Hello, I”m back!  This week has been a much needed break for Sam and I.  I can’t remember the last time I have been away from my computer more than I have this week!  It’s felt pretty good.  I don’t even realize how much I rely on my computer until I purposefully try and stay away from it.  It’s crazy what a digital world we live in now, isn’t it?  As great as that is in some senses,  it does have a way of making life increasingly impersonal.  Anyway, my goal for this week was to get away from that.  And what better time than Christmas to focus on relationships and family?   Sam and I both have been off work this entire week, enjoying the super warm December weather and spending lots of time with our little lady.  Despite the hot weather, I just had to get some use out of the red pom hat I bought for Rylee a few months back.  I die over that thing on her.  Our Christmas was great.  A little different feeling this year because we did not have extended family in town like we usually do.  But it was small and intimate….and ALL about Rylee.  Ha!  She got more presents than all of us combined.  I put together this little video of Rylee’s first Christmas and the few days surrounding it….all with my very limited knowledge in imovie. I certainly don’t pride myself on my video skills, seeing as I have only made 2 now.  Really, it’s all for memories sake.  Hopefully Rylee can watch this one day and smile. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! xo.

Christmas 2011 from Kelli Larson on Vimeo.

Sadly, I was not able to attend the intimate show they put on at the Habitat House in December….but I wanted to at least share the footage.  Perhaps you recognize the art in the background? Yes, still hanging in the house was my installation for my solo art show “Dreamer”.  What a lovely band to have play alongside my work.

Check out their new LP Wild Go on itunes. So good.

Dark Dark Dark ? Daydreaming from Brandon Tauszik on Vimeo.

PANELS RECAP from Jedidiah Clothing on Vimeo.

On September 18th JEDIDIAH teamed up with WE LOVE CREATIVITY and DJ Here to host a live art event to benefit Invisible Children. It went down at the Ivy Hotel in downtown San Diego. We raised over $1,300 for Invisible Children through the sale of panels taken directly from the wall, donations, and merchandise.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the “live” installation (I was away in Mexico soaking up the sun with my girlfriends celebrating one of my best friends bachelorette party…i know, what a bummer. Ha!) BUT I was able to throw down a character on one of the panels the night before I went away on my mini vaca. See if you can spot her! (clue: It is by far the girliest portion of the mural!)

Artists Include:
Monstrinho, Kelli Murray, Tocayo, Nick McPherson, Eric Wixon, Neko, Brooks Sterling, Sam Larson, and Skye Walker.

Surfing the Nations believes that surfers are an untapped resource to serve our local and outer island communities. Their message is to influence the upcoming generation of surfers to “give back” by serving and meeting the needs of local communities.

Just a few weeks ago they held the 4th Annual Freedom Surf Contest.  This is an annual surf contest sponsored by Jedidiah in Queens, Waikiki, held mother’s day weekend. It is a two-day event, promoting “A Drug Free Hawaii”. In having this contest Surfing The Nations goal is to raise awareness of substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation issues in order to reverse the devastating affect that drug and alcohol abuse is having on the people of Hawaii.  Every year I have had the opportunity to design the contest t-shirt and (this year) poster for them. Surfing the Nations is an inspiration to me and a motivation to get out into my own community and give back. We all have something to offer.  See the video below to get a glimpse of the event!

Freedom Surf Contest- A drug Free Hawaii from Surfing The Nations on Vimeo.

Surfing the Nations has done a lot of work in Bangladesh over the years.  Gum for my boat is an alluring documentary that touches on the redemptive power of surfing and the work that Surfing the Nations is doing in Bangladesh. This short feature tells the story of how a group of underprivileged kids are making a difference in their community, and how the surf club they started is the catalyst for this change. This film was produced by the incredibly talented Russell Brownley and stars our very own Kahana Kalama

Gum For My Boat: Surfing In Bangladesh Trailer from Jedidiah Clothing on Vimeo.

For more information and ways you can help visit SURFINGTHENATIONS.COM

I just got a discount card in the mail for $100 off a new pair! My lucky day! I think I just might take advantage!  What do you think?

….the SHELDRAKE / the  DANNIE / or the BARRIE !!??

Oliver Peoples’ 2010 corky Campaign film ‘Les enfants sennuient le dimanche (The children are bored on Sundays), directed by Autumn De Wilde, featuring Elijah Wood and Shirley Manson (from Garbage). Soundtrack ‘Just You and Me’ by Zee Avi.

Jedidiah Spring 2010 from Jedidiah Clothing on Vimeo.

Kelli and Sam in Super Greight from Russell Brownley on Vimeo.

Chez Charlie from Stockholm Ssaw on Vimeo.

These images are breathtaking.  I want to live in this world…..and I want turquoise lipstick.

Styled by Sahara Widoff of LUNDLUND agency in Stockholm Sweden.

Photographed by Thomas Klementsson for swedish magazine Stockholm SSAW s/s 10.

I have always loved the old Super 8 style film, and lucky for me, Russell had just the right stuff to make it happen.  He took us out a few evenings after work and shot us at the beach and riding bikes around our neighborhood.  I handed off all the old DVD’s and pictures I had gathered to Russell, and he ran with it from there.  When I saw the video he had made for us for the first time, I nearly started crying.  It is exactly what I was hoping for.

Kelli and Sam. from Russell Brownley on Vimeo.

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Kelli + Sam – Same Day Edit/Wedding Trailer from Matthew Forrey on Vimeo.