WIN a Mini Print by Mikiep EVERY DAY!

The following people need to contact me ASAP or your prize will go to someone else:
❤ SingerMagic1
❤ Clubpengwordg68

❤ ❤ ❤

This Give-a-Way is now CLOSED
All winners will be announced and contacted. THANK YOU!

Starting today and every single delicious day for the rest of February, illustrator Mikiep will be giving away a mini print a day!

If you haven't seen Mikiep's amazing illustrations yet, why...yer just missing out on an adventure! Go to his shop to see for yourself!


Here are the give-a-way details:
{1} One mini print will be given away every day, but you must re-enter the give-a-way each day in order to be eligible to win for that day!
{2} You can win more than once, just re-enter every day to win for that day.
{3} YOU get to choose which mini-print you'd like from the Mikiep shoppe: http://Mikiep.etsy.com
{4} Each new contest ends at 12 midnight PST {check clock on the right side of blog for Los Angeles time}

★ To enter: Check out Mikiep's shop...then comment here on your favourite item. If you win, I will email you to get your choice of free mini-print, so include a way to contact you!
★ Gain 1 extra entry: Bump up his forum post and win one extra entry to win a mini print. Go HERE to bump.
★ Automatically win a free mini print of your choice:
Purchase any full-sized illustration from Mikiep's shop and pick a free mini print of your choice.

❤ ❤ ❤

Most Important Details... THESE GIVE-A-WAYS ARE NOW CLOSED. Mini print value is $5.00. I will make sure all extra entries are entered into the give-a-way from both this site and the Etsy forum post. I DO check every single entry and comment. The winner's name is drawn randomly by hand. If your favourite illustration by Mikiep is not part of your comment, your entry will be disqualified. If I cannot contact you due to blocked account, etc..., winner has until the end of contest to contact ME or another winner will be picked for that day. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist at the end of the contest. All entries must be received by midnight PST on the date contest applies to. Please check the clock on the right side of this blog to see Los Angeles {PST} time. This contest is open to everyone, everywhere.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

Grammy Fashion 2009

Here's a look at the best and worst from the red carpet at the 51st annual Grammy Awards.

✿ ✿ ✿

The Best...

My pick for best dressed of the evening goes to Sara Bareilles. I just love this tea length peachy-pink confection by Luisa Beccaria with the contrasty red trim and loads of ruffles.






















Taylor Swift looked absolutely elegant in this gown by Kaufman Franco.

Adele looks fabulous and rather svelt in this outfit...and I love that colour green!
Robyn...I love her quirky style.

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Meh...

I love the front of this RM by Roland Mouret origami-style dress worn by Jennifer Hudson, the back, unfortunately fell a little flat.

























I'm totally over the fishtail look, but Kate Beckinsale does look great in this Reem Acra gown.

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The Worst...

Paula Abdul was surely out of it when she agreed to let her stylist dress her in this hideous yellow dress by Basil Soda.

Estelle in a far out creation by Jane Jetson.




























Cyndi Lauper can usually pull anything off...but not this outfit.



























LeAnn Rimes seems to have forgotten where she was going for the evening when she put on this casual {and ugly} ensemble from Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti.




























Maiysha...part peacock, part giraffe, part snake, all hideous.

M.I.A. definitely stole the spotlight from any of the other bad outfits walking the carpet. But, for her unborn child's sake, I do hope bad taste isn't hereditary.

Artist Spotlight... Peoples Couture

UPDATE:

CHLOE is the lucky winner of the gorgeous tank by Peoples Couture... CONGRATULATIONS!

...a special THANK YOU to everyone who commented on this feature and entered the give-a-way! Be sure to enter next week's give.

xxx

Raven

★ ★ ★

Force yourself to be completely original.
Never give up your dream, be disciplined.

- Gulbin Yavuz

The year 2009 marks the tenth year anniversary for this week’s featured artist People's Couture.

That means ten years of innovation and independence to the owner/designer Gulbin Yavuz, who’s shop’s label Indie Collective is a constantly evolving clothing and accessory line. From modern "street couture" to handmade uni-sex tee shirts, Indie Collective aims to transform conceptual couture into modular, interactive clothing and accessories.

And she’s just getting started…


★ Tell us about you…
hello, my name is gulbin yavuz i'm the designer of indie collective label we have a little store in the culver city art district in los angeles, california
which is also an art gallery and my atelier in the back. i love my job! i am a self-taught designer
i was a stylist/costume designer in hollywood for 17 years i worked with some of the most brilliant directors, actors, art directors, hair & make up artists, cinematographers and i feel very fortunate for that.

★ What inspires you?
what inspires me is mostly mother nature. there is no better artist and designer than her. i am also inspired by human-made things, avant garde music, surrealists, 1960's and 1970's, industrial machinery, road signs, max ernst, jean-luc godard, history just to name a few...

★ Apart from creating things, what do you do for fun?
read, play chess, cook, travel, take long walks at the beach, hang with family & friends, go camping, hiking

★ What has been your most memorable moment selling your art?
when the director of santa monica museum of art/smmoa invited me to do a fashion show there and when my designs were accepted to california design biannale 05

★ Any advice for fellow artists...
force yourself to be completely original.
never give up your dream, be disciplined.

★ If you could be any character, who would it be and why?
i love superman but i don't want to be a superwoman! however i would like to be "maria" in fritz lang's metropolis, the good one!

★ Where have you traveled or where would you like to travel…Why?
england, france, belgium, holland, italy, germany, austria, switzerland, former yugoslavia,
bulgaria, greece, turkey, mexico, most of the states in the us
would like to go to mongolia and china also entire south america

★ Tell us your future plans for Indie Collective...
i wish indie collective was known little more widely! but the trends are following our very business model. we are already small, efficient, nimble and green not to mention independent
i think we will be able to survive the economic turmoil or at least i hope! we will continue to be in the cutting edge of design pushing the boundaries regardless. ...sharpen and refine and the good things will happen....

★ Anything else…
i'm super busy always creating new stuff. indie collective does not produce seasonal collections, we produce constantly, and all seasons, it is a world market, it is always summer and winter simultaneously. we are against senseless production of clothing, we produce on demand, our energies go towards design rather
than big production everything is made with care, by hand, with love.







New to the shop and just launched, be sure to check out the latest by Indie Collective:

Above from L to R:

• Poly elbow orbs, accessory made of industrial wool felt and foil
• The harness, a neck & shoulder accessory, shown w. Ameoba accessory/top
• Mirror Agent silver dress, vinyl lined with pink

★ ★ ★

★ Shoppe: http://www.peoplescouture.etsy.com
★ Indie Collective's Tee Store: http://www.indivisual.etsy.com
★ Website: http://www.indiecollective.com

★ ★ ★

This Give-A-Way has ended...

Gulbin of Peoples Couture is graciously giving away what she thinks is simply the sexiest top at Indie: The Tankette. It's made of sparkly knitted material and detailed with silver leather straps and unfinished edges. This week's give-a-way winner gets to choose from size S.M.L, with your choice of either gold or silver leather straps.

★ ★ ★

5 chances to win!

★ To enter: Be sure to check out the People's Couture or Indivisual shop. Then comment here on your favourite item.
If you win, I will email you to get your size and strap preference for the Tankette, so be sure to leave valid contact information.

★ For extra entries into this contest...
1} Get ONE extra entry by posting a comment on any other post on my blog, not including artist features.
2.} Get THREE extra entries by posting about this blog and contest on your blog. Post here with link to your blog.

Most Important Details... I will make sure all extra entries are entered into the give-a-way since all entries are handwritten by me. I DO check every single entry and comment. The winner's name is drawn randomly by hand from an exquisite Japanese bowl. If your favourite piece by Peoples Couture or Indivisual is not part of your comment and some sort of viable contact information is not included, your entry will be disqualified. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist. All entries must be received by noon on Sunday, February 15th, 2009 PST. There is a clock on the right side of this blog so that you may check Los Angeles {PST} time. This contest is open to everyone, everywhere.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

Hot Monkey Love...

You KNOW what you want, so I'm here to help you get it...or at least have a laugh trying.

This card is full of cuteness and fun, with a sexy little message attached. Who WOULDN'T want to receive this for Valentine's Day or ANY other day of the year??

Printed on fine Italian Cardstock with deckled edging, it comes with matching envelope of the finest Italian paper.

◦ Front: The Front features 3 little cuties and asks you to pick one of the following:
* Panda, who offers a "big bear hug"
* Bunny, who offers a "sweet bunny snuggle" ....and
* Monkey, who offers some "hot monkey love"

◦ Inside: "hot monkey love it is"

I had one customer write to tell me that her fiance picked "hot monkey love" before he even opened the card...and they both had a big laugh and some fun. He thought it was a great card too...and it wasn't even their anniversary!

It's been my top selling card to date. You can get yours here. If the card is sold out, convo me or comment on this post and I'll get back to you.


Give...and Get a little sumpthin' sumpthin' this Valentine's Day.

Freaky Friday...Transgender RAGE

If you already saw this image, then you know who this is...but if you haven't seen this yet, you might be surprised, just like I was... Give up guessing?
Then, read on...




