New Years, New Year

So, eventually I should post my favorite things from the past year but I have no idea where to even start with that concept. It barely feels like New Years to me, but it could be because the past few years I have found myself working through the holidays and that makes it feel entirely different from the childhood memories of having two weeks off to just be with the familyMichelle sent me a link on the fb the other day that has quickly become an obsession (see above).

Also, I am getting a light box soon and will be stealing my dad's camera back so more photos of things I love will turn up soon. I am really excited about my photo light box. Probably a little too excited - on a nerd level unseen before.

2010 is going to be the year of learning new things. I am sure posts of lists will be coming soon.

Nothing to Worry About

You guys, I know this video is kind of old news but I love it so much.



xo,
michelle

Christmas mayhem...

I work retail so this time of year is insane for me. Plus, I took the handmade pledge for the holidays this year and making sure everything is handmade and ready for Christmas has been taking almost all of my time...well, that and baking a TON of cookies.

So, in order to celebrate the holidays I bring you my all time favorite holiday video....



and the original version of "White Christmas" in one of my all time favorite movies Holiday Inn...



Marjorie Reynolds is so beautiful.

Happy Holidays,
Kat

Don't Mean Maybe

This week I'm teaching a camp for preschoolers called "Magic Trunk". Working with preschoolers is gross and hilarious. Mostly hilarious. For example, today at snack they were sharing jokes with each other and this tiny three year old girl in a pretty pink dress with tights embroidered with hearts said, "Why did the chicken kill her kids? Cause she wanted to EAT THEM!!!! HAHAHAHA!" Ridiculous. Anyway, tomorrow we're pulling Where The Wild Things Are out of the Magic Trunk and making Wild Thing masks which will undoubtedly be fantastic and terrifying.


Have I ever talked about how much I love with a capital L-O-V-E Lynda Barry, especially her Marlys comics? I haven't? What's wrong with me. Here's her website. Anyway, I recently found out that she dated Matt Groening AND Ira Glass. Also, though now she refers to him as her worst boyfriend ever, Ira MOVED TO CHICAGO FOR LYNDA BARRY! Without Lynda Barry there would be no This American Life and we wouldn't even know what we were missing. Probably. Look at how awesome she is:


For Real,
Michelle

All I Ever Wanted Baby

Janis never ceases to amaze me. Check out those dance moves! Incidentally, Kristen just gave me a totally bitchin sequined blazer similar to the shiny thing she's wearing in this video.

xo,
M

My Top Three Favorite Dylans

In a very specific order.

#1 Bob Dylan in London circa 1966 (thus my obsession with Don't Look Back)



#2 Blood On the Tracks-era Dylan



#3 Crazy hat + makeup wearing Rolling Thunder Revue Dylan (which is technically pretty much the same as #2 but for the sake of this video blog, let's pretend it's not)



I'm going to Spain. Soon.

Joni Mitchell said, "I like to just kind of free-agent it. I always was a loner. I like walking around cities by myself. I can see things better. I mean, I've had some companions that I'm comfortable enough or compatible enough that I enjoy that, but often I just see better... I observe better when I'm on my own."

I agree.

Luv U,
Michelle

all i want for Christmas....

almost anything from the red velvet art site....






these cute things from urban outfitters....




and one of these adorable instant cameras...

xoxo,
kat (aka the snail)

Sorry I was gone last week...

...but I have never ironed so much in my life. That's right, I said iron. My godmother had a show and since she is a batik artist she needed a full time iron girl for the week and it was me. Plus, it is holiday time at the bookstore - which is really intense and kind of scary.


BUT - I got to go to Phillipe's in LA and eat this amazing french dip.
There was a HUGE rain storm this past week and it was BEAUTIFUL...

And we have home grown winter oranges. I love California.



I am drinking ginger tea and making Christmas presents. I am also taking it easy with my Etsy.com store for the next two weeks - I am tired and had a great craft show this weekend so it's time for a little break to make things for the family.

xoxo,
kat (aka the snail)

Church House Gin House

Let's learn this dance and then go to Talayna's. We can all take turns being Tina!



