Sunday, April 04, 2010

So Long, Lovers

Last week, I read a quote from some young scene-stealer who declared Mariah Carey was plaaaaayed out. The newbie said she was past her prime and stated that she should give it up. How someone could spit this blasphemy about such a classic and understated talent was shocking and sad! Naturally, it got me thinking about Design Boner (as the similarities are obvious) and that got me thinking about metamorphosis.

Normally, I would get sappy and long-winded with you. I would tell you that my aimless fingers keep trying to blog upon an invisible keyboard, when they're not busy picking up the pieces of my broken heart...

But this post isn't so much a goodbye as it is a herald - an overstuffed, glittery butterfly announcement - for change and I would like to be brief.


Design Boner has had nearly four years of ad-free, snarky fun and I'm proud of this. The blog, as it is, will remain up because we like it and hope you do too. But there's more out there besides bathroom accessories, wallpaper, and trips to IKEA and it's time we turn our focus.

So, Lambs, remember us for what we were: smart, funny, and not entirely about sparkle and boners (but mostly).

Farewell Design Boner

It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to Design Boner.

I've had such an amazing experience working on this blog whose name makes the occasional person blush. We've been interviewed twice for two different magazines, had our photos taken, had a gallery show, gone on vacation together but best of all, I was able to work with one of my best friends. I'm very proud of what Cardboard and I accomplished and I couldn't have and wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone else.

I have wanted for some time now to try and make a more serious go at my passion and figure out a way of making some sort of living off of my art. It will be a difficult challenge and I don't expect to be quitting my day job any time soon but I want and need to make a concerted effort at realizing my dreams. The hardest part of all of this is giving up something that has been such a big part of my life for so long and I will miss it dearly.

Thank you for reading, leaving comments and being so supportive. All my love to Cardboard for being such an incredible partner-in-crime!

Au revoir!

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Weekend Flings

Acrylic on Flesh (seen above)
Photoshop Love
Fried Pickles!
Aspic Anyone?
CraZy StairZ
Free Ear Books
Potatoes Redux
Ask the Shaq
Pocket Art
Cardboard's Next Project
Cardboard's Next Job
Dope Book
Abs R EZ
Most Important Art of the Day
Everything Reads
Feelin' Good

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Friday, April 02, 2010

Bonus Bone: Chris Jordan's Intolerable Beauty

Boxcar, Seattle 2003

Chris Jordan's photography focuses upon the Intolerable Beauty of our mass-consuming ways. By visiting American shipping centers and industrial dumps, Jordan has seen the vast stacks of by-product and waste and he's both drawn in and repelled.

Circuit boards, Atlanta 2004

These images are staggering, mostly due to the sheer volume of all this garbage! We can't not buy things, we can't not waste, and it would take a miracle for everyone, everywhere to start carrying around re-usable produce bags. A lot of us are still trying to get our neighbors (eh em) to recycle - period. But each of us can become more aware of how we use what we buy versus how we waste it.

Crushed cars #2, Tacoma 2004

So we'd simply like to ask you to pay attention. Maybe this means you'll choose the yogurt in the container that can be recycled over the one that can't. Or perhaps you'll turn over a whole new green leaf and become a composting freak (way to go, Mama C!). Hopefully, you're already on board - recycling, shopping farmers' markets, using the heck out of your cell phone before getting a new one - and this post will merely inspire you to push your dedication further.

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare these images - this motive - a Design Boner.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Worth the Week: Mille

I'm happy with this photo for three reasons:

1. I'm learning to use my new camera better and it's starting to show.

2. It's a lovely - and still! - portrait of my Mille (who is typically captured as a blur of nose and fur).

3. ORANGE! This bright, crazy orange wall is the very wall that inspired the tag line for this blog. The time has come to paint it over now but it'll always be orange underneath.

Take one photograph,
trade thought for order and words,

Monday, March 29, 2010

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Weekend Flings

A Hill Story (seen above)
Cake vs. Pie
Ryan Ain't Chicken
Hipster CEO
Organic & Local

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Bonus Bone: Round paintings by Sophia Brueckner




Round paintings by Sophia Brueckner

I love everything about these paintings by Sophia Brueckner. The size, the shape, the repetition of pattern. I can lose myself staring at the waves and undulations. I find them soothing. It's like sitting at the beach and watching wave after wave come in. Lucky for us, Sophia is thinking about opening an Etsy store to sell her beautiful work.

