bet many of you imagine me as a somewhat brazen fearless monster. And it's true. In the right kind of setting; I can be charming, witty, gregarious and more than just a bit bawdy. Outgoing with strangers. Banisher of the awkward moment. I can do with the conversation ball what only the profesh soccer players can do with the real one. But the key here is...the right setting. The truth is I have lots of fears, tons really, but they often don't see the light of day because I am very clever at masking them and at keeping myself in the right place and in the right light all the time.

Enter Dutch Design Week. I am going to Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven. Not for a day or two to scout around, but I'm staying the week and will be volunteering with these lovely groups. Film + Design and Eat Drink Design. So what does this have to do with my fears? Well, I will officially be taken out of my carefully curated settings and thrown into the unknown. Here's a list of my biggest fears/upcoming challenges:

1. Fear of being unknown. I'll be going to a previously unforseen [for me] region of The Netherlands...alone. No support system. No cohorts to laugh at my clever witticisms. No fan club. No friends. Not even a mild acquaintance.

2. Fear of self-promotion. Part of my plan is to [gasp] network. Now here is where I really fall short. As conversationally fluent as I am, I fear/loathe networking. I feel so cheesy when I'm trying to sell myself, like having an agenda makes me dirty, conniving. It's a big stumbling block for me, but if my growing pile of rejection emails tells me anything, I'm going to have to get creative if I want to scare up an income in this place.

3. Fear of heights. I don't even like being in the Imax when viewing aerial shots. I get queasy, dizzy, terror-filled. Did I mention I'll be spending a night sleeping in a tree? Yeah, well I'm mustering my bravery on the sure chance it'll make for some great writing/photography. Now that I've put it out there with you guys, I can't possibly come home tail between my legs. I will climb that rickety ladder and I will sleep in that tree...alone. Hope I don't have to pee in the middle of the night.

4. Fear of small enclosed spaces. Claustrophobia with a capital C. Did I mention sleeping in the tree will involve a teeny tree house? What did you think? I was gonna tarzan out and recline on a couple of branches? No friends, there's an arbor abode, perfectly poised to test my moxie in it's distance from the ground and it's limited square footage. So yeah, I can feel the panic rising but I couldn't miss out on the opportunity to bed some really cool art; and prove to myself and anyone else who cares, that I can grow a pair when the situation calls.

So there it is, a week of hurdle jumping planned for yours truly. I can't say I'm not a bit terrified, but the chance to face my fears, meet some great new people in the creative fields, and collect some witty tales to tell, is all too tempting. I'm filled with a fear/excitement/anxiety cocktail.

So what are your fears? How do you combat them? Avoidance? Or do you like to face them head on?

Guess who's going to see this?

That's right fools. I'm heading to Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven at the end of the month. And I'm damn lucky enough to be volunteering at the Film + Design festival which is also part of Dutch Design Week. So I'll be helping out, and at some point, I will be sitting down and watching this movie. I can't friggin wait. Herbert Matter was always one of my favorite graphic designers.

I'm also trying to scare up some interesting, cheap housing for the week. As of now, I've got 2 nights lined up in a crazy factory exhibition type deal, sleeping in the factory with 24 other strangers. No shower, but breakfast is included! Thus only 2 nights. And I'm sure I'll get a post or two out of it.

If anyone has any creative ideas on shelter, or knows of some cool arty types in Eindhoven that would love to put up a charming designer for a night or two. Lemme at 'em.

Barbra Streisand, indeed.

Thanks to AW Fanzine for turning me onto this.

Aghast!

Aghast, is how I felt when a dear designer friend sent me this article. So have you seen Gap's new logo? Here's the old one.

Here's the new one.

Are you freaking kidding me? I actually gasped aloud when I saw this. I'm still a bit dazed by it. I mean...doesn't it look like something drawn up in powerpoint by an intern? Actually I have more respect and credit for my past interns, they never would have churned out something so...so...brazenly terrible. I know, I know I really need to learn to express myself sometimes. Thanks to Arjie for alerting me to this logo fiasco. [her words] So what do you guys think? Do you, like me, think this looks like some kind of April Fool's Day prank? Or do you like arbitrary use of squares and gradients and just can't get enough of helvetica? I would love love love to hear your thoughts and comments. Bring it on! The good the bad and the ugly...Well, we've already got the ugly.

