Amy's Web Log: February 2010

2.26.2010

Friday Find: Rattan Elephant Hamper

Rattan Elephant Hamper, Home Decorators Collection, $69 (for the 22" size)

2.24.2010

Inspiration: A Celebration of Color

Georgia O'Keefe once said "I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way--things I had no words for."

Color defines the world around us.

Color is a primary element in web design. Designers use color to relay a message to the viewer. Colors can create within a fiery passion or relay a sense of calmness and tranquility.

Flickr Roundup:

Lady Pandacat von Nopants

Linda Cronin

2.23.2010

Haiti: The Need is Overwhelming

On January 12, 2010, the eyes of the world turned to Haiti after a massive 7.0 earthquake shook the small country to its very core. Aftershocks continued for the next week, furthering the devastation. An estimated 1 million people were left homeless, 300,000 people injured and 230,000 people died.

In late January, UN declared that the emergency phase of the relief efforts was drawing to close. However, the need for relief will continue in the months (and perhaps years) to come.

My uncle, Steve Ohnesorge, a reporter for WBTV in Charlotte, NC went to Haiti for a week to document both conditions and the relief efforts underway. WBTV is airing the report series this week. Follow his story at here.

2.22.2010

Friday Find: Match & Munch Sandwich Cutters

Match & Munch Sandwich Cutters, The Spoon Sisters, $16.95 (set of 4 puzzle shapes)

2.17.2010

Music Map

I'm often asked how I discover new music. The answer is research. I scour charts and media articles featuring new artists. I keep up with playlists of a collection of people in whose music taste I trust.

Now, there is a programmatic, much more efficient way. music-map.

The principle is simple. I enter an artist I really like. For example, let's choose Josh Groban.

The music-map tool returns a grouping of artists in cloud form, answering the question in this case "What do people who like Josh Groban listen to?". Your results will look like this:

See the result set for yourself here.

Artists close to each other have the greatest probability that you will like both of them. You may see the names travelling around a bit as the "closeness" factor settles in.

Then, simply click any name in the cloud to move along.

Awesome, right?

2.14.2010

Inspiration: Heart Day

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

-- e.e. cummings

Flickr Roundup:

2.12.2010

Friday Find: Red Mini Plush Heart Ottoman

Red Mini Plush Heart Ottoman, Bed Bath & Beyond, $39.99

2.10.2010

Battle of the T-Shirts

For more adventures from Rhett & Link, visit their website.

2.07.2010

Artist Spotlight: Paloma Faith

Highlights from Paloma Faith's album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful?:

2.05.2010

Friday Find: Marquis Polka Dot Highball Glasses

Marquis Polka Dot Highball Glasses, Waterford, $39 (set of 4)

2.03.2010

Inspiration: The Pyramids

The ancient Egyptian believed the pyramid shape sent them directly to the heavens. For centuries, archeologists have wondered how these magnificent structures were built.

The pyramid shape still intrigues artists and architectural masters alike. The first part of this inspirational round up features the ancient Pyramids at Gaza. The later section features the pyramid shape in more modern times.

Flickr Roundup: