buon natale (merry christmas)!!

photo via dandechiaro flickr

Merry Christmas!! I hope you're Christmas is full of family, food and fun. I'll be heading to North Carolina tomorrow to see my family and friends. If you have my number and want to see me, give me a call!! Otherwise, I'll be back after the New Year. Ciao!

picasso said...

foud on my new favorite blog Viet-My Bui

artist spotlight: audrey kawaski

One of my favorite albums from last year was Alice Smith's "For Lovers, Dreams & Me" which featured this ethereal cover art by artist Audrey Kawaski.


Now Audrey K is back with an exhibit of her fantastic paintings. I love her muted color palette and soft forms painted over wood. It seems she toys with the juxtaposition of innocence and sensuality and definitely has a clear Japenese influence. Check out some of the work featured in her new series "Hajimari" below. If you're in NY, she's showing at the Joseph Levine Gallery until January 9th.









For more of the pieces included in her exhibit (that may be NSFW) click here.

For more on Alice Smith (she has a new album coming out next year!) check out her official website.

goals for 2010

1. Volunteer more! I have been slacking so much when it comes to helping those less fortunate and my community in general. Since I don't have money to give, I need to spend more time giving back.
2. Get out and network. I have the tendency to be a homebody and I need to force myself out more to meet like-minded individuals. There's strength in numbers!
3. Develop some kind of social life in Atlanta. (See above).
4. Reach 1000 subscribers on this blog! Hey, I'm only at 80 right now, but I like to dream big! You can help me out by retweeting things you see and like! I've made it easy for you by adding the little green retweet buttons at the top and bottom of each post. Or if you're not on Twitter, pass along via email; there is a button below each post as well!
5. Be credit card debt free. I am still paying off credit cards that I opened when I was 18. By the end of this year tho, I'll be free of credit card debt because I've already started aggressively paying it off. It's definitely hard work and I sacrifice to do it, but it's mandatory!
6. Get myself one of these!
7. Produce commissioned artwork. I haven't done a commissioned piece in a while and it would be great to have one of my pieces hanging in someone's home/studio/office etc.
8. Complete a room design. Being that I just finished Interior Design school and I'm just an Intern, I haven't seen any of my own designs come to fruition in real life yet. Next year, I need to make this happen, hopefully more than once! If you're interested in what I can do for you, check out my website here.

Thankfully, some of these goals are already in the works. Of course, I have many more goes than these, but these are my biggest priorities. What are your goals for next year?

for the gamers...

...specifically armon.... ;)

image via my modern met

Video game enthusiast and graphic design Ashley Browning created these fun minimalist illustrations of popular video game characters. For more click here.

Have a great weekend!

just a note

If you would like to order one of my prints as a Christmas gift, there is still time! I can guarantee delivery by Christmas Eve if you place your order by Saturday.

easy crochet neckwarmer pattern

Hey guys! Yesterday I crocheted a neckwarmer after being inspired by Etsy seller Knotty Loop. I saw their MultiScarf on FlyGirls blog and decided to try and create something simlilar. (Sorry for the bad quality photos!)

Here's what I used:

large 80% acrylic 20% wool yarn, scissors and a 9 mm crochet hook

Here's what I did:

1. Crochet a single chain of 21 loops.
2. Crochet a sc in the 20th loop and continue single crochets until you get the beginning of your first chain.
3. Chain 1, and repeat till you get the the desired length you want to put the buttons.
4. At this point, after you have chained 1, single crochet in the first to SC's of the row, then chain 2.
5. Skip the next two SC's in the row and then single crochet in the 5th SC of that row.
6. Continue single crochets until the end of that row (as with previous rows).
7. Turn and single crochet until you get to the chain 2, single crochet twice in the chain and then single crochet in the next SC.
8. Now you have a button hole! (This is a pretty large button hole, if you'd like smaller buttons... reduce your chain to 1, and only single crochet once in it)
9. Continue single crochet rows until the desired space you would like between your buttons. (I made 5 rows of single crochets before I made another button hole).
10. After the second button hole, make more rows of single crochet until you are at a comfortable length for you.
11. Fold the scarf around your neck like you would a bath towel, overlapping the two sides so that the left corner of each is touching.
12. Mark where your buttons should go by sticking a bobby pin (or clip of some kind) through the button holes onto the opposite end of the scarf.
13. Tie the buttons onto the crochet where you marked. Make sure to double knot!
14. Weave all your loose ends of yarn into the crochet so they don't show and your done!

It's super practical and warm and cute at the same time. You can customize it to whatever colors and buttons you like, which makes it special! And guys can wear it too....

