The wonders of space, mater, solar systems, the earth, mountains, waters and atoms that hold it all together will more than likely always be a constant and ongoing question until the end. All it takes is one clear night, a quick glance at the sky and more questions can fill your head than you can handle. These days, of course, we could look up and see the stars (go figure), or we can turn to the internet for high definition images of galaxies far away – which in reality are hundreds of millions of light years away. Which then really means that what we’re actually seeing is hundreds of millions of years old and the fact is that it might not even be there anymore. Crazy, huh? It’s a lot to think about and a lot to take in.

Our 2012 Calendars are rolling out in all orders placed online and stacked in our store front (free!). Printed on Williamsburg offset 50lb uncoated white paper, this is 18″ x 24″ piece is one side poster, one side calendar. As you will see at the bottom of the calendar, we’ve thrown in a few ideas for you to really make this year a good and memorable one. Let’s keep it posi make it a good one!

Fonts provided by YWFT.

In the wild word of sports, there are those few that are born for the spotlight then there are those who create the spotlight. It takes a very particular caliber of man or woman to perform at these levels while remaining true to themselves. Call it what you want, hate it or love it – their expression of “showboating” still puts up numbers that no one can ignore. This past weekend at Winter X 12 was no exception. Here’s a little love for those that perform and promote.

For the DOCUMERICA Project (1971-1977), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hired freelance photographers to capture images relating to environmental problems, EPA activities, and everyday life in the 1970s. David Hiser chose his areas of coverage for his DOCUMERICA assignment, intentionally picking areas familiar to him. His photographs capture the striking landscape of America’s Desert Southwest.

In the past couple of years, Richmond has seen an incredible growth of new restaurants. From coffee shops with lines out of the door to upscale southern tappas bars, this city has birthed new culinary creations that are all worth trying. But let’s take a second to look back at a gem that never once got the spotlight it deserved. As you pass by the glam and grit of Richmond’s Shokoe Bottom and start to head out of the flood zone, nestled just under Church Hill is Aziza’s on Main. Here, chef Caleb Shriver and pizza chef, Chris Dowhan, have found their sweet spot.

“Design is not just something you do on a piece of paper. Design is how you see, how you think, how you act. What you buy, what you own, what you surround yourself with. What you listen to, what you don’t listen to. What you watch, what you don’t watch. So design for me is a kind of way of life and perhaps a substitute for any kind of religion.”

With all of the new arrivals coming in, we’ve decided to get our staff member Molly Szkotak, to choose some her favorite new items as well as some items that keep her going throughout the winter. Not sure what it takes to survive a cold winter in Richmond, take a look.

Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Soulcraft is an exploration in hand-crafted and sustainable design. Embracing the philosophy that working with one’s hands nourishes the soul, pieces are crafted one at a time by  Sarah Herdrich and Tristan Campbell from reclaimed materials until they realize a second life. No one piece is perfect, and no two are alike. Here are some photos of Sarah crafting a few pieces in their studio.

Get them in your size in copper or steel in two different widths here. Enjoy!

The concept is relatively simple: Spots. Simple and varied in size and color, thousands upon thousands of spots span together to make one of the worlds largest paintings. And thanks to the Gagosian‘s arsenal of galleries, 331 of Damien Hirst’s “spot” paintings are on display right now across the globe – 11 galleries in 8 cities on 3 continents. But what does the worlds highest paid artist mean behind these canvases? Why has Mr. Hirst and his many assistants spet countless hours making lots and lots of spots?

First of all, if you’re from Richmond, you’ve got to admit the fact that Baltimore’s Future Islands played at The Camel is awesome. Samuel Herring’s voice and energy sounds like it could literally be heard all the way from Baltimore. He’s got more character than a Disney movie and a tone that sounds like it could be from a video game. Along with Gerrit Welmers, William Cashion, and the heat from the crowd, The Camel felt like a sauna tonight. Their next two shows will be held in their home state of North Carolina and then head further down south. If you can get the chance to check them out, it’s worth your time.

How I Met Your Style is the combined forces of photographers Carmen Chan and Ken Wu, and gives viewers an intimate look at some of the up-and-coming ladies of fashion. Nicole Loher, also known as The Style Student, is an 18-year old fashion student living in Manhattan and climbing her way up the fashion ladder day by day. HIMYS takes a peek into her closet and life, and the result is stunning photographs of a beautiful personality. See the entire post here.

