Cool Artist: Yu-I Chan aka Ah-Yi

My search for cool prints, posters, and art is truly never ending. Now that I am in the midst of redecorating my bedroom I am looking for unique and interesting prints in colors that will not offend my boyfriend. He comes from the school of thought that less is always more and pink is for Barbies. We agree on one of those things, but we can most certainly agree that these prints from Ah-Yi are beautiful:

San Shui Nocturne 1 by Yu-I Chan $28 @ Reform School


San Shui Nocturne 2 by Yu I Chan $28 @ Reform School

The Sky Above You, Night Version by Yu i Chan $20 @ Reform School;

The yellow print will go terrific in our bedroom with our new muted teal color scheme.

Find more from Ah-Yi at her blog, flickr, and her shop

Letter Perfect

I have always been drawn to typography, monograms, initials, vintage ABC books and flash cards, so I am beyond thrilled that there seems to be no shortage of items bearing my favorite members of the alphabet. I am also looking forward to sitting down and watching the Helvetica documentary. Here are some of my favorite letter & type related items found around the web:


::top:: Small Giclee Bird Print by JennSki $25; "M" Mug $10.95 @ Fishs Eddy; Makool Alphabet Shirt $88; Word Jumble Bracelet $48 @ Anthropologie; Letterpress Monogram Cards $16 @ Anthropologie;
::middle:: BANG letter tote "M" $22; Recycled Wood Alphabet Letters $16 @ Anthropologie; A is for Apple Paper cut $45 by A little Hut; There is Nothing Wrong With You print $25 by mati rose mcdonough; ABC Love Print $45 to $120 from Made by Girl;
::bottom:: 1950's Restored Royal Typewriter - Turquoise $495 @ three potato four; Magnetic Alphabet Set $45 @ MOMA Store; Spam One Liners: No Girls Laugh At Me by Linzie Hunter $29.99;Days of the Week Tags $2.50 by everyjotandtittle;

Helvetica Film Trailer:





Purchase the Helvetica Film DVD here

Tristan Prettyman & Elwood Clothing Giveaway!

Tristan Prettyman's album Hello...x won't hit itunes until April 15th, but you have a chance to win a copy of her new album along with an adorable "Whitney" dress from Elwood Clothing!!

To enter, simply leave a comment with your email address or send an email with "giveaway" in the subject line along with your information to platinumblondelife5[at]gmail[dot]com! Winners will be chosen at random! Contest ends April 7th!

Listen to Tristan Prettyman's tunes here

View more from Elwood Clothing here

UPDATE: Contest is now closed, details on winner here

NARSkin

One thing that has become a staple in my shower is fabulous citrus scented skincare and body wash formulas. There is something so refreshing and invigorating about those scents that jump start my morning. Grapefruit is a favorite scent of mine, so it is no surprise that I was instantly drawn to the Ginger Grapefruit body wash and lotion from the NARSkin line. It smells fabulous, and my friend Tricia, who I was testing products with, agrees! The price is a little steep as with all NARS products, but much to my wallet's dismay, I'm a fan.


NARSkin Ginger+Grapefruit shower gel $38;NARSkin Ginger+Grapefruit body lotion $40;
NARSkin Essential oil-infused therapy $75;

View more products from NARSkin here

Quiet Hero

I am loving Quiet Hero's arsenal of eco-friendly tees! These illustrated tees are created from organic cotton and bamboo. The designs are beautiful, edgy, and fun! The mermaid and lovely locks designs are calling my name!

Afro Queen tee $58; SpaceHawk tee $58;
Lovely Locks Tee $58; Mermaid Tee $58;

Check them out right here

Girls Weekend NYC

Please forgive me for my absence from PBL, my favorite twins, K & T, were in town for five days (Friday thru Tuesday) and I have been running around this city (very literally in fact) with my best girl friends! The weather was gorgeous and made for some fun photos on the Brooklyn Bridge and in Central Park. Here are a few of my favorite photos from this weekend:


Other than that, we skipped most of the tourist destinations instead opting to hit the shops in Soho, the Meatpacking District, the village, and of course your typical mid-town haunts in search of the perfect handbag for K. She took home a violet "Micki" Kooba bag, that I happen to love. It is a fun color with a cool, unique, and interesting shape, and will fit in well with her wardrobe.



