Style Crush.

I spy Sean Lennon and his foxy dame Charlotte Kemp Muhl in SPIN magazine this month. They are my new couple crush, and have remained so for appoximately six months.  From their too-cool-for-school style, to their incomparable Manhattan brownstone interior.  

Creativity Tuesday: The Apartment that Inspires.

I keep coming back to {this} Apartment Therapy home tour. Aside:  It's one of my personal goals to get my space featured onto A.T.. The space is located in a lovely loft, in down town L.A. What is it that piques my interest? The colors, the mixing of old and new, the feminine with masculine, and the odd with conservative. Basically it reminds me of my personal aesthetic motto. I really, REALLY want to move. Bryan and I have oodles of ideas for our next flat. Including some gorgeous vintage wall paper we've collected. I've been hunting for the perfect space for a while. I'm positive that I'll find, "the one." It just requires patience, which clearly I'm lacking. 

Winter 2011 Inspiration Board.

A temperate California winter has ushered in the year 2011.  It's a time for new beginnings, an assessment of the past, and steadily looking forward to a gilded present and future.  I'm currently inspired by:

1. Chanel's Fall 2009 collection; Victorian Equestrian meets sultry menswear.


2. Black and White.


3. Ribbon/String


4. Birds/feathers/nests/luck


5. The music of; Yeah Yeah Yeahs {Isis EP, & It's Blitz!} Blonde Redhead {Penny Sparkle} Arcade Fire {The Suburbs}

Retail Art: Spotted in Silverlake.

Creativity Tuesday on a Wednesday: What I'm reading.

Remember when I did the rave film review of THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY {here?}  Well, husband bought me the book that inspired the screenplay.  I started it three months ago, then promptly misplaced it in a suitcase for two months.  I recently unearthed it, and now I'm back to cherishing it.  It's a gentle read, with most chapters being two page vignettes.  I'm in awe that every painstaking word was constructed via his only means of communication; the blinking of his left eye.  If he can wright a book through such utterly desperate means, what can you and I achieve with our full faculties?  This book humbles me, and inspires. 




The following excerpt relates to the vivid, imaginary feasts Bauby creates in his mind, as he can no longer eat for himself.




"Now I cultivate the art of simmering memories.  You can sit down to a meal at any hour, with no fuss or ceremony.  If it's a restaurant, no need to call ahead.  If I do the cooking, it is always a success.  The boeuf bourguignon is tender, the boeuf en gelee translucent, the apricot pie possesses just the requisite tartness.  Depending on my  mood, I treat myself to a dozen snails, a plate of Alsatian sausage with sauerkraut, and a bottle of Gewurztraminer; or else I savor a simple soft boiled egg with fingers of toast and lightly salted butter.  What a banquet!  The yolk flows warmly over my palate and down my throat.  And indigestion is never a problem."

What I Wore Wednesday....Black Ribbon.

Bryan took my tripod to photograph his store for holiday floor sets.  So, alas, no full body shots of what I wore.  Here's a flavor of my upper quadrant.  My fall accessory has suddenly become a simple, black ribbon.  I tie it in a bow, then attach it to a bobby pin.  Or I wrap it at the end of a pretty side braid.  So simple, and yet so George Washington.

Most Rentable: Broken English.

I want to take this film out on a date, and kiss it.  Parker Posey is a personal hero of mine.  I aspire to her career of captivating independent films.  This movie was just another affirmation of why I admire her acting chops.  She's funny, she's fascinating, she can hold a film, and she breaks my heart.  Brilliance I tell you.  The plot focuses on Nora, a women in her thirties, dissatisfied by her life cards dealt.  She wants to be in love, and experience satisfaction and happiness. But nearly everything frightens her.  One fateful night she steps outside her personal parameters and attends a co-worker's party.  Her deep brown eyes fall upon the embarrassingly handsome Frenchman Julien.  And you'll have to rent the film to find out what happens.  P.S. even if you hate the film, you'll go ape over Nora's clothes, and the apartment inspiration!

Miss Maya.

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do
so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style"-Maya Angelou

My Best Friend Is Pretty Amazing.

Amber Ford bought herself a plane ticket one week ago.  In a month she will be flying with a small crew to aid a remarkable woman named Thao.  Their common goal is to build a proper library.  The Purpose Project will warm your heart, and make you want to take action.  This journey of love will be simultaneously made into a documentary.  Check out the website {here.}  The project still needs books on the shelves.  Please donate a little cash if you can.  Twenty dollars will bring the world of Harry Potter to someone who hasn't had the chance to ever read it.  I so very proud of you Amber. 

Creativity Tuesday: Fall Inspiration Board.

