something to try: top shot photography

Ah yes, it's 2013, and all of a sudden we are all photographers.  Our world makes it very easy to be one, too.  Social media has unapologetically taken over our lives and along with it, photography has become an integral part.  Cell phones insist on the inevitable constant companionship of a camera at all times.  Most of us therefore can't resist snapping a photo here and there throughout the day and sharing them with all of our friends, fans and followers.  It's not a bad thing.  But bad photography is.  Fortunately, there are many really fantastic photography examples out there to follow, which can teach us a lesson or two on what to do or not do.  The top shot is one such example of a photography "do" that I just happen to be in love with.

clockwise from top:  1 // 2 // 3 // 4

For me, a top shot photo garners instant respect for the photographer.  It not only shows off a level of mad creativity, but also that effort was put into getting that perfect angle and thus maximizing the impact of the subject matter.  I doubt any one of the above collections would be quite as interesting without a nice top shot.

top // bottom

Top shots of office supplies and desk tops exhibit the beautiful shapes of each object.

top // bottom

Top shot lifestyle photos show a more complete picture of what is happening at a particular moment.

from the left:  1 // 2 // 3

Food photography has to be my favorite of the top shot category.  It is the modern day version of classic still life art.  What better way to see all the ingredients of a particular dish or meal?  Again, serious respect for the photographer who chooses to take top shots of food.  When you see one of these, you instantly know that this person was most likely standing on a chair over a table in a restaurant or at a friend's dinner party trying to get the perfect angle.  It truly is an art form.

You can be a top shot artist, too.  Just grab a chair or step ladder, get up high, and shoot from above.  

You just might be a top shot master!

Cheers, Julie

artsy architecture

Sometimes I just like to sit back and geek out over interesting architecture.  It's always entertaining to daydream about visiting one of these gorgeous buildings in a future life of travelling that I am secretly planning, but will probably never be able to afford.  Here are a few beauties that I discovered recently via that time-sucker otherwise known as Pinterest.

 

Business Park Airport Hotel by Petersen Architects in Berlin

Have you ever seen such a colorful building?  An instant attention-grabber.

The Parker Hotel in Palm Springs

The Parker Hotel might as well be called the mid century design mecca of the universe.  If you are into the mid century design movement in any way, shape or form, you will someday want to visit this place.  Not only is it a design masterpiece, but it's also been worked over a bit by designer extraordinaire, Jonathan Adler.  It's like a glorious two-fer-one if you are an interior design nut like me.

Dorset House, 1935 in London

Art Deco architecture and London aren't two terms that I often affiliate with one another.  But alas, it's true.  Beautiful art deco architecture isn't just reserved for the sunny shores of South Beach!

National Museum in Brasilia, Brazil

No one really needs an excuse to visit Brazil, do they?  

But certainly if they did, the National Museum would be an ideal one.

unknown art deco building

Art deco rides again.  The windows are a true work of art all on their own.

The Saguaro Hotel in Palm Springs

Another gem of Palm Springs...Who's down for a trip to see this beauty?  

My chips are on the table.  I'm all in.

So happy it's not Monday anymore...Julie

friday favorites...10/11/13

Five of my favorite things this week from my Pinterest pinnings...

Pinterest

This picture...It's astronauts.  It's a family.  It's an astronaut family.  

Is this what families are going to look like when we all migrate to the moon?  Kinda cool.

diy "edgy chic" pumpkins via small shop

We're waiting for a bit longer until we get ours still, but I've been thinking about decorating pumpkins lately. 

I'm dying to paint some black and white ones this year.  I really like how these ones are hipped up with all of the embellishments.  Who knows?  Maybe I'll decide to take it up a notch and do the same thing.

Pinterest

This room is just so bright and cheerful...I'm sure it could make anyone feel better after a long hard day out in the trenches.

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For you.  For me.  For everyone.  Just a not-so-subtle reminder that happiness is a choice.

pumpkin cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting

The perfect taste of fall...Get in my belly!

Happy Friday, All...Julie

geometric excellence

white floating honeycomb shelves by HandmadeRiot

Fact about me:  I'm a civil engineer.  So it should not come as any shock to you that I'm particularly fond of math and science.  It's really the certainty of it all that attracts me to these things.  They are subjects that involve analysis, interpretation, and proof.  No doubt, often times there is a lot of disproving of things that have previously been proven, too.  But for the most part, there is no ambiguity to math and science.  They just are.    

Besides math and science, I am also drawn to creativity and design.  Many people see a divide between creativity/design and math/science.  There are tech geeks and design geeks.  I guess I see it a little differently.  Math and science are everything...the universe.  Creativity and design are what the universe uses to make things that are vital and necessary to happiness in life.  So really, the two go hand in hand.  In my mind anyways.  Creativity/design can't live in a world without math/science and vice versa.  It's the juxtaposition of the two that maintains the balance.  Good example:  where would Apple be without either math/science or creativity/design?

The latest geometric design trends are the perfect illustrations of how the two schools of thinking can combine and coexist peacefully together.  Here are a few etsy items that have recently made it to my favorites list.

geometric pillow cover by Nirwa

hanging porcelain planter by RevisionsDesign

wood candle holders by ShadeonShape

print by Handz

Hope your week is shaping up nicely, Julie

friday favorites...9/6/13

Here's just a few of the things that I'm finding myself into this week...


