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For Love of Design has moved!

Missing Rachel? go here: For Love of Design

I've hopped on board the wordpress.com express train to move into a whole new streamlined world :) Come visit me!

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Birthday Baking with Jessica

Today I am proud to present my guest blogger Jessica Hirashima. As a hobbyist baker for years she has enticed many a family member, coworker and/or friend to cheat on their diet with her amazingly delicious food. I asked her to document in her own words and photos the birthday dinner and dessert she made for friends last weekend.           Enjoy and try not to drool on the keyboard.

Baking has been a favorite pastime of mine ever since my mom let me be the “Official Taster” when she’d bake cookies and cakes when I was little. I would stand by ready to take any used mixing spoon or beater off her hands and lick it clean. One year when I was maybe about 10 my cousin Rachel who is herself a skilled baker, bought me a book of “quick and easy” recipes for kids for Christmas (She also bought me the silicone bakeware pictured below, though years later). The recipes were neither quick nor easy, but that book (which I still have, on the shelf next to all the rest of my cookbooks) might be what got my cooking and baking to really take off. Following recipes came very naturally to me perhaps because I have always been that little goody-two-shoes who would follow the recipes the same way she’d follow the instructions to her math homework which was always finished to gold star quality.

As I struggled through the engineering program at UC Berkeley I would often have Food Network on in the background while I spent hours upon hours trying to figure out my ‘Computer Programming for Engineers’ homework on my laptop. Watching Food Network was where I learned that you can elaborate on recipes and substitute ingredients for a different result if you know what you’re doing. The rigid, “always follow directions” me learned to loosen up a little bit, but still no one was allowed in the kitchen while I cooked.

Fast-forward to the present day. I live alone and I don’t cook often. I still love to cook and bake, but I don’t really feel the need to go out of the way for myself all too often as it’s hard to cook just enough for one person for one night, and I usually get bored of leftovers after the second or third night of them. Plus I live in NYC, where the culinary options are infinite. Every once in a while I’ll bake something to bring into the office, or out onto the job site for my boys, and I have kind of installed myself as the official goody-bringer for the bimonthly Kids’ Guitar Showcases at my guitar school. But, I guess I reserve going all out for special occasions, and my birthday last weekend seemed like special enough occasion to break out the pots and pans and jack up the temperature of my one-bedroom apartment to one too hot for an actually pleasant mid-spring day.

I would make pizza and cupcakes. I use the pizza crust recipe from Artisan Baking Across America (by Maggie Glezer, Artisan, 2000), which calls for:

- 3.5 cups of unbleached bread flour (though I used all-purpose flour)

-1/4 teaspoon of instant yeast (though I always double this to ½ teaspoon for a fluffier crust)

-2 teaspoons of salt

-1.5 cups of lukewarm water

I add the yeast to the warm water and let it sit and fizzle for about 10 minutes. Sometimes, I add a tablespoon of honey, to give the yeast something to feed on, thereby causing it to become even fizzier, but I forgot this time. I combined the salt and flour.

Once the yeast has fizzled, I add it to the flour and salt and stir to combine. Then, I place the shaggy dough under the bowl on my work surface to rest for 15 minutes.

While the dough rests, I simmer a few garlic cloves in olive oil, being careful not to burn the garlic.

After the dough has finished resting, I uncover it and knead it for 10 minutes without adding any flour.

The recipe says to cut the dough into four pieces, but I divide it into 3 because I have plans for only three pizzas (they’ll just be a little larger). I spread about a handful of flour on my work surface, and one dough ball at a time, cover the ball in flour and roll it up like a carpet. I do this three times, seam side up each time. After all of this rolling, I pat the ball into a tight round, seam down, as pictured.

I pour a little bit of the cooled garlic oil (sans garlic cloves) into each of 3 ziplock freezer bags and then transfer one dough ball into each. I make sure the balls are coated in oil (so they won’t stick to the bag), and I try to remove as much air as possible out of the bags before placing all three bags in my oven. The oven isn’t turned on, but it’s a gas unit with a pilot, so it’s always warm. The heat will help the bread to rise more rapidly. The dough balls will “proof” for 5 to 6 hours.

