City Girl

While perusing the Edge Gallery's offerings (http://www.theedgegallery.co.uk/) I came across more beautiful art to love.

These images are by Clare Caulfield (http://www.clarecaulfield.com/). They are so amazing to me because the crowded lines reflect the crowdedness of a city. Her collection is aptly named "City" and she has included snapshots of metropolitan landscapes the world over. I myself am a bona fide city girl. I hate the quiet of the country. I love skyscrapers, rushing feet, shops, and coffee houses on every corner. There's so much vibrancy, diversity, and life in a big city. While living at the beach is not bad at all, my dream is to one day live in the heart of a big city. I have my heart and eye on San Francisco. You never feel alone or overdressed in a big city.

Thank you Clare for showing us that dirt, cars, and crowds are mere layers that can be stripped off and can never overshadow the passion, the glamour, or the heart of urban humanity.

Cherry On Top

I often have trouble "understanding" art. I mean, when it comes to fine art I feel like there's so much I don't know or get. I never formally studied art; I thought it was just candy to look at. You see it and when you do you have an engagement with it or you don't.

But when I saw Priscilla Jones's work (http://www.priscillajones.wordpress.com/) 2 years ago, I suddenly got it. I understood instantly why these pieces were art. But more importantly, I had a deep-seeded connection to them.

Sure, I love desserts. Sure, I love stitches. And yes, I am a sucker for pastels and pinks. But her work meant something to me in that she was capturing the many indluglences of the eye (and oftentimes taste buds) with mixed-media and sculpture. The crudeness of lines, the oddness of a curve, while not true-to-life nor exaggerated, the asymmetry, the whimsy of her study on everyday items make these things more special, more magical.

And to me, her beautiful art is a snapshot of English culture. It encompasses everything I love about that country, a place I was lucky to call my home away from home for a few months. While there I didnt drink much coffee, but I did enjoy tea time. In fact, I dont really drink tea here because it's just not the same experience. So the emblematic teacup and tea pot remind me of fond days spent indoors sipping, reading, taking in everything new, different, and unfamiliar about a place I had dreamt of going for so long. When I look at Priscilla's work I see her craft, her appreciation of her heritage, and a devotion to creating. But I think what's extraordinary is that I can see in it my memories as well, and a fondness for nostalgia. Her work reminds me of poetry' in particular one of my favorite poems, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, "should I after tea and cakes and ices, have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?"

When I go back to England (and I am going back - my goal is 2012) I am definitely stopping by the Edge Gallery, (www.theedgegallery.co.uk) which Priscilla is a co-owner of. That's another thing I miss about England, the art galleries. You could spend an entire day in a museum and still not see it all. You get lost in it, wrapped up in others' work, trapped in time. I love how Priscilla's work caputures time and at the same time traps me in it, in the best possible way. And yes, it does give me strength to force the moment to a crisis. I believe good art forces us to want to do something, whether it be make our own art, write about it, or recall the lines of a beloved poem.

Thank you Priscilla for making beautiful pieces that have come to mean so much to me, and undoubtedly to others as well. I'll be sharing more of Priscilla's story and work in the ucpoming SEW Somerset. You can also check out my article on Priscilla in the July 2009 issue of Somerset Studio. What moment will you seize today, to force to its crisis?

What I Bought Today: Blazer of Glory

Confession time: I am not supposed to be shopping (trying to save $). Confession #2: I never owned a black blazer. My good friends at Nordstrom Rack were having a sale. I had a gift card ...

I found this amazing blazer from my new favorite label, Haute Hippie (www.hautehippieinfo.blogspot.com). I have been buying their stuff up at Loehmann's and on eBay for really good prices (pre-shopping diet). I tried this blazer on and it suddenly hit me what Stacey & Clinton have been saying all these years: a blazer is definitely the best weapon a woman can have in her closet. It accentuates curves, defines a small wasit, and the deep v creates a long neck. And I love it when the sleeves on a blazer can unbutton. I adore slight flare at the wrist to create skinny arms in proportion with the pointed shoulders. And is there nothing chicer to wear, really? I mean with jeans, a pencil skirt, the list could go on and on. I never liked suits, but rather prefer the blazer broken apart from the trousers. And they are just sexy. A woman covered up, but with her curves still able to show in sleek black, and the possibilities of a button ... I had to have this item. It's a staple really. An investment. And fall is right around the corner. I've already pictured wearing it with band T-shirts, slip dresses, and over tunics and leggings. Can't wait for the weather to cool.

Now I do own other blazers, but one is pink and cotton and one is fuchsia corduroy. Not sexy. Not serious. They are more fun pieces. I got to thinking of the many incarnations of the blazer and I found these fun options from www.nordstrom.com and www.shopbop.com. I love how designers are playing with length, collars, and textures. The back can be played up as well. Did you see the Alice + Olivia version with the sheer black paneling? See, they dont have to be just boxy pieces or come with matching bottoms.

I began to realize that the blazer is so great and holds so much sex appeal in my mind because it is associated with power. There's nothing that looks as powerful as a woman in a blazer. She exudes confidence and commands attention. it is also a celebration of a woman's right to work; of her place in corporate America; as a player in serious business. Women are decision makers.

And as much as I love Audrey Hepburn and her style, the blazer is symbolic of my other greatest fashion influence, the power of Coco. CC made men's jackets look glamorous on women, and she broke into a man's field as the head of her own business. I love the still of Audrey Tatou in the blazer while all the other women working behind her are in Victorian dresses. That says it all. It's no coincidence that Chanel is epitomized by their iconic tweed blazer, dont you think?

So here's to being a trail "blazer." Remember, you are what you wear.

Wear it in Good Health

Today's post is about jewelry. But it's also about hope.

I've been feeling sick the past two days. I've had migraines my whole life and they have come back with a vengeance. I have the most extreme kind, which means I suffer all the side effects including blurred vision and nausea. The vision part is the most scary. I know they are coming on because all of a sudden I cant see out of parts of my eye. Everything blurs and it can make me dizzy. This renders me useless. I cant drive, I cant read, I cant work.

After having two episodes at work I started to wonder if my job is triggering these symptoms. I read under flourescent light all day. And when Im not reading here Im reading something else, or Im writing (on another computer screen). I started to panic realizing the things I love the most are now physcially hurting me.

And in the middle of my day yesterday when I was trying to work through the pain, this gift arrived from Jamie (http://www.simplymeart.com/). I love everything Jamie makes. Really, she cant go wrong. After working with her on both Jewelry Affaires I've come to admire her distinct, luxe twist on vitnage style. I included some of her photos of my favorites in her Etsy store (www.etsy.com/shop/simplymeart) which everyone must check out. As I think I've mentioned before, green is my absolute favorite color in jewelry and Jamie plays with it so well.

But perhaps the greatest gift Jamie gave me was not the actual gift itself (although, my God do I love that necklace with my whole heart!) but rather it's the words she said to me after I sent her a thank you note. When you're sick you feel utterly disgusting inside and out (which no woman wants to feel). I told Jamie in my note to her that she made me feel more myself again. She had restored my spirits with a single piece of her work; she had given something back to me that I thought I had lost. And then she said "Wear it in Good Health."

The power of words; the power of jewelry; the power of well wishes and prayer; the power to heal. May all of you heed Jamie's advice and wear what makes you feel "simply you," and wear it in good health.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

I think everyone loves summer. I am including myself in this sentiment, but one of the reasons I particularly enjoy this season is because it draws us closer to my favorite time of year: fall.

A lot goes on in the fall. Thanksgiving, Day After Thanksgiving Sale, my birthday, pumpkins, Christmas prepping, beautