I’m not one for making resolutions; but I’m great at starting things — and then taking forever to finish them. Deadlines are my friends. So a 365-day deadline actually works for me.

My 2009 resolution (or, rather, as I call it: ‘dedication’) was to visit a museum, gallery, or architectural landmark on every weekend of the year.

2010 welcomed the introduction of Shuttercal into my life as well as managing to lose (and keep off!) 20+ lbs.

And so, here we are with another new year.

My dedication for 2011 is to finish (key word: finish) something creative every week (work-related projects not withstanding). And the year is starting off wonderfully already! Week 01 project is complete and I just finished Week 02′s project last night. I hope to keep up the momentum and enthusiasm through the remaining 50 weeks. We’ll see how successful I am by Week 52..

Week 01 project: Effie & Ollie Elephant for Joseph

This year I am embarking on Project 365. It’s quite simple: take a photograph a day. I have seen Project 365 in many different formats such as on a personal blog, fotolog, and Flickr. But what I love about Shuttercal’s format is that the calendar is already set up. Plus! Prints of your photographs can be ordered by month or, my personal favorite, the Shuttercal ShoeBox which is designed to hold and protect 12 packs.

I find this project great because:

1. It is a visual documentation of my life. Why write it down in my planner when I can just capture all the eventful and uneventful moments of the daily grind.
2. It forces me to slow down and notice the little things. Plus, it separates me from the computer. I need more interruptions like that.
3. It’s improving my picture-taking skills. Although it’s only Day 006 for me, taking a photograph a day forces me to really use my camera and exercise all of its features (as opposed to just point-and-shoot).

I encourage you all to join the fun! If not Shuttercal, just challenge yourself to take a photo a day. If you get photographer’s block perhaps you can draw inspiration from my calendar at http://shuttercal.com/calendar/bear/

Image is copyright Shuttercal © 2007-2010

Cat Deeley, host of the U.S. So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD), can wear anything and manage to pull it off as sophisticated and couture (and! she’s her own stylist). My favorite outfit thus far is from Season 5, Week 5 (see image above). The dress was designed by John Galliano for Dior and the shoes were from Sergio Rossi. Unfortunately, this photo just does not do the outfit (and hair!) justice but I wasn’t able to find another shot of Cat from that episode.

However.

I stumbled upon this:

Black Victorian Tailored Dress by Alexander McQueen

Description per website:

“Black tailored crepe wool dress with gathered sleeves, high collar neck line and key hole detail at chest.”

Love. Love. LOVE!

The only thing I would change is to take up the hem a couple inches to better flatter my height.

But never mind that.

I think it would go perfectly with either of these clutches (I couldn’t just choose one!):

Red Knuckle Duster Clutch by Alexander McQueen

Union Jack Skull Clutch by Alexander McQueen

YES, PLEASE!

Cat Deeley photograph & information :: via Yahoo!® TV and InStyle
Image is copyright © FOX
Photo Credit: Mathieu Young

Product images are copyright © Alexander McQueen 2009

Image is copyright © Disney

DORK TOWER, Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - In the Year 2012, 2012...

See you all in twenty-ten! =D

Image is copyright © 2001 - 2009 Dork Storm Press

Hence, say hello to ONE kettle by Vessel Ideation, Inc.

The guys² over at Vessel from Chicago, Illinois designed a single vessel with “both boiling and serving in mind”. Before brought to boil, the ONE kettle looks like a mere plain-white carafe-shaped vessel. But once heated, ‘invisible’ decorative graphic patterns – akin to Blue & White China – begin to appear. These ‘invisible’ graphics are due to thermochromic inks (think: “mood ring”). But these graphics not only serve for pleasant aesthetics. Oh no. Remember, today’s topic is ‘function follows form’. The graphic patterns and color gradient are a visual cue that the water is ready to be served.

As for the “serving” function, an intuitive magnetic trivet fastens to the base only when the kettle is hot. This allows the kettle to be safely placed on any surface without fear of delamination. And, just like any tea kettle, water can be poured directly from the top. Marvelous!

And I’m not the only one who loves ONE; this innovative tea kettle was also the winner of the World Kitchen‘s Tea Off! 2009 Tea Kettle design competition.

Click here to see a video of ONE’s greatness. And while you’re there, be sure to check out the pdf brochure under “how it works”. I especially love the “PROCESS” on page 8. Check it out!

Dimensions: 6.72″ Dia. x 9.00″H
Materials: unknown

via :: The Design Blog

¹ quote coined by Louis Sullivan
² Dan Chung, Tony Ruth, Steve Abueva, Mike Serafin

Image is copyright Vessel

I skipped my weekly Tuesday and “chronometry Wednesday” posts this week because the office kept me late at night throughout the week and deadlines are (coincidentally) almost always right before a holiday. My apologies to those who look forward to my Wednesday posts!

I love sending holiday cards and you, my fellow readers, are no exception! Happy holidays to everyone and I hope you all have a prosperous New Year!

Best wishes,

Image via Fridgedoor.com
Card from quotable, quoted from Jane Austen's last finished novel, Persuasion

While aimlessly wandering throughout the store (and displaying true self-restraint), I happened upon this beauty in the “Clocks” aisle:

HALFTIME WALL CLOCK by U LOFT (Umbra collection made exclusively for Target)

Unfortunately, the packaging did not contain any information about its contents. The graphics on the front is all you get and the rest is just a plain black box. Googling the item didn’t offer much help and Umbra’s own website didn’t give me any new leads either.

All I know is that it is a wall mounted clock and, judging by the height and width of the box, its dimensions are an estimated 6″ W x 48″ H. It was listed at $69.99 and I resisted the temptation to snatch it up. I dropped a hint or two to the bf in hopes of seeing a slim rectangular box waiting for me on Christmas Day!

Dimensions: unknown
Materials: unknown