Tiny Iron Fists

"The Fantastic Flying Books Of Morris Lessmore" iPad App

I've never read Lulu an e-book before. "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" might be the first one. The beautiful bedtime story was born from the winner of the Best Animated Short Film in the 84th Academy Awards. More from the Studio:

Put yourself in Morris’ shoes as you dive into the story of Mr. Lessmore and his flying friends through Moonbot Studios’ first Interactive Storybook. In this reinvention of digital storytelling you can repair books, tumble through a storm, learn the piano and even get "lost in a book," flying through a magical world of words, giving you a dynamic journey through the story. This iPad App has been touted by Apple as one of the "Top New Apps for the iPad," and will surely be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Using rich CG animation, innovative interactivity, original composed music, and unique games sprinkled throughout the book, this App will revive a love of story in all.

Purchase on iTunes for $4.99.

To Lulu: David Choe's Munko

Nearly everything art-related in Lulu's room is a gift from the amazing artists who surround us daily. I haven't been good about documenting everything she's received but was recently reminded of the many colorful people who've gifted Lulu presents when crazy art pal David Choe splashed headlines last week for the much speculated $200 million he may bank when Facebook IPO's. Upon hearing the news, I thought, "Good for David!!! I can't wait to see what incredible art he will make with his new found F-YOU money," and then remembered the Munko (his signature whale), Michelle picked up for Lulu awhile back [THANKS, again both of you]!

Get your own Munko Blind Box Figure at Giant Robot for $11.

Goes Down Smoothie...

If your home is anything like ours, your toddler's probably not finishing all the fruit you've been chopping, slicing, and dicing. Favorite fruits from last month are this month's bore and too many peeled apples, half eaten bananas, and ripe mangoes are going to waste. My solution? Throw fruit in a blender or immersion hand blender (seen above), add scoops of yogurt, crushed ice, and blend until smooth. The result -- a nutritious and delicious fruit shake.

Lulu's never consumed so much fruit and while I used to worry about her intake or appetite, I don't anymore. And I'm annoyed I never thought to do this earlier! Making smoothies is fun for Lulu (she loves prepping and adding the fruit into the blender and pushing the button to see the blade whirl) and was definitely an ah-ha moment for me in the kitchen.

Added bonus, it helps keep the kid regular (if you know what I mean).

A few tasty recipes from our friends at Simply Recipes:

Berry Banana Smoothie Recipe

Mango Lassi

Little Scooter!

Surprise! Courtesy of Ba Ngoai for the Chinese Lunar New Year, Lulu received a Kickboard MiniKick today. And it's everything she ever wanted. We quickly scooted down to the beach so Lulu could take her new wheels for a test drive. And after hours of pushing around, she happily passed out at home.

'Under the Big Black Sun' With A Little One

I wasn't sure how kid-friendly MOCA's 'Under the Big Black Sun: California Art 1974–1981' was going to be compared to the wildly colorful and blockbuster success of 'Art in the Streets'. Aside from a few exhibits guards advised I steer her away from, Lulu seemed to really enjoy the survey exhibition, stopping a long time to observe French artist, Guy de Cointet's installation. The performance video captured her attention and she stood to watch and listen for awhile. I'm not sure she understood any of it, but who's to guess? Lulu also openly enjoyed the punk-rock segment.

Even though a lot of the work was young-spirited, it really wasn't for the young. Needless to say, I'll keep bringing Lulu back to the museum until she doesn't want to go on her own accord.

Outfit: DPAM top, American Apparel kids shiny leggings, and Native Corrados.

All Your Dreams Belong to Us!

Lulu standing in front of a D*Face mural in the Meatpacking district.

Outfit: Hand-me-down Diesel jacket, Polarn O. Pyret dress, American Apparel shiny leggings, and adidas superstar 2 CMF shoes.

To Lulu: Paris Versus New York

A few weeks back, this wonderful link was circulating in conversational threads with my design-friendly posse: Paris versus New York: A Tally of Two Cities, hitting a welcomed nerve with our Francophile family. Lulu is half American, half French (although her bloodline is half Vietnamese, half Italian) and we tremendously enjoyed the visual comparisons of two of our favorite, often-visited, destinations.

Realizing we would be visiting Manhattan and staying at The Standard Hotel during Vahram Muratyan's book signing for 'Paris versus New York', we made plans to wait in line and grab a copy. While Lulu and I waited upstairs in our hotel room, my siblings and company patiently waited downstairs in a long snaking line with hordes of fans to celebrate what was once a blog, then exhibits at Colette in Paris and at The Standard New York, and eventually a book we now have in hand!

