Sondre Lerche

While tiding up my office today, me and V have been listening to Norwegian sensation Sondre Lerche. I have a few of his albums, yet we're currently listening to the Dan in Real Life Soundtrack. I'm not usually a big fan of one band soundtracks but this one doesn't disappoint. Well... I guess 'Badly Drawn Boy' also did a good job with About a Boy. What one-band soundtracks do you dig? What fab. ones am I missing?

Update: Oh... the voice of Lillian Samdal on the 'Modern Nature' track is genius. Anyone know if she sings anything else?

The Ones We Love

I am overwhelmingly inspired by this project called "The Ones We Love". Talented photographers took six shots in a natural (outdoor) setting of people who are most important to them. Above are a few of my favorites, go see their whole set. 1 - Matthew Genitempo 2- Lindsay Josal 3- Julio Cesar Isarrualde.

I went through the entire long list of photographers and here are more of my favs:
Ada Augustyniak
Alexei Belozerov
Annkathrin Pfaffendorf
Artem Mishukov
Indiana Caba
Korolev Iliya
Marika Ryu
Rasa Vistoskoja
Yuki Nakano

(found at photojojo)

Mika Rose Dress Giveaway

Mika Rose a company that specializes in modest and elegant dresses, has offered Black Eiffel readers a chance to win a dress! All you have to do is go to their website, pick which dress you would like, and then leave a comment here (on this post) of which one you like and why. Enter by Monday April 7th at midnight. Good luck, and thanks Mika Rose.

Sweater

I know it is April, and you're probably experiencing some lovely weather in your neck of the woods, but the last few days its snowed here! It made me like this soup packaging for Nusa Kitchen even more. via The DieLine.

Cowlicks

If I can get a hairstylist to help me punk out my two cowlicks and turn them into bangs... I think I want this hairdo. Mmm... can it be done? (photo from here)

Boards

A few more inspiration board I am loving. Both from Domino, #2 via Brown Turtleneck Sweater.

Glamorous

I love this Chanel photo and dress. I used to have a little collection of Chanel ads they were great, but I don't know what happened to them :( this photo is from {this is glamorous}

April Fool's Day

My brother Jake sent me over a link for the top 100 April Fool's Day Hoaxes of all time. The above 1957 clip "Swiss Spaghetti Harvest" is #1.

Riviera

Wishing I was here right now.... (images from Maire Claire Maison)

Thank you Paris

Don't you agree that it was nice and inspiring to have Paris Gerrard guest blog last week? Her work is spectacular and she is bursting at the seems with creative energy and ideas. Thank you very much Paris for all of your enlightening posts, and also for being so generous in giving a lucky reader one of your paintings! Be sure to peek in on Paris' work, and check back... who knows what great work she'll be painting next.



The winner of the above painting entitled, "It's All Make Believe III" was randomly selected by Paris. And the winner is.... Erin. Erin email me your address and I'll pass on the information along to Paris.

Orla Kiely

I am a big fan of Orla Kiely and as I mentioned on Friday, I am happy they are expanding into one of my favorite categories of paperie. I still can't believe I won this loot over at Decor 8. Thanks Holly!

Dagmar

The Swedish label Dagmar has such a smart logo and I think this dress is quite pretty. via Designer's Library.

Persepolis

The film Persepolis looks quite intriguing, and the reviews I've read are thumbs up. Anyone seen it?

Enjoying this week...

(Image above via Ali by Inkyblack)

Ali's week long posts all inspired from Amelie.
Decor 8 giving a sneak peek of the Orla Kiely paper line.
As always, inspiring Jordan knows how to throw a good party.
Chelsea guesting over at A Cup of Jo reminded me to read the Maira Kalman Interview that I have been anticipating.
This video of Kami's daughter singing "The Distance" cracked me up.
Bo's beautiful snowy Easter photos.
Enjoying this post and these notebooks from Oh Joy.
This monster hunter left his job and girlfriend years ago to live in a van on the lake in search of Nessy.(heard on NPR.)

Have a great weekend everyone!

*Remember to sign up for Paris' surprise painting giveaway before MONDAY!!! Read about how to enter on the previous post.

FOLLOW YOUR BLISS --- BY PARIS GERRARD

I want to say what a wonderful time I have had being a Guest Blogger for Black Eiffel. Thank you all, for letting me slip into your busy lives and share with you. I always love reading Black Eiffel, and I hope that you all enjoyed my posts. Blogging has been a really enjoyable process. I especially want to thank the Lovely Rachel -- It's been a lot of fun. Keep up the good work!

