Balmain Punk

I was checking out the runway photos from Paris Fashion week Spring collections. I love the styling of Balmain's line. What's weird is it doesn't seem much ahead of the curve, if anything a bit recycled. The punk style somewhat modernized but worn well today and well it's nothing new. I love it, don't get me wrong, but it's interesting seeing a new runway collection that's already being worn. Very ready-wear of course, but I don't know if this is a bad criticism.

Balmain obviously pulls off this sexy punk-rock look beautifully, and within the context of today's green trends, it may speak to the acceptance of recycled design. Conceptually I think it works, but most people are apprehensive to seeing something that is recycled (on the runway anyways). Personally, I think he could have put a fresher spin on the designs, but like I said I do not mind the collection since it was pulled off so impeccably.

Thanks Knight Cat for the great photos.

Pure Green Living E-Mag

Let's talk green living. The name of this magnificent new e-mag I found called Pure Green Living. Couldn't be greener than a magazine that is paperless. Paper publications in general are a dying breed and e-mags are becoming more and more prevalent. Thanks Simply Grove for the great find!

Pure Green Living has some great ways to live green and design with a mind for recycling, and reinvigorating spaces with reused, revamped objects. Right up my alley. There's some great articles about organic cooking as well as being a great resource for natural / organic products. Enjoy!

The Rasterbator!

I found this awesome site the other day - It's called the Rasterbator! It rasterizes an image of your choice into a larger image to specifications. You choose the overall size of the image, the individual paper size and voila! You got your rasterized image. I love it.

I've been looking at ways to decorate with a mind for money, as art is so expensive...home decor in general is very expensive. Here's a personalized way to add a chic piece of art to your home. Enjoy!

Update: My Purse

As a follow-up to my last post: here's a snapshot of my purse contents. Nothing put in or taken out. Let's see 'em. I'd like to see what others' looks like. E-mail me a snapshot of your purse or pocket at any given moment and I'll compile them here. I won't post any information from who it was from, just the picture. If you'd like to participate, send to ruthyeum@gmail.com.

A Snapshot of Ourselves in Our Pockets and Purses

Francois Robert's series "Contents" gives us a literal "snapshot" of who we are by the contents of our pockets or purses.

Check out some more from this series here.

Photographer Francois Robert asked family, friends, and total strangers to participate in this project by displaying the contents of their pockets or purses on a sheet of paper. No one was given forewarning and they were all given the option to edit and take out what they wished. Very few edited the contents for display and only one out of 120 people declined.

This is a very interesting social experiment; you would think that the majority of women especially, would opt not to show their private belongings, much less have them photographed. As a woman, the things in our purses are very private and personal. But, being creatively inclined, after a second thought, I personally would probably go ahead and display my "Contents".

Another idea comes to mind: 15 minutes of fame. Although one might be hesitant to participate in this project, the prospect of being on film, dwarfs almost any embarrassing outcome. In the end, this project is intriguing to me most of all because it explores these juxtaposing social ideas and interactions. Plus it gives a voyeuristic peak into people's identities that is humorous and even perplexing.

Beetle Kill Livens Local Economy

I ran across this material - Beetle Kill Pine- a few years ago when I was working at abe Designworks. It is a result of millions of acres of forest killed by mountain beetles; Colorado is especially known for these deforestations. The wood from these trees have characteristic blue streaks which makes this resource tied locally to Colorado.

An example of one of these businesses taking advantage of Colorado beetle kill pine is Corbin Woodworking. A Colorado entrepreneur Corbin Clay started this woodworking shop to take advantage of this abundant beautiful resource to create beautiful designs. Read more here. Conceptually it is what green is all about - home-grown materials for a quality local product that supports the local economy. And not only that, there is attention to design that makes these works both beautiful and functional.

Also check out his Blu-Chairs.

Minimal Mixes For the Soul

"Me, I can't usually get
'em 'cause my girlfriend's a
vegetarian. Which more or
less makes me a vegetarian,
but I sure love the taste of a
good burger."
- Jules, Pulp Fiction

I have my own little stints of musical preferences, but likes Jules oh-so-beautifully explains, couples tend to take-on each other's likes and dislikes. This is purely anecdotal but it is true that couples tend to become more alike, sharing characteristics and demeanor. But I digress -

Lately I've been picking up on some really sexy minimal techno Mick Finesse has been introducing me to. Here are my top two favs of late:

























FACT mix 182: FourTet
FourTet: I've been a fan of FourTet since my college days. His chillout style has got me through some rough nights in studio. Check out the link above for the mix; great article on the artist as well. The mix is only up for three weeks though so get it quick.



