heysusy

FOGGY BOTTOMS { weather wear }

Just a short post today, I have about a thousand things to do...including finally changing out of my PJ's.

I've been wanting to post this piece of artwork by Rebecca Rebouche for a while...and yesterday's inclement conditions seemed the perfect opportunity.

When it rains in New York City, it never rains just a little. It rains a lot. And the rain doesn't care what you have to do that day...if you have to go to a meeting and need to wear your good new shoes you've been waiting to wear for a week, if you have a dinner date and are hoping to look your flawless best, or if you have (like some people do) a whole bunch of packages to schlep to the post office.

Perhaps, if I spring for some good boots, I'll feel more like I can make it through the rain, and less like I ought to start building an ark. Anyway, while I have vowed NEVER to wear Uggs, (Ugh!) these cute pink rubber rain boots they have started making have me feeling conflicted.

MIDDLE SCHOOL { oooohh, belts }

When I was a little girl, there was a certain period when I always wore dresses or skirts and would *not* wear pants. When someone knocked the sand table over on me at nursery school, and they forced me to change into the school's 'spare' set of pants, I wanted to spend the rest of the day hiding in a maintenance closet. During this phase, I also *had* to wear a belt every day. I simply would not leave the house without the illusion of a waist.

There was always a side of me that was fascinated by growing up. And even now, when I put on a pair of high heels or do my make-up, there's this little girl inside of me who says, in whispered awe....'Wow. I can't believe I'm allowed to wear this stuff! Yay!' And I love that. Getting dressed, and adding the finishing touches is a treat. And I savor it.

So, in her honor, here are some beautiful belts. Little girl, enjoy!

These are all from big, corporate retailers, so I'll spare the links...
But, I found them all through this site right > here

CELEBRATE KW DAY { meet my sweet on Heart Handmade }

Hi everyone! I wanted to share a feature article with you, about my boyfriend, Cute, I mean, Kurt, which appeared today on Heart Handmade. Marichelle, who is a total genius for thinking of this, has started a wonderful series called "The Other Half", in which she interviews the sweethearts of independent designers and artists.

Anyway, Kurt is the second sweetie featured in the series, and I wanted to celebrate his 'coming out' on the blogosphere here, too. Above are some of his photos-- some of my favorites, all taken whilst wandering in New York City. And yes, the crazy Coney Island Lady in the last one is someone you know.

So, congratulations Kurtle... the feature is wonderful, you are my love, and every day, I am grateful to have you in my life!

Read the Article
More about Marichelle

PAINTED DAYS { inspired by pigment }

I've been thinking a lot lately about paints and painting, and about bright, Mediterranean colors. Maybe that is the inspiration for this post. Maybe it's the chilly weather here, which is making me long for dry, hot days and bright light. Or, maybe it's that I miss doing oil painting more than anything right now.

Anyway, this painting which I featured in a new article in the Artistic Endeavors series over on the Etsy Storque has a style I just love. Someone bring back the days when people sat in coffeehouses and drew their friends, instead of zooming in and out for a latte in the artificial flavor-of-the-month.

Below, some items which remind me of the artistic life. A dress in Cadmium Yellow Light, Bangles in pigment-y bright enamels, A go-anywhere bag that gets better as it gets older, The best hand soap in the world (also great for cleaning brushes)...and classic sandals that would go well with a summer hiatus in Europe. I can only afford the hand soap. But hey, it's a start, and really, I'd be happy with that.

ONE TO WATCH { joe ryckebosch }

So, I came across Joe Ryckebosch's work on Etsy last night...One of his pieces was on the front page. Anyway, I'm so glad I did.

This artist is creating his own language. It simultaneously keeps you out and brings you in. I find the landscapes, like the one on the bottom here, to be particularly successful. The supernatural (alien?) waves, lines, colors and shapes applied painstakingly over found collaged nature photos create a weird effect. This work practically has a sound...a static, a roar, a white noise.... I don't know how else to put it, but I can hear it.

Anyway, I'd snatch his work up now. Because it's clear he's been working for a while...and he's hitting a really great stride. Note that I've cropped some of the images above-- you can see the found frames which are part of each piece by clicking on the links below.

