do not attempt this at home.

unless you're new york based artist lynda benglis, of course.

{lynda benglis - "fallen painting", circa 1968.} {via jamala johns and sweet station.}

kittens, i'm in love!

matte stephens (one of my favorite artists in the whole wide world!) has a new book called selected works and it is ridiculously amazing. published by editions alto, each page takes you on a fantastical little vacation into a glorious world where refined walruses dine in central park, cats sport ascots, and octopi hitch rides with unsuspecting families on vacation.

i have probably featured matte's art on WHORANGE more than any other artist, simply because his illustrations make me happy. from blog giveaways to rare felted sculptures, matte has been an inspiration to me for several years.

{above: one of matte's muses - his wife vivienne.}

{above: title - "after indulging in catnip isabelle enjoys shoes even more than the illusive 52.5 carat floating yellow diamond."}

{above: the adventures of alfred the scuba diver.}

{above: beehives, ladies, flower hats, and duchesses.}

{above: "rooster school bus."}

{above: "a party."}

did i mention this beautiful, hardbound book is written in both french and english? it was published in quebec, too. très bien!

treat yourself to a copy and put it down as a gift for that special someone on your list. available at matte's etsy shoppe.

thank you, matte!

{photography by tula. cat models - veruschka and donovan.}

paint them up or keep them raw. just think of them as a step up from milk crate furniture.

cheers!

{top and bottom image via blood & champagne. top and middle image - the box house in florence, italy.}

behind every good font is a good designer.

the genius behind the glorious moonrise kingdom font is san francisco based "letterer, illustrator, and crazy cat lady" jessica hische. the dreamy, hand-hewn lettering was inspired by ed benguiat’s edwardian script, but eventually grew into a font all its own.

and the best news is...the font will be available for purchase next year! yes - you, too, can craft your own title card similar to that of wes anderson, bill murray, and tilda swinton. camp's in session!

kittens, last night was a good night! i'm functioning on three hours of sleep, but it feels good.

president obama was re-elected, marriage equality won in maine, maryland, and washington (legalized) and minnesota (wasn't constitutionally banned), an historic number of badass women were elected to the senate, and oh...you can now recreationally smoke and grown pot in colorado (UPDATE: and washington!).

and another big winner...nerds! congratulations, nate silver. you are a golden, brilliant god.

xoxo

{image: obama on a unicorn - reposted from my marriage equality post on may '12.}

"It is so important for people to understand, to know that people suffered, struggled. Some people bled, and some died, for the right to participate. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool that we have in a democratic society. It’s precious. It’s almost sacred. We have to use it. If not, we will lose it." -- Georgia congressman John Lewis

if you follow me on twitter or are friends with me on facebook, you know how nervous and passionate i am about this election. i support a woman's right to choose, marriage equality, equal pay for equal work, student loan reform and increased pell grant funding, and affordable heath care for all. in the past four years, president obama has proven to me that hope can lead to real change. it's not just a slogan, but an action. i'm inspired. i want to continue the progress.

so kittens, let's move forward together. i'd be honored to walk with you.

please vote! click here to find your polling location.

xoxo,
tula

{illustrations via barack obama.}

...and i wish i were audrey hepburn - at least sometimes.

yes, lady audrey had a pet deer named pippin. pippin napped with her and shopped with her. he played with her and laughed with her. and, of course, he posed with her.

although we cannot be audrey hepburn, and most likely, we cannot have a pet deer, we can always play dress up and pretend, can't we?

{above: 1. silk dulcet top; 2. tasha 'skinny bow' headband; 3. forest place top; 4. sterling skirt in double-serge wool; 5. all wrapped up pearl drop earrings; 6. cafe capri pant; 7. french sole foxy flat; 8. fawn pillow.}

{audrey and pippin photography by bob willoughby.}

part sculpture, part lamp, all fabulous.

{interior styling by pippa jameson.} {via desire to inspire.}

hint: i do not consider the ladies the "trick" part of this equation.

happy halloween, kittens! enjoys the seances.

{woody allen and the cat twins.} {via ashley ording.}

this post goes out to my friends, family, and readers on the east coast who are hunkered down due to hurricane sandy. i want to send a little bit of sunshine and lots of love from california.

i've been reading twitter, tracking updates and viewing photos from the field. also, i've been tracking the twitter feed of newark's mayor cory booker, whose superhero, on-the-ground response to NJ citizens in need is courageous and the true definition of leadership. i recommend you follow him, too!

hold tight, east coast. we are all pulling for you! xo

{above: "shelter" by jason wong; 1. dear creatures camille dress; 2. vera meat ship helm charm necklace; 3. un-teal the clouds clear umbrella in canary; 4. pan am innovator bag; 5. orla kiely the fox of life coat; 6. hunter regent carlyle rain boots; 7. leather heart cut out gloves.}