Love,
Michelle

Frank O'Hara says...

"I'm glad that the rock is heavy

and that it feels all right in my heart

like an eye in a pot of humus.

Let's write long letters on grand themes,

fish sandwiches, egg sandwiches, and cheese;

or traveling in Mexico, Italy and Australia.

I eat a lot so I won't get drunk and then

I drink a lot so I'll feel excited

and then I've gone away and I don't know where

or with whom and can't remember whom from

except that I'm back with my paper bag

and next time my face won't come with me."

Love, Michelle

PS- That picture is of Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye and I found it here.

Later May Be Too Late

Sunday Night Video!



xxo,
Michelle

Tonight I'm Excited About:

-Ravioli making Saturday

-Ravioli eating Sunday

-Seeing Emily

-Wearing hats and scarves and my big winter coat

-drinking hot, hot tea to defend myself from the biting cold

-The first snow storm (I know it's coming soon...)

-Checking out "Nuggets" and more Frank O'Hara from the library

-Depositing my pay check

-Polaroid transfers

-Dilapidated buildings
-Clara Bow, Ziegfeld Follies costumes, and flapper hair

Yours Truly,

Michelle

making a list, checking it twice...

Have I mentioned that Michelle and I are both obsessed with list making. I used to make lists daily. In fact, instead of journaling I normally just end up making lists. Silly lists, serious lists, dream lists, goal lists. I just can't stop.

Today was one of those fantastic happy days where I just want to sit down and make a list of goals. I was sick for about a week and it was awful and then today I woke up, ate pancakes, and suddenly I felt like I could take on everything (even though I ended up having a much needed lazy day.)

Here is my new list of things to do daily:

1) Always wake up before 8. There is no reason to sleep the day away and then when I need a treat or reward sleeping in can become that. But honestly, there is no reason for the way I sleep! It's a disaster!

2) Play guitar - I've been really bad about this lately because I started to associate guitar playing with singing and when I got sick I stopped singing (and thus stopped playing guitar). I even asked for guitar lessons for Christmas (there's a great place within walking distance.)

3) Take pictures. Every. Single. Day. I am never going to get better at taking pictures unless I really work at it and try it every day.

4) Blog. (this is easy - I have this blog and rambling kat so, this should not be a problem. At all.

5) CREATE ART (I think this is the most important one.) I am infamous for speaking about art and crafts and the beauty of handmade and wanting to become brilliant at it and blah blah blah but there are plenty of days where I just don't get focused and find any excuse I can to NOT start a project.

6) Read. I used to read two or three books a week. And when I was a Poli Sci major I was reading a thousand pages a week on average. I love books and I love libraries and I work in a book store...why am I not reading all the time!?!

7) Journal.

8) Go outside. I currently spend my life indoors - I used to walk everywhere (to school, to work, to the library...) but now that I've moved home I stay inside all the time and I am starting to worry I have become a nature hating hermit.

9) Write a letter a day. - This one is going to be hard but also easy. I have friends all around the world that I have fallen out of touch with - I used to constantly write letters and I loved it. I loved the joy of getting something in the mail. Michelle and Nick are soooo good at this - I get so happy and feel so loved when I find something in the mail from them. Also, I have kick ass Nancy Drew stationary that I need to use up.

10) Draw/Doodle. - I think it's just good for the soul.

I know picture blogs are more fun, sorry this is soooo wordy. I promise lots of pictures soon.
xoxo,
kat

Learning to Love You More

If you haven't already, look at Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher's incredible website. I've been wanting to work through their assignments for a long time and have finally started. Here's my first one. (I'm obviously not going in order.)

Assignment #63 Make an encouraging banner.

Love, Michelle

It's almost Christmas...

And by almost I mean it's December tomorrow and December is by far my favorite month. Fall may be my favorite season but December is my favorite month and there may be just one, tiny, beautiful reason for that....

I know I posted these photos already on my own blog but I just can't help it. I put up Christmas lights for my godmother and keep waiting for my dad to find the boxes of ours so I can decorate for him! I've also been obsessed with photo shoots like these....

