Floating Movie Theater

Taking a little boat up to a platform in the middle of the ocean to watch a movie would be outrageously cool. Although I'm still thinking about whether if you are sea sick prone it would be a problem, but wow... what an experience it would be! This particular movie going experience took place in Yao Noi, Thailand and was put on by Film on the Rocks Yao Noi and designed by architect Ole Scheeren who built the large raft out of recycled materials. Yes please, sign me up for the next one. Amazing.

(via Fast Co. // photos by Piyatat Hemmatat)

Music Monday : Wild Belle

A Brooklyn based brother/sister duo called Wild Belle just popped up on my radar. Have you heard of them? The word on the street is that are making a great splash at SXSW and it seems like sibling collaborations are the 'it' thing going on these days. Well, off the top of my head I can only think of one other but it is a favorite of mine, any others you can think of? Would you want to rock it out with a family member? It could be really cool, no? For me personally, rockin' out with my brother Jake would be rad because he is already a rockstar.

Wild Belle is sure slamming down some Psychadelic Reggie Rockin' tunes that I am all over. Can't wait to hear more from them.

The track called Take Me Away is also nice, so far these are the only two I've found from them.

(Photos by Caleb Condit Photography from Facebook)

Have a great weekend!

Happy Friday friends! We are now in full spring break mode around here and the girls are bouncing off the walls because they are excited about our trip to Portland and Seattle. I look forward to hanging out with family and friends and am curious to see how the Pacific Northwest has evolved, it has been way too long since I've been back.

We have a few things planned, but are always up new adventures. If you were to spend 'a perfect day' in Portland, what shouldn't be missed, what about Seattle? Good eats and treats, shops, good spots for kids etc. Hit up the comments. I always love your suggestions, they are spot on.  I will be sharing shots along the way on Instagram : @blackeiffel. Have a wonderful weekend all!

*ps. Do any of you stay up ridiculously late before a trip packing and getting things ready? I have a definite bad habit I've got to kick.

Eye on: Kirra Jamison

Very intrigued by the color combos, patterns, and wonderful artwork of Kirra Jamison.

Bonjour Spring!

Yesterday was the first day of Spring! Here are a few things currently inspiring me. Yahoo, for my favorite season of the year.

1 The Art of Instruction
2 Katie Ermilio via From Me to You
3 Pierre Terrarium 
4 Market Bag
5 Roasted Asparagus and Egg

*Bonus points : if you know where the quote is from... I will reveal it in the comments tomorrow.

Instagram Series: Life with SMS - The Panic Room

This Instagram series of Life with SMS by Ryan Marshall (@thepanicroom) from Pacing the Panic Room is incredibly touching, thought provoking and one of the loveliest real life photographed series I have ever seen. It showcases in the most serene way the daily struggles of their son battling SMS. It stopped me in my tracks. I was pleased to see such genuinity and real life depth on Instagram. The way their family faces difficult life challenges with courage and beauty is inspiring beyond measure.

I breifly met Ryan and Cole at Alt in passing and was equally touched by what an amazing and courageous couple they are in real life.

(Photos by Ryan Marshall - from @thepanicroom Instagram)

To See : New Films

For a few moments last week I watched some movie trailers and added these 3 documentary style films to my see list. Have you seen any good ones lately?

1. Pina
2. Jiro Dreams of Sushi
3. This Is Not A Film 

Music Monday : Ólafur Arnald

Up for Music Monday today is something soft and soothing. Have you heard of Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnald? You may be most familiar with this cool artistic video. (They often have all kinds of creative musical stuff going on in Iceland, eh?) I was wanting some mellow tunes over the weekend and was happy to discover his compositions and am charmed by his Living Room Songs which were filmed in his Reykjavik apartment. I enjoy how he sometimes mixes in strings and electronica with his piano tunes and is experimental. If you like to let your mind unwind to soft piano chords like I do, you'll appreciate his compositions, they are amazing. Let me know what you think...

*Pick up Living Room Songs if you want.

Have a good one.

It is has been raining here nonstop all week long, V is hoping the sun will come out soon so she can wear her new shades we picked up for a couple bucks the other day. Wishing you a really wonderful weekend.

p.s. Have you seen Dominique Falla's string art? It is really exceptional. 

Little Esop

These vintage modern children's looks from Little Esop are fantastic; they look timeless with the perfect amount of mix and matching, fun stripes, and prints. After reading more about Little Esop today I was happily surprised to see that the designer Judy Posey uses organic fabrics and the line is sustainable. I am all for having high quality items that last. My girls are growing like weeds lately and this time around I am working on making better choices so the clothing can be worn down the line again on our littlest one. Little Esop (isn't that name perfect?!) just started selling online here and I just put all of these items on my girl's wish list.