T.'s favorite stop on the NYC tour was the Spring Awakening show.

If you haven't seen it, you must go immediately!!! We loved it! Also, download the soundtrack right here...it is fantastic!

It was a fun filled visit, I was sad to see them go and I hope they come back soon!!


For me it is already business as usual (unfortunately), but you can all expect normal fashion/design coverage to resume here directly!

Gemma Redux Spring Collection

Rachel Dooley's spring line of Gemma Redux is gorgeous.  I love the mixed chains paired with colorful stones! It is the perfect way to dress up an otherwise "basic" ensemble:

top: libby (blue chalcedony) $233; ami (labradorite) $338; karolina (lemon chrysoprase)$167; all @ gemma redux

bottom: karolina necklace $352; karolina earrings $167; becca lemon jade $308; all at gemma redux

Happy Easter!! 

have a great weekend!

pink and yellow bunnies, originally uploaded by platinumblondelife.

My favorite twins are flying into NYC tonight and will be staying through Tuesday, so I will be away for the blog for a few days. Have a fabulous weekend and a Happy Easter (for those who celebrate)! I will see you soon!

Heimstone Fall 2008

I don't know what it is but I just love Heimstone videos.  The Fall 2008 Heimstone collection is less girly, and a bit more urban but it is still pretty. The colorful accessories and black leather jacket with colorful accents are my favorite pieces from the collection--a must have for my fall wardrobe!



Looks from the Fall 2008 collection:




Find a retailer near you here

Heatherette For M.A.C. Available Now

The trashtastic Heatherette for M.A.C. collection is available online NOW! Get it here!

Target Mystery...

These images just surfaced yesterday as a new "private label" Go International for Target collection...the images don't have a designer's name attached. Richard Chai's GO collection is set to hit Target stores in August, but Jonathan Saunders was rumoured to be in the Target line up and these colors and color blocking look more like Jonathan Saunders, but does anyone know for sure? I'm so confused and I can't keep up...so many capsule collections! One thing I do know is that I want those three dresses pictured above! Oh, and while we are on the topic of Target and in case you were wondering, my final verdict on Jovovich-Hawk for Target...over-rated. I think I might be the only one because the collection was nearly SOLD OUT at my local target when I went to purchase non-fashion items. Furthermore, I still think that Proenza Schouler for Target has been their best capsule collection yet. What do you think and anyone that can has info on the Go International summer line up fill me in! :)

Botkier For Target

{botkier marysia tote $795; botkier isis tote in fuschia $695 @ active endeavors}

Monica Botkier is the next accessories designer set to partner with mass retailer Target this summer. The Botkier for Target collection will feature limited edition handbags and will be available in stores and online July July 21 through Sept. 14 2008!

{The bags pictured are available at Active Endeavors Target images will come shortly}

Twig For Spring

Maria Vettese of Port 2 Port Press took some lovely photos of some new spring offerings at Twig's online shop. The clothing and accessories are closet bound of course, but the photography is something I would frame and hang on my wall!
Chie Mihara - Dura $374; Gary Graham - Smocked Muslin Skirt $410; all photos above by Mav

While I was browsing Twig's shop I found this set of irresistible prints by Camila Engman:


Camilla Engman - Set of 4 Prints $45;

Find more amazing things over at Twig

Calligraphy By Jenna Hein

If I was in need of a calligrapher my first thought of course would be to lock my friend Stephanie into a poorly lit room and force her to complete my invitations until her hands bled all over her favorite Burberry skirt. But, if she happened to escape my evil lair (or was just too busy being a lawyer), I would call Jenna Hein, a Brooklyn based calligrapher whose work has been featured in Anthropologie, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, and various other publications. I've always been a bit obsessed with typography, calligraphy, handwriting, fonts, and doodles ...Jenna shares those same loves so my eye was immediately drawn to her work. She brings a modern and fresh style to the ancient art form. See below for some samples of her work:



To view more samples from Jenna or to contact her about her rates visit her at Love, Jenna

Teresa Green Design

I recently spotted Teresa Green's work over at Design*Sponge and couldn't resist posting it here, because I am newly obsessed with her printed linen frame bags and card sets! I just love the simplicity of her designs...especially that scissor print!