I adore fall. I woke up inspired
to create an autumnal inspiration board.  This season I'm inspired by
feathers, butterflies, leather bound books, cozy wool sweaters, and
interior vignettes.  What's inspiring you for fall?

Most Rentable: Center Stage.

At one point I owned this little ditty on VHS!  I know, that's so 2000's.  If you haven't seen Center Stage, you MUST rent it.  If you have seen it, watch it again!  The plot surrounds Jodi Sawyer, a dancer recently accepted into the American Ballet Academy.  Jodi constantly is at the center of ridicule and criticism by her instructors.  Try as she might, she can't improve her turn out and make up for her "lack of technique."  Then Cooper Nielson happens.  And you'll have to rent the film to find out what that means.  P.S. I still want to be a ballerina when I grow up.

Culture Club: Van Gogh a Failure?

Did you know that Vincent Van Gogh sold only one painting in his entire life time?  The solitary piece was sold to one of his friend's sister for 400 francs {approximately $50.00}

Creativity Tuesday: If it's not nailed down.....

If your childhood home was like mine, every thing had it's place.  Including the decor.  In my home {particularly in the last year} I switch things up all the time.  For example, Bryan's globe was purchased this summer and it's already lived on our buffet, stove top, as a center piece on the kitchen table, and presently it resides in the powder room.  Right now I'm loving the globe's specific location.  It adds a dash of color and visual interest.  But who knows about next week!

Your challenge:  Switch things up!  If it's not nailed down, try using your chotchkies in new locations.  It keeps the decor fresh, and people guessing. 

Culture Club: Christina Hendrick's Wedding.

Last month I finally got on board with MAD MEN.  I just finished season 3, disc 1, so please no spoilers!  My favorite character is Miss Joan Halloway, of course.  The character is strong willed, clever, talented, creative, and fearless.  Plus, she always looks drop dead gorgeous.  Christina Hendricks the person, is my new hero for 'loving what your mama gave ya.'  She recently married her sweetheart.  Theirs was a dream wedding, right up my alley.  The vintage touches added a terrific clamor of warmth and personality.  {Images via Once Wed, by way of STYLE Weddings.} 

THE RULES by: Corita Kent via Keri Smith.

Culture Club: 100 Things.

Recently I was introduced to Keri Smith by way of {this} girl, who found Keri through one of her friends.  I fell in love with Keri Smith's 100 Ideas to write in a journal.  I thought this would be a fun activity to share with my girl friends from college.  Who by the way are scattered from sea to shining sea now!  We started last week, and have been doing one assignment daily.  Some of the tasks include:




1.  Go for a walk.  Draw or list the things you find on the side walk.

2.  Write a letter to your future self.

3.  Buy something inexpensive as a symbol for your need to create, (new pen, a tea cup, journal) use it every day.  {The picture above is my talisman fulfillment for number 3. It's a tiny movie camera, and when you click the handle the lens lights up and makes a projecting noise. Perfect daily reminder of what I love.}

4.  Draw your dinner.




The tiny assignments have been such fun to work on. It's particularly fascinating to see how my friends interpret the assignment and make it totally their own.  I feel that women should always stay sharp, and flex their creativity.  If you want to join in the fun, check out Keri Smith's blog {here.}  She has a pdf to down load her 100 things.  Let me know how it goes!

Music Wins.

Last night husband and I saw The Dead Weather play an amazing spectacle at The Palladium.  Allison Mossart was outrageous.  She has more sass in one strand of her wily hair, than most rockers have throughout their entire careers.  Loves.  {pronounced with a Bostonian accent.}

Wants. Not. Needs.

I have wants.  Some of the tangible goodies I'm wanting right now:  an enormous loft down town, four ghost chairs, a painting by Henry Darger, and oh, yes....fruit tarts.  The intangible:  an awesome, new friend, adventure, a muse, a mish-mash family, and a project that scares me to death.  {Photos via apartment therapy & more}

Rentable: REMEMBER ME.

The film was beautiful.  I haven't been able to stop thinking about it for two days now.  Which, in my book, usually means it was good.  The story was compelling and touched my heart.  Love, family, and friendship are the platform for this film.  Mixed together with how humans muck things up, then strive to adhere back together again.  Grab a girlfriend, some popcorn, and a enjoy this splendid film.

Souvenirs from Quartzsite.

My favorite find was a large agate/geod book end.
I've been looking for a reasonably priced set for
quite some time. It's such a fascinating addition.

For Bryan's prize I brought him home
some antler pieces, that were bleached
by the intense desert sun.
He absolutely loved them.
Both pieces complete an attractive
vignette on our parlor end table.