ObamaNation

OOOMG!  OOOOMG!!  It's finally here, and you bitches better be reading this post from your iphone* (*or equivalent) while you stand in line at the election booth.  Unless, of course you're a good little American (but not a REAL American) like myself who voted weeks ago.  Good job. Anyhow, it's no secret who we here at the DC headquarters are rooting for.  Hey, we make about $250,000 less than the required amount for extra taxing, so, yep, he's our man.  I know you've all seen 8 hundred trillion pieces of Obama propaganda, ushered in by Shepard Fairey's brilliant Hope poster, but stay with me here.  I think I've managed to uncover items 8 hundred trillion and one - nine for you to enjoy on this, hopefully, historic day.

This is an interiors blog, let's start with home decor:

Obamottoman and Chair set from ABC Carpet and Home

smaller chairs, for those living on bob the builder's sallary

The next photo doesn't have an obama picture or slogan anywhere in site, it's more of an observation.  The Color Association of America sites pop and political culture as it's main source of inspiration for their seasonal color trend selection.  It was noted that the lime green craze of the early millennium intentionally coincided with the release of the first Shrek movie; country blue of 2002 was ushered in as a nod to our nation's patriotism after 9-11.  Based on the above, I'm willing to bet dollars-to-doughnuts that the recent resurgence of Klein blue (which we have lovingly discussed ad nauseum) is symptomatic of our (HOPEFULLY HOPEFULLY) liberal-leaning populace:

This could be in the break-room of the DNC headquarters.

But, then again, they may want this wallpaper for their walls instead:

Democrat Donkey wallpaper available through TODAY ONLY at Given Campbell

They also have an elephant version, but this blog is totalitarian, so you'll have to cruise over there to see it.  Yo.

For a less Dramatic Obama-inspired influence, how about the best darn animal mug ever?

Ayumi Horie has raised 10,516.17 for the Obama Campaign with the sale of her lovely Obamaware.

The hand-made Obamanation craze has swept Etsy as well, which shows literally hundreds of Obama items (I didn't even bother seeing how many McWhatever ones they had).  Here are some of my favorites:

Clockwise from top left: Yo Gabba Gabba for Obama button by Etsy user Monkiss: Reppin' For Obama necklace by Etsy user Beebles; Democratic Finger Puppets by Mullishmuse; and Yes We Can Obama bag by Etsy user Belleslettres

Of course, my very very favorite Etsy item is this button:

Rescue Dogs For Obama button by Etsy user the dogcoatlady

The fact that I want this button has nothing to do with my very own pound puppy, Rowdy.  I just think it is straight-up hilarious.  Look at how scruffy that dog is.  HA!

Let's take a look at more Obama fashion.  I know at least one reader down-under who will insist that her husband wear this next time they go to temple:

The Obamica available at Vanity Kippah

I am willing to support any measures she needs to take to get this hot little number on his noggin.

Incase you like your hair free to blow in the wind but still want to rep, you can always sport either of these kicks:

Air Force 1 by Jimm Lasser

Don't walk on sand all day?  Try these:

Obama Custom Air Force 1 sneakers (popular name, huh?) by Van20

If you looking for less street in your Obama gear, try these dresses:

Spring 2009 looks at Sonia Rykiel, left, and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac.

And for the littlest Obama fan:

O8AMA kids tee available at Supermarket

And finally, I've uncovered the last remaining piece of Obama artwork that you haven't seen:

Photoshop montage as seen on Freaking News

Let us all hope that this is a portrait of our favorite presidentS from Illinois.  Come on everybody, let's do this.   I really don't want to have to take all my campaign goods to the thrift store tomorrow.

There is no clever way to title a post about windows

My Friends Bryan and Hannah just bought a house, and, being the GENIUSES that they are, they contacted  me ASAP to inquire about window treatments coverings.  I hemmed and hawed over helping them.  I mean, there are only a few nice things a girl can fit into her 100 mph lifestyle.  Then I imagined, what if poor sweet Brian were to, say, fall victim to an injury and he had to, oh, I don't know, spend several weeks in a cast and wheelchair with nothing but a telescoping lens and Hannah's sketches and sandwiches to keep him company? Well, I really couldn't bear the thought of Brian suffering through such a tragedy without a beautifully dressed window to peak out of.  So, I decided to be the bigger person and help the kiddos out by compiling this small collection of window goodness.

