Question. Am I the only one that is totally annoyed that everything is in 3D these days? I remember thinking it was pretty awesome when I was a kid and my parents took my brothers and me to Disney Land to see Michael Jackson in Captain EO (in 3D). I swore I could grab the rainbow shooting off MJ’s shirt. But that was the 80′s. I just don’t get the comeback it’s making now and I really dislike the ill fitting glasses and the massive headache I walk out of the the theater with. It just doesn’t add much more than that to my movie going experience. But that’s just (grumpy) me. (ack! I realize I just went on a 3D rant.) But if you happen to love it enough to have your own pair of red cyan 3D glasses, than you’re going to love the 3D llama below. I guess if you can’t beat em’, join them. So behold … 3D llama!!

Awesome 3D lama photo found here. Happy Friday!!

If I had to make a list of some of the world’s most breathtaking city and landscapes, Brazil would be near the top. Standing at the top of a building in Sao Paulo or on a hilltop in Rio de Janeiro, you would swear you were in the middle of some incredible dream. The kind you just don’t want to wake up from. That’s why I’m loving these beautiful city and landscape pendant lamps from Bertolucci that depict scenes from Sao Paulo and Rio. It would be amazing to look up at these truly illuminating Brazilian pendant lamps.

via Fernanda van der Laan

Scrolling through letanía para mechudos (an art blog I recently discovered), I came across one of my new favorite portraits of Frida Kahlo by artist Clare Owen. I would LOVE to have a print of this in my home! *sigh* Digging around her flickr stream a bit more, I really adore and appreciate her various paintings of cultural women. It’s truly a delight to see beautiful paintings celebrating other cultures.

I also had to include the beautiful painting below. My fiance and I are thinking about adopting a cat. He’s been wanting one for years and seeing as how Miles is a very cat-friendly dog (we think he was a cat in a past life), we might be welcoming a rescue kitty into our home soon.

Homeboy Industries has recently partnered with Artecnica in their most “provocative Design with Conscience project to date.” In collaboration with graphic design firm Studio Lin, Homeboy Tote bags are being produced and will be made available for purchase in March. Homeboy Industries is the largest gang intervention program in the US that offers ex-gang members and at-risk youth new opportunities and a second chance at a better life.

The tote bags feature original calligraphy writing created by ex gang members based on famous quotes by the program’s founder Greg Boyle. Part of the proceeds from sales of the bags will benefit the further development of Homeboy Industries. What an amazing project! I can’t wait to tote my homeboy bag.

via Mocoloco

As I’ve been taking on more projects and responsibilities in my life (not to mention starting to plan my wedding), it’s been challenging to continue to execute everything to my own level of approval. Given my perfectionistic inclinations, settling for what I consider sub-par, just to get a project done, has me re-evaluating what I can a can’t take on. For me, I’d rather not do something at all than half-ass it (pardon my language). But sometimes, when you’re trying to reach a desired result, the option to drop parts of your workload just isn’t there. So this week, rather than cut corners, I’m going to go ahead and put just that much more into each task.

It’s incredible how motivating positive feedback on a job well done can be. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and pressured by the week that lies ahead, kick those feeling to the curb quick and execute everything to the fullest. Let the positive praise your work receives be the fuel that keeps you knocking out more. All you’ve got to do is put a lil’ umph in it.

Happy Monday!

image via

Lately I’ve been digging around the internet in search of some great art to add to one of my latest Pinterest boards, “heART.” Looking around I stumbled upon this adorable print by artist Helena Garcia entitiled “Alpaca Pal.” I know, alpacas are not llamas, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… close enough. How cute is this little Peruvian girl and her alpaca pal?! Adorable.

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend with your pals!

I love twitter for lots of reasons but mostly because it often connects me to wonderful people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. This was the case with the folks at Faberuna, a wonderful site “dedicated to featuring artisans and their wares from across the globe.” With a mission like that, it’s no wonder we would become fast friends. Recently Faberuna has undergone a new and noteworthy project called the Faberuna Blog Blitz. It’s their way of giving smaller but amazing blogs, that don’t often receive comments,  a day in the sun by encouraging readers to leave a nice comment.

What I also love about this project is being exposed to beautiful blogs by incredibly talented people I may never found on my own. As much time as I spend on the web (and I spend a lot of time on the web), it’s impossible to turn over every rock and peek in every corner. Luckily, Faberuna has come along to make this a little easier.

Head over and check out Faberuna’s Blog Blitz! And if you see something you like, leave a comment. If someone you admire is putting out content you love, let them know. It’s the easiest way to brighten someone’s day and encourage them to keep going.

Anyone out there who is self-employed and works from home can tell you, it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. In fact, it can be one of the biggest challenges a freelancer faces. As well equipped and ideal as my apartment is to run my business out of, I still go a bit stir crazy and often feel an overwhelming need to get the heck out of here. So when I see places like Urban Station in Buenos Aires, it gets me excited to know that there are design groups out there that are finding solutions for the increasing number of freelancers.

Taking into account the various needs of the nomadic worker, Argentinean design studio Total Tool has created a combined cafe and office for workers in need of desk space. With plenty of power outlets, a help desk for all enquiries, and private meeting rooms, Urban Station is freelance heaven! I especially love the cozy seating options and the little nooks that are conducive to conversations with other freelancers. Some of the best conversations I’ve had are with creative strangers.

As the internet is providing more and more of us the opportunity to work from home, I sincerely hope that more of these types of spaces start popping up. If creativity breeds creativity, we’re going to need a lot more breeding grounds.

*via Dezeen

Last week I posted the first half of my photos from Egypt. I hope you enjoyed them! Despite all of the despairing news coming out of Egypt these days, it truly is a magical place! Standing at the foot of the great pyramids, exploring bustling bazaars, and riding a camel through a Nubian village were some of the most incredible experiences of my life. I hope that Egypt makes it through their tumultuous times and even more amazing on the other side.

Just a little info on the photos: See the baby alligator above? On my way out to the Nubian village, a little boy came out of the water, grabbed the side of the boat, and handed me a tiny alligator. It was madness! Down below, that’s me exploring the pyramids and later jumping for joy at one of the many ancient sites I visited. The cat is a little friend I made near the Valley of the Kings. We became fast friends. I named her Neferkitty, ancient Egyptian palace cat. I wish I could have brought her home.

All the best Egypt!!

If you follow me on twitter, you’ve probably noticed a whole lot of dog tweeting going on. Have a found a new passion in life? Yup! I can’t actually call it a new passion, I’ve always been passionate about pets. But the dog world is a new area of fashion and design I’m having the most wonderful time exploring. You can bet it’s adding a lot more to my already full plate. But when it’s fun, it doesn’t feel like work.

Thinking about all of the new work I’ve taken on makes me think of something my dad used to say to me when I was a kid. Looking at my workload, I think I really took one of his favorite messages to heart.

So if you find that you’re feeling bored, go create something! Anything! You can bet that having a full schedule is an incredibly motivating thing especially when it’s packed with activities you’re passionate about.

Happy Monday! Here’s to a full week without a dull moment!

*Top image found here via this pin. Bottom image via this pin.