The Perfect Escape

It's gotten cold here in Chicago. Fair enough. It's almost December and at least it didn't snow before Thanksgiving, but I'm still sad. I'm also currently in one of those slumps where I need some inspiration or an adventure to look forward to/work toward. Imagine my happiness when I came across these gems of exotic places around the world. I love the presentation and hope that these are all postcards from the future. Come, imagine yourself there and escape for a moment.

Cavallo Point, San Francisco, USA

Huka Lodge, Huka Falls Taupo, New Zealand

Pacific Resort Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Como Uma Paro, Bhutan

Hotal Palafitte, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Ponta Dos Ganchos, Brazil

Clifton Inn, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

Hotel de Tuilerieen, Bruges, Belgium

Rayavadee Krabi, Thailand

Hotel Villa la Massa, Florence, Italy

Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania, Australia

Soho House, Berlin, Germany

Mandarin Oriental, Prague, Chez Republic

Longitude 131, Australia

101 Hotel, Reykjavik, Iceland

Six Senses, Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam

Nolitan, New York, USA

Mount Zion, Jerusalem, Israel

Vigilius Mountain Resort, South Tyrol, Italy

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California, USA

Château Eza, Eze, France

Hotel Villa Ducale, Taormina, Sicily, Italy

Caroline

Criggo

One of the reasons I love news is because sometimes, it's just so weird you couldn't possibly make that shit up, even if you tried.

Criggo is a blog that showcases funny newspaper clippings. On the surface, it may sound like a bad Jay Leno joke but it's actually great. New career goal: have one of my stories posted here.

Caroline

I can't find my phone!

We've all been in that position where we're ready to leave (possibly already late for appointment) but suddenly can't find our phone. It's disappeared into that black hole in which half pairs of socks and homework which I swear I did fell victim, never to return.

Luckily, technology solves everything these days.

I can't find my phone is a nifty little website that conveniently calls your phone so you can hear it ring. Granted, if you actually lost it in some bar somewhere or have your phone on vibrate, it won't do much, but it's cool nonetheless.

My question is: What happens if one's only source of Internet is their smartphone because the free wireless they were stealing has tragically disappeared?

This is cool and all, but I'll really be impressed when someone creates a website that will send electric jolts to the f***** who jacked my phone.

Caroline

Arcade Fire + Spike Jonze

Arcade Fire have a new music video out and it's directed by the one and only Spike Jonze. As to be expected, the video is deep in meaning. Jonze does a great job of contrasting the fun, innocence of youth and how people change over time. I'd expect no less from the director of "Where the Wild Things Are."

MTV.com has a great write up about it here.

Caroline

Mixtapes

Mixtapes will never go out of fashion. They will always be: a unique and personalized gift; the best (subtle) way to tell that special someone you like them; a vehicle in which to showcase your superior music knowledge/taste; and, for the artistically inclined, a vehicle in which to showcase your superior design/photography skills. ***Note: Don't even try to deny those last two; you know what I'm talkin' 'bout.

Here are two hidden gems I've discovered that bring the magic of mixtapes straight to you for your streaming enjoyment.

Pates Tapes

This site is run by a man by the name of Charles (I think) who grew up living around the corner from CBGB and working for music mags and illustrating reviews for Lester Bangs. Hits #9 - Good Vibrations is apparently a result from staying at a friend's place and rummaging through his impressive singles collection.

Since '78

The blog is the brainchild of Brian Gossett and is reflective of his obsessive passion to one day become a music supervisor for films.

On a semi-related note, the man also has a Ffffound account. I'm telling you, photo sharing is the new Facebooking.

Caroline

Gorillaz + The XX

Gorillaz's Damon Albarn has such a great voice, especially when covering one of my favorite songs by The XX.

Caroline

9 Eyes

Artist Jon Rafman created the blog 9 Eyes to showcase interesting Google Maps Streetview images captured by the roving fleet of Google's vehicles.

