Banjo Fever

^ beautiful packaging for Ernie Ball tenor banjo strings

So if we haven't spoken in a while, you may not be aware that I have banjo fever. I'm mildly obsessed. I'm not necessarily interested in the banjo you may know (though I have to respect Steve Martin), rather its lesser-known practices. I am currently set on learning to play jazz banjo. Yes, that's a real thing.

If all goes well, I will one day match the style of Eddy Davis, a banjo genius located in NYC. I don't throw out the term genius lightly with Mr. Davis. He's been playing his entire life, and has truly mastered the instrument. Eddy's played with some of the greats, including Woody Allen, Patti LaBelle, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Goodman, Jabbo Smith.




(Eddy is absolutely captivating. It was so difficult to choose just one video - more here.)

There are also other forms of banjo you may not know of. How about the cello banjo? Here's an amazing video of Bach's Cello Suite no. 3 performed on a self-made cello banjo, by Robby Faverey. While cello banjos don't tend to look like this, the music is just beautiful.




Now if you want to get SUPER hipster, there is also such a thing as a banjo ukelele. That one's not really my cup of tea. But hey, now you know more about the banjo than you ever wanted to. You're welcome.

A couple of lovely young girls were walking down a country road when they heard a voice calling,"Girls, girls, help me please."
They looked around and saw that the voice was coming from a frog sitting in a puddle at the side of the road. One of the girls picked up the frog and said,"How can we help you?"
"I am really a handsome, successful banjo player who was turned into a frog by a wicked witch. If I am kissed by a girl, I'll turn back into a banjo player and will take her on tour with me throughout this land."
The girl quickly thrust the frog into her pocket. Her friend asked,"What are you doing? Aren't you gonna kiss him?"
"Heck no," said the first girl,"He's worth way more as a talking frog."

- via Jim Yates on Banjo Hangout

Yes, Banjo Hangout.

2011: Year of the Rabbit

2010, Year of the Tiger


2011, Year of the Rabbit

While I'm a tiger myself, I'm happy to welcome the year of the rabbit today! Supposedly things will be slowing down this year, which should be a nice break from the intensity of 2010. It'll be all about home and family, keeping the peace. I'm down for that.

The sketches above are just some initial drawings I did for a project last year. They didn't end up being right for the piece, but I still thought they were fun. And today, very relevant! [Hint: There's a reason for the two colors.]

Happy Chinese New Year! May good luck ensue!

Sugar Land is a Real Place

In the first conversations that I have with someone, I can expect an interesting reaction to the following truths:

1) My name is Stefanie, spelled with an f.
2) Last name Pepping.
3) I grew up in Sugar Land, Texas.

That last one is usually the kicker. If the person hasn't smiled yet, by now they can't help it. I'm often met with disbelief, to which I reply, "No, really! There's even a movie about it. Sugarland Express, Goldie Hawn, 1974. Google it." This is inevitably followed by some crack about Candy Land, or how sweet the women must be. (And we are.)


Sugar Land grew around the original Imperial Sugar Factory, built in 1843. I remember spending field trips at that factory, and let me tell you something, you would be surprised at how terrible the smell is in a place that makes sugar. Alas, the building has been empty for a while now, and was demolished a few months ago to make room for residential and business development. (Destroying a landmark that precedes the town itself? Bad move.)

Sugar Land is now one of the fastest growing cities in Texas, named the third best city to live in in the U.S. by CNN in 2006. The current population is over 79,943, and growing. Since my family moved there around 1990, they've built a mall, a movie theater, an ice rink, shopping centers with places like Williams Sonoma and the Cheesecake Factory, places for nightlife, etc. Houses continue to pop up, fields continue to disappear, and traffic gets worse every year. One of the newest additions, believe it or not, is the Sugar Land Town Square. Most Texas towns start out with a square. They did it a little bit backwards.

Sugar Land is not home to the country band Sugarland. Nope, not at all. However, the prison did house a favorite new discovery, folk/blues legend Lead Belly. Professor Terry Morrow turned me on to him today. With a style similar to that of Son House, his music will take you back to the old south. In a good way.


