Love of My Light

Chris surprised me with this awesome beaver skull and had my bat custom framed for Christmas last week. They are so ridiculously fabulous! :) I also received this stunning light fixture as a gift, which I am totally over the moon about.

The Hicks Pendant by Thomas O'Brien is wildly popular in the interior design world, and I have been pining after this bad boy ever since the moment I first laid eyes on it. Deliciously handsome in its simplicity, this pendant effortlessly compliments a multitude of styles and living spaces. Mr. Hicks is a solid and timeless statement piece, and I have a good feeling he will be very happy in our new kitchen.

{via High Gloss, House & Home, Max and Co., Apartment Therapy, Lonny}

Love is Blind... as a Bat.

Most gals love receiving flowers, candies, cards, or sparkly things from their guys. I definitely enjoy all of the above, but my husband really knows the way to my nerdy heart. During our most recent date night, Chris surprised me with something really special that I’ve been ogling for quite a while.

A freeze-dried bat! How neat is that?! This is a male Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis). I cannot stop looking at it. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I have an insatiable infatuation with taxidermy. While I can certainly appreciate artistic rogue taxidermy, I simply can’t get enough of collecting scientifically preserved specimens. Call me a crazy person, but I am obsessed.

The bat is from one of my absolute favorite shops - The Evolution Store. This place is so incredibly cool. Not only is it brimming with natural curiosities,  it also has a quirky, beautifully curated aesthetic that I adore. The shop is right down the street from my office, and I am constantly swinging by to peruse new offerings. Here are some photos I snapped during a recent visit.

It is like a mini natural history museum, and everything is meticulously labeled. I mean, who wouldn’t want a fossilized cave bear skull? We’ll be bringing the bat (I named him Echo) back to The Evolution Store for custom framing as soon as I figure out which style will best showcase this fine specimen in our home.

BTW - Despite their teeny tiny eyes and nocturnal lifestyles, bats aren’t really blind. Although they rely primarily on echolocation to hunt, avoid predators and navigate dark surroundings, bats can see and are capable of distinguishing colors, shapes, and light levels.

Art Distilled

I’m not gonna lie, I’m a girl who likes her drinkies. A glass of wine, an ice cold beer, a flute of bubbly... all lovely ways to end a long day. Now, here's a wonderful new way to enjoy your drink of choice (responsibly) at any time of the day!

Check out these stunning photographs from BevShots. Using a technique developed at Florida State University, these images of crystallized beers, wines and liquors were captured through polarized microphotography. 

The process begins with placing a drop of beverage on a glass slide. As the sample dries (which takes between four weeks to six months, depending on the complexity of the drink), its ingredients form distinctive crystalline patterns. Certain drinks which contain more sugar will crystallize differently than those with fewer impurities. As polarized light from the microscope is refracted through these crystals, their variations create a unique composition of spectacular shapes and colors.

The final product is a visually intoxicating blend of geek and chic. These photos are available as framed prints and canvas gallery wraps. They are such amazing conversation pieces and would make fantastic gifts for your favorite aficionado/lush. I'd love to hang the Belgian Dark Ale above the bar in our living room. Cheers!

 Champagne

American Amber Ale

Mexican Beer 

English Oatmeal Stout

Gin

Daiquiri

Margarita

Vodka Tonic

Piña Colada

Belgian Lambic Beer

Belgian Dark Ale

Red Wine

White Wine

Rosé Wine

Japanese Rice Lager

English Pure Brewed Lager