katie

Today is my 23rd Birthday!

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:26:44 -0500

Thanks Mom & Dad. Couldn’t have done it without you.

Creativity is Not Design - A Test

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:36:22 -0500

Creativity is not design. Creativity has nothing to do with design. Creativity is bound by no laws, rules, or strictures …which is perhaps why it’s so intoxicating (sometimes to the point of delusion). Design, on the other hand, is based entirely on math, psychology, human perception, and a host of rigid rules and laws that can be broken by only a highly skilled few. Those unfamiliar with these laws and rules, and the associated sciences are by no definition designers.

(via)

My Workday Birthday desk!! The Polka dot balloon is my...

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:28 -0500

My Workday Birthday desk!! The Polka dot balloon is my favourite!

The Anything Project

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:05:46 -0500

The Anything Project was intended as a promotional piece for UVic, but it gave me goosebumps. Especially this one.

The Anything Project is about aspirations and dreams, and we hope you will share yours by answering the question; “If you could do anything, what would you do?”

And, In the spirit of The Anything Project I would like to ask you: If you could do anything, what would you do?

livejamie: This is a Congolese “Sapeur” - They’re gangs of men...

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:01:53 -0500

livejamie:

This is a Congolese “Sapeur” - They’re gangs of men that spend tens of thousands of dollars on expensive European designer suits while frequently otherwise living in abject poverty.

They have gang battles where instead of fighting each other, they have “Defi de Sape” - They go to another gang’s turf where their presence demands that the host gang run home and change into their finest suits to prove that they’re classier.

Their gangs have names like “L’Association des Anglais” (The Association of Englishmen) and “Deux Grands Dandies de la Capitale” (Two Rich Dandies.)

They are awesome.

This is fascinating.

EEEEEEEEK. If not for my birthday, for Christmas. Pretty please,...

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:50:49 -0500

EEEEEEEEK. If not for my birthday, for Christmas. Pretty please, with sugar on top?

kateordie: Today! New! My forearms belong to the dead and I...

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:17:00 -0500

kateordie:

Today! New! My forearms belong to the dead and I love them.

Couldn’t be happier with it.

A question: how do YOU respond to the pain of tattoos? I’ll be honest here, I get the mean shakes. I feel incredibly cold and shaky, usually about 4 hours after getting the work done. Bury myself under blankets and have a stiff drink.

I sweat. Like real bad. During, I mean… But after I think I just become tired.. probably dehydrated. That aside, and even though I told you this already, this is gorgeous! It’s vibrancy makes me re-consider my preference toward black and gray.. even though I know it’s brand new… eee! Can’t wait to see in IRL.

sheisdeadagain: larrysoliman: Dallas Green - The Girl I...

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:08:54 -0500

sheisdeadagain: larrysoliman:

Dallas Green - The Girl

I picked up tickets for his Halifax show February 1st. It almost sold out, but they added a second show on the 2nd which has sold out. So pumped. HUGE fan.

the typedia logo design process

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:15:01 -0500

the typedia logo design process:

nikography:

this is such a good read!
includes lots of sketches and email correspondence.

[in contrast to type design] the letters in a logotype can be designed to fit the specific relationships of the letters surrounding it, and a logo must exhibit some degree of distinctiveness in order to do its job well. — john langdon

Dark Denim Woes

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:29:32 -0500

I got a new pair of very dark Guess jeans (best fit for my body - take note ladies with some hip and thigh up in hurr). I want them to stay dark for as long as possible. I have had two pair of Guess jeans in the last two years that last for about a year each. They are the desired colour for about three months and then just loose their ability to be dressed up. With this new pair I want to try a pre-wash soak of salt. I have read in some places and heard from a friend that this is a good way to reduce the amount of fading to dark denim.

I will, of course, be washing them inside out, in cold water, and hanging to dry. But should I be putting the salt in the washing machine, or just soak them in a bucket before putting them through the cycle? For how long? How much salt? One forum said 3tbsp, which seems like a lot.

I need to get this pair hemmed before I wear them and want to wash them first. Has anyone out there tried the salt soak with their dark denim? If so, what was your method?

junglejustine: Limited Edition Pleated Kimono Dress of Kate...

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:55:22 -0400

junglejustine:

Limited Edition Pleated Kimono Dress of Kate Moss’, TopShop oriental inspired collection.

