not so fast, smarty pants

I recently realized that that I’ve done a number of stupid things over the past year and, frankly...in my life. So you could imagine my relief when I drove past the latest Diesel Campaign on my way to work (most likely while texting and running a yellow light).

“Be Stupid.”

Somebody endorsing stupid? I had to know more.

Out of the thousands of advertisements I’m exposed to daily, (not to mention working at an ad agency) why was it that these two words sparked my interest enough to not only investigate the situation further, but to then go on and share it with you lovely people?

Because, like me, these words are not stupid at all. In fact, they’re brilliant.

Diesel’s latest integrated campaign evangelizes stupidity across untraditional platforms preaching the ways of a joyous, fulfilling, stupid life. Because what is being stupid, really? It’s acting on impulse. It’s taking risks, dreaming the impossible, and following your heart. Sure, stupid may lead to some awkward mornings and a set of crutches for 6 weeks, but in the grand scheme of life, stupidity is one the greatest characteristics we can have.

This campaign does not speak to everyone. In fact, from what I’ve gathered, it actually pisses a lot of people off. More aptly put, not everyone is… with stupid. There is an immediate moment of self-reflection or rejection of the campaign creating an unsettling tension. And although shock value lives most predominantly in the fashion world of marketing, this stupid girl believes that this is just the kind of charming irreverence our society could use more of.


Check out Diesel’s "Be Stupid" anthem video here.


Music: WeHaveBand

I find these words to be inspiring, so I took the liberty of transcribing the visual lyrics into a blank verse, unrhymed, iambic pentameter. Stupid? I think not.

like balloons we are filled with hopes and dreams
but over time one single sentence creeps into our lives... don't be stupid.
it's the crusher of possibility.
it's the world's greatest deflator.
the world is full of smart people doing all kinds of smart things.
that's smart.
well, we're with stupid.
stupid is the relentless pursuit of a regret free life.
smart may have the brains but stupid has the balls.
smart recognizes things for how they are. stupid recognizes things for how they could be.
smart critiques. stupid creates.
the fact is if we didn't have stupid thoughts, we'd have no interesting thoughts at all.
smart may have the plans but stupid has the stories.
smart may have the authority but stupid has the one hell of a hangover.
It's not smart to take risks, it's stupid.
to be stupid, is to be brave.
stupid isn't afraid to fail.
stupid knows there are worse things than failure.
like not even trying.
smart had one good idea and that idea was stupid.
you can't outsmart stupid so don't even try.
remember, only stupid can be truly brilliant.
so be stupid!


I posted a few shots from the campaign below, but you can check out the whole campaign here.












NOW GO ON... BE STUPID!

Musical Stairs

I'm not even going to get into it. I know. I suck at blogging.

But you know who doesn't suck?

The Swedes.

DDB Stockholm teamed with Volkswagen to top the 2009 Creativity charts with this melodious project. An initiative set to prove the theory that having fun can encourage good behavior. I love how simple this concept is and.. well, how simple people are.

Check it.



Seriously, How basic is mankind? I know we all love to fancy ourselves as such complicated, multifaceted individuals, but it's not that hard.

Stairs = Boring.

Piano Stairs = Awesome.

You don't have to go all the way to Odenplan to figure that out. But if you want to send me there, I'm not going to stop you.

Well... that's all I got for now.

More nourishment to come, I promise (all 4 of you).

cracker jackin' son of a fruit tart

I'm not sure how this all came about. . . actually, that's a lie. I know exactly how. I was talking to Lisa on gchat for longer than 3 minutes which is enough time to lead to bizarre conversations on the brink of genius and insanity thus, bringing me to my smartest (or stupidest) decision of 2009.

From this moment on, I hereby declare to replace all swear words with confectionery items.

Need more expanation?

Here are some examples:


"Oh, snickerdoodle! I just spilled coffee all over my new blouse. Cupcake my life."


"Hey dude, see that hot chick over there standing by the bar? Totally sconed her."
"Bro, that girl wouldn't scone you if you were the last scone at Starbucks. You are so full of butterscotch it's not even funny."


"Who the funnel cake do you think you're talking to, you red velvet profiterol?"


"I wouldn't touch that marble loaf with a ten foot fork."


"Holy cracker jacks! I just won a new car! My life is the licorice!"


"I hate him! Why did I ever date such a piece of salt water taffy?"
"Joan, he's not worth your calories. He's nothing but a two-timing petit four."


"Did you see Don totally eat chocolate trying to hit that rail?"
"Yeah, he is going to feel like hot fudge tomorrow."


"You're such a piece of toffee. But I still think you're delicious, and I love you."


"Someone better tell me what the marzipan is going on here or I'm gonna lose my oreos!"


"Can you believe how caramelized Betty was last night at the party?"
"That girl made a complete doughnut of herself."