If you’re in New York, and you like doing cool things with cool people, then you definitely don’t want to miss this. Tomorrow night, our friends at RIPE bring you a photo show and zine release from Julio Pardo and Amanda Merten. The event is brought to you in collaboration with Friendship Worldwide, The White Glove Group, Trumbull Island, Trumbull Studio and Fun, and featuring music by Joey C. So get your cute little butts over to Trumbell Studio for a good time with good friends, and better than good work.

If you’re not a fan of this cold, do your self a favor and go rent the 1984 movie, Hot Dog, where you’ll quickly realize that there’s plenty of fun to be had in the snow. Better yet, grab a bunch of your friends and go rent a cabin in Tahoe (your local ski resort will do too). It’s movies like this that let you realize just how good a little bit of snow and a hot tub can be. It’s also no that bad for some fashion tips.

A few short weeks ago, we lost an important American abstract expressionist artist, Helen Frankenthaler. Frankenthaler is credited with launching the second generation of the Color Field school of painting, and her style of work- most notably the “soak stain” techique- was influenced by such artists as Jackson Pollack, Hans Hofmann, and especially Clement Greenberg. Her work has been exhibited over six decades, and has received much praise and numerous awards, as well as her fair share of controversy and critique. Helen Frankenthaler helped to shape a movement, and her contributions to the art world will most definitely be remembered.

Please help yourself to a trailer of Wes Anderson’s upcoming movie, Moonrise Kingdom.  This could possibly, very likely, I really hope, most definitely, maybe, be amazing.

“Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, MOONRISE KINGDOM tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love,

Whether you are a beer tasting enthusiast, a designer, or can just appreciate anything that looks good, I think you will dig Oh Beautiful Beer, a blog dedicated solely to the art and design of well packaged beer. Boy do I cherish a well crafted beer…

This past season’s Holiday Package was a long labor of  love.  It was exciting to see each piece from idea to completion.
A special very special thanks to Blanchards Coffee Co for their caffeinated wisdom, Big Secret for the laser engraving, Richmond Soap Studio for their knowledge, patience, getting the scent of our soap and candles perfect, and Adam Hogsett for his expertise of everything wood.

We’ve been watching this video since it dropped a few weeks back, and maybe you have too. For those who haven’t seen it, you’re in for a real treat! What I would have given to be a fly on the wall..

Grain and Gram. Self titled as ‘The New Gentleman’s Journal’, Grain and Gram is chock full of amazing videos and interviews of young, hard working, inspiring and self starting, Gentlemen.

We couldn’t help but share this lovely little home visit from Refinery29. San Franciscan Nikki Garcia is the designer of First Rite, is insanely talented, down-to-earth, and well rounded. The self-described “thrift store addict” loads up her sunlit work space with just-right found objects, antiques and vintage finds, and talks about her love for denim, San Francisco, and the woods. Garcia is just about the perfect combination of casual and cool, and seriously adorable. See the entire interview (and her cute kitty!) here.

What’s not to love about Bianca Jagger? Besides marrying Mick (famously in YSL), hanging with Andy, and playing muse for Halston, she’s also a social and human rights advocate with a laundry list of charitable work under her very fashionable belt. The Nicaraguan stunner was all-out glam while making the party circuits in the 1970′s and 80′s, yet always managed to look equally cool in both floor-length evening gowns and menswear-inspired suits. Click through for some vintage inspiration from disco queen Bianca Jagger.

Who said dancing was dead? You’ve obviously not kept your eye on NYC. NextLevel squad out of Brooklyn continue to be one of the most notorious flexers or “bonebreakers” out there. Zilla March shows an amazing look into the current state of street dancing that’s going on. Think you’d be scared seeing these guys on the train? Nah

Talk about making use of small spaces- Japanese architect Ryue Nishizawa made a truly inspired home in Tokyo out of just 8 x 4 m (or about 26 x 14 ft). The house takes the great outdoors very seriously, and moves it inside, using an array of garden life and no walls to keep the inside in, or the outside out. Instead, there are floor-to-ceiling windows, plexiglass, curtains, and some privacy via leafy green plants. See more at today and tomorrow, and even more wonders by Nishizawa here.

So here we are at the countdown of 2011 and the lists are coming. Top 10 this and top 10 that. Finding everyone’s 10 favorite of 2011 shouldn’t be hard to do. However there are some lists that do need to be seen, such as the top 10 motorcycles of the year from BikeEXIF. Gracing the ranks are such beasts as  Dave Mucci’s amazing Honda CX500, Helrich Custom Cycles Triumph Tiger, and of course, a Moto Guzzi. No two are alike, and every single one is beautiful.

