Lauren Simkin Berke Illustrations

I got something really spectacular in the mail the other day. I received some stickers from a project that I had supported on kick starter a little while ago. Now, I often roam around kicker starter backing random art projects and had totally forgotten about this one. You're probably thinking, they are just stickers. But they are some amazing sticker from a very lovely illustrator! 

We all know that I'm a sucker for illustrations and old photographs so its only natural that I was smitten for LAUREN SIMKIN BERKE. I really like his style of illustrations. They appear simple at first but are actually really complex and full of textures. Which you can see HERE! in some of his sketches. I like that he uses old photographs to work from. Mostly because I love the mystery that old photos of strangers hold. To take something as simple as a photograph and transform it into something beautiful and unique, that takes a pretty special person. I really enjoy this blurb he says about his work. 

"I collect old photographs from flea markets, antique and junk shops and draw from them. They are often family snapshots from the 1920s through the 1970's or studio portraits from the last quarter of the 19th century. I find it strange these document are for sale as part of a consumer market place instead of being in albums on book shelve in the homes of the families of those in the photos. I find myself at the intersection between fascinated voyeurism and determination fo know these documents as well as humanly possible in order to give them a new, longer life." 

Needless to say I'm going to be snatching up some of THESE cards and probably end up buying his new book as well. Check out his stuff, its dripping with awesomeness!

-Remi

Music Monday: Various Cruelites

Hey there! I hope all of you lovelies enjoyed your holiday weekend! I know I sure did. It was full of laziness and new tunes! One of my newest favorites is Various Cruelties. Ok, now I must admit that I first heard this band on a commercial. I can't remember what it was advertising but the song was If It Wasn't For You. It was just so catchy and lovely and I fell in love with the guys higher voice and the kinda sweet rock and roll-ish pop sound they had. Once I listened to the full song the lyrics were so sweet. (which was interesting for having such a harsh sounding name) But after falling in love with that song I needed to find more of there tunes. Needless to say it only took me once tracking through there album to realize its a must have. I mean, sure there are a couple of tracks that are lacking, but as a whole its very nicely done. I feel I've yet to discover the awesomeness that is Various Cruelties, but a bit more poking around on the interweb I'm sure I'll just find more reasons to love these guys.

"If it wasn't for you, I don't know what I'd do. I've got nothing to prove, I've got nothing to lose."

Hope you enjoy this little playlist! Good luck on this fine Monday! (Mondays after a holiday are always the roughest, hang in there cookie!)

-Remi

Black Friday Sale!

       I know I've been ranting on about my discomfort with black friday. But alas we wouldn't be a very good lil' shop if we didn't partake in the festivities. So we're having a sale! We are offering 20% off of everything in our SHOP. The sale lasts from the 23rd to the 27th. It successfully encompasses all the black friday-ness and cyber monday-ness. See, I'm not a complete bum when it comes to the madness! 

I must admit I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my beautiful family. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my Thanksgiving. Now I'm just going to be lazy for the rest of week and soak in whats left of November until the Christmas madness begins. 

-Remi

Thanksgiving!

I can't believe how fast time is going by! Its already Thanksgiving tomorrow! Thanksgiving is always a bit of an odd holiday. I mean, it is a lovely holiday and all. I love the idea of eating together as a family and it sort of kicks off the holiday season. But when you really look into the history of Thanksgiving, it's strange holiday. Although, I'm not complaining, I love eating so a day based around eating is totally up my ally. Plus I get to spend the day with the people I love most! 

What's the deal with black friday? I mean everyone just spent a lovely day with there families now its time to go and tackle each other for cheap stuff? It's kinda crazy how agressive people get. I personally will just shop online for the good deals. Although I could probably get better deals after waiting in line in the cold at the crack of dawn. Mostly likely I'll find myself in the situation anyways if my sisters drag me out with them. I suppose it is kind of fun to see all the crazies and snag a couple of neat things for oober cheap. 