"Peanut Brittle! I just got another parking ticket. Chocolate covered parking police, always trying to ruin my day."

"That girl is such a lemon bar. I mean, can we talk about that powdered sugar for one second? Who the cotton candy does she think she is?"





I think everyone should try and hop on this train. The next stop will be to replace all cars and planes with ponies and unicorns, then replace all guns with candy canes, and ultimately, live in a world where everyone has the ability to break out in choreographed song and dance, living out everyday situations in the form of a delightful Broadway musical. Now, who the gumdrops wouldn't want to live in a world like that?

C is for Couture and that's Good Enough for Me

Oscar de la Renta and Oscar the Grouch. Grunge at its finest.


Sunny day, sweepin' the clouds away, on my way to where the air is sweet. 
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to… 7th Avenue?

Because if Sesame Street is where everything’s A-OK for us kids, then surely New York’s fashion capital is where we should come and play as grown-ups.

And what friendlier neighbors will we meet there than Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Francisco Costa, and Diane Von Fürstenburg?

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic television program, Harper’s Bazaar orchestrated a playful fashion spread bringing together some of the biggest names in haute couture with some of the biggest names in childhood: the muppets of Sesame Street.

The spread fuses fashion with the pop culture institution, shedding light on each notion in an unconventional way. It illustrates that high-end fashion doesn’t always have to be serious. It can be fun, lighthearted and joyous. And it shows there is much more to Sesame Street than a beloved children’s program. The characters of Sesame Street possess an intangible quality that can only be described as precious. They are imaginative and wonderful, and a reminder of the kid who lives in all of us - even the most conspicuous fashion designer.

Both concepts communicate a universal message that is timeless and relevant. Years pass, but children keep coming back to Sesame Street. And everything from reoccurring trends over the decades to the term 'vintage' proves that great style, no matter how much time elapsed, will always find a way back into our wardrobe.

Check out some of the photos from the shoot below.

Photo credit: Jason Schmidt






Carolina Herrera and Elmo. Fashion's Song.



Diane Von Fürstenburg and Big Bird. Feathers: soon to make a major comeback.



Kate and Laura Mulleavy and Cookie Monster. Mmmm...Rodarte. Nom nom nom nom nom.




Francisco Costa and Grover. Two men: style for eternity.



The complete spread is featured in this month’s issue of Harper’s Bazaar.

See more photos (plus exclusive interviews with the Sesame Street characters) at www.harpersbazaar.com


It goes to show that some things will never go out of fashion.

A class axe

This is one of my favorite spots of all time. It's for Lynx, the British version of Axe body spray. I love the story it tells. A more refined approach to the art of seduction:


Getting-dressed
by davidtafabek

The Skeletons of Silverlake: Dead Man's Bones

What do you get when you cross The Notebook’s Oscar nominated heartthrob, Ryan Gosling, high-heel adorning bud Zach Shields, an obsession with the supernatural, and The Silverlake Conservatory Children’s Choir?

The creepiest, most haunting yet riveting celebrity music concept since Paris Hilton’s singing career.

Say hello to Dead Man’s Bones, Gosling and Shields young frankenstein of a musical collaboration. The two work with the children’s choir, along with an array of instruments (some they’re not totally sure how to play) to create this eerie, euphonic ensemble. Sort of like School of Rock, except way more goth, and a much stronger inkling to get authorities involved.

You can download their latest lament, My Body’s a Zombie for You below. Think Righteous Brothers’, Unchained Melody meets Wednesday of the Addam’s Family. It’s ominous. It’s amateur. It’s fantastic.

For a more visual interpretation of the Dead Man’s Bones concept, check out their live video for “In the Room Where you Sleep” as the two spectral visionaries lead a choir of Halloween costume-wearing children through a dark acoustic intonation. It’s like some junior high rendition of The Rocky Horror Picture Show gone wrong. And it’s awesome.

If cadaverous children singing with celebs just doesn't do it for you, at least skip to the very end of the video where the kid concludes the song with a giant sword. I have nothing else to say.

Way to go, Gosling. Nice to meet the non-Nicholas Sparks side of you.

Dead Man's Bones - My Body's a Zombie for You {mp3}

Even if you're not a cat person

I’ve been in a fog all day. It’s way too beautiful outside to be at a desk (sigh). Everything I've eaten today has been mediocre, at best. I’m positive I’m suffering from mild sleep deprivation. Annnnd, I think I’m coming down with a cold. Yes, it’s late July and I have a cold. Oh, what a harsh world we live in. Who can I possibly turn to, to lift my spirits in such times of grievance and despair? Why, none other than the masterful literary works of David Gibbon in the narrative stylings of “Kittens girl.” No matter how many times I revisit this clip, it never gets old. Inspired by Kittens? More like inspired by pure genius.