due south.

via design crush

mood music: doom - gazzillion ear (thom yorke remix)

stuff i just love: stop-motion.

my bff wikipedia describes stop-motion (also known as stop-action, or frame-by-frame) as "an animation technique used to make a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own". when moved in small increments, photographed individually, and then played as a continuous sequence, it creates the illusion of movement. 

something about the way stop-motion looks has always appealed to me. it's a little artsy, a little cheeky, and somehow it makes everything look a little less done. it takes about a million times longer than just filming with a camera, so there's a very retro quality to it also. i just think it's cool.

some of my favorites:

the amazon kindle commercials, by angela kohler and ithyle griffiths. very creative marketing. i think these are just so sweet. they make me happy. 

"her morning elegance" by oren lavie. i already loved this song, but the video made me love it even more.

my dreams tend to be extremely vivid, so much so that i find myself trying to differentiate them from my real life when i wake up. the girl in this video seems to have the same issue, only with a hottie-hottie boyfriend.

"lost things", also directed by angela kohler and ithyle griffiths. i've posted this video before, but since it fits so well into this post, i thought i would share it again. i love a fine frenzy, and this is so nostalgic and heartwarming.

i found this video on youtube. it's by a student from the savannah college of art and design. it's pretty amazing, what with using all the post-its. i especially love the brickbreaker part!



mood music: robot science - the notion of backwards motion (via fensepost)

oscar, you're a grouch.

as much as i love seeing what celebrities wear to various award shows, i usually hate watching/reading about what  other, less famous celebrities thought of their ensembles the next day. like i really couldn't care less what that old bat joan rivers thinks of anything, let alone who she feels was best or worst dressed. and notice how the people who are chiming in on the fashions are those that have never and will never be nominated for any awards at any awards show. 

on that note, i'd like to present my best and ONLY best-dressed picks from tonight's oscars. of course there were those that i thought could have done better, but i'm in no position to judge them because hey, they're at the oscars, and i'm just in bed watching them.

elizabeth banks in versace. if you know me at all, you know that i am a big 'scrubs' fan and elizabeth banks is actually one of my least favorite tv characters of all time. if you too are a 'scrubs' fan, you will know why. but i thought she looked really stunning and the color was beautiful on her.

the always-amazing nicole richie in reem acra. the best part about this dress was definitely the back. it scooped down low in the back and showed off the super-cool wing tattoos that i would be entirely too chicken to get myself. her hair was swept back into a simple bun, and her cat-eye makeup was pretty out of control. i loved that she stayed true to her bohemian roots, but turned the glamour up a notch with her hair and makeup. totally stunning. 

amanda seyfried in armani prive. what a gorgeous dress. the bodice was incredible. on television it looked hard, like you could knock on it. i like that. and wow, those jeweled cuffs are insane. she looked fabulous.

meryl streep in chris march. classic, gorgeous, regal. i couldn't believe this dress was designed by the huge gay guy from season four of 'project runway'. learn something new every day!

zac efron in calvin klein. i love you, zac efron. you make me wish it was acceptable to attend the oscars shirtless.

miley cyrus in jenny packham. i thought she looked great, and very age-appropriate. i really loved that a lot of ladies were embracing the nude trend. so many lovely champagne-colored dresses. and speaking of champagne, i think we all know that miley's mom probably lets her sneak a few sips. just sayin'. 

ryan reynolds in tom ford. raawwrrr. thanks for showing up. i see you're without your spouse. just making an observation.

my darling SJP in chanel couture. even if sarah jessica looked like total ass, i would never admit it. she can do no wrong in my book. i'm in love with the neckline.

vera farmiga in marchesa. i think this woman is absolutely gorgeous, and i am obsessed with marchesa dresses. i think her hair and makeup complemented the dress beautifully. 

cameron diaz in oscar de la renta. i very rarely dislike cameron's red-carpet looks. i actually love how she does the messy, undone hair and simple jewelry. she looked amazing in this dress, and her arms are insane.

penelope cruz in donna karan couture. another lady that can do no wrong, as far as i'm concerned. she nails hollywood glamour every single time. her hair, her makeup, her body! i think she's one of the most gorgeous women on the planet, and i'll go to my grave saying that. te amo!

sandra bullock in marchesa. i loved her look for the same reason i loved cameron diaz's. amazing dress, simple hair, and red lips. flawless.

tom ford in tom ford, of course. best-dressed man in the house, as far as i'm concerned.

like i said, i'm no expert. just a fan of all the award shows and their red-carpet festivities. i know it's exciting to critique the wardrobe choices of really famous people -- i just wish some of these entertainment shows would get actual fashion experts to do the critiquing. and i don't care what anyone says, jay manuel doesn't count as an expert. sorry i'm not sorry.


(all photos via oscar.com)

mood music: a tribe called quest - award tour

big jumps.

pee. arr. enn. dee. 
she whispered as she always did
whenever she set off.


choices...not park. no more neutral.
it was either reverse or drive.
but not really. 
because everyone and now she knew there was no going back. plus nowhere to go.


so there she stalled. wishing she could shift to away.


