You Down With OCDD? (Yeah, You Know Me)

If you're anything like me, you have Obsessive Compulsive Decorating Disorder (OCDD). It is characterized by a marked need to see EVERY example of whatever thing is currently occupying your mental space -- be it paint colors, couches, rugs, lamps, chairs, etc., followed by an overwhelming sense of analysis paralysis, and culminating in a rushed selection, because you just need to BUY something, dammit. Currently this disease is forcing me to shop for a new couch, a new white paint color, and new wallpaper, but in the end I will probably just buy some dumb thrift store tchotchke to abate my compulsion, since none of those big purchases/projects are logical if The Hunny and I actually want to move in the new year. Or, I will just screw logic, and buy something big and cheap that I hate next month. Last night, Karly emailed to tell me that I have 674 Craigslist postings bookmarked. I thought to myself, "Ha, I've likely deleted more than twice that many." So, let's see... that makes over 2000 postings that have caught my gimlet eye in the last year.

I think I have a problem, people. But I'm pretty sure it's not my fault.

(via Weather Sealed)

Just look at the history of Crayola colors. At the turn of the (last) century, there were only eight colors. EIGHT. Period. In the last 100 years, the choices have exponentially multiplied, so that I can't even count all the tiny little bars to tell you how many colors there are now. See there? The choices are uncountable. The variations and combinations thereof -- innumerable. And those are just stupid crayons. Imagine how many sofas, white paint colors, and wallpaper patterns, there are today.

Maybe I should time travel back to 1903, with its eight-color palette, and order my sofa from the Sears Roebuck catalog, whitewash the woodwork, and wallpaper... with the Sears Roebuck catalog. Which would be fine, except for one tiny detail.

There's no Craigslist.

Stay Calm

Just East of downtown Albuquerque is an old mental institution.  Built at the turn of the 20th century it is 100% handmade awesomeness.  Albuquerque's local paper, the Alibi, runs a reader poll every year asking burque residents to pick all their favorite crap around town.  Every year that I lived there I voted for that damn mental institution under the "best building" category (the whole poll was write-in only) and never ever once did it win.  The honor always went to some bank building or, maybe on a good year, a museum. Tonight while cruising the interwebs I found these photographs of abandoned insane asylums by Rob Dobi.  His series, New England Ruins, restores hope that one day (cross your fingers!!!) enough of those ABQ knuckle heads will finally get their act together and vote that awesome institution into the #1 slot it deserves.

I put this picture first to remind you dudes not to be scared, despite the fact that the following pictures are so creepy that there is a 100% chance that our blog is haunted now.

Also, how bizarre is it that this message, stenciled onto a wall, was supposed to remind the cuckoo residents to keep it chill?

Rob has also shot several abandoned schools, hospitals, medical centers, homes, mills and other spaces in the New England area.  Every shot is stunning.  See them here.

10 Things That Make Me Happy

I've been tagged by lovely Sherri of The Claw to play a little game, and hooray! lucky for everyone reading this, I love games. I'm supposed to list 10 things that make me happy, and the hardest part was whittling down a universe of goodness into an earth sized post. Let's get this party started, right? Quickly! #1. SLEEP

Rees Roberts

Having a baby means never sleeping again. Ever. Just thinking about cozying up in that bed and snoozing for eight straight hours makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And don't think I'm so sleep deprived that my glazy eyes missed that rock wall. After I wake from my beauty sleep, I plan to strap on a harness and scale that puppy... or maybe just sleep some more.

#2. FRANCIS BACON'S ART STUDIO

Francis Bacon

Artists with clean work spaces are like studio gangstas. You gotta make a mess to get shit done, yo... or at least that's what I tell myself when my house looks like this. Obviously, I am getting A LOT of shit done.

#3. FANTASY LITTLE CABIN IN THE WOODS

OWI

Ok, so maybe it's a not so little cabin, but let's face it -- asceticism was never my strong suit. I need polished floors and mod furnishings to make my stay in the wild worthwhile. Oh, and big fat windows from which I can view The Hunny doing his hot lumberjack routine outside (while I rest comfortably indoors, sipping a cocktail, thank you very much).

#4. TRAVEL

I took this picture about four years ago, and the cathedrals of Prague still set my flying buttresses atingle whenever I look at them. Someday we'll go somewhere again. Someday.

#5. LIGHTING

If the Lampshade Fits

I could probably open up a lighting store with just my leftover lamps and chandeliers. I can't walk into a thrift store without buying something electric, and lately I've been taking my light lust to Ebay in the hopes of snagging something as magical as this chandelier. Oh, and I'll also take the sideboard, the chairs, and the MARBLE wall. I'm passing on the dining table, because I don't want anyone to think I buy my furniture at Office Depot.

#6. PIERRE CARDIN

Pierre Cardin

Did someone say Ebay? Well, I am currently OBSESSED with Pierre Cardin anything -- clothes, jewelry, and most importantly, furniture. The hot credenza in this pic is currently up along with an entire bedroom set in mint condition. If you have a ton of cash, let me try to talk you into buying it... you know it would look amazing in your house.

#7. BARGAINS

Hell yes, you know I love me some bargains! My house would be a barren wasteland without the bountiful trifecta of Craigslist, Ebay and thrift stores. That goes for the hoop chairs, Brian the golden deer, the marble and teak coffee table, the teak plantstand, the couch, etc. But not the rug. I can't do a recycled rug. Gross.

#8. BIG CRAZY ART

OWI

I have a thing for big stuff. That sounds dirty, and maybe it is. After all, is it properly chaste to find my pulse racing at the sight of this colossal Marilyn Minter painting? I think not.

#9. SILVER AND GOLD

Richard Powers

And what's even better than silver and gold? Silver and gold TOGO COUCHES. Raina is probably having a heart attack right now. Sorry, babe!

#10. SWEET BABY IKE

You suckas didn't think you were going to make it through this post without seeing a picture of Ike, did you? This one was taken on Christmas Eve in Hawaii, when we were out visiting my family. He's pretty cute, so I think we're going to keep him -- at least until puberty attacks.

That's it for the things that make me happy. Ok, there are a zillion more, but I ain't got time for all that. If one of you dudes want to play the game, let me know in the comments and I'll hook you up with a shoutout.

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Well hootie hoo, guess what? I'm twisting Alison of Lipstick On Your Teeth's rubber arm and forcing her to play along. Go get 'em, tiger!