New Favorite Video

Loving this new video by Soundpool.

For Sale: Koala Wall Hanging

Incredible kitsch koala wall hanging. Buy it now. Or regret it forever... Measures 24" x 30".

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Pick Up $60.00 Brooklyn / Manhattan Delivery $70.00 USPS $75.00

The Story of Stuff

After seeing Annie Leonard speak on last night's episode of the Colbert Report, I decided to look up her website, The Story of Stuff. It is a 20 minute animated short illustrating the Materials Economy.

Don't get me wrong, I love stuff. (So does Leonard for that matter.) As a teen and early 20-something, I spent money on stupid stuff, and enjoyed it, and even have some of that stuff still now. But a lot of it, it is gone--the clothing, the furniture, the books, the dishes-- and I'm not entirely sure where it went...

I know I'm not alone in committing this consumerist crime, which I believe was not only fueled by teen mall gotta-have-it envy, but also by the larger ethos pushing the entire (US?) population to keep up with the Joneses like never before.

But it is only as a more proper adult that I am understanding what stuff really means, what my stuff really means, and what my stuff means to everything else. For me, I've reached a point now where acquiring something is no longer just an investment of money, but an investment in a future relationship with that object, in maintenance, in commitment, and in long-term utility. And it now takes me a long time to acquire any kind of stuff. A lot of this selectivity comes from living in a small space (see my Design*Sponge feature here), but I believe this sense of value and sanctimony that Leonard touches on with regard to stuff is important, and the idea that our mindset must no longer be to consume, devour, and replace, but to purposefully integrate objects into our lives in satisfying ways.

I deal in the buying and selling of stuff. And there is A LOT of stuff out there. Good, usable stuff. True, I deal in what I like, and what I believe will make profits, and am leveraging sourcing and editing into a business enterprise. And, well, I want you to buy my stuff. But in a grander sense, what I hope I am doing is connecting people with beautiful objects that are endowed with import by virtue of design; passing this on--these things--this stuff, to continue their purpose to the satisfaction of their owners. And this makes me happy. Stuff makes me happy. Or to put it more accurately, good stuff makes me happy. And I hope my good stuff makes people happy.

The Story of Stuff makes me happy also, because I like to think that this ethos of consumerism is slowly being wrested away and being replaced with the ethos of living well. And stuff is merely a component of living well, not the only driving force of happiness (or national success for that matter, to reference a number of points in Story of Stuff). I do think generally people are eking out happiness outside of consumerism in ways like eating better, forming better communities and creating ways to be more sensitive to global as well as local movements, and the connections between, and becoming more aware of the effects not socially, but the irrevocable environmental impact. At least I think. And I hope. Then again, maybe I've been living in Brooklyn too long.

Regardless, my stuff makes me happy, the stuff I buy to sell makes me happy, and the stuff that is sold makes me happy.

Here are some further thoughts I have on having stuff that makes me happy:

1. Aesthetics: beauty should not be underestimated. Do not buy something because the opportunity presents itself.

2. Functionality: within the totality of the stuff that you have; the physical place and actual purpose this item will take.

3. Finality: there will be the moment when you will no longer have this object. Consider what you hope to have gotten from this object.

4. Serviceability: consider how and if this object will be maintained, repaired, recycled, and or disposed.

5. Necessity versus Luxury

6. Source: foremost, consider buying second hand, keeping not one, but two objects out of landfills. It may not be the convenient, but it is responsible.

Vintage is about history, present, and future, and hopefully if you're already on this blog, you're participating. Either way, here's to hoping we're all shopping with integrity.

Small Haul, Big Style

Not so great a score on furniture last weekend, but one great project piece that'll hit the blog once it's finished. Did pick up this awesome monogrammed footlocker trunk with removable tray and keys, midcentury paella pan trio, olive mini sauce pot made in Yugoslavia, Pyrex tea infuser, box of rickrack and bias tape, 30's print apron, and, the jewel of the weekend, a white and green Singer Featherweight in cosmetically minty condition, with the case, instruction manual, and original receipt marked 1964. Taking her in tomorrow for a tune up, and then she'll be on eBay. The rest should be making their way on to Etsy in the next couple days.

House Industries Poster and Free Fonts

PLINC Banjo Serigraph, $40, at House Industries. Yes, please!

While you're there, sign up to get the following free fonts:

I'm thinking of maybe using Spaceage Round on an upcoming poster for the next Luxa show--just announced--with a great line up (and a great poster image in the works). Full post coming soon.

Also, never got to recap after our show with Ulrich Schnauss and Mark Van Hoen: an amazing, wild, inspiring, and blizzard filled night. Thanks to all who made it out (and then had to make it back!), and I'm sorry if we didn't get to chat long. It felt like I talked to everyone for five minutes each!

New Clothing Arrivals

New listings from some great dresses and tops in the Etsy Clothing store.

New listings on Market Publique as well!

PS

Atlast Sound, Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab, Quick Canal, and Midcentury Heaven

I've been obsessed with this since the first time the BF shared it with me. And now I found the video. And now I'm in heaven. Midcentury, Atlas Sound, Stereolab-y heaven.

Sold: Panton Style Area Rug

Vintage mid century wool rug in soothing wave pattern and colors. Free of major blemishes. Some minor areas of wear in small areas along edge.

Marni Fall 2010 RTW

I don't usually post on high fashion, but after coming across Marni's recent collection, I thought I'd share my favorites. While I dig the collection's shorts, deep V's and peplums, I especially love the styling of the sheer knee high under the ankle socks, the incredibly nerdy glasses, and the Marni classic, big necklace over a high collar. Overall, some of the looks read as 30's geek, which is a pretty refreshing direction, and one that could be pulled off with older vintage pieces if one is so lucky as to afford 30's and 40's pieces (a rarity in my adventures at least).

I've also had my eye on these patent blue doc's, and that look with the white dress is really pushing me towards them...

NOTHING

Is cuter than a bunny on a Pollock chair.

deluxa

P O W E R H E A T

Tumblr

I did mention an interest in Tumblr about a month ago, and have been happily going at it since. While I don't participate on it socially (although a quick peek now and then, especially here, is worth while), I do really like using it as my own special keepsake deposit of images that inspire me as I wonder around the internets. I also like how it hooks up to your Twitter account incoming feeds, so it is one less place to go. Further in the social-ese firmament, I've been using my personal Buzz a bit here and there in a similar way, connected with my Google Reader shares and this blog, but while that seems more a platform for sharing content other people may like, Tumblr (for me) is what I use quite specifically for what I like, without feeling so much like I'm imposing. Here is my Tumblr, if you'd like me to impose. The account has also made its way into the sidebar, which I'm really enjoying having there as gratuitous eye candy.

On a somewhat related note, I tumbld this, and can't get it out of my head. I have no apologies. There are some awesome moments to this song.

Lisa Hanawalt

I am so majorly disappointed I missed out on artist Lisa Hanawalt's shirt on Tee Fury. Tee Fury features a different designed tee available for sale for 24 hours or until they sell out. I missed the boat on Hanawalt's, but luckily found her website featuring lots of other similar work. Below follows my beloved "Kitty Biker" image, followed by some other favorites from her portfolio. I also bought her comic "It's Sexy When People Know Your Name", can't wait to get it in the mail.