today was so fun and so cultural! we went to see the Gamble House and the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. I feel so cool now!

sorry the blog has been so poorly updated lately. it was a busy week, and i wanted the pretty pictures to sit ontop for a while. well, here goes the run down of what i can remember from the last week, in reverse chronological order. bits are absurd, like the first story i will tell, and prompted me to write the list. enjoy!
1. the dog just got skunked in the backyard, then he came back inside the house and i had to literally drag him out the back door. the house and the 'score for the homeless' shirt i am wearing now smell like skunk. sadly, i saw it all happen and couldn't stop any of it in time. happily, the skunk looked like a baby and was really adorably cute.
2. i went to gorgeous descanso gardens to hear the pasadena symphony, see family friends, and run into my kindergarden teacher who looks exactly the same as she did 18 years ago.
3. i went to the museum of jurassic technology with ben today which was an interesting experience, but well worth it. we also went to a cool indian grocer and an argentine coffee shop, and i was happy to buy alfajores and dulce de leche.
4. my parents bought new bikes, and wanted to go for their first big outing. this morning we picked an easy trail and it was a fun adventure...2 or 3 hours of biking. it's always fun watching your parents do physical stuff. and we didn't bring the bike locks so we ended up having to carry the bikes for half a mile of trail that was too narrow to ride...it was on the way to a waterfall...so that made it worth our while.
5. dinner at a brazilian restraunt and new shoes courtesy of mr. squirrel.
6. i got a phone call at 5.30 this morning.
7. i spent time (and will spend time) with the cats and dogs at home!
8. i flew to home sweet home in california! and in the process saw a cool dino thing at the chicago airport.
9. had a fun dinner party with my bro, who was in town, and his friends along with some one mine. it was fun and led to a huge mosquito bite on the bottom of one of my toes. it's now swollen and itchy.
10. interviewing my first potential employee (actually outside contracted help).
11. a batch of 20 id wallets which are really cute!
12. a not-so-effective day in greenwich followed by a really really fun night in new york with darcy which was much needed and very very fun!
13. a completely un-coordinated monday.
...and that takes us back to the last post. cheers folks...i'm off to rid myself of this skunk smell. ick!

* liz liz LIZ *

this is a big deal...and i am so excited about it! the liz is my new all-time favorite duct tape bag, it just can't be beat. i keep trying to make one for myself, but people keep buying them off me, it's too good to be true. let me explain why this liz bag is so great...
1. it's big. big enough for books, wallets, phone, lunch, keys, small purchases, clowns. (ok, not clowns, but it's big). but it's not too big. the inverted shape helps keep the bag looking slim and trendy, but keeps the interior volume going!
2. TWO interior pockets. one for your keys and small things...i hate digging through my bag to find my keys...and one small one for your phone...cause i hate digging through my bag when i hear it ring.
3. incredible straps! the liz straps are made of nylon webbing intended for rock climbing and other outdoor stuff. it's a beautiful color of red.
details: 18 (slims to 15) x 13 x 4 is big enough to hold everything! magnetic snap and 2 interior pockets. two tone accents add fun highlights! shown here in orange with red trim and aqua with red trim. i'd also suggest black, navy, pink or brown with red trim. $75
to order, send an e-mail to customorder@vanessajean.com

just look how much stuff the liz holds!

what makes it even better is that the real liz is a great person, and a good friend, and the handler of steve the monkey our creative genius.

* alison *

finally green pants gets her own bag!

featured here in black and white stripes with bow tie and red with magnetic snap..
the alison is one of the best new additions to the family...what a cutie! i just can't get over how adorable this one is, and i think it's the perfect little summer garden party bag (but really, why should we limit ourselves like that)! the alison measures in a 8 (5 on bottom) x 7 x 2 and is just the right size for a night out, and big enough for running errands during the day too. the alison features either a ribbon tie closure on top or else a magnetic snap closure. you choose the colors...go wild! $35

if you just can't resist the alison send an e-mail to customorder@vanessajean.com.

