Help! I can't get this tag off of me

Turns out that, despite my best efforts, I just can't avoid being tagged.  Lisa, over at Juxtaposition Design tagged Erin OR me last week, which I, ahem, casually passed off to Erin then Nerf, of Nerdy Fashionista called me out and is forcing me to fess up.   Seeing as how I have far more birds than I do stones, I'm gonna toss my Tag in a little sack then shake and bake it with this design post.  So, without further ado, what you've all been waiting for:  7 things about me:  a design story:

1.  I did not get to do my exciting and famous weekend bonus OR my Monday post (thank you for picking up my slack, Erin) because the love of my life, Laser went missing for 3 days (she came back this morning!).  I have a husband and 3 pets and am not embarrassed to say that Laser advances to the top of the pack.  Hands down, no shame.  Despite my deep love for la kitty cat, I really do not like pet beds that look like mini people furniture:

Do I know where you can buy this?  No. 

And I think this:

is highway robbery.  If you catch yourself considering a $320 cardboard bed for kitty to sleep / scratch away at, please contact us at hollaback@design-crisis.com, please insert:  DONATING LARGE AMOUNTS OF DISPOSABLE INCOME TO THE HARDEST WORKING UNPAID LADIES ON THE INTERNET in the subject line.

2.  Over the past several years I have torn out hundreds of shelter magazine pages, amassed roughly a gazillion interior design bookmarks, and subscribed to several dozen design blog feeds, but no room has managed to stick in my mind quite like this one from Elle Decor UK a couple of years ago:

I don't even really like that wallpaper, I actually never have.  But I LOVE the simplicity of the furniture layout, I love the black and white pattern and the black doors paired with the big, colorful marimekko sheet.  While I won't have this print on my bedroom wall, this photo is the #1 inspiration for my own room.

3.  I have never made a mood board.  I actually typed "I will never make a mood board"  but maybe that's wrong of me.  Perhaps I should be mooding it up.  I think it seems a little Candice Olsen-ey, what do you guys think?

4.  I can not drink coffee (love it but it hates me) instead I drink Chai, my Chai of choice:  (sorry) Iced Venti Non Fat 8-Pump Chai from starbucks, they finally trained me to say it all right, despite my years of protest.  If I had my way, I would drink my chai from this cup:

Re-Cyclos from Lladro

I would also like to have (any) drink poured from this pitcher:

Would that be weird?  Iced Chia from this thing? Whateves, it's pretty, you can get it here: Cibone

5.  I am pretty sure I will never get sick of this wallpaper:

I don't care how many times you homies have seen it.  I've been craving it for 2 years and it's going in my office, yo.  PS, in case you just stepped out from under some crazy rock, you can get it here (save me some!): FERM

6.  As much as I want to save the earth and all, I don't normally like recycled (as in repurposed - not as in craigslist... I LOVE YOU CRAIGSLIST) decor, but lately I've been thinking about ripping off this recycled eyeglass chandelier:

What, are you mad that I said I was going to rip it off?  I thought I had immunity for this Tag thing.  Besides, I don't think you should rip it off, I think you should buy it from stuart haygarth

And finally, #7:  I married the perfect man for me:

And just to keep this design related:  no that ugly kitchen is not mine and yes that is our personal K&M logo screen printed on his t-shirt that we designed / printed one weekend when we were bored.  See, design.  

So, that's that.  la design tag c'est complete.  Who am I tagging? I guess I'll follow Camilla's lead and say... You!  You dear readers, give us 7 things about you, no need to make them design related... tell us anything your little heart desires.  Just toss 'em in the comments, it makes us feel good (that's #8)

We're Not Out of the Woods Yet

I once saw Sally Mann speak at Stanford, and although I've had the pleasure of meeting many exceptional photographers over the years, I think she stands out even among such illustrious company. For one thing, she wields language like a weapon -- sharp and to the point. Every statement has the edge of conviction and inevitability, like that's the only way things could be. But what she argues for is complexity, for layered readings of simple things, for the "mendacity" (ambiguity, to us regular folks) of photography. With that in mind, view these images from her Deep South series which are printed from wet plate, or Collodion, negatives that she made in the back of a van converted into a traveling darkroom, much like a 19th century photographer would have done during the Civil War:

Maybe I've been worrying too much about the impending election and all of the hate and bitterness that's floating around right now. It occurs to me that, like the scar on that tree, some wounds don't heal easily.

And also, I really, really, love those pictures.

Weekend Update

I've been tagged by Hello Gorgeous AND Juxtaposition Design, so here I am, baring my soul, divulging 7 weird and random facts about myself. Here goes nothing: 1. I took Kung Fu for five years and the best thing I learned was to kick my assailant in the nuts and run.

2. I took Chinese in college and the best thing I know how to say is, "Son of a turtle." It's the verbal equivalent of kicking someone in the nuts. Running is optional, but highly advised.

3. If left to my own devices, I will listen to the Old School Rap channel on digital cable nonstop. Everyone else hates it. I also like Disco. You got a problem with that?

4. I watched Can't Buy Me Love last weekend and it was AWESOME. Through various scientific means, I have ascertained that Patrick Dempsey had a nose job. Wow.

5. Hunny Bunny and I moved in together after our first date -- when I was but a dewy eyed 19 -- and we've been together ever since (13+ years).

6. My brother and I were born on the same day, exactly 12 years apart. So we are both Leos and Dragons. And self righteous and controlling. (And occasionally very generous).

7. I really want this rug from Overstock, even though it matches NOTHING in my home. I just can't stop looking at it. It's so effing amazing.

I'm supposed to tag 7 other bloggers, but is there anyone as of yet untagged? Hello out there???