Black Betty, lyrics possibly in reference to the Texas penitentiary transfer wagon

Let's get real, Sugar Land is a pretty strange place. Growing up there, I called it "The Bubble." I felt suffocated by the overwhelming sense of suburbia. Every store was forced to have the same tan brick color and same white type, trees grew in straight lines, houses could only be painted certain colors, and when I would visit a friend's house down the lane, chances were one in three that the layout would be the spitting image of mine. Nothing was allowed to be unique. Not only that, my family lived near the country club, where palm trees lined the streets and houses were big enough to be hotels. My high school parking lot was filled with shiny new Hummers, Mercedes, Lexuses (Lexi?), etc. At times it was completely ridiculous and I just wanted to pull my hair out.

In spite of the way I felt about it back then, I have developed a sense of pride in the place. It is actually very pretty, almost dream-like. The streets are lined with trees that were planted when I was a kid, now full-grown and lush. The crime rate is very low, and the people in the community are generally active and good-natured. When I visit home, I feel safe. Sometimes that's a pretty great feeling.

So to the skeptics, Sugar Land is a real place.

Other interesting facts:

Sugar Land has held the title of Fittest City in Texas for four consecutive years now.

The Sugar Land Town Square used the 3D projection technology used in the 2010 Olympics on New Year's Eve 2009. That's right, we're ahead of the game.

Sugar Land is unique in that it boasts the highest concentration of Asians in Texas, 34% of the population.

The climate is described as "humid subtropical." Winter temperatures average in the 60s.

The To Resolve Project

New Year's is the perfect time for reflection - we're ending one chapter and starting a new one. It can be similar to the last, or drastically different. But in order to make changes, you need resolve.

Thus Chris Streger, a designer based out of New York, started the To Resolve Project, calling for iPhone wallpapers that highlight our resolutions. Not only do they look great, iPod wallpapers make the perfect little reminders. My contribution (shown above) is about doing without the excess in our lives. Be sure to check out the rest and maybe contribute your own before 2011!

Happy New Year!!

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse

I sincerely hope that all of you were able to witness this last night. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! At one point, in a split second, the moon went from a pearly lavender to bright red, straight into almost neon-purple, before darkening into a smokey purple. If I had seen a red moon like that 400 years ago, I definitely would have panicked. I'd probably sprinkle a ring of salt around myself and wait with a wooden stake.

The plains of West Texas were perfect for viewing. I even caught a bit of the meteor shower! I was able to get some pretty good images, see below. For a full time-lapse video, this video by William Castleman is by far the best I've seen.


images captured by yours truly from Ransom Canyon, TX, 2010

New England, circa 1800

As much as I enjoy West Texas, it was so good to be in New England over Thanksgiving. Boston was fantastic. Quality beer, clam chowda, printing presses, witches, scandals and political riots - enough said.

One of my favorite excursions on our trip was Old Sturbridge Village in Massachussetts, a very authentic look into New England life in the early 1800's. We got there late in the day and had to do the whole town in 25 minutes, so I apologize for the lack of description here. It was one big whirr of history and inspiration, and some of my favorite photos came out of it.

^Pistols

^Glass Bottles - meant for wine or liquor?

^Punched Tin Lanterns

^Ye Olde Printing Office

One of my favorite things (which I failed to get a picture of) was something we found inside of a chapel/dance hall. There was a tiny wooden throne in the corner of the room, raised above anyone else. The label? "Fiddler's Throne." I wish there had really been one there!

Et tu, HOWdesign.com?

Print, HOW, AIGA, I thought you were behind us? The last few years in the design industry have been disheartening, to say the least - particularly for print designers. Print designers have suffered the worst of the downsizing - many without hope of finding a job in their beloved trade again. The last thing we needed was for the industry awards and competitions to be jumping on this band wagon.

The gorgeous award annuals of only a few years ago meant a lot to me. When I graduated college, Print Magazine was still producing those beautiful annuals that were about five regular magazines thick. It was one of those annuals that helped me decide what to pursue in my career. The work was absolutely brilliant, inspiring, concept-driven and beautifully executed. It came from design firms all over the country and ran the gamut of styles. It gave me something tangible to strive for.

The AIGA Annual, 365, was even more exciting. It was a book as thick as the bible, beautifully designed by one of our own and filled with some of the best work of our time. And the best thing about this book? It never has to go away. It can be added to your bookshelf, your physical library of creative sources, to be referenced later if needed. The possibility of permanence was a beautiful thing.