* nina *

featured here in kelly with pink trim and flower...
sleek and sophisticated, but also tons of fun (not to mention so smart too!) please welcome nina to the vanessa jean * duct tape design family. this is a super bag with a unique look. the 11 x 7 x 3 inch bag holds a whole bunch of your stuff, but it looks so cool doing it. featuring a magnetic snap to keep your goods inside and a strap long enough to fit over most shoulders. charming, fun, and neat, the nina is just a classic! you choose the color, solid or 2-tone border, the flower is optional too. $40

the nina also be found at blush...333 bleecker street, new york, ny.

to order, please e-mail customorder@vanessajean.com.

* norby *

featured in black with red flower
just a fun, little evening bag edition for the vanessa jean line. it's fun, fits your wallet, keys, lipstick, and small stuff. measuring 7 x 5 x 2 inches it's a real cutie. and of course it can be made in any color you wish. $35

to place an order, please send an e-mail to customorder@vanessajean.com.

* stripe attack! *

aren't these striped mini alice bags just the cutest and most summer-like thing you have ever seen? measuring 15 x 9 x 2 inches, it's exactly the same as the regular mini alice but with stripes! the bag features a small pocket inside and a fun magnetic snap. $50

bag left: white, aqua, avocado, red, and pink stripes
bag right: pink and red striped with white trim

to order, send an e-mail to customorder@vanessajean.com
the best part is...these stripes can be transfered to any other style bag...and of course they are available in any colors you choose.

are you ready? here come the pictures!
so, i'm posting a bunch of new designs and sending out the duct.tales newsletter simultaneously...which means i want to leave the soon-to-be posted pics on top for a while, so not much posting in the upcoming week for me. that has made no sense, i think the rain is dulling my brain. oh well, on with the pics!!!

last december i reconnected with a high school friend i hadn't seen in about 4 years. he's a great guy and he is doing some really neat animation right adn computer stuff way out of my knowledge range. his newest short, the modern crusade is really cute, and i suggest checking it out. he is so cool that his website alexhessler.com is going on the may we also suggest... list. check it out!

it's gloomy here (again), and I can't quite figure out what time of day it is. mostly because i was up late last night finishing a batch of samples and because i got up early(!) for the news channel 8 your weekend show. it was a doozy, so i came home and took a nap. hopefully they will post the segment online so you can all laugh at me, but until then, you'll have to imagine. i was far off my a-game, really far off, and didn't even give the website address during the segment. BAD VANESSA!! but i think that's because i know it's on their website. it was fun because i did a quick segment, then i made bags and the camera came in and checked on me, and then at the end of the show i got to sit with them all at the desk for the closing. the news crew was real nice, and they invited me to hang out a bit with them afterward. i know, i know...don't be jealous of my cool new friends. the best part of the leftover italian pastries from the nice old lady's who were talking about the italian festival, and i got to see the quassy amusement park mascot.

on another movie note, annabelle and i thorougly enjoyed our viewing of finding nemo. maybe a few too many plot twists at the end, but overall it was incredibly enjoyable. i am always amazed at the amount of adult humor in children's movies, and this is no exception, but it still works great. this was the first time in a long time that i really got into a movie. i highly suggest taking a trip to see finding nemo.

today i was lost myself in an amazing documentary on the history channel called blood from a stone. it is the amazing story of a man who sets out to find 40 uncut diamonds burried during world war II. i was transfixed, it was an amazing first hand narrative of personal challenge and well as epiphany intertwined with historical fact, the story of an american world war II vet and a generally captivating, revealing and awesome plot. the summary hardly does justice to the the emotional struggle of all the people involved and the amazing undertaking that man faced. i was rivited to the tv through every minute of it, i'm trying to find out when it will air again...but i suggest being glued infront of your television.
there is something striking about a man who chooses to search out a handful of diamonds, and the lengths to which his search takes him are amazing, but his personal trasformation is even more overwhelming. above all, the diamonds carry a heavy weight once he (and we) realize the immense historical significance, tragedy and pain the stones represent. the ending is possibly the best part, and it's really not what i expected, although it made me very happy. not only is the context and narrative of the documentary well done, but the editing and flow are amazing as well.
three thumbs up!

