I was on the fence with Local Natives but this just sealed the deal. In a strange way it makes me proud to live in Southern California. Who’s ready for summer backyard parties? Count me in!

Since I just moved into a new studio, Apartment Therapy’s Big Book Of Small, Cool Spaces was a great find. After all, I need to come up with a plan that uses space as wisely as an owl and represents my lifestyle. Author Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan breaks down the home by chapter, with each one focusing on a different room or space. He starts with general thoughts and tips but also includes fundamentals and common elements that can make or break a space. Then he shares some stunning examples from around the country that give you ideas of your own and tie in the interior design academics the chapter started with. Most everything is clean and uncluttered, without compromising personality or character.

For me, it was pretty cool to learn about how the entrance to a home should be a functional transition from public to private life and how that idea has its roots in Ancient Greece. The home office section is also extremely useful for freelance creatives to develop a productive and energetic space to get their work done. But the best part is that it delivers education with a kick of motivation to improve your home. It’s a book that’s intended to be more than eye candy and an awesome resource for anyone who hasn’t studied interior design, but seeks inspiration outside of the IKEA showroom.

I’m getting Helvetica-esque excited to screen Art & Copy tomorrow night. It’s a powerful new film about advertising and inspiration, two things I’m fascinated / borderline obsessed with. Plus, Doug Prey’s resume is all aces (Scratch, Surfwise, Hype!). Tickets available here, seriously, you don’t want to miss this!

Since everything in the news seems to be damn near-apocalyptic, you’d think we’re pretty screwed. But ya know, we’re sure not having any trouble finding stories about people doing good in the world. On a trip to Malawi, designer Andrew Salituri was moved so much by the malaria epidemic that he created an abstract artwork series called The Infinite Good to raise awareness. One of his poster prints represents a graph of the rise of new cases of malaria. It’s a great example of good design being used to bring positive change, especially since proceeds from the sale of each print are used to purchase protective mosquito nets. I’m holding out hope that one day the mainstream news will report these kind of stories because it’s hearing about stuff like this that gets people jumping on the social good bandwagon.

I love meeting people that think big. And while I’ve never met Rachel Botsman or Roo Rogers, I get the feeling we’d be BFF in no time. Their new book, What’s Mine is Yours hits stores this September and to wet your appetite, they crafted a video that hits all the right buttons. The future is [y]ours and I couldn’t be more excited! Maybe we should all team up for a massive book tour of creativity?!

No doubt, Marc Johns knows what’s what. And he ain’t lying, this is one badass pipe. Get your smoking jacket on and fall in love with more MJ here.

I can’t remember where I found this but all I can say is Lloyd Dobler is my hero.