Kamma Claire

Contrast and Compare

2012-02-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

Photography: Tod Seelie

2012-02-02T14:38:00.000-08:00

A couple striking portraits I came across by the photographer, Tod Seelie.

Here Comes the Sun

2012-02-01T10:46:00.000-08:00

Artist: Sebastiaan Bremer

2012-01-31T14:59:00.000-08:00

Discovered some rad artwork by New York-based (Netherlands-bred) artist Sebastiaan Bremer today. Starting with vintage photographs from his idyllic childhood family vacations in the countryside, he adds a sprinkling of translucent rainbow confetti ink to create a wholly unique image that's layered in memory to produce something entirely new and fresh.

Photography: Jasper James

2012-01-19T15:32:00.000-08:00

Not to be confused with Jasper Johns, photographer Jasper James's series of City Silhouettes are fantastic. I love the sense of calm and quite that comes through in these silhouettes pictured high above the hustle and bustle of the Beijing cityscape that we get the slightest glimpse of through their ghostly figures.

All images courtesy Jasper James.

Photography: Laina Briedis

2012-01-19T13:01:00.000-08:00

I love a good nature excursion and photographer, Laina Briedis, captures some surreal moments that pretty much sum up the feeling of wanderlust, dreams, and the awesomeness that is the outdoors.

All photos courtesy Laina Bredis and her flickr photostream.

Style Inspiration: Karen O

2012-01-12T12:19:00.000-08:00

I know these photos are from a few years ago, but could Karen O be any cooler? These outfits are the ultimate.

Some early January inspiration...

2012-01-10T16:53:00.000-08:00

Zander Olsen: Tree, Line

2011-12-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

Some pretty rad site specific landscape interventions by artist Zander Olsen. Trees are "wrapped" according to the visual relationship between tree, not-tree and the line of horizon according to the camera's viewpoint.

The Abandoned Future

2011-12-16T14:42:00.000-08:00

Came across this mind blowing architecture post about 25 Abandoned Yugoslavian Monuments today. Apparently, these structures were commissioned by former Yugoslavian president Josip Broz Tito in the 1960s and 70s to commemorate sites where WWII battles took place or where concentration camps stood. These are my favorites, but read the full blog post and see the rest on CrackTwo.

Feeling Witchy

2011-12-15T13:10:00.000-08:00

Perhaps it's the floor length black sweater dress I'm wearing today or...

Print Party

2011-12-15T12:57:00.000-08:00

Something about the gray December skies has me eating up these luscious, saturated prints. Here are a few of my favorites after inspiration skimming...

Deck the Halls: Suppy Room & Presidio Motel

2011-11-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

Below is my latest design for the Supply Room and Presidio Motel's second annual Deck the Halls pop-up mall shopping extravaganza! It's a great event put on by rad people with the purpose of celebrating the amazing artists and creators in the community. Stop on by for some live music, drinks and shopping in the pop-up stores that will occupy each room of the hotel for one night only! Get your holiday shopping done early this year.

You are the light: Design Inspired by Gavin Russom

2011-10-13T16:33:00.000-07:00

I am so obsessed with Gavin Russom's latest Night Sky 12" release that I've basically been listening to it on repeat for the past few days. Music always inspires me and this song, in particular, gave me the creative urge to pay homage to the repetitive, hypnotic beats that gradually grow and multiply over the epic 14 minute track in the form of the design below.

Design by Kamma Claire: Business Card for the Baker

2011-09-29T16:31:00.000-07:00

My friend Katy is not only an amazing high school teacher but also a fabulous baker that brings everyone to their knees. She recently made and designed a wedding cake (not an easy feat!) for a mutual friend and quickly realized that it might be a smart idea to have some business cards...just in case this passion of her's turns into a small business opportunity.

I wanted these business cards to have a striking appearance and stand out amongst other "baking industry" cards that are all too often pastel, overly girly and just plain boring. So, I created a graphic background pattern made out of whisks and then paired it with strong, confident colors and type. The back of the card features a pie dough measurement table that I designed, to allude to the range of confections in her repertoire.

