A never ending celebration of monstersWhat a wonderful world. There’s always something new to become completely obsessed with. I give you my latest: Mexican pulp art which is on display at Monster Brains.
But wait! Monster Brains has even more cool stuff for your perusal. Like: grotesque animals, creepy vintage ads, D&D books, sci-fi covers and other generally disturbing, wild or scary pieces of art.
It’s way excellent!
dedicated to 80’s horror on film and on the almighty nesI’m sure there’s an scathing essay to be written about how what I am about to say could be a symbol of the decline of civilization, but an animated gif of Johnny Depp being sucked into a bed followed by a fountain of blood is a very nostalgic image of my childhood.
What can I say, I was a horror buff pretty much right from the beginning. I couldn’t wait to watch movies I spied in the blood splattered section in the video store. (I also vividly remember seeing a curtained off area with rated X movies, and thought to myself “How scary can a movie be to be X rated??”)
I feel like horror geek kids don’t quite exist in the same way anymore. Remember the kid in Salem’s Lot who’s obsessed with monsters? He and all like him have grown up, and instead of nerdy rooms packed with Fangorias, we have tumblrs like F— Yeah 8 Bit Horror to view, share and remember our favorite gorey moments in cinema.
The site focuses on the golden age of horror, the 1980’s. There’s lot of stuff from the Nightmare on Elm Street series (which is fine with me, since making Elm St. movies was what I wanted to do when I grew up for years). There are also a few I haven’t seen (Trick or Treat looks like a must see).
A great example of a good tumblr.
Excellent Photo BlogI have been completely captivated by the photo gallery blog Vintage Everyday.
From creepy old Halloween pics to portraits of Circus performers in the 1940’s, from heartbreaking images of London after a bombing to scary NYC subways in the 80’s, there’s so many fascinating images to behold in this neat, clean, well curated site.
It is indeed updated everyday, so be sure to bookmark this one and don’t be surprised if time simply disappears as you go through the archives.
Curating eclectic interestingness from culture’s collective brainAnd look! Already my first great discovery via Twitter, the fascinating Brain Pickings blog, brain child of writer Maria Popova.
Within the eclectic collection of interesting articles you’ll find lovely design, must read books, interesting thoughts, provocative photography and lots of lovely maps. It’s an amazing hodgepodge of all sorts of things I love.
Most lovable about the site though, is that in a sea of snark, it retains a real sense of wonder at the world. Nothing’s worse than someone who is bored by things, and Popova and her team find inspiration everywhere. I dare you to scroll one page without joining in their enthusiasm and stopping to read more.
BP also distinguishes itself from many sites by offering unique finds and information that hasn’t been re-linked from a million other places.
I’ve only browsed a portion of the archives, because doing too much more would be ignoring the life I have to lead today. Definitely be prepared to be sucked in to the awesomeness.
Have You Twatted?Yes. It’s true I tweet now. I didn’t get it before but now I do. Follow me if you’d like @brixpicks (and it’s not just photos of my baby or links to this site, promise).
on TumblrWhile I like the ease and casual nature of tumblr I usually find them to be little more than gatherings from other tumblrs and therefore often repetitive but Stephano Gabanna of Dolce and Gabanna has taken the medium and ran with it giving personal glimpses into his life as an extremely successful fashion designer.
Such a life, (believe it or not) is quite enviable. He is surrounded by beautiful male models, eats lunch overlooking incredible sea views, and wakes up to fresh cut flowers every morning.
And if none of that interests you, his photos will at least convince you that the Italian Riviera is a little bit if heaven on earth. I want to be there now.
I know, I know, it sounds like it could be navel gazing and obnoxious (like all those articles about what the rich people can’t live without this season in Vogue) but surprisingly, this chipper diary is not in the least bit obnoxious, but rather happy and heartfelt.
I’d love it if more designers, artists, and people with otherwise interesting lives had personal photo diaries as nice to look at and constantly updated like this one.
Scoops, Storefronts, History and Local Deals from Brooklyn’s Hidden GemIn New York people tend to get fanatical about their neighborhoods. We want to know every move, change and history. For us Greenpointers now there’s one stop for all of that.
Here’s Greenpoint has breaking news about openings and closings, restaurant guides, historical photographs and tips on the latest happenings. Since Mike introduced me to the site I’ve been checking in daily. It’s visually clean, easy to navigate, and works great on an iPhone which is a rare found plus.
They also have Park Slope and Williamsburg editions and updates are easy to keep abreast of if you “like” then on Facebook (something I rarely see the point of but here makes sense).
Modern Graphic Design Inspiration BlogGreat graphic inspiration blogs are aplenty, but you’ll find fewer as well maintained, interesting, and informed as Grain Edit.
From children’s books, to bottle labels, from calendars to maps the Grain Edit team tracks down the greatest stuff to inflame the creative mind.
The site is constantly updated with newness and the archives could take days to explore – but it is worth the time, so start digging and enjoy!
Amazing Collection of Children’s BooksOh my goodness I am in LOVE with the blog Atelier Pour Enfants, in love. I can’t read a word of it, but who needs to with all the adorable, interesting, beautiful artwork.
I’ve spent hours looking through the entire archive getting all kinds of inspired. In fact, I’ve started a whole new project with all the new ideas these wonderful books have inflamed in my brain.
An absolute must for lovers of illustration or really anybody that enjoys looking at cute, great design. I would love to find some of the books for Mr. Van – will have to keep an eye out.
Found this site through another great site (and previous Brix Pick) called Vintage Kids’ Books My Kid Loves.
