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Finally received my new Botins from Beatrice Valenzuela.
After seeing them on my friends Hadley & Thomas for over a year, I decided to get a pair of my own.
I love the leather, and the stitching- especially with the orange thread.
I also love the simplicity of her packaging: the boots came wrapped in a piece of muslin, tied at 2 ends furoshiki style with her name branded into the cloth.
Oh, and those flaps of leather on the back of the boots- I always thought they were an odd decorative touch, but they actually help you pull your boots on!I'm already planning my next BV purchase: her Brazil Shoes, but in the Colbalt Blue, as pictured here on Megan's lovely blog.
All of the used books featured below, I purchased from Alias Books- from both their East & Westside locations. Like so many good things that have recently appeared in my life, I have Joanna to thank for turning me on to this wonderful resource.
I look at blogs, magazines, nature, gallery and museum shows etc. for inspiration. But my favorite source for unexpected inspiration is a good used book. I really enjoy going into a used bookstore, with no preconceived notions of what I am going to purchase, and just allow myself to be intuitively drawn to a book. A book that I am attracted to can come from any section, any subject. Most of the time, I am initially unaware of why I am compelled to choose a particular book from the shelf. I'm often unsure if a book will be of any use my design work. Sometimes it does prove useful; sometimes I purchase a book seemingly for the pure enjoyment of it, and it ends of having nothing to do (consciously) with my work. Bookstores that sell just new books are nice too, but I find the quirky selection of used book stores to be more surprising.
Here are a few recent purchases:
I've wanted a pair of Martin Margiela Tabis since the 1990's. Wouldn't it be fun (and more affordable) to make your own? The tabi's pictured with the circles are especially nice...very Cosmic Wonder Light Source.
I purchased this book to help with my pottery technique. But who knows? The textures and forms pictured in this book may end up influencing my textiles. In addition to being an instruction manual, this nice little text includes photos of ceramic works by Lucie Rie, Gertrud and Otto Naztler, and Ettore Sottsas, among others.
I have only been to Death Valley once. I want to go back. I love the desert, I do. I find desert landscapes endlessly beautiful, spiritual, and haunting. This guide book was initially published in the 1950's and is illustrated with photographs by Ansel Adams.
Perhaps my favorite recent find: Sally Mann, At Twelve. These are just detail shots of her beautiful photos...if you can, try to find the book to get an accurate sense of the gorgeous complexity of these images. My interest in photography has become stronger over the years...but I know that I purchased this particular book for reasons beyond a surface interest in photography.
I'll show you a couple more books later this week...
A good weekend. We didn't make it to the High Desert Test Sites as originally planned, but we made up for it with other activities.
Friday: Taco Night with H, T, and J.
Sat. : Stopped by ACME to see the Monique Prieto show. I always love taking a peek in the back office, too: Pics 1,2-- Matt Merkel Hess ceramic trashcans (he'll be closing out the year with a solo show at ACME--very excited about this one), a gorgeous Caitlin Lonegan painting with hydrangeas.
Saw Bryan Ferry at the Greek. Love that man.
The way to go to the Greek & avoid nasty stacked parking: Park your car on Hillhurst or thereabouts, get an outdoor table at Little Dom's (not as noisy), and walk up to the Greek after dinner. Easy peasy.
Sun: Yoga, errands, cleaning, reading, & dinner with good friends at brand new Highland Park Restaurant Maximiliano (3rd pic). Finally! A good, casual, affordable Italian Place in our hood. Brought to you by the same folks as the Oinkster.
We tried a lot of different things- all good. Especially Recommended: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Tagliatelle with Bolognese Sauce, any of the pizzas, Olive Oil Ice Cream with Sea Salt Caramel.
Blouse: Textile Design © Jennifer Parry Dodge 2011
Photo: Milena Silvano...as worn by Milena, who recently exhibited her work there!
I just love the juxtaposition of patterns here: the old, detailed floral wallpaper with my somewhat simple digital design.
I can't wait to see her entire F/W '11 collection!
Thank-you Milena.