Now taking design requests for any butcher or candlestick markers out there...har har.

(c) 2011 Kami Shallenberger

Fashion Photography: Rodarte for Opening Ceremony

2011-09-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

I spotted these awesome photographs taken by Autumn de Wilde for the always rad Rodarte’s new collection for Opening Ceremony. If only I could afford all of these looks.

Design: Fashion's Night Out at the Supply Room

2011-09-07T13:43:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite favorite clients (and friends) Kenny Osehan at the Presidio Motel asked me to design a last minute Fashion's Night Out flyer for an event she's putting on tomorrow, Sept. 8th from 5-8pm at her shop, the Supply Room. I love collaborating with people who share my aesthetic and always love the end result just as much as me. So rare, so nice. Just wish I was in Santa Barbara to partake!

Design: Emperors Club Album Artwork

2011-09-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

The Iowa City Rockers better known as the Emperors Club asked me to design their upcoming album artwork for The Castle, which comes out on Mission Freak Records soon. I'm quite pleased with the end result that incorporates a photograph I took of the Navajo Bridge in Arizona during my week long road trip across the west for work.

Sound of Silver

2011-08-31T15:05:00.000-07:00

Bryan Nash Gill

2011-08-31T15:02:00.000-07:00

These woodcut prints by artist Bryan Nash Gill are amazing. I would love huge prints of these in my house.

100th Post

2011-08-30T17:01:00.000-07:00

The eyes have it.

Via (OvO)

Super Rad

2011-08-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

Another Claustraphobically Agrophobic find.

...and painted lash.

2011-08-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

Courtesy Claustrophobically Agoraphobic.

Mika Newton's Shoes

2011-08-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

Although I have absolutely no idea who Mika Newton is, I love her shoes that she rocked at the MTV VMA's last night! Well played.

Mike Joos: Superheroes on Bicycles

2011-04-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

Well, hello there. I know it's been a while but I've been buried under a s#it ton of work lately. I'm just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel...hopefully it's not a train. Miss. Nichole Berger shared this amazing post from IAMTIBO'S BLOG about Superheroes on Bicycles by artist Mike Joos. If I were super, what would my ride be? I'm digging Mr. T's.

The Optimistic State of Mind

2011-01-19T15:21:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy Ace NY by Angela Datre.

New Years Resolution: More Svpply

2011-01-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

First of all, Happy 2011!

It's a new year and there's no better way to ring it in with some new found inspiration, oh, and some new purchases, mind you. Svpply just so happens to be my favorite new discovery this year. Although one of my new years "resolutions" involves "saving money" it's hard to stick with it when a site like Svpply comes along. It's basically an online shopping blog that allows you to add items to your own personal Svpply list as well as add and follow what friends, and other users whose style you dig, are swooning for at the moment. I've already discovered so many new shopping sites and, needless to say, my "resolution" is taking a lot of motivation to follow through with...but, then again, does anyone ever really?

Check out some of my recent finds, which I will title "color explosion" for good reason. It's one way to beat the winter blahs.

Happy Holidaze

2010-12-21T14:23:00.000-08:00

Vivi Dot: Graphics Alive 2

2010-12-17T12:59:00.000-08:00

I want to give a well deserved shout out to my friend Molly Gaines and her finance Duncan Hooper to congratulate them both on their Vivi Dot feature in the new Graphics Alive 2 book! Not only is it an honor to be included in this amazing design book, but they are the first brand to be featured. I also want to thank them for giving me props on my "popular" feather design illustration that I created for Vivi Dot last year. Unfortunately, the publisher got the credits wrong, as the two of them actually did the photography and all the rest of the designs, but it's great to be mentioned regardless! Thanks guys!!