*Update! Check out this hilarious interview with the Gap logo. [who happens to have a twitter account @gaplogo] This shizzle is making my weekend.

*Update part 2. Gap is even more despicable than just having horrifically bad taste. Now they're crowd-sourcing for new ideas. A despicable ploy for free design labor. Click here to read all about it. And be sure to check out my awesome friend Tim's take on the new Gap Logo here. Hilarity.

Getting me to read the news...

... is a mighty task. I am one of those people who would rather read shelter, design, culinary, even gossip mags/blogs before jumping on the news. I do however love the Sunday NY Times. But that's for the magazine, the style section, and the crossword oh and The Ethicist. Love love love him. So why am I so news averse? Frankly because there is much happier news I would rather be absorbing, new tart recipes, fun DIY projects for the home, checking out the new designs from one of my favorite letterpress shops. The news is, well, it's a friggin' bummer. And when I start to get into it, [I was in deep during Obama's campaign reading up all day everyday to keep abreast] I end up angered and frustrated by what's going on around me. The whole Palin thing blew my damn mind and made me quite bummed about the state of mind of so many American voters. How precisely did she get so far? I think Matt Damon put it best. In case you haven't noticed, the news ain't that happy. So I'm the Village Idiot. I know I know. You wouldn't believe the flack I would catch from my NY friends about my ignorance.

So let me be clear. I am not proud of being politically unaware, I'm more than a little embarrassed at my dumbassedry. I just find it difficult to force myself to read the news when there's so much more in the world of design and beauty that I would rather be absorbing. Enter Johnny Selman. He's got this BBCX 365 project where he beautifully graphically illustrates one BBC headline a day for 365 days. The man's got style and skills and more importantly, he's got me reading the news. Dezeen posted a great, insightful article complete with pics on the subject. Head over there to see how I got turned onto this project. Here's one I love. Reminds me of Herbert Matter. One of my all-time favorite graphic designers.

So do you read the news? Find it depressing or essential or both? And who's your news source?

Day Bag Round-Up, under 50 all from Etsy.

So I'm not much of an evening bag person. Those precious little purses, while tantalizing, can never quite hold all the crap I wanna carry [specifically the flats/flip flops I bring along in case my heels be crippling, plus my camera, makeup, notebook, current read...you get the idea]. Generally my day bag is my night bag. But for those of you swanky femmes who can race down a cobblestone street full-tilt in 5" stilettos with nary a quiver to your gait, and at evening time need no more than your amex and lip gloss, and a svelte little clutch to carry it in; then for you this would be a day bag. But whoever you are and whatever you carry, you can't deny the awesome allure of these sexy satchels. Behold! An Etsy round-up of carry-alls, all under 50 smackers. Click on the pics to be taken to the seller/item. Enjoy.


ps. So I would like to clarify, in case any one has questions upon how I choose my etsy treasures.

1. It must be something I myself would wear/buy.
2. I try not to repeat sellers within a roundup to give the most varied seller coverage. This also means that the seller may have more than one awesome item, I only choose one. Which brings me to...
3. I choose sellers that have great shops in general. I look through their items, checking out the quality and variety to be sure that these are people/shops that I want to promote.
4. I try to keep the prices reasonable.

Speaking of red and purple...

Ok. Maybe I wasn't just speaking about red and purple but I was just thinking it in my head and "poof!" there it is. Holy Crap Frou Frouu! You take my breath away with your stunning photography, beauty, and supple lithe frame. I vow to never eat again.

Color Me Katie.

This has gotta be the most ridiculously happy blogger/person/artist on the planet. And She's sooooo infectious. She's an adorable, gap toothed, joy-monger; who preaches her elation through street art, photography and funny improv happenings. Uhm Subway Star Wars? Now I'm really starting to miss NYC. I will definitely be checking her blog out on the regular to see what she's up to.

Thanks again to Yellowtrace [I've featured her before here and here and here] for getting me into the happiness.

Oh and while you're at it, if you haven't already, check out Yellowtrace. She keeps turning me onto all this great stuff. Art, interviews with awesome people, design, interiors, more art. That lady Dana has one very curatorial eye.  In fact, I like her so much, yellowtrace gets its own tag. So there.