Since this is my final post, I would like to announce a little surprise. I am giving away the painting "It's All Make Believe III" to one lucky winner. If you want a chance to win this painting, just go to my website www.ParisGerrard.com, and send me an e-mail before Monday, March 31 with the subject line "Black Eiffel Painting Giveaway". The winner will be selected randomly and announced next week on Black Eiffel.

To wrap it all up, I would just like to express again how very grateful I am that art has found me. May I close with a quote by one of my hero's, Joesph Campbell. In one of their now famous interviews, Bill Moyers asked Joseph Campbell , "Do you ever have the sense of... being helped by hidden hands?" Campbell replied, "All the time. It is miraculous. I even have a superstition that has grown on me as a result of invisible hands coming all the time — namely, that if you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in your field of bliss, and they open doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be."

So, dear readers . . . find your passion . . . follow your bliss . . . go for it!

Paris

Posters with words of wisdom

I echo Grace's sentiments of not loving most motivational posters but the ones she talked about from here (hopefully the link will work soon) are pretty cool. I am also usually a fan of the ones from here.

June Taylor Organics

Katrina shared this video, and I think it is super clever. June Taylor Jams is a line of delicious looking organic marmalades, jams and other fine food products.

ME MUM --- BY PARIS GERRARD

I can't resist taking this opportunity to share my mom's latest painting. Jill Barton is well known for her amazing Buddha paintings, and I think this one is really special. The painting is on a cherry wood panel and gracefully incorporates the image into the grain of the wood. The colors are subtle, but rich. I love the addition of "Jizo Bosatsu's" silver leaf halo.

GREEN DOOR STUDIO --- BY PARIS GERRARD

Currently, I share an art studio with my artist mother, Jill Barton. Our studio is housed in an old brick building erected in the 1920’s by Nathaniel Baldwin -- a colorful inventor and local polygamist. The building, now called Flynn Artipelago, has been renovated and turned into 26 artist studios under the direction of proprietor, Kevin Flynn. The building has a rich heritage, and it is even rumored that Philo T. Farnsworth fabricated the world’s first television here. (Talk about a flash of creative inspiration!)

When we first moved into this space it was in pretty bad shape. We went to work and began repairing the ceiling , rewiring the electricity and running new heating ducts. We scubbed, patched and painted for weeks. It was worth the effort. We love the beautiful old exposed brick walls, high ceilings and ample north light. We have enjoyed this studio space for about two years. My mother and I, definitely inspire and influence one another. Working together in the same space ignites high creative energy.

Ideally, I love creating art for arts sake — bringing into form, something in me that wants to be born. I agree with Gustave Klimt when he said, "Paint to please yourself, not the masses". If you try to please everybody . . . well, you can imagine how quickly that would dampen the magic. The precious thing about art is that it is a personal vision and statement.

InWear

Have you ever found a line of clothing that you literally loved almost every piece in their collection? Well I just found the collection for me called InWear, I would pretty much wear it all. Now to get it in the U.S., and convert those kr to dollars may be another story. Also sometimes catalogs or online shopping can let me down after seeing the clothes in person. Anyone seen or heard of this brand? Does anyone know what style this is considered? I'd love to have someone help me sum up this genre. (discovered inwear from here)

Angela Adams

I just got an email that showcased this ocean/seaglass Angela Adams rug. Isn't it gorgeous?

Little Miss

Has anyone figured out how to put a pause button on kids growing up so fast? 17 months later, I still feel like we're on fast forward.

Pretty Flowers

Going through some shots from my SF trip, I came across this one. I can never ever get enough peonies or ranunculus.

Random just got beautiful–By Paris Gerrard

Random Got Beautiful is a creative site developed by the talented Niki Farquharson. Its purpose is to provide a collection of random photographs taken by different people from around the world. Niki’s motto, ‘Random is Good’ was the inspiration for the website. The site boasts itself as "an open and public celebration of bold color". The cool thing about this site it that it is open to anyone who wants to participate. It's also a great way to self publicize, because each photo links to the site of its photographer. So far, over 419 photos have been submitted. The photos are grouped and displayed by their dominant color. What happens is amazing. The resulting collage of random photos unite to form a colorful display that becomes art itself. I love the new images that my mother, Jill Barton, recently submitted. See if you can spot mine and hers below. So, what are you waiting for? Go join the fun.

I'm dreaming of ...

I'm dreaming of a beautiful place like this to sit and read a good book in the sunshine. via NIBS photo from House & Garden.