Photography: America in Color from 1939-43

2010-12-16T15:24:00.000-08:00

The photos below are selected from a series entitled "Captured: America in Color from 1939-1943" that were taken by Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information. They are, apparently, some of the only color photographs that show the effects of the Great Depression on America's small, rural towns. My favorite thing about these ones, in particular, is the amazingly rich, color-saturated floral fabrics and patterns that make up the clothing and textiles. It's such a stark contrast to their hard, tired expressions and the dingy surroundings that they endured.

Design: Dowling Duncan

2010-12-13T15:57:00.000-08:00

This past week in San Francisco has been so fogged in that I swear it's the middle of July and not December. I know that sounds backwards but we all know SF is famous for it's foggy summers (among other seasons). The local design firm Dowling Duncan was asked by AIGA to create designs that they felt best represented San Francisco and the result were these amazing cards, entitled Summer in San Francisco, that you can find for sale in designer stores and museums around the City.

Fashion: Magnetic Mumu from Tigerlily

2010-12-03T17:16:00.000-08:00

You had me at "oversized blanket style mumu with fringe."

More Gemstone Inspiration: Carly Waito

2010-12-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

I love the natural, effortless beauty of these raw minerals that artist Carly Waito captures in her hyper-real oil paintings. As stated on her website, I love that Waito's small paintings (about 6x6") indulge a lifelong fascination with the natural world – especially the little parts we feel compelled to pick up and keep. I would happily collect and adorn my walls with all of these treasures.

Inspiration: J. Tillman's Album Artwork

2010-11-19T15:05:00.000-08:00

When I was a younger I wanted to grow up to design album covers for a living. Somewhere along the line the reality of doing that was brushed aside, but in a sense, I still dream of doing just that. These album covers for musician J. Tillman (of Fleet Foxes) just reignited that not-so-recently-lost desire within me. I know the first one, for his album Year in the Kingdom, was designed by the amazing Mario Hugo (who I will do a separate post on later), but I can't figure out who did the artwork for Vacilando Territory Blues. Do you know?

Fashion: Thomas Engel Hart Bootie

2010-11-12T16:02:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking these Thomas Engel Hart Underground Zippo Ankle Boots with Metal Zip would make the perfect Christmas present for yours truly.

Design: Erik Anthony Hamline of Woods and Weather

2010-11-11T14:39:00.000-08:00

I love these Native American-inspired prints designer Erik Anthony Hamline of Woods and Weather did for the U.K.'s NowThen Magazine.

Fashion: Ensemble, The Style of Music

2010-11-11T14:21:00.000-08:00

EveryGuyed presents ‘Ensemble: The Style of Music’ a series of posters featuring Iconic Outfits from 20 Male Musicians. Designed by Glenn Michael of Moxy Creative House, and illustrated by James Alexander the prints are available here.

LEGEND
L-R: Jim Morrison, Johnny Cash, Kurt Cobain, Kiss, Chet Baker, Michael Jackson, Run DMC, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Prince, Kanye West, Marvin Gaye, The Ramones, Andre3000, Pharell Williams, Brandon Flowers, Pete Doherty, The Beatles, Miles Davis.

Here are some of my favorites:

At first I thought Kanye's outfit was actually Pee-Wee Herman and then I realized he wasn't officially a musician.

Design by Kamma Claire: Celebrate Fen & TJ

2010-11-06T15:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a flier I designed for my boyfriend, Fen, and our friend TJ who are both celebrating their 30th birthdays come December. TJ's wife, Stacy, and I are throwing them both a big '70's inspired disco dance party at the Space Gallery in SF. We've got some local DJ friends (Sorcerer, Jon Blunck, Hotthobo) all lined up to bring the boogie to the people. Needless to say, it's going to be awesome.

Art: Nathan Coley

2010-11-05T14:31:00.000-07:00

Explosions in the sky

2010-11-05T14:29:00.000-07:00

Design by Kamma Claire: Deck the Halls

2010-10-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

It's only Halloween weekend but the Holidays are already sneaking up on me. I just designed the flier below (click image to view larger) for the Presidio Motel's Deck the Halls pop-up mall on Dec. 4th in Santa Barbara. All 16 of the Presidio's motel rooms will be transformed into pop-up shops featuring the most unique and handmade wares for one night only. Not to mention live music, festive cocktails and merrymaking of all sorts. My favorite things!

