see this: things i like in my room.

make this: do it yourself office.

The time had come when I decided I needed to create a real life workspace. I wanted to spend close to $0 and avoid at all costs the ever prevalent but tragically ugly office decor. The spending $0 was alas… unfeasible but with a little ingenuity, a killer idea (stolen from our empire’s headquarters) and a lot of spray paint I managed to create a place I enjoy more than my bed (which although comfy does not encourage optimal work doing). First I raided Salvation Army of ALL (and I mean ALL) of their frames. This happened exactly 7 minutes before they closed and so it was really like that game show where they let you go into a grocery store and fill your cart with as much as you can in 3 minutes…only instead of picking up cheez doodles and hot pockets I scored frames. I spray painted the frames and an old tacky bulletin board in black, hung them on the walls (sans photos) and volià…instant trendy office.

happy halloween.

sunday project: glorified fort.

So you are sitting Sunday morning-after in your dorm/apartment/lover’s apartment, staring at blank walls, and it suddenly occurs to you that life would be much sunnier with an in-house harem/opium den/snuggle locale. But alas. Recession. Luckily, all you have to do is take some inspiration from the Red Green Show (yes, that Canadian comic classic) and find some duck tape. You will also need the following:

1. Translucent curtains with loops on the top 2. Ribbon 3. A particularly risque looking corner of the apartment (preferably with windows) 4. As many middle-eastern themed pillows and blankets as you can find 5. A certain willingness to embrace Aladdin style decorating and/or vodka 6. Roommate/friend/totally whipped one-night stand

The key to this stunning structure’s stability is to loop the ribbon through the top of the curtains and tape excessively. Additionally, roll up an extra curtain along the top to cover the tape. Add a lamp, turn off the rest of the lights, and come away to a land in a faraway place…and that’s all the lyrics I remember. Isn’t it fun being a third grader again? 

 

eXPAT: t4s barajas…the terminal I could never leave

I personally do quite a bit of flying, spending about 30,000 miles of my life annually in the skies.  Since this travel is mostly international, I get to see a wide variety of airports, terminals, and other transport related gems (or busts).

I was quite excited to be flying to Madrid (among other reasons, of course) because I would be seeing the satillite Terminal 4 for the first time.  It boasts architecture that is obviously not trying to be the latest, the trendiest, the coolest, but still manages to exude an energy and feel that, I personally feel, represents the Spain of the 21st century. A Spain that is warm, energetic, modern, progressive, and willing to think a little outside the box.  That sounds like a country where I could spend a lot of time.

your run of the mill asian fusion/lecture space/eatery.

royal/t first cropped up on the capslock radar because of its matcha milk tea and tuna tartare sandwiches. turns out the place is a full on art gallery/event location/lecture space/restaurant hybrid. so, naturally, the waitresses wear french maids outfits. i’m dying to go and drool over their inventive sandwiches and fine furnishings located in the surprising location of culver city, california. a full synopsis will be posted in a couple weeks when i visit the golden state. (pics are courtesy of our good friend, mr. yelp).

partial to things that sparkle.

photo(s) of the day!

impeccable composition without even trying.

cambria, ca.

 

 

every year, we take a road trip up the coast to cambria. this jaunt always involves 1) honey tasting in santa rosa 2) gelato in ojai 3) paying respects to hearst castle. william randolph hearst built a mediterranean village on an obscure hilltop in cambria and it became the destination for celebrities in the 1940s. everything about this place is outrageous: the pools, the wine cellars, the guest bathrooms. it’s definitely lust-worthy and it has me wondering how i can diy red velvet walls and spanish ceilings…

E-Gads!

because i haven’t raved about theselby enough. australian photographer jonathan zawada compiled this poster from the many interior shots on the website. limited run of 275 posters all signed and numbered will be on sale on the website starting tomorrow. zawada’s practically giving these away ($25) so you can bet my bum will be parked in front of a computer, credit card in hand.