TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE.

So, okay. You continue to win me over, Work of Art. I mean, if anything, you can't argue that seeing some part of someone's creative process is ultimately one of the most fascinating things ever. It's the positive side of reality television (although, one can launch into an entire tirade about why it isn't, etc, etc) and I think for me, personally, there's just something great about seeing a show like this providing a platform for art and allowing it to have a much more public forum.

And of course, they bring in Jon Kessler and my love of this show continues to grow. Anyway this week's challenge is to make an interesting sculpture out of found objects - or well, junk. The studio erupts in a really form of contained chaos where you're suddenly seeing who's really taking the idea to heart, how they understand it, and who's struggling. I wonder sometimes how time really plays into this - think about, a television show is cut and edited so that we, the audience, are drawn into this crazy web of suspense. There's no time limit to art, but then again, we're only at the second episode and we've barely scratched the surface what's apparently ahead.

It also further convinces me that Nilda and Michelle could do a show like this and make everybody else eat their dust. I know, I know. Bias meet readers. Readers meet my bias. I don't want to spoil anyone who hasn't seen the episode, but Jerry Saltz continues to be my favorite judge, probably since he reminds me a little bit of my mother and because his blog is hysterical. And this week's winners are interesting picks as well as the artist who ends up going home and who, now thinking about it, I can imagine myself seeing his piece at the ICA and just shrugging my shoulders - despite my reaction of OMGREALLYWTF? In that order.

And by the way? I still want China Chow's closet.

TWO HUNDRED FORTY-EIGHT.

BRAVO's Work of Art premiered last night, much to my cautious delight. You know all BRAVO shows are like crack - great for rainy days, sick days, days where CSI isn't going to do it for you. But then, this is the network that gave us Project Runway and say what you will about fashion and the mainstream, but what BRAVO did for fashion is open the door into an entire market of people that otherwise wouldn't be so familiar with the likes of W, Vogue, the impact of YSL and Valentino. It gave an opportunity to designers to step into the limelight in an entirely different way, as well allow major designers to make themselves more personable and not mythological characters that we only know through glossy pages and the occasional, cool, indie documentary.

So what does Work of Art do? For starters, the New York Times kind of digs it. They have some art world giants like Simon de Pury, who serves as a mentor to the contestants, and Jerry Saltz, who is one of the judges. It helps that Sarah Jessica Parker is the producer, for sure. The cool thing too is that these are artists that represent all kinds of disciplines and mediums and all avenues of experiences. They were individually selected by self-portraits, which then turned into their first challenge, if you will, where they were each partnered up and asked to create a portrait of their partner. My favorite? Abdi's. I like Miles' too, but ... sort of have a crush on Miles' cute, cute face, so my glee outweighed what I liked about his piece. There are some characters, some really interesting people - Trong! Trong, in fact, is another big NYC name.

But we have to remember that this is a television show and that this kind of format still has to work because there's a villain, there's hero, we love the judges or hate the judges - personally I want to live in China Chow's closet, but she's no Heidi in terms of being a charismatic host. Regardless of how we may initially feel about the show and what it has to offer, there could be really great things that may stem from this. The question is, now, how will it translate in the long haul? It's too early to tell, but if there's a second season - I'm taking enlistments to get Michelle on this show. They haven't seen anything yet.

Let's keep watching.

ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING. HBO's The Pacific is the pseudo-follow up to the 2001 mini-series Band of Brothers. You know, Tom Hanks. Steven Spielberg.

BUT WHY SHOULD I WATCH THIS? You should watch it because it's brilliant, and if you're familiar with Band of Brothers, you know that the Pacific is just as amazingly shot - sometimes colorful, sometimes dark, sometimes amazingly bleak. It follows the lives of several soldiers including Robert Leckie and Eugene Sledge, whose memories were used as part of the series. It's brutally honest and sometimes, like this week's part eight, it's very hard to watch. But what makes it different than Band of Brothers? This series dives into the personal lives of these soldiers, how they got there, how they went home, the friendships they made and had to made in order to survive. Of course, as viewer, the extent of what happened to them will never truly understood but as a viewer, as one living in a time where war is very much a part of our lives in many, many ways, it's something that needs to be seen. And it's another reason why we learn that all good shows, with brilliant writing, head over to HBO.