Both of these annuals have ceased to inspire. The Print Annual has shrunk to the size of 2 regular magazines, with designs that frankly inspire much less. The AIGA doesn't have this problem - they've stopped producing a physical copy of their annual altogether. What used to be a tangible reason to renew membership, even if I didn't have the time for meetings and networking, is no longer available.

Where have all of the design awards gone? Where everything else has gone - online. So if you submit an entry and win, your piece goes to a temporary spot on the world wide web, which is so large that someone has to be handed a direct link in order to ever see it. You'll likely get one good day of hits, then disappear along with the rest. And then, only your mother will remember where to find it. Or hey, maybe swissmiss will discover you and you can ride the blogosphere for a while. Yeah, you can dream.

This is exactly what the most recent HOW Poster Design Awards offer. Is this kind of recognition really worth the $40 entry fee?

And for award admirers, we will browse through the winners once and bookmark the pieces we love. (allowing less than a second to impress us.) But again, these will inevitably get lost and forgotten. I would rather pay the subscription necessary and have something physical that I can browse through for months or more. This also gives me more time to notice pieces that maybe I didn't at first.

I can agree that printed pieces can be somewhat unnecessary. Yes, we accumulate far too much trash in our lifetime. Not just trash, books that we will never look through. But the examples I bring up now, these were cherished. These are missed dearly. And I can't help but feel betrayed that the giant organizations of our own industry are aiding in moving print to web for good.

Pardon my rant. This is just one print designer's view, and if I don't say anything, these organizations may never consider this possible reason that submissions and membership are declining. Maybe you agree?

The Tiffin: An Untapped Market?

A recent trip to World Market tipped me off to one of the most ingenious inventions ever - the tiffin tin. I am hooked. They are so pretty!! And smart! They originated in India, used by wives to pack a fresh lunch for their husbands. They might include things like rice, dal, curry, and/or vegetables, things that are best kept separate. Thus, the stacking containers. Brilliant.


Well, as difficult as it is to resist shiny objects, I'm not sure about buying this one. The problem with the tiffin tin is that it's metal - not microwavable. If I were to use this to bring food to work, a microwave would really be only heating option (as much as I would rather not submit my food to radiation).

Yes, there are plastic options out there - more on the tiered bento side. In fact, I'm kind of digging this babushka one that's shown below. But most of what's available is specifically kid-geared. Thus, the "untapped market." The well-designed, adult-geared, microwaveable tiffin/tiered bento box. I'm thinking there should be a "Threadless" for the tiffin/tiered bento box. Yeah? I feel like this is probably an amazing idea. Not just because it's almost 3 in the morning, because it is.


[found at sugarcharms.com]

Even if this Bento Threadless I dream of never pans out, I would just LOVE to see some of my favorite illustrators tackle the tiffin/tiered bento. Aesthetic Apparatus? Eight Hour Day? Diana Sudyka? Jason Munn? Dirk Fowler? Anyone care to take this on?

No? I may just have to put that on my list of things to do.

GOOD Doodle: A Day Without Technology

So I recently decided to try my hand in a doodle contest on the GOOD website. They had a very interesting prompt that I couldn't pass up, and I'm always looking for a good creative outlet. Well, I didn't get first place, but I am second on the slide show! I'm guessing that means runner up? Yeah, that's what we're going to go with. (see the winners here)


The prompt was, "A Day Without Technology." There are so many ways you could go with this - so many useful items are getting lost in the hubbub, there's too much nostalgia. I decided to stick with one idea, keep it simple.

I love going to antique/thrift stores, and one of the most interesting things to look through is Encyclopdia sets. What we "knew" about things back then, the illustrations/images. The nostalgia of needing to look something up for a school project, going into the garage and standing on my tip-toes to find the Sn-Sz book. The way that we find information has changed so drastically.

I also think of the Friends episode where Joey buys one encyclopedia from a traveling salesman, and learns all about things starting with...W? Friends wasn't that long ago.

Did anyone else repeatedly vow to read through the entire encyclopedia set, but only ever get through the first few entries of "A"?

Anyway, this is my day without technology. No more "Googling it." A day of questions without having the answers at your fingertips. A day of laboring to find what you need. Of really learning something (maybe).

This prompt really got me thinking. I might continue with a series of illustrations. We'll see what happens.

More Scandinavia, Yes Please!!

