Everyone Is Talking About Chad.

Chad Hagen has been all over the interwebs lately thanks to 20x200. And it's been for a good reason...because he's basically a bad ass. I've already waxed ecstatic about his designs once before and I'm sure this won't be the last time. He also has a project over on Flickr where he makes something cool every day (or MSCED) and it really, truly is cool. See...total bad ass.

Oh, and Happy Halloween! What are you doing? I'll be hanging out at home recovering from a fun night with Alison of Lipstick on Your Teeth. We'll be hanging out Sunday, too. Can't wait to see what sort of trouble we get into!

All Clear.

Photo of the empty Bay Bridge on-ramp.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to photograph a designers' showcase in one of San Francsico's premiere condo projects. The rooms were amazing, blah, blah, blah, but the most awe-inspiring part was the ridiculous view from 52 floors up...especially when looking at the empty Bay Bridge and the quiet streets in the City.

Photo of the Bay Bridge and one lonely van.

If you don't live in the Bay Area, you probably don't know that the major artery into San Francisco from the East Bay (Berkeley, Oakland, etc.) is closed because a giant tie rod snapped on the bridge. Fun, right? The streets are now eerily quiet and I am incredibly thankful I don't commute into the city everyday.

Because We All Need a Reason to Smile.

COMBO a collaborative animation by Blu and David Ellis (2 times loop) from blu on Vimeo.

Sorry for being Debbie Downer earlier, but I felt obligated to share. After seeing all of the photos it made me sad. This video, however, was a good distraction for 4 minutes. So just in case your head is caught up in the muck in the world, here is something pretty and fun and just because.

Don't Pollute.

Photograph by Chris Jordan.

I'm not one to be preachy or political. I usually keep my opinions to myself (unless I'm speaking with someone with the same point of view) since I hate confrontation. But if you don't recycle, please start because I don't think I've ever seen a more compelling reason to begin.

If you are unsure of what you are looking at, this is a photograph of the skeleton of an albatross chick taken on Midway Atoll, a desolate island cluster in the North Pacific. Thinking of it as food, their parents bring back pieces of plastic from polluted ocean to feed to the chicks. Tens of thousands of chicks die each year on Midway due to chocking, toxicity and starvation. This image shows the contents of a dead chick's stomach, untouched and unaltered.

These birds were found on a remote marine sanctuary 2,000 miles away from the nearest continent and yet their deaths are undoubtedly caused by man.

To see more photographs Chris Jordan took on the Midway Atoll, visit his website here. Also, be sure to visit the Journey to Midway blog.

Give a Hoot.

Two Hoots by Native Vermont Design Studio found via Design Crush.

I'm not really one for artwork involving landscapes or wildlife or nature for that matter, but if someone happened to give me this print, I'm 99.95% positive it would happen to find a place on my wall.

P.S. I promise to write more later. For reals.

Money Matters.

Australian Financial Review via design work life.

I don't know about you, but if every financial magazine looked like this, I'd be an economist by now.

Enough Said.

Via Quote of the Day on Busy Being Fabulous.

Hello Love.

The Young Credenza by Kenneth Nilson via Contemporist.

I love me a good ol' mid-century modern credenza as much as the next gal, but this laser cut bronze patinaed steel paired with a continuous slab of walnut had me at hello.

Friday in the City.

Hanging on the Frig.

Michael Papasedero, who lives in the Tenderloin, poses in front of the piece. Photo by Michael Macor courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle.

My blog has now become my refrigerator. This post is my virtual version of hanging the San Francisco Chronicle article featuring a picture of Chris' installation on our frig. I'm one damn proud wife! Check out the article here.

The Loin.

That's a crappy iPhone sneak peak of Chris' storefront. And this and this (and it's free wine) and this are why this post is only this long.

Just Because...

Drawn by Aaron via Friends of Type.

...there is no such thing as too many yellow ampersands.

Fighting for the Neighborhood.

Tomorrow is the launch of the San Francisco Arts Commission's Art in Storefronts program. Chris has been working nonstop to finish his installation which means a) our interactions basically involve me saying goodbye to a sleeping Chris in the morning and Chris saying goodnight to a zonked out me late at night and b) I've also had work to do. As they say, no man is an island and Chris couldn't do this without me. Oh, they don't say that last part...well, obviously you haven't spent enough time with Chris' family.

Photo by Billy Mitchell. For more photos, go here.

Chris and his partner were assigned a storefront in the Tenderloin, a notoriously gritty neighborhood in San Francisco. Taking inspiration from the area's boxing heritage, Chris built a boxing ring and Billy took photographs of the area's residents in boxing stances to encourage residents to continue to "Fight for the Neighborhood." And all I got was to design boxing themed posters. These are crappy images in awful lighting that I took with my iPhone, but regardless I am kind of in love with how the posters turned out.

