Design Dialogue: On a Map Quest

My shelf space for globes is running low, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the design of maps. You might call me slightly obsessed. OK, very obsessed. Thankfully my fellow Etsians are well-equipped to feed my map fetish with interesting handmade items like these. Love it, love it.

Artsy + Shop Whimsy

GISetc

Polished (looks like little globes, right?)

Callaghan Art Gallery

Selflesh

Revamp Boutique

City Bird

Blue Pearls

Ravenna Girls

Little Retreats

Link Love

After I wrote yesterday that I yearned for a VW bus so I could start my very own Partridge Family, I remembered a photo I took in Big Sur in 2007, proving that this urge to start a family band is not a recent obsession.

Now for some links to lead you into the weekend:

• Did you think that powdery ice cream was really what the astronauts ate? Think again.
• Dual-tone postcards to instill homeland pride in Californians, New Yorkers, Brits and the French. [via Oh Joy]
• Vintage Hawaii photos on Hooray.
• I might not be a big fan of robots (just wait till they become self-aware), but I'm certainly a fan of robot wallpaper. [via Poppytalk]
• Elise's DIY photo journal is tres inspirational. Oooh, project!
• This sand art puts my piddly sand castles to shame.
• Impressive photomosaic of Van Gogh's "Starry Night." You can download free software to make your own, too.
• Have you forgotten your significant other's birthday recently? You might want to pick up a copy of this 1976 Hallmark book to make up for it. The images alone are priceless, but the words ... well, just read 'em.

Flickr Fridays:

1. Untitled, 2. Take Off, 3. Untitled, 4. I collect globes., 5. His view., 6. In light.

I'm loving the bright, airy feel of these images. I'm going a little stir-crazy this year, just itching to take a trip somewhere, anywhere. Well, maybe not just anywhere.

Wish List 07.16.09

This pillow by Helena Carrington is so clap-worthy. Just the other day Husband and I were talking about how we wish Volkswagen still made the bus so we could trade in our New Beetle and Jetta for one and travel the countryside with a band of singing children. Yes, that's right, we both have VW cars. What can I say -- we're both drawn to great design.

Tune Time: Julian Casablancas' Solo Album

Yesterday I typed out a frantic text to Husband. Did you hear about JC's* new solo album? Then, a few seconds later: And by JC I mean Julian Casablancas, not Jesus Christ.

Jokes aside, I can't wait to hear what The Strokes frontman has in store. But like the rest of the band's fans I have mixed feelings about the news. First, Albert Hammond Jr. goes solo. Then Fabrizio Moretti does his side project in Little Joy. Then Nikolai Fraiture does Nickel Eye. The only Stroke to not do a side project at this point is Nick Valensi. Does this forebode the end of The Strokes, or does it just mean an even longer wait for a fourth album (which has already been four years in the making)?

On the other hand, I am excited to hear this new venture. The preview (below) has me on the edge of my seat with pretty images and soothing tunes. [JC's newly minted website]



* Yes, I really call him JC, much like I call Justin Timberlake "JT." I used to say his entire name, but that got tiresome. Anyone with five or more syllables in their name needs a nickname, for crying out loud.

Fashion Forward: Seafoam

On my staycation, I spent a lot of time at the beach and the pool, staring into seafoam waves and minty green pool colors. It's no wonder I'm yearning for them now that I'm back to work. These Etsy finds take me back to the cool breeze and warm sun of last week, back to a week free of deadlines and office chairs. Now, if only I could find shoes this color ... maybe like these. Yes, that's nice.

Doloris Petunia + Magnolija Dress

It's Beautiful

Bird's Bubbles

Nomsa

Oktak

Vera Vague + Supayana

Vessels and Wares

Shop Kim

Photoshoot: Craptastic Queen Mary

A few more shots from my Craptastic Cellphone Series™. These were taken at the Queen Mary in Long Beach a few weeks ago during a tour of the fair ship. I was told to wear "comfortable" shoes, and this is something I'm not used to doing. My first thought was to wear flip-flops or flats, but my voice of reason (usually dormant) said, "Don't you think you ought to wear sneakers?" Oh, fine, I replied. Let's do this.

Now I don't wear sneakers except for during brief workouts, so my legs aren't used to the ease of movement and pain-free steps of soft-soled shoes. Naturally, the first thing I do is walk out of my place and fall flat on my face.

I finally found my sea legs, though, and the tour through the ship was pretty interesting. The whole vibe was very Shining-esque, with a creepy pianist and long, narrow hallways to boot. The extraordinarily deep pool room freaked me out the most. It could've been because it was dark or because the pool was completely drained, just beckoning someone to fall in. I'm happy to report that I didn't.