In true American fashion, I am a pure mutt. If I took a genetics test, the results would probably say, "One at a time, please!"* My ancestry has a crazy mix - English, French, Native American, Irish, German, and Swedish. (- and Texan, if you ask my sister. Who just graduated. And thinks Texas is a country.) As you can imagine, I have a difficult time getting in touch with my background. It comes little by little, one bit at a time.

Living in Minneapolis really put me closer to my Scandinavian roots. Though I was inspired by being amongst a more Scandinavian population and design community, a lot of it came from my family in MN, who are Swedish through and through. I've come to really enjoy my Swedish heritage - so much so that I find myself craving more!

I love the way that the contemporary Scandinavian aesthetic oscillates between kitsch and minimalism, and can incorporate both almost effortlessly. Even in the most modern spaces, there always seems to be a sense of tradition and/or folklore. These amazing images from "True Scandinavian," an upcoming book by the fabulous Swedish photographer Pia Ulin, illustrate this balance perfectly. My holy grail.






I would also like to recommend flipping through the other gorgeous books found on Pia's site: "A Room of One's Own," "Countryhouses," and "Knit Improvisations." Thank you to via manelli for pointing me in her direction.

*adapted from a "yo momma" joke, circa 1992

The Blackout Poetry of Austin Kleon

^ "Same Swords", by Austin Kleon

I love graphic design, but when I need inspiration, sometimes it is best taken from elsewhere. As you saw, my last post featured plants and gardening. And this one, blackout poetry from Austin, Texas.

What is blackout poetry, you ask? It is a type of poetry based on found words and subtraction. This particular artist, Austin Kleon, takes a marker to a page of the New York Times and blacks out all except for a few words. The words come to make sense as phrases, some incredibly deep and some not so much, but still interesting. And thus: blackout poetry.

I stumbled across this phenomena via Texas Monthly (the creative directors of which I was lucky enough to meet this past week - very inspiring). Just before SXSW, their website featured a review of his new book, "Newspaper Blackout", and I fell in love immediately.

Though these have a rather unorthodox layout, your eye is slowly led around the page in a way that ends up making sense, witnessing something that you never would have found on your own. I have a hard time putting into words what I love about his thoughts: they are comfortable yet unnerving, vintage and country, often with great wit and a sense of playfulness. Sometimes, in the beginning of reading one, I will underestimate it, and at the end he hits with something brilliant. The book review on Texas Monthly sums the work up perfectly: "hidden bits of Zen lite that occasionally bump up against brilliance."

^ "The Co-Founder of the Artist"

^ "The Parent Unhappy"

^ "Texas is Actually Real"

^ "What Happens to the Married" (posted on his three-year anniversary)

^ "Overheard on the Titanic"

I've only posted a few here, a nibble of food for thought. For more newspaper blackout poems by Austin Kleon, visit his website.

Planting + Alternative Health Benefits

^ ranunculus

I have to say, one of the quickest ways to make a new apartment feel like home is to add plants. The first thing I did when I moved into my little back house was to buy a few seeds and plant them. There's nothing more rewarding than watching the little sprouts pop up. AND many plants have a lot of benefits that you might not expect. Take what's growing at my place:

Dandelion - These things are growing rampant in my backyard. You can call them weeds all you want, I say let them thrive! This plant is entirely edible - flower, root, and leaves - and with honey, makes a delicious tea. Dandelion is said to aid in weight loss, detoxification, digestion, cholesterol reduction, health maintenance for people with Type-1 & Type-2 diabetes, and makes an excellent face wash. It also transfers magnificent amounts of minerals and vitamins: A, C, D, E, & B complex, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc. when infused in hot water. Need I say more?

Ranunculus (shown top) - To be honest, as beautiful as these babies are, they're poisonous. Should you decide to go all "Goodbye Earl" on your no-good cheating husband, they might come in handy. Otherwise, do not consume or handle excessively.

Parsley - Parsley contains more vitamin C than any other culinary vegetable, and is also rich in Vitamin A, iron, potassium, magnesium, and potassium. It is said to cleanse the blood, benefit vision, treat deafness and ear infections, facilitate removal of kidney and gallstones, and benefit the sexual system. You can chew parsley to prevent bad breath, rub it on a bruise, or even make a juice of it.

Basil - Like parsley, basil is rich in magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium. It can help with nausea or motion-sickness, arthritis, influenza, bronchitis, and nose and throat infections. Basil works as a natural anti-inflammatory, much like aspirin or ibuprofen, and also has antibacterial and antioxidant qualities, providing a nice boost to the immune system.