(via t.ruffles)


mood music: the right now - ain't going back

twenty ten.

pc: ffffound

"go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. as far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. if you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. but let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

be yourself. especially, do not feign affection. neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. 

take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. but do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. 

you are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. and whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. 

therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

with all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. be cheerful. strive to be happy."

              - desiderata, max ehrmann. 


my plans for the new year, in a nutshell.


mood music: the temper trap - sweet disposition (via battery in your leg)

old soul.

it's come to my attention that i am broke. i have given up on buying new clothes because, by the time i can afford the newest fall fashions, it will be spring. not being able to buy into all the trends has really made me see just how quickly they come and go. i'll covet something for a while, and by the time it goes on sale, i'm over it. makes me wonder just how much money i could have saved myself back in the day, if i would have put more thought into my purchases and their longevity.

the other day i came across one of my favorite magazine spreads; keri russell in instyle, from january 2009. of course i adore keri russell, but mostly i just love the styling; so easy and relaxed, but still feminine. i'm really into the whole sunday-in-the-city-wearing-menswear-but-still-elegant-while-drinking-my-latte thing. the layering is perfect, and i really can't wait to recreate all these looks in san francisco (i've been on ebay all morning looking for cheapy vintage substitutes).

pc: keri russell in motion

don't you love these looks? if i could find the black dolce vita oxfords in the coffee shop photo, i would be forever content. the style is "nadine" and i can't find them anywhere -- totally sold out. they're the shoes that got away. anyway, i'm on the hunt for more classic, staple pieces that i can really rely on, and jazz up with some trendy stuff, instead of the other way around. wish me luck!

mood music: the rascals - a beautiful morning (via keep the coffee coming)

darling nikki.

the other day, alana and i were discussing our new year's eve plans, and the subject quickly turned from where we would go to what we would wear. she divulged that she would be channeling sienna miller's* character nikki in the movie alfie. although not one of the best movies ever made, alfie was definitely memorable for its showcase of nikki's amazing outfits and hairstyles, as well as her overall craziness. if you've seen the movie, you'll know how visually appealing it is. the scene at the new year's party is one of my favorites, so i thought this would be the perfect time to obsess over nikki's sartorial greatness.

pc: mama's a rolling stone & google images

the reason this look will work perfectly for alana is because she is, well, perfect**. perfect blonde hair with perfect blonde fringe, perfect skin, perfect yoga-toned body, perfect fuss-free wardrobe that is perfectly thrown together to create all, but more perfection.

as for me, i haven't exactly figured out my oufit yet. i usually shoot for a carrie bradshaw-esque look, so i'm sure this year will be no different. i'm currently researching my options in the way of cocktail hats with giant feathers. stay tuned.

*remember when sienna miller first started getting famous in america, and all we really knew about her was that she was dating jude law, and she had this amazing, free-spirited style? that bitch had the boho thing down. i totally ate it up. i dug out my cowboy boots and gauzy dresses, and i cut bangs. and i think i remember trying to go to glastonbury at some point, too. ahh, fashion memories!

**i don't mean perfect in the traditional sense, like lacoste sweater, country-club perfect -- but more my idea of perfect, a more undone, messy kind of perfect. does that make sense? if you know her, you know exactly what i'm talking about. and if you don't know her, you should want to.

mood music: violent femmes - promise (via my aimz is true)

take your seat.

lately, i've been unbelievably bored, and looking for some projects to do. about a week ago, i stumbled upon a couple of old dining room chairs in the back room of our house. they were covered in dust, stains, and cobwebs (lovely), but through the filth, i saw potential. this afternoon, i finally put some of my extensive home decor inspiration to good use, and fixed them up to be what i believe are some pretty cute-looking chairs. all it took was some cheap ikea fabric, a staple gun, and some spray paint; and now i have these gems! so excited to bring them with me when i move. they will look buh-nanas with my dream dining table. and, i love that there's only two of them; this gives me room for an eames rocker and a ghost chair. dream big!

the chairs before. old and gross.

once i took the cushions off. don't mind my old beauty and the beast bedsheets.

the master's must-haves: fabric, scissors, diet coke, spray paint, power tools...

the cushions, extracted.

little miss "i'll just watch". no help at all.

high off the fumes. are they making scented spray paint now? because i liked it.

after a nice coat of glossy paint. it took a while to get in all the cracks and crevices, but i like a challenge.

i haven't used a staple gun since college; i forgot how violently fun they are.

...and comfy, too!

the finished product. design*sponge, here i come!

good as new.

i had so much fun. and i can't wait to paint, detach and staple something to something else again really soon.

mood music: pearl jam - the fixer

some apartment therapy: because i need both.

pc: design*sponge, desire to inspire, sfgirlbybay, apartment therapy, decor8, poppytalk, doorsixteen, and darling dexter.

just some sunday night interior design inspiration.

mood music: the cinematic orchestra: to find a home