The quality of the images vary as do the reaction of the subjects captured. Some court attention while others hide their face.

In 2009 Rafman published a book and currently, a selection of images are on display at NYC's New Museum.

I think it's amazing how Rafman, and many other artists like him, has this ability to turn something widely available to anyone into art. My only wish is that there was a description, or even latitude/longitude degrees to identify where the images were snapped. I have a strong feeling the picture of the skateboarder was taken in Cape Town.

Caroline

Ingredients for success

Found on jjjjound.com

Caroline

The evolution of hands at gigs

Caroline

Influencers

INFLUENCERS FULL VERSION from R+I creative on Vimeo.

What makes something popular? Is it when you see something on TV or hear about it from your friends? Or maybe you read something on a blog or in a magazine. No matter where you find an idea it’s got to start somewhere, most likely with an influencer.

"Influencers" is a short documentary by Paul Rojanathara and Davis Johnson. It spotlights New York influential creatives in an attempt to depict the essence of influence. As Jeff Staple says in the video, an influencer is “somebody that other people listen to and react to. So they listen to what they say, they have a certain amount of trust in what they say, and they react to it.”

This film explores one of my favorite concepts Malcolm Gladwell wrote about in his book, "The Tipping Point" and even references the passage in the book. Highly recommended if you have not already read it. I think I would one day like to be an influencer. Or at least friends with all of the influencers :)

Caroline

My prediction for the future

One day, in the very near future, graphic infusion will become the next big trend. In some circles, it's already there. This comes as a welcome relief to me as I'm so tired of the 'natural staged' shit *coughurbanoutfitterscough*

Caroline

Happy Pepero Day!

Happy Pepero Day guys!

Pepero is a South Korean snack that consists of a cookie stick dipped in chocolate. Pepero Day is similar to Valentine's Day and is held on November 11, because the date "11/11" resembles sticks of Pepero.

The manufacturer, Lotte Confectionary, denies starting the holiday. Some consider it a contrived holiday (what holiday hasn't become commercial these days?) and some teachers have suggested kids exchange healthy snacks instead to help combat obesity. Lame.

I'm going to a nearby Korean grocery store now to buy some Pepero for friends. Expect the treats in your mailbox soon!

Caroline

Sharing art with seniors

For Love & Art--a Texas-based project--helps the elderly living in hospices enjoy fine works of art during their last days through digital photos. A partnership between art galleries and museums brings thousands of pieces of fine art to Digital Foci's eight-inch high-res digital LCD notebooks for viewing by those who are no longer able to travel.

NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art and Washington D.C.'s The National Gallery of Art are among the contributors.

This is a great idea, both philanthropically and business-wise. I speculate that this idea and similar off-shoots will be wildly successful in a couple of years. I want to help spread this to hospices in Chicago.

Caroline

My New New York Diary: A Film-Book

Oh how I love Michel Gondry. I truly believe he is one of the most creative and talented people alive now and anything he touches is gold.

His latest work is a collaboration with graphic artist Julie Doucet and merges graphic novel with cinematic storytelling. The book comes packaged with a DVD and both are a necessary accompaniment to the other to tell the story of Gondry meeting with Doucet.

Doucet had already produced "My New York Diary," an autobiographical comic-book novel, when Gondry proposed making a film with her drawings as the film's setting and vehicle and her acting in her own story. Their discussion of making the 20 minute film ended up becoming the plot and thus "My New New York Diary" was born.

As Phuong-Cac Nguyen writes for Cool Hunting: The story "begins with Doucet talking to Gondry from her home in Montreal before meeting and staying with him in NYC, where they film her in front of a blue screen. She buys a digital recorder and records her observations on everything from Gondry's quarrels with his housemate to her reluctance at acting in her own story.

After a few days in New York, Doucet returned back to Canada, where she did dozens of drawings. Gondry edited everything, including her narration, and turned her drawings into something live—a talent he previously exemplified so well with 'Science of Sleep.'"

