Tobias Wong. His awesome killer ring. & his passing.

In a year of seemingly endless celebrity deaths, it is always hardest to embrace those of great talents who pass too, too young. Tobias Wong, the Canadian-born, New York-based artist and designer, passed away on Sunday morning. Wong’s brief body of work was overwhelmed by creativity, innovative design, and twists on tradition.

Wong’s ‘Killer Diamond Engagement Ring’ (pictured left) is my favorite example of Wong’s subversive style. To take a romantic icon and turn it on its head–literally–to create a piece so much more interesting and inspiring than the original–genius.

I used to think this was the ring I'd want should some poor guy ever propose to me. He'd be poorer for having me cut him in his sleep though.

[This post originally appeared on Curated.]

Walmart sells caskets. Middle America can go peacefully now.

Walmart, your go-to megastore for cheaper cleaning agents, tween lines, and electronics, has now added caskets to their retail offerings. The cheapest models start at $895. And I checked--delivery time's not terrible on these bad boys. Order the 'Mom Remembered Steel Casket' today and have it at your doorstep by next Monday, Tuesday tops.

Just be aware--if you're on the store's website and searching for 'casket'--that the 'coffin guitar cases' are not in the same family of merchandise. You will not fit inside.

[via @daria_laloo via LA Times]

For all the beautiful, lonely people.

Daul Kim, a Korean model-just 20 years old, killed herself the other day. On her blog, she'd recently written...

i just know

the more i gain

the more lonely it is

In a previous entry, she had posted this cartoon version of one of my favorite books from childhood, The Giving Tree, which I never knew existed and am happy now to know exists.

Farewell to all the lonely, beautiful people.

Ms. Kim.

Mr. Silverstein.

The tree.

The boy.

Children I would give away include killers, crazies and poorly styled teens

Alyssa Bustamante happily qualifies on all three counts.

I adore children and like to say I will love my own no matter what. That I'll be tolerant of their quirks, their insecurities and their potential [god-forbid] slovenliness.

But c'mon. Could no one see a psychotic adult brewing in this Alyssa girl?

Mine or not, I would've seen it coming. I would've marched that bad hair and those crazy eyes outta my house. I would've taken this kid where the sun don't shine and thrown away the key.

As it stands, no one did deal with this 'situation,' otherwise known as a 15 year old psychopath. And she killed a six year old neighbor girl in October. One who wasn't out of her mind and I'm sure would've grown up quite nicely.

Making Alyssa Bustamante No. 1 on the list of kids I'd give away.

[via Gawker]

Memories of an Artist and her Art. Memories of Jean-Claude.

Jean-Claude, one half of the environmental artist duo known as Christo and Jean Claude, passed away yesterday. New Yorkers will remember this pair for the orange sheets that swept over Central Park for 15 days during the winter of 2005. The Gates was a project that, I will admit, seemed ridiculous to me at the time. To spend so much time and resources to erect a temporary sea of orange flags didn't [and doesn't] make full sense to me. But after I mocked the project for many days, I did finally go. I went with a friend. And I'm sure we were freezing. And I'm sure we had snacks as we often did back then. But we went, as did countless other New Yorkers. And we all walked through Central Park that February to gawk, and mock and wonder at miles of orange trail that, as ridiculous as it was, was really quite tremendous.

[Photo Credit: Wolfgang Volz via Christos and Jean Claude]

Thanks Don Fisher. And ciao for now.

Don Fisher died yesterday. Don co-founded The Gap with his wife a whopping 40 years ago.

Thanks, Don, for the many decades of denim and button downs, innovative fashion collaborations, and clothing sizes that real women can feel alright about.

See you and your khakis on the flip side.

[via WWD]

In memory of the Unfamous amongst us.

There have been more celebrity deaths than I can recall this summer. And it's sad. It's completely heartbreaking that cancer, drugs and the occasional 'natural cause' are taking our famed citizens this year. But what I've overheard the thoughtful amongst us utter at each new celebrity passing is 'And what about the people who die every day? The ones who didn't make movies or serve in Senates?' What about them indeed.

So, chosen at random from the NY Times paid death notices, I'd like to take a moment to honor a person I've never met and now never will. One whose character and talents I can't speak to, but who seemed to have...a very large family.

Hannah Citron

CITRON--Hannah Bien, of Pembroke Pines, FL expired comfortably of natural causes September 11th. Born December 22, 1915 in Williamsburg, NY, she had resided in Maplewood and South Orange, NJ, and Davie, FL. Hannah's survived by sons Michael and Jonathan, and daughters Laura Gelber and Wendy Binioris, 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by husband, Seymour, and sons, Robert and Kenneth. Hannah was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Imagine having lived so long and winding up the matriarch of such a large family. It seems an incredible feat--one as worthy of remembrance as the fantastic dance scene from 'Dirty Dancing.' Which was, undeniably, incredible as well.