Bramble Workshop

I came across the work of Jessica Pezalla of Bramble Workshop and I am in awe. It is stunning creative installation work and if you love a good window or store display like me you (think Anthropologie kind of type stuff) you will be all over it and want to see more of her work on her website here.

(Photos from Bramble Workshop)

Stylish Simplicity

As much as I like seeing lots of color and pattern on the runways (see posts here and here) and am inspired by pattern for projects, I feel most comfortable wearing blacks and neutrals. Black is pretty much my daily staple. Do you have a color in your closet that you just wear the heck out of? I sometimes want to sport hot pink or a fun floral number but it usually doesn't come off quite right on me. Club Monaco's look book spoke to me, all these looks that have me swooning.

Also according to this site they are going e-commerce on March 26. Cool.

(All photos from Fashion Gone Rogue)

Book Love: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland + Yayoi Kusama

A fabulous illustrated version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland with artwork by well-known Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama came out recently from Penguin Books in the UK. It's clever to watch the above little video about the title, which seems to be so illustrative of her polka-dot inspired work. I would love to get my hands on a copy of this title and it looks like it can be preordered here.

If you happen to be in London the nine decades of Yayoi's work is showing at the Tate Modern right now! Anyone seen it?

Inside Nature : Illumination

Images : 1: Fireflies 2: Outdoor Lighting by Bruce Munro

Katherine Sandoz : New Floral Paintings

I am really loving the new floral work that Katherine Sandoz has been working on. Just gorgeous! There is a collaborative artists exhibit called Flower Power going on in Savannah at the Kim Iocovozzi Gallery that would be such a beautiful thing to see if you are in the area. Ever since I came across Katherine's work in Savannah a few years ago in a lovely shop called the Paris Market it has been a joyful experience to see her work evolve and flourish.

Music Monday : Andrew Bird

I have been listening to the new Andrew Bird album, "Break It Yourself" on repeat since it came out last week. He is an incredible musician and this album is stunning. Whistling, duets, mellow harmonies and interesting acoustic and violin sounds have me oohing and ahhing. It is my favorite album of his yet.

As I listened to it multiple times I never reached for the skip button (which is rare for me -- I can't remember the last time that happened). It is a very solid, well paced, and balanced, quite lovely. Have you been listening to it too, thoughts?

Parties in a box

Want to send some snail mail to a friend or loved one? Melanie from You Are My Fave has the best 'Parties in a Box' ideas, seriously Paris in a Box?! Love. A Saint Patrick's Day one, fantastic. She has definitely inspired my brain.

(All photos from You Are My Fave)

Spring Blossoms

Signs of Spring have been all around, the trees in my area have been in full blossom for weeks (I love that about sunny California!) and I am thinking about bringing some branches indoors. I popped over to Terrain's website today looking for vases and was happy to see that you can actually pick up branches from their site, a really cool thing if you don't have easy access to blooming branches in your area. Do you bring spring inside?

Nuria Mora

I have been MIA and under the weather but I'm finally starting to feel better, yay. These amazing and colorful installation shots from Nuria Mora have definitely brighten my cold/flu sniffles and made me smile. Hope you are having a fantastic Wednesday, wow can you believe it is already the middle of the week?!

See more about Nuria Mora's sweet installation and more shots here. (All photos -- Nuria Mora)

(Speaking of being MIA, this song/video by M.I.A. has been a guilty pleasure - anyone else?)

Book Love: Henri's Walk to Paris

It has been a while since I have shared some of my favorite children's books (still love 'em) but a month  ago or so I preordered the book Henri's Walk to Paris and it arrived in the mail and my heart is happy. The back story is that I have been scouring the internet and contacting used book stores to find the Saul Bass original ever since I saw this post three years ago over at Grain Edit, I even posted about it.

Henri's Walk to Paris is now in my hands and I read it to the little miss this morning and the beautiful reprinted version can now be found on Amazon. Yay! 

Carmel by the sea

We had a lovely weekend in Carmel and I was impressed with a lot of the homes along our beach walk so I decided to take some photos to catalog ideas for our future beach dream house. Here are a few we wouldn't mind moving into, it is fun to daydream, eh? Wouldn't it be surreal to have the ocean as your backyard like the home above?

Or a glass staircase to the sky with incredible ocean views?!

Or a Italian modern style villa?