Oregano - Oregano has a lot of similar health benefits as basil - it has strong anti-bacterial properties and it's a powerful source of antioxidant vitamins. One tablespoon of oregano = the antioxidants found in one medium-sized apple! It can help fight colds, influenza, mild fevers, indigestion, stomach upsets, blood cholesterol, and painful menstruation. It is also said to help prevent cancer and slow aging, and is considered to be an aphrodisiac.

Tomato - Though tomatoes were initially considered toxic, and not consumed in the U.S. until the early 1800s, they have proven to be one of the most beneficial vegetables available. The tomato is another powerful antioxidant. It contains a compound called Lycopene which helps your body fight against the formation of cancerous cells in the lungs, prostate, breast, and colon/stomach. Tomatoes also contain large amounts of vitamin C and potassium, protect against heart disease and high cholesterol, and taste great to boot.

Lavender - Lavender was the first herb whose benefits I started researching, and it has become an obsession of mine. Lavender is great for the skin, and can be used topically to help heal acne or eczema, soothe and heal insect bites, and prevent infection and blisters in severe sunburns. Its powerful scent has a very calming effect, and has been know to help ease stress, headaches, insomnia, and depression. It is also helpful in warding off insects and scorpions, and makes an excellent bath.


^ lavender (yes, it's there - look closely)


^ tomatoes, parsley, basil, oregano

** Though these herbs are all highly beneficial, they could have adverse side effects with medications or other herbs. I would suggest further research before the extensive use of an herb for medicinal purposes. I should also mention that I don't condone the use of poison.

Ironic Much??

So I have news. You should know that I am very excited about this, but it definitely comes at an odd time. As you may have read in my last post, I have been getting more into the community here in Houston, and loving what I see. But guess what, world. I'm moving again. That's right, I've been hired. (You may do a little dance.)

Where am I moving, you ask? Well, to give you a hint, here's my life so far: Houston>>Lubbock>>Minneapolis>>Brooklyn>>Houston. Seeing as I am back in Houston, can you guess where I'm going next?


That's right, folks: Lubbock. West Texas. Beautiful open plains dotted with wind turbines and tumbleweeds galore. One point perspective in real life. Dust storms and Slaton pies. First Friday Art Trails, Fifth Friday Art Trails. All this, four hours away from any major city. And what marks the halfway point between Houston and Lubbock on Hwy 36? Deep Shit Cattle Co.

Is it as amazing as it sounds? Yes. Lubbock has so much character, it's fantastic. I didn't truly fall in love with it until 3 years into college, but now I know what I'm looking for and where to find it. And I will be so glad to be near my professors again, all of whom I look up to immensely. These people shaped me into who I am today as a person and as a designer, and I am looking forward to sharing a building with them again.

I bet you're curious about my new job. Well, here it is: I am the new graphic designer for the Texas Tech School of Art! Haven't heard of it? You're missing out big time. The School of Art at Tech may not be on the top of your list of art and design schools, but I am here to tell you that I have seen amazing things come out of that place. Fossil knows. I'm just saying, keep your eyes peeled, because there is a lot of talent coming from the art students at Texas Tech. It's not all about Bobby Knight and Mike Leach.

As I said earlier, I am very excited about this opportunity. As the only designer, I will have a lot of responsibility and hopefully some creative freedom. I will get to work amongst artists and art teachers, a very creative environment. And how often do you get the chance to truly give back to your school like this? I'm hoping to do something pretty amazing with my work there.

I may end up moving again in a few years, but for now, it's off to Lubbock! Geez, I feel like there should be a video game where you try to locate me. Wish me luck! And stay tuned for some interesting adventures in West Texas.

I feel that I should end my post with a small word of caution. This coming move will be my fourth in two years. As my friend Trey has said, this makes me the "most movingest person" ever. To be honest, I didn't intend for this kind of constant relocation. When the recession hit, it hit hard. And when great opportunities have popped up elsewhere, I feel that I should grab them. But it's difficult leaving friends and family, and finding a place in your new community. I am happy to accept a job in Lubbock because I've lived there. I know the area, I have friends there, and I will be able to adjust easily. While I have discovered some true gems in the process of relocating and wouldn't take back anything in the end, I should point out that moving so much is indeed stressful, and I don't necessarily recommend it.

Houston - Who Knew?

