i heart agnes

My step mum and I went to the Illumination exhibit at the Orange County Museum of Art this weekend & it was wonderful. The collection brought together the works of four important American women modernists; Georgia O'Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, and Florence Miller Pierce.
Of these four, I was only familiar with O'Keeffe's work going into it, but left with a greater appreciation of O'Keeffe and an introduction to three other extraordinary artists who led extraordinary lives.
My favorite (and new love) being Agnes Martin...

"I would like my work to be recognized as being in the classical tradition (Coptic, Egyptian, Greek, Chinese), as representing the Ideal in the mind. Classical art cannot possibly be eclectic. One must see the ideal in one's own mind. It is like a memory, an awareness, of perfection." - Agnes Martin

Untitled, 1967

Untitled, 1997

chambray lust

Rag & Bone Western Shirtdress

Current/Elliott The Painter's Smock Denim Minidress

from the tape deck

Belly - New Music - More Music Videos

impatience

Coco avant Chanel

Is it September 18th yet?

sunshine delight!

Hope everyone had a splendid holiday weekend!
Mine was full of catching up with old friends, lots of sun to brighten up my pale skin, and the redoing of our front balcony with mom, which came with its share of funny adventures along the way.
After scouring all of the hardware stores & nurseries in the area, we finally found the perfect black pots and plants to go along with the modern makeover for the balcony. And, after hours of sweating in the hot sun and lots of dirt to scrub out from beneath our fingernails, everything turned out fabulously! The makeover is complete, except for adding one final element to replace an old bistro table & chairs set that was inherited when we bought the house. I've spent hours upon hours searching for the right thing.
And, as if the perfect weekend couldn't have ended more perfectly, I found this sunshine delight online tonight & snatched her up for a mere $58.65....

Retro Painted Steel Tulip Chair

She will reside in the corner of the balcony next to a shiny black pot of succulents.
I can't wait for her arrival!!

2 days in the desert

I took a commuter flight to Phoenix for work today and spent the afternoon in the burning sun. Good god was it hot. Besides the 100 degree plus temperatures (in May, really?) there was also something special there in the desert, a beautiful rawness of sorts. I'm going back tomorrow to soak up more of the desert sun, I only regret not having enough time to visit with my dear friend, Somlynn of The UE while I'm there.

In honor of the sun and my most unusual work week, some desert inspiration....

Arizona Desert by Aj+

In the Desert
by Stephen Crane

In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said, "Is it good, friend?"
"It is bitter - bitter", he answered,
"But I like it
Because it is bitter,
And because it is my heart."

La faute à Fidel!

This shot alone was enough to make me have to see this film.
La Faute a Fidel! (Blame it on Fidel) is a story about 9-year-old Anna and the changes she tries to understand as her parents go from living a bourgeois life in 1970s Paris to the life of radical political activists.
Brilliant!

recovery

Besides Pipo and I hovering over her like worried parents, Missy is doing well after her surgery.
The e-collar may be the toughest part from here on out. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time as she walked backwards around the house trying to get out of it, eventually gave up, started walking forward, and then ran into almost every piece of furniture and wall with her cone head. Poor girl.

OMGawd - so adorable!
A get well soon card from Auntie AR.

Thank you for all of the get well messages, lovelies!

the last emperor

I loved this film!
Valentino: The Last Emperor gives a fascinating look into the life and career of Valentino Garavani and the conflict between fashion as an art form and as a business.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film was the insight into the 45 year relationship of Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti. A true partnership, in every sense of the word.

Comedic relief was supplied throughout by Valentino's uncensored outbursts and the glamorous lives of his five adorable pugs.

The movie ends on a sad note with the retirement of Valentino from his haute couture fashion house after 45 years of making history.

A must see!
Merci Jeannie!