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Worth the Week: My Own Personal Sunset


My commute home from work involves almost one hour, split between two trains. It also often entails gum smacking, brassy cellular blah-blah, and the litter of afternoon teenagers. Sometimes I am like LOL but usually I say, "FML" and wish I was anywhere else.

It was one of these latter moments, one in which I was on the edge of hurling my unobtrusive and COMPLETELY SILENT book at these obnoxious folk, when I noticed this sunset. Everyone else - busy smacking and yakking - did not.

This was mine - all mine - and it was the quietest, most lovely sunset I ever did see.


Take one photograph,
trade thought for order and words,

Monday, March 22, 2010

Weekend Diptych

March 20-21, 2010

Weekend of glutenous homemade gluten.
Visit flickr to see the ever-growing Weekend Diptych collection.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Weekend Flings

A New Idea for Easter (seen above)
Free Moos!
Love Handles Beware
Update Resume; Read this List
Wonder Wise Ass
Holy Heels!

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Bonus Bone: Abacus

I would love this in a child's bedroom or maybe in an entryway. Everywhere else, I'd use a calculator.


For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Worth the Week: Trump Tower

Trump Tower

Darth Trump.

Take one photograph,
trade thought for order and words,

Monday, March 15, 2010

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Weekend Flings

Russian Art Watch (seen above)
Way to Go, Skinny CO!
The French Woman's Secret
Dulce de Hell Yeah
The Final Show

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Bonus Bone: Monstrito pillow

Monstrito pillow, at giulia sagramola

This little guy is just plain cute! I'd snuggle up with him any day for a cat nap.

For this reason, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Weekend Diptych

March 6-7, 2010

My weekends as of late have been a combination of domestic chores and screen printing.
Visit flickr to see the ever-growing Weekend Diptych collection.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Worth the Week: Ice Jellyfish

The back porch/fenced-in area of my condo building does some crazy (cool) things in the winter. Our ice situation, for example, is an absolute menace. To empty out the trash bins, one must risk paralysis either by icy steps, icy jellyfish, or icy stares from neighbors because our gate is broken again.

Take one photograph,
trade thought for order and words,
call it Worth the Week.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

Weekend Flings

Shopping Cart Chic (seen above)
How to Do It for the Little Gold Man
How WE Do It for the Little Gold Man
Sexy Star Wars
Business Days Means Business Days
Cardboard's Nightmare

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Friday, March 05, 2010

Bonus Bone: Picnic Plates

The weather was so totally nice in Chicago yesterday...

So this time, when I found myself waiting for my ride, instead of shivering and swearing, I was squinting and smiling. As my face soaked up the warmth of the sun, I actually started to think of spring. And then, since I was hungry, I started to think of food.


The sun, the snacks, the several minutes of trainspotting - it all got me in the mood for a picnic and these plates are so totally cute.

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Weekend Diptych

February 27-28, 2010

Lovely shades of brown and a gorgeous set of green eyes. Chloe is back!
Visit
flickr to see the ever-growing Weekend Diptych collection.

Worth the Week: French Fries IN the Sandwich

French Fries IN the Sandwich

Heat and I are a couple of hams. We ended up at Lucky's Sandwich Company only because we saw it on TV. Well...that and who wouldn't want to try out a sandwich that has the french fries already in it?!

Last Wednesday at Lucky's was nearly empty, perfectly cozy for a slow, snowy night. The sandwich though...? It plates up more slices of legend and bravado than it does bacon or steak. The fries, we understand now, are ideal filler, which may allow the eatery to skimp out on the meat.

But it was still a feat to eat this beast and, when I'm not clutching at my chest, I hold my cholesterol trophy high [ack!] and proud.

Take one photograph,
trade thought for order and words,
call it Worth the Week.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Weekend Flings

New Uses x 50 (seen above)
Boner Mourns Boner
A Big Ol' Slap in the Forehead
Darth Wants YOU!
Ice Dancing is Silly
Worth Going Organic
"I Got LIGHTS and HEAT."

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Bonus Bone: Mushroom lamp

Mushroom lamp, at Hindsvik

My lamp lust is still going strong. The holes in the mushroom cap would make some nice shadows on the wall. I'm all for some nice shadowing.

For this reason, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Worth the Week: Bus Stop

Waiting for the bus sucks. It especially sucks when the city slashes service, when it's Chicago-Style cold out, and when the good ol' gams are threatening collapse after an hour and a half of vinyasa yoga. Vin-yow-sa, rather.

But waiting does provide the chance to see things from a different angle - a gloomy and don't-put-your-tongue-on-that angle, maybe - but something new nonetheless.

Take one photograph,
trade thought for order and words,
call it Worth the Week.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Weekend Diptych

February 20-21, 2010

Hardwood and I had a fantastic trip to Portland, Oregon this weekend. Ocean and Mountains. We fell in love with the scenery!
Visit flickr to see the ever-growing Weekend Diptych collection.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Weekend Flings

Don't Be Afraid of the Semicolon (seen above)
Tray
Prey?
Oh, Kanye!

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Bonus Bone: Gimme Cupcakes Tea Towel

The cupcake - such an iconic, innocent, and one might even say, American image. Now mix it with the curved tongue and pointed claws of a flying (swimming?) dragon and you've got a playful new exotic feel.

And the tea towel is made from the softest (I've actually felt it) flour sack cotton so the literal feel won't have your hands breathing fire...Cupcake.

Gimme Cupcakes Tea Towel, by lovelane on etsy

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Worth the Week: Lazy Valentine

Lazy Valentine

This past Valentine's Day was glorious...gloriously lazy. I had plans for laundry, for a walk or some shopping, but I ended up spending much of day in bed. I couldn't choose one photograph to show my snuggle so I opted for these three: my Bird, my bed, and my Mille Bean.

Since it was the day of hearts and of chocolates, I would have loved to include the blurrily charming portrait of my true valentine, Heat. I found his glimmer of chest hair to be cozy and true but he decided it gauche.

Take one photograph,
trade thought for order and words,
call it Worth the Week.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Weekend Diptych

February 13-14, 2010

A candy colored weekend.
Visit flickr to see the ever-growing Weekend Diptych collection.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Weekend Flings

Paper Hearts (seen above)
A Good Sign(s)
Love + Ink = Stinks
From the "Professa" With Love
A Tribute Fit for McQueen
Best Way to a Blogger's Stomach...

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Bonus Bone: Ecomposter

ECOmposter, at ECOmposter

On the "What Is It?" segment of Ask This Old House last weekend, Roger Cook presented the above item to all the fellas. Richard Trethewey had the funniest guess, with it being a bowling teaching device for children. In actuality, it turned out to be a composter.

I rarely want to go out and get any of the gadgets they show on that segment, but I was pretty impressed with how this composting ball made composting so much easier and faster. Compost needs to be regularly mixed and, in conventional composting bins, that requires raking, a task which isn't easy and can be messy and smelly.

The ECOmposter allows you to simply spin the ball on its base and you're done. You can also roll it to where you need to add your compost. And because the the ECOmposter is well sealed, you don't have the smell. Compost creation time is increased. To top it all off, the Ecomposter is made from reclaimed/recycled nylon plastic.


For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Worth the Week: First Decent Photo with My New Camera

First Decent Photo with My New Camera

The lovely and creatively supportive Heat just bought me a new camera. Thank you, Heat! Even with a dirty lens (oops to all those smudges up there), my new-to-me Nikon D100 is a million steps up from my former Kodak POS.

I've been wanting to work with an SLR for awhile now. I know that I've improved my photo skills with the (not-all-that-terrible) Kodak but the features are undoubtedly limiting. I was becoming lazy and getting auto-focused into a rut.

After finally picking up, or might I say bench-pressing, my Nikon, I rediscovered that photography is hard! Not only am I dealing with a lot more weight but I'm also struggling with actually having to work. The image above - the old timey fridge - is just barely out of focus. I'm flashing right back to high school and Intro to Photography, when Mr. Bloomfield glared at me over every print I turned in and said, "You sure you don't need glasses?" He was right; I did.

Now I wear contacts (Thank you, Mr. Bloomfield!) but appear to still be a bit shaky-handed (Thank you, Mr. Coffee!). The photo above is aiiiight - interesting composition, decent color - but I know I can do better. So I will continue to play and learn because, like all things worth the work, reward will come from practice and the ability to focus.

Take one photograph,
trade thought for order and words,
call it Worth the Week.