Technicolor Dream Coat: Diane von Furstenberg's Fur Hoodie Jacket

2010-10-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

Again with the Fringe: Antik Batik's Friel Wallet Bag

2010-10-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

Inspiration as of late.

2010-10-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

Just because.

2010-10-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

Fringe Freak Out: Jil Sander Fringe Detail Gown

2010-10-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love fringe but always have a hard time finding pieces that pay homage to it in a classy way. Jil Sander knocks it out of the park with her modern flapper inspired Fringe Detail Gown. Lust for and love it.

The Supply Room: A Santa Barbara Gem

2010-10-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

I was finally able to visit the much anticipated Supply Room on my recent visit "home" to Santa Barbara over the weekend. I felt like a kid in a candy store getting the VIP after hours dressing room marathon treatment session!

Santa Barbara really needs more boutiques like the Supply Room. This is hands down the most unique and progressive shop in town.

Kenny and Chris's cozy boutique is located within the Presidio Motel on State Street. You'll find a perfectly curated assortment of trendsetting designers that you'd normally have to travel to LA or SF to find. There are high-end pieces you'll love forever like Rachel Comey's leather shoes, Mara Hoffman's gorgeous psychadelic print dresses (score!) and hip jewelry from All For the Mountain, all displayed artfully alongside talented local accessory designers like Camilla Bourbon and Steven Soria of Make.Smith. And, when I say "local designers" it is not a bad thing. These are high-quality pieces that easily sell alongside the larger, more established, designers featured in the shop. These are one of a kind pieces you won't find anywhere else, and help you stand out from the boring crowd.

They also carry some one of a kind home and travel accessories, to help you make your home just as special as your new outfit. Stock up on gold trimmed ceramic pots, perfect for displaying a succulent collection. Plush sheepskin slippers from WindWalkers in Bodega Bay are also perfect for keeping your toes warm while lounging around your well accessorized house!

Design by Kamma Claire: Supply Room Opens

2010-08-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a little flier I made for the (drum roll, please) GRAND OPENING of the Supply Room! If you're in the Santa Barbara area, definitely stop by and show your support. Plus, 20% off Rachel Comey shoes, how could you resist!?

From Whence I Came...

2010-08-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

BEST BEHAVIOR: Silk Voodoo Dress

2010-08-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

Super Natural

2010-08-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

SF Food Wars: Pie or Die Challenge

2010-07-27T13:24:00.000-07:00

Although we didn't win anything, I still feel like I accomplished a great feat - over 200 olallieberry pies baked and consumed by eager patrons at the SF Food Wars Pie or Die challenge at Stable Cafe (which, by the way, has the cutest outdoor patio!) on Sunday! It was such a fun project from start to finish; from picking way too many olallieberries by hand with Fen at Gizditch Ranch in Watsonville to hand rolling Katy's perfect buttery crust and then putting the finishing touches on our way too cute booth - it was an all around great experience and I can't wait to jump into more culinary adventures in the future.

Design by Kamma Claire: Ooh La La Sign

2010-07-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Just finished designing our logo/signage and printing it out on a nice big sheet of canvas for the Ooh La La Ladies' premiere at this Sunday's Pie or Die competition! Getting excited...

Trick yo Stick: Ginette Lapalme

2010-07-22T16:34:00.000-07:00

I'm not a huge fan of artist Ginette Lapalme's illustrations but I absolutely love these painted sticks of hers. I think she's on to something here. More please!

A Gray Day: Marissa Textor

2010-07-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

Ahh, Summer in San Francisco. It's a gray kinda day. Still. Silent. Soft. These drawings by Marissa Textor seem to sum up the mood. Her drawings are mind blowing with their hyper-real technical skill. Amazing!

pony swim.

goethite.

trouble in paradise.

