Deim Chau: Porcelain, Toothpicks and Paper Sculptures

As a child, I was fascinated with all things tiny, especially dollhouses, miniature furniture and porcelain tea sets.   I always wanted to play house, but not within a space created with child scaled furniture, but within a doll's house, without the doll.   In my mind's eye, I was a tiny figure and  I could walk from room to room and sit on a tiny chair, eat at a tiny table, pour a tiny teapot and sleep in a tiny bed.  These were exercises in visualizing the act of living and as an Architect, I still practice this same exercise, in very much the same way, except I am in my Client's shoes.

I am reminded of this childhood fascination after seeing these images from the work of the artist Diem Chau.   Using common materials and methods, her work captures moments in our shared communal memory. 

I am instantly transported to comfortable spot  in my own little world.

Still Trying by Diem Chau, using porcelain cups and saucers, toothpicks and paper:

 

Below, Origami by Diem Chau, using porcelain bowl, toothpicks and paper:

Below, Mahjongg by Diem Chau, using porcelain bowl, toothpicks and paper:

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet: The Kitchen Workhorse

I lost my favorite pan, the Lodge Logic 12" Diameter Cast Iron Skillet, on our move from New York City  to the Caribbean last year.

I LOVED this pan. 

I bought it many years ago and in the Kitchen, we were both the same, young and unseasoned.

But in no time, we changed. 

Like as a trusty steed, my pan would await me everyday, a workhorse at the stove top.

Together, we would practice basic cooking techniques: sauteing, roasting, frying, poaching, steaming, stir-frying, baking and so on.

We had a symbiotic relationship. Each day, I developed as a cook and each day, my pan developed a patina.

While its exterior of crusty, hardened oil manifested its age, its interior, glossy and smooth, demonstrated its experience.

Out of respect for my old Kitchen companion, I did not want to replace the pan until we moved into our new apartment, a couple of months ago.
I found it at our local Target store for under $20, only a few dollars more than I remember purchasing it for years ago.

My new pan is similar, but is different from my beloved one.

The new one is befitting our new life, it is pre-seasoned and is ready to get cooking.

London Undercover: Umbrellas with With and Style

I recently had to dispose of my favorite umbrella and even though it has rained several times in NYC since my loss, I have resisted picking up just any umbrella.


My thoughts of food and fashion this week remind me of these tasty umbrellas from the British company, London Undercover.


They combine functionality and cheekiness in just the right proportions for the perfect undercover recipe.

Cheers!
  
Below, Fish and Chips Umbrella:

Below, English Breakfast Umbrella:

These can be purchased online in the US from Any Old Iron, a specialty shop in NYC selling menswear from the UK.

Lisa Farmer: Curious Creature Containers

Ask anyone who knows me, I love bags and am attracted to curious creatures of nature, so how could I not be lured to these bags that are bag and creature rolled into one.

Sure, most animal shaped bags are pure kitsch or are for children, but these fabulous handmade pieces, designed by Lisa Farmer, are portable art that I would love to tote around.

 Below, Fish Out Of Water:

Below, Holy Mackerel!:

Below, Fly In The Ointment:

 Below, Bug In His Ear (This one is my favorite):

Via Trendland

Fulvia Bonavia: A Matter of Taste

Food and fashion, friends or enemies?

While the first thing that comes to mind are diets and eating disorders, the images from the book "A Matter of Taste" by photographer Fulvio Bonavia make me think otherwise.

These delicious images celebrate the tasty marriage of food and fashion.

 

 Source: Trendland

 

Stripes-Animals

I am fascinated by stripes.

At its simplest, the pattern is a series of bands on a common background.

I love to wear stripes and yes, they are horizontal stripes.
Even if I am told by the fashion world that they can make one appear wider than reality, I am not fazed.

Stripes make me happy and like these beautiful creatures of nature, I wear my stripes with great pride.


 Plains zebra, Image Source:

Albino Zebra, Image Source :

Siberian Tiger, Image Source:

White Tiger, Image Source:

Skunk, Image Source:

Bongo,  Image Source:

Brazilian Tapir, Image Source:

Numbat, Image Source:

Okapi, Image Source:

Black and White and Stripes All Over

I love most all things striped, especially in the the graphic combination of black and white.

I was intrigued by this post on emmas designblogg of the renovated interior of a former sea captain's house and now the home of Swedish industrial designer Kristin Stark, located in the South of Sweden.

White wall and painted gray floors are the background for a mix of black and white furniture, textiles and artwork with vibrant splashes of color thrown into the mix.

It is the quintessential Scandinavian style, fresh, simple and elegant.

 

From the Hus & Hem article Svart och vitt i kaptenshuset