I was very sad to hear the news last week that Swiss surrealist artist H.R. Giger had passed away, at age 74. His most well-known work is his character design of the creature in 1979's Alien, as well as album covers for artists from Debbie Harry to Danzig. I admit to having an obsessive love of his work ever since high school, but instead of showing an endless parade of his vividly gorgeous and macabre work, I'd like to present a stunning look at the work of British fashion designer Georgia Hardinge, whose 2013 Spring/Summer line had pieces influenced by Giger's amazing work.

I'm seeing the signs of spring, and it's definitely giving my wardrobe Spring Fever.  Even if I'm still bundling up in the mornings, I'm in the Mood to look at flowy dresses, watercolor floral prints and light, dewy colors. These pretty things might be covered in winter coats for a little bit longer, but it's Springtime, dammit.  

Hear that sound? It's the city of Seattle, breathing a sigh of relief that we FINALLY have a Zara store. It's clearly a banner year for the Emerald City -- Grammy Award-winning local musicians, winning a freakin' Super Bowl, and now this: Zara has arrived in Seattle.

Well, did you survive the Thanksgiving-Black Friday-Cyber Monday-holiday? There's no escaping the fact that it's official: the Holidays Are Here. *dramatic music* But that doesn't mean you have to go into a hyper-holiday festive fit. How about giving yourself (and maybe a friend) a nice afternoon at the museum, looking at beautiful gowns, and zero pressure to shop, since... well, it's art, you just enjoy it. 

Sometimes it's good to just dwell in your own creative meanderings now and then. And taking some time off helps to feel invigorated and inspired. Breathe in... breathe out... and doodle away! I always have skectchbooks aplenty lying around the house, and while looking through magazines or seeing something I'd want to try for myself, it's easier to just quickly scribble something down. Sketches are such a wonderful creative tool; they're pure expression, an attempt to capture the fleeting moment of an idea as it's touched your mind, and the drawing is just a light impression of it. Your mind will recall it in greater detail (hopefully) at a later time, when you revisit the scribble. It becomes like a visual footnote for a thought about to be realized, no?

How do you use sketchbooks for your creative process?

Jaunty Fine Print: illustrations by Denise Sakaki

The Birdie was introduced to a truly divine dress by Chanel recently, while perusing the lovely things at the flagship Nordstrom in downtown Seattle. I didn't have my camera handy, but that couldn't keep the Magpie from taking a mental snapshot and putting pen to paper to capture this dreamy vision of tweedy heaven mixed with delicate fringe and feathers.  

A perfect balance of ladylike and girly, for the stylish Birds who love the combination of textures and materials. Much thanks to the equally lovely Sanda Belaire, Nordstrom's expert stylist whose keen eye for detail brought this dress to my attention to fully "ooh" and "aahhh" it with delight, while inspiring this little scribble!


Jaunty Fine Print: drawing by Denise Sakaki, as inspired by Chanel dress