Pandora Inspriation

2010-07-16T16:46:00.000-07:00

SF Food Wars: Pie or Die Challenge

2010-06-30T14:49:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce that my culinary partner in crime, Katy Gaul, and I made the cut and have officially been selected as one of the 20 competing teams at the upcoming SF Food Wars "Pie or Die" challenge on Sunday, July 25th from 3-6pm at Stable Cafe in the Mission!

No Bay Area pie competition is complete without olallieberries, our special ingredient. Our pies will consist of hand picked olallieberries sourced from local farms, nestled between flaky layers of all-butter pastry, topped with turbinado sugar. A simple, seasonal and delicious hand-held treat!

Come and cheer on the Ohh La La Ladies and VOTE for our Ohh La La Olallieberry Pies!

Design Room: Supply Room Vinyl

2010-06-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

Here's a work in progress of the vinyl application of the logo I designed for The Supply Room! It's so exciting to see it come to life...

Fashion: The Carnival Bag

2010-06-17T15:59:00.000-07:00

This soft gray leather Carnival bag embellished with feathers just begs to be taken on a warm summer's eve adventure!

Interior Inspiration: Frame Your Flaws

2010-06-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

Photo by: Olivo Barbieri, Napoli, 1982

The Supply Room: Official Logo & Biz Card

2010-06-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

Behold the official logo and business card for the soon-to-open Supply Room Boutique at the Presidio Motel in Santa Barbara!

Official Logo and Biz Card Front (2.5 x 2.5")

Location and Biz Card Back

Recent Designs by Kamma Claire

2010-05-31T17:35:00.000-07:00

I was feeling the creative itch and pretty much thrust myself full force into some freelance design projects. I currently have a few projects in the works.

First, I designed a flier for my friend Liz's birthday bash. I love this font, Parfait, and I have been trying to find an excuse to use it on everything I design lately. I love typography, as some of my favorite designs are solely type based.

I'm also working on designing some logos for a start up project called the Forever Package, which will consist of a wedding package that includes website and invitation design and video services all in one. My friend Paul started a web design firm recently and we've always wanted to collaborate, so the Forever Package was a perfect excuse and I'm really excited for it to come to life.

I'm also working on designing a logo for my friend Kenny's new boutique called the Supply Room, opening within the Presidio Motel in Santa Barbara come June. I can't wait to see the shop, I know it will have amazing wares as Kenny has the best taste. Lots of fun stuff going on!

Spring Fever

2010-05-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

Wow! This past month has been a whirlwind of events and it's wrapping up to be quite a successful leap into Spring. With a bike trip to Napa with the Fensters' to "camping" in the fabulous yurts at Treebones Resort in Big Sur with my best girlfriends from college and topping it off with Sarah and Paul's gorgeous Presidio wedding it's been quite a ride. Some of my favorite photos from the past month are below. Enjoy!

Photography: Sol Hashemi

2010-04-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon some great work by Washington based photographer Sol Hashemi. I particularly like his Eight Bottles of Champagne piece from 2009. I love that it's all older business women getting sprayed while the men look on with such excitement. Just look at some of their expressions, they're awesome. All of Hashemi's work is a little strange but in a good way. I feel like we'd probably be friends. Here are some of my favorites:

Jewelry: Iosselliani

2010-04-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

The Italian jewelry designer Iosselliani has some awesome finds. I really want these amazing Stacked Feather & Rhinestone Rings and the Chain & Turquoise Necklace with Fringe.

Fashion: 3.1 Phillip Lim Sequin Broomstick Pleated Dress

2010-04-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

Pretty Thangs

2010-04-09T17:20:00.000-07:00

What a Day for a Daydream

2010-04-09T16:41:00.000-07:00

Fashion: Alexandra Cassaniti Face It Sunglasses

2010-04-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

I could never pull these off, but for $80 a pop, these Alexandra Cassanti Face It sunglasses are kinda rad...