ONE HUNDRED SIXTY.

Um. We interrupt your regular blog postings for a total, utter GEEK moment. Had to hold off, seeing as it's LOST night and all and talking about it makes everybody's, including mine, head spin. These cards, however, are from a series of LOST themed tarot cards by artist Alex Griending. A cool keepsake, and maybe even a neat party trick.

ONE HUNDRED FORTY-THREE.

Let's take a minute to talk about a few really cool things. First, if you haven't been watching the Discovery Channel's Life series (amusingly enough, it's also narrated by Oprah - if that doesn't compel you right there, of course) but you should be watching Life. Beautifully shot, fascinating, and just the perfect way to end your Sunday night. If that doesn't get you? There are babies. Baby monkeys. Baby seals. Did I mention babies?

Second, a really great exhibit at the Philadelphia Zoo just opened. It's called "Creatures of Habitat: A Gazillion-Piece Animal Adventure," features the work of Lego artist, world-renowned Lego artist Sean Kenney. According to the artist, the thirty-four animals he created for the project took a year for him to complete - his largest project to day. Me? I'm dying to go. There's a polar bear made with 95,000 Lego pieces!

ONE HUNDRED FORTY-EIGHT.

One of the things that is a sure fire way of acknowledging you're sick with a bad, bad cold, is the amount of BRAVO television you end up consuming for the time that you're home.

Kell on Earth is the latest of BRAVO's endeavors to break into the fashion side of reality television - after all, how many episodes of The Real Housewives can you take? Kelly Cutrone is not Rachel Zoe (thank god) and no longer an avenue for those Hills girls to pretend they have a real job (thank god). We finally know her as the business woman who runs her own high-profile fashion PR company, People's Revolution, and gets things done.

So what makes her show different? In sea of Project Runway clones, the seven billionth season of shows like Top Chef (which I love), Top Design (which there needs to be more of), Kell on Earth seems to have the package that everyone else is missing. You see the glitz, the glam, the shine of innovation and imagination that is a fashion show and a designer's vision. But what you also see is the behind-the-scenes, the people that make that vision possible, and literally kill themselves in putting it together.

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN.

This weekend, just because it's ungodly cold and the feeling in your toes is non-existent, doesn't mean you can't go and enjoy a little something. Pancakes, for example. Everybody loves pancakes. But for now, we want you to enjoy our Friday favorites, full of some of the things we find fantastically inspiring. Stay warm!

LOST BOOKS. There is television and then there’s LOST – and there’s not enough time in the day to talk about LOST. What needs to be said is this: for its last and final season, which premiered Tuesday, there are heads already spinning and mass discussions of “what happened?!” (LOST can and might be an entire full and separate entry later, once the heads do stop spinning – if ever) and if anything, theories and spoilers are too much of an addiction. Instead, we bring you a list of the books that are read through out the show – a cool, if not mind-blowing list for the book nerd in you that brings a whole different level to speculation.

LUXIRARE. Taking on food and fashion, luxiarare offers a gorgeous way of marrying the two together on her blog. From the latest to her favorites to her own stunning (chain jacket, oh my god!) creations, each of these images is perfectly selected to burn into your brain the moment you stumble onto them.

IDEAS ON LEGS. The brainchild of Bill Hess, an artist, product designer, engineer, and teacher, this recycled glass topiary installation was a project that he did for the 2009 NEXT Art Fair as part of Art Chicago – and just a really cool way of putting to us your leftover beer bottles! Watch the video, at the source, to see how it all came together.