Some of you won't believe me when I say this, so brace yourselves: Houston, Texas, may very well be where it's at. Believe me, I was blown away by this, too. But it's true, there's really something really good going on here. Some say it may be the next Austin, or even better.

Truthfully, I like Houston as it is now, a progressively budding culture generally unknown by the masses (or at least the majority of the US). Nonetheless, I thought I would attempt to shed a little light on the city. Houston gets a bad rap, generally known for its heat, humidity, republicans and oil. But there's more. I've only barely scratched the surface of the city, but here are just a few of my favorite discoveries so far:

The Rothko Chapel
Though the website is in dire need of a redesign, the space itself is breathtaking and intensely spiritual. The depth and movement in the paintings, combined with the simple minimalism of the architecture and brilliant natural lighting, create the perfect space to be alone with your thoughts.



Domy Bookstore
I stepped foot in Domy for the first time today, and added pretty much every book I saw to my mental wishlist. I should really never shop here without a friend who is strong enough to hold me back. They specialize in contemporary design and art books, graphic novels, periodicals, video, etc. They are very progressive, and I was especially excited to see quite a few editioned books among the machine-bound.



Anvil Bar & Refuge
Another site redesign waiting to happen, the concoctions here are top notch. The menu features prohibition-era cocktails, all made from scratch with homemade infusions and fresh fruits and herbs, and served artfully in vintage glasses. The space itself is an old Firestone tire shop, embellished with reclaimed materials and salvaged artifacts. This is one bar where the drinks are definitely worth the slightly higher prices.



AIGA Houston
Yes, Houston is mainly oil and gas. But who says that calls for bad design? I am happy to report that there is a very healthy and active design community here, and plenty of AIGA events to look forward to. Just last week, Armin Vit drove in from Austin to speak about his new book, Graphic Design Referenced (which you should definitely own). I am also finding more and more design firms with inspiring work, including Savage Design, Axiom, ph Design Shop, BrandExtract, Herring Design, Rigsby-Hull, and Origin Design. More on these another time.

And yes, there's an app for that:

SwebApps Button Demo: AIGA Houston from Magaly Chocano on Vimeo.

As the job search is still under way, I'm not sure whether I will be staying in Houston for long, but I definitely like what I see. After spending 13 years in Sugar Land, not loving the suburban way of life, it's great to finally be discovering H-town in all of its glory. I must say, I am impressed. I can't believe what has been right under my nose all along! Who knew?

Bringing in a New Year

photo by Micha L. Reiser, permission details here

New Year's has to be one of my favorites. I love the idea of opening a new chapter with new goals and a new outlook full of hope. It's quite refreshing. Granted, you could choose to do this any day of the year. There's just something about starting the calendar over that says, "Clean slate. Go for it."

I could use one this year. After only five months in New York, I'm trying to get out. Don't get me wrong, there are many fantastic things about the city. And if you haven't visited Brooklyn, you're really missing out. Do it. But life in NYC is missing so much that I find important. So why am I paying more than most people's house payments to live there? You tell me.

Now I am working on clearing my slate. I left my job in NY a month and half ago. (It took a lot of courage, but it felt so good to take control and get out. It was just working out terribly, details not included. In the end, I'm very proud of myself.) My apartment is up on Craigslist, and I am trying to prepare myself mentally for the parental move-in. I need to recuperate while I look for something truly full-time, and I am lucky enough to have parents who love and support me, who are willing to let me stay with them while I get my feet on the ground. Come on, Recession. Go away, already!

</personal tangent>

Besides all of this, I love mixing up traditions from different countries on New Year's. I readily welcome any extra luck it will bring. Here are a few tricks I may try:

• Eat 12 grapes at midnight, and make a wish on each one - one for every stroke of the clock, and one for every month of the new year. Only problem is, how will I be kissed with 12 grapes in my mouth?? - Spain
• Throw old dishes at all of my friends' houses. You're welcome!! - Denmark
• Pour molten lead into water and interpret the shape it makes, a fortune-telling technique called Bleigiessen. Results shown in above photo. - Germany
• Physically clean and de-clutter my living space. - Multiple countries
• Wear yellow underwear. Sounds weird, but it's said this will attract positive energy in the new year! - Ecuador
• Bang on pots and pans to chase evil spirits away. - Iran
• Or I could just leave the doors and windows open to let them out. - China
• OR, I could open the back door at the first stroke of midnight, letting out the old year and its bad luck, and open the front door on the twelfth stroke to let in the new year and its luck. - Wales
• Cook myself a feast of luckiness: http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/newyearsday/luckyfoods
• Ring in the year with laughter. - Japan

But most importantly, I will be wishing my friends and family love, health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year, and I will be missing those of you I can't be with. I'm entering the second decade of the new millennium with very few regrets, and I'm excited about what's to come. Let's kick it off with a bang! Happy New Year to all!