To view and order Teresa Green's work visit her website

Sort of Obsessed: Nubby Twiglet

Nubby Twiglet has been a recent obsession of sorts for me. I can't seem to get enough of her art, flickr pool, or blog. I think it would be impossible to visit her site and not be inspired. Black and white has never been so cool. I wish I had a shelf exactly like this in my home:


{see more details as to what is on this shelf decorated by nubby right here}


And I would probably die of happiness if I owned this piece of art by Nubby:
{footloose & fancy free 11x14}

and well every girl has a fashion notebook (don't they?)...but one that spans 10 years is pretty rare


{view pages from nubby's fashion notebook here}

Anyway, I'm obsessed, and you should be too.


See more over at Nubby Twiglet

Cool Artist: Elena Wen

Elena Wen is an illustrator and animator based in Brooklyn. Her animated shorts are always brilliantly illustrated and directed--I happily wasted half of my day watching her videos!
My favorite video is this very funny animation entitled "29E" which is a complaint letter to Continental Airlines about seat 29E.


Seat 29E from elena wen on Vimeo.
As someone who frequently flies coach, I can relate. Business class has never looked better!


See more of Elena's work here

Behind The Scenes of the Tristan Prettyman "Madly" Video

Behind the scenes of the Tristan Prettyman "Madly" video and more Polaroid love:



View the Madly video right here

Log Bowls by Loyal Loot At Manos

Log Bowls with pricelist and text, originally uploaded by karin eriksson.

I am obsessed with these log bowls created by Loyal Loot and would love to have one or two for my apartment. The bowls are currently available in Karin Eriksson'snewly opened shop Manos. Karin's new space is just gorgeous and it might just warrant a trip to Sweeden! If you are in that area be sure to pick up a log bowl in my honor! :)

Take A Listen: Hello...X

Tristan Prettyman's sophmore album "Hello...x" will be dropping in the U.S. on April 15th, but don't fret there is plenty t.p. to hold us over.. Tristan is touring, has released a new video for her first single Madly, and her myspace page gets a new song posted to it every day, and of course some of us are lucky enough to get our hands on the Japanese import, so take a listen:



To hear more from Tristan Prettyman visit her here or here

Julia Rothman Lux Apt Milk Bottles

Julia Rothman is the Student of the month over at the Reform School. Each one of the limited edition Lux Apt Milk Bottles (pictured above) were hand made by Julia and are available now for $65 each at the Reform school. There are only 40 bottles all together (21 red and 19 gray), get yours right here! They are a MUST HAVE in my book, milk does the body good after all! To view photos of Julia's process click here

GOLD MINE: Keep Calm and Carry On

The ubiquitous Keep Calm and Carry on poster is now available in metallic gold, and I want it, even though I have no where to put it. I am beginning to think these posters will never get old. It is becoming a bit like a cult...don't believe me, type the phrase into a flickr search or even worse a blog search...the proof lies within. I fully admit it, I drank the kool-aid...it is hard not to!



Get yours in gold right here

Chloe Posters

I think I've already made it known how I feel about Chloe Sevigny, but I can't help but love these limited edition screen print posters featuring photographs of her. However, I think it has less to do with her than it has to do with the fantastic typography:

Photography: David Sims, Terry Richardson, and Roger Deckker.


The posters are limited edition and are available right here


{found via: A Cup Of Jo via Layers of Meaning}

Levitate/Sväva

If I got paid in Euros I would buy one of each of these gorgeous pieces of artwork from the series "Levitate/Sväva" created by using photographs by Maria of Port2Port and illustrations by Sweedish artist, Elisabeth Dunker.