The average color of the New York City sky, updated every 5 minutes.NSkyC is a lovely site that shows that technology can be used to make something beautiful and simple. Can’t wait to see lots and lots more bright blue.
A Vintage LifeMy dear friend Stacy has been a partner in crime during my few solo outings- whether to gobble Malaysian and gossip or sip pink champange at the Metropolitan Opera House. She’s also, and always will be, no matter how many days go between seeing each other, one of my spirit sisters.
We share an affinity for the voice of Sandy Denny, odd remnants of the past (particularly the turn of the century and the 1990’s), heavy metal tee shirts, and intricate embroidery among many other good things.
Her musings, inspirations, and heads up on the latest awesome vintage pieces she’s procured (that you can buy at her shop!) can all be found at her tumblr page. I only wish she was less busy actually doing amazing stuff to update it constantly!
Her brick and mortar shop is at 377 Broome (formerly known as Exquisite Costume and sporting a stunning make over) and you can contact her for a by appointment to peruse her vintage library at her new show room on Eldridge St. by calling 212 966 4142.
Vogue Magazine 1965-1975Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love Youthquakers!!
These wonderful people have posted large scans of British and American Vogues from 1965-1975. A Golden Era, if you ask me, before Jennifer Aniston took every third cover. If I had the time, resources, and energy, I wish I had provided a site so complete and excellent on the subject – lucky for us all, someone else has done a bang up job.
Not only are there tons upon tons of amazing photos from Bailey, Newton, and Avedon of Anjelica Huston, Lauren Bacall, and Twiggy to name just a few – but it’s also very easy to search by subject, photographer, or date.
This is really quite a feat and very time consuming no doubt, so much, much thanks to the people behind this. I’ve only skimmed a few issues and am already fawning and excited. A must visit for fashion, photography and vintage lovers.
Several of my favorite images are below and after the jump, but give yourself a nice afternoon to really peruse this fantastic resource.
Click here for the rest of Youthquakers
Fab BlogRetrospace is a new discovery for me and a great, constantly updated treasure trove of all things retro: from long forgotten magazines, catalogues, found photographs, TV shows and books. There are also Podcasts that feature old radio ads, novelty songs and other intriguing oddities.
The archives go back three years, so I have only really scratched the surface but I am in love already. Any blog where you can find Mexican porno mags from the 70’s and a history of stewardess outfits through the decades is alright with me. Do set aside some real time to go through it all.
Daily Purchase Drawings, Etc.The idea of seeing one person’s daily purchases may sound a bit boring, but with the whimsical hand of Kate Bingaman Burt, it’s enchanting. Even corporate logos look interesting when hand drawn, plus it makes you think about your own consumption and will inspire you to draw more.
Her project was published as a book called Obsessive Consumption and her unique style has graced the advertising of companies like Target and Madewell. She’s at the forefront of the handmade mini revolution.
Small Spaces, Big DreamsI always prefer a small house to a large one. When many people crave open floor plans and sky high ceilings, I’d rather cozy into one of those hobbit holes (as long as I had a second hole to store my clothes).
But my love for small spaces pales in comparison to Kent Griswold’s. From yurts to cabins, campers to houseboats, if it’s tiny and it’s a house you can find it at his Tiny House Blog.
Ignore if you can that it’s littered in ads – the content is great. Most of the entries deal with serious information on how to build, live in and find your own little spaces. But for those of you who are, like me, less of the “doing” type, there are also tons of beautiful photos to browse whilst dreaming of hobbit living.
The Best in Men’s StyleI really couldn’t love a blog more than I do Street Etiquette. Bloggers Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs, who are a mere 20 years old (!) and totally hunky, organize their thoughtful, stylish entries buy article of clothing such as berets, corduroy, jean jackets, chambray, and my own personal current love, jungle boots.
They present suggested ways to wear each item and bits of history, shopping guides and inspiration. Their photography is gorgeous, they have distinct character that lots of style blogs lack, and I like me some clothing and accessories close ups like nothing else.
This is a great example of engrossing and thorough blogging that is near perfect in it’s execution and usability. I’ve been raving about it to anyone that will listen since discovering it a couple days ago.
While I’ve always said I’d never like working in menswear, because it would be sooo boooring, I have to admit, thanks to stellar dapper gents like these, I am becoming more and more intrigued with the details of slacks, ties and buttons downs.
Part the reason for my new passion is that I now have a son who I get to dress for at least the next five odd years (if Jim refuses to roll up his pants and nix the socks, fine but Van can’t if he can’t talk!) and part of the reason is that since I no longer get to get dressed up for work, I am starting to live vicariously through Jim.
I’ve even asked if I can pick outfits for him and am bugging him to add neckties to the daily rotation. Street Etiquette is sure to inspire some looks I will be coaxing him to try.
Click here for the rest of Street Etiquette
Fashionable BunnyOh how I love anthropomorphic drawings and when they’re matched with high fashion you get the adorable Fifi Lapin. You just have to love it! I’ve been browsing the site lately and it’s getting me excited about Spring – ah Spring, when it will be warm enough to take the baby out for long stretches, eat in sidewalk cafes, and wear cute clothes again!
Really, getting dressed nice is the biggest thing I miss from my pre mothering days. But, once it’s warmer, Van’s a little bigger, and I’m a little slimmer I am not embarrassed to say that I’ll be stealing some sartorial ideas from this fictional little bunny (thick black tights with an all white ensemble?, tiny jacket on top of an over-sized dress plus a fur hat? yes yes yes!)
Fifi adorns lots of merchandise too if that’s your thing. I personally wouldn’t say no to a cute pin for my tweed blazer. I love that you can look up previous posts by designer and that the blog is consistently updated.