Come On In

This weekend, I was so lucky as to have a friend visiting from Minneapolis. We went on an art walk in DUMBO, the neighborhood I work in, and grabbed dinner in Soho. It may not have been the best for my cold, but it was totally worth it, really great to see her.

She kept asking about my apartment and made me promise to post pics - especially after I told her my friend Katie says it looks like it's straight out of a Wes Anderson film (think Royal Tenenbaums). I know there are others of you out there that might be curious as well. So here's a glimpse at the new residence.

The entrance hall is really my favorite part about the place. Fan-freaking-tastic. Huge fan of the green and orange wallpaper.




I'm not gonna lie, the inside is still lacking. Amazing architecture and nuances, but still deep in transition. I'm still posting photos of the living room and kitchen. Just keep in mind that I moved in with a girl who's new as well, and a guy who's been living here for 2 years already - trying to find common decor ground and use what's already there. Not as easy as it might sound.




No, the TV doesn't work. Nor does the chandelier, nor the lamp in the corner. None of my own posters are really up yet. Like I said, long way to go. But can you see the potential here? I really wish I could just get rid of all of the junk and go to town on this place. I'll let y'all know if it ever comes together.

The Obscure of the English Language

Hello!! It's been quite a while! I've been settling in to my new place (still not done) and exploring. My dad and sis came to visit the other weekend...they took my car home with them. I am now officially stuck.

When they were here, I showed them around a bit. I think the only thing we really did in Brooklyn was the Prospect Park Farmer's Market. We had apple cider donuts, chocolate milk (Which is evidently usually made from bloody milk - I don't find this out til the week after. Ew.), and some really good nectarines. But my favorite find at the market was Nicola and the Newfoundlander.


Nicola and the Newfoundlander was set up at a little table on a corner across the street from the market. Their clocks were what first caught my eye. Then the Newfoundlander (the non-female, so by process of elimination...) then explained the work, and I got really excited about these magnets! More so, I got excited about what they're about.

First of all, I should say that everything is made from reclaimed wood - he specifically mentioned wood from Brooklyn water towers, the Coney Island boardwalk, and wine barrels. And these magnets that I'm now in love with feature words forgotten from the english language, words that have no equal. Some are beautiful, many are ironic, and all are due for a comeback. Take it in.

petrichor - the smell of rain on dry earth

maieutic - to give birth to ideas

ploiter - to work with little purpose

zizany - a bad apple that spoils the bunch

vicambulist - a person who wanders the city streets

fey - having a strange, almost other-worldly, whimsical charm

ergophobist - one who fears work

mungo - one who finds beautiful things in the trash

kakistocracy - a government run by its worst citizens

rememble - a false memory

dulosis - the enslavement of ants by ants

limerence - the first moments of love

malist - one who thinks this is a terrible world, but not the worst of all possible worlds

musophobist - one with a deep and sustained fear of poetry

*interesting fact: Only half of these words got the squiggly red underline when typed.

I don't know about you, but hearing of these words (especially knowing that some of them passed the spell check) made me really think about the english language, how limited it can be, and how we limit ourselves even more by using only a few of the words available. I also laugh a little. I know plenty of ergophobists, but I believe I have yet to meet a musophobist. I shouldn't laugh, I apologize.

you can also visit their etsy shop

The Commute

I feel like I should write something about New York so far. You can't just up and move to New York and not write anything. I'm just trying to decide what's worthy of an entry.

Well, I've become a New York commuter. Except I do a commute that nobody in their right minds would do: Queens to Brooklyn. I have to be at work at 9:00. So I leave at 7:30. First day? I was half an hour late. Granted, it was because of random train delays and stops. But still. Anyway, I was pretty much on time the rest of the week. The subway is weird. It's incredibly boring and interesting all at once. I think that's what I'll talk about.