See! Armon loves it too :)

Next I'm thinking of making a humongous oversized one like Yokoo! All her stuff is so cool, check out her Etsy here.

If you make a neckwarmer using my pattern, please take a picture and send it to me! I'd love to see your results. Also, if you have any problems or questions, feel free to email me at hello(at)nikimcneill(dot)com.

new! sbp home + style icon: kerry washington

You may or may not know that I've spent the last 2 or 3 years studying Interior Design. I love the idea of fashioning the spaces we live in to reflect who we are and maximize functionality. It's also really important to me that we shift our consciousness to preserving and protecting our planet, which I believe starts at home!

With that said, earlier this year, I had the idea to start a separate blog called SBP Home. Lately, as I plan the growth of this blog, I think it's more appropriate for me to include my interior design interests on SingleBubblePop!

That brings me to today's post. This was originally meant for my SBP Home but I want to share it with you all today!

Ever wonder how your favorite celebs translate their fashion sense into their homes? In each "Style Icon" profile, I'll create a collection of items that I think reflect their style.

Kerry Washington is one of my favorite style icons because of her elegant modern style. She epitomizes old hollywood glamour in a very current way. She always pairs classic sihlouettes with a touch of sparkle and a little edge.

1. Anthropologie Scallop Mirror

2. Saarinen Womb Chair

3. Zgallerie Gemstone Paperweights

4. Crate and Barrel "Lago" Lamp

5. Zgallerie Mirage Side Table

6. Restoration Hardware "Delaney" Sofa

7. Ikea Silk Pillow Cover

Let me know if you like this type of content and what you'd like to see more of! I'm always open to suggestions/requests.

paper + pudding cards

Do you still send cards via snailmail? There's nothing like getting one when you're not expecting it. These super cute cards are from Etsy seller paper + pudding.



"russian dolls/santa"



"get butter soon!"


"you're the apple of my eye"

new year's eve style

Although I'm so excited to be going home for a few days for Christmas, I cannot wait for New Year's Eve! I love NYE because it's all about celebrating the good, bad and ugly from the previous year and anticipating the greatness to come in the next. It's especially fun for me because it's also my boyfriend's birthday! Yay! The best part is dressing up really cute and right now I'm eyeing these babies from Bebe.


mmmmm I love bows and these are the most over-the-top fabulous bows I've seen on shoes in a while. I'd throw them on with this dress....




....throw on a chunky bracelet and something to keep warm in the cold and head out to party! What are your plans for New Year's Eve? What are you wearing? Please share!p.s. - I'll be here on NYE!

dear diane birch....

....where did you come from? I'm not sure but I love you!!

earthlovershopping.com

One of my co-workers had this amazing wallet made out of a recycled rice bag from cambodia and when I asked her where she got it, she told me her mom runs a website that sells them and gave me the card. I checked it out and earthlovershopping.com is so great!! I love great designed products that are eco-friendly and wallet friendly at the same time. If you do too, you'll love this site.

Check it out!

artist spotlight:beatriz milhazes

Gorgeous woodblock & silkscreen prints from Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes.

Her work is being featured by Durham Press and all of these prints are sold out!

There is a great post on the Durham press blog about her process here. Check it out.

photos via durham press

still holiday shopping? give art!!

If you're still looking for gifts for your loved ones this holiday season, why not give the gift of art? Everyone can appreciate the beauty of a creative mind's work and I think that all of these would be perfect gifts for those on your list. When you gift art, the recipient not only has something to beautify their life, but they think of you every time they see it!

1. Andrea has restocked the I Love My Hair shop with these and more natural hair inspired prints. She has some t-shirts coming soon too!
2. I love these pendants from Rachel Stewart because they combine music and fashion into one cute piece of jewelry.
3. The Fly Lady Di "Generation D-shirt" is perfect for anybody who loves hip-hop and art. And they're on sale now for $10!!
4. Of course I had to put myself in there, I think my prints would look perfect in any home.
5. Quoteskine blogger Lee Crutchley has created some fun limited edition hand drawn Moleskin journals. Snatch one up for the list-maker/sketch-artist/note taker on your list before they are all gone!

I hope this inspires you to think out of the box when it comes to your holiday shopping! Have a great weekend, ciao! ;)

new art from dawn okoro

A while ago I posted about painter Dawn Okoro and her awesome work. Here are her latest pieces, all available in her store. I love her use of color and contrast!!

this movie looks hilarious!

Does anybody have a crazy family like me? Well then you'll enjoy this too. ;)

In progress...