Growing into Spring!

Pink Giraffe Animal Planter ~ Coastal Moss

With New York feeling as balmy as the Florida coast, and Brooklyn's tree-lined sidewalks bursting in blooms, I have plants and renewal on the mind. Thus, I thought I'd dedicate this post to the indoor gardener. What better way to toast spring, than to bring it inside with you?  Plus, with so many slick and crafty planters out there, you're bound to find something that will liven up your space, even if the green on the inside doesn't make it through the season.

Air Plant Triceratops Garden ~ EarthSeaWarrior

Lately, I've been seeing so many cool and inventive ways to house ephiphytes, or as they're commonly known, air plants. They're the perfect bit of verdure for the green thumb challenged. They can take lots of neglect, take up little space, and you can stick them in just about anything. One trend I'm digging is the animal planter. I love the grown-up feel of the Pink Giraffe Animal Plater by Coastal Moss at the top of the page. For a touch of punk, the Air Plant Triceratops Garden by EarthSeaWarrior is a winner. But for a simpler, more modern approach, the Round Hanging Air Planter by Ingleside Pottery below is a sleek and minimal alternative. Perhaps more unexpected, is what I see as an elegant take on the whiffle ball, the Air Plant Pod Holder by iloveairpods.

Round Hanging Air Planter ~ Ingleside Pottery

Air Pod Plant Holder ~ iloveairpods

Another hardy plant alternative to work with is a succulent. There are so many varieties of them, and so many fascinating shapes and colors they can take, the options are endless. That's true for planters too. Here are some of my favorites of the moment. For a bold, geometric take on timeless terra cotta, The Faceted Planter by mgmy is my top pick. It's hard to beat the beautiful color contrast terra cotta offers, and mgmy offers a funky twist on the traditional. If a hanging pot is what you're after, the Hanging Sphere Porcelain Planter by Tokyo Craft Studios is my favorite. Understated and light, it's bound to make your plants look effortlessly beautiful. And because I have a deep love of concrete, I had to include Pen and Stone Supply Co.'s beautifully cast, CRESCERE Cast Concrete Succulent Pots. 

Faceted Planter- small ~ mgmy

 Hanging Sphere Porcelain Planter ~ Tokyo Craft Studios

CRESCERE Cast Concrete Succulent Pots ~ Pen and Stone Supply Co.

Of course, as many gardeners will tell you, just about anything can become a planter. I run across creative ideas all the time for ways to house plants. One of my favorites of the moment is Notty Pooch's Planter No. 37 made from a Recycled Billboard Banner. It's bright, cheerful, unexpected, and even better, made of salvaged materials. Unlike Found Beauty Studio, I never would have thought to use a martini shaker as a planter, but their Sedum in an Upcycled Martini Shaker is enough to make me want to try this at home. So smart! However, if you want to get just a bit dirtier, then I recommend the rugged and industrial, Steampunk Trash Can or Plant Container made from Recycled Metal by Paula Art. Looking at this heavy duty S.O.B., it's hard to fathom how much work Paula put into hauling the 38 lbs of scrap metal from her backyard to make it! What's certain though, is that it looks awesome, it'll last you a lifetime, and your plants will love how much space they have to grow.

Planter No. 37- Recycled Billboard Banner, Eco-Friendly ~ Notty Pooch

 Succulent Planter- Sedum in an Upcycled Martini Shaker ~ Found Beauty Studio

 Steampunk Trash Can or Plant Container, Recycled Metal ~ Paula Art

Are you getting ready to do any planting in celebration of Spring? Found any cool pots, or have clever ideas up your sleeve? Let me know; I'd love to hear!

Spring for Mimosa By m.e.

Milky Coral Necklace ~ Madeline Ellis

As a girl on a budget, I always get a burst of excitement when I find an artist that not only makes charming pieces, but also offers them at an affordable price. Madeline Ellis, the creator behind the winsome jewelry collection, Mimosa By m.e., embodies exactly those qualities to great success. Mimosa By m.e. produces delightfully sunny, ceramic jewelry that is hand-carved, hand painted, and kiln-fired by Madeline. The pieces are so chipper they exude springtime even on the frostiest day. Plus, buying them won't burn a hole in your pocket! 

Vintage Bunting Flag Necklace

 Dandy Dandelions Stud Earrings

Madeline's entire shop is one that I would love to fill my jewelry box.  The Milky Coral Necklace up top is a fun nod to summers on the beach without harming any actual wildlife. Plus, if you spend the warmer months among cement and skyscrapers (as I do), then it's a small investment that will bring the ocean waters to you. Think of how beautiful it would look paired with a strapless summer dress! Similarly, the cheerful Dandy Dandelions Stud Earrings above will give even the most serious office attire a dose of a warmth.