Okay, now the pizza is taken care of for the moment, so I go for a jog, vacuum, and do laundry (yes, exactly what I want to do on my birthday, thank you very much).

Now onto the cupcakes. I would be making chocolate cupcakes filled with chocolate mousse with a vanilla bean buttercream frosting. I used this recipe for chocolate chiffon cupcakes.

I used buttermilk as the recipe suggests, and instead of the 1 cup of granulated sugar mixed in with the dry ingredients I used brown sugar. I almost always substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar because it has more flavor and it adds moisture to the recipe. I cooked a dozen cupcakes at a time on the middle rack, at 400 degrees for about 24 minutes. I might have been able to cook them for a few minutes less (I have issues with overcooking cake), but because the chiffon cake is made with oil instead of butter, and I used the brown sugar instead of the granulated sugar, the cupcakes were still pretty moist. And anyway, I would be coring them and filling them with chocolate mousse which would also increase the moisture content.

Now, onto the chocolate mousse. I used this recipe from Tyler Florence of Food Network.

I highly recommend Tyler Florence's recipes; they are pretty much always very easy to make, even though they look like they were hard to make, and they are, in my experience, always very delicious. (And for baking, King Arthur Flour recipes are pretty dependable). Here, I used Trader Joe’s 72% bittersweet chocolate, though I would also recommend Scharffenberger’s bittersweet chocolate. They both have great flavor, in my opinion, whereas some bittersweet chocolate seems to have no flavor at all.

I found this great cupcake corer, made by Cuisinart, at Sur La Table, but a small pastry circle would probably work just as well. After the cupcakes were cored, I piped in the mousse.

For the frosting I used this recipe

For the pure vanilla extract, I substituted the seeds from one vanilla bean, which really added a lightness to the flavor. After dividing the frosting into three bowls and adding food coloring, I piped on the frosting, and then transferred the little cakes into the refrigerator. (If you’re wondering, I got this great double-decker Snapware cupcake carrier at the Container Store. You can take the cupcake trays out and flip them over for a flat surface as well.) 

By this time, my kitchen was boiling and I was sure to remove the pizza dough from the oven before preheating it and using it to bake my cupcakes. I took a swig of my Brooklyn Summer Ale and wiped sweat from my forehead with my forearm. I wanted to take a break, but really the pizzas would not take long.

Once I had taken the dough out of the oven, I spread it out into a pizza shape atop a piece of parchment paper. And, once the cupcakes were finished baking, I turned the oven up to 500 degrees as high as it would go, and heated up my pizza stone so I could slide the parchment and pizza right off of the baking sheets and cook them directly on the stone for a crispier crust.

I used this recipe for tomato sauce which would top two of the pizzas, but I didn’t have marjoram so I used about a half teaspoon of oregano. Also, I like to add a tablespoon of sugar whenever I’m making tomato sauce, so as to lessen that bitter, acid-y flavor that sometimes accompanies canned tomatoes. Diced tomatoes will also do as well as crushed tomatoes, for a chunkier sauce.

I also made a pesto, with unsalted pistachio nuts, basil, parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil. I didn’t really use exact quantities here, maybe a half cup of pistachios, a bunch or basil leaves, a half a cup of parmesan, 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, a teaspoon of salt, a few grinds of pepper, and enough oil to make the mix spreadable. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and adjust quantities to taste and consistency desired.

I had made the sauces while batches of cupcakes baked (ever the multi-tasker, haha). One of the pizzas would be classic Margherita: tomato sauce, slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves. The next would have tomato sauce, grated mozzarella, yellow and zucchini squash, prosciutto, and a sprinkling of pecorino romano cheese. The final pizza would have the pesto with pecorino romano cheese, sliced portabellini mushrooms, and sliced kalamata olives.

  I baked the pizzas for about 12 minutes each, until the crust looked cooked. You’re supposed to bake them at 700 for only 4 minutes, but my oven doesn’t get nearly that hot (thank goodness- my apartment was hot enough as it was).

And after the cooking, I was finally able to join my guests. I cranked up the AC in the living room, and we enjoyed the pizza, records, board games, and each other’s company. A couple hours later, more guests arrived for cupcakes, ice cream (Breyer’s Natural Vanilla- love Breyers, yum!), and continued festivities.