This is really classy and another one of my wants. The type of dress you save for a date.

LOVE.

Also, Justine: I like when you tell us where you find the pieces you like!

TRAILER FOR CLINT EASTWOOD'S INVICTUS, STARRING MATT DAMON AND MORGAN FREEMAN

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:17:28 -0400

TRAILER FOR CLINT EASTWOOD'S INVICTUS, STARRING MATT DAMON AND MORGAN FREEMAN:

peterwknox:

This trailer is awesome and people are going to get excited about the rugby aspect.

Come one, come all!

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:38:58 -0400

I finally got around to installing analytics on my page! Err.. I mean I signed up for an account and had my ~~web guy~~ friend Matt set it up for me. Please add me to your RSS or follow along however you please! I plan to up the ante of my posts in the coming days, weeks, months (and years?!?) and may even look into getting my own domain.

If you want, you can follow me on twitter, and get the blog update reminders from there.

Merci!

My H1N1 is better than your H1N1

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:03:00 -0400

Getting the facts straight about H1N1 and it’s accompanying vaccine is pretty much impossible. Information is being put out faster than I can consume it; in dribs and drabs from multiple sources, each with their own slanted view on what individuals should do.

(go here to see the info graphic)

The last few days have been the worst for information overload. I’ve gotten an email from a co-worker with a chart that compares the symptoms of the Seasonal Flu with H1N1, I’ve read articles, talked to my Mom, and even conducted an office poll to see who was getting the vaccine - talking to each person about their thoughts as to why or why not.

Ultimately, through my very limited research, it really seems to be a personal preference that is based on a few factors (note: this is not a comprehensive list, it’s just what I found were people’s most common responses):

Whether you suffer from Asthma or Diabetes (or any other pre-existing health issues)
If you have a pregnant spouse or partner (or have kids)
If you already get the Seasonal Flu vaccine each year
What your “beliefs” in traditional medicine are
How much you know about the vaccine and the virus

From a personal standpoint (since it’s obvious you’re all dying to know), I’m leaning towards not getting the vaccination. I do not vaccinate against the Seasonal Flu. I don’t even remember the last time I got the flu shot was, which is weird, since I also can’t remember when the last time I had the flu was (don’t worry - I’ve already knocked on wood a few times). I don’t think that is a coincidence, although I’m sure a few scientists would argue otherwise.

I know I’m not invincible. I’m not the type that lives an overly active or hyper-healthy lifestyle. I do eat my fruits and veggies as much as I can, try to get 7 or 8 hours of sleep each night and I don’t suffer with Asthma or Diabetes. All of this leads me to believe in my immune system and it’s ability to fight a virus like H1N1.

Other people in the office had their own reasons for their decision concerning the vaccine. What I noticed as the underlying issue was an overall lack of knowledge about H1N1 and the vaccine itself. Does it actually inject you with the virus? Will I get sick anyway? Didn’t they develop this kinda fast? Where can I get the vaccine? Is it free? Who is the most susceptible? Do I have to stand in line?

Our health is an important issue. I don’t think I have the answers to any of those questions for sure, because everything I read has a different answer. MAJOR PROBLEM, MAINSTREAM MEDIA. MAJOR PROBLEM.

Marais USA

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:43:25 -0400

magicmolly:

Last year I spent a very enjoyable day modeling in Prospect Park with the Marais girls. They just put up a new collection which I strongly recommend— and I do not often recommend shopping.

Haley and Catherine approach shoes the way I imagine French women approach dessert carts: with discerning taste and incredible restraint. The collection is an edited selection of improved classics, a bit like A.P.C. but so much better and so much less expensive. Not expensive at all, in fact.

Everything is perfectly tasteful; you can do no wrong. I am saving up for two (TWO!) new pairs.

Beautiful shoes and website!

there was supposed to be a “read more” thing on that last one, but it’s not...

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:16:41 -0400

there was supposed to be a “read more” thing on that last one, but it’s not working. Sorry about that!

I am a guest blogger on the Flight Centre's travel blog today!

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:11:00 -0400

In late August/early September 2008 I took a trip to Peru with some friends from university. Prior to graduating in May 2008 most of us were in a senior design class that, traditionally, was set up to teach print design. We decided to take the class to another level - use our design knowledge to help people and try and do solve the ultimate design problem: Changing The World.

