Just In: The Chicken Lamp

This just popped up in my inbox and I thought it was hysterical. It’s called the Chicken Lamp, and yes it is really a chicken.

Chilean born, New York based artist and designer Sebastian Errazuriz created this working lamp using actual taxidermy.

Previously he designed a Duck Lamp out of a taxidermy duck with a broken neck (poor duckie) that he found in the trash of a taxidermy museum. (Museums just toss specimens in the trash? Really?) Apparently he was nervous about presenting the piece since taxidermy was not yet trendy.

Taxidermy is certainly trendy now (with deer heads thankfully disappearing from the design scene), though not sure I’ve seen much in the way of stuffed chickens.

White Feather Chicken Lamp WIth Bulb Head

duck-lamp-sebastian-errazuriz

Giveaway: Win a Belt from KeepYourPantsOn.com

I have less of a waist then I’d like, so belts aren’t always at the top of my list. I have two skinny patent leather Calvin Klein belts from the early 1990s (belts were enjoying a moment back then), that have long been relegated to my luggage accoutrements, perfect for securing a stack of folded clothing in a suitcase. Sadly, they will likely never fit again, so no matter how prominent belts become, there they’ll stay.

I purchased a stretchy elastic belt with a hook that I might wear with a dress, but feeling way too bloated of late, the last time I wore it was with my “Like a Virgin” Madonna getup for an 1980s theme party last summer.

For everyday, I have a great medium width black belt with little brass studs and buckle that I tend to use to keep my pants up, if necessary. Walking around as though I have a loaded diaper is probably not the best look, so I have been making a fair effort to take the time to thread my belt through my Lycra-infused Madewell jeans belt loops. It’s pliable and goes with everything. I also have a wider, totally worn caramel leather colored belt with matte brass buckle that’s perfect when I’m going with more of a natural, neutral look.

The other day I bought skinny zipper pants (with two percent stretch) at J.Crew, and it being summer, also picked up a skinny perforated leather belt on which the perforations go all the way around. (Who knows, I could love three inches if I starved myself. And my belt would still fit, or so exclaimed the perky stylist.) The buckle is a too shiny gold tone, but I won’t be tucking in my popover, so it’s not really an issue. (Except for me, privately, but I’m trying to get over it.)

An in other personal belt news, my boys, who are just a year apart in age and about the same size, have been sharing one belt between them. They go to different schools, so dress up days vary and it hasn’t been an issue. Last weekend we all had to go to a bar mitzvah so I had to buy another belt. Two belts in one week, a personal record.

Before you totally fall asleep with the ins and outs of my belt life, I want to introduce a KeepYourPantsOn.com. Founder Sivan Soffer has kindly offered a $50 gift card to KeepYourPantsOn.com for one StyleCarrot reader. The site has a large selection and the prices are quite good, so depending on the style(s) you choose, you will likely be able to get more than one new belt for yourself.

KeepYourPantsOn.com has skinny belts, wide belts, stretchy elastic belts, metallic belts, beaded belts, rope belts, and a variety of belt buckles too. You can even design your own belt. Here are ten belts I like from KeepYourPantsOn.com:

belt-styles-summer-2014

ENTER to WIN
$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE  to  KEEPYOURPANTSON.COM

Tell me in the comment section of this post:

What style of belt do you wear most? 

Stretchy
Skinny
Buckled
Ribbon
Braided
Tasseled
Studded
Bedazzled

Deadline to enter is Thursday , June 26 at midnight EST.

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Shop the Look

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ARTmonday: Bowls From the Kitchen Cupboard

I’ve been collecting cute and colorful tabletop and kitchen trinkets, like dipped wooden spoons, little patterned bowls, graphic tea towels, flowerpots,  and such, because this summer I’d like to attempt to take more original photographs for the blog. I’ve recently attempted to style a few shots (like the ones for the Raddish Kids post), and I think they’ve come out decently. And, of course, I’ve been practicing my still life tablescape and flower photos on Instagram almost daily. The last think I need is more stuff to store, but I figured the items would be good inspiration.

That reminded me of these artworks of bowls that I’ve been saving for a while, and figured today is as good a time as any to post them.

Kitchen Art Fruit Bowl Drawing Mzscreations

Bowl of Fruit  •  Mzscreations  •  Society 6

Kitchen Art Vintage Pyrex Bowl Print

Vintage Pyrex   •  Pocono Modern

Kitchen Art Bowl Stack Graphic Print

Bowl Stack  •  Strawberry Luna •  Etsy

fruit-bowl-colourbox-society-6

Fruit Bowl  •  Colourbox  •  Society 6

japanese-bowl-akiko-kobaykawa

Midnight Blue  •  Akiko Kobayakowa  •  Etsy

charming-shop-love-bowls

Retro Kitchen Bowls  •  Charming Shop Love  •  Etsy

Ashley Goldberg Drawing Thermos Mug

Ashley Goldberg •  Etsy

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Sunday Bouquet: White Peony in Glass Vase

White Peony In White Vase

If I don’t get out to the Cape in early June, I miss the peonies. This year, school let out pretty early, so we just spent a week there, and the white peonies were blooming, blooming, blooming. Here’s one in a tiny glass vase on a rattan coaster  on the dining room sideboard. 

Photo by Marni Elyse Katz for StyleCarrot