It was really a wonderful day; I was very happy with how all the food came out, and even happier to have such a great party of people to have prepared it for and to share it with. But maybe next year, we can bring the board games to a bar, and I’ll take a birthday night off ;)

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Flickr photo finds: Mother's Day

Here is a collection of my favorite flickr photographers and images of "Mother" 

Regina Lavor

Another Story

NaPix

ajpscs

Dalla*'s

Sigi Kolbe

Luce Potabile

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Failed opportunities by  Jenni Holma 

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Mother's Day gifty ideas

It's less than a week away and if anyone needs an idea of what to get mom this year keep reading.....

Kokedama string gardens which you can easily make yourself.

Stained glass beveled geodesic plant topper by Halona Glass

An Edwardian-style locket made from lead and nickel-free brass with solid perfume derived from organic botanical essences and homegrown beeswax. From Illuminated Perfume

Felted Art organic soap by Tangled Organic

Tea Collection by Purpose Design

For the mom-to-be...a lovely bath gift set from S.S. Soap and Body Co

For the tech-savvy mom a kindle book cover by Service Partner

And not to forget the all important greeting card.....I love these designs by Red Letter Paper Co

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Artist Feature: Lea Beck

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Lea Beck and I am a certified balloon artist. I was born into a family business in the party industry which my great grandfather and my grandfather started in the 1960's. My grandparents and all three of my uncles and mother worked for C&M Party, but in 1988, my mother took over the balloon portion and acquired "The Balloon Man" name. My mother and father ran The Balloon Man as a separate company, but we remained in the same family store front at C&M Party where we are currently located in Walnut Creek, California.

I see balloons as just another medium for creating art. Balloons elicit emotion and can be used to accent or enhance an event. They can be used as expressionism, and to create environments or recreate existing objects of all sorts. The more balloons are viewed as a medium for creating an experience, the more the possibilities expand. Being a certified balloon artist has given me a foundation in the principals and elements of design, basic techniques for building classic decor like arches, columns and garlands. Even more importantly how to profit and succeed as a creative business.

Where do your ideas come from? What is your creative process?

I like to think that some of the best ideas I pull out of the noosphere and they aren't really my ideas. I take what I think is relative from my environment, or from the environment of the client and try to recreate some element into the balloon design. I pull ideas from nature, pop culture, other artist, music and the internet.

I am constantly inspired by beauty in the world and I strive to surround myself with other creative individuals. I think creativity can be very contagious but it doesn't always come on demand. When it finally emerges it doesn't always pay off. There is risk involved in presenting new ideas. Knowing when to play it safe and when to give creative input can sometimes make or break a sale. Its such a mix of detachment and openness.

When there is something that inspires me I don't hold back. More importantly, I don't listen to that voice in my head that says "I cant". Uninhibited creativity is rare and there's nothing quite like it. I've found it to be important to allow time for an idea to formulate. I try to not be attached to the outcome, giving space for synchronicity to happen.

Once I have a concept my process usually involves sketching it onto paper along with verbally bouncing ideas off other people. At this stage my practical mind is activated and I can begin to chisel out a realistic step by step plan. The hands on experimenting and playing around with balloons allows all the details and missing pieces to come forth. It's a great feeling when an idea becomes reality.

What have been your favorite projects to date?

My favorite projects have been parties I have decorated for and collaborated on with my friends. There is something unique about having the freedom to do whatever I want with none of the expectations of a payed gig. This is when I am most grateful to have been born into the party industry. I will make use of all the great party props so I just have fun.

We threw a surprise wedding party for a couple who eloped. After the balloon drop and toast we incorporated a newlywed game show which was quite a hit. Another event I made a 12' tall Rasta Balloon Man that overlooked a reunion/ fundraiser for a group of medical volunteers for Rock Medicine a group which provides medical aid at various concerts.

Also, I was inspired to bring a family of balloon zombies to a New Years Eve party. They offered quite the surprise to the guests because the only way to kill the zombie was to pop the head; which had many little helium filled balloons inside the head that flew off into the night like spores. As well, there have been various Pisces themed parties which allowed many fun oceanic decorations, including 15' tall  Seaweed, glowing jellyfish, octopuses and blow fish.

