goldfish optional.

{shot on film with light leak and double-exposure by photographer li hui.} {via ISO50.}

a few weeks ago, i grabbed my iPhone and canon DSLR and boogied downtown to cross a lingering item off of my to-do list: "learn how to shoot and edit video."

sure, i've fooled around with iMovie, but the most i ever did was set music to a 10-second video of a baby otter. needless to say, formal training was in order.

the first day of class was held at the land of all things awesome -- poketo. the instructors were the lovely and creative bri of blogshop and her talented (and patient) videographer boyfriend, arian of modshift. we learned how to pan, zoom and track (and more) using handheld camera techniques and a lot of "what would wes anderson do?" thought processes. 

we shot everything from facial expressions to sidewalk splatters, keeping in mind we would assemble our digital madness into an award-winning edited video the following day.

the next day was a photoshop wonderland of video editing.

yes, the latest version of photoshop CS6 has video editing capabilities! being the photoshop groupie that i am, i knew this would be right up my alley.

bri and angela skillfully guided us through the steps and tricks to lay out video tracks, add music, use overlays, add fades, and use good ol' photoshop adjustment layers, masks, and effects. they even used videos they had created as examples and provided us with extremely helpful exercise files.

and of course, there was a fabulous photo booth. behold, our glorious instructors!

and last, but not least, MY FIRST VIDEO!

cobbled together using the footage shot during our workshop at poketo, it's pretty silly, but was very fun to make. oh, and blogshop is holding a little contest, so if my video gets picked, i score a shiny new copy of CS6! i am currently on a trial version that expires in 12 days, so wish me luck.

finally, a big thank you to video blogshop, all of the other students, and poketo. new skills, new friends, and new inspiration -- who could ask for anything more?

make a masquerade mask for your favorite vintage miss, mrs., ma'am, or madam.

originally used as a DIY for halloween decorating, i think this treatment is fine for every day --especially when paired with a blonde bouffant.

{learn how-to at design sponge.} {via tiffany mcleain.}

up against the wall...and loving every single moment of it.

{photography by matthias heiderich.} {via grain edit.}

while cruising over at the designer pad, i stumbled across the kaufmann mercantile and an array of mighty fine man goods (not to mention -- a keen and dandy giveaway!).

fellas, quality pampering -- it's a tasty touch.

{above: 1. PGS whiskey aftershave; 2. bamboo toothbrush set; 3. pine shave creme soap; 4. botot anise toothpaste; 5. forage bowtie; 6. NTC subway token cufflinks; 7. muehle shave brush; 8. travel shoe shine kit; 9. wild harvest room spray; 10. handmade carved oak rope swing (perfect for any man pad).}

{image: rene gruau 1967 gouache on paper. via fine & dandy shop.}

tune in, turn on, and cue up the bossa nova, kittens. no ipod necessary in this pad.

{the fabulous home of  hideto irikawa via the selby.}

welcome to monday, kittens! come on in and cozy up to a sweater chair. drinks on me.

{rejuvenation wide star door set via sophie's choice and mid-century modern freak.}

{above: mid century furniture designer vladimir kagan's living room, NYC.}

photographer leslie williamson has captured the homes of some of the biggest mid-century design heroes - from eames and russel wright to eva zeisel and george nakashima.

check out williamson's book handcrafted modern for a glimpse into the pads of some of the best and brightest in the design stratosphere. a lot of the homes are captured in there natural setting -- worn edges and all, which seems to make everything imperfectly perfect.

{above: american industrial designer russel wright's home in garrison, NY.}

{above: eames studio, pacific palisades, CA.}

{above: fiber artist kay sekimachi's work table at home in berkeley, CA.}

{above: ceramicist eva zeisel's studio shelves in rockland, NY.}

{above: mid-century furniture designer george nakashima's reception house in new hope, PA.}

{above: apartment of czech architect ivan ruller in brno.}

orange cabinets + green stove + aqua tiles of love + gimme table + tasty ceramics = a cookery of earthly delights.

{judy kameon's kitchen via at home at home and nicole balch.}

for all of your swan swimming cap needs.

{photography by gaby herbstein.} {via ban.do and the neverending story.}