Inner Compass

I'm feeling rather artsy and brooding and introspective today.  If I could dress to match my mood, I would definitely be a hipster.  Alas, I don't have dark nail polish, Converse, or thick rimmed glasses, so I'm just going to be all mysterious and contemplative on my blog instead.

I happened upon this video/art installation by Garvin Nolte a few weeks ago.  "'Crossroads (what to do)' deals with the influence of others onto one’s own path of life in an abstract way," says Nolte.  Being in a huge period of transition in my own life, it really spoke to me.  So did its' interpretation over at NOTCOT:


"Ever feel like everyone is pulling you in so many different directions?" (yes..)  
"Or telling you where to go and what to do?" (Amen.)  
"Is your technology dictating your life… literally?" (uh, are you looking in my windows?...)  


I doubt anyone would have made this further connection in Nolte's homeland, Germany, but after watching the video and not having understood a single word, I saw another parallel to my life as of late.  I often feel that while the people giving advice mean well, they are relaying all the directions in a language completely foreign to me, rendering them useless.  


Sometimes, you've just gotta shut out all that chatter and listen to your inner compass for a change.



crossroads (what to do) from Garvin Nolte on Vimeo.

Bliss.

Today was a gloriously beautiful summer day, and I have been particularly blissful as a result. If I didn't believe in organized religion and Jesus and all, I would most certianly be a sun-worshipper. Sunny days bring me energy no matter the season!

I think sun is also the reason that I love the beach so much (because honestly I could do without the sand.) I really can't imagine a more wonderful scene than those sunbeams warming my (SPF 30 coated) skin, the sound of the waves washing over sun-bleached shells, and a cold Presidente in my coozie...

As wonderful as the sun is anywhere in the world, I'm dreaming of the beach... and in my mind I'm back on St. John today!

On the Subject of Wine

...and Christmas gifts, in July, I also think these Maptote "Wine Totes" are just lovely.

You could definitely snatch some up and wait until December, but I might grab some of these Made-in-Brooklyn beauties for picnics, housewarming gifts, and toting my cab in style to B.Y.O. cookouts this summer.

(Images from www.Maptote.com)

Christmas in July

I was going through my "inspiration images" last night.  I love filtering through the catalog and magazine pages periodically- to prune ("what was I thinking..?") or admire the spaces and objects that continue catch my eye.

When I found an image of these Williams Sonoma appetizer plates in my pile of scraps, it felt like finding ten bucks from last season stashed in a coat pocket!  

I LOVE these plates, painted by Parisian Marc Lacaze.  They marry two of my favorite things, wine and art.  Well, and food, since they are plates.  If anyone reading would like to get me a Christmas gift...ahem.  

Yes, I am aware Christmas is 5.5 months away.

Recession Obsession

Lately, my design budget has gone from minimal to nearly non-existent, but I never stop dreaming of what changes I might make next.  An easy (and inexpensive) addition that I love for the summer are some bright and bold throw pillows.  Like a coat of paint, a few new pillows can transform a room for next to nothing. Today, after Googling and drooling over my favorite pillow (or curtain, or chair, or sofa) fabric ever-

(Colorway: Aquamarine)

Schumacher's Chiang Mai Dragon pattern, (whose $206/yd cost is the single reason I haven't already re-covered every upholstered item in my house)- I somehow stumbled on my newest obsession:  John Robshaw Textiles.  

Years ago, Robshaw traveled across Asia searching for dyes for his own fabric work. In the process, he found and fell in love with the talented local artisans who produced remarkably beautiful textiles- all through traditional methods.  

                

When I look at the block printed, embroidered, woven, painted, and hand-dipped fabrics I can't help but let my mind wander to the smoky souks, spice markets and vibrant colors of somewhere halfway around the world.

Everything I saw on Robshaw's site was equally simple and stunning.  The bed ensembles are to-die-for and block-printed tablecloths would look equally fabulous at at formal dinner or outdoor picnic.  And don't even get me started on the delicate baby crib linens or adorable dog beds.  But the little jewels that really caught my eye are the throw-pillows.

               

While I might not be able to hop a plane to India this summer, these mini-pieces-of-art will transform my living room into a place thousands of miles away.

Click here to check out John Robshaw Textiles' Fall Preview.




(All images, except for Schumacher Chiang Mai, borrowed from johnrobshaw.com)

Black and White

When traveling, I am always on the lookout for souvenirs. Not t-shirts or shot glasses or those weird silver spoons...but handmade pieces that, years down the road, will still look beautiful in my home and remind me of my journeys.

While cruising down Broadway in Tucson, I found an amazing Mexican import store called Zocalo. The owners were so friendly, and loved telling the stories behind their finds. In many cases, they deal directly with artisans and furniture makers, so prices are pretty reasonable for gorgeous handcrafted items.

The antique furniture, jewelry and tin art were all calling my name, but the Talavera Vasquez painted pottery was absolutely gorgeous. The traditional designs were so graphically simple, bold and crisp that they just popped amid the clutter of the other folk art.

I later discovered that these pots were actually featured in an issue of (may it rest in peace) Domino Magazine, so that made my infatuation seem that much more justified. My large black and white chevron "tibor" is looking a little lonely, so I can't wait to add to my collection on my next visit.

How awesome is this planter? (14"x 5.5" x 5") I'm envisioning it on my kitchen counter, filled with limes! Who's ready for a margarita?

(images from Emilia Ceramics)

Happy New Year?

I would like to believe that at one point in the not-so-distant past, this was not normal.

While walking through the bookstore today, I took a double-take of the display of, yes, 2011 calendars. Are we as a society really so overscheduled that it's necessary to buy a 12-month calendar six months in advance?

I looked around to make sure the Christmas cards weren't out yet. They weren't. Thank Goodness.

Blog-o-pho-bi-a

I finally decided to start a blog. I have been contemplating the idea for quite some time, but every time I got as far as the blogger.com sign up, I felt a little wave of uncertainty wash over me. In order to diagnose my cold sweats, I did what any normal person would do. I googled it. Unfortunately Mayo Clinic didn't recognize my symptoms, but I finally came to a diagnosis. And then I discovered the just the medicine for my fear of public over-sharing:

Blogophobia Conquered

This 88-page book is a must-have to every blogger or wannabe blogger. Each chapter addresses a different blogging phobia.

• Technophobia: I'm technically challenged
• Decidophobia: I'm not sure I need a blog
• Scriptophobia: I'm afraid my writing skills aren't strong enough
• Formatophobia: I don't know how to format blog articles
• Socialphobia: I'm worried about the attack of psycho commentators
• Borophobia: I'm thinking nobody but my grandma will read my blog
• Addictophobia: I'm terrified I'll get addicted to blogging

First of all, no, i didn't make this up. Here is a picture to prove it.

Second, it helped me in a different way than you might expect.

Although I have experienced every one of those fears in about the last 63 seconds, I actually figured if someone could get something this ridiculous actually put into print, then what the heck. I might as well put my decidophobia aside and give self-publishing a shot.