But if you're one of those crazy agressive black friday-ers, just remember to be nice. No need to yell at people or plow people down with shopping carts. It is the holiday season after all, so be kind to one another! 

-Remi

Music Monday: Local Natives

Hey! It's Monday..again! This Monday I'm in love with Local Natives! I've been a fan of them since there first album release Gorilla Mannor. They have such a fun and complex indie sound that I just love. They've got poetic, witty lyrics that make there songs easy to listen too over and over again. Which is always a plus! They just released a single called, Breakers. I can't wait for them to release a whole album which is expected to come out early 2013. The song Breakers has there same catchy guitar riffs, but more sophisticated. They have stuck to there same layered goodness and complex building percussion section. I'm excited to see where there new album goes. I've a feeling its going to be similar but better. If that makes any sense. Anyways, I love there sound. Here's a little playlist of my favorite songs of theres. Hope theres at least one song on here that you love! 

"Breathing out, hoping to breath in. I know nothing's wrong but I'm not convinced."

Have a successful week!

-Remi

It's officially winter.

    Well, finally finishing up a cold lazy week. I know what you're thinking by now, when doesn't Remi have a lazy week! I think I'm finally getting out of my lazy funk. Just seems like so many grown-up decisions need to be made and my indecisiveness isn't helping me with any of them. The cold weather isn't helping because all I really want to do is snuggle up in bed. It's 90% harder to get out of bed when its cold! But today I made a giant to do list and I feel like I might be getting back on track to getting stuff done. I'm feeling very creative also, which is a good thing! I sat down today and worked on some sketches and wrote out some ideas. So I'm slowly getting out of this rut. But for now I'm going to lay in bed and catch up on Modern Family episodes and obsessively listen to Lisa Mitchell's newest album. 

Happy Weekend!
-Remi

Nifty Findings: Sweaters!

      It is official  winter has come like a slap in the face. This week so far has been so cold! I mean, knew the snow would bring some chilly nights, but it occasionally brings sunny days. But not these past couple days. It feels like winter is in full force! It's time to dig out all the heavy duty sweaters, jackets, scarves and mittens! While I was thinking about this chilly weather, I realized that I needed some new sweaters. I want to buy something big, thick and cozy. (But still cute and fashionable) So, I went digging around on the interweb. And I wanted to share with you some of my nifty findings! 

Let's just say my list of sweaters to buy quickly became, sweaters that I WISH I could buy. But here are my favorite findings!

    

1: Bear Sweater                 2: Owl Sweater

I think it's safe to say I need an animal sweater! Both of these look so cozy and cute!

                                        

       3: Yellow Sweater                  4: Striped Sweater

I love all the sweaters on Modcloth and Ruche! But I'm especially in love with these two!

Don't forget to keep warm and bundle up!!

-Remi

New Reads!

  Now, I normally don't post very much about books I read. But I've been reading a lot lately and I figured that this blog is just becoming a mash-up of the randomness that flows through my head lately. And I've been reading a lot lately, its one of my favorite cold weather activities. I really just wanted to share this awesome book I finished the other day. It is called Where'd You Go, Bernadette written by Maria Semple. The reason why I first downloaded this book on my Kindle was because of the cover illustration. I know, its horrible to judge a book by its cover.(But how awesome is this one?) I also kept seeing this one pop up all over the place and was recommend on a couple blogs and under the "if you like this, you might like that" section. Now when I first started reading it the lay out was a bit awkward to get use too. Most of it was written in email and letter kind of format. Which after getting use to it I actually really enjoyed it. Over all it was written very well. I felt like I could really relate to Bernadette's anxiety issues. It was funny and touching. It was a good read and I recommend it to anyone!

Now I'm on the quest for a new book! What are you reading lately?

-Remi

Music Monday: Camera Obscura

   Hello! It's a snowy monday this fine November day! This monday I'm listening too Camera Obscura. I love these guys. They have his lovely retro sound to them and sweet cynical lyrics. They have released quite a few ablums, which I have barely begun to dig into. But by far my favorite album is My Maudin Career. For me there sound fits the cold weather appropriately, with the idea that sunny days aren't really that far away. Here is little playlist of my favorite songs. I just want to be lazy and cuddle up with some tea and soak in these lovely tunes! 

