Liz Chan blog

Places & Spaces

2012-02-06T00:56:00.005-05:00

The space you live in can be a great source of inspiration if you create a beautiful environment for yourself. I recently moved into a new apartment a few months ago, and I've been so busy that I haven't had the chance to really decorate and make it my own. For the past few days, I've been turning to sites like pinterest to look for some ideas. I'm starting to realize a pattern in the images I save: I love 1) vintage photo frames 2) feminine details, like pretty glass perfume bottles, floral patterns, and sheer fabrics 3) beautiful ways of storing, organizing, or displaying things

Dream shoe closet, anyone?
What kind of spaces do you like? What would your dream room, apartment, or house look like? And if you have any great blogs or sites, definitely let me know in the comments :)

Photos via pinterest and SF Girl by Bay

Jason Wu for Target haul

2012-02-06T00:16:00.004-05:00

As a lot of you probably already heard, the Jason Wu collection at Target debuted earlier today, and it was CROWDED. I woke up early to go there a little after the store opened and people were already grabbing armfuls of clothes and accessories. Luckily, I did get my hands on a few items that I really liked. Overall it was an interesting experience getting swept up in the shopping frenzy, but well worth it.

I have to say that I was pretty impressed with the quality for most of the items. No loose threads, pretty solid stitching, no fraying raw edges...and the prices were so affordable. This collection is both classic and modern retro, feminine chic and sporty, all crafted with his timeless style of clean lines with elegant details.

Most of the items are sold out now, but I hear they will restock in another week or so (plus people will soon start returning items that they grabbed and realize don't fit). So there are still opportunities if you didn't get a chance today to get your hands on some Jason Wu.

Yayoi Kusama's magical rooms

2012-01-22T13:34:00.008-05:00

Yayoi Kusama is a japanese artist who is known for using polka dots as a motif in her sculptures, installations, collages, and paintings. Below is one of her most recent projects that is being shown in The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art in Australia. The installation consists of rooms made to look like a typical household painted completely white. Then for two weeks, she gave out different colored polka dot stickers to children for them to place wherever they pleased. The result? A beautiful transformation from a blank sterile canvas to something colorful, whimsical, and almost unreal.

Maroquinaris Zoologicae by Billie Achilleos for Louis Vuitton's 100th birthday

2012-01-14T21:43:00.008-05:00

Would you dare butcher a bunch of Louis Vuitton bags to create art? For their 100th anniversary celebration, Louis Vuitton commissioned artist Billie Achilleos to do just that. As painful as it sounds to hack up some monogrammed Speedy's, wallets, and belts, the end result is what the fashion house calls Maroquinaris Zoologicae, an amazing transformation from luxury leather goods to a zoo of different animals and creatures.

From Billie's blog:

"Each animal highlights an element in the design of the products. The Armadillo was to highlight the soft yet durable quality of the leather. The Chameleon displays the variety of colour. The Grasshopper is constructed from products with zips and poppers that make satisfying noises like that of the musically gifted insect. And finally my favorite, the Beaver, who’s functionality chops wood, builds dams…and provides cleaver ways of organising ones life in men’s bags and wallets."

Check out the rest of the critters here.

FABRIC project by Stéphanie Baechler

2011-12-28T23:15:00.005-05:00

The FABRIC project by Stéphanie Baechler has a very interesting process, one that involves taking a 3D object, turning it into 2D, and then translating it back again into 3D. The artist first takes pieces of colored fabric and hangs them on the wall in different patterns and arrangements. She then photographs them, and then proceeds to print those photographs onto new sheets of fabric. The result is very interesting imagery that captures all of the mesmerizing folds and shapes that are so often overlooked. There is a short video documenting her process below, and it is very inspiring to watch.

Fabric Project from Hochparterre on Vimeo.

Holiday windows

2011-12-22T20:56:00.006-05:00

The holidays are upon us! Sadly, I caught the flu, so I am home sick right now :( but at least I got a chance to snap some pictures last week of the window displays in front of Bergdorf Goodman. Every year, the big department stores in New York like to set up elaborate and fantastic displays, each beautifully done by talented artists and set designers.

Of course, the holidays are never complete without a trip to FAO Schwartz, the giant toy store in midtown that makes me feel like a little kid again. (No, I didn't get the bear...if only!)

Everyone have a happy and safe holiday this year! I am going to get some rest so that I can get better and hopefully make it home in time for Christmas.

xoxo
- Liz

"La ídola" by Fab Ciraolo

2011-12-20T16:59:00.009-05:00

I am loving this illustration done by Fab Ciraolo. Maybe it's the modern-vintage feel or the dreamy color palette. Or maybe it's because it has slices of cake floating around in a surreal fashion. I can't quite put my finger on it. I just love the way pattern is used everywhere from the background to her skirt, and even to obscure the subject's face.

Also, I wanted to give a thanks to the style blog, Be In Style for choosing my blog as an editor's pick award. Yay!