i don't know the cost of the 3M clear duct tape yet, but i'll look into it. i don't use that brand of duct tape ordinarily because it peels and gets gummy, but maybe this clear stuff is better. must investigate.

new favorite things

i met justin the metalworker at the new fairfield craft show last march. i think the organizers but us youngin's in the same corner, but our youthful enginuity shined through. justin makes incredible metal sculptures for your great outdoors (and a few indoors). how could this enormous sunflower not bring a smile to your face? re-doing you gardern, your yard, your anything? check out hawkermetalworks.com.

the msn headline to this article reads "Late show host to divorce". I was thinking hmmm, leno, conan...? i guess i hardly think of jimmy kimmel as a late night host (unless the man show counts).

i want to bet on the presidential election. i'm glad you can bet on anything.

at the opening for the artspace between fear and freedom duct tape exhibit, the very nice man jeff who had to brilliant idea to run the show, starting talking about a place called the museum of jurassic technology. it all sounded very interesting, but it got most interesting when i discovered it's in california, near me, and that i am dragging brian there with me when i am back in the land of the sun. i still don't really know what it's about, but it sounds cool and i am sure ben has already been there but i will make him go again or make him smarter.
btw, who gives lame quotes like these.

vanessa jean on msnbc.com

vanessa jean on steals and deals by teri goldberg on msnbc.com. go, check it out.

and the voting begins for the duct tape prom dress competition. more to come on how to vote tomorrow, when online voting begins.

finally! clear duct tape. check out the photo on the 3m canada page.

who's rockin' my world right now? jewel and her 'intuition' song.

this is from kind, old mr. squirrel who probably sees more silly websites than i do on a daily basis. i received this link in an e-mail titles someone stole kermit's voice. the funny thing is, my dad stole kermit's voice a long time ago, however i don't think my dad knows how to put together a website in french, so this isn't him...

why does the blogger editing screen keep changing?! i'm getting old and stubborn and change doesn't go over so well.

during my freshman year in college, i (sort of jokingly) told my freshman counselor that i wanted to major in "interesting things to teach my children". this came about because we were talking about bizarre linguistics classes, meteorology, dinosaurs and other things that kids frequently ask about or that kids find fascinating (apparently i am still a child, cause i find all these things interesting). well, aparently all i need is the internet.

today is my dream come true...
happily wake up before 8
smile
drive
dog
walk dog
dog
yogurt
yoga
getting money
...i hope the rest of the day goes so well.

this morning i read about a new adhesive tape that works with the same mechanics as a gecko's foot. the economist article is subscription only, but worth it if you can get to it. read more about the tape that theoretically will allow a human to climb walls (much like spiderman and geckos) on this link that i will post as soon as my computer gets back to normal, because right now it won't let me open another window to look for the link....grrr...

today is a cleaning day...this is what i have learned...
1. a good friend is someone who volunteers to come over and help you clean your house. (thanks andy!)
2. you know it's been a day of extreme cleaning when you finish by cleaning your vacuum cleaner.
3. duct tape and shag carpeting do not mix.

from the busy week...

-it rained a lot here and in other places all week. it rained so hard last night i thought it was hailing!

-i saw the (overwhelmingly flexible) henchman on thursday eveninig in class, and then to my surprise i saw him and his posse at best video. it was one of those awkward i-know-you-but-i'll-only-say-hi-if-you-make-eye-contact-with-me sort of things, and he didn't, so there was nothing to worry about.