A larger paid gig took place at Stanford University for a Gala event which involved inflating over (45) 3', 5' and 6' balloons and (20-30) of the large 8' balloons. We had to hang each balloon individually in a huge auditorium where the ceilings were 30' tall. This job took 5 people, 12 hours. It looked awesome!

What challenges have you found?

There can be a common misconception that balloons are a "cheap" way to decorate. Over the years, I have found that how I present myself and my work can help avoid some of the misconceptions of balloon decorating and what I have to offer. Developing strong communication skills and a personality that appeals to the average consumer is a constant work in progress. I have always been soft spoken and I look much younger than I am, so learning to be a confident, outgoing salesperson, by far, has been the most challenging for me.

Another challenge is I have a tendency to give 110% on a balloon job but don't necessarily charge more for the extra work. I often care more about the balloons looking the best they can be than getting paid for each effort. I've had to learn to either scale back and give a client exactly what they paid for or offer them extra and sell a higher priced job.

What are you working on at present?

I am in the middle of designing a look using balloons to decorate a series of chandeliers. This "Tiffany theme" event is for a formal father/daughter dance at a upscale country club. Decorating a chandelier is something I've never done before, nor would I think to do. The client wants this to be very elegant.  I came up with a balloon design that will reflect Audrey Hepburn's pearls. These garlands will connect from a center chandelier out to corners and wrap around 4 pillars completing the look. There are 5 chandeliers total. This bid involved coming up with a lot of designs, experimenting, as well as having to do site inspections and accurate job costs. I just submitted my quote for approval and I am hopeful that the job will now come through! Anything else you'd like to mention?

I am also currently focusing on incorporating all the great things I learned from the World Balloon Convention that I attended this past March 2012.

You can see more photos and details here on my Facebook Page

As a dedicated balloon artist who is gaining more ownership within my family business I am seeking to cultivate new inspiration into the company. Even though I have been doing balloons for most my life there is a new beginning on the horizon. I'd like to think its going up!

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Favorite flickr vignettes this week

I am in awe of all these photographers I have stumbled across on Flickr today. Each image is its own mesmerizing vignette and I can look at each for a long time making up a story. Some I feel could be a movie still! Judge for yourself....

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Alison Knowles "Make a Salad" art performance

As a follow up to my last post on tips to make an interesting salad I am tickled to write about Alison Knowles a founding member of Fluxus who brings back her art performance "Make a Salad" circa 1962 in Baltimore to present day New York. On Earth Day April 22nd she will stage her tasty art on the city High Line starting with a Mozart concerto that blends into the sound of her chopping fresh veggies to make a salad big enough to feed the crowd. 

From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Chelsea Market Passage above 16th Street, with live music by Joshua Selman. The salad will be served until 1 p.m.

Wish I could be there!

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Spring time = fresh new baby.....veggies!

Today's trip to the Oakland Grand Lake Farmer's Market has me thinking of Spring and what it means.....fresh lettuces, baby carrots, and other succulent edibles that make up the components for wonderful salads. Here are my tips for putting together a delicious side dish with ingredients you find in stores now and/or at your local Farmer's Markets.

#1. Get creative with your leafy greens! We are spoiled in CA with a large selection to choose from and there is no excuse for using iceberg (yuck). Instead try out kale, Swiss chard, cabbage or endive for a more bitter and heartier leaf. Want something lighter? try watercress, baby spinach, arugula, butter lettuce, mesclun or little gems. One of my favorite standbys is romaine which the hearts can also be grilled to make tender and smoky good. I often mix more than one type of lettuce in my salads and all the different textures and flavors make it so interesting. 

#2. Don't underestimate the importance of adding in a combo of veggies. It takes prep work, but don't let that stop you from being adventurous. Adding green or red onions, thin sliced radish, different varieties of mushrooms (not just the ol' button!) dehydrated or roasted beets, heirloom tomatoes or ripe cherry ones, jicama, and fresh peas are some of the veggies I have used in different combinations. I will always add carrots to my salads either with fine peels/shavings of a large one, or small chops of baby carrots. Nothing is more satisfying than crunching down on an earthy root vegetable or smelling the sweetness of a carrot. The size you chop, slice or dice a veggie is just as important as what you choose since smaller pieces are easier to eat.

