Good Stuff

It's still feeling a little dreary around here -- outside it's dark, cold and rainy, Ike got four shots this morning, and an earthquake just swallowed up 50,000 people in Haiti. Yeah, that last one is a doozy. I'd say we're all due for something pretty and colorful, yes?

These gorgeous light sculptures by Paula Arntzen are handcrafted of paper which was screenprinted with fluorescent ink. They're so festive, I'm inspired to throw an impromptu dance party for me and the Ikesaurus. I think I'm going to switch on the Christmas lights (yes... they're still up), crank NWA up to 11, and get jiggy with it. Ike loooooves gangsta rap -- it's going to be awesome.

For more eye candy, be sure to check out Paula's website.

And if you're feeling some extra love, head over here for ways to help send relief to Haiti.

Wishing you all a bright and happy weekend!

I Think They Got The Alias That You've Been Livin Under

Whatup Whatup home-trons?! Happy Thursday to all and welcome back to partial health me!  Thanks for the link-love during the deepest, darkest moments of my illness last Tuesday, it certainly helped to propel me back into the land of the living.  I'm still a little medicine-heady, which will become evident as this post unfolds but, hey, I'm here and I'm ready to get down to business. In addition to battling the dumbest flu ever, I've been working with Matty Pants to welcome the newest addition to our rapidly growing herd family

Welcome Gloria Yikes!  Weighing in at 6 whole pounds, this little kitten was found by Matt last week on a job site starving and looking for a couple of suckers to take her in love.  We immediatly took her to the vet, had her checked for every kitty disease under the sun and got her lady parts fixed.  Once she got a clean bill of health she was brought into the fam and is now living, er, tolerating, her new brother and sisters, Magnus, Laser and Rowdy.

Because this is a legitimate design blog and I don't want to lose my street cred, here are some pictures that I* found that seem slightly relevant to my new kitty post.

*It should be noted that when I emailed Erin asking her if she knew of any good cat related design material to include in today's post she sent me this very same link.  Crazytown!

Artist Michael Tiger has created his Are You Tiger series to draw attention to the White Tiger, which is in danger of extinction.  (you can join is facebook tiger group here).  You know I became a fan of that nonsense with a quickness because I'm pretty much a sucker for any sort of animal in people clothing (see the zebra in the upper left corner).  Here are more pieces from his homespun ad campaign:

Gloria Yikes was quite excited to have a post written in her honor today, when she saw these pictures she insisted, via sweet little kitten meows, that I make her a personalized Are You Tiger series.  Since she was on the brink of extinction only a few days ago, I figured it was in keeping with the spirit of the ads and said:  yes, Ms. Yikes, I WILL make you your own portrait series via the magic of photoshop.

Gloria Yikes as Conan the Barbarian

G.Y. as Lady Gaga

Are you starting to see the pseudoephedrine cloud I'm living under?

And, because I'm a democratic cat mommy, here are all my cat babies as the Three Amigos.  They're pretty much living the dream right here.

In other news, my bestest friend from college, Sarah, and her husband, Andy (Anders to those that read our comments) are coming into town from Albuquerque tonight!  Hooray!!!  Perhaps I should have photoshopped their heads on something too?  Well, there's always next week.

Sick Day Presents For Karly

Poor Karly -- she is one sick little girl. She's been working so hard at her real job, plus staying up late to play with me and baby Ike, and don't forget the hella funny posts she's been writing lately. So, let's all give her some presents! Send me a link of a present for Karly in the comments section and I'll try to add them to this post periodically sporadically throughout the day. Here's my gift to her:

Mmmm, a visit to the deliciously creepy Godiva store in Harajuku, Japan, because who doesn't want to get slimed by a giant chocolate stalagtite? Ok, maybe this is for me...

If you don't already know, Karly likes gold and animals and lasers and weirdo artwork. I'm sure ya'll can find something delightful. Annnnnnd, GO!

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Wheeeee! It's present time! The fabulous Sherri at The Claw sent over these SUPER FREAKING RAD gifts for Karly. How come you other posers aren't playing along? Stop pretending to work and get busy!

Awesome chairs from Moroso.

Tiger love from the most excellently named blog, Jellybean Weirdo.

And then there's the piece de resistance! Holla!

Thanks again, Sherri!

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Well, well, what have we here? Three glorious gifts from The lovely Raina of the If the Lampshade Fits have arrived on our virtual doorstep.

First we have a fabulous gold lamp designed by uber hottie Jaime Hayon that shall be delivered by him personally. Yowza!

Next we have an extra special wall mounted, horse head vase for Karly, whose heart goes pitter patter at the sight of anything equine. This one is also a Hayon original.

And finally, a set of gold double doors custom designed by Mr. Hayon for Karly's house. Say what? Well, it's a good thing she's sick and I'm feeling magnanimous, because otherwise I'd hit her over the head with the lamp and steal the doors somehow. It would be easy to steal a pair of giant gold doors, right? Totally inconspicuous.

Thanks, Raina, for your amazing gifts!

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Hey, looky here! JoAnn has been nice enough to send Karly a recycled glass tile from Ellen Blakeley:

Hey there, good looking!

Thanks, JoAnn for sending such a nice gift!

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Hooray, the presents are a rollin' in now! Here's one from Cassie at Roseland Greene:

So, yes, that is a giant clock made from a zillion spraypainted toys. Did I mention in my call for entries that Karly specifically likes white, painted toys? Nay, I did not. But Cassie is just that damn good.

Thanks, Cassie!!!

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A gift package from the magnificent Miss Tula at Whorange just came this way:

Yep. That's what it says, and you know you feel the same way. Here's the lowdown:

directions:  place macarons on plate.  eat macarons.  lick plate.

Thanks, Tula! nom nom nom...

paulette macarons http://www.paulettemacarons.com/

esther derkx man plate  http://www.estherx.nl/

"fuck housework" plate by vandalized vintage