This magazine...Domino is my all-time favorite.  As many of you other design geeks out there know, it was sadly put to rest a few years ago.  But the word on the street (according to the domino magazine instagram feed a couple of days ago) is that it's coming back for good as a quarterly mag.  Stay tuned.

This book...Yes, I've already seen the film.  And, yes, I loved it.  That's why I decided to immerse myself in the story long-term.  The book is turning out to be a bit different than the flick, too, so it's well worth the read.  You should read it, too.

pinned here
The rain...There, I said it.  The rain is actually kind of one of my favorite things this week.  That might sound kind of odd coming from a girl who lives in the perpetually rainy state of Washington.  But guess what.  It's been a long gorgeous sunny summer here.  And summer is always busy.  I'm ready to snuggle in and relax indoors while the rain gently pitter patters outdoors.  The thunder and lightning that we experienced last night is actually kind of cool, too.  I'm sure I will be singing a completely different tune in a couple of months, though.  Be prepared for my inevitable future moanings and groanings of how the rain never quits.  It will most definitely happen.

pumpkin magic bars
This recipe...It's got the words "pumpkin" and "magic" in it.  What could be better?  As the afore-mentioned rain has begun to set in around these parts, it's got me thinking about Autumn and Autumn means the Fall harvest and the Fall Harvest means pumpkin.  This recipe looks like it has pumpkin AND coconut in it.  PUMPKIN AND COCONUT.  Enough said.  Must try it.

These ladies and their Instagram feeds...Brandi (@BuenoBrandi) and Kelly (@Iheartbueno) of Mucho Mucho Bueno Bueno.  Besides having a great blog and their own jewelry line, they both have quite the knack for cool photography and always seem to capture some of the most innovative shots.  Their approach to life is fresh, young, fun and adventurous and I totally dig the amazing way they manage to portray that through their instagram photos.  These girls really know how to live.

This necklace by Moorea Seal.  You can find it here.  Truth be told, I don't really wear a lot of jewelry.  But truth also be told, I don't have much money to spend on jewelry nor do I currently have the kind of lifestyle that can afford to wear such outfits that require super hip modern jewelry like this.  But if I was living my ideal truth, I would totally have this necklace.  I'm really into the modern geometry style right now.  

That's about it for now.  What are you into this week?

TGIF, Julie

geek, chic AND relative ladies

So slightly embarrassing confession here...I had never watched a TedTalks episode until last weekend.  I know.  Sad, but true.  My oh-so-exciting Friday night, as my Friday nights always are (she said sarcastically), entailed laying in bed by myself and searching Netflix for something to keep me awake for another couple of hours until I felt it was a respectable time to call it a day and give in to my sleepiness.  I had come across TedTalks in previous Netflix searches and was definitely intrigued, but had always backburnered them for a later date.  This night I chose to meet my destiny and started into the legend that is TedTalks.  And now I'm hooked.

I stayed up past 2 am watching episode after episode and wondering how I ever made it through life without them.  So much inspiration and information to be had!  On this particular night I needed something to inspire me.  And I sure found it.

Here are a few of my favorite episodes that I found that night.  These ladies all represent the very essence of
geek, chic, relativity.  Something we could always use a little bit more of, in my opinion.

Enjoy, Julie

gear for your year, aka, school supplies

I hate to say it, kids, but school's almost back in session.

Some kids will rejoice in this.  Most will cringe and try to hide under the covers once that ever-fateful day presents itself.  I can relate.  But if you're gonna have to do it, you might as well do it in style.  And if you're not in school anymore, you can enjoy the back-to-school season, too, by stocking up on some essential new office supplies to add a fresh outlook to your workplace life.

'Tis the season!

1. The Pi Pencil to 96 digits - 6 pack  //  2.  Japanese Washi Masking Tapes  //  3.  Owl on Denim Blue Messenger Bag  //  4. Assorted Embossed Pocket Notebooks  //  5.  Letter Block Crayons  //  6.  Chevron Pencil Pouches  //  7.  Notebooks

Julie

tuesday geekery: albert einstein quotes

It's obvious.  I'm a little biased when it comes to Albert Einstein.  

In addition to being one of my lifelong idols, he's also the guy I named my business after.   

He was not only a genius of a physicist, but he had some pretty insightful and inspirational messages that he left us with as well.  I've picked out some of his best to show you below.  

Oh, and by the way, you can actually buy these and hang them on your wall, too.  Bonus.

Enjoy!

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Neue Graphic

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Tina Blue Shoes

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Neue Graphic

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Whisker Prints

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Print Press FMT

cheers, Julie

pinterest power...kevin & robin

 

Captain Kirk c/o their Pinterest Board "Space: The Final Frontier"

 

Airstream c/o their Pinterest Board "Campy Camping" 

Hipster Essentials c/o their Pinterest Board "Hippest Hipster"

 

Interior Design c/o their Pinterest Board "Interiors"

Kevin & Robin are a couple of my favorite Pinterest Pinners.  And why wouldn't they be?  They like all the same stuff I like...geekery, sandwiches, hipsters, vintage campers, star trek and interior design with a vintage twist.  Which makes them seem like pretty fun people if you ask me.  I follow them on Pinterest...You should, too!

Hap, hap, happies...Julie

For a bunch more really cool Pinterest Pins, you should follow me, too! 

 Just click here to see my boards.