If you are in San Francisco, I definitely encourage you to stop by between 5 and 7 pm tomorrow (Reception and remarks start at 989 Market Street at 6th Street, followed by an art walk along Market Street). Chris' storefront is at 144 Taylor Street if you care to see how all of these elements come together. And as usual, pics will follow.

Another Poster Post.

General Dynamics Posters by Erik Nitsche from Chisholm Gallery Vintage Posters.

This weekend is the International Vintage Poster Fair down at Fort Mason. Unfortunately for me, poster prices are ranging from $100-$1,000. Still, I'm tempted to pay the $15 entrance few just to get an afternoon of design eye candy. This is of course assuming that I actually get out of bed, get dressed and leave the house this weekend. After the week I've had (and it's only Wednesday) that sounds like an awful lot of work to see things in person that I could see on my laptop from the comfort of my couch.

The Universe is Shaped Exactly Like the Earth.

Vintage Russian Posters via grain edit.

I've been sitting here for 20 minutes trying to think of something witty to write. I give up.

The title is because I can't get this song out of my head. You can blame Alison for the song lyric influenced title.

Interventions.

Monsieur Cabinet via OK Great.

As trite as it sounds, it really is the little things. Imagine walking past these manhole and meter covers on your way to work every morning. How could you help but smile? I love artists that make it their responsibility to add a bit of whimsy into our seemingly mundane everyday existence.

Hmmm...perhaps I need to find some colored tape of my own and stage some urban interventions.

Have I Mentioned You Rock?

typography set by a. favorite design found via poppytalk.

And just when you were feeling hopeless because it seemed my love for fonts was fading, I bring you these great note cards designed by yet another self proclaimed type zealot.

helvetica typography card by a. favorite design.

Forced Smiles.

Left brain Myopia by Kate Banazi.

I am not going to lie or pretend or put on a happy face. This week has been rough, but in that "wow, I really shouldn't be complaining" sort of way. The husband is preparing for this amazing show through the San Francisco Arts Commissions' Art in Storefronts program and I got this great new gig at AT, but um, wow, I'm scared we bit off more than we can chew. I feel so silly complaining about having too much work to do, but I'm tired (and most likely PMSing) and freaking out. Don't worry...I have this process I go through. I only allow myself 1-3 days to freak out and then I'm forced to deal with it. And since this is now day #3 you won't hear much more bitching. In preparation for that forced happy face, I'm positive the work of Kate Banazi is good enough to make you smile even if that's the last thing you want to do (thank you to Sweet Sweet Life for bringing Kate to my attention).

1950000 more virgin airmiles to go by Kate Banazi.

Cheers. It's a new week! Wow, that's the most excited I've ever sounded on Monday.

What a Drag.

On the Street...Somerset House, London via The Sartorialist.

Sometimes, I wish I had the sartorial balls (and the required funds) to wear this much color and pattern in one ensemble. Then again, if I had balls I might not be wearing skirts and heels...unless I decided to be the world's most fashionable cross-dresser! Watch out RuPaul.

Balancing Act.

Alili Cha-am Resort via Contemporist.

This will be the imaginary reward to myself when I figure out how to properly balance a full-time job, a blog, writing for AT, being an art assistant/manager to my husband, keeping the house from looking like a total sty, exercising, cooking on occasion, still having dates with the boy and not going absolutely bonkers. Moderation has never been my forte.

Desperately Seeking a Vacation.

Parque de Retiro, Madrid.

You know how Don Draper just up and left his life for 3 weeks and couldn't be reached by cell phone or email or anyone? I dream about that, but with my husband in tow and obviously without the whole cheating on the spouse thing. I'll also take the crashing at the stunning home of some bourgeoisie hippie commune, but please hold the side of pool orgies.

Parc Guell and the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona.

But until a generous art enthusiast decides to make us rich (you can view my husband's art here) so we can pay a staff to take care of the never ending list of amassed work we will leave behind, I'll just continue to drink gallons of coffee and dream about returning to Spain in that 5 hours of sleep I get each night.

If you are interested in sponsoring my "Calgon take me away trip" (Calgon??),
feel free to email me.

Wild Thing.

Image via Monster-Munch.

OMG you guys! You'll never guess what I just heard. They are making a movie out of the book, "Where the Wild Things Are." Isn't that like the coolest thing you've ever heard (...incessantly...for the last 6 months)? Jokes aside, I am very excited to see this film. It's honestly like any hipster/indie kid's wet dream....Spike Jonze, Dave Eggers, Karen O, Arcade Fire for the trailer and a book from our youth. Um, score.

