gifts for friends.

a few weekends ago i had the distinct pleasure of staying with a couple of friends for a weekend while in town for a bridal shower; i mailed off some tokens last week of my appreciation for their generosity and a thanks for being such gracious hosts.  

it's a small gesture, but i like to think that handmade gifts carry with them that much more heft.  indeed the thought does count, even with a ready made gift, but it's different with handmade.  to receive is to receive both thought and labor.  gifts made for friends are just that - labors of love, of friendship.

ermie collection no. 1 / 2012.

all images courtesy of ermie

jennifer has been one busy, busy, busy lady recently.  and while she's known for her incredibly playful and bright textiles in recent collections, i had to dedicate an entire blog post to her upcoming collection as it literally blew me out the water.

some of my favorites are highlighted, but i can't stress how much i love the direction she chose to go with this season by pairing some of her brightest textiles yet with simple shapes and basic separates - one could seriously knock out their entire wardrobe with what jennifer's offering this season.  and jennifer, if you're reading this - i've got dibs on that light of california apron dress and that indigo jacket!  perfection.  see the rest of her collection here, and the word on the street is the shop will be open for business monday, july 9th.

daizo by rarebit.

'daizo' cover art by justin hopkins

daizo, the full length debut of justin hopkins aka rarebit, one of my longest standing friends and an endless source of inspiration, is finally available digitally with vinyl landing tomorrow.  i've known this guy since 2004 with a friendship spanning three states and counting, and i've learned from him the limits (or more truthfully, lack thereof) of man and his will to do something great more than anyone else i've yet to meet.  i know his family and his wide circle of friends are immensely proud of him, and over the year that we were rooommates i've seen the progression of daizo, justin himself and his craft and it's truly awe inspiring.  fun side note: the cover art pictured above was itself a year-long progression; it was moved around constantly in our apartment the entire year we lived there, with bits of work done on it here and there; finally seeing this in its finished form is somewhat of a closure for me.  pick up the digital release on itunes here, and pre-order daizo on vinyl here.  i preordered this seemingly ages ago and cannot wait until it finally arrives.  

sequins and skeletons: live @ kxlu 88.9

image via sequins and skeletons myspace

a few friends of mine will be playing live at 5PM PST on kxlu 88.9 - tune in to your dial at 88.9 (for you la-area kids) or stream live here, but i highly suggest you check them out and show some support!  more information via sequins and skeletons’ myspace.

spin some cheer.

whimsical lp coasters from parrott design studio.