It's Mr. Jude Law, who supposedly discovered his feminine side playing a transgender supermodel, complete with wig and lots of glamour goo, in his new movie RAGE, a tragicomedy about the effects of globalisation in the age of information. His eyes look hauntingly lovely with all the liner, doncha think?

Director Sally Potter said:

"Jude, whose beauty has sometimes been held against him as an actor, made the courageous decision to accept the role and took on a kind of hyper-beauty for this persona, a 'female' beauty which gradually unravels as the story unfolds.

"Strangely, the more he became a 'she', coiffed and made-up - the more naked was his performance. There was great strength in his willingness to make himself vulnerable. It was an extraordinarily intense part of the shoot."

Part of the subject matter of RAGE is the ugly use of beauty in the pursuit of profit. Seduced by marketing, overtaken with the fear of aging and deceived by the significance society makes of celebrity... image becomes all.

Definitely sounds like a flick we'd want to see...

Brewery Artwalk Spring 2009 Dates

It's that time again...the dates for the Spring Brewery Artwalk {in downtown Los Angeles} have been announced and we're working away on all new lovelies for you to see!


So, if you'll be in Los Angeles on April 18th & 19th, stop by to see me and Mikiep ...and don't be shy, come up and say "Hello!" to us. :)

I'm working on all new art pieces and hope to have about 5 or so new paintings as well as my yummy soy candles, greeting cards, magnet sets and more!

NOTE: As my soy candle scents are all limited editions, many of the scents you know and love are on their last run, which means, once they sell out, they will no longer be available. So, stop by Artwalk and stock up.
I'll also have lots of Springtime shopping specials you won't want to miss!

Mikie is working on new fine art photography pieces of the urban landscape. Of course, he'll have some of his other pieces there too!

More updates as the show draws near as well as some email updates. So, if you're not yet on our mailing list, be sure to email SerpentineRepublic@yahoo.com with your info.

xxx
Raven

DPT Discovery...Dear Deer

Growing up in small town Pennsylvania was definitely an experience for me...and one I wouldn't change for the world since my childhood made me the person that I am today. But, come hunting season, the area that I grew up in became a different place and not a place that I personally wanted to be.
I mean, where else can you get out of going to school to go HUNTING...and HOW utterly INSANE is that concept?

Kate Micucci is an actress, comedian and singer, who spent most of her schooling years in Pennsylvania playing in the woods. Here, she dons her ukulele to sing "Dear Deer". It is most touching...

February Focus: Willingness

Willingness

Once the awareness hits, a crucial moment of choice presents itself: Are we willing? Willing to move forward? Willing to be more of who we were meant to be? Willing to see ourselves differently? When we are willing, we open our eyes and our heart to the light within others and ourselves. The door has been open, we have walked through and there is no going back. When we are willing, we are able to change our minds, see another's opinion, find understanding when all seems stuck, lost or forgotten. When we are willing, we are given the gift of open-heartedness that sets us free from the chains of our past. When we are willing, we are willing to change.

excerpt by Rhonda Britten, Fearless Year E-Book

Artist Spotlight... danita ❤

UPDATE:
DAVEL is the lucky winner of the 2 gorgeous prints by Danita...CONGRATULATIONS!
...a special THANK YOU to everyone who commented on this feature and entered the give-a-way!

xxx
Raven

❤ ❤ ❤

I’m just soooo excited about this week’s featured artist as she is one of my absolute favourites!

I’m sure you’ve heard of her or seen her work on Etsy…and if you haven’t, well..., consider this feature a gift. Each piece of her work is like an individual little daydream treasure of complete joy. Danita is a self-taught mixed media artist and illustrator with a passion for creating beautiful works of art…beeswax encaustics, collage, acrylic paintings, the most stunning art dolls and many other creative things.


Some quirky obsessions that inspire her and make up her artistic spirit are green and Mexican pink, staying up until very the wee hours of the morning, waking up late, drinking coffee, eating chocolates, looking at her baby, touching spaghetti before pouring the sauce and an addiction to paper.

Dying to know more...? Then, read on...I just know that you’ll enjoy her work as much as I do!


❤ Tell us a bit about You…

I think I'm more known by my art name, Danita Art than my real one, so let's go by that one. I live in Juarez, Mexico, on the border with El Paso, TX. I have a two year old toddler who's my life, and thanks to her I quit my day job and committed to becoming a full time artist so I could stay at home with her. My favorite animals are Dogs And Elephants, and I'm a paper addict... Love hoarding pattern papers.

