Following Rabbits Blog

After work today I headed to the Museum of Arts & Design to check out Ben Light at MAD's open studios. I've seen his work on exhibit before, but this was a chance to see him in action behind his lathe.

check out the view!

He had a studio on the 6th floor of the museum all day today to show visitors his work, and the steps it takes to go from felled trees to the gorgeous lamps and various other toys, mallets, and jewelry that he has made. We donned safety goggles to ward off stray wood chips while Ben turned a rough-hewn log into a smooth, curvy base for a lamp.

He had some of his finished pieces on display, including a couple of his Finn's Army toys (named for his baby nephew Finn, whom I had the pleasure of meeting) and two tops that were very reminiscent of Inception. (I must have one of these!)

Open Studios at MAD features artists' work as they do demonstrations and answer questions for visitors. Ben was just there for today, but if he plans another demo I'll let you know! It was very cool to see the process after having admired his finished work. (And I'll share photos of my top when I get it... I really do want one, Ben!)

Even on the crummiest of days, we still have a lot to be grateful for-- sometimes we just need a little reminder. "Gratitude Lists" are a sure way to find a silver-lining, turn around a negative attitude, and make you see what you do have rather than what you don't. I took some time out today to make a little list of the things I'm thankful for: simple things that make my life sunnier and put a smile on my face. Then I wound up thinking of all of the people who have made a difference in my life since I moved to NYC-- mostly with small gestures of kindness, friendship, encouragement and love. I wrote little notes to some of them who have been especially wonderful to me when I really needed it.

I taped them all above my desk (where I spend most of my time) as standing reminders of all of the fabulous people and things I have in my life to be grateful for. It did cheer me up a great deal, and even made me feel a little sheepish for the times I've been extra negative and self-deprecating. What are you most thankful for?

What's in fashion today will eventually be in fashion again. Even the most ridiculous trends seem to make their way back into the mainstream after ages in the closet. Here are some of my fave 80s trends that people are rocking now:

I was obsessed with Swatch watches growing up (I even had a Swatch watch nightgown...). So many patterns and colors... and they're making a serious comeback. Not sure if layering them up will ever be cool again, but you never know...

 Ray Ban wayfarers were the sunglasses in the 80s. Rising to peak popularity with Tom Cruise wearing them in Risky Business in '83, wayfarers were reintroduced by Ray Ban in 2007 after a surge in vintage wayfarer trends.

In the 80s, if it was neon, it was automatically cool. Everyone is wearing Converse these days, and neons are in! (green, blue, pink, yellow)

I was pretty leery about the "jeggings" trend, but I think it's growing on me. I'm not sure if I'd wear them with pumps, but I have had issues getting even my skinniest of skinny jeans into sleek fall boots. I'll definitely rock these with this year's knee-highs. (from left: juicy couture, GAP, Ralph Lauren)

I kinda love leg warmers. How many times have you gone out in the city wearing even your thickest of tights and been super chilly? I love wearing wool skirts and dresses with opaque tights and chunky pumps in the winter-- but sometimes it's just too damn cold. These new takes on an old trend give leg warmers an updated and chic look (go easy on the scrunching please, ladies). (from left: alexander wang, michael kors, etsy user montanaknitwit)

What 80s trends are you wearing? Which ones do you wish stayed in the 80s?

When I'm in a transition phase in my life, I always have to do something drastic with my appearance. I feel like I've been at a crossroads for, well, the entirety of 2010. I've already had a couple major haircuts and got a fifth tattoo. So I needed to up the ante this time. I've been wanting an asymmetrical bob, a la Posh Spice, but was afraid of cutting-remorse. After a particularly rough week, I decided to go for it. I searched Yelp for highest rated hair salons, and was also looking for a salon with a bit of an edge. I came across a place called Hair Metal in Williamsburg-- sounded perfect. I called on Thursday for an appointment and they set me up with Eve for Friday. The place was about what I had expected: skulls spraypainted on the walls, heavy metal music blasting, chinese stars stuck in the ceiling, an overall grungy feel.

Some people would be deterred, but with my metallic pink sneakers and 5 tats, I was comfortable there. You would think it was a tattoo parlor, given the decor and the fact that everyone cutting hair there had a lot of visible ink.

So given that I was asking for a pretty odd cut (and the fact that you can never be too careful on Friday the 13th) I brought a bunch of photos with me of Becks... 

My hair naturally parts on the side and swoops under my chin on the left side, so I felt like I could pull off this cut. Eve was undeterred (and completely adorable! like a little pixie... with a tattoo sleeve). She cut, razored, ironed, waxed, and I got exactly what I wanted!! 

Whatcha think?! I absolutely love it. And I would definitely recommend seeing Eve at Hair Metal-- she was awesome. So here we go with another attempted fresh start... at least this cut is giving me a major boost in the right direction.

SEE IT: photography I fell for this week
The long exposure photograph above was taken by Phil Hart. The "sea sparkle" is something I've actually seen before-- it's made when bioluminescent organisms are crashed onto the shore with the movement of the waves. (You can also see it by dragging your feet along the shoreline in the damp sand.) Phil specializes in "astrophotography". I also love his shot of the lunar eclipse-- gorgeous!

HEAR IT: songs I downloaded this week
1. My Hero by Paramore (awesome Foo Fighters cover) 2. Small Time Shot Away by Massive Attack 3. Glittering Cloud by Imogen Heap 4. Falling for You by Seabird 5. Forever Young by Youth Group (mellow cover of Jay-Z's track)

WATCH IT: videos I peeped this week that you should too
Thom Yorke performed a new Radiohead song, Give Up the Ghost, at the Big Chill festival last week.

Pomplamoose covers hit songs as indie duets. Their take on MJ's Beat It is pretty stellar.

Upception: a movie trailer mashup using dialogue from Inception and scenes from Up.

Ellen and T-Pain do a duet with auto-tune mics. Silliness. I SO want one of these, by the way... I did some tracks with a DJ friend of mine a while ago with an auto-tune computer program... my rendition of Here Comes the Rain Again didn't sound half bad!

DO IT: things to add to your calendar
If you still need plans for tonight, I'd highly recommend seeing Dragonette at the Bowery Ballroom (tickets are $15). They are a lot of fun. Don't know em? Listen to this.

Summer Streets will be at it again tomorrow, closing down Park Avenue and surrounding streets so people can bike, skate, participate in group fitness classes and swim (yes, swim).

Make out in Times Square tomorrow from 10a-2p to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the famous sailor and nurse kiss! (The famous photo was taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt.)

Last chance to see Picasso at the Met before the exhibit closes on Sunday.

Restaurant week has been extended through September 5th! Check out their listings for sweet deals around the city.