Musts for the Big Apple.

I recently commented on Fabulous K's blog. On this article. She was excited about an upcoming trip to NYC, her first time. I noted that she mentioned hitting up Wicked on Broadway and that her pics reflected very much the Times Square tourist dream. So many of us know how that dream of lights and drama soon turns into exhaustion, frustration and a gray lunch at the Olive Garden. I wanted to throw some suggestions her way that would get her out of the tourist trap but still into the very best of what NYC has to offer. I gave her some unsolicited advice of musts in the big apple, and while looking at them I realized that they are damn good suggestions, so why not share. So here goes:


1. If you can catch anything at Lincoln Center, do. The Chagall windows alone are worth the visit. It'll be Opera Season soon, the best time of the year! Here's a calendar.

2. Head downtown. Soho, East Village, and Greenwich Village are not to be missed.

3. Eat at Supper. Great prices, wine, atmosphere, and above all great food. Supper: 156 East 2nd Street.

4. Go to the top floor of Bergdorf Goodman after a long day of sightseeing. Not too late though, it closes at 9. Check out the impeccably curated collection of home-wares that Bergdorf's has and then treat yourself to a fabulous cocktail or glass of champagne at the cafe. It's so beautiful, it will blow your mind. I used to sit there with a good book and a strong martini and while away the afternoon on a rainy weekend. I think that's what I miss the most about NY.

Obviously this is not even a cross-section of things to do, but it's a start. I'll try to add to the list as things occur to me.

Tot Ziens.

To press or not to press.

I was really jazzed when I saw this article today. Sophie Gallo letterpressed her business cards at home using an etching press. Having done enough etching in my past to know how it all goes, it started the wheels ticking. I've been dying to letterpress my stationery for Etsy but I've kind of assumed I would have to either apprentice at one of the 2 letterpress shops I've managed to find over here in the NL [doesn't seem nearly as popular here as it is in the US] or just pay one of them to print the cards and hope that someone buys them. Seeing Sophie ink 'em up and roll 'em out with rather stunning results from home got me googling.

So I found this interesting product here.

It's a DIY letterpress machine. There's a "review" of it on DIY bride here. But it's more of an overview complete with a little video than it is a review of the actual product. And of course at Briarpress.org [a type purist's dream] all the letterpress junkies get on their high horses and bemoan the fall of letterpress and the over-accessibility of this product, allowing housewives to think they are letterpress printers too. Poohpooh to them, I say. As a designer, I completely understand that you have a job that everyone thinks they can do too. Them's the breaks. Good design can only come of hard work, careful consideration, and a wealth of knowledge and knowhow. Just because someone has a mac and a printer, I don't feel threatened and neither should these printers/craftsmen/artisans. Did Gocco destroy the screenprinting industry? I think not.

So here's the big question. Has anyone actually tried one of these little DIY letterpress babies? The L Letterpress Machine to be exact. Are you morally opposed to these machines too? Do any of you letterpress? How did you start? Any recommendations for an aspiring letterpresser? I would love to see your thoughts and comments. Do me a solid and throw some thoughts my way. cheers.

Feeling Feisty.

I love Feist. Unabashedly. I listen to her albums on repeat waaaaay too much while I'm working. I had to take a break so I wouldn't wear her out because I would HATE to be sick of her music. It's just so durn good. For my money, I don't know if it can get any better than My Moon, My Man. Oh wait, it can. Check this out!



I actually misted up a bit when I watched this. Can you imagine how happy you would have been there to witness? I woulda gone bezerk.

Mind Blown.

By an online kids clothier? Seriously? Well, why the hell not? I mean, just look at these pictures. Stunning. Every melancholic, somber child is going to be scrambling for this stuff! And I mean that in the most sincere way. Reminds me of Schiele. Can't wait to have my own little bundle of ennui to dress in this garb. And the company? Why french, bien sûr.

Yay Art!

What are you doing this weekend? If I was anywhere near Rhode Island, I know what I'd be doing. Going to this show!

So yeah, I designed their postcard. But seriously, the art be good. Chris Fischer's site with more art is here. And Kenneth's is here. So go! Support the arts! Buy some shit and hang it on the wall. You'll love yourself in the morning. xoxo