❤ What inspires you?
I'm inspired by everyday things. Things I see, phrases I read, music I hear and random thoughts that pop into my mind when I'm concentrating... Which to the layman is very close to goofing off. Whenever I get an idea, I draw a quick sketch on my moleskine and save it for later. When I sit down to paint, I go trough my sketchbooks and find something that matches my mood. Sometimes a great sketch does not translate as well as I thought, so I sit down to paint and let art speak by itself. It's a weird process, I know.

❤ Apart from creating things, what do you do for fun?
I like spending time with my daughter, take her to the zoo and run around with her. I love going to the movies, flip trough magazines and drink coffee.

❤ Do you work at your art/craft full time or do you have another job?
I used to have an office job which made me feel trapped, but when I got pregnant I took the resolution of quitting to spend my time with my daughter and motherhood became my full time job, art is my second job. I'm sleep deprived, I can stay up all night creating when I get an art attack. I love sleeping, but the only thing that I love more is art.


❤ What has been your most memorable moment selling your art?
The day I sold my first painting... I thought I CAN DO THIS!

❤ What are your current obsessions?
Art Interests? Well… They are always changing. I can't stay too long on the same spot, my soul calls for changing and that is reflected in my art. I never know what's going to come up next. Take a look at my online gallery and you'll see what I mean. Right now, my obsession is papier mache, clay, encaustic collage, and reorganizing my studio because it was a mess... The only constant here is Paper, paper, paper... I obsess with collage!

❤ Any advice for fellow artists...
Go for it! Find your own style and be true to yourself.

❤ If you could be any character who would it be and why?
Olivia the Pig... She does what she wants!

❤ Do you think you lived in a past life? If so, where & when?
No, I don't believe in that stuff. I think you got only one shot and you must make the best of it.

❤ Tell us your future plans for your business...
If I told you, I would have to kill you.... hehehe. Expand my markets and experiment with new media... I'd love to go digital in near future. There's so many things I'd love to do and learn that not a hundred lifetimes will be enough to learn all. Too bad I only got one.

❤ Anything else you'd like to mention?….
Well... I want to thank everyone who's supported me, ‘specially the ones who have been with me since I started. When I read and heard artists thank their followers I used to think it was lip service, but now I've realized that it's true. You are nothing without your audience. To everyone who's written to me, followed my blog, bought a painting or looked at my art, THANKS, deeply and truly from the bottom of my heart. I would not be what I am without you.

❤ Anyone you'd like to mention as a fave Etsy seller?
Elsita - I think she rocks, she's very creative and authentic. She hasn't made anything I don't enjoy looking at.

❤ Shoppe: DanitaShop
❤ Blog: DanitaArt
❤ Flickr

❤ ❤ ❤

This Give-A-Way is now closed!

As if we didn't already think DANITA was the sweetest little thing,...For this week's generous giveaway, she is allowing ONE lucky winner to pick not one, but TWO prints from her shoppe!

★ To enter: Be sure to check out Danita's shoppe. Then come back here and comment on your 2 favourite items in her shoppe. You can pick any items. If you win, I will email you to get your 2 favourite print choices.
★ For an extra entry into this contest...Post a comment on any other post on my blog, not including artist features.


Most Important Details... If your favourite treasures by Danita are not part of your comment and some sort of viable contact information is not included, your entry will be disqualified. I DO check every single entry. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist. The winner's name is drawn randomly from a hat...the old-fashioned way. One entry per person unless you comment on another post on this blog during the week of this feature/contest. All entries must be received by noon on Sunday, February 8th, 2009 PST. There is a clock on the right side of this blog so that you may check Los Angeles {PST} time. This contest is open to everyone, everywhere.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

CAN I PLAY WITH YOUR...?

My latest card arrived in the shoppe today!

click image to purchase...

Part of my 'Cutie' series of cards, it features Monkey on the front with a question mark above his head.
❤ Front: "Can I play with your..."
❤ Inside: BANANA

It worked for me when I gave it to the hubs this morning, so I'm 99.9% sure it'll get you some too. If not, then you're doing something totally wrong and I probably can't help you at all. :)

Give...and get...a little love today!


NOTE: if card says SOLD OUT, convo me to get your own as I do have more in stock.

What's UP with...?

I've not posted some of these pix yet since I've just been inundated with orders and such. But, here are some of our favourite celebs wearing things that left a lot of us wondering "What's up with...?"

Lady Gaga

Her hair surely isn't my taste as it's a bit Minnie Mouse, but it's cute for her. I DO like her PVC outfit, but... What's UP with letting the track marks from her hair weave show {right}??? NOT a good look for anyone. Ick.

Audrina Patridge

What's UP with the cheap polyester looking jumpsuit that looks like you pulled it out of the 70s bin at the thrift store?