SOMEECARDS. When we talk guilty pleasures, someecards is definitely one of those guilty pleasures. For cheeky, if not sharp, e-cards (and assorted store items, mind you) someecards is that perfect place to find a card for that special someone should you be miles and miles away from them, possibly in another country and with terrible cell service – mostly it’s for a great laugh.

FISS. This is a really great group of lighting objects by designer Rui Alves with a nice combination of bright colors and the pure beauty of wood; fully function and could very well add a cool twist to any space.

GREGOIRE ALEXANDRE. You may recognize some of the French photographer Gregoire Alexandre’s work from advertisements such as this one from Absolut Vodka. His vibrant photography takes theatrical elements into dynamic composition to make incredible photos.

SPLINTER WORKS DIME KITCHEN. UK-based designers Miles Hartwell and Matt Withington taking inspiration from the spinning coin – it has ten blades that shuffle right back to reveal a stone surface that holds all of your appliances and accessories which help you cook. Open or closed, the cabinet looks like a sculpture or piece of art!

THE LOOPS BENCH. From American designer Aaron Asedo, who had this to say about his creation, “Loops was designed to fill a void in today’s market – knock down furniture that appears to be a one-off piece of art. Inspired by bungee jumping, Loops was ergonomically tested to provide form and function with an aesthetic made from 2/8 rubber cordstock, 1/2 in PETG plastic and maple wood. The piece was created to fit inside a UPS shipping box.”

THE TITANIC LAMP. While it does look simple and plain in design, the fact that it's "sinking" right into the table like the famous ship did into the sea so many years ago is just ingenious. The lamp is made of lacquered wood with a cotton and steel shade, and it does turn on to provide light so it appears more like a normal lamp that just happens to be sinking. Available in white only from Viable London.

PEARL JAM, JUST BREATHE. After this week, we’re letting the song and video speaking for itself. Beautiful song, brilliant band. Enjoy.

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ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SIX.

So this season's Project Runway seems to be getting its act together - let's be honest, last season's was just one, big hot mess. (Recap: they were in LA, the designers were lackluster, and people were struggling to come to terms with the channel change - when we think Lifetime, we think of Rob Lowe's post-West Wing career. But this is a sidebar.)

The strangest thing about this season, despite the strong talent, is that there's no real standout in the bunch. I know, I know. It's early. It's too soon. But if we think of previous seasons, minus the messes, you can pick out memorable characters - sometimes for their talent, other times for the drama, but that's a whole different kind of post on television. This season, not so much.

If you watched tonight's episode, think of this peanut gallery comment of as a food for thought. Is the show still about design? Ultimately, sure. You think show premise, you know it's all about constructing with a crazy time limit which ends up with someone doing the walk of shame up into the workroom. But has Project Runway lost it spark? Are we excited? It has definitely spawned an entire subculture and set a template for future BRAVO endeavors like this year's Launch My Line (which, wow no) and while I do enjoy a marathon of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, is it time for the design reality show to reinvent itself?

Food for thought.

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE.

Happy Friday! And hopefully, there are no crazy snow/thunder/apocalyptic moments today during rush hour. But here are this week's Friday favorites, full of things that inspire us and that we want you to go and check out:

FRANK BUCHWALD'S MACHINE LIGHTS. The series is comprised of 12 steampunk lamp designs, handmade in extremely limited quantities and that definitely look like they could have come straight from the set of Blade Runner. The main structures are made of raw brass and steel, which then are hand burnished - this creates a unique antique black and brown hue. Prices are not for the meek (from $3,800 to $5,900, and all the way up to $15,500).

HELVETICA COOKIE CUTTERS. What is really wonderful about these cookie cutters (besides the fact that they encourage cookies and cookies are, well, delicious) is that they're incredibly cool and incorporate the neat, clean lines that the Helvetica font brings to any form of design. But of course, they're cookie cutters and they bring cookies - don't worry, I haven't forgotten.

