Be Green

I recently started taking courses in patternmaking, and just finished a textiles course, so I've been much more aware of how clothing is constructed and what kind of materials are used. Like, did you know that 50% of all wool used for textiles is recycled from wool garments and unused fabric? I never knew! And, the textile industry has been known to contribute to a lot of pollution and water contamination, so I'm trying to be more environmentally aware when buying new clothes.

So, I decided that from now on, I will try very hard to buy natural fibers, and organic ones when possible, though that is still not very mainstream. There are some stylish options though, and I've culled a few of them to share. Happy early new year everyone! :)

This cute dress by Loomstate is made from 100% organic cotton, and will easily blend in to match your existing wardrobe. I'd wear it with black tights and knee high boots.

I love this EDUN hexagaon dress, made of 100% organic cotton. It's has super cool unusual graphic detailing and is versatile enough for work or for play. Plus it looks really comfy and could take accessories really well - a wide belt or long necklaces would work great.

This 100% organic cotton dress by EDUN is quite chic, and would look great over leggings or skinny jeans. And it's on sale at 50% off to boot- I think it's time for some post-holiday shopping!

Real Luxe

I really love The Opulent Project's latest jewelry creations like their sterling silver Cocktail Ring, below. As you might know, Red Cake sells some of their fab laser cut earrings.

Is it too late to add this silver ring to my Christmas list? It's certainly more affordable than the "real" thing in gold or titanium....And while cubic zirconia may get a bad rap as being a shoddy imitation of diamonds, these resin dipped CZ earrings may change your mind. Happy holidays everyone!!

Cute n Creepy

Happy Thanksgiving Eve everyone! I discovered Deryk Thomas' cute but creepy art today - I'd say Deryk's work is a slightly sunnier version of Mark Ryden's style, I thought I'd share these darling and naughty works with you. This well dressed puppy below, in the giclee print Happy Birthday Puppy, is enjoying a solo birthday picnic at what appears to be a gravesite, with a rather disturbingly large human looking bone in his paw...

In No Use Crying, I sense that this kitty cop is about to go all Chris Brown on that bird's ass and incite a riot.

In Consolation, this kitty girl appears pretty guilty of disturbing the peace of those adorable little chicks - thought not sure why she's hankering after that lollipop when there's some tasty chicken morsels at her feet?

More Small Art

In my last post, I mentioned The Lab's Annual Postcard Show, which features a plethora of small format art. They are partnering with the Museum of Pocket Art, affecionados of even smaller art...yes, art that fits in your pocket! Founded by graduates of the San Francisco Art Institute, the MOPA features art from new and emerging artists, and for the most part, the works are business card sized to fit snugly in your wallet.

Works by Jean Reece Wilkey and Julie Nelson. Many more interesting works are found on their site. Check it out!

Smaller is Better

Sometimes smaller is better, especially when it comes to art - easier to display and transport, and often lighter on your wallet. And of course while Red Cake has lots of small art, you must check out The Lab's annual Postcard Show on Dec. 4- 6, for heaps of the most amazing small format art, handmade jewelry, and collectibles.

There is still time to participate - if you want to take part, just fill out the entry form and start creating! Tons of folks come to shop and it's an awesome way to show off your arty goods, as well as support a worthy non-profit organization.

And if you're on Facebook (who isn't these days?) - won't you please become a fan of Red Cake? We know you want to! :) Hope everyone had a great weekend :)

Kiwi Art

I just returned from vacation in New Zealand and we saw some cool art at the Center of Contemporary Art (COCA) in Christchurch. Aside from the cool art, NZ was everything we expected and more- beautiful scenery, super friendly people, sheep everywhere you look, and to my surprise, lots of great fashion! That'll be another post....Here are some art highlights...

Baby Battallion by Aroha Novak - I'd love to have this knitted tank on my mantel.

Rose-Marie Salmon combines craft and sass in her embroidered pieces, like in Untitled 5 (above) and Untitled - Come sail your ships around me.

One Lady Two, embroidery and paint on canvas.

Nicole Burke had a solo exhibition going on when I visited, with several cut paper pieces like

Pinned Series 7-9 and Pinned Series 4.

Lee Press On Nails Never Looked This Good

Last Thursday, I went to my friend Mary Anne's artist's reception at Frey Norris Gallery, which I blogged about a couple weeks ago. The show also included work from Laurel Roth, with some amazing pieces made of fake nails, fake eyelashes, nail polish, barrettes and bling-y crystals...
Gosh, Lee Press On Nails take me back to the 80's..I don't believe they make them anymore..but I digress....

These photos don't do justice to this piece, which measures about 50" x 50".

A close-up shot - the most amazingly lovely use of fake nails I've ever seen!

This piece, Beloved, is made of fake fingernails, false eyelashes, barrettes, dimestore jewelry, wood, pewter, swarovski crystal, nail polish and measures 36" x 12" x 12".\

And in case you want to learn more about fake nails, check out Wikipedia's informative article.

Lady Things

My friend Michael turned me on to Robyn Comming, a talented artist who takes some pretty damn cool, highly stylized photographs. They are reminiscent of fashion photography with vibrant colors and dramatic compositions. My faves are from her "Lady Things" series, a few of which I'll show you here....all are untitled C-prints.

This portrait is my favorite - is she a garden party fashion victim or did she fall prey to her prized rose collection?