I say boring because there's so much waiting. And it's so dark. You're under ground. In other cities you might be driving or taking a bus to and from work. Both are outside, with the sun shining in and sights passing by. The subway is a little depressing in that way. But it's a great place to people-watch.

I've been serenaded four times on the subway, and heard one very long sob story (we're talking 2 stops worth of harships). I love the random music. There was one guy with a guitar, two mariachi bands (yes, I am just that lucky), and my favorite, an Alanis Morisette type. It seemed like the perfect location for acoustic Alanis-type music.

There have been some interesting people near me, too. One man was standing on a napkin. I didn't think he was aware at first, but then he moved. He realized the napkin was no longer under his shoe and made the extra effort to cover it. It went on like this for a while, and I never did figure out his reasoning.

One guy was reading a newspaper printed on light salmon-colored paper. I had never seen this before. I saw it later and read the title, the Financial Times.

Another was a couple who were playing a guessing game. He said, "Okay, you get three questions." I thought oh cute they're on their first date. Her first was, "Is it something I would wear?" Okay, so he bought something for her, and was letting her guess. What could I do but guess myself? I know this all sounds very intrusive, but you have to understand this train was extremely empty, and they were sitting next to me. Not using their six-inch voices. I'm pretty sure he bought her a necklace.

One day there was a hornet in the train. It only landed next to me once, but I was not a fan.

You should know, people in New York are so friendly. Don't let someone tell you otherwise. You can ask anyone a question and always get an answer. One lady (much older) even got off of the train and walked me to the right train. I understood where to go long before we got there, but she was just too sweet. New Yorkers are just more blunt sometimes, and maybe have shorter tempers. But they're humans, too, and chances are they know what it's like to be in your shoes. Whatever your problem, there's usually a helping hand.

Well, I have news. I found an apartment in Brooklyn! It's in this amazing brownstone in Park Slope, and I couldn't have found a better place. This is means I will no longer be such an avid commuter. Which is both good and bad news. My days will be both less boring and less interesting all at once. Less suits.

Wherabouts is the Pop, Y'all? Fuhgeddaboudit, Pizza Pie!

My apologies for the absence of posts. I know I have millions of dedicated readers who have been on the edge of their seats just dying to hear from me, and I'm sorry to have neglected you. I'm still here, you are important to me, thank you for holding.

Truth is, I'm moving! (I'm sure you got that right away from the post title.) I got a job in New York, the perfect opportunity for me, so I'm up and moving. Again. I was doing this exact thing almost 12 months ago. Cramming my belongings into my little Scion xD and driving for two days. Only this time, the Big Apple. I just hope New York is as excited as I am!

I hope this news brings a little sparkle to your day, I know it's quite a contrast to the bankruptcy and downsizing that you normally hear about these days. I can't believe this has worked out so well, but it has!! I'm not about to argue with it. So you should no longer come expecting the view from MN. It will soon be coming from Brooklyn, not unlike every other blog. I'll try to keep it interesting.

I will miss Minnesota. I've had quite a crazy stay here. I got to work for one of the most brilliant design entrepreneurs in the business, a great man, in the worst economy possible. I was here for the Republican National Convention, just before we elected our first African American president. It was the worst winter they've had in about 10 years, and we also lived through the "hottest" day in years (nothing compared to Houston). I tried honeycrisp apples, rhubarb, lefse, a Juicy Lucy (thanks Sheraton!), hot dish, cheese curds, fried Snickers on a stick with powdered sugar (had to, State Fair), a Mexican sub sandwich, homemade doughnut pieces (thanks, Josh!), mochi ice cream, oodles of random beers, and delicious homemade root beer. Never durian ice cream, though. Just couldn't do it.

The people are nice, there's tons of things to do, beautiful lakes, great farmer's markets, great music, great art, fun winter sports, extremely talented designers, good food, and to top it off, the Mississippi runs through it all. Great, great, great. I highly recommend a visit to the Twin Cities in your lifetime.

Cristiana Couceiro, Sete Dias

Cristiana Couceiro's illustration style is one of my favorite things I've come across all year. Absolutely beautiful. A perfect balance of lines, shapes, and diagrams, interesting grid use, and the icing on the cake, vintage photography. The design is very clean, but there's definitely a sense of playfulness. I'm sure her work will speak for itself.








Cristiana works form Lisboa, Portugal. To see more of her inspiring work, visit her blog, Sete Dias.