No joke, the Midwest has some pretty $*&% impressive filmmakers.

I was asked to speak on a panel for the Midwest Ad Shorts last week (blush & eeek!) and was blown away by the lineup this year. check out the line up here.

This particular night, it was a sold-out theater:
  “the place to be and be seen by veteran pros and up-and-comers" -Chicago Magazine

meet the jury (Leaders of Chicago's film and production community)
meet the panelists (We talked about 'creative inspiration' in the commercial world)




My picks from the evening & this year's entries:

"ECSTASY"  
John Malkovich in a Friday the 13th meets Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas drug rage.  Directed by Chicago commercial director Sandro.

and

"PARAISO" 
 Three immigrant window cleaners risk their lives every day rappelling down some of Chicago's tallest sky-scrapers. Paraíso reveals the beauty and danger of their job and what they see on the way down.  Directed by Nadav Kurtz.  Official Selection, 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

last year's winner was SAM MACON- the director behind 'sign painters' - which we screened at Camp Wandawega a few weekends ago as part of GBHxBSS. Sam also directed one of last year's winner's: MOONBEAMS. 

There are more gorgeous houses, cottages, cabins and fishing shacks in Beaufort than I've ever seen anywhere else in the world. As always, pulling a few ideas from them to take back to camp... (sort of a holiday- interest board for future projects).

 Old ivy on masonry- nothing could be prettier.  Weathered cedar shingles. (Hmmm- possibly reclad an old bldg and make it a new sports equipment shed?)



The inside of a post office that was converted into a marketplace- their bathrooms where so simple + humble + perfect. Love the large del-style wall tile. (Maybe for the kitchen project this winter?)

This restaurant we stopped into was an old pharmacy- the buildings were built nearly on top of each other, staircases (and internal access) added later on.

One of the many historic buildings we visited- this one belonged to an 'indigo  planter' who's crops were located on another island. (Now that I've seen this journal displayed in this house- it's decided, the one we have dating back 60 years is coming out of the attic).

Some vacation inspiration to take back to the cabins....

 There's nothing like a holiday that inspires you to look at things a little differently- the southern coastal islands are dotted with seaside fishing cottages, cedar-shingled boat houses & a rich layered history of generations of oyster factories.

(So don't be surprised if you see a bit more navy gingham, roped handrails, taxidermy fish and white wainscoting at camp next time you're up for a visit)!

 Charlie perched on a dock fish cleaning station. (We want one of these)

A local (and our busboy) at one of the oldest family companies in the area 'Hudsons'.

Hudson's kayak racks were impressive to say the least. (Time for us to get a couple, I think).

Navy + white gingham tablescloths for all. A classic. Time to go shopping.

A wall scene from Hudsons' earlier days of working the sea. & the 'pilot's house' bar. simply. rustic. 

TRNK NEW YORK visits camp.

They came from J.Crew & Armani then started their own gig, hit the road, traveling the country seeking out makers & artists, so we were excited that they wanted to add us to the 'visit' list.

about TRNK:

We tell the stories of men we admire – real men who’ve created spaces that they proudly call home. We make these stories interactive, allowing readers to discover product inspired by the person and space.We sell products with integrity, and share the stories of their makers.

Meet  TARIQU & NICK:
"We are design lovers and urban explorers. After beginning our careers in the fashion industry at Gilt Groupe, J.Crew, and Armani, we decided to lend our appreciation for style to the home. TRNK began with a red pickup truck and an empty apartment. When Tariq’s previous roommate moved out, so did most of the furniture. We needed to furnish our Brooklyn home, but quickly realized that most stores were either too feminine or sleek for our tastes. Seeking an eclectic style that mixes old with new, there was no single retail destination that completely suited our needs. Shortly thereafter, TRNK was born. Now, we’re on a search for products in quality and design, along with the stories of those who create and enjoy them."

Check out  their teaser post for the full story (coming soon)


AN EXCERPT FROM THEIR POST ABOUT THEIR RECENT VISIT TO CHICAGO:

"we had the pleasure of being welcomed with open arms by the city’s creatives. While few (if any) cities in the world compete with New York’s creative scene, we witnessed a definite camaraderie among Chicago’s smaller, but close knit community. Not only were people willing to share their time, but they were equally enthusiastic about heralding each other’s praises  – which we found incredibly endearing."

Here are a few of their instagram shots from their wisconsin camp visit:

Above is an instagram moment captured from their visit to the house in chicago)
a sharp little instagram video they captured.

...and some outtakes from their Chicago trip post:

thanks guys- come visit us anytime!

Bike A Bee Chicago

We recently caught wind of everything that is Bike A Bee and we are so in love!

Jana Kinsman is a bee keeper in Chicago and she does it all by bike. She provides bee hives to community gardens for educational purposes to show the importance and magic of these pollinators. She is an all around bee lover and activist! 

Pretty impressive if you ask me. We are fans of bees and it's inspiring what Jana is doing to elevate the awareness of these little buzzers. 

To find our more information go here! 

I love these so much.

Jessixa Bagley is enormously talented.
I found her online while researching children's book illustrators for my new (secret squirrel) project...

Then I started cyber stalking her.
...Soon to discover that she is married to an equally talented man, Aaron.

So I coaxed them into flying out to ARTCAMP.

They of course, were instantly loved by everyone.

They painted, sketched, hung out- and participated in all things camp.

Here are a few pages from their sketchbooks.
(I think these would make gorgeous little postcards for the rooms!)


jessixa's site
and her amazing blog, where she's written about her 'adventures at camp wandawega'

some pages from Aaron's sketchbook:
check out his freakishly engaging illustration site here

design cruuuuuush.... have you ever been more inspired? ( sigh. )

A love letter to the site TYPEVERYTHING.COM