Turquoise Faceted Dangle Earrings

 Gold Faceted Stud Earrings

Creating stud-sized earrings that provide interest and allure is a tough thing. However, Mimosa By m.e.'s are so brilliant their personality outshines their size. Madeline has a number of faceted earrings that are simple enough to be easily coordinated, but spirited enough to catch the eye. The Gold Faceted Stud Earrings above are actually glazed in 24k gold giving them a glamourous shine. However, if you desire a slightly different flair, then one of Madeline's many, brightly colored faceted studs below might do trick. She captures color so stunningly!

Green Faceted Earrings

Cobalt Facets

Orange Faceted Stud Earrings

Moss Green Facets

If dangly earrings are more your speed, then you might find yourself drawn to Madeline's lengthier pieces. I love the 60's mod look of her Lime Time Dangle Earrings. I can just picture them: swept up hair, charcoal eyes, A-line dress. Brigitte Bardot herself would have snatched them up. Of course, there's plenty more to choose from as you can see below.

Lime Time Dangle Earrings

Turquoise Peacock Dangle Earrings

 Spring Pink Earrings

 Grey Elephants Never Forget Earrings

Tiger on the Geaux Dangle Earrings

The best part about Mimosa By m.e. is that in addition to creating lovable jewelry, Madeline donates 10% of all quarterly earnings to Cambodia Children's Sanctuary.  Thus, any purchase you make will not only feel like a sweet gift to yourself, but also a thoughtful donation to someone in need. That's a victory for all! 

You can visit Mimosa By m.e.'s Etsy Shop to see more of Madeline Ellis' artwork and make a conscientious purchase. What are your favorite pieces? Know any other charitable artists you recommend?  As always, feel free to share!

*All photos for this post were taken from Mimosa By m.e.'s Etsy Shop. 

The Raging Battle of Brian Profilio

The Hunter ~ Brian Profilio

I'm lucky to be surrounded by a number of talented artist friends of different walks, and today I have the distinct pleasure of highlighting one of those people who is not only dear to me, but also very deserving of attention. Many fans know Brian Profilio as the long-time drummer for the genre-twisting, dark-side-luring, Budos Band. What you may not know, is that Brian is also a gifted fine artist. Having known him for several years now, I have watched him pass tedious tour hours sketching detailed illustrations in the back of a van, and I have seen his enormous aptitude for drawings, paintings, and other creations. Thus, I was particularly excited when, recently, he held an art show in his hometown of Staten Island,where he finally shared with the world many of his nefarious and highly skillful works of art.

Wight Night ~ Brian Profilio   

            The Budos Band ~ 2011 Tour of the South

You might have seen some of Brian's mythic and dastardly creatures without knowing it. Wight Night, above, was a tour poster for The Budos Band's tour of the south last year. And as a matter of fact, many other Budos Band posters, t-shirts, and collector's items were painstakingly drawn by him. Here are just a few.

The Budos Band with Pablo @ Bowery Ballroom, 2010

The Budos Band @ SF and LA, 2011

The Budos Band with Charles Bradley @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, 2011

Brian's bent for the grave and rotten is readily apparent. Like in his music, there is a veil of beastliness that shrouds all of his works. However, the complexity of each piece reveals a story that is far richer than what you might simply call "evil." Can't you sense the raging battle being wrestled in the eyes of the notorious characters below? The portraits are so well crafted they practically seem like photographs from a sinful tale in motion.

Captain Ahab

 Dracula

Captain Ahab

You may not be as attracted to the morbidity of humanity as Brian is, but it's hard to deny his utter capacity to render his wild imagination. When I saw The Groundskeeper (below) at his Enter the Summoner's Circle Art Show, I was floored by his ability to work with light. The photo doesn't do the actual piece justice. When you see it in the flesh, seeing every infinitesimal nuance sends shivers up your spine. 

The Groundskeeper

Grave in the Tree

Cthulu

Brian has a huge body of work that is not yet floating around in the public eye. Personally, I was sucked in by a painting of an icy landscape illuminated by a cold moon that was at this show, but that I haven't seen since. However, you can keep up with him best on his blog, which he seems to be updating, or, of course, on The Budos Band Facebook page which gets constant updates.  

Brian Profilio, photo by Kisha Bari

Have any thoughts to add about Brian Profilio's artwork? Share them here!

*All photos were taken from Brian Profilio's blog and The Budos Band's Facebook Page, except for the final photograph which was taken by Kisha Bari.

New (Old) Music Tuesdays: The Classic Example

Record Cover, The Classic Example, 1972 (GSF)

A couple of months ago I was sitting at my computer (as I am prone to do), scrolling through YouTube videos of old soul music, (as I am prone to do), when something extraordinary happened. I wandered on to the YouTube video of a song called "Without You" by the 1972 duo, The Classic Example (GSF). Instantly, I was mesmerized. I played the song on repeat probably 10 times in a row. I couldn't get enough! The Marvin and Tammi-esque love song with its sweet strings, lazy heartbeat of a drumbeat, and mounting swells that slide back into a starry-eyed stride were utterly entrancing. Check it out below.