Labrynth SSGS Special Mix: Steffi
Steffi is a new gem for me. She's gettin' a lot of praise for her mixes and performances as resident at Panorama Bar at Berghain- acclaimed by some as the best club in Berlin. Berghain defines techno for Berlin. I hope to make the pilgrimage here someday. Definitely on my list of places to experience.

Both articles have tracklists as well. Enjoy!

Lovely

Love love love Yvan Rodic's photo blog. This picture caught my attention on my stroll through his latest entries. Love the blouse, and the overall look is just down my alley. Simple yet chic.

Kinetic Wall - Ned Kahn

Ned Kahn's "kinetic wall" which is proposed to be built along the side of Australia's Brisbane airport - car park bulding. Check out the article here. Not only is it a visual art installation, the aluminum panels that sway in the wind functions as passive cooling for the car park interior.

I think it is an ingenious way to tie form and function; it creates a visual rendering of nature by means of thousands of aluminum panels. This paradox created from the man-made materials and the kinetic / organic design is a beautiful marriage. Plus it functions as a passive cooling system for the program it serves (a car-park), which by conventional means is for the most part always so dull and massive and plainly depressing artistically.

I would love to see this installation in person some day. It just looks so natural, like the ripples in a lake, but metal, and vertically oriented. It stimulates my senses architecturally and artistically.

9/11 2010

As everyone is aware, there has been a huge political shitstorm leading up to this year's 9/11 anniversary. All I have to say is let's remember those that so tragically lost their lives that day. This is not about where a mosque should or should not be built or the childish reactions of a hateful pastor in "Po-dunk" Florida. Michael Daly of the NY Daily Times sums it up gracefully:


"Ground Zero is a mosque.

It is also a church and a synagogue and a temple and an ashram on ground made holy by those of all faiths who died there.

The God of this hallowed place is the one to whom I heard even atheists appeal as the towers burned and innocents trapped in hell on high leapt to certain death"... read more.

Inspired

"The quality of life can directly lengthen your life." Watching Nightly news tonight there was a segment about cancer patients and a study done on a group of cancer patients who lived an average of 3 months longer than patients who were not part of a program that focused on improving the quality of their daily lives. Palliative medicine is this new approach to medicine and quality of life. I could not explain it as well as the professionals do but you get the idea. A more comprehensive, integrated approach to health and medicine which is proven to actually extend the lives of people.

I have to say I've been quite in the dumps lately; I tend to be a worrier and with a little one on the way and our economic situation where it is, I have found myself lost in worry - I'll be washing the dishes thinking about how to stretch our last few dollars as long as we can, and the next minute I'll be in tears. I keep telling myself I can't keep doing this. Stress is one of the worst things I could pass onto little Aston. I try my best to keep my hopes up and I've got my adoring husband Steve to thank for most of it. I am luckier than lucky to have someone that is always so positive. I tell him he's my rock, and he is.

So here it is. I've been inspired to look at things differently. The phrase "Quality of Life" keeps resonating in my head. What are the things that make me happy? This is a good opportunity to explore this question and question the things that keep me going or not. I've always thought I was a vain person; now it's time to really delve into the idea. More to come. Aforementioned news segment below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Update

So it's obviously been way too long since I've posted last...
A lot has been going on. Or rather, not enough - depending on how you look at it.

First off, I'm pregnant! Crrrrazy! I never would've thought I'd be here, nor was it in my initial plan but things never go as planned. Suffice it to say, I have not been more happy with anything in my life. I can't wait for little Aston to join this happy little family. I have come to terms with the pregnancy a few weeks in and have bonded emotionally with the little one. I'm due on Dec. 23rd so it should be an amazing Christmas!

I could go on indefinitely about my experience so far with the pregnancy but that is for another page. So I'm trying to figure out where to start with my first post back. I'll just pick up where I am now; which is craving sweets! Ahhh! I find myself going back to this baking blog Bakerella nearly everyday. The cake pops look so delicious and cute, I've decided to make them for the baby shower. :D