#3. Fresh herbs in my salad?! An��ingredient I feel is often overlooked is the herb. Either people are not sure how they taste in a salad, or they are too expensive, or they don't know how to use them....I am not sure the reasons but using fresh chives is a great way to get flavor into an otherwise boring salad. Ditto for basil, cilantro, dill, marjoram, mints (excellent with fruits!) parsley and thyme. Use sparingly for these are similar to a spice and not a vegetable portion. You may want to make a dressing of them instead (crushed up with olive oil), but however you use them they will make your salad delicious.

#4. Want to mix it up even more? Add fruits such as grapefruit slices, grilled peaches, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, or grapes. Dried fruits such as cranberries and apricots can add some sweetness and tang without making a salad too wet. Nuts are another overlooked item perhaps because they bring a higher fat content but they contain good cholesterol like walnuts, pecans, and almonds. I personally love roasted walnuts, but sunflowers seeds will often do for adding another layer of flavor.

#5. Say yes to cheese! It is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals, although it can be high in fat. My favorite is a soft goat cheese which just seems to really bring out the zest in the veggies while still having its own unique flavor. Another standby is of course an aged Parmesan thinly shaved. Some people might prefer a cheese with more bite such as a blue, feta or gorgonzola, or perhaps a mild ricotta or cottage for a softer palate. 

#6. Speaking of proteins...if you want to make your salad a main course instead of a side then fire up the grill! By adding chicken, fish, tofu, etc to your plate it will become a hearty and healthy meal. Think of meat as just another piece in the salad, don't go overboard with the portion and keep the balance. Using a hard boiled, or poached egg is also a good source of protein and nothing is tastier than a warm yolk over fresh greens...yum

#7. Dress it up, or go naked! There is no rule saying you MUST have a dressing for your salad. If you have grilled any of the veggies or proteins that is often flavorful enough without pouring anything else on top. Sometimes with fresh fruit or herbs,  and/or a poached egg there is enough moisture there to blend all the components together. To keep it light use an olive oil based dressing with vinaigrette, or a citrusy blend. A good creamier dressing I often use is a Caesar which can be made fresh with this recipe by  Alton Brown

#8. Last but not least....don't forget the salt & pepper! Seasonings are often overlooked unless your dressing is pre-made in the bottle which usually has too much salt. I love fresh cracked pepper for spice, and a little salt goes a long way.

Above all you should have fun with trying out different combinations and keeping it seasonal will be more flavorful. By mixing up your "mixed salad" you will hopefully not be bored, and instead look forward to the first course (or main!) as much as you do the last. 

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flickr photo Friday: Spring

It's Spring and time for rain, flowers, and all things new!

"Glory of Spring" by believer 9

"Casper the friendly goat" by Goat Pixel

"Tulip Rain" by Adettara Photography

"Easter Dress" by ittybittybirdy

"How to make a rabbit smile" by Piccolina Photography

"Who'll stop the rain?" by hvhe1's

"Rainbow over daffodil field" by jhiker5

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New exhibit: Jean Paul Gaultier at the De Young

Last Friday I went to San Francisco's De Young museum and had my mind blown by the new Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture fashion exhibit. It is an experience I hope anyone in the Bay Area will treat themselves to. From men in skirts to Madonna's infamous conical bras, Jean Paul Gaultier's innovations have always pushed the conventional boundaries of fashion.

There are a few things that makes this exhibit so unique. First when you walk in you notice something odd about the mannequins....they appear to be blinking, looking and talking! Jean Paul Gaultier used projections to 3-D map videos onto the faces that along with a pre-recorded audio track gives the installation an eerie quality as though they were alive.

Madonna with Jean Paul Gaultier photographed by Herb Ritts.

There is an entire room dedicated to this fantastical cone bra he created for Madonna's Blonde Ambition tour in 1990. It is so iconic and ironic at the same time it has been branded into our fashion consciousness forever.

In 2006 he created the costumes for her Confessions world tour and several outfits can be seen in this exhibit.

  Out of 140 creations this beautiful wedding gown was one of my top picks for this exhibit. So over the top and mystical.