Oh, one last thing before we get started, and this is VERY important... whenever Erin and I advise a friend via the blog, it is your responsibility, dear readers, to take a shot every time we type their names.  This is why we usually only help on Fridays.  This week is bonus because there are 2 names:  Hannah and Brian (shot! shot!)  Hooray!  Back to windows

My knee jerk reaction to any window dilemma is Roman Shades!  I love them!  I think it's because you get all the luxury of fabric but they're nice and crisp and tailored, not all flowy and showy.  I just bought some lovely black and white striped fabric to make roman shades for my bedroom that will look similar to this:

Tracey Garet's home via Alkemie

I will forgo the silly wooden sculpture and the fancy wing-back chair.  More Roman Shade Porn:

photo 1: Kelly Wearstler / photo 2: Muriel Brandolini via Desire to Inspire

The first picture shows that Roman shades really do have a decadent side, if you must.  The second shows their all out sex appeal.  Something about the sheer shade that creates texture and depth when it's folded is just oh so hot!  I've never really been a big fan of combined window treatments, what does everyone think of the roman shade paired with the printed curtain?

(I'm sorry, I can't remember where I found this picture)

MMMM, naaaa, I don't think I like it.. what about you Brian and Hannah?

Photo by Paul Costello

If you're going to go with curtains, I say go with curtains.  These neon yellow over-sized raw silk numbers were clearly hand stitched by the angels in heaven, carried down by little doves and installed by tiny baby kittens with golden paws.  Clearly.  I also REALLY LOVE when curtains are hung at the top of a wall, just below the ceiling, despite how tall the windows are:

photo courtesy of survive style 5's flickr photostream

Some people like floor to ceiling curtains so much, they just skip the walls altogether, I strongly advise this:

Phillippe Stark via Desire to Inspire

I'm sure that Brian and Hannah's back patio looks very similar to the one below, in which case I suggest the following outdoor treatment:

from le Chateau Les Crayeres (via notcot)

Now that we're all sold on floor-to-ceiling, let's talk pattern.  Everything should match perfectly, right?

kelly wearstler

Ok, admittedly, I have a big, huge, giant soft spot in my heart for over-done pattern.  Go big or go home, I say.  Actually, I've never said that, but I do really love seeing every last inch of a room covered in a perfectly repeating pattern.  If Brian and Hanna would like to go with something less, um, dramatic, I would like to suggest a nice chevron or stripe:

Curtain Selection by House of Mann

Yes, I know that is not a window, but isn't that fabric to die for?  Yes, yes it is.  It will also be a perfect save incase Brian ever gets thrown in Jail and Hannah has to make a beautiful dress from her drapes so she can go find him and beg him for money. (Wear Gloves Hannah!!!)

Oh, and look at this luxurious floor to ceiling set up:

residential project by lazzarini pickering

I need to quickly interject and provide the most important piece of wisdom to Hannah and Brian:  no matter what, despite the type of curtain you choose and the height at which you choose to hang it you can never ever even consider for a moment hanging it with these:

I have just this very minute decided that I don't like them.  I think it's the wimpy cord, or the wimpy litle circles... maybe if the clasps were more substantial?  Oh, I don't know, they just look like they're trying to be a little too clever.  Speaking of clever, here are a couple of clever things that you might like:

ASCII Curtains via Nets 2 Go

Brian has one of those techy jobs that none of his friends ever totally grasp, so, I could be REALLY REALLY wrong on this one, but Brian just might appreciate that the above curtains are made from number patterns much like a programmer would see (I'm pretty positive he's not a programmer, though)  I think Hannah would like the tree, Hannah likes things that are sweet (did I tell you? she's a nurse).   That curtain is like Brian and Hannah:  computer-y and sweet.  If that curtain told you the most insanely dry and witty joke you've ever heard, then it would be exactly like Brian and Hannah.

Man you guys must be sauced right now!  Well, cover one eye and feast the other one on this:

Magnetic Curtain by Florian Kräutli via nets 2 go

Look!  It's magnets!  Magnets are holding that baby up.  No cords or nothing. awesome.