Maggie Siff

What's UP with wearing that same frumpy dumpy ugly cupcake dress yet again?

Mischa Barton

What's UP with this entire shot? The dress and the 'model pose on the toilet' look just isn't flattering.

Anne Hathaway

What's UP with the ugly ostrich dress? Didn't you learn anything about fashion from your role in "The Devil Wears Prada'?

Jennifer Esposito

What's UP with the visible shoulder pads? Even in the 80's it wasn't OK to let them show under white lace...and it still isn't a good look now, even if the label does say Balmain.

Tyra Banks

What's UP with her face in this shot?...Did she have work done or is it just a bad shot? She looks Madame Tussaud wax museum weird and is totally STUFFED into that dress.

Lisa Rinna

Attention Whore Alert: I never got Ms. Rinna and her big fake lips or boobs. I never even understood why she is a "celebrity". I suppose if yer an older lady with lots of money, you might as well spend it on trying to preserve yourself. But...

What's UP with your crotch revealing dress? One blow of the wind and POOF your nasties are on display for all the world to see...and trust me, not many want to see yours...pending Playboy shoot or not. Put some clothes on, please!

Are YOU an ATTENTION WHORE like Lisa Rinna?? Go HERE to find out...but be sure to come back and let us know! :)


Disclaimer to all the nutjobs who don't "get it"...This post is meant to be in fun. Please don't take any of the comments personally. Anyone who leaves their home in a bad outfit is subject to someone somewhere poking a little fashion faux pas finger at them.

PICK ONE for Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner so be sure to have a token of love on hand to give to your Sweetie. Here, some top picks:

... Love Tokens ...

click to enlarge...

Please support the Etsy artists featured:
top row, left to right...
1} Love is...You & Me Greeting Card by Dirty Pretty Things
2} Kiss Me Print by Holli
3} SuperHero Sweethearts Print by Mikiep

bottom row, left to right...
4} Sharing a Heart by DanitaShop
5} Love Token by PamelaSusan
6} Lonely Heart Happy Felt Pin by Stitcher Scribbler

Dress You Up in My Love...

...Thought I'd take a jaunt around Etsy for a look-see on some sweet things to wear for the big night of impending Love ❤.
Here, some of my favourites...

... Dress You Up In My L❤ve ...

click to enlarge...

Please support the Etsy artists featured:
top row, left to right...
1} Love Ring by Anne Kiel
2} Vintage 70s Sheer Floral Dress by NodtoMod Vintage
3} Necklace by Poetic Designs

bottom row, left to right...
4} Tuscan Swirl Handpainted Heels by Craftastrophe
5} The Super Power Top by Peoples Couture
6} Flowers & Vines Luxury Clutch by LaVita Lola

The Lemonade Award

I've have been awarded 'The Lemonade Award'.

But, quite frankly, I don't know HOW on Earth I was chosen as this award is given to bloggers with positive attitudes, the ability to look on the bright side, you know...those who turn life's lemons into lemonade, hence the name, 'The Lemonade Award'.

Yes, I am positive to some extent, but I also bust on people {mostly celebrities} A LOT on this blog and quite frankly I’m not always so nice. I’m a ‘tell it like it is’ sort of girl and has gotten me into trouble from time to time, but c'est la vie.

I'd like to accept this award and thank all those peeps who read my blog on a daily. I'd also like to thank all the designers, artists and celebrities who give me fodder to talk about when I'm not pimping my own work...Mwah!

✿

Anyway, here are the guidelines that go along with getting this Award, since everything these days comes with a catch:
1. Put the lemonade logo on your blog. {see above }
2. Nominate 10 blogs which show great attitude or gratitude. {Honestly, 10 seemed like a lot, so I'll only be nominating 5...see below. }
3. Link your nominees with your post. {done }
4. Let your nominees know they’ve also received the award by leaving a comment on their blog. 5. Link this post to the person who gave you the award...and give them some promo love. {That would be Miss Hot Rocks herself...see below. }

✿

I know that my nominees will just love me for this...So, with the necessary business stuffs out of the way, let's move on to the Awards Ceremony. I hereby nominate the following for The Lemonade Award:
1. Oh Mandie!
2. Tizzalicious
3. Pendientuda
4. Misses Kwitty
5. SugarBerry

✿

And, here are some pretties by Hot Rocks Glass Jewels:

You'll definitely wanna check out her shoppe for unique designs using artisan lampwork beads, genuine Venetian glass beads, dichroic glass, semi precious stones and sparkling Swarovski crystals...both new styles as well as delicious rare vintage crystals.