Freshly launched. At the helm, the inimitable Emma Alvarez Gibson. Inside, “a swarm of mad geniuses”. If you’re looking for culture and vision, look no further.

I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to contribute to the inaugural issue of Jack Move Magazine. Featuring a special edition of my I See Music series, I transform Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ “Night of the Lotus Eaters” into a decadent vision of decay. Music is indeed a powerful mistress.

Have a look for yourself.

And it seduced me into doing this:

What seduces you?

Sounds sexy, doesn’t it?

So does a party held here.

Held immediately proceeding the NYC BlogHer 2010 conference, SocialLuxe is holding a party at Arena to celebrate women bloggers in a variety of categories. I’ve just had the distinct honour of being nominated for a BlogLuxe award in the category of “Most Provacative” along with a number of stellar writers.

So if you’re digging what I’m doing, I would love a vote. It’s super-easy and will only take a second of your time (k… six). And if you’re feeling super ambitious, you can vote once a day, every day, until July 12th. Head to category 5 and you’ll find me in the middle row. *Cough, cough* hint, hint.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE.

Seriously, how cool is that?!

The legend.
‘The Green Muse’ by Albert Maignan 1895 Courtesy Musee de Picardie, Amiens.

The nouveau connoisseur.

The gentlemen’s club.

When I hear her, in this way, like this:

I see this:

CRAVE Toronto is a savvy, quality-of-lifestyle book devoted entirely to the best local businesses owned by women. Featuring over 125 women you need to know, CRAVE Toronto directs you to top boutiques, spas, cafes, stylists, fitness studios, and more, and will introduce you to the inspired, dedicated women behind these exceptional enterprises. At these locales, creativity, quality, innovation, and customer service are paramount. Not only is CRAVE Toronto an intelligent guidebook for those wanting to know what’s happening throughout town, it’s a directory for those who recognize, and value the contributions that spirited businesswomen make to our city.

Published bi-annually and featuring 260 pages of juicy goodness, the books are available for $19.95 USD. If you’re interested in a copy, simply drop me a line.

Shots above by Jason Matos Photo.

Loaded with innuendo and fraught with undercurrents of sexual tension and personal intimacy, I’m often left to piece together a private language I’m neither invited to learn nor want to share. But how else to understand how to design – mm, no – design well if I’m not offered the chance to share, however briefly, an inner world?

By listening. All the things said and left unsaid.

Well, that and a little feminine intuition.

So this:

Became this:

A little of her and a little of him. Quite a potent combination.

mm.

That was easy.

Photograph at top right by Ellen Von Unwerth

When you need to hide

come to me

Crawl in and unravel

I will hold you through the fragile night

and release

you

when the daylight comes

Then there are the, “Dude, what the hell happened to my creative juice?” sort of projects.  Like, crickets.  As in, “I got nuthin’”.

Except deadlines loom, creative juice or no.

So the moment before I’m ready to fall to my knees and pray to the creativity Gods, I take a break and have a shower. Somehow being naked strips me of my creative pretenses.

And sure enough, somewhere between my rinse and repeat cycle, there’s a lightening flash.  Truly.  I mean, THE WHOLE ROOM.  In vivid colour.  Every last detail in my mind’s eye.

Mojo is like that; a slow burn, warm and steady in its heat or an unpredictable volcanic eruption, blindingly intense and unforgiving in its urgency. And I tend to forget this when deadlines loom.

But the heat comes, every time.

Behold the Before:

Behold the lightning flash:

Volcanic.