Read the artists bio (a nice accompaniment to looking at the work) > here
See a broad scope of work >  here

Enjoy your weekend, all, and thank you so much everyone who stopped by this week! xx s

SKIRTS FOR SKIRTS { sohomode }

They say a good skirt is hard to find. Well, actually they don't...but much of the time-- at least when *yours truly* is cruising the racks, that seems to be true. Anyway, I always love seeing what is new in the sohomode shop because I'm a sucker for cut and I love the way these skirts look on. Louise Hedley just seems to have a knack for knowing how to make basic shapes that women and little girls  will feel pretty in. This ruffled number stopped me in my tracks when I was a 'lookin through my favorites today. I really like how she's started the ruffles right at the hip-bone and the high, tight waist-- and seriously, how great does it look with leggings??

Links:
sohomode
sohokids
buttons galore

FADE INTO YOU { pretty dyes, Helen Frankenthaler }

I love this trend of painterly washes... And I like to see a more emotive, physical treatment of the ombre trend from last year. Less tie-dye and more Helen Frankenthaler paint-wash and poured shapes (see images of the artist and her work below) these have an expressionistic beauty that comes from their colors...combining and bleeding into one another in a way that feels dramatic, but natural.

Dyed stuff can be hard to wear without looking like you just stepped off the Magic Bus. But, I think a little goes a long way-- simple shapes take well to brights on the Hanii Y dress top left, while the blocky brushstrokes look great in a more neutral green on their skirt, just below.  A scarf (like these, top might be a good way to work this look in-- and I especially like this more understated, neutral one). Even the contrast of dark pearls with a saturated cord, hints of wet, cobalt dye, or a buckle with a semiprecious-gemstone-meets-wet-paint look lend a little touch of earth and mixing pigments.

Shoot. Ok, I just pushed 'publish' before I was done-- so I hope you feed subscribers get to the Frankenthaler part, cos' it's the whole point!! Anyway...Helen Frankenthaler's work, and a photo of her at work (isn't she lovely??) appear below. I especially love the blue and green of the work immediately below, titled "The Bay".

LIGHT SURFACES { photography by gemma comas }

I really enjoyed flipping through these photos by Gemma Comas. Not to mention, I thought that the image at the top was fitting for today.

Gemma has a wonderful eye, and I love how she plays with light in her shots...many of them have a subdued, afternoon-y quality. I also love how she explores transparent color-- like petals and glass.

I hope everyone enjoys their day today. I'm up in the air about it, but I may try and go to Times Square to watch the Inauguration on the JumboTron. It's rare for me to want to head out to spend time in a huge crowd...but this really seems like a moment for the history books...and in a way, I want to experience that.

DELFT-LY { dorophy tang }

Goodness me. These Diana F+ cameras are just really, really cool and I like them. They were created by Dorophy Tang, an artist who hails from China and has done work for Adidas, Epson and the Beijing Games, among others. I wish I could find more information about her, but she doesn't seem to have a website. sigh.

Anyway, Flickr deleted my account without because I behaved badly (no, no lascivious pictures, but I linked to an image that was there, and they didn't like it.) I'd love to say it was an accident, but I knew what I was doing, and didn't think I'd get caught. Ohhhh well. I am bad and I always think I'm immune to the rules. Sometimes it pays off. This time, well, it didn't. Boo Hoo for me. But yes, you can see them there. Actually: here.

Learn more about Lomo and look at more Diana+ and Diana F+ models right here.

LOTS TO SEE { photography by katya de grunwald }

Yay! Here comes the weekend. And what a week it has been for me. I've been very busy...to my surprise...that's why no post yesterday. Sorry about that, but I thought that maybe, since that peacock feather necklace was so popular, that might be ok. For those of you swooning over that jewelry I really apologize for posting it during an economic downturn. But, it had to be done.

Anyway, I love the color and poetic femininity of Katya De Grunwald's work...and though this may be one of the posts where I am telling everyone something they already know...her gorgeous interior design photography and fashion photography can be found right here.

On a design sidenote-- I really love the way she has designed her site. Not too wordy...but well organized, easy to navigate, and it makes a great introduction.

On a you and me sidenote-- I'm so happy so many of you stopped by Hey Susy this week. Thank you!! xx s