OK GO'S LATEST MIND BENDING VIDEO

I have written about Ok Go's crazy music videos before. This group is incredibly creative, both musically and visually. There color palette, costuming and choreography are on point. But, seriously, my mind is BLOWN but this latest video for the single 'Upside Down & Inside Out'. It was shot entirely in zero gravity. No special effects. Enough said.

Learn more about Ok Go here.

OFF THE WALL: INSPIRATIONAL WALLPAPER

Hi, there. I realize it has been ages since I last posted but, to be honest, social media has been the last thing on my mind recently. Normally I try to keep things really light on here (it is a blog about things that make me happy after all), but recently I haven't been feeling very sunny so I have kept quiet until I felt up to the task of being the obsessive, colorful person you have come to know.

It's been a tough year for the hubby and me. (Note: I have the best person by my side I could ask for; nothing like a few dozen crises to make you realize how much you can't live without someone.) We have faced a lot of professional challenges this year that have tested our fortitude, self-assurance and conviction. I am proud to say that we have both come out on top and are each looking forward to starting new exciting jobs in the very near future. For me, however, that means an insane push to the finish line with my dissertation, a push that has been incredibly stressful, a bit chaotic, and largely overwhelming. I am continuing to move forward and check things off my to do list, but sometimes it is hard to keep from getting knocked out by the tidal wave of work left to do in a very short amount of time.

On top of that I have been facing some upsetting health issues for the past several weeks that have really thrown me (and the hubby) for a loop. It's been hard to work through them (in fact, I am still working through them) and manage to stay productive and upbeat. Some days, hey sometimes most days, I just want to curl up at home with a Netflix marathon and pretend nothing's happening, nothing is on my to do list, no major life changes are barreling down on me.

But that only works for so long, right?

So I am checking in today—possibly one of the few times for the rest of the summer—to give myself (and you, by association) a public pep talk. Life stinks sometimes. It's messy and painful and stressful and—worst of all—often completely out of your control (remember the obsessive part of my title?). But giving up will get you nowhere and its how you handle the tough parts of life that define who you are  and help you be grateful for the countless things in life that are good (and I have so many things to be grateful for on that end). So today's 'Off the Wall' desktop download is a quote by William Shakespeare. I am going to put it on my computer for the next several weeks and use it as a mantra as I work to get healthy and work to get this dissertation done. Because we all need a little reminder of what we are capable of now and then, don't you think?

Thanks for reading this update. If you want to download the wallpaper (for free) you can do so here:

OFF THE WALL | BOLDNESS BE MY FRIEND

Have a great week!

THE ARTIST SPEAKS

SCOTLAND: A LAND OF GREAT AND MYSTERIOUS BEAUTY

I haven't had a chance to process my photos or videos from our trip thus far—hard to believe we are almost halfway done!—but I can say we have some great adventures and, despite some unseasonably cool and cloudy weather, have basked in the great and vast landscape that is Scotland. We spent several days in the Scottish Highlands this week and truly enjoyed its splendor. I think this short film by Josh Brine on Vimeo captures much of the magic here; I hope you like it!

(Thanks to swissmiss for the conveniently timed tip!)

MAKERS AND BROTHERS

There are some beautiful things in the Makers and Brothers shop. There are also some perfectly styled shots of those pretty things. Color me impressed.

Get the full effect on their website here.

FOLLOW UP: TOMMY PEREZ'S INSTAGRAM

Whoa! Yesterday, after posting about the inspiring series A to Zöe created by adorable dad Tommy Perez, I fell down a Googling black hole and go lost in the magic and colorful wonder of Perez's instagram account. Seriously, this guy is incredible! Turns out Perez not only has major typography skills, but also is a master at logo design, paper cutting and illustration. If I had taken a different fork in the road and had decided to become a graphic designer instead of an art historian, I would want to become this guy's best friend, stat. As is, I kind of want to anyway!Check out Perez's instagram account and personal website here for a look into his beautiful, vivid work.

A JOLT OF SUMMER FOR A COLD DAY

I am officially tired of all this hangover winter weather! The calendar says it's spring but the thermometer says it's 40 degrees outside. What gives?!

