unsolicited opinions on random things
Did you have a treehouse as a kid? Or a fort in your backyard? I had a treehouse in one of my childhood homes (my family moved a few times when I was growing up) and I LOVED it. I would spend hours hanging out in there, revelling in my own space.
I love this roundup of cool treehouses on Marvelous Kiddo. Aren’t they cool? And if this makes you yearn for an adult treehouse getaway, there’s a whole collection of treehouse getaways on Airbnb.
I have a pin board on the wall next to my desk (pictured above), where I have a bunch of random mementos and things tacked up. One of my favourites is a greeting card I purchased somewhere, with a print by the Scottish artist David Shrigley. It says “no speed limit anymore go as fast as you want like in germany”. I can’t really explain why, but I think it’s fantastic. Something about the yellow background, the hand written type, the message itself, and the reference to driving in Germany (something I really want to do). I’d love to have it blown up and hung, or even painted directly on one of the walls in my office.
May 3, 2012. It might not mean much to you – just an ordinary day. But to my friends-of-a-friend, Matt Lemche and Chris Redman (who are old pals with my beloved Jenn Scott), today is a very big day.
Matt and Chris are working on something called The Decades Project. In 2002, they made a film where they interviewed themselves 10 years in the future. Of course, it would take 10 years to finish the project, so their “2012 selves” could answer the questions that their “2002 selves” asked. They threw a dart at a map, randomly picking the place they’d meet on May 3, 2012. And to show how serious they were about it, they each got it inked on their bodies with a tattoo.
I knew these guys (a little bit) in 2002. Watching this reminds me of how much we’ve all changed. You could call the project self-indulgent or navel-gazing, but I knowing these two, it will be humble, introspective, and riveting.
Watch the video above, and follow their progress and make a contribution on their IndieGoGo webpage.
New York City’s Department of Records has launched an online photo database of over one million images from the Municipal Archives (going back to the mid-1800s).
“Taken mostly by anonymous municipal workers, some of the images have appeared in publications but most were accessible only by visiting the archive offices in lower Manhattan over the past few years. Researchers, history buffs, filmmakers, genealogists and preservationists in particular will find the digitized collection helpful. But anyone can search the images, share them through social media or purchase them as prints.”
I love the one with the men on the suspension wires of the Brooklyn Bridge (above). These photos really make me want to go to New York.
[via the UK Daily Mail]
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Sometimes it takes me a loooooong time to get around to things. About a year ago, I was thinking of painting our master bedroom. Remember this?
With the help of my friend Carol, who is an excellent painter, I finally have new gorgeous dark blue/grey walls (the paint colour is Benjamin Moore’s Gentleman’s Grey). There really wasn’t anything wrong with the old colour, but for some reason I can’t explain, I really didn’t like it. I think it was just too cheery for me. I love the new colour – I think it’s sophisticated and a little bit moody. It also looks fantastic with all the white accents in the room (and the yellow accent on our Dwell Studio duvet cover) – the high contrast really makes the colours pop. I’m so pleased with the results, and I’m kicking myself for not doing it sooner! Oh well, better late than never.
I found this image really captivating.
Photograph by Horst Kiechle, taken in Bangkok.
[via Twisted Sifter]
Sorry blog readers, I know I promised a discussion of Jill Bolte Taylor’s Stroke of Insight TED talk… but it’s been a busy morning! So I’ll have to postpone that for later in the week. In the meantime, here’s a quick deal for you – 25% off photo gifts at Pinhole Press. Use the code FAVORITES to get the discount, valid until April 23. An excellent idea for mother’s day gifts!
When it’s warm outside, I almost always carry a reusable water bottle with me. But they’re so clunky, and when it’s empty, it takes up a lot of useless space in my bag. Enter Vapur, a water bottle that collapses down when it’s not full. They don’t have any Canadian retailers yet (although you can get Vapur bottles in a variety of colours and sizes on their website). I wouldn’t be surprised if they start appearing in Canada soon though – they did a special bottle with MoMA, and if there’s anything Toronto likes, it’s to copy New York.
[via FastCoDesign]
Sorry pals, I’m not feeling super blog-writing inspiration today. So instead of denying you your daily “Stuff Avery Likes” fix, I’ll dig through the archives and pick 5 posts for you, in an absolutely random fashion:
Our favourite hooded towel for kids
Looking for a weekend trip? There’s more to Buffalo than shopping
Happy Monday everyone.
I’ve been reading The Hunger Games. And I like it! I purchased the first book on my Kobo while on holiday, as a quick beach read. I blew through it pretty quickly, and am now reading the second book in the series. And now that the movie has come out (and it’s getting surprisingly good reviews), I want to see that too!
Have you indulged in a guilty pleasure read lately? Do tell. Also, Mad Men is back this Sunday! Have a great weekend.
[image of cat reading the Hunger Games c/o Glamour]