-i was lucky enough to have 4 free meals this week (archie's, zinc, modern, claire's) which provided leftovers, so it's more like 6 free meals. this is why i never go to the grocery store.

today was the inevitable shaws v. stop & shop challenge. i usually go to shaws, but today stop and shop was on the way home from morning yoga. results...
* shaws is messy, a bit understocked, has long lines, but is incredibly inexpensive
* stop and shop is tidy, clean, organized, huge, lovable, furry, cute, adorable, and amazing but still more expensive! even with a card.
decision: food is food, i can battle the crowds cause i prefer lower prices.

yippeee....
the ups man came, and i am now re-stocked and poised for action!
i am now also free to run my errands, but they will have to be delayed until tomorrow, cause i'm having dinner at archie's. yay.

so i haven't been able to find it in full yet (ok, i haven't really looked either), but this is a link to the yale page with excerpts from tom friedman's speech at yale university class day last may. and this photo pretty well sums up the rest of the commencement weekend.

oh! ha!
it's friday the 13th. i just realized that.
is anyone out there afraid?

my right-now favorite author and this american life person, sarah vowell, was on conan last night to promote her most recent book the partly cloudy patriot (which i hear isn't so good - i love take the cannoli). well, it was an astounding interview, and her sense of humor didn't quite come out the beautiful way it does in her books or on the radio, and i think she was just too smart for the conan crown (although the man himself and she could be best friends). she talked about her summer plans for an "assassination vacation" in which she was planning to travel to the locales of american political (and i guess other) assassinations. her first trip was all about lincoln's assassination, but the interview wasn't stellar. anyhow, the whole reason i am writing this thing is because i've listened to a whole bunch of sarah vowell and read a whole bunch, but never seen her live or even a photo...which led to me having a very specific (yes incorrect) mental image of her. i was picturing something, well, real different than what i got on conan. i don't know why i was so shocked, but it just didn't seem to match up with how she presented herself in certain stories.

trapped at home
well, not forcefully at least, but now i have your attention. i am waiting for the ups man, who usually comes promptly between 4.45 adn 5pm. he's delivering a tape order today, with the pretty princess pink and black tape that i desperately need to fill some orders and be ready for the artspace opening this weekend. woe is me. so i have to be sure not to miss mr. ups man, and even though he is quite regular with his delivery, i just have to be careful. this usually wouldn't be a big deal, but i've done such a good job of working overtime this week that i am anxious to reward myself with a trip to shaws and to bed, bath and beyond. i also really want to go for a run in the rain, but i'll just have to wait.

there is nothing quite like brotherly love. and if the spark hasn't brought us anything good to date...the date my sister project is worth your time.

maybe i should start the date my brother project...i don't actually know if he's available, but he's a good chap and a realy cutie too. just scroll up on that link to see his picture.

"i like cake."

oh my goodness...the new blogger basic format is finally here. (no, you readers can't tell, but i can when i post stuff). ick.

false alarm. super hero powers not really needed downtown.

more duct tape and fishing? amazing that these stories keep getting published.

it's always sad when there's no e-mail. sniff. pity pity pity.
but it's all ok, cause i had a nice, long phone call with sara today, and that made everything better.

things that make me feel like an idiot...
going to fetch mail from porch while brushing teeth...and running into the postman.

even though i've learned that letting the cat out of the bag usually means the exciting thing never happens, i'm going to do it anyway!
vanessa jean has been rescheduled for the news channel 8 weekend show, for sunday june 22! yes, it's early in the morning, but i'm excited.

now you can have your cake and eat it too!
apparently wedding cakes are being prepared to actually taste good. i've never eaten wedding cake before, but i'm just always more impressed with their beauty. check out the multimedia click on the above link.

actually, life is even better now! because i found out i am dog sitting for a few days next week!

i just got my butt kicked by some hard core yoga and a nice bike trip. what a good day. it's sunny too and my rivits finally came in the mail, so like just couldn't be any better!

holy amazingness!!! the old guy just sent me this link to the new british ad for the honda accord. it's darn near the most amazing thing i have ever seen. cooler than domino rally, cooler than the failed jackass: the movie ending, and even cooler than my 8th grade marble project (where we lost on an almost technicality to drew sams and kevin hourihan). amazing! and it even has a great tune at the end. when you're finished watching it for the first time, and still in disbelief, go ahead and read the telegraph article about the filming. and then go back and play the ad, but close your eyes and just listen to it, it's still so cool. wowzers. it's hard to believe it's all real (especially the tires rolling uphill part) but apparently it is, and i am stunned. you didn't watch it...really, click here because you'll regret it if you don't!