Caroline

Partners & Spade

I’ve decided to continue the theme of spotlighting my favorite things. Today it is the acclaimed hybrid advertising agency-gallery-boutique called Partners & Spade.

Partners & Spade was founded in 2008 by Andy Spade and Anthony Sperduti.

To understand the magic of Partners & Spade, you have to understand the work of Andy.

There’s a great interview with him in Interview Magazine that I’ll quote:

“[Andy] is one of the great underknown geniuses of Western civilization. He’s been a copywriter, a creative director, a fashion mogul, an activist, an art patron, a publisher, a consultant, a gallerist, and an artist in his own right. Along with his wife, Kate, he created the Kate Spade brand, then he did an amazing men’s sideline, Jack Spade. When he and Kate sold the business, Andy Spade stepped back—for about a minute. Since then, he has done some wild and crazy advertising for clients such as The Village Voice, invented a new retail concept, The J.Crew Liquor Store, opened an art venue, Half Gallery, and now has created the next step, Partners & Spade.”

The story of Andy and his wife Kate and their rise to success is an inspiring one, as well. I’m amazed by their sheer talent and the fact that they just seem to be doing things that make them happy. There’s a great NYMag article about them here.

But back to the studio. Partners & Spade operates as a storefront and studio in Manhattan. The studio produces films, books, apparel and conceptual products and the storefront offers items like $2500 rare books, $3600 toys designed by Renate Muller and burglary kits (perhaps for those who want said toys but can’t afford them). Oh my god, I just saw they have beautiful handmade arrows by Fredericks & Mae. It’s such a good thing for my bank account that I do NOT live in NYC.

The storefront also serves as a space for creative happenings and special events, like hosting artist Will Cotton, known for his paintings of cookies and cakes coupled with scantily clad women, or conducting the monthly Avant Garde Preschool.

I became aware of Partners & Spade after reading about them repeatedly on all of the blogs I frequent. When I learned they were the brains behind J.Crew’s beautiful Liquor Store, I became a fan for life. Earlier this year, they launched a blog (which I of course follow) that is really a procession of images that are loosely connected with each other. No text, just a link to its source. The photos are all tagged according to their dominant colour rather than subject.

J.Crew's Liquor Store

For my New York friends, please go by and visit this space on the weekends when it’s open to the public, or watch when they have events. For everyone else, get lost in their blog.

Partners & Spade
40 Great Jones
New York, New York

Caroline

Roman & Williams, Part II

Roman & Williams from The Scout on Vimeo

“It’s a shame to only have dreams at night. You should have a few opportunities during the day.” This wistful quote from Stephen Alesch speaks volumes about the spaces he and Robin Standefer create as architects and designers. Their firm Roman & Williams, is named for their grandparents, paying homage to another era. Together, they draw on the evocative moods, textures, and meaningful objects that linger somewhere between past and present. Their work is infused with memory and allows participants to connect with a more romantic and important time.

Alesch still renders all of their presentations by hand, a skill he has preserved and honed from an early age. Standefer evolved her skills as a painter into creating sets for the likes of Scorsese. As a team they have developed an approach to creating buildings and interiors that reveres craft and tradition, combined with a contemporary viewpoint. This unique vision has lead to a number of important public and private projects including the Ace Hotel, The Standard Hotel, and 211 Elizabeth.

Video by The Scout, a blog by Tom Ran.

Roman & Williams, Part I

In these next posts, I'm going to spotlight my favorite design firm of the moment, Roman & Williams. I love their aesthetic and uncanny ability to combine vintage with modern to make a new place look like it's been there forever and to create a sort of narrative for the space in which they are decorating (makes sense as they used to be set designers). I've been following them/their work for a while now and decided it's high time I pay them homage in the form of a blog post.

The NYTimes wrote a recent piece that will do them much more justice than my description. For now though, let the pictures do the talking.