Monday, February 08, 2010

Weekend Diptych

February 6-7, 2010

Weekend of light.
Visit flickr to see the ever-growing Weekend Diptych collection.

Sunday, February 07, 2010

Weekend Flings

Haiti: Three Weeks Later (seen above)
For Your Netflix Queue
Dealbreaker?
Free Downloads from Chicago Public!
How NOT to Email

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Friday, February 05, 2010

Bonus Bone: Volumes Fabric


Stacks of books are a big theme at my house but I wouldn't necessarily say they are a decorating choice. I just love the books, ergo, I gots them everywheres.

Well, wait. I don't have them in my window sills (curtains)...or completely covering my bed (sheets)...and I certainly don't wrap them around me when I cook (apron).


Why hello, Volumes fabric! Thank you for coloring my obsession in Rose, in Gold, in Teal.

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Worth the Week: Warehouse Worktown


The fam was in town this past weekend. We all piled in the car (yes! CAR!) to attend a small and delightful wedding expo thinger. The chic and indie wedding show gave us a taste of bite-sized brisket, vintage pin-ups, and such a lovely script. Yet I couldn't help but notice the space - a very cool industrial-turned-entrepreneurial warehouse.

I would love to work in a space like this. The quiet, open hallways - with brick and vents and NEON - opened onto gently marked doorways. There was even an indoor bike rack! And, most importantly, this building is about a...um...seven minute bus ride from my house.


So far my shiniest employment option is Ballroom Dance Chicago but I don't think I have the technical expertise...yet. I'll have to see what else is in the space because I think Mr. Sketch (that blurry finger up there) would kill me if I contacted The Dark Angel of T-Shirts...

See more of the neon sign fun HERE and HERE.

Take one photograph,
trade thought for order and words,
call it Worth the Week.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Weekend Diptych

January 30-31, 2010

Machine-made vs. Man-made.
Visit flickr to see the ever-growing Weekend Diptych collection.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Weekend Flings

Crafty Weather
All Burritos, All the Time
Happy Birthday, Bubbles!
The Oooops! in Art
Ack

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Bonus Bone: Gettin' things framed!

Gallery Frame, at CB2

Nothing feels better than finally getting a photo or piece of art framed (either professionally or DIY) that has been sitting around for months or possibly years. I had a CB2 coupon burning a hole in my pocket and it was going to expire soon. So Hardwood and I popped down to CB2 last night to pick up the ginormous gallery frame and use it for a semi-recent purchase.

A spritz of glass cleaner, some linen tape and BOOM! Instant improvement!!!

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Worth the Week: Harmony


Part of me has always wanted to be a back-up singer. Standing up in front, ripping through the high notes, and actually hearing yourself, just isn't my thing. (Not that it could be my thing, the three-pronged American Idol panel would insist.) But if I could, and decided I should, I would wear all black, bounce my weight from leg to leg, and sing strong on that back beat.

This secret preference was made positively clear last Friday night when I sang karaoke - alone! - for the first time ever. Sure, I felt a little cool (even though most of the credit belongs to Mr. Fishbowl Margarita III). Mostly though, I just felt silly.

But these fellers - these two guys with their two parts balanced on their one-mind track - they were not silly at all.

Take one photograph,
trade thought for order and words,
call it Worth the Week.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Weekend Diptych

January 23-24, 2010

Ballz and bacon flights (not mine) help you get over a weekend cold. Visit flickr to see the ever-growing Weekend Diptych collection.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Weekend Flings

Attn: Fruit Eaters or Anyone Who Loves the Delicious! (seen above)
Scary Skinnies
Fish Cake? Really?!
What David Bowie Listens to When He's Waiting for the Bus
Wi-Fi Complaint Box

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Bonus Bone: Boudreaux's Butt Paste

Boudreaux's Butt Paste, at drugstore.com

I think I first encountered this product, this beloved Butt Paste, as a gag gift. It sat unused in my bathroom closet until, in gushing desperation, I grabbed for its happy baby tube.

I can't remember what that original ailment was that made me decide to finally use this hilarious joke medicine. But since then, I've caked it on scrapes, burns, rashes, super dry skin, and, during this recent terrible cold, a tissue-abused nose. It smells a bit of cocoa and shares consistency with sculpting clay but, most importantly, it works.

Oh and hey, I've heard it actually works miracles for diaper-raw baby butts!

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.