(photo credit goes to this lovely blog)

Alright, it's time to go to real work, my godmother doesn't seem to need studio help til the end of the week so I am excited for a morning of crocheting and creating tomorrow!

xoxo,
kat

Nothing Short of Thankful

Today I'm thankful for:

-Craft time with my wonderful cousins
-Really cheap nail polish
-Picnic dates
-Hula-hoops and David Bowie
-My bed
-Brunch Club
-Drunken nights with friends
-Having three Thanksgivings this year
-Old pictures

-LIBRARIES!

LUV,

M

i want to learn how to do this...

It is Thanksgiving and while I COULD do a things I am thankful for list I have decided that would take too much time and be too long a list. Instead here is an awesome website I just discovered!!!
These are made of cassette tapes. Rock on.
xoxo,
kat

Listen While the Listening's Good

Dear Dr. Dog,

Sorry I used to talk shit on you. Now I totally get it and think you're wonderful.

Love,

Michelle

PS- I finally had my Cherokee day and got this incredible dress:

From this incredible store:

Some other favs from the best street in St Louis come from a weird store called The Purple Cow.

Antique Printing Plates! The Greatest Package indeed.

PPS- Kat, I said you were a hypocritical blogger. You rock at actual blogging.

all i want this week...

instant cameras are my love.

what are these german radios and why don't i have one?!?!

LOOK AT IT!!!!!

Michelle, accused me of being a bad blogger. It's true.

Also, Paper and Stitch went live with a new exhibition and I am in it! Holla!

I Believe In Cheap Art.

Judging by the way I can't stop thinking about vintage eyeglasses and cozy beaded cardigans, I think it's safe to say that a trip to Cherokee Street is impending. Sometimes I just feel like I'm being pulled there, lured by the promise of cheap and magical finds at Retro 101 and Ruth's Vintage. I can't resist a good Cherokee day.


Here is "The 'Why Cheap Art?' Manifesto" (found at Beatnick Bob's in the City Museum)




Here is a Frank O'Hara poem for you:


Les Etiguettes jaunes

I picked up a leaf
today from the sidewalk
This seems childish.

Leaf! You are so big!
How can you change your
color, then just fall!

As if there were no
such thing as integrity!

You are too relaxed
to answer me. I am too
frightened to insist.

Leaf! don't be neurotic
like the small chameleon.


Love,
Michelle

5 Things I LOVE this Monday...

1) My New Camera...




2) The Perfect Black Party Dress.
3. Beautiful Camera Bags (I hope she makes more soon...)


4) The fabric Ikea sells...5) Extremely Productive Days....like today.

create art,
the snail

Top Ten Things I Like Today

10. Feather Headdresses


9. Bunnies

8. ThisRecording.com

7. Lester Bangs for saying (amongst many other things), "Reinvent yourself and everything around you constantly"

6. James' homemade chocolate chip cookies

5. Otis Redding http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP_l-IrYedU&feature=related

4. mailing/receiving letters

3. Beef Pad Thai from Basil Spice

2. Encouraging Banners

1. Central West End stencil graffiti


Totally!,
Michelle

Little Joy Wins

Julian Casablancas has failed me...

I don't even want to talk about it. Yes, the album is that bad.

Not Fade Away

Dear friends,

Hey! Hi! It seems like we're back to blogging. Cool!

A few weeks ago I worked at this really awesome event at the Missouri Botanical Gardens for the shoe company TOMS. If you're not familiar with TOMS, they're a company that makes incredibly comfortable canvas shoes and when you buy a pair they give a pair to a kid who needs them.

The event was a "Style Your Sole" party. People would buy shoes at the Gardens and then there were a bunch of artists to decorate them.

Basically, people let me draw and paint on their shoes all day. Once I got over being nervous about totally messing up their brand-new, moderately expensive shoes, it was really fun.

I'm pretty sure these were my favorite pair. Cow + Meat Cleaver.

Lots of other really fun things have been happening including trips to California for some Kat time, New York, and Boston. Plus all of the joyous fall happenings! Maybe I'll write about all that later. For now, suffice it to say that Kat and I saw Patti Smith and she was wonderful.

