Imagine That!

Last night I was explaining to a friend that I love drinking. Since that statement was misconstrued then, I will elaborate now. I define myself as a beverage enthusiast. I come from a long-line of drinkers: my mother drinks enough water to fill a swimming pool in a single day, as I do with my beloved coffee, and in general, at the Flaherty household, teas and sodas are guzzled down so rapidly it never ceases to amaze guests. Naturally, stereotypical notions of collegiate spirit and Irish heritage need not be taken into account during this discussion.

Rather, we should focus on the sheer quantity of liquid we all consume everyday (even those of you who do not fall under the aforementioned beverage enthusiast category). As humans we are over 70 percent water and can only survive for a few days sans-hydration fluids—drinking is important. But did you ever think the act of drinking could be inspiring and artistic?

Well, a beautiful sequence of liquids have been shot with a macro lens and angles ranging from below to eye level, creating a video that takes you through your mundane drinking routine in a way that brings beauty to beverage consumption. As English critic Cyril Connolly said, "Imagination equals nostalgia for the past, the absent; it is the liquid solution in which art develops the snapshot of reality.”

What could be more imaginative than a day-in-the-life scenario captured this artfully? The bubbling, floating, and evaporation movements of the liquids are paralleled by their accompanying (and ohh so fitting) ambient soundtrack. Enjoy!

l'ascenseur - squint from phantomcolor on Vimeo.

Looky Here!

If you have a childish spirit, but adhere to a responsible and very-adult fashion budget, playing dress-up may be a pastime as distant to you as watching Gula Gula Island and My Little Ponies on TV.
Well, if you are ready to rekindle your creative side, there is a site you MUST check out.

In a world that encourages play and personal style Looklet.com lets you create looks on 3D models using what feels like a never-ending supply of designer clothes. Yes, real designer clothing, selected by stylists! So for example, if I want I can mix Bik Bok fur vests and Giuseppe Zanotti studded booties---decide it is too punk--and add softer elements, like a floral top...then start again when I become obsessed with a Helmut Lang top!
The Motto: Dream Big. Look Chic.

All the clothing is organized by type, i.e- jackets, pants, skirts. Not only is it filled with pieces you usually drool over, but they are easier to find than anything in a real-life closet.

Looklet feels less like a closet and is more like a styling studio. A studio where you can mix, match and create your personal looks. The goal isn't selling clothing, it is all about self-expression.

The site has other features, which I have only briefly checked out, since I tunnel-vision on the dress-up area! Looklet.com has a statement that explains their passion, "we are chasing down the coolest vintage from dusty stores and attics. We are inviting exceptionally stylish people to lend us the gems of their own wardrobes...And we're just getting started."

To get started on the site they make it as easy as child's play. Select a model, I alternate between the two brunettes, and then get click-happy. It is setup for instant gratification-- my type of synergy between fashion and technology. You can even layer dresses and tops and pants under skirts (I am gathering that the exceptionally stylish people here respect the notion of coloring outside the lines.)

While scanning for that X factor that distinguishes a mediocre outfit from a "look" to remember, you can change the backgrounds to establish atmosphere. Some users go wild like the picture above of a sliver diva. Or rather than treat the site like a virtual and grown-up version of playing Barbies, you can treat it like a delusional shopping trip. So far I have suspended reality long enough to believe I will be wearing this look to a friend's birthday party over the weekend (see I even put an appropriate backdrop!)

someone let me down easy.