Best Blog on Style and Fashion

Figure paintings by Simon Birch

2011-12-15T23:48:00.005-05:00

Although these paintings were done back in 2008, I have just recently discovered these figure paintings by Simon Birch. The ones I selected for this post are my favorites from this series. I like that the figure is more abstracted and ambiguous than some of his other paintings. This ambiguity achieved by his brush and palette knife techniques really helps express the motions and energy being exerted by the figure's actions.

California Dreamin'

2011-12-13T01:48:00.006-05:00

I just returned from a lovely trip to California. I stayed mainly in the L.A. area and got a chance to experience the whole package: beautiful sunsets day after day, exploring the art scene at Downtown L.A. ArtWalk, eating my first In-N-Out burger, and driving along the Pacific Coast Highway. It was nice to get out of New York for a week and escape the cold for some of that west coast sunshine. Now I'm back, and getting ready to take on what's left of 2011 :)

USED Magazine - where fashion meets art

2011-11-30T10:58:00.011-05:00

USED Magazine is a new biannual created and art directed by the U.K. creative agency Useful. The publication, launched recently, explores the relationship and interaction between fashion and art. Full of beautifully executed fashion photography, art feature stories, and interesting typography, the magazine is both sophisticated and edgy in its own visual aesthetic.

Sweetstruck

2011-11-26T16:50:00.005-05:00

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I spent the last few days back with my family and friends in my hometown Wilmington, Delaware. I had LOT'S of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and best of all.....fall themed cupcakes! My sister brought over a dozen of these beauties from Sweetstruck Cupcakes. They looked so pretty and were delicious.

Pumpkin cupcake, Sweet potato cupcake (topped with marshmallow), Caramel apple pie cupcake (with apple filling), and Cinnamon Bun cupcake with cream cheese frosting.

I didn't do any black friday shopping....for me, relaxation = avoiding crowds and long lines. I'll actually be flying out to sunny California in a week for a vacation, so I'd rather have a little extra spending money for then ;)

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend!

Style Diary - Challenges of Modeling

2011-11-16T16:39:00.014-05:00

The leaves are falling and pretty soon, it's going to be Thanksgiving in a week! It's been awhile since I've updated on what projects I've been up to, so here we go. I recently styled and modeled for a photoshoot shot by Hansen Hanggodo. As an aspiring art director and photo shoot stylist, I wanted to practice two things: 1) putting together looks and 2) knowing what it's like to be in front of the camera for a change. As someone who is always working behind the camera and has directed models before, I wanted to experience and better understand what it's like to actually BE the model. Let me tell you....modeling is NOT easy, even though it may look like it. It's hard work and I was exhausted by the end of the day.

Overall, I had a lot of fun putting together looks. Some of many challenges I had to face while shooting: being on my feet all day in heels, posing outside for hours in the (very) chilly weather without a coat, continuously shifting and changing poses, and trying to stand on grass without my stilettos sinking in the ground. Plus, that whole thing about "smiling" with your eyes? Try doing that for 5 hours straight :P

What do you guys think of this look? More photos from the shoot to follow

Wearable Foods by Sung Yeon Ju

2011-11-08T13:20:00.008-05:00

Eggplant dress by Sung Yeon Ju
Fashion and food? Fashion made out of food? I could barely contain my excitement when I found this collection of what looks like haute couture made meticulously from edible materials. The artist, Sung Yeon Ju forces viewers "to defy the actual meaning, the functionalities, and the aspects of what clothing signifies in our lives. These images trigger some of our fundamental senses: Desire to wear clothes; desire to eat. But her images don't fulfill the senses either and they are interchangeable stories between the actual and the made-up reality."

Winter mushroom dress
Spring onion dress
Tomato dress
Lotus root dress
I can't decide if I want to wear these dresses, or eat them. See more of her amazing work via Trendland

Fashion Photography by Emre Guven

2011-10-25T16:53:00.008-04:00

Emre Guven is considered to be one of the top fashion photographers in Turkey. He has an amazing portfolio with an impressive client list, including Elle, Harpers Bazaar, and Marie Claire. I always enjoy the colors, compositions, and poise that he able to capture in his photos. I especially LOVE browsing his portfolio site, because all of his images are large and ordered in a way that gives you that same editorial-like experience.

Say Hello, Thank you, or Happy Birthday with cards by Social Proper

2011-10-24T17:27:00.006-04:00

Social Proper is a line of fine stationary for those who still love to send hand written cards and notes. These simple, but very pretty designs and patterns were all hand painted in watercolor and printed with love. You can purchase both single cards and sets here.

Melanie Authier's beautifully chaotic paintings

2011-10-19T17:39:00.004-04:00

I would LOVE to see these paintings by Melanie Authier in person. At first glance, it feels rather chaotic, but then your eyes will visually organize all the elements into something that is beautifully harmonic. Each painting represents an imaginary space where color, line, texture, and shape all come together to create an abstract environment that you feel like you can get yourself lost in.