you know who likes to take a quiz or two? i do, and so should you. this quiz asks for your favorite colors and then tells you stuff about yourself that you 1. already know or 2. is so ridiculously false that it's absurd. but it's still fun because you get to dip a paint roller in cans and paint stuff.

yea, apparently i am trendy and buy a lot of things, but then i sell them as soon as they go out of style. that's what happens with a yellow car. hey, that's just want they told me.

more helpful news from msn...MSN are you ready for a dog? what would we do without their helpful advice! i like the first paragraph best, it actually describes me quite well too. does that mean i'm a dog?

well, dear goodness...it's actually sunny outside. i'm outta here, there's no time like sun time for running errands!

i have a plan for the week, and it's going to be such a work week. here's what's going on:
1. filling a wholesale order for henrietta fahrenheit a grrrrooovy store in michigan. they are getting a great collection of id wallets, mini alice bags, hanna's, and betty bags. i get creative license in the design and color department, and that is so exciting!
2. making some hot pieces for the artspace "duct tape: between fear and freedom" opening on sunday. they offered me a boutique table for the opening, and i'm quite excited to put out an adorable and high fashion collection of goods.
3. the new liz bag! photos to come, but i made the first one for the artspace show, and i just have to make another one. the first one was intentioned for me, but i just can't wait for the show to be over to have one of my own. just wait till you see the photos, this might be the best vanessa jean bag to date.
4. a talk at an elderly person home tomorrow morning. i'm really excited to get to meet some new people.
5. the industrial strength bag is back in action. this bag is what prompted my awful trip to lowe's, but it will be so worth it when it's done. my friend at all our kin brought the idea back to life, and i'm so excited to be making them again. photo to come upon completion.
6. the norby bag. it's adorable. picture posted soon.
7. two fun dinner events this week, yay! i love having plans!
8. the newest edition of duct tales to be sent out this week. don't know what duct tales is? it's the vanessa jean monthly newsletter filled with up to date info, a hot deal of the month and lots and lots of fun stuff. want to subscribe? e-mail support@vanessa jean.com.

the biffster is posting again. i hope it keeps up!

duct tape and fishing?
yup, that and a whole lot more from oregon!

i think the duct tape metaphor is becoming a bit overused. sure, it's a nice metaphor for a war-related political statement, but people should be a bit more clever when talking about something like, say, social security.

monkeypox or monkeysocks?
i had no idea prarie dogs are becoming popular pets. frankly, i think they should just remain in the benign fields outside the badlands in south dakota.

i had no idea there was such a thing as the color association of the united states, but i guess now i know the truth.

thank goodness for the internet...
i had no idea i could find american flag proportions so easily. yay us flag dot org.

i should know better...
than to go to home depot on a saturday morning. but i need a plastic drop cloth, some vinyl covered wire and other goodies, so the trip was a must. as i gritted my teeth listening to awful michael jackson music on the way in...i fought crowds in order to get to the hardware isle. i carefully inspected the cable i wanted, and a friendly gent came to assist me with cutting it into 4 5" segments. the cable is thick, and i don't have anything to cut it with at home. the nice man suggested i purchase bolt cutters so i could cut the cable at home if i ever needed to.
he measure out the first 5 foot segment, and tried to feed it into the heavy duty cutting machine.
he went at it for a while, until he discovered the machine was broken.
"it's broken." he said, standing there holding my uncut wire, just standing there.
"do you have bolt cutters?" i asked.
he fished around on the shelf..."they're stolen too." he answered. and then he just stood there and said "i can't help you."
hello! home depot is a hardware store, where there is inevitably hardware, and usually hardware that they would recommend you to buy, like bolt cutters! i don't know if the thought crossed his mind. i politely left the store and finished my errands at lowe's, which was an equally unpleasant experience, but for different reasons.
home sweet home!