Before running out of copies, my sister Kaly was able to buy a copy for Lulu. And Vahram was kind enough to sign it to her. Thanks, Vahram, we love your book very much!

Outfit: DPAM top and skirt, hand-me-down leotard, and American Apparel kids shiny leggings.

"Lulu's Art-Filled Dogtown Digs" on Apartment Therapy

One of my greatest pleasures is to get lost in other people's homes on Apartment Therapy. So it was very exciting and an honor to have Gregory interview me and showcase our home office/bedroom for Unplggd back in May of last year.

Fast forward a few seasons and Lulu's art and beach-inspired nursery is live on AT today. It's been a long work-in-progress and I'm happy it's done. I hope you enjoy noseying around her room as much as I've enjoyed doing the same for so many other homes!

Looking for items in Lulu's room? Check out Lulu's bedroom board or the following links (a million thanks again to our generous friends who've gifted Lulu art over the years):

Lighting

Buddha Buddha Love Light

Pigeon Light by Ed Carpenter for Thorsten van Elten

Sticky Lamp by Chris Kabel for Droog

Sun Jar by Tobias Wong for Suck UK

The Panto Beam by Verner Panton

 

Decorative Items

Flensted Mobile Cheese Mice

Flensted Mobile Shoal of Fish

Flor Metadoodle (Sassy Silver) Carpet Tiles

George Nelson Omar the Owl Clock for Vitra

Hysteric Glamour Pillow

“Jeff Koons” inflatable toys

KleinReid vase

Les Dames (Gift from France)

Lourdes Sanchez Coral Pillow

Lourdes Sanchez Whales Pillow

Momeni Lil Mo Hipster in Surf

Mongolian Dream Catcher (Gift from Mongolia)

Native American Dream Catcher (Gift from Arizona)

Tokion x Bathing Ape Pillow

Upper Playground Joystick Pillow

 

Art

Adam Wallacavage “Alyona”

Adrian Tomine “Shortcomings”

Albert Reyes “She’s Gone”

Alexander Girard “Love Heart” panel

Amanda Vissell “We Are All Kings”

Christy Thomas Untitled “Kittens”

Dave Kinsey “Headspace”

Deanne Cheuk "Mushroom Girls Virus"

Edwin Ushiro Untitled “Lizard Man”

Enjoi Jerry Hsu Cat Collage

Gary Baseman “Giggle and Pop!” Serigraph

Gary Baseman “Hint Mint”

Gary Baseman “La Noche De La Fusion” Letter Press Poster 

Gary Baseman “Lulu”

Gary Baseman “Pink HotChaChaCha”

Geoff McFetridge “Fang Frame Pack”

Hanna-Barbera Studio “Wilma Flinstone” Cel

James Mattison “A B Sea”

Jane Mount “Ideal Bookshelf 1, JMM”

Jim Houser “Stormfront”

Kozyndan “Atari Godzuki”

Kozyndan “Fishy Greetings”

Little Ballerinas (Gift from Souris’ Childhood)

LostArt Untitled “Boy” Photograph

Mike + Doug Starn “alleverythingthatisyou sno7.1_003”

Nikki McClure “Surrender”

Obey Giant “Tony Alva”

Os Gemeos Nike Brazil Invitation

Paper Culture “Counting Sea Creatures 1 - 9”

Penny People 13 x 19 Alphabet Print

Punta Cometa Print (Gift from Mexico)

Rostarr “Mothers Milk (5,4,3,2,1)”

Ryan McGinness “Growing Handplants” Skateboard

Ryan McGinness “Pathetic Lucky Ryan Charms of the Hipster Doofus”

Sharon Rubin Untitled “Sand Wave”

Super Rural “For Like Ever”

Tiffany Bozic “Key”

Todd St. John “Wave Fade”

Tony Hawk’s Birdhouse Skateboard

Uglydolls (Handsewn by Sun-Min)

Uglydolls x Giant Robot – Uglycon II Skate Deck

 

Furniture

DwellStudio Storage Bins

Eames Elephant

Eames Molded Plywood Children’s Chair

Ecotot Book Shelf

Educo Gourmet Chef Kitchen

Ikea Expedit Shelving Unit

Itso Full Size Fabric Bin

Kalon Studios Hut-Hut Resin Rocker

Kalon Studios Stump

Oeuf Sparrow Crib

 

Room in progress: LMPP's Dogtown Digs