NOON STUDIO. Noon studio is a London and Avignon based design office, created by two designers, Gautier Pelegrin and Vincent Taïani. Their philosophy is all about the use of honest materials, the simplicity of execution, and forward thinking and innovation. As their site says, "a new dynamic which results from a relationship between people and physical objects." A favorite? The compas lamp, a leaning floor and wall lamp that can be moved and set to different heights. Or the tripod side table, a beautiful ceramic side table supported with birch cantilevering tripod leg system.

ACME DYNAMITE. Jeremy Wolf is an Industrial Designer and besides doing some pretty incredibly things, he has a really cool website that you should take the time to navigate through for a few minutes. I'm in love with the re-routed radio - which Wolf says the goal of the project was to "re-purpose a conventional radio into an interesting form and interaction." His inspiration came from old mystery movies. BUT the real gem is his ACME DYNAMITE candles. And yes, the Acme from the old Looney Tunes cartoons. They're absolutely cheeky.

MASSIVE BOUNCY BALL INSTALLATION. This incredibly installation was designed by Australian artist Nike Savvas, “Full of Love and Full of Wonder” represents the very atoms that are the fundamental structural units of all things. Just gorgeous.

CHOLOCHAIR. Furniture vandalism! No, we're completely serious. Street art meets your everyday, standard chair. They’re of all designs - some cool art, some really cheeky art, and absolutely beautiful all around. They're great for showing off and transforming any sort of room.

DAMAGES. The new season is here! The new season is here! Damages is by far the best television show on right now, if not for the last three years. Starring Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, and Tate Donovan, the series revolves around the brilliant yet ruthless lawyer Patty Hewes (Glenn Close), her protégée Ellen Parsons (Byrne) and the law firm Hewes runs in NYC. The show is especially noted for its narrative (completely nonlinear) and season long storylines as well as the strength of its cast. Do, do, do check it out.

YEAH YEAH YEAHS, HEADS WILL ROLL. It’s Blitz! was definitely one of the best albums of 2009. It’s a force, from start to finish, and again, shows the tremendous presence the band has. But their videos from these albums are also a force to reckoned with – take the video for Heads will Roll which not only shows how much of a presence the incomparable Karen O has, but the knack the band has for putting on a performance. They are always colorful, always fun, and it’s always a show.

STUART HAYGARTH’S SPECTACLE CHANDELIER. Haygarth’s design projects revolve around the collection of objects, all normally collected in large quantities; these objects are then assembled in a way that not only transforms their meaning but surprises you. The finished work can take any form such as chandeliers, installations, and functional and sculptural. Spectacle is one such project, using 1000+ pairs of discarded prescription eyeglasses that all link together into a gorgeous chandelier.

COLLETTE DINNIGAN. An Australian-based fashion designer and the first Australian designer to show during the Paris ready to wear presentations. Her RTW Spring 2010 line is stunning, full of vivid colors that are ready for spring and all about showing off shoulders.

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ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO.

Ever since Project Runway moved to Lifetime, Bravo has filled its lineup with an infusion of fashion oriented shows like the Rachel Zoe Project, Make Me a Supermodel and this year's, Launch my Line.

Of course, BRAVO's major success was Project Runway. There's no other way to say it. Not only did the show inspire season after season of designers, but it created a cult following of viewers that grew in every media outlet - from the papers, to other networks, to the blogs themselves.

Watching the premiere season of Launch My Line has been really fascinating, admittedly. The real essence of reality television is a formula, the secret to why Survivor is still around and shows like the Amazing Race and the Apprentice still prosper. Once you have the particular formula down and your particular audience sold, everything's gold. And the jury's still out on Launch My Line - of course, it has the big names. The hosts are the brains behind Dsquared, Dean and Dan Caten. The contestants, which is the kick, are from a variety of professions - CEO, jewelry designer, DJ, fashion writer, fashion critic (Merle Ginsberg, who is one of the Top three and has a couple of incredible pieces) - are then paired with actual designers. So it's the reverse, essentially, of PR.