it's finally a gorgeous day here! and i just hope the weather sticks until 5.30 when i leave the post office and am done in the studio for the day. i'm so excited to ride my bike to the frisbee park and sit there on the sunny lawn and read (ok, and do the books for may, but i always like that) and be outside in the pretty (non-rainy) sun. i think i work better when it's sunny because i'm more motivated to get done so i can go play outside. i think i'm might just still be a little kid!

to be more specific (cause the link won't take you there!) i like the rainbow and leprechaun outfit on the bottom right hand corner of the linked page. i think it's so cute and clever.

the stuck at prom duct tape prom outfit competition finally has pictures posted of entrants. check it out, they are absolutely amazing. although i have to say that this one is my favorite.

only in kentucky, a duct tape boat race. eat my wake.

yesterday i did something i haven't done in an extremely long time...i bought lunch meat at shaws. and, wow, has lunch meat technology changed a whole lot since i was a kid. the packaging and flavorings on these things are intense and elaborate, but they taste good. anyhow, i'm excited to have sliced honey cured ham in the house, and i hope you are too.

it's raining here, again. it's hard to tell what time of day it is when it's so gloomy out all the time. oh well, life will go one fer shure. for some odd reason, none of my last posts actually made it, hmmm, so i'll have to update.

i've been a good girl and i worked all day long. yay for me. the down side is my posting is slow. fortunately, everyone else is posting like a champ.

read kate's take on legal writing at the kitchen cabinet.

see a pic of amanda's pup who is recovering but still absolutely adorable.

check out the hipster handbook over at buss buss.

i've seen ads on tv lately for the library of congress and a new website they are featuring called america's library. the ads are full of fun facts (we all know i love fun facts) so i finally decided to check the site out. and as it appears to be geared towards kiddos, i am still finding it enjoyable, and i suggest you check it out.
www.americaslibrary.gov

what better way to celebrate duct tape month! artspace (new haven) is running an incredible duct tape exhibit called 'between fear and freedom', and the best part is YOU CAN PARTICIPATE. you got it! you can pop into the artspace duct tape workshop on sunday, june 8th (this sunday) from 3-5 pm and make your dream (or any) duct tape work of art or duct tape anything. the best part is that the tape is provided (lots of colors too) so you should come and play with the good 'ol sticky stuff. then come back for the exhibit which opens june 14th...or come back for the opening party june 15th from 4-7. what better way to celebrate father's day than with duct tape. be there or be square.

artspace is located at 50 orange street in new haven. the website for artspace is www.artspacenh.org

i love getting up for morning yoga, and this was no exception. there were only three of us in class today, which was a nice treat. maurine, the best yoga instructor ever, made sure we introduced ourselves. i was at class with jessie, and we introduced ourselves to the other women. she shreiked happily after we introduced ourselves, she has daughters names jessie and vanessa. what a coincidence. she asked us what we did, and jessie explained she was a student and that i owned my own business, using duct tape. the other woman shrieked again, "you're the duct tape vanessa!? i cut out the article and sent it to my daughter in los angeles. we all got a nice laugh, and a crazy yoga workout after that. yay.

if you were my pretty purple reading glasses, where would you hide?

poor little mermaid. what will happen to her next?

b.p. will appreciate this...i'm posting from w.bloggar.

last night was another rainy fun night. we went out to rudy's because one of the gals knows the owner from soccer (yes, long story). well, when we came out of the place around 12.45 jessie's car was gone, towed. it was pouring rain, so we ran to a pizza place and called to figure out where it was. luckily it had been towed to a lot just up the road, so we walked there in the rain, paid our dues and drove home. jessie was so calm through the whole thing, i was amazed! but what an adventure for a saturday night.

well looky here, the ken doll has had a fashionable makeover.

the ny times book review brings news of juicy things today...a summer reading list...a yale author, and one of my faves (prosek), and a book which 'describes how people have come to reply on dogs for emotional comfort'. well, i better start reading!

welcome to duct tape month. those duct tape guys really know what they are talking about...especailly when they are talking about vanessa jean * duct tape design. well folks, enjoy june! hopefully it will finally stop raining here and turn a bit sunny.