more! new! books!

So, I've been away. Not out of town, exactly, or out of work or even away from my desk. I just.. took a long summer vacation from the Flutter site. Here I am, though, back in action and ready to taunt the public with pictures of the newest and best Flutter items. This week I will ravage the blog with shots from three awesome new books we've got. Don't get me wrong, they aren't the only three or even the best three, they're just the three I was most excited about today. The first is a book about Philippe Halsman, a genius photographer responsible for some truly iconic photographs, especially noteworthy are his portraits of big stars like Dali and Audrey. You've seen his work, for sure, but this book also features some of his edgier, stranger photos. The second is a book of pictures of altars for Dia de los Muertos, the holiday where people respect their dearly departed by staging elaborate altars and preparing symbolic meals. The garlands of marigolds pictured in every page of the book had me running to Emerald Petals this morning to buy up their stock. Lastly, I have featured pictures from Roadside America, a colorful book full of neon and stucco and painted ladies, plus a great shot of that stack of skewered cars in Michigan. I love it, in fact I took a picture of that one and use it as my cel phone's wallpaper. I don't know, nothing against cars, I just really like it. I guess because it reminds me of Wayne's World. We've also got a gorgeously creepy Henry Darger book, a book of hand-painted film posters from Ghana (creepier than Darger), and the creepiest by far is an enormous Taschen book of human anatomy and surgery, with super-detailed color illustrations of what looks like d.i.y. amputation techniques. Totally amazing and not for the faint of heart, kind of like some other things I could mention. Hey! I was referring to Flutter!

FLUTTER'S 4TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY!!!!

It's hard to believe that it's been 4 years! A big thanks to all our family, friends, customers, fans and neighbors for all your support these past 4 years. Come celebrate with us! Have a glass of champagne, listen to the gypsy jazz sounds of the Djangophiles, get your tarot cards read by Mindy...a guaranteed fun time for all!

Walton Ford

When we get new books at Flutter, it's all I want to look at. Just think, pages and pages of curiosities wait to be discovered between their covers, whose sleeves only hint at what is inside. The art books we got from Taschen were a serious distraction, I have shown admirable restraint by not looking at them all day at work. The photography books from the MOMA store really reignited my interest in that art, and inspired a trip to Blue Moon in St John's, where I spent a long morning remembering how awesome it is to shoot film (and picked up some expired slide film for $1). The newest addition to the family, Pancha Tantra by Walton Ford, has been tempting me from across the room all day. Ford is Audubon-esque in his mimicry of British Colonial illustration styles, but if you look closer he's exploring some very interesting themes. See the excellent bio on the pbs site "art:21", and come into Flutter to have a sit-down with the book face to face.

An Eyeful!

So much to look at! There are all kinds of great books at Flutter right now. These images are from three excellent new Taschen books: one on costumes, one about magic, and one devoted to ornament and patterns. Yowza! Also, I've been obsessed with this photostream on Flickr. It feels like exactly what the internet was invented for. This person has sifted the seas of jpg and caught a pile of winners. Have fun browsing, and if you want to peruse in person, we'll clear a cozy spot for you on a velvety couch and you can study these magnificent volumes at your leisure.

A rush and a plush..

HERE IT IS, the great plushstravaganza of spring 2010. There are a bright velvety ton of new chairs, settees and lounges; some came in pairs and others are absolutely one-of-a-kind. Now's the time to do major reorganization, reprioritizing and redecorating. It's a great opportunity to sweep the clutter of winter into a box, seal it up and put it in the closet. Get rid of the stuff you don't love (consign them at Rerun?), and invest in pieces that make your home more cozy and attractive. I splurged on some great scented cleaning products and a new pair of rubber gloves, and I look forward to giving my house a deep scrubbing. After finals, of course.
P.S. Our new Prince Buster playlist from Pandora is so killer.

New Vintage Clothes!!

New clothes are all over Flutter, and not a minute too soon. I was just dispairing a lack of bright new wearables in my life, and here they are in a spectrum of sizes and styles to make you want to just drop your pants. In the dressing room, of course. I'll post more pictures next week, because most of the gorgeous new stuff is going on the racks tonight. I'm restraining myself but I've already chosen 2 that I am taking home with me, a lacy black and red cocktail dress and a pink, um, cocktail dress. Now all I need is a cocktail party. Stay tuned.. next week more vintage clothes pics.