The act of book carving or book sculpture is nothing new. If you’ve browsed around the internet, the chances are you’ve seen people cutting away at books, folding pages, burning the tips, and creating incredible works of art. And then there is Guy Laramee who changes the entire game. “The erosion of cultures – and of “culture” as a whole – is the theme that runs through the last 25 years of my artistic practice. Cultures arise, become obsolete, and are replaced by new ones. With the vanishing of cultures, some people are displaced and destroyed. We are currently told that the paper book is bound to die.”

“Kinfolk Magazine. For One For Two For A Few. Kinfolk. is our way of encouraging a natural approach to spending time with family and friends. Kinfolk is a growing community of artists with a shared interest in small gatherings. Every element of Kinfolk—the features, photography, and general aesthetics—are consistent with the way we feel entertaining should be: simple, uncomplicated, and less contrived. Kinfolk is the marriage of our appreciation for art and design and our love for spending time with family and friends.”

To Porsche enthusiast out there, the name Singer is nothing new. As Nicholas Maggio, of ATG put it, “Basically, Singer is to 911s as ICON is to Land Cruisers and Broncos.” Singer Vehicle Design is run by creative director Rob Dickinson and was founded in 2009 to explore the creative possibilities seemingly abundant within the vibrant world of the classic automobile. They are dedicated to the passionate study, preservation and optimization of the worlds most respected high speed vehicles. This pictures you’re about to see might hurt.

It’s hard to believe that 2o11 is almost over. Did summer come and go that quick? Ah well, time to look good for first late night of 2012! If this is the last year we’ve got, then you better make this night one to remember. Load up on the essentials, blow all your money on the most expensive hotel room you can find and have the best night ever. At the same time, wear something that won’t be forgotten.

It’s the end of the year, a time to reflect back and celebrate with our family and friends, look back at another year behind us, and get excited about the future possibilities.

Remember this? I, for one, didn’t get enough Chloe the first time around, and was thrilled to find that both Part 2 and Part 3 of her “At Home” videos are now available at Opening Ceremony. In these installments, you can take a look at her own personal photos and snapshots from over the years, even more closet treasures, and tons of stories behind the pieces and other little tidbits from Sevigny herself. Click here to see more!

Weronika of Raspberry and Red is only sixteen years old, but she has a sophisticated sense of style that’s beyond her years. The classic Polish beauty is full of poise and takes a simple and polished approach to fashion, without ever being dull or boring. I’ve fallen in love with her classic pieces and Audrey Hepburn-esque looks, and you just might too. See more from Raspberry and Red here.

Sit back in your seat, put on some warm socks, add a little “spice” to that egg nog, and relax because Jim Henson’s 1977 holiday favorite, Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas is now streaming on Netflix All those 80′s babies out there can thank us later. We found the full downloadable soundtrack and bloopers reel over at Aquarium Drunkard.

Duy, the man behind our videos, shot a roll of 35mm film in-between sets of our Holidays with Nature shoot (and eagerly passed the camera off to Ali and I a couple times, haha). Hope you enjoy these candid moments!

In celebration of footwear around the world and all those cold little toes, we’ve picked out 12 of our favorites for this holiday season. Heels, wedges, an everything in between, here’s a little preview of what we’ll be wearing this holiday season!

Is 2011 really almost over? Over the past 365 days, this planet has seen changes that have effected us politically, physically and emotionally. From earthquakes to protests, Ruters has compiled their best photographs of the year. Glancing at these really can make you thankful for what you have.

Unfortunately we’re not talking about the adamantium filled superhuman. Instead we’re talking about the makers of some of the most durable and longest lasting boots on the market. If you’re in or around Richmond this Thursday, please come to a very special evening with Wolverine Shoe Co. at our store. We’ll be providing music, food and giveaways from 6-8pm. It’s your chance to get up close and person with the shoe and the company that we’re proud to represent.

As if you needed another reason to love the cute & charming creature that is Chloe Sevigny, you can now look into her stuffed closet and precious pink bedroom- and an adorable new haircut!- thanks to the folks at Opening Ceremony. Click here to see the video!

There’s really nothing like sitting around a roaring campfire in the middle of nowhere with a few of your close friends. That ring of warmth around the fire attracts everything from cold toes and damp socks to amazing stories and pinch of solitude. Toss in a warm thermos of dark roast coffee and that night around the campfire might turn into morning before you know it. To help make this situation become reality, we’ve paired with our neighbors at Blanchard’s Coffee Co. to create what we simply call, Camp Coffee.

We often find ourselves searching for something that is right in front of us. When our hearts beat faster than our minds can race – we set off in hopes of filling our impossible soul, without the end in mind. Sometimes the journey brings us to the beginning. Sometimes the journey brings us hope, and sometimes it brings us together.

