LA Gear sneakers were in fashion the last time I was into high-tops and I was in high school the last I recall someone sporting a pair of British Walkers; perhaps that’s why I feel so nostalgic looking at the latest collection from PF Flyers. There’s something about the designs in their fall line that reminds of those brands and earlier times in my life. My fashion sense has evolved considerably since the 90s, but I wouldn’t be opposed to throwing on a pair of these and going a little retro for a theme party.

This is truly the most weird thing I’ve ever seen. This video is from Adidas, a promotion that lets a customer to totally customize their sneakers, from white color to any other. A typical blond with everything pink in her room, transforms into Swarovski-crystal-like doll, meanwhile her pink teddy-bear falls in love with her.

What I best remember about the movie, The Interpreter, are the scenes of Nicole Kidman zipping around Manhattan on a Vespa and the argument I had with my friend Will afterwards. I said I wanted one (a Vespa), he said it was a girl’s bike.

Vespas are not “girls’ bikes”. They are efficient, gender-neutral modes of motorized transport for the urban environment. But perhaps you doubt me or simply need to know you could hit 80 mph while sitting atop a scooter. Well, now there’s the Vespa GTS 300 Super, an update and more powerful version of the highly popular GTS 250. Enjoy, just be sure to wear a helmet.

Check out this selection of work from Swiss artist Felice Varini. Varini paints on different kinds of urban spaces such as windows, streets, and buildings. In the case of Felice, what you see is not always what you get. A master of playing with perspective, his work appears as scattered geometric shapes from different angles but from one vantage point the viewer can see the work as a whole, usually a simple uniform shape. His faux simplicity coupled with his use of basic, bright colors creates the ultimate life-sized optical illusion.

PETA is always controversial with their advertisements, they throw paint at people who wear fur, they protest, and they always incorporate sex and naked women as part of their campaigns. I personally do not agree with any of that, it is like abortion issue to me, its your life-your style-you chose. Here is another ad that PETA wanted to air during the Superbowl game, again it uses women as sex objects and tells you to be a vegetarian. PETA has tons more banned/sexual ad’s on their site.

If you are from New York or any other big city with a big Chinese population then you are aware how festive a Chinese New Year can be. This year the Chinese are welcoming the Year of the Ox, the sign representing solemn hard work and prosperity – an animal that appears aptly symbolic for these difficult times. The Big Picture has featured some amazing pictures from around the globe of the festive celebration, see more of them at The Big Picture - Boston.com

If Giuliano Fujiwara’s  2009 collection is any indication of where fashion is going this year, it appears as though color has given way to shape and texture. This week creative director Masataka Matsumura revealed the latest styles in Milan. The collection is dominated by grays, blacks and nudes and includes interesting fabric choices such as camel, velvet, bold leathers and highly textured flecked wool. Great attention is being paid to sharp cuts and square shapes, especially for the shirts and jackets. The accessory line, however, offsets the neutrality of the collection with its use of bright colors and plastic texture.

Feels, “The need, the need for speed”? Check.

Intense rivalry with Val Kilmer? Check.

Known for taking the “Highway to the Danger Zone”? Check.

Dead best friend named Goose? Check.

Enjoys homo-erotic games of slow-mo beach volleyball? Check.

Appropriate timepiece? Double check.

Hello, allow me to introduce myself as a new writer for ArtisticThings.com. My name is Faetra Petillo, I live in Brooklyn, New York, though I lately I’ve been doing quite a bit of traveling. I work freelance as a  journalist and editor. I am also the author of three plays, “Rise/Reconcile”, “We’ve All Cried on the A Train” (which will be seen in New York City this summer) and “Goodnight, Mr. Bluebird”. My background is mostly in theater and I teach performance art part-time. I’m also an avid photographer, biker, and cook.