ge-ge-ge-ge-genius

Don't ask why I stuttered. Just thought it would make something that is genius sound a little thug, and a little more legit.

{ Lego covered IKEA table via Toki Woki }

I love how this wraps up DIY, budget-friendly, modern art, practicality, conversation starter, and (replacement of a need for) a coffee table book all in one amazing package!

Follow the link to Toki Woki's blog for all the instructions on how he did it--we are talking nitty gritty details, here. Very helpful if you really want to tackle this project!

Building Bling

"The silhouette of Chanel No.5’s iconic bottle — made from 1,200 hand-assembled sequins — will decorate the exterior of Paris’ Musée d’Orsay from Jan. 6 to 28. The massive flacon’s image will cover 2,890 square feet of the museum’s exterior, which runs along the Seine river." { via Womens Wear Daily }

  

 { via Womens Wear Daily }

I can't say that I am a fan of this juxtaposition. What do you think?

99 bottles of beer on the wall... 99 bottles of beer...

I know this video is cheesy, but it had the best pictures all in one place.

Check out this temple in Thailand.

Is that knock-your-socks-off awesome or what?

deal alert!

I love silhouette art, don't you?

This deal from Cut Arts via Groupon can be enjoyed by anyone, not just LA residents.

The artist, Karl Johnson, is the real deal. His work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, O magazine, Domino, Elle Decor, Country Living, InStyle, Traditional Home, and many more.

Here is some of his work:

 

{ photos all found at Cut Arts website }

The deal is this: $25 worth of services for $12 (you can use this to cover a basic 5x7, or have $25 go toward a bigger, fancier order)

Snag it by April 18 at midnight!

fun V-Day date idea

I am not a huge Valentine's Day fan. I get annoyed by it, really. The only reason we ever do anything is because my husband kind of likes it :]

Anyway.

If I liked Valentine's Day, this would be a great date. There is an art studio nearby called artrebel and they specialize in art classes. They have a "Love Art" package, that is especially for dates. The Deluxe package includes: 2 hour session in the art studio (canvas, paints, and brushes included), two glasses of champagne, chocolates, and roses. There isn't any instruction, you are just left alone to create. 

How fun and romantic, right?! I thought so.

This package costs $250 but I found about this via Groupon (more on this later), because they had a coupon to get it for $95. That still seems pricey to me, but I love the idea. You could totally recreate this at home though! Snag a canvas and some paints from Michael's, buy your favorite champagne or wine, chocolates, and get from roses from Trader Joe's. (Throw an old sheet on the ground, too--don't ruin the carpet!) And presto--fun, creative, affordable date, and you get an awesome souvenir out of it!

So sidenote about Groupon. If you haven't heard of it, it is a website that when you sign up for their emails, you get a daily email of a rockin' deal around town. I figured I had nothing to lose (other than one junk mail message a day), and it could present a chance for us to see some of the city every once and awhile. The  coupons may be for restaurants, hotels, services, pretty much anything--but it is only one per day. They are typically something like this: "Get $30 toward your meal for only $15" ...so you essentially pay a discounted rate up front, like a gift card at half price. I haven't actually bought any yet, but I am waiting for the right time to pounce :]  Oh, and Groupon has deals at a long list of big cities in the US--not just LA.

What are you doing for V-Day?

Where I (hope I) will be February 11

Today, I just learned about the Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk. It sounds like a great way for me to experience the city, and (bonus!) it's FREE! Woohoo!

When: Every second Thursday of the month, exhibits open early in the afternoon, and close between 9pm and 11pm, depending on the artist or venue

Where: Main and Spring, between 2nd and 9th Streets in downtown Los Angeles

What: Stretch of open art galleries of all shapes, sizes, styles, levels of fame, and price ranges. Street artists also line the sidewalks.

Admission: Free!

{ Photo of Alex Grey painting live at The Hive Gallery & Studio during a DTLA Art Walk }

Of course, I heard about it TODAY, which means I missed January's Art Walk, as it was LAST NIGHT. Boo. Oh well, my husband wouldn't have been able to make it, and what kind of date would that be? I will try for February!

Pulled straight from the DTLA Art Walk site:

Hours
Each art gallery has its own operating hours, with some not opening until mid-afternoon, and others closing in the early evening. Please check individual gallery websites to ensure the spaces you want to visit will be open when you come. Most Art Walk visitors arrive after 6PM, and the streets are crowded until about 10PM, then the activity moves into restaurants, bars, and private spaces.

Want to miss the large crowds, best time is between 3PM and 6PM. Come, and enjoy the Art Walk!

Take the Metro
Take the Red Line to Pershing Square. From there it is 2 blocks east (away from the skyscrapers) on 5th to the heart of the event (Main St.).

Where to park

There are plenty of paid parking lots within the event. For example the city lot below Pershing Square (Fifth and Olive Street), is an option. Some street parking is possible, but please read the posted signs. Art Walk Sponsor Athena Parking Lot —415 South Main Street, 90013. $5 flat rate, indoor lot, no ins and outs.

Obviously, I can't have much of an opinion yet, since I haven't attended or seen anything. But one exhibit I definitely want to check out is the one presented by FIDM. Currently, one of their exhibits is that of The Annette Green Perfume Museum, displaying historical fashion progression as seen perfume bottles and packaging.

{ photo from FIDM's online exhibit of The Annette Green Perfume Musuem }

Modernism encompassed the years 1918 through 1940. This interwar period was a time of tremendous industrial growth and dramatic changes in society, especially for women. The early phase of Modernism is known as “Art Deco” and emphasizes flat, angular geometric shapes and hard edges. The latter phase is designated “Streamline.” It is manifested in curved geometric shapes and repetitive linear arcs suggesting motion waves produced by automobiles, planes and ocean liners.

Women’s fashion was transformed during this period. The modern female body was young, active and lithe. Loose 1920s chemise dresses with shortened hems revealed arms and legs and allowed for ease of movement. Clinging bias-cut and backless gowns of the 1930s provocatively exposed every curve of the female form. Fashion designers such as Chanel, Vionnet, Lelong and Patou all introduced perfumes during this time.

Modernistic perfume bottles and related packaging displayed a design aesthetic geared to monochromatic starkness and abstraction highlighted by metallic streaks and edging, especially chrome. Even during the economic turmoil caused by the Depression, luxury perfumes continued to sell well, likely used as a form of escapism to counteract the economic and growing political disillusionment of the period.

-- The Annette Green Perfume Museum : Exhibits : Museum & Galleries : FIDM (click this link to see the online exhibit through pictures)


I haven't tried the Metro system here yet, either, so I think that would be a really fun way to add to the experience, don't you think?

{ metro.net }

...Walk to the Metro station (there is one about 4 blocks from our apartment), take the train downtown, sip a latte or a beer, walk around to see the venues and people watch... Yes. Perfect. :]

Have you been to the DTLA Art Walk? What are you doing for free in your city? I'd love to know!