Downtown Oakland

I moved to the East Bay five months ago from San Francisco and have been enjoying everything it has to offer.  We’ve been blessed with gorgeous January weather and here are some pics I took today of mural art while walking around downtown.

Plastic Rose Take-Out Bag Lightswitch Plate

Wanting more than a tan lightswitch plate and only finding kitsch alternatives I decided to make my own.  Inspired by a Chinese take-out plastic bag with a rose on it I got to work.  I first painted the lightswitch plate ($0.29 at OSH) with turquoise oops paint I had left over from painting my coffee table.  I then carefully cut out the rose from the plastic bag (this takes a little finness not to rip the plastic) and Mod Podged it on to the light switch plate.  I’m pleased with the finished product and there is a little less plastic in a land fill.

Pedro Almodóvar

I recently saw Broken Embraces and I fell in love with Pedro Almodóvar’s style and storytelling all over again.  I have been watching and re-watching several of his films.  While watching Volver I noticed a particular design element that I’d like to re-create (sorry no picture available to show!)  In Raimunda’s apartment (played by Penelope Cruz) there are photos matted with hot pink paper… the overall effect looked really good.  I will try to post my Loteria card pictures matted with vinyl fabric soon… until then.

Pegasus Books- Earth’s Biggest Calendar Sale

After eying the dog-eared print-outs of my gmail calendar for 2010 on the wall I knew I would be visually bored staring at the blank white make-shift calendar all year long.  As luck would have it I found myself at Pegasus Books this weekend and stumbled upon their Earth’s Biggest Calendar Sale- 3 Calendars for $10.  In addition to wall calendars there are day minder-type planners included in the 3 for $10 promo.  After much deliberation I decided on the Bunny Suicide Wall Calendar and the teNeues Alice in Wonderland personal planner. My obsession with paper goods intact at a fraction of the price.

What is….

Pop*pourri? A smattering of randomness of things I see, do, and am interested in. I hope you enjoy!