Music by Dave Watkins: http://www.davewatkinsmusic.com

Once in a while you stumble across something on the  internet that is worth every single penny. No matter what it costs. Thus when we realized that for only $1,165 we could be riding around on our motorcycle in a fully functional Storm Trooper suit, we started to count our pennies. Officially licensed, this replica leather suit is formed from molded leather and CE-approved body armor that will keep you save if your tipping your bike or sliding sideways after an intense cop chase. Can you imagine pulling up next to a 10 year old in the back of a mini van with this on?

Let us introduce you to our new friend Mary. Mary Earley spends just about all of her free time knitting, and we’re certainly glad she does. We’ve stocked up on some of her warmest, coziest winter accessories, and we think you should too. Mary is a graduate of Virginia Tech and currently lives right here in Richmond, Virginia with her husband. She recently gave us a few tidbits about her life and let us in on some of her most favorite things, so click through to read more about the local crafter and see why we love her pieces so much! Photos by Karl Elchinger, Kim Frost, and others.

Uncle Dressy (a pun on one of the most well known, and well dressed sitcom actors to the day, Uncle Jessy) is a new blog put together by the creators of Richmond’s Blaaahg. It’s a blog dedicated to the appreciation of a well dressed man who’s never afraid to break the mold. From men’s fashions around the world, especially where fashion is of little concern, all the way to the streets of Italy, it’s showcasing some of the best around.

In honor of the late Natalie Wood, here’s a little post dedicated to the life of the Russian turned American film star. Born Natalia Nikolaevna Zacharenko she was best known for her screen roles in Miracle on 34th Street, Splendor in the Grass, Rebel Without a Cause, and West Side Story. After first working in films as a child, Wood became a successful Hollywood star as a young adult, receiving three Academy Award nominations before she was 25 years old.

We’re really into coffee these days. Really, we’re into coffee all the time, but we’re really, really into coffee this winter. It’s just so tasty, warm, and delicious. We’re into the science and process behind coffee and what makes each cup so unique. Right now we’re working on a special project with our neighbors across the river that we’ll reveal shortly, but until then, turn your attention to this amazing shop out in Arizona – Cartel Coffee Lab. Hot coffee in the dessert? It works. These guys are taking on a completely new approach to each single cup served. They’re also backing it up with this amazing video that if anything, makes you want a cup of coffee.

We all have a special lady or two in our lives, whether it’s our best friend, girlfriend, or stylish little sister. And contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t take something sparkly to make her happy. What we really want this year is soft knits, supple leather, and the coolest accessories. We’ve made it easy for you to please your lucky lady with 10 gifts she’ll love.

Even us guys know that it’s hard to shop for…us guys. The good ones don’t expect much, and we certainly don’t ever expect a gift that we’ll actually like. It’s a hard job, period. We’ll we’re going to to give you a little cheat sheet. We’ve compiled ten items that are kind of fool-proof. Gifts that you really can’t go wrong with. Most of these don’t even require knowing his exact size, or if he likes his jeans to stretch out a little. The following items have elements that any man can appreciate. Elements of good design, solid construction, and a timeless style.

In conjunction with the Facebook Edition Porsche , Volkswagen is launching their version of the the social media automobile, the Fanwagon. Unlike the Porsche, Volkswagen’s version just so happens to be equipped with unique tools that make direct reference to the social network (license plate displaying the status, print NewsFeed, etc.)..

Jill Sylvia is a San Francisco-based artist using ledger sheets to make artwork. Her work is incredibly detailed, painstaking and repetitive, and as a person and an artist, Jill is meticulously organized and detail-oriented. In The Make caught up with Jill in her home-studio for an interview and a look at her ledger paper pieces. Click here too see the entire studio visit.

“Dear Coffee, I Love You is a design driven resource for coffee lovers around the world. DCILY publishes articles that focus on the intersection of coffee, creativity and design. We believe in promoting and supporting the highest quality coffee, the most innovative design, and the creativity that coffee continually inspires in people—while also encouraging readers to never lose appreciation for coffee farmers and their families. Love coffee, live well, give back & inspire others.

A long time ago, a time during warm weather and lush trees, a time where skirts and tank tops were everywhere, we were on a bike ride through Richmond. It was on this bike ride when (for no apparent reason) we recaptured the many reasons why we love cycling so much. The next day we discussed the idea over a delicious cup of coffee and soon found ourselves sitting down with our good friend Tim from Carytown Bicycle Company. A new project was in the works. A bike that could be ridden every single day, rain or shine, even through Richmond’s notorious streets.