School's Out Forever...

2010-04-05T12:29:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's already been 10 years since I graduated high school. Little did I know that when I signed up to be Senior Class Vice President that I would be tasked with the duty of planning the reunion. Luckily, my graduating class was only around 100 people and we're a low key bunch, so we'll just be having a late summer afternoon family style BBQ and bocce ball games at a park by ocean in my hometown Cambria, followed by a stint at the local saloon. Yes, we have a saloon. Check out the invitation flier I designed to help spread the word. Our mascot was a bronco by the way...

Spring is in the Air

2010-04-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

I love these photographs from Paranaiv by Are Sundnes! The colors! The textures! The patterns! Floral!!

Wouldn't you look sweet upon a seat...of a custom bicycle built for you!

2010-04-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

Now that the boyFen and I have moved into our posh new digs (photos coming soon!) and I realized that I owe some unexpected cash-money to taxes has resulted in me, unfortunately, having to dig into my scooter reserves. Seeing as that dream will have to be on hold for a bit longer, I've decided that I should set my sights on a shiny new bicycle for the time being. Daydreams of cruising to work on sunny "warm" spring days, riding the wiggle from my new Duboce hood to Ocean Beach and sunset rides to the Mission for dinner and drinks is sounding more and more appealing. Luckily, I discovered Republic Bike and their addictive design your own bike feature! Check out the Aristotle singlespeed model I'm thinking about purchasing...which version do you like better: all yellow rims or one yellow one red?!

I must increase my bust...collection!

2010-03-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm thinking all about how I could decorate our new apartment, I came across these awesome Savannah Story Busts from Anthropologie. I can picture both the zebra and rhino lining my new staircase.

Fashion: Vivi Dot

2010-03-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

Check out my friend, and fellow San Francisco designer, Molly's fabulous online store ViVi Dot! She works wonders with the everyday button/pin to create fun accessories out of them like earrings, rings and necklaces. I recently collaborated with her to create these cute feather earrings, hair clips, watch necklace and ring!

I Meant To Do That

2010-02-26T15:46:00.000-08:00

From the awesomely intimidating BMX bike gang in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure to watching my brother come home battered and bruised through the years, the coolness of '80s BMX bike culture has always held a fond place in my heart. These are some pretty radical old polaroids borrowed from a post I found on Defgrip that make me nostalgic for a pop-a-wheelie or two.

Design: La La for Ga Ga

2010-02-04T16:39:00.000-08:00

Kii Arens of La La Land Posters has created some striking designs for none other than the captivating Lady Ga Ga.

Art: Il sueno de la razon produce monstrios

2010-02-04T16:29:00.000-08:00

I always loved Goya's illustration entitled "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters" so couldn't help but enjoy this modern spin on the classic by Tessarlo.

Goya's

Tessarlo's

Selleck Waterfall Sandwitch

2010-01-29T13:54:00.000-08:00

Whoever created the blog Selleck Waterfall Sandwitch is genius.
Here's a little sampling to whet your whistle...check it out.

Featured sandwich: Meatball

Featured sandwich: Full Turkey

Featured sandwich: Tuna Salad

Featured sandwich: Ice Cream

Fashion: All Saints Chepi Shoulder Bag

2010-01-23T17:46:00.000-08:00

Loving this Navajo-inspired over dyed rustic leather shoulder bag with beads and tassels from Allsaints Spitalfields.

Seattle Tripadelic

2010-01-23T15:10:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've had a new post, but it's been a busy past couple months. Now that the Holidaze has passed I'm starting to wondering what happened to January twenty-ten?! The following photos from our trip to Seattle with our friends Julie and Colin last week are a fitting kick off to the new year inspiration posts. I've noticed that places like Seattle, Portland, and the Pacific Northwest in general, have some pretty awesome neon signage for just about everything. Maybe it's due to the fact that for much of the year it's pretty dark and gloomy out so people get excited about the warm electric glow that lures them into restaurants, taverns, and car washes?!