"Without You" - The Classic Example, 1972 (GSF)

Thanks to "Without You" I had a new mission: find out everything I could about this mysterious duo. I searched blogs, checked eBay for records, read past auction results, and even asked my badass soul DJ friend, Nydia Ines Davila, if she had any info to share. Frustratingly, my discoveries amounted to a few measly facts I read off of popsike: The one-shot 1972 album was produced by Mickey Stevenson and Curtis Colbert on GSF Records and the names of the main singers are unknown. This Soulful Detroit message board has some more speculations you can entertain, but again, not a whole lot to go on.

"Punish Me"- The Classic Example, 1972 (GSF)

My search hit a wall yet again when I ordered the cheaper of only 2 records I could find for sale anywhere; The more expensive going for $200 on eBay is way out of my price range! It arrived... broken! So, so sad. As you can see I still don't know much about The Classic Example, but I have been able to find a few more tracks to enjoy here and there. "Punish Me" (above) features some definite Marvin Gaye-esque vocals, Motown-like backing vox, and even a touch of The Precisions. 

Aside from those videos I was able to track down a few songs that you rip or stream from links embedded in the full track listing below:

01 That's Groovy
02 Without You 
03 Punish Me
04 If You Want Me To Leave
05 Little By Little
06 We Got A Thing Going On
07 I Found Me A Girl
08 Hey There Little Girl
09 My Friend Heartaches
10 Just Another Lonely Night


Of the songs I was able to find, "That's Groovy," comes the closest to the honey-dripped melody of "Without You." As warmer days approach, you can bet I'll be listening to these two, smooth-flowing tunes, enjoying the hot sun, and taking in the slowness of summer.


Do you know anything about The Classic Example? If so, please share!

Pipe Dreams with Stella Bleu Designs

Industrial Pipe Light This Way That Way- Stella Bleu Designs

Fun. Quirky. Practical. Crafty. Such is the brilliant handiwork of Stella Bleu Designs, an industrial shelving and decor collection by artist, Katie Katzenmeyer. For the space challenged and design-attune, Stella Bleu Designs is a hip and well-made alternative to run-of-the-mill shelving and storage solutions. Based in Dallas, Katzenmeyer sources all of her salvaged materials from locally-owned businesses. Plus, each unit is made to order and beautifully welded, guaranteeing originality and longevity in your investment.

Industrial Corner Pipe Shelf

One of my favorite pieces is this Industrial Corner Pipe Shelf above. It's such a clever, stylish, and minimalist way to solve the issue of dead space in a dusty corner. As any New Yorker will attest, every nook and cranny is valuable real estate, and this shelf is a testament to that fact. 

Industrial Pipe Bookshelf Mr. X

I love how many of Stella Bleu's pieces offer versatility without being over-designed. How cool is this Industrial Pipe Bookshelf Mr. X? You can stack books in all sort of ways, and yet the piece is still simple enough that it still feels clean, not cluttered. Similarly, the Industrial Floor Lamp Bookshelf is not only a modern light fixture, but also a handy little bookshelf, perfect for cozying up in an armchair for a good read.

Industrial Floor Lamp Bookshelf

Floor Lamp Bookshelf Industrial Pipe

Live in an apartment with insufficient, or maybe even no closet space? Then you might find this Industrial Garment Rack Double Level a useful option that you won't mind showing off. In fact, hanging your clothes and belongings on this sculptural piece might soon have all your friends wishing they too had storage problems.

Industrial Garment Rack Double Level

Because the materials are salvaged, I find that the lived-in look of each piece makes it feel warm and cozy, despite being made of industrial components. Personally, I have my eye on the Industrial Pipe Shelf Level 3 Wood below. Though, honestly, browsing Stella Bleu's shop, I end up swooning over just about everything.

 Industrial Pipe Shelf Level 3 Wood

Bookshelf Industrial Pipe with Lighting

 Industrial Pipe Coat Rack

How about this Industrial Pipe Coat Rack above or the Gym Floor Coat Rack below in a mud room, or front entryway? Or, if you don't have much space to expand horizontally, make use of your vertical space with the Industrial Garment Rack Hanging. Goodbye clutter; Hello tableau vivant.

Gym Floor Coat Rack

Industrial Garment Rack Hanging

If you are drowning in books as I am, then you will find the many bookshelf options particularly appealing. Truthfully, if I had one of these in my home, I would probably use it as an excuse to get even more books. Hey, reading is good for you, right?

Industrial Pipe Bookshelf 2 Way

Bookshelf Industrial Pipe Level 2

Industrial Pipe Shelf with Lighting

You can purchase Stella Bleu pieces on both on their main website, Stella Bleu Designs, and in their Etsy Shop. Besides the models they have available to choose from, they also do custom work. In fact, according to Katzenmeyer (on the Stella Bleu website) that's her favorite sort of job. Hearing that makes me slip into thoughts of re-doing my whole kitchen with her as my design partner. Can you imagine?... Ah, pipe dreams... 

What do you think? Have any clever uses for Stella Bleu pieces? Share your thoughts!

*All photos taken from Stella Bleu Designs Etsy Shop.