We went on a whirlwind trip and I was asked to blog about it on behalf of the group and to help promote the cause we had set out to be a part of. Threads of Peru was launched a few months ago. You can buy textiles made by the Andean women of Peru. The money is put in trust for three very remote communities and used to foster the art of weaving in these areas of Peru.

Read on for the post or click here to read it on the Flight Centre blog! Also make sure you visit Threads of Peru. it is a good cause that I am very proud to be a part of. Plus, the weavings we sell at our Ebay Store are some great Christmas present ideas!

Hundreds of thousands of people flock to Peru to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Machu Picchu each year. My trip to Peru wasn’t centered around the breath-taking landmark, but I did hike up the famous mountain and it’s bigger (but younger) brother mountain, Huayna Picchu (or more well known as ‘Wayna Picchu’). How could I not?

[Me looking oh so tourist-y at Machu Picchu]

While there are many awesome tourist destinations in Peru, my trip had a focus: helping people. The group I traveled with (Project Peru) had a design–centered approach to helping others that wasn’t about swooping in and solving all of the world’s problems with our money. Our approach was (and remains) designing by doing. By going to Peru we gained insight into how we would go on to help the Indigenous Weavers (predominately women) in - what grew from one to three - Andean villages. Yes, we had a specific group in mind before heading to Chaullacocha, Rumira Sandormayo, and Chupani, but we hadn’t pinpointed exactly what it was we could do to help them – or how we should do it. The trip taught us all of that and more.

My time in Peru was riddled with life experiences I will never forget – from sleeping in an Andean valley a three-hour hike from the road, to seeing stray dogs fighting in the streets of Urubamba. Of course, the most hilarious and memorable stories are always the most embarrassing.

As one might assume, the washroom facilities in South America differ depending on your location, and in Peru can even differ drastically from building to building. On our way to the peninsula, as the sun was setting and my depth perception was at its worst, I unfolded myself from the van in my flip flops (first mistake) to use the washroom. Our tour guide had convinced a store owner to let us use his facilities for one Peruvian Sole each (about $.30). Long story short: said facilities were really just a hole in the ground and because there was no lighting I ended up sticking my bare foot in whatever was surrounding the “toilet” area. It was mushy and wet to say the least and I would never attempt an outdoor washroom situation without full footwear again!

[Exhibit 2: one of the various washroom facilities in Peru]

As it turned out, I would have many more opportunities to use outdoor facilities. We visited multiple villages, tourist areas, ruins, and cities on our trip. Doing so helped us better understand the weaving traditions in Peru; how they relate to the tourist industry and how they might better relate to an online audience. Factory-made wools and textiles were all you could get at most of the tourist markets, which lead us to believe that the hand spun wools and hand woven textiles were to be cherished even more and could become a valued piece of art in the North American or European market.

We also had a chance to meet with the women who shear, dye, spin and weave in the three villages. The talented, selfless, and lovely women we spoke with (via Spanish and Quechua translators) had stories to tell that we could relate to: they want the best for their families and they are proud of what they do. It only made sense that they get the chance to make a living doing it.

[Left: Synthetic machine made textiles, Right: Hand woven textiles using natural dyes.]

This is when we knew we had something in Threads of Peru.

Our website is now the portal for any First World citizen to learn about the laborious craft, while simultaneously supporting the communities we learned so much about on our trip. By buying directly from the weavers - cutting out the middleman - we can maintain a manageable but sustainable income for each woman.

[Project Peru group at the terraces of Moray]

I can safely say that I learned so much more through attempting to affect positive change in Peru than a simple pilgrimage to Machu Picchu could have ever taught.

seriouslythough: liezlwashere: Creep by Ingrid Michaelson...

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:24:25 -0400

seriouslythough:

liezlwashere:

Creep by Ingrid Michaelson
originally by Radiohead

lickystickypickyme: ogvanillagorilla:trappinandfappin:emmahundre...

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:45:00 -0400

lickystickypickyme:

ogvanillagorilla:trappinandfappin:emmahundreds:blissed:

Jay- Z, what up with that face Boo?

Also: What up with the pants, Boo? And why is that dude in front of you wearing a dish towel as a scarf? SEE YOU ON FRIDAY NIGHT! You can explain this to me then.

Tights Are Not Pants

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:06:17 -0400

Tights Are Not Pants:

sade:

dot com

heeheeeee!