The details of Haute Couture, and the number of hours it takes to complete each piece are extraordinary and can only really be appreciated in person. I highly recommend you go and see this at once!

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My finds this week: Fantasy Art and Architecture

Today's rainy Wednesday makes me wish I lived in this amazing building with a "singing wall" that plays music when it pours out. "Court of Water" is designed by Heike Bottcher Architecture and it is made of funnels and tubes that create hydro music when rain collects and comes down the side of the house. Click on the photo below to see the video of it in action.

I am all for recycling, but Aurora Robson takes it to another level with her imaginative creations using PET bottles and non-toxic water-based colors that are airbrushed on. The sculptures have been so altered from their original form that you would never know they were made from trash. 

One of my all-time favorite sci-fi stories of all time is Dune by Frank Herbert and his desert-dwelling creatures the Sandworms. So when I saw this fantastic installation by Marco Casagrande I couldn't stop smiling. 

This beautiful structure is made from dried woven willow and it stretches out on the Belgian shores of Wenduine. It creates an airy tunnel with diffused shade and lovely light patterns as you walk through it. 

I am in love with this mystical art installation by Rob Mulholland of mirror sculptures that reflect and project the land surrounding them. They are placed in an area of Scotland that was once farmed, but after WWI it was used for lumber therefore displacing the human inhabitants.

Rob Mulholland's idea that "The human desire to leave a trace of one-self for future generations has always intrigued me. It's a driving force to create and leave a semblance of ourselves as individuals and society. The reflective figures that asks us to look again and consider the symbiotic relationship we have with our natural and man-made environment." 

Maia Anthea Marinelli’s Wind Playground is a kinetic sculpture that allows people to play with and understand wind. Built with the same colorful material as windsurf and kite sails, Wind Playground is “Venturi effect”  in a 57 x 65 foot wide by 18 foot tall "party dress".

At the moment this is a project to be funded via Kickstarter. I love this created image of it on the Playa. The Black Rock Arts Foundation has given the Wind Playground a grant, and in 2012 it will hopefully be there giving some shade and support from the blowing wind and dust storms.

Amsterdam-based Ronald van der Meijs has just completed a project called Sound Architecture IV that is made from re purposed bicycle bells set on steel pins. As the wind picks up they gently ring against each other making each breeze have its own unique song.

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The meaning of time with photographic collages

I have always been intrigued and in awe of those artists who create photomontages or photocollages to interpret time passing and how the world around us can be understood. Starting with my all time favorite David Hockney who started creating his photographic collages with Polaroids in 1982.

Still Life Blue Guitar, 1982 composite polaroid, 24 1/2 x 30 in.

He also created more abstract and thought-provoking photo collages. I get lost in these images and can geek out on them for a long time. As a photography student I was once assigned to create my own "Hockney", and let me tell you its a hard concept to grasp and then deliver on.

Merced River,Yosemite Valley, Sept. 1982 photographic collage, 52x61 in.

Photographing Annie Leibovitz While She's Photographing Me, Mojave Desert, Feb.1983  photographic collage, edition: 4,  25 7/8 x 61 3/4 in. 

Another wonderful artist who uses photo collage is Nerhol an artist unit created in 2007 comprised of Ryuta Iida and Yoshihisa Tanaka whose art is an experiment in artistic expression. By layering and reconstructing 2D art into 3D it encourages the audience to touch and explore new possibilities. 

I encourage you to click on the link and really zoom in on the incredible details of their images.

Finally I'd like to talk about my newest find Scott Hazard. His abstract images are constructed by tearing and layering photographs to create things such as smoke, clouds, and portals in walls. This project is called "Photo Construct" and I find it so whimsical and lovely.

Cloud Chamber, 2011

Landscape: Threshole

His work inspires me to think deeper into my own photography and what possibilities there are for it as a way to gain understanding in our world today.

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Gorgeous Eco-Fashion Monday

I am in love with these designs by Shadowplay NYC an independent label based in New York City. Founded by two "space obsessed" Parsons students Ximena Chouza and Ali Bennaim each one of a kind design is inspired and printed digitally with actual images from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope bringing gas clouds and star clusters to our everyday lives.