After having lunch at the famous Salumi, a Batalli run cured meats shop, we stumbled upon a gallery in the Pioneer Square area that had a portrait that looked eerily like...who do you think?

These are the rest of my favorites....

Thanks for nothing

2009-12-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

I was reading the below letter on the bus all alone and I swear I could not stop laughing. People must have thought I was either crazy or crying. Either way it was worth it because this letter is amazing and real. Thanks again to awkwardfamilyphotos.com

The Thanksgiving Letter (back by popular demand)

November 26th, 2009 From: Marney

As you all know a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner does not make itself. I need to ask each of you to help by bringing something to complete the meal. I truly appreciate your offers to assist with the meal preparation.

Now, while I do have quite a sense of humor and joke around all the time, I COULD NOT BE MORE SERIOUS when I am providing you with your Thanksgiving instructions and orders. I am very particular, so please perform your task EXACTLY as I have requested and read your portion very carefully. If I ask you to bring your offering in a container that has a lid, bring your offering in a container WITH A LID, NOT ALUMINUM FOIL! If I ask you to bring a serving spoon for your dish, BRING A SERVING SPOON, NOT A SOUP SPOON! And please do not forget anything.

All food that is to be cooked should already be prepared, bring it hot and ready to serve, warm or room temp. These are your ONLY THREE options. Anything meant to be served cold should, of course, already be cold.

HJB—Dinner wine

The Mike Byron Family
1. Turnips in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. Please do not fill the casserole all the way up to the top, it gets too messy. I know this may come as a bit of a surprise to you, but most of us hate turnips so don’t feel like you a have to feed an army.
2. Two half gallons of ice cream, one must be VANILLA, I don’t care what the other one is. No store brands please. I did see an ad this morning for Hagan Daz Peppermint Bark Ice Cream, yum!! (no pressure here, though).
3. Toppings for the ice cream.
4. A case of bottled water, NOT gallons, any brand is ok.

The Bob Byron Family
1. Green beans or asparagus (not both) in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. If you are making the green beans, please prepare FOUR pounds, if you are making asparagus please prepare FIVE pounds. It is up to you how you wish to prepare them, no soupy sauces, no cheese (you know how Mike is), a light sprinkling of toasted nuts, or pancetta, or some EVOO would be a nice way to jazz them up.
2. A case of beer of your choice (I have Coors Light and Corona) or a bottle of clos du bois chardonnay (you will have to let me know which you will bring prior to 11/22).

The Lisa Byron Chesterford Family
1. Lisa as a married woman you are now required to contribute at the adult level. You can bring an hors d’ouvres. A few helpful hints/suggestions. Keep it very light, and non-filling, NO COCKTAIL SAUCE, no beans of any kind. I think your best bet would be a platter of fresh veggies and dip. Not a huge platter mind you (i.e., not the plastic platter from the supermarket).

The Michelle Bobble Family
1. Stuffing in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please make the stuffing sans meat.
2. 2.5-3 qts. of mashed squash in a casserole with a lid and serving spoon
3. Proscuitto pin wheel – please stick to the recipe, no need to bring a plate.
4. A pie knife

The June Davis Family
1. 15 LBS of mashed potatoes in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please do not use the over-size blue serving dish you used last year. Because you are making such a large batch you can do one of two things: put half the mash in a regulation size casserole with lid and put the other half in a plastic container and we can just replenish with that or use two regulation size casserole dishes with lids. Only one serving spoon is needed.
2. A bottle of clos du bois chardonnay

The Amy Misto Family (why do I even bother she will never read this)
1. A pumpkin pie in a pie dish (please use my silver palate recipe) no knife needed.
2. An apple pie in a pie dish, you can use your own recipe, no knife needed.

Looking forward to the 28th!!

