Finding Vivian Maier: Chicago Street Photography

Images: Vivian Maier

Riddle me this. Have you heard the tale of Vivian Maier?

From the 1950's to the 90's, this New York-born, French-raised nanny, snapped around 100,000 (no, that's not a typo!) shots on the streets of Chicago and the Big Apple. In 2007, real estate agent, John Maloof, purchased boxes of Maier's undeveloped film from a repossessed storage locker. As Maloof developed the images, he discovered not only an incredibly prolific photographer but one who captured candid, emotional and arresting snapshots. And the saddest part of this tale? Unfortunately, Maeir's remarkable work was never exhibited during her lifetime.

Maeir's work gives a whole new meaning to 'street photography', don't you think?

Signs of Affection

Images: Paul Price

There's nothing like an unexpected compliment to put a pep in your step! And someone who is handing out their fair share of the good stuff is Paul Price. Hailing from Leeds, Price's Signs of Affection is a self-initiated public intervention - so if you're lucky to be in the 'hood keep an eye out for his random act of sweet sentiments!

Three of the Best: Oscars Red Carpet

I just had a gander at the Oscars and picked these three stunners out from the pack:

Cate Blanchett

Image: NY Mag

'Our' Cate knocked it out of the park! For me, she was the easily the best-on-ground in an avant-garde Givenchy dress. Leaving all the risky business to her frock, Cate chose understated hair and makeup which only added to this slice of perfection.

Celine Dion

Image: NY Mag

I thought it was worth mentioning Celine Dion. The sleek simplicity of her Armani Privé dress was a welcome breather from the sea of volume and embellishment. Oh, that and the fact she had twins just four months and looks so damn svelte!

Mila Kunis

Image: NY Mag

Mila Kunis' Elis Saab dress is a flawless fusion of the expected and unexpected. While the style is pure Hollywood, it's the colour and delicate lace panelling that was a little left-of-centre. A1!

Who did you love or loathe? You can check out all of red carpet looks over here.

We Heart Books

Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favourite things...The only problem is, this isn't actually mine! It's a present I bought for a friend's little boy.

I was so excited when I found this Charley Harper Memory Game, but when it arrived in the mail from We Heart Books, I was....well, rapt! Wrapped with such love, it's clear that whatever We Heart Books do, they do it with heart.

I'll be back We Heart Books - if only to get my own brown paper package tied up with string!

PS: Check out We Heart Book's idea for Charley Harper wall wart using this set of memory cards.

Five Alive Friday

Image: Shawna-x

Here's a dose of Five Alive Friday especially designed to make you happy and get you closer to the weekend. Enjoy!

1. Welcome back, Architecture in Helsinki. I've missed you. Can't wait for the rest of your new album.
2. Love this tee from Chip Chop's latest range, Blame it on Rio. But, I'd wear it with pants!
3. Live vicariously through Vogue Japan's insanely cool Editor at Large, Anna Dello Russo, in this fab Day in the Life feature.
4. Check in with street artist, Banksy, and take a squiz at his latest work in LA.
5. With the Oscars only a few days away, I thought you might like this fascinating look at the dude who makes sound effects for films.

A Lost Wallet and Moment In Time

Images: The New York Times

Here's a sweet tale that warmed my heart...

Rudolph R. Rester recently received his lost wallet - some 40 years after he left it in a jacket in a coat closet at the New York Times HQ where he worked. When he came back to collect his jacket at lunchtime his wallet was gone.

Fast forward four decades and Jose Cisneros, a security guard who now works in the same building, came across the wallet when he was investigating a void behind an unused window. It seems the thief had stashed the wallet there after making off with Rudolph's cash.

After searching high and low for the wallet's owner, the New York Times found Rudolph and returned his lost property. While the money was long gone, it still contained a glimpse into Rudolph's past - a snap of his wife posing in a 'real jaguar' stole, an Amex card so old is wasn't green, the only photo he had of his father who has passed away and even a clipping of Edward Kennedy's eulogy for his brother Robert Kennedy.

Here's a touching video of Rudolph's reunion with his wallet. Watch as he is taken back to a long-gone moment by the contents of his wallet.

Have you ever lost something and thought it was gone forever only to have it return? Is there something you've lost that you wish would come back?

Back to the Future with Irina Wernig

Photographer, Irina Werning asked people to go Back to the Future and recreate their childhood photos. Paying obsessive attention to the tiniest of details, Werning's images are both surreal and uncanny. They also prove that as time goes by, we all change, but we don't really change all that much.

Found via.

Megan Park's Maximalist Winter Collection

Inspired by the modern bohemian, Megan Park injects an eclectic mix of prints and textures into the coming cooler months.

For more Megan Park goodness, check out my latest article on Broadsheet.

'Throne Up' Sick Bag

Images: Creative Review

Wedding. Schmedding. Not everyone is looking forward to Kate and Wills getting hitched in a few months time. In fact, illustrator Lydia Leith has just released a cheeky, screenprinted 'Throne Up' sick bag. I'm sure republicans everywhere will be have it at the ready on 29 April!

£3.00; available online.

Found via.

Five Alive Friday

Image: Colossal

Five links to see you through to 5pm - get it into you!

1. Baby trashes bar in Las Palmas is the funniest thing I've come across all week.
2. Spruce up your iPhone or iPad with Poolga's killer range of wallpapers that have been created by some of the best illustrators and artists going around.
3. What Katie Ate is food porn at it's best. Just make sure you don't stop by on an empty stomach!
4. I'm not sure who fancies this Rocking Vespa more - me or the rugrat!
5. Need to refresh your look? Here are three pro makeup tips hot off the runway at New York Fashion Week that you can try right now.

Dancers Amongst Us

Images: Jordan Matter

Dancers Amongst Us is an ongoing project by photographer, Jordan Matter. No trampolines or trickery have been used, just the incredible talent of professional dancers from some of New York's top dance companies. These joyful images make you feel alive, don't you think?

Postcard from Bali

Postcard from Bali (Canon 5d MkII) from Stephan Kot on Vimeo.

Lately I've had Bali on my mind...and this film by French cinematographer, Stephan Kot, isn't helping one bit! Incredibly delicate and sensual, it bottles the true essence of such a magic place. In fact, there isn't a Bintang tshirt or hair braid in sight!

Interestingly, I recently stumbled across an article about Bali's challenge to contain tourist development and its booming visitor numbers. It seems you can definitely have too much of a good thing, which makes me fearful that the Bali Kot so perfectly captured, may soon be paradise lost.

Fashion Week Essentials: A Portfolio

Images: Vogue

With New York Fashion Week in full swing, The Coveteur and Vogue have teamed up to snap what key players need to survive the week.

From makeup artist Gucci Westman, to designer Prabal Gurung, this roll call of tastemakers was asked to assemble their fashion week essentials for a portrait shot. The resulting images are a brilliant - if not a little enviable! - insight into personal style.

Believe It or Not, This is a Bank!

Images: The Cool Hunter

It's hard to believe, but this incredible vision is actually a bank! Created by Paris-based architects, Zoevox, for BNP Paribas, this space has been designed in ten zones that dispel the traditional banking set-up where the client and teller are separated by deep counters and screens. With a honeycomb ceiling, 25 square-metre living wall, coffee bar and exhibition area dedicated to kids, I'd happily cop interest rate hikes and insane fees from a bank like this!

Found via.