Each piece is $200 and is available here

Despite my best efforts, I have been unable to renegotiate my contract, so I am left with a crumbling economy and a wallet full of Lincolns (Benjamins are so last year). However, if your benjamins are burning a hole in your pocket I encourage you to buy one of these fantastic fine art prints and I try not to be bitter when you brag about it.

Break The Ice- New Britney Spears Animated Music Video

Britney is this you?



I suppose this video rates somewhere in between Paula Abdul's partially animated music video for "Opposites Attract":

and the genius animated music videos like, the White Stripes video for "Fell in Love With A Girl":

and of course all of the Gorillaz videos:


But what we really want is for all those hours she is logging in at Millenium to pay off so she can create an iconic video that will rival "I'm A Slave 4 U".

Camilla Engman + Karin Eriksson Project

Camilla Engman posted a few teaser photos of her new collaborative project with Karin Eriksson. Karin's sculptures will feature Camilla's wonderful illustrations...

I think I'm in love! They are definitely a must have in my book! View the rest of the photos on Camilla's blog.

Toast

I can't seem to get enough of the images in the Toast Catalog.  Their new house & home catalog is available online and will surely make you want to eat all your meals outdoors. Here are my favorite images from their last two catalogs:

Visit Toast here

Ksubi Search Engine?

Ksubi (formally known as Tsubi) , a mainstay for hipsters everywhere always seems to have another card up their sleeve to keep things interesting. Ksubi has cleverly redesigned their site to mimic the Google search engine...

Ksubi homepage:

vs.

Google homepage:


Whatever will they come up with next? While we all sit & speculate, I have my eyes on these fun, electric blue, shades:


Ksubi Willy Sunnies $180

In The Reading Room

I have always loved the look of reading glasses and well chic eyewear in general. Recently hip retail stores have been broadening the selection of reading glasses for all of us to choose from. You can now count Kate Spade as one of those places with their new collection of chic readers with fun printed arms. If you're not sure what spec is best for you, Kate Spade has a printable eye exam to help you choose the right power for your eyes.

franny $75;  jo jo $75; franny $75; emma $75; all @ kate spade

While I was browsing the Kate Spade site I found this cool desktop wallpaper available for download Behind the Curtain in Ruth Parson's desktop profiles section:

Download yours here

a small collection by alyson fox spring and winter

Given Alyson Fox's history as a Anthropologie window display designer, photographer, and illustrator *, it feels like a natural progression for her to venture into the fashion industry by creating "a small collection", a line of eco-friendly clothing that is cleverly constructed by using organic cotton, linen, and hemp without the use of zippers. "A Small Collection" is characterized by minimally styled wrap dresses, tees, sweaters, and slip-on skirts.  Each look is showcased on the brand's website in mini- film clips that showcase each look and how they move & fit in real life.  The videos are spectacular...I can't get enough of them much like how I can't get enough of her spring & winter collections pictured below:


Spring:

View entire collection and accompanying videos here

Winter:

View entire collection and accompanying videos here

* (Alyson's figurative illustrations on vintage book covers are my some of my favorite art pieces ever--I would gladly wallpaper my walls in her art, that is if money was no object! ),

K. Autumn

I am always looking for an excuse to wear a flower in my hair--my favorite bloom to pin in my hair for special events is a large white fragrant gardenia. It is a perfect way to top off a sophisticated chignon! One reason I like to stick to the gardenia because it looks great well into the night while other blooms threaten not to hold up as well as the night progresses, this is why you might want to consider k. autumn's lovely custom or ready-made hairpin floras that come in a variety of colors and are accented with gorgeous pearls, crystals, spotted guinea, ostrich, and peacock feathers. The result is a sophisticated, polished pop of pattern and color for your wedding or other special event.  Look no further than the client gallery (which features shots of Joy's GORGEOUS wedding)!

sofia blush pink $165; audrey black $185; kate ivory $185; lisa turquoise $175; joy raspberry $185; all available @ k. autumn