I'm not waiting anymore for a punch of color and fun in the sun. So here are a couple photos that are helping me pretend shorts and summer sun are right around the corner . . . . hope they help pick you up too! Now bring on the ice cream!

image credits: patterned wall | 'F' poster | wooden letter blocks | note to self poster

THE ARTIST SPEAKS

(Check out this beautifully illustrated video of interviews with the incomparable architect, designer and visionary Buckminster Fuller here.) 

POSTMODERN JUKEBOX

Recently I stumbled something amazing. I may be the last person onto this trend (given their millions of views already), but have you seen the performances of Postmodern Jukebox? It's a musical group organized by band leader Scott Bradlee that reworks popular songs—by famous folks like Meghan Trainor, Queen, Miley Cyrus, etc.—with a big band style. Now you can hear the Guns N Roses hit 'Sweet Child of Mine' in the style of New Orleans swing or Macklemore's catchy 'Thrift Shop' with a ragtime beat. As someone who has seriously eclectic taste in music, I love hearing many of my favorite songs remade in some of my favorite classic genres. The arrangements are incredibly well done, almost seamless, with fabulously talented vocalists. Once you start up on PMJ's YouTube playlist here you likely won't stop. I have included some of my favorites above to get you started but I can guarantee there is a lot more musical fun to be had.

Learn more about the group on their Facebook page here and about their tour dates on their website here.






p.s. They even cover cartoon theme songs. Awesome!

DANIEL CEREJO IS AN INSTAGRAM JEDI MASTER

Daniel Cerejo is an Instragram master. His unique experiments with architecture, shadows and an impressive toy collection make his Instagram photos a true joy to discover day in and day out.

Do yourself a favor and follow his feed here.

(Like Instagram? You can also check out my feed here. #shamelessplug Thanks to My Modern Met for the tip.)

OSCARS 2015

So in the past, I have honored the Oscars by doing a round up my favorite red carpet looks (2009, 2012, for example). But this year—and don't kill me for this—I just wasn't blown away by many looks. Yes, of course, everyone looked very beautiful but none of the dresses really wowed me.

You know what did impress me? Neil Patrick Harris. I thought, like Ellen last year, he managed to hit just the right note between impish, friendly, and just downright adorable. I thought his opening number was clever and fun, not the least because it was written by one of my fellow Williams College alums! Hosting the Oscars is a thankless job, and I thought NPH pulled it off!

(Also, on a random note, who knew Lady Gaga could sing like that?! Even so, Julie Andrews is still the best (just hearing her say 'Lady Gaga' made me smile) and her award presentation was so spot on classy.)

Did anyone else notice a concerted effort to add a creative eye to the visuals of the award show this year? Many pre-recorded cutaways (the tribute portion, the reading of non-acting-related nominations) involved quite beautiful visualizations. A lot focused on watercolor layerings of portraits and drawings, but my hands down favorites were the screens dedicated to Production Design.* The table top view, styled with emblematic props from the films, was evocative and arresting all at the same time. Plus it reminded me of Todd McLellan's gorgeous work, which is always a good thing, don't you think? Kudos, Oscars Art Directors!

*Note that I had to photograph my television to get these images, so forgive me for a bit of parallax and pixelation.

PER YOUR SUGGESTION: SEW WANDERLUST

Talk about dedication! Designer Teresa Lim decided some time ago that she found taking snapshots too fleeting and superficial a way to experience the places she traveled to. Instead she began embroidering her favorite settings in situ on her travels. Lim says that by taking the time to make a small sewn piece in each place she goes she becomes endowed with an intimate knowledge of that place, and walks away with more than a facile photographic souvenir.I love the idea behind Lim's project, called Sew Wanderlust, so much! But am certain I wouldn't have the patience to do this any my own trips. Too many things to do, too many sweets to eat! Still,  we can all enjoy the fruits of her labor, right?See more of Lim's embroidered travel works here.
(Thanks to my dear friend Susie for the tip; originally posted on Bored Panda)

ART-INSPIRED TATTOOS

So I am not a tattoo girl myself—I could never decide on something I know I would like forever—but I have to say that these designs are awesome. All inspired by classic modern artworks, they are part of a round up put together by Jerry Saltz of 'the best art tattoos of all time'. Super cool, right?Read the full list—including former Whitney colleague Carter Foster's commissioned Ellsworth Kelly design!—here.