Death to Stereotypes

Stereotypes aren't just harmful -- they also tend to be wrong. Really, really wrong. And yet pervasive. In his New York Times op-ed, Charles Blow points out that the revival of the image of the drug-addicted black mother in popular culture (looking at you, Tyler Perry) corresponds with a remarkable drop in drug use among young black people. Black adults aged 18-25 are much less likely than the average young adult to use illicit drugs, and young black women have the lowest rates of all. This is the sort of interesting (and excellent) social development that stereotypes prevent us from seeing.

DIY: Fake Adler Vases

From re-nest.

Supplies:

old vases, cans, etc.

puffy paint

spray paint

Design Blogs: Jackie Bos

Jackie Bos has been getting some press for her mini book, I Heart the Arctic. Check out her blog to see some of her drawings -- her style is whimsical (don't worry, I mean in a witty way, not in a barf-inducing way) and spare.

Also, I didn't realize until I perused her website that she's also done work for my lovely friend Anna's Working Proof Gallery, which sells great art for many great causes. Check it out. Seriously, you must.

Design: Hella Jongerius

These are some of my all-time favorites, but her site is full of great work and interesting ideas.
Her work is always good for some inspiration.

Creative Work Environments

Well-designed environments to foster awesomeness.

Parliament workspace / Eco-friendly man den?

Vodafone head office, Portugal

Barbara Guiamaraes Arquitectos

From trendbible, via craftmba.

Design Blogs: Elsita

WOW. Paper-cutting, fabric art, jewelry. Highly recommended.

Should You Be an Entrepreneur?

Hey, everybody's doing it. But should you? Harvard Business Review has a 2-minute, 20 question test to help you figure it out.

Are you an artist? Here's some business-related thoughts for you, from Whitney of Whitney's Pottery. And yes, the pottery is fabulous.

Design: Excellent Ideas

Here's an excellent idea -- cozy/cuff. It's bracelet! It's a coffee-cup-holder! There are lots of cute finger-protecting coffee-cup-holding things out there, but I like the concept that you wear it, so you don't forget it. A bit like the ubiquitous hair tie-on-wrist, except attractive.

ART: Rebecca Campbell

Power lines are one of those things that are so graphically strong that they appeal to some artistic-minded people, but that appeal isn't necessarily an easy thing to translate into art. Behold, Rebecca Campbell's fabulous power line paintings. The colorful underpainting peeking out from behind her backlit shapes is remarkable.

I also like this piece, Satellite, which is listed under her paintings but is made of copper and nickel wire.

Rebecca Campbell's site

Sporty Details

Love the sporty details for spring. Neon colors, crazy nylon cord, etc.

Here, new Camper shoes.

Personal Mantras

Always a good one to remember:

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett

On Gay Marriage

I recently joined a Facebook group supporting gay marriage, and read this interesting quote in the reviews. To counter critics who wrote that the Bible is "against" gay marriage, I shared my view that the "traditional" marriage that people claim the Bible describes/supports is 1) polygamy and 2) an entirely different thing than our modern view of marriage as a romantic love-based union between two willing equals. I also had the pleasure of reading this gentleman's quote -- from the West Wing tv show.

President Josiah Bartlet: Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.

Dr. Jenna Jacobs: I don't say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.

President Josiah Bartlet: Yes it does. Leviticus.

Dr. Jenna Jacobs: 18:22.

President Josiah Bartlet: Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I have you here. I'm interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She's a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be?

While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff Leo McGarry insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police?

Here's one that's really important because we've got a lot of sports fans in this town: touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point?

Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads?

Think about those questions, would you?

ART: Richard Salcedo

Another nice pick from Google's Artist of the Day -- San Diego painter Richard Salcedo. Drips, typography -- love the graffiti influence.

Continued Irony

A pic from the "Super Sunday with Sarah" event, starring Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, and Ted Nugent. What, poor spelling and Nugent at the same event? SHOCKING.

And no, I'm not making fun of this kid, because it's obvious from the hand-writing on that sign that he did not make it.

ART: Hunter Stabler

STUNNING.

Hunter Stabler is Google's artist of the day.

Check out his intricate graphite on paper and cut paper work.

Fashion: More Spring10 J Crew Lookbook

J Crew has become a reliable source of styling suggestions. Their Spring 2010 lookbook has some ideas for wearing a number of the season's trends.

The "tough + ladylike" look is still strong -- especially with big, rough jewelry, or sporty touches, to offset sequins and ruffles. I especially like their approach to spring's soft neutrals and pastels (like blush and lavender) - add a little orange or acid yellow, to keep it all from becoming super-meh. Including a decent amount of warm grey also works.

Fashion: Spring10 J Crew Lookbook

J Crew Spring Lookbook review at Refinery 29

Slideshow at FabSugar

Jewelry:

Tom Binns, Alice in Wonderland Collection

I'm loving the collections that the new Alice in Wonderland movie is spawning.

Here we have Tom Binn's red-and-black jewelry -- lots of hearts, dark chains, and graphic touches. The keyhole-shaped element in the first piece is particularly apt.