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While on a nostalgic walk of Pearl Street in Boulder (I got my BS in journalism from the University of Colorado, and have spent a fair amount of time there), I discovered a new shoe shop called Two Sole Sisters. I was not only entranced by the decadent color design of the store (I am a sucker for the cyan/red combination), but I also fell in love with a few pairs of their summer shoes and locally crafted necklaces.  I had the chance to hang out with the Sole Sisters – Lindsey and Laurel Tate – a classy combination of Texas meets Boulder with a flair for classic/chic. Their slight Texan drawl was cute and sexy, and their personalities fit the ambiance of the store perfectly.

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I love living in California, and I love visiting Colorado. This trip was a bit of a last minute ordeal… I got a call from my sister that my dad was flying she and I to Denver to surprise my mom. My dad is cute that way, he loves the look on her face when he throws these big surprises. My parents live in Pennsylvania, and flew out with my youngest brother to visit my other brother.

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What reminds you more of summer than frolicking in the countryside and swimming in warm fresh-water lakes? Spanish label Pull & Bear’s SS11 Collection could not be more on point. Reminiscent of Woodstock, the collection focuses on high-waisted shorts and trouser skirts to highlight the 1970s shape, and incorporates earth-toned and crochet fabrics. Are you yearning for summer yet?

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We are mesmerized by London-based artist Ruben Ireland‘s illustrations, which incorporate ink, acrylic, dirty water, foods and weathered paper, as well as digital processing with a Wacom tablet. He meshes sensual females figures with animal parts, giving his work an other-worldy, mythic feeling. The illustrations are haunting and beautiful, and full of emotion. Who doesn’t like Narnia-esque minotaurs and bunny rabbits?

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In Greek mythology, the Sirens were three dangerous bird-women, portrayed as seductresses who lured nearby sailors to shipwreck with their enchanting music and voices. In these sexy images, fashion stylist Emily Jerman collaborated with a fabulous team: London-based fashion photographer Elizabeth Gibson, makup artist Chloe Butcher and hair stylist James Langan for this seductive transformation. The result? Model Holly in provocative lingerie with a feminine touch, a close second to a siren songstress.

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We posted about this young Montreal-based designer a while back, but here we are again – head-over-heels for Christian L’Enfant Roi’s latest collections - très chic for both SS and FW 2011! For the SS11 collection, L’Enfant Roi drew “inspiration from world travelers and post-colonial men’s clubs” and incorporated tailored wool, suede and cotton garments. Have a look at the tasteful styles below:

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London-based street artists Miss Bugs – fyi, it’s two people, boy and girl, Miss and Bugs – have indelibly made their mark on the streets with large-scale colorful cartoon-like pieces in a series called ‘Cut Out and Fade Out’. If you look closely, the installations play tricks on the eyes… the cut out/fade out concept incorporates photography that duplicates the background scenes, making them look transparent. Total genius, right? Have a look:

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Let’s jump back into the time capsule with these beautiful vintage Photochrom travel views of Norway, circa 1890-1900, a collection that’s part of the Library of Congress photography archive. The images give you a sneak peek into Norway’s breathtaking landscape, as well as a glimpse of the country’s fashionable culture and eclectic architecture. Have a look. You won’t be disappointed!

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Though the incorporation of pop culture in artwork today is a fairly regular phenomenon, Los Angeles-based painter Justin Fry knows how to bend and contort, over and underlay, mish and mash to create the perfect statement about today’s most visible icons. We had a moment to sit down with Justin to chat about his larger-than-life paintings. Check it out:

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Since you got to see some real hot butts in our last sex post, we thought we would give you some real hot TOY butts in this one. Who can do it better than Japanese manga, which inevitably make an appearance every year at the Tokyo Wonder Festival? These babes mesh superhero with role playing, and there is even some panty dropping. What says sexuality better than this, and anyways, who can forget the sexy schoolgirl look a.k.a. Britney Spears Baby One More Time? (sorry, had to go there)…

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Let’s time travel to April 26, 1986, when Chernobyl faced a nuclear meltdown, similar to the recent disaster in Japan. The explosion in Chernobyl, a nuclear plant in the Ukraine, released a monstrous plume of highly radioactive fallout into the atmosphere and affected people worldwide. Now fast-forward about 25 years to the present.

Chernobyl remains a modern-day ghost-town, guarded by deer and wolves, nesting in overgrown grass. So who would dare trek into the lost city of Chernobyl (besides the history buffs on guided tours and scientists yearning investigate) but wily street artists, and for them this city is a massive playground. It was, of course, inevitable. Check out pics by photographer Alex Cheban of the abandoned town of Pripyat – closest to the disaster and abandoned due to the iron fist of radiation – for a reminder that radiation ain’t no joke! Pun intended!

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Surf’s up! At least according to MAC Cosmetics, our favorite source for cosmetic color, shine and a sexy smile. With sun-kissed and surf-inspired products like My Paradise Cheek Powder, Summer Stash of Crushed Metallic Pigments, Hibiscus Lipstick and Splashproof Lash Mascara that just won’t smudge, you can strut your stuff this summer beach-style! The collection is slated to launch May 26th! So grab your friends, your bikini and a few PBRs  and get ready for summer!

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There was a time in the ’90s when animated gifs were all the rave, do you remember that? Well, this emotive format has made it’s way back into the mainstream and propelled online creativity to the next level, where people are using it as a more “fine art” outlet. New York City based photographer/blogger Jamie Beck has incorporated animated gifs into her body of work recently, and we LOVE her documentation of New York Fashion Week 2011, which make you feel as if you are almost there. You get a behind-the-scenes peek at the glamour of the much-anticipated fashion show – a slight blow of the hair and a blink of the eyes – mixed in witha few classic gifs of city life.

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In light of one of Japan’s most devastating natural disasters and the threat of radiation contamination, Tokyo continues to thrive, and in Japanese culture, a favorite past time is “hanami,” a traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers. Young and old gathered to view the spectacular cherry blossoms along the Nakameguro River, eat good food, drink and for many, there was an overwhelming sentiment that the blooming trees represent a new beginning. Have a look at the beautiful pictures, thanks to our friends at Tokyo Fashion:

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Swiftly-ascending Sydney-based fashion designer Dion Lee (at the tender age of 24, he’s currently one of Australia’s most prolific Australian designers) continues to wow fashion critics with his innovative creations. We love his avant-garde structured vs. fluid designs, which would make a fabulous addition to any business-casual getup.  icked up by the online boutique fashion site, Net-A-Porter, you can find a few of his pieces online (though they can be pricey). Lucky for the modern stylish bella on a fashion budget, Lee has recently collaborated with mid-level Aussie brand Cue, for a spectacular collection that won’t kill the wallet.

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Have you ever had a random shopping day like this? You stumble into a vintage bookstore or flea market and find piles of old maps? I have, and when this spontaneous moment occurs, I unfailingly deliberate in my crafty little head some fabulous art project that could be made out of the maps, but never actually follow through with my intentions. Well, Dallas-based artist Matthew Cusick has made his life’s work out of this exact concept, and we are in love with his intricate map collages. He has taken the everyday map and crafted brilliant portraits, with unflinching attention to detail in all of the highlight and shadow areas, by pasting together maps of different color and texture. We had a moment to chat with the established artist about all of his various collage series, and this is what he had to say:

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