And the Winner is...

Congratulations to Justin Dill, the winner of our "No Nails, No Lumber" giveaway! We will be contacting you Justin! 

Who needs brass...

...when you have china knuckles! That's right, brass knuckles that have been made out of old china. A wonderful mix of traditional femininity and modern badassery. Though meant more for ornamentation than fighting, these decorative pieces of weaponry by The Broken Plate (a shop dedicated to turning old china into fun jewelry) are sure to send a message, and that message is, "don't mess with me, but maybe we could go have some tea?" 

Get Reflective

It's a shame that some people shriek at the thought of a multitude of mirrors in their home, because there are some truly beautiful ones out there just ready to reflect your pretty face back at ya. My personal favorite at this moment? These mirrored creations by fluxglass. From armored glass to reflective bunting, I certainly would not mind catching a glimpse of myself in these works of art. 

Femme en Scéne : Art Night Austin 2012

This Saturday (Feb. 25th) is the annual event, Art Night Austin. Shuttles will be taking visitors around to 8 designated stops showcasing different works, serving food and drink from some of our favorite restaurants and each with their own DJ to liven the mood. Galleries and temporary art spaces will host a sundry mix of installations showcasing fresh local talent–all celebrating the glory of expression. Proceeds benefit Art Alliance Austin, furthering artistic and creative awareness in the city and continuing to put ATX on the cultural map. The gallery tour is 7-10, but the night will still be young when the last shuttle cruises out. The affair officially culminates with an after party at the AMOA/Arthouse at 9:30. Not to be missed!

See you there,

No Nails, No Lumber Giveaway!

See that? That's a bubble house. Pretty awesome, right? I can safely say that I knew little to nothing about Architect Wallace Neff's bubble homes before I flipped through "No Nails, No Lumber" by Jeffrey Head. But this wonderful little book has left me fascinated by Neff's creation. While everyone was wondering what to do about the global housing crisis, Neff revolutionized efficient and inexpensive housing in 1941 with his bubble homes which—you guessed it— used no nails and no lumber. All that was needed was concrete cast in position over an inflatable balloon. Unfortunately the houses never really caught on due to their unique look and design constraints. 

The old sketches and vintage photos really made this book a lovely discovery for me. Looking back at the old photography and gazing upon these homes that look simultaneously retro and futuristic made me really amazed with Neff's vision. Maybe a bubble home would be perfect for me?

We are excited to share this lovely book with you all and are giving you the chance to win a copy!  All you need to do to enter is comment with what you think about bubble homes! The lucky winner will be chosen on Thursday February 23rd! Good luck!

This giveaway is open only to the continental U.S.; please leave an email or your entry will be disqualified.