In honor of the film, my favorite "mixed tape" maker, Bobby Sullivan of Kitsune Noir, has put together a mixcast of songs that fit the spirit of WTWTA. It opens with Arcade Fire which delights me to no end. I've had a certain affinity for that band ever since I had the pleasure of seeing them perform as a still undiscovered gem at The Casbah, a 200-person venue in San Diego. Their set blew me away as the soul-pumping percussion swept over the crowd and Régine's emotional vocals seduced us all. Scout Niblett opened the show and this tiny wig-wearing woman killed it as she moved from quiet vocals to riotous drumming. Good times.

But seriously, how many of you are planning to see WTWTA this weekend? It's playing at an IMAX theatre in SF! Can't wait! I love that they used very little CGI for the wild things. Now, that's CGI done right...as opposed to 2012. Have you seen that trailer? Awful.

Green Arrow.

Chris and I both grew up with a strong appreciation for music. Ok, his appreciation is actually an obsession for bands you've probably never heard of, but concerts (when we have the time and can find a musician we agree on) are one of our favorite things to do together.

Music takes me back immediately to a certain place in time. When Chris and I started dating, so much of the music I held dear to my heart already had a memory attached. Somehow we both missed the Yo La Tengo boat in our life before each other and were lucky enough to discover this beautiful band together.

When I hear this song, I instantly see us in the loft he lived in when he first moved to San Francisco. I was still living in San Diego at the time and had visited for the weekend. It was probably a Saturday night and we sat down together at the dinner table in the vast, spare room to share a meal together while it rained outside. We listened to I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One and this song came on. It was the perfect song at the perfect moment...a song full of heart-breaking hope and melancholic quiet at a time when our existence was spent miles apart.

P.S. If you are a fan, Yo La Tengo is playing a small (meaning tiny) show at Aquarius Records this Sunday at 1pm before they head to the Treasure Island festival. We will be there.

P.P.S. This song is now on repeat in my iTunes. Obsessed.

Such a Tart.

Pascal Rigo's Goat Cheese Tart with Pears via Serious Eats.

Um, looks like our meals will be solely comprised of desserts as that seems to be the only course I am excited to make. Pears, goat cheese, a shortbread like crust and caramel syrup, oh my! And lookey here, this tart is mild enough that it's appropriate for breakfast. So I now have breakfast and dessert covered...what to do for the rest of my meals?

Shut It Down.

Oh Tay, can you please stop wearing incredibly chic (and wallet crippling) blazers? I was already excited that blazers were making a comeback, but then you had to throw sequins and leopard print into the mix. I literally (Or in Zoe speak, "lit-rally." The "e" is silent like in Zoe) die. Luckily for girls like me who can't afford Gucci bags or Louboutin over-the-knee boots, there are some economical and stylish alternatives...well, at least for the sequined blazer. All of the "frugal" blazers with leopard accents are from Chico's. And that would be bananas (and not in a good way) if I suggested those to my readers.

Fred Flare Sequined PYT Blazer, $88.


Bebe All Over Sequin Blazer, $159.


Free People Black Sequin Blazer, $168.

Check back next week when I discuss thrifty alternatives to Brad's short shorts and 17 ways to add some OMG to your wardrobe with bow ties.

Image from Bravo via B-Side Blog.

Family.

Me (age 7), Jen (age 6 months?) and Jer (age 4). Yep, my parents were nice enough to start all of our names with J. Luckily, the creepiness of that has been usurped by the Duggars.

I am incredibly blessed to have a brother and sister that I not only love (due to familial obligation), but I truly like and enjoy. My brother is the smartest funny guy I know. He works as a mechanical engineer and I could try to tell you what he does, but I would fail. He's that guy that everyone loves, and it's not just because he's a mean chef. My sister is a world traveling, Spanish speaking, History Channel watching, sarcastic lass. She's also my best friend and my biggest fan. I love them both so much.

Yep, this pretty much sums up my family (well, in 2002).

And if it's not obvious, all of this is a testament to my incredible mother who raised three kids by herself for most of our lives. I will never grasp how difficult it must have been or how much she sacrificed, but I know that the three of us are who we are today because of it. I love you mom!

I think this was 1992. We probably listened to "Ice Ice Baby" as we got ready for the first day of school that year.

Man, I'm seeming incredibly sentimental this week (and I'm not even PMSing), but in this crazy world it's so nice to realize how unbelievably lucky you are to have amazing people in your life. It makes me happy.