But does it catch an audience? Admittedly, I only started watching because Lady Gaga was set to make an appearance and ... well, it's Lady Gaga. How can you not watch? And while yes there's a formula, the show seems to be missing a key part of what helps many of these trade reality shows succeed - a cast of characters.

There's no villain, no likeable guy. There's no conflict and really no sense of interaction between the contestants and the judges either. Then again, there can only be on Tim Gunn. So will I watch the finale? Yes, I think so. Am I excited? No, not really. It will be interesting to see if it comes back for a second season - the concept, BRAVO, is almost there.

NINETY.

Thursday is here and it's PHI Day for all of us. It's also one more day closer to the weekend, which the most exciting news so far. Today's links are from all corners of the vast and curious thing known as the Internet, from design to spaces, to the continuing NBC to last night's Idol premiere. Take a few minutes and check them out:

1. Sydney-based Christel Hadiwibawa is a furniture designer and a contributor to the The Grafik Museum blog. Working with bamboo, these pieces were part of her Honours research last year exploring sustainability.

2. There is no argument with us that American Idol continues to be a cultural phenomena. Last night, the season continued its January premiere with auditions in Atlanta. As you know the audition process is always popular, from the brilliant and the surprising and to the painfully unaware that feeds the viewers a taste of hardcore embarrassment. But if you watched last night too, you might be familiar with this clip ... pants on the ground.

3. Now, a curious piece from Design Year Book. Nestled House is a private residence in Tokyo, Japan designed by Milligram Architectural Studio. This house has won the 2008 International Architecture Award for The Best New Global Design awarded by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.

4. Speaking of a cultural phenomena, The NBC programming flop has erupted into such - fans are coming together online with t-shirts and Facebook and Twitter groups. We saw this week Conan's own open letter on the dispute and change. Celebrities and bloggers alike are weighing in. But the New York Times has an interesting article on what's been happening. Check it out.

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SIXTY-FOUR.

Today's links are more of an adventure in odds and ends ... or rather, the interesting and the really, really, really uncomfortably strange.

1. PETA, while an organization with noble causes, seem to have a streak of getting into trouble once a month. So to start off the new year, PETA has come into the line of fire with the White House and with their use of Michelle Obama's picture in their "Fur-free and Fabulous!" campaign. While the other women who join her on the advertisement are all on record as endorsing PETA's fur-free efforts (Tyra Banks, Carrie Underwood, and Oprah), the first lady isn't allowed to endorse any special rights group include PETA. Read the rest of the story on Yahoo!News.

2. Meanwhile BRANDFREAK is a cool (and entirely too entertaining) news site which tackles the latest in all sorts of areas - the new iPhone applications, fashion advertising and branding, films, and Wendy's, whose efforts to get more people to buy their food (Frosty's are still awesome though) is to reassure us that it's real. Like McDonald's a couple years back - there's nothing more comforting than ad campaign reassuring you that their nuggets are made from real chicken. Good to know.

3. And now for the impossibly odd ... and probably uncomfortable. We all know Daniel Craig as the new James Bond, whose gritty portrayal has reinvigorated the entire series. Casino Royale is still, after several years, a huge favorite. Last summer, however, Del Monte Superfruit Smoothies decided that they would ... well, make him into a popsicle. They tell the Daily Mail that they had artists ‘worked tirelessly’ to recreate a sculpture of in the scene where he emerges from the sea in Casino Royale. We're not entirely sure how to feel about this.

(Like the True Blood art? It's from Exergian's series of poster tribute to some of our most popular television series to date. Check it out.)

SIXTY-THREE.

Doctor Who gets a face lift. Literally. Not only is David Tennant's three season run as the iconic Doctor finished (for the fifth season, actor Matt Smith will be replacing him), but the entire logo has been revamped.