"I love how your eye close whenever you kiss me, 

and when I'm away from you I love how you miss me." 

-Remi

Where did fall go?

  Well, all the weather men have been in a fuss all week. Apparently we are due for some snow this weekend. Which I can't say I'm completely opposed too, but where the hell did fall go? Didn't it seem like we were just soaking in the smell of falling wet leaves...and now its time for snow! I must admit I have been spoiled these past couple weeks. We've had lovely sunny weather with chilly nights. Which is my favorite thing about autumn! But I guess winter was approaching whether I wanted it too or not. In the end it's safe to say that time is just going by way too fast.

I was wandering around outside the other day. Its official that death has swept though the living plants outdoors. Here's just a couple pictures I took while meandering. Now, I know that I'm not a that great of a photographer. But that's not gonna stop me! Plus, these pictures turned out pretty well considering I took them with my phone. And really I just wanted to play with the new photo editor on my new computer. I figured so it wasn't a complete waste of time I'd post the pictures.

Anyways, bundle up cause some snow is a coming! Time to get out the mittens!
-Remi

My favorite person in the world! 

Instagram!

Yes, I know. I am a bit behind on the whole Instagram thing. I am just now finding out how kinda awesome it is. I think at first I was a bit reluctant because it was only for the cool iphone people for the longest time. BUT, now I'm finally hoping on the bandwagon. Although, I still feel like I haven't quite gotten the hang of it yet. After my failed attempts at trying to use twitter, I have my doubts. Instagram seems a whole lot easier though, like the simplified version of twitter with added pretty pictures! Anyways, now I can follow all my favorite blogs and people! I was surprised how many people were on there. But then again I am a bit late in the game with the whole technology thing.

I normally try to post at least one doodle a day! Mostly cause it will keep me doodling if I have a goal! That way I'm always trying to be creative everyday. But man, there are some really awesome doodlers on there. So, you can follow me and my random doodles, if you would like too! 

 Follow @remikeahi

-Remi

Music Monday: Matt & Kim

Hello friends! This past Thursday I got the chance to see one of the greatest duos ever.. MATT AND KIM! I think this has to be one of the funnest concerts that I've been too. They just had to so much energy! I mean, what are you to expect from these two. All there songs are high energy songs! But I love how much they interacted with the crowd. It gets so boring when an artist takes the stage and just plays the albums straight though, it doesn't make it a unique experience at all. But these two were the exact opposite! Of course I was stoked that they played all of my favorite songs! And man, that Kim is not someone you want to mess with. Her energy and aggressiveness was enough to plow down anyone! Which is so awesome to see a strong..I mean strong independent women like that. Needless to say, she's the last person I would ever pick a fight with. In the end these guys have released 4 amazing albums. All are worth a good listen too. they've got some happy, dance-able tunes intertwined with meaningful catchy lyrics. All rolled into a neat little uniqueness package!

"Sometimes truth sounds just like lies." 

Have a successful week!

-Remi

Rambling Bits

Wrapping up a very busy and lazy week! I'm not sure how that is to be lazy but still be doing a million things, but that's what this week has felt like. Successfully survived Halloween and all the chaos that comes along with that holiday.We went and saw the fantastic musical duo Matt and Kim last night. Man, do those guys put on an awesome show! So much fun. I finally ordered a much needed new computer! I think I've found the perfect one, thanks to Dirk! Hopefully it's as wonderful as I'm imagining it is! Only time will tell. I've got the sketch worked out for the new banner. Now just the final touches are needed. It doesn't seem like I've accomplished too much this week. But considering I found time to sleep in embarrassingly late and catch up on all the Project Runways. I'd say it was a success! 

Happy Friday! Check out Matt and Kim's new album Lightening! These are my favorite lyrics from the song Now off of there new album. You can listen to it HERE! 

-Remi