Marney

Happy Friday

2009-11-13T16:33:00.001-08:00

Photography: Anna Verlet

2009-11-13T15:53:00.000-08:00

The Parisian Sky

2009-11-06T11:31:00.000-08:00

I want to go to Paris...the sky is apparently tourquoise there.

Tip-Toe Through the Tulips

2009-11-04T09:24:00.000-08:00

If only all farms looked like the technicolor patchwork of these tulip farms in the Netherlands.

Fashion: 3.1 Phillip Lim Dress

2009-10-14T16:04:00.000-07:00

I know it's a ways off, but since I mentioned New Years Eve in an earlier post I can't stop thinking of sequins and champagne. I admit that's not such a horrible thing to have on your mind. If I were made of money, I'd have no problem purchasing this sparkly little number from the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection.

Art: Mark Weaver

2009-10-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

Granted there's a lot of crap on Flickr, but ever so often I stumble upon someone's photostream that sparks my attention. I'm currently digging artist Mark Weaver's designs below. I love the simplistic nature of combining solid colored geometric shapes on top of saturated vintage mix-matched landscapes. There's somewhat of a low-tech-sci-fi quality to them that I really like.

Fashion: Lorick

2009-10-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

Super excited about wearing this silk dress by Lorick (whose website is pretty fun as well) to a festive New Years Eve wedding in Santa Barbara. I love the design of the silk print, the belted waist, and especially the dramatic back.

Fashion/Love: Band of Outsiders & Jason Schwartzman

2009-10-09T11:38:00.000-07:00

My Friday moment of Zen comes from fashion label Band of Outsiders and their swoon-worthy photo montage of my favorite, Jason Schwartzman.

Fashion: Shwood

2009-10-06T17:10:00.000-07:00

Thinking about purchasing these awesome "Canby" sunglasses in Zebrawood from Portland-based Shwood, who takes fashion eye-ware inspiration from nature.

Art: Gerhard Richter

2009-09-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

Often referred to as a painter in a photographic age, the work of influential twentieth and twenty-first century artist Gerhard Richter is one whose work still resonates today. I'm particularly fond of his photography based paintings, especially the Firenze series, whereas he smears multi-colored paint over photographs and found images to create these dreamy abstracted landscapes. Enjoy!

Art: Alexis Mackenzie

2009-09-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

I'm surprised I haven't posted something about San Francisco-based artist Alexis Mackenzie yet, but better now then never! Ever since I moved to the City, i've been a fan of her work that has been exhibited at local galleries like Park Life and Whitewalls. I love her aesthetic and her perfect balance between the beautiful and the bizarre, obviously a running theme with the art I am drawn to! Her delicate collages, although her end result is much more refined than a typical hodge-podge collage, are created through detailed cut outs from old books she's collected over the years and then combined to create something much more interesting and transcendent than what the images where originally intended to depict.

Art: Michael Zavros

2009-09-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

I'd like to rock this rock.

Friday Moment of Zen

2009-09-18T20:35:00.001-07:00

Art: [hu] Man vs Machine

2009-09-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

I love these laser beam-style string installations by artist [hu] Man vs Machine.

Feelin' Girly

2009-09-15T17:56:00.001-07:00

I love these tissue paper decorations. They're so frilly and delicate and girly. With these as decorations and a bottle of pink champagne, who could refuse a champagne party?! Take note.

Culinary Creations: Macaroons!

2009-09-15T17:31:00.001-07:00

It's becoming increasingly apparent that the bite-sized French macaroon will soon replace cupcakes as the latest sweet culinary trend in San Francisco. It seems people are tired of all the trendy boutique cupcake dispensaries popping up charging $4 a pop. I love this old poster with it's pastel array of the light as air, melt in your mouth morsels!

My September

2009-09-04T17:34:00.001-07:00

Design: The Smoke Font

2009-09-04T17:32:00.000-07:00

Design: Alright Class

2009-08-24T21:45:00.001-07:00

Some possible T-Shirt designs for the Oakland-based band Alright Class.