  Rapanui is an eco-fashion brand from the Isle of Wight. They make mens organic clothing and womens organic clothes. Award winning ethical fashion is made from organic, natural fabrics in an ethical, wind powered factory.

Another company I admire is Edun a global fashion brand bringing about positive change through its trading relationship with Africa.

Such lovely LBD's!

Last, but not least is Maude Couture a Charleston based company whose mission is to produce clothes in a responsible manner as well as to manufacture in the United States, pay fair prices and support the citizens and economy. They also try to use fabrics and trims from sustainable fibers as well as reclaimed and recycled materials. 

  I am also loving her Bridal line that are one-of-a-kind, locally made and eco-friendly.

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Bouquets to Arts 2012

This amazing and unique floral extravaganza is happening right now until Friday March 16th! Go to the De Young Museum in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park to experience modern art combined with the creative floral artists we have in the Bay Area. Each artist or group draws their inspiration from one piece of art and designs a floral arrangement to accompany it. Often the arrangements become literal translations made out of ephemeral natural materials, and some times they are just vague interpretations following the theme or colors found in the art. Not all are fantastic unique creations, but there are some artists I just absolutely adored. I have been going to this exhibit for over 10 years now and it is always a treat so see people using such interesting materials. 

First up is this piece "Floreal" by Dominique Pfah. It goes with Robert Motherwells "Music over Music, 1981"

Artists comments were, "I saw the musician's instruments, chords and notes coming out like fireworks of music, bursting amongst the Geraldine roses, the white anemones, and the cymbidium orchids, enhanced bu hypericum berries. Let the music play....."

Another one of my favorites is this piece by Alena Barragan from Alena Jean

Her very spring arrangement bursting with beautiful tulips, baby's breath, hydrangea, yellow billy balls, white scabiosa and blossoming branches went along with the painting by George Fuller "Girl and Calf (Led through meadows), 1883"

Just beautiful.

I believe that this next painting by Robert Henri's "Lady in Black with Spanish Scarf (O in Black with a Scarf), 1910" always has an arrangement next to it every year so its exciting to see different people's interpretations of it. This year Natalie Bowen Designs went minimalist with a unique 3-D sculpture

Her comments were, "Our inspiration was the regal elegance and the delicate presence of "O". The artist achieved beautiful depth and height with a minimal use of color.

Materials: Calla lillies, freesia, hot rolled steel bar and plate, and wire.

Last, but not least is this beautiful arrangement in the Tower Lobby. The sculpture is by Ruth Asawa. The arrangement has gorgeous calla lillies, ti-leaf wrapped circles, and copper wire balls. So bold and whimsical and goes really well with the wire sculpture hanging above.

I highly recommend checking out Bouquets to Art it is so inspiring.

For more photos please go here!

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Beautiful Interiors

Today I am inspired by beautiful interior design like this Victorian inspired room with classic molding and modern bookcase combination by Viktor Fretyan

I think this brass scale wall is just sublime. With time, patience and minimal $$ you can create this yourself.

I don't think I would ever get out of the tub if this was my bathroom!

I just love the bold patterns, and use of mixed light in this dining room. From Dwell Magazine

Last but not least, a renovated bank vault in Amsterdam becomes a Green Starbucks.

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Monday Eco-Wear

Here are three new favorite items in Green eco-fashion I'd like to share with you. First up are these amazing stiletto heels with a ballet flat insert for those of us who hate pain, but love design.

Nael Coce’s initial product, “AmbiPlaform”, is a convertible high heel to flat shoe that allows an individual to wear a high heel shoe with a built in flat shoe that can be removed and worn alone for comfort. It combines trendy, supportive, and antibacterial features.

Available in Black and Gold

My next find are these wonderful bags made by Carmina Campus for MINI. These are made from remnants of the MINI Roadster car made by Italian fashion designers under the direction of Fendi. Each bag has a special element such as a car handle or seatbelt.

Beautiful, recycled and fashion-forward what more could a girl ask for?

Last, but not least is this collection of clothing from Burning Torch a company in LA founded by designer Karyn Craven who has made recycled vintage clothing into something fresh and new. 

I love her mission of sustainability, preservation and artistry that is so apparent in her designs and company. To re-purpose the old and make it fashion-forward and new again is something to aspire to.