Apartment Love

Because really, we are all homemakers. It’s a sort of default position.
Many people aren’t particularly great at it, and live lives of discomfort
in barren spaces filled with soulless objects, but in the act of living
in a space, we are making it a home, either successfully or not….
–Even Cleveland

Let me tell you right now: I’m grateful for my living arrangements. My roommate’s pretty cool and owns couches, there’s a kitchen with an actual working oven, and I can hang pretty much every poster I possess on the walls. I’m warm and dry, with a place to sleep and eat–basic necessities are covered.

Basic necessities? Yes. Do I feel at home? Not so much yet. If I had moved here from my last place, a house I shared with three roommates, the transition wouldn’t have been so weird. But last year I moved back with my parents to save money, and so I stayed in my old room. I love that room–it’s a product of the last many years of my life, all homey and confused and colorful. It’s one of those places I can relax in, where I can just be myself.

I recently stumbled upon Even Cleveland, where a post on homemaking really made me think twice about my new living space. I want to feel comfortable here, like I belong. My apartment needs to be a place I love. Since I have limited funds to make this happen, I turned to the internet for inspiration. There are some absolutely fantastic small spaces floating around out there–and the ones featured on Apartment Therapy are beautiful and inspiring (and functional!). I’m practically drooling all over the home tours. [Click a photo for a look at the entire home.]

I love love love the Japanese lanterns in the photo–I should break mine out and see what I can do with them.

The vibe of this room is so nice– chic and traditional, but still cozy. The framed map is a neat idea, too.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for Gothic arches, for dark wood, for random staircases. Now I just have to figure out how to install these architectural features in my apartment.

That couch just begs for a slow afternoon of reading and tea. Also a cat.

 

Open Auditions

Nor'easter Boots from Anthropologie

The Portland Winter production of Rain on a Leaf-Encrusted Sidewalk, with music and lyrics by the Polar Jet Stream and the Pacific Ocean.

Date: Starting yesterday.

Time: All day, every day.

Place: peoplewearclothes.wordpress.com

All those cast will be enrolled immediately in my wardrobe, for rotation 3-5 days per week.

Cast Description: 1 pair grey boots

Audition Particulars:

» Please be prepared to walk long distances. Flats preferred. Heels up to 3 inches may also be considered.

» Must be equipped to keep legs warm and dry. Candidates other than leather or another quality material need not apply.

» Ability to accommodate thick socks, leggings and slim jeans is required.

» Over 12″ shaft, please.

Callback Date: Immediately after trying on.

Performances: November 2009–April 2010. Possible guest appearances Summer 2010. May be rehired for Winter 2010-11.

For more information, email peoplewearclothes [at] gmail [dot] com.

Internet Currency

I haven’t thought about Salad Fingers in years. Salad Fingers likes to caress rusty spoons, and is documented in a series of videos about his surreal (and frankly, horrifying) adventures. Back in the day, I would quote it to my friends all the time–I could even imitate the voice pretty well. The original flash videos are some of the creepiest things I’ve ever seen–right up there with William Faulker’s “A Rose for Emily” and the end of The Silence of the Lambs.

Imagine my surprise when Queen Michelle posted an editorial called “I Like It When the Red Water Comes Out” last week. I did a double take–the quote, the giant hands, the creepy vibes–is that really from Salad Fingers, or am I just not keeping up with Kids These Days? So I trotted on over to fat-pie.com to rewatch old episodes, and yup, the red water makes an appearance in the second episode.

Queen Michelle had posted stills, but I discovered that the original editorial was animated. What a great idea for an online magazine, yeah? I think it works especially well for a Salad Fingers-themed shoot too, because intermittent animation adds an extra layer of creepiness to the editorial. But the greatest thing is that the editorial embodies all of the surrealism and ghastliness of the original movies –even down to my visceral reaction (What? I like to creep myself out. There’s a reason I like Faulker!).

Brilliant idea, brilliant execution. This editorial makes me excited to see what else online fashion magazines can do. I’d love to see other fashion editorials based on internet phenomenon– We Love the Moon or All Your Base or The Ultimate Showdown or The End of the World or… I’m going to stop now.

FYI: If you want to watch Salad Fingers, I recommend doing it in the daylight, especially if you’re easily disturbed. Friends don’t let friends unintentionally give themselves nightmares.

I Need a Raincoat

Getting used to a new city is taking me a while, especially considering that previously, I lived in the same place for 18 years. I knew the city and surrounding country inside out, and had friends in every nook and cranny. Here, not so much.

That’s not to say I’m not liking Portland–au contraire! Old, established cities are so beautiful. I love being able to walk downtown and see architecture from various different eras all mingling together. And it’s so green down here, which has a little bit to do with the weather. That’s where I’m a bit baffled. I’ve never had to deal with rain before. And as much research as I did before I moved, reading about rain is not the same as walking out of my building to a facefull of drizzle.

Walking in the rain is one of my favorite things to do–for now. I have a hunch that halfway through November, it’s going to be mighty dull. So I need to stock up: chic raincoat and waterproof walking boots definitely, and ideally a new bag, grin-inducing umbrella and bright scarves. I’ve already eyed some of the Burberry trench coats at Nordstrom (like that’s gonna happen), and I’ve located some boots that I like at DSW (I already have some rad rubber ones for when it pours). The rest will come as it may–I’m still looking for the perfect bag.

I’m excited to start finding vintage stores and thrift shops and other cool places around here. One of them is bound to have the perfect raincoat. Raincoats of Portland, beware: I’m coming after you.

Please Stand By

Hello, lovely readers– Just wanted to let you know that I’ve moved (to Portland!) and will start graduate school next week, so posting may be a bit wonky until I get a new routine worked out. In the meantime, I’ll keep a lookout for Nubby, Winona, and Camille as I explore a new city. Cheers!