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Author Archives: alyson

anthropologie holidays

Written on November 25, 2009 by alyson in inspiration

Bedford Falls collection [click to enlarge] including (clockwise from top left): frozen facets brooch, no-place-like-home flats, dewy meadow tunic, into the village clutch, feathered fancy brooch, collie bird ornament.

I just noticed the holiday collections on Anthropologie’s website, based on Christmas movies. I think they did a great job setting up little vignettes based on the movies, and building collections around them. The Bedford Falls (from It’s a Wonderful Life) and North Pole (from Rudolph??) are tied for my favorites. It may not be a coincidence that those are two of my favorite holiday movies.*

North Pole collection, including (clockwise from top left): branch and twig colored pencils, forest creature belt, tree trunk mug, & boreal beast shot glass, rabbit (moose and deer also available)

Whoville collection, including (top to bottom):Dagney Dachshund & pompom coasters

I am still confused as to what “Londontown” is meant to represent.

Maybe those cheesy British holiday movies, like Love Actually and About a Boy (for which I have an undying, yet slightly embarrassing, affection for)? If anyone figures it out, please let me know!

*Phrases from It’s a Wonderful Life have been adopted into our normal lexicon. Like when I went to deposit some of our wedding gift cash at the bank recently, steve warned me not to “pull an Uncle Billy.” And I didn’t. Because I’m awesome. There are also periodic offers of moon-lassoing, none yet successful.

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the day i lost my moustache

Written on November 24, 2009 by alyson in blocky, everythingistheworst, my artsy stuff, watercolor

A sad day, indeed.

First in the “everything is the worst” series (because, sometimes everything is).

in situ, above my desk:

This is the also first ever print from the used Epson Stylus Photo R2400 that we bought off craigslist about 5 months ago. I’m pleased to report that it works. It is a huge printer and was a bit intimidating, but was incredibly easy to set up and use.

I’m excited to buy some different papers to experiment with. The color tweaking needs a little work (as there appears to be a different shade of dark pinkishness in each photo above, urrrrrgh) but not a bad first effort if I do say so myself.

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yellena + schoolhouse electric = awesome.

Written on November 24, 2009 by alyson in home, other people

I’ve been a fan of artist yellena james for a couple of years now. It’s hard not to with her modern swirly abstract designs.

So I was pretty psyched to see on designsponge that she partnered with old-school (literally) lighting company School House Electric to make this fabulous light fixtures.

And for a more subtle look, there’s this great etched one!

If I was more handy, I might need one in our bedroom, where the two compact flourescents just stare at me every day. Xmas is coming….

More Yellena at her website.
See more pics at designsponge.
Images from Schoolhouse Electric and DesignSponge.

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spoiler alert: stomach wins.

Written on November 22, 2009 by alyson in food, my artsy stuff

I drew this on the way to lunch at the French Laundry in Yountville earlier this year. The lunch was a parental present for passing the CA bar exam. It was an epic meal, but will likely never be repeated. It was, uh, expensive to say the least.

Elysian Fields Farm “sell d’agneau rotie entiere” (ummm…lamb)

Devil’s Gulch Ranch Rabbit Sirloin (with half a tiny kidney and teeny tiny rack)

Every dish was an origin-noted, perfectly prepared morsel of deliciousness.

But, honestly, I think the meal we have a few months earlier at Ubuntu in Napa was more impressive because 1) it was vegetarian and I didn’t miss meat; 2) the techniques and preparations were a bit more innovative than at the FL; and 3) I feel like the FL food was maybe a bit too clinical and perfect.

The well-known, but currently on an you-have-to-ask-for-it basis, “Coffee and Doughnuts” yeah, I nailed it.

The mid-meal garden walk at the FL was a nice touch though.

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Illustration Friday: "unbalanced"

Written on November 19, 2009 by alyson in blocky, Illustration Friday, my artsy stuff, watercolor

This is my first Illustration Friday drawing. woot.

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lemonade in glass

Written on November 19, 2009 by alyson in blocky, my artsy stuff, watercolor

watercolor and pen

I said this in my sleep. It was adorable.

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mobster clam

Written on November 17, 2009 by alyson in Uncategorized

I LOVE that someone thought this was a great public image for their business. Then again, it is also named S&M Shellfish. I’d wager they don’t care. That clam looks tough.