Go Green Go by Phillip Lim

I love nearly everything Phillip Lim designs...the classic shapes, impeccable construction, and flattering fits keep me coming back for more, so I was thrilled when I saw his organic line. The ten eco-friendly looks were ethically created from undyed, untreated organic cotton and lined with sustainable silk. View three looks from the Phillip Lim Go Green Go collection below:

Go Green Go by Phillip Lim Car Coat $595; Go Green Go by Phillip Lim Bib Front Dress $370; Go Green Go by Phillip Lim One Shoulder Gown $995; all @ Barneys


*image of designer and models via Domino magazine

Cheap Thrills: Jovovich-Hawk For Target

The weather isn't cooperating, but now that daylight savings time has arrived I feel like it is spring. When the promo photos surfaced for the Jovovich-Hawk for Target line I was immediately sold, but when the launch came around I hesitated before going crazy purchasing the entire collection because I started reading the online reviews. The reviews were mixed at best, so I hopped in the car headed to my nearest Target (which is not at all close) to see the collection. Unfortunately the selection there was limited, and a few pieces that I really liked online were not available at the store, but of what I did see I generally liked, but none of it really embodied any of the reasons that make me love Jovovich-Hawk's primary line.

I really liked the white chiffon dress on the rack, but upon trying it on I felt the waist had an odd fit and did not flatter me at all and decided against purchasing it. However, I loved the grey short sleeve hoodie, dotted scoop neck top, and the square neck dotted dress looks adorable belted. Some of the other looks I found to be a bit matronly or the fabric was a bit too sheer for my taste, but for the price, the collection is worth a gander.

A few look from the Jovovich-Hawk for Target line:

{top} Jovovich-Hawk for Target Chiffon Dress in Wave Ecru $39.99; Jovovich-Hawk for Target Mini Floral and Paisley Skirt in Ebony/ Ecru $24.99; Jovovich-Hawk for Target Dot Belt Top in White/ Multicolor $24.99; Jovovich-Hawk for Target Strappy Lace Dress in Ebony $39.99; all @ Target.com

{bottom} Jovovich-Hawk for Target Square-Neck Dot Dress in Ebony/ Waffle Cone $39.99;
Jovovich-Hawk for Target Gilded Treasure Dress $32.99; Jovovich-Hawk for Target Short-Sleeve Hoodie in Heather Gray/ Wave Ecru $17.99; Jovovich-Hawk for Target Star Print Vest in Ebony $29.99; all @ Target.com

On My Radar: Hussy

I recently stumbled upon Hussy Australia's look book and was instantly smitten. The line is designed by Marie Hatzis and has established a cult following in the nine years it has been in existence. Unfortunately, U.S. shops are noticeably absent from their stockist page, but we have to look on the bright side...this will give us one more reason to go down under (The Zac Posen for Target Australia being the first reason, obviously). I know what you're thinking, the U.S. dollar is worth marbles right now, but it is about even in Australia (the AUD was at $.9324 today), so if you're going to go shopping overseas... Australia is the place to go!

Here are my favorite looks from the lastest Hussy collection:

top: Bright Light Dest Bright Lights Print$398; Bright Lights Dress- Ivory $398;
Bright Lights Top - Peach $229 & Bright Lights Skirt - Bright Lights Print $249;
Bada Bing Shift Punch $298;

bottom: Manhattan Shirt -Parakeet $270 & Bright Lights Skirt -Bright Lights Print $249;
Bellagio Shirt Dress - Persimmon $349; Star Anise Dress - Marble Print $369; Bellagio Shirt - Mink $249 & Star Anise Skirt - Marble Print $249;



The accessories are to die for as well:


{clockwise} Tear Drop Belt - Grey $189 & High Roller Ankle Boot - Navy $298; Manhattan Pump - Black $239 & Tear Drop Belt - Black $189; Manhattan Pump - Red $239 & High Roller Clutch - Red $229 & Patent Luxe Belt - Red $189; Manhattan Pump - Grey $239 & Tear Drop Belt - Grey $189;

View the entire Hussy collection here

To view Marie Hatzis's high-end line Madame Marie click here