Cabinets de Curiosites

The surreally beautiful work of French artist Maissa Toulet came to me through a lucky page click. Her portfolio shows a range of media (from cut paper and plastic toy soldiers to glass orbs and taxidermy), and seems to come from an eccentrically creative mind. Her multimedia "Cabinets de Curiosites" range in theme and are wonderfully whimsical. I would love to spend a day or four exploring her permanent installation at Le Comptoir General in Paris.

I Feel Pretty

As I was flipping through fall fashion mags, I came to the conclusion that chunky costume jewelry and similarly gaudy accessories are the new "It Thing," and that I can't stand them. As fun as it may be to be an 80s pop star for a day, when it comes to the day-to-day, I like to keep it simple. Luckily for me, German-based jewelry designers Katheyl seem to feel the same way. With an extensive catalogue of necklaces, bracelets, rings and hair pins adorned with handmade flowers in pretty pastel colors and the incorporation of vintage elements, Katheyl is my new go-to for delicately feminine (and affordable) pieces. Some of my favorites: the Autumn and Winter Inspired Hair Pin Set ($12), Miniature Chair with Peach Dahlia and Gold Leaf necklace ($23) and Vintage Peach English Rose Filigree ring ($12).

Nate the Great

With a fine arts background and a PhD in Creative Writing and British Romanticism, New York-native Nate Pritts writes spunky, endearingly awkward and highly addictive prose. Though his past poetry collections Sensational Spectacular (2007) and Honorary Astronaut (2008) are outstanding, it is one of his more recent compilation of works The Wonderfull Yeare: a shepherd's calendar that has me hooked. A truly arresting selection from The Wonderfull Yeare "& then afterward" encompasses passion, youthful romance and a sort of vibrance that demands attention. There are obvious romantic elements, but Pritts weaves them into his work, and avoids the painfully cliche. Keep him on your literary radar.

For more from Pritts and his collection of writers, check out his literary journal H_NGM_N. Not only are the included poetry, prose, etc. wonderful, the fun, creative covers are just another draw.

Issue #10 is available now.

It's broken beyond repair

This past week, I fell in love with James Frey's

A Million Little Pieces. Despite some untruths of the work, I found Frey's telling of his stint in a rehabilitation facility beautifully disturbing. Though not a book for the faint of heart, you won't be able to keep from becoming emotionally attached to James and the cast of misfits he calls friends.