If Brian and Hannah decide, after reading this post, that they have a complete aversion to fabric, might I suggest some lovely indoor shudders:

1st option

Mmmmm, I really just like those more and more every time I see them.  Here's another non-fabric window option:

Emma Jeffs White Orba Adhesive Film available at Design Public

Just slap a sticker on it and you're good to go (note, stickers are NOT OK on walls, just windows and only under the right circumstance)

Now if Brian and Hannah are blessed enough to have windows like this, then I suggest no treatment at all:

dream photo courtesy of survive style 5's flickr photostream

Happy early weekend, kids, and good luck sleeping off those hangovers

It's Elementary

Although the temperatures in Austin are still hovering in the triple digits, the first day of school is just around the corner. For those of us who can say, "no more teachers, no more books...," school days always bring with them a whiff of nostalgia as well as a masochistic desire to relive the bad old days. Like that time I got asked to my first sleepover where we watched Dirty Dancing, and then the popular bitches waited until I fell asleep and poured warm water in my sleeping bag and woke me up to tell me I peed myself. And laugh. Cliche, but true, and frankly some of the "quirkier" stories are just too damn depressing for morning reading.

Yes, after puberty school becomes a minefield of unbridled hormones and misunderstood emotions. And so, dear readers, I present a day of letters and numbers, and hopefully a return to simpler times.

Yasmine at A Print a Day's whimsical fonts (fashioned of stitchery and hair!) recall the apple for teacher days more than that time a dozen students from the opposing high school brought pistols and shotguns and hosted a full-on riot in our quad. Just like a movie! (via Exquisite Function)

A selection of pillows reminiscent of practicing handwriting on a Big Chief tablet. Can I still write without a computer...?

Clockwise from top left: Alexander Girard's OG design from way back in 1952 is back in production and available at Wrapables, some numerology from Urban Outfitters, a brown (?!!!) pillow from Dwell's baby line at Design Public, Alphabet pillow by Sukie at Three Potato Four.

Badass photogram of tiny objects arranged to compose the letters of the alphabet. C is for "Chain" and R is for "Rope." So much easier than C is for "Chitinous exoskeleton" and R is for "Remember that time you got dumped on the journalism trip by your first love? And then he started going out with that skanky ugly girl? On the SAME TRIP?"

Award-winning poster print by Dutch Osborne available from Spring Design. (via Elle Deco SA)

If you've ever had to eat your words -- like pretty much every time I ever said anything the entire time I went to high school -- then you'll appreciate this dinnerware:

Alphabet pot by Ayumi Horie at Reform School, subliminal plate set at CB2.

A pair of inspired selections in some of Karly's favorite colors:

On the left, Numbers Rug at Urban Outfitters. On the right, Uppercase Scarf at Little Factory that could have solved my first day of school fashion dilemmas. Instead I showed up in purple hair, black tights, orange wool tartan skirt, black sweater and Doc Martens. In August. In Texas. In Texarkana. In 1991. I had a lot of friends. Sike! (only about the friends part)

Pillows and totes made of recycled sailcloth by Reiter8. Kind of reminds me of some of the early DIY projects Sassy used to have, which my only friend and I would try (but usually fail) to complete. It's hard to finish things when you get sidetracked by your hormones. So instead of following Sassy's plans for a hideous skirt made from used ties, we stay up and smoke about 500 clove cigarettes and talk about THAT GUY, who, in an excruciating twist of fate, WE BOTH LIKE.

Oh, Magic 8 Ball of my future self's memory, I wish I had you in the past.

Because I'm feeling a little wound up now, a cleansing mental vacation from the evils of the unknown self:

Image from Living, Etc., via Elements of Style. Me want those pillows!!!

Well, friends, I am off to Texarkana next week, where I'll be visiting with my little sister before driving her up to Arkansas for her first year of college away from home -- hence the trip down memory lane. I'll still be posting, but my internet access will be somewhat limited.

In the meantime, I'm wondering if you, my happy-well-adjusted-grown-up friends, have any grand tales to tell of your school daze? Were you Pretty in Pink, Better Off Dead, or Dazed and Confused?