This lovely piece is a bit more subtle with a melancholy air...I feel like she's an insomniac desparate for some shut eye yet she just can't achieve it.




Suffocated by pretty, peaceful white doves...ironic isn't it?

Buy Local, Buy Cool

Some of you may be tired already about hearing 'buy local, buy sustainable blah blah blah'... but there is plenty of very cool local, sustainable goodies to be had! So for all you San Francisco Bay Area folks...here are a few of my fave destinations for cool local wares...

Anti-Factory has very cool, one of a kind clothes made from recycled fabrics- I have a dress from them that I get so many compliments on. This cute dress will certainly make you stand out anywhere you go!

Cara Lyndon is an Oakland based jewelry designer - I discovered her lovely jewels when she submitted them to The Lab's annual Postcard Show a few years back. Her super cute jewelry often uses vintage findings and are very affordable- this lovely ring is just $30:

And this vintage Japanese button necklace will go with just about anything!

How about some edgy butcher knife cufflinks by Spagwerks for the man in your life?

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Hot Stuff

Mark your calendars to check out the next art opening at Frey Norris Gallery in San Francisco - my friend Mary Anne Kluth will be showing some fabulous new work on September 3rd.

Her work is both explosive yet subtle - her more recent work has been quite large scale, but not overwhelming as many large works can be. The expanses of paper are full of vibrant color and have the inticmacy and coziness of smaller works.

The top photo is the full image of this piece, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems - and the detail photos are below. This measures 18" x 104". I love the discreetly perched people (firemen?) amidst the chaotic paint flames.

Ornithological Biography, watercolor and acrylic on paper, 40" x 60".

Red Shift, watercolor and acrylic on paper, 29" x 99".

Creepy Cool

My friend Brianna is the curator of the monthly art shows at Tartine Bakery in San Francisco (for those who don't know...Tartine has the best croissants on the planet, likely even better than the ones I had in France). This month, artist Nadia Moss graces the walls at the bakery in her show Fantomes!, and her work is, well, creepy and cool...

Looks like someone opened the gates of this phantom petting zoo...
Spaghetti dragging zombies are after you!

Nadia's work is up until August 27th, so get your fanny over there and ogle some fab art with your buttery pastry!

Cool Shizz for Baby

It seems that half of the chicks I know have a bun in the oven right now and that I'm inundated with baby showers. And everyone knows that baby showers can be boring as shizz, especialy when there's no booze (uh, super lame). So even if the shower sucks, at least you can give a cool gift. If you're looking for very hip, anti-Baby Gap baby clothes, check out my friend Andrea's Babywit - you'll find unique, quality gear (no sweatshops here!), and even eco-friendly fabrics and inks.

Get this for your next baby shower gift, guaranteed for a laugh (if the mom-to-be has a good sense of humor) ;-P

I love this delicious burger dress, which I bought for my friend's daughter...kinda want one for myself too.

Now, normally I detest pigeons, but somehow this little toddler tee from Fawn & Forest is pretty damn cute! I am just SO over the forest animal craze that happened a couple years back. While I love all things forest animals, we've been oversaturated - so pigeons are somehow refreshing.

And to finish off...I LOVE this kitty onesie, also by Fawn & Forest- I'd totally wear it if it were my size. Have a great weekend ya'll!!

Godiva is So Boring

I don't know about you, but don't all of those boxes of chocolates out there seem pretty much the same? You've got caramel filled, cherry cordials, nut covered, blah blah. I wish I could buy

chocolates like these!

They may LOOK like a delicious collage of chocolates, but upon closer inspection, Stephen J. Shanabrook's chocolate art is a melange of disturbing bits and pieces - this one is titled Evisceration of Waited Moments:

And how about these from his Wedding Favors series?

I bet your dentist would love to munch on these sweet teeth.

I need to log off now and find a candy bar!

Move Over Hallmark

Looking for some unusual greeting cards that are so very un-Hallmark? The good folks at Supermarket have some ideas for you:

This little gem is by designer Portnerness from Los Angeles...though that pee puddle looks a bit like worms or noodles and non-liquidy to me.

Now THAT is a baby shower card that I can agree with. I like Porterness' sense of humor.

This card by Cracked Designs speaks for itself...yum!

And for those of you who think sending stuff in the mail is SO 1995 (kinda like paying for your groceries with a check...hello people, use a CHECK CARD..it's the same thing!!) ....sorry, I digress.....you definitely need to check out Someecards.com. They have the best e-greetings around - snarky, ironic, deadpan...you get the drift. Have a great long holiday weekend everyone!!

Jell-o, Part 2

As you might know, Jell-o is quite versatile as I mentioned in an earlier post.
And I found out about a Jell-o mold competition that was recently held in Brooklyn. Check out the grand prize winners' gelatin jewels and gum paste settings...very well executed bling!


Watch out McDonald's...this hamburger & fries looks more appetizing to me than a Happy Meal.


Caviar on a budget! And apparently it tasted like it, too.

.

Have a nice weekend ya'll!

Ghetto Fab Nail Art

I'm not surprised that there is a TON of wacky nail art out there - making your run of the mill French manicure look super duper boring...but wow:

Carmen Miranda would kill for this one! And frankly, I kinda want these for myself.

This gives me the munchies.

I love googly eyes - but this is the first time I've seen them on a manicure!!

This crazy unicorn orgy is probably just for show, but I admire and respect all of the painstaking work to achieve those tiny little creatures...