First Sketch

well today was kinda a wierd day and spent it really tired. i've been working alot.
but today i did my first sketch for this up coming project i'm doing. it is super sloppy, and i was just goofing around hope you like it. for more info on the siren project i reposted the write on it from Paper Castle Press web site

"The Siren Who Loved by Danny Roberts, Sophie Ward and Stacey Dupree. The Siren project is a collaborative concept begun by Roberts, based in Los Angeles. Roberts illustrations have provided the foundation of inspiration for this haunting love story about a man driven across the ocean for the hand of a deadly and yet illustrious woman. The project is built out of multiple and varied artistic contributions, all building towards a final installation which will take the spectator on the journey of the story through Roberts' choice of imagery, Duprees audio and Ward's written word. Upon completion The Siren will be printed in its full entirety by Paper Castle Press."

6.20.08 // PHILADELPHIA // Washington SQ / Summer Summer Summer time

{happy weekend + stylishly french}

Always such fun to come across real people wearing real clothes, but with extraordinary style . . . {Certain it’s why we’re so obsessed with The Sartorialist}

Of course, this girl is French, takes completely fun and ultra-stylish flickr self-portraits, and describes herself as "just a french girl who enjoys beautiful things . . ."

{Have a sexy and stylish weekend, everyone!}

Sit Up & Beg – Most Ergonomic?

When you choose say, to ‘ride pretty’, being relaxed and comfortable is very a desirable thing… right along with being stylish and fashionable.

So I’m going to play dumb here, like a total novice (actually not so far from the truth.) I’m trying to find out what is the most ergonomic, comfortable riding position in which to ride a bicycle for leisure rides? (The link for the following quoted material is at the bottom of this post.) Anyway I excerpted the following selected bits of info.

‘… a new study says the pain is probably caused by their riding position.’

Referencing then to handle bar position on the bicycle …

‘With riding, the neck is extended and the back flexed for prolonged periods. Riding in drop handlebars for long periods increases the load on the arms and shoulders as well as hyperextension of the neck, leading to muscle fatigue and pain.’

Then reading a little further along....

‘the upright head and wrist positions alleviate the usual discomfort of a traditional bike. The riding position also promotes proper alignment which improves breathing.’

So does this mean the ‘sit up and beg’ riding position (therefore the euro-style bicycle--and heaven forbid I call it a dutch bike!) is the most ergonomic, comfortable stylishly for leisure bicycle riding? Really, does the ‘sit-up-and-beg’ position promote a perfect posture and give you an ergonomic ride?

Read the entire article I quoted from here. Then weigh in with your opinions!!!

Attention: I know lots of you cycle, aficionados guys check in here…so besides just looking at the ‘pretty girls on bicycles’ pics, add some of your expert opinions!

{swank lighting + joe cariati}

{image: samples of Joe Cariati's new Spring 2008 Collection}

Swank Lighting, that wonderful treasure trove of Murano art glass lamps, has collaborated with Los Angeles glass artist Joe Cariati to debut a new line of American hand-blown lamps created using a specialized Venetian glassblowing technique that makes each piece one-of-a-kind. The first phase of the line will include 4 Joe Cariati designs inspired by his favourite vintage pieces at Swank Lighting and will be available in 5 vibrant shades. The new line will be available by summer's end.

{click here for more information and for a sneak peek of the new line}

{garance doré | une fille comme moi}

If there were more hours in a day, I would happily get caught up in a new novel {and blog-reading}, sit leisurely about looking perfect in a little black dress and pearls, and spend more time at une fille comme moi . . .

Well-dressed riders on the streets of Melbourne

photo credit/source: Nicole Reed/thevine.com

Nicole Reed finds well-dressed riders on the streets of Melbourne.

Velo chic two shows that Melbourne riders are not all obsessed with fixies. There's a solid mix of cruisers, BMXes and old dutch sit-up-and-beg bikes to be had…

Bring Your Bicycle Onboard—Amtrak

Amtrak has a one month US National rail pass for $469.00-off peak or $599.00-on peak and that’s still a deal. Here’s the scoop on bringing your bicycle. Oh, imagine the places you can go...

‘Many Options for Bike-Riding Passengers

We offer several options for transporting your bicycle with you on your Amtrak journey.

· Bicycles stored onboard in bike racks.

· Bicycles as checked baggage in a box or other secure container.

· Bicycles as checked baggage secured by tie-down equipment, not in a box.

· Folding bicycles brought onboard as carry-on baggage. Availability varies.

Note: Onboard bike space is limited and is not available on all trains. Not all stations or trains have checked baggage service.

On some Amtrak trains you can roll your bike up to the train and secure it in a bike rack, unboxed.’

{electric}

{photography by Corinne Day}

. . . a colour I've never worn, yet am growing increasingly fond of . . .

{see also:}
blue-blooded
everyone is wearing blue
blue satin sashes

{Photography by Bruce Weber for Vogue Italia March 2008}

{Michael Bruno's living room in his Paris home: a Cubist painting from the 1940s is paired with 1940s blue furniture in its original silk, from 1stdibs.com; Rooms to Inspire by Annie Kelly, photography by Tim Street-Porter}

{photography by Polly Wreford for You Magazine; styling by Melanie Molesworth}

{via the style files}

{Editorial: Model & Supermodel Magazine: Vogue US Issue: September 2004 Model: Gemma Ward Photographer: Steven Meisel via foto decadent}

What bike tribe do you identify with? -- Wheel life: A guide to Britain’s new bike tribes

I so related to this:

The Tribe: Sit-up-and-beg Brigade
The Rider: Sian Emmison
The Bike: Bobbin Playbike

‘Riding traditional uprights is all about sitting up and cruising around town serenely – not tearing around with your head down. It's not aerodynamic but we're not interested in speed so much as comfort and style.

My bike has really wide handlebars which I can hang all my shopping from, and I've got a lovely straw pannier on the back.

You get a weird cross-section of people who go for uprights. There are young retro girls who want a bike to go with the whole vintage look, Europeans who are used to that style of bike, older people who want a bike like the one they used to ride, and trendy kids who want something vintage but edgy, painted in bright colours.

I'm a retro girl. I wear a lot of vintage clothes on my bike and can even cycle in a skirt and a mac.

My bike really sums up my values – it's all about looking old-fashioned but being modern. Pashleys fall into the same category but I think the bikes are a bit square to be honest - people who look like librarians ride them.’

Sain was one of the riders featured in “Wheel life: A guide to Britain’s new bike tribes”.

‘There are more bicyles on Britain's roads than ever before – and in more shapes, sizes and styles. But who's who in the nation's new bike tribes? Simon Usborne hits our city streets and country lanes to find out.’

Really, check out the whole article. I definitely got a giggle out of it.

{everyday objects as art}

Look closely at this receipt . . .

Incredibly, it's embroidery on fabric, by Miami-born artist Frances Trombly, and I can very much appreciate the time and patience it must take to complete such amazingly detailed work:

Frances Trombly uses trompe-l’oeil effects in her work to recreate mundane objects, making labor-intensive pieces through weaving, embroidery, cross stitch, and crochet. By recreating what is mass-produced she initiates an authority that is missing from the utilitarian original. Her objects exist in an environment where value lives, where value thrives, the gallery or museum . . .

Receipt (Publix), 2008; Embroidery on fabric; 15 1/4 X 3 1/4 inches