Love!

Michelle

Hello again, again...

Sometimes there is something really beautiful about crafting....

and then you have to organize your studio....

I have no idea when there will be any form of "after" photos. I have a show December 5th that I am super excited about but so far behind on and with the "launch" of ramble kat ramble and the massive update of my etsy shop I feel like I am on a creative roll that is moving too fast for organizing...

And yet, I still cleaned this up - don't worry.

the snail

i started a band

I haven't been around much. The Owl has been posting tons on her and keeping up and doing what we promised we would but I have been distracted by this crazy adventure of starting a band.

I never thought it would happen, I always wanted to find a band mate who would forgive me for my lack musical ability outside of singing. And I have found an insanely perfectly talented guitar playing, harmony singing, songwriting genius (possibly) to write with, to sing with, the learn to play keys with.

It's a nice change of pace and so absurdly creative that I don't really know what to do with myself. I've always been a theater person (I know that everyone who reads this has just jumped to a million conclusions about me) which means that the artistry is always dictated to me instead of finding it in that really organic way that bands do. We are really just a cute little duo who have only been together two weeks but I am excited for the prospects of it all.

I've also gotten into the habit of wearing very thick eyeliner just like Lykke Li (who I get to see next week!) I have no idea why I feel that is something the blog world needs to know but there you go.

My band is called In Defense of Picnics.
We are pretty much going to be great.
Have a great day blog world, it's always nice to know you are there.
The Snail

I don't know if my soul is saved...

I really don't want to turn this into my personal avett-video blog but, uh, how bout one more? I just found this video of the last show Emily and I went to together.



This show was over the summer in Carbondale, IL. It was about three days before Emily left to study in Vienna. We had a pretty difficult time getting there (involving lots of windy country roads and botched directions) but it ended up being one of the most perfect concerts I have ever seen. Wonderful.

PS- The drive back was much easier.

Junie B., First Grader

Today in first grade we were reading a poem about snakes. One of the "critical thinking" questions in the book was, "What do you think would happen if you stepped on a snake?" The answers were pretty typical, it might bite you, etc. Then I called on one boy and he said, "It could be a statue of a snake and then, after you step on it, it would put an evil curse on you." So true. So true.

Hot and Sour Soup

A couple weeks ago Kat can to visit me and, like good friends do, we spent a lot of time talking. Talking about music and movies and laying on the floor a little delirious talking about great books that we've read and books that we haven't read but that we have on our bookshelves, talking, talking, talking.

One of our best talks was mid-week in a coffee shop by a fire, which sounds a little cheesy and cliche but it wasn't, seriously. We talked about a struggle to find, not just what we can do now to make a little money for necessities and to keep the loan-sharks off our backs, but what we want to DO. I've never imagined myself as having a job that I'm satisfied with. I want to DO something that I love and that no one else can do the way I can. Something that I'm great at.

In between dance parties and art-making and dessert-eating we had a really inspirational few hours spent listening to some great records and writing these lists. Lists that are kind of designed to help us live life in a way that will lead to that ultimate goal. Kat posted her list almost immediately. Mine, on the other hand, sat on my floor amidst ribbons and pillows and all of the crap that is normally on my floor until, uh, right now. I'm going to post mine but be forewarned that it might be a little redundant because we were kind of copying off of each other.

The List:
-Reserve money for books, records, and movies
-READ
-Reserve at least three hours a day for Real Art
-Set up my etsy store
-Start a book club and a stitch-n-bitch
-Save money for traveling and concerts
-Find a place to do great service at least once a month
-Walk Rascal everyday
-Ride bikes or play tennis at least once a week
-Stop spending money eating out
-Only live at home for one more year
-Find an amazing job teaching for next year
-Only purchase beautiful, vintage, thrift, or handmade, extremely flattering clothes
-Only one hour of internet a day
-Only one hour of television a day
-Become an expert at sewing and jewelry-making
-buy independent
-eat more fruits and veggies
-read the news daily

That's it. Just some simple personal goals that you are now privy to.

In other news, the snow is really pretty but I'm ready for the spring.

-M