"The Collector" - Tom Gallant

2011-10-11T15:22:00.006-04:00

At first sight, these intricately cut paper roses by Tom Gallant feel very beautiful and delicate. Upon closer inspection, they are actually made from pornographic images. According to the press release, this series aims to challenge our taboos about erotica. "The work sits boldly on public display, but its deceptively decorative nature prevents it from being immediately recognizable: before we know what we are looking at, we are close up and intimate with pornography. The beauty of Gallant's work makes it both a celebration of sex and a disturbing encounter with erotic fantasy."

Exquisite finger paintings by Judith Braun

2011-10-04T15:37:00.006-04:00

I am a little bit obsessed with these finger paintings by artist Judith Braun. The series "Fingerings" was painted using fingers dipped in charcoal or pastel. Most of us have probably finger painted as a child and have long forgotten that feeling. Judith Braun revisits one of our earliest forms of artistic expression, and refines it to a body of sophisticated pieces which communicate the symmetrical movement and gestural language of our bodies.

Add me on Google+

2011-09-29T21:44:00.003-04:00

If you haven't already, add my Google+ page to your circles! Stay updated with my blog and follow even more of my interesting finds on the net. I am so thrilled that I now have reached 700+ followers on my blog. THANK YOU all for your comments, messages, and tips. As you can see, I am one happy camper :)

Amazing Fashion Editorial Featuring Paper Dresses by Matthew Brodie

2011-09-28T15:26:00.009-04:00

I've blogged before about a paper dress, but this editorial created and styled by Matthew Brodie and his team for Madame Magazine BLEW ME AWAY. All the dresses and props were all constructed entirely out of paper.

Says Brodie on his blog: “We really wanted to create something beautiful from a material that doesn’t normally lend itself to being draped and shaped on a living being, it had to be apparent that it was paper, but not because it looked shit.”

For more photos, initial sketches, and behind the scenes action check out his blog post.

Murals, Mosaics, and Graffiti

2011-09-28T12:46:00.009-04:00

Murals, mosaics, graffiti......there's just something about walls covered in art that really grab my attention. Some are colorful and meaningful, created with love through an artistic vision. Others are grittier and consist of layers upon layers of drawings, graffiti, and stickers contributed by many different people over a period of time. Whatever the case may be, all of these things give the urban community both color and history (and a great backdrop for some photo ops!). When art is placed in a museum, it is essentially immortalized. But when art is on the street or in a public space, the art disappears along with the changing landscape. As more of these old buildings get torn down or painted over, it makes me feel more appreciative of seeing and experiencing something that has such a delicate lifespan.

Collages by Matt Wisinewski

2011-09-19T18:11:00.007-04:00

Check out these surreal mixed media collages by Matt Wisinewski. A lot of his work takes image manipulation onto a whole new level. It's definitely worth a look! I particularly like the ones that combine man and nature, through paralleling similar shapes and textures.

Moët & Chandon: Message On A Bottle

2011-09-19T17:38:00.008-04:00

What's better than a pretty special edition Moët & Chandon Champagne gift set? Why, a pretty champagne that comes with a gold metallic marker, that's what! This gift lets you personalize it any way you want. Leave a message on the bottle, practice your hand lettering, or heck, cover it with drawings of cats if you wish. The alcohol is your (pink) canvas for fun.

via The dieline

Awesome birthday present! (makes a graphic designer like me swoon)

2011-09-18T23:45:00.012-04:00

This past weekend, I visited my boyfriend and he gave me a birthday present that made my heart SWOON. Remember when I blogged back in June about the leatherbound classics designed by Jessica Hische? Well guess what I got!

I am so enamored with all the detailing that went into these books. They are absolutely gorgeous in person. ebooks, eat your heart out! You can purchase this set at Barnes and Noble.

Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes. I had a lovely birthday week full of surprises.

This creme brulee was TO DIE for.
Goodnight everyone! And have a pleasant Monday :)

DIY gift wrapping

2011-09-16T12:36:00.007-04:00

Lately, I've had an obsession with DIY blogs and wedding/event styling blogs. I came across this Do-it-yourself gift wrapping idea that is beautiful in its presentation and smart in the use of various materials you probably have lying around your home (ribbon, old sweaters, buttons, etc.)

The key to its elegance? It's all in the color palette. Stick to neutrals (whites, creams, beige, peaches) for a classier presentation without losing the craftiness. Don't be afraid to mix textures, like lace, burlap, paper, and satin. I know a lot of people with September birthdays this month, so I am sure to try this out! Nowadays, it's so easy to just throw your present in a gift bag and hand it off. This tutorial has inspired me to go back to handmade gift packaging :)

For more sites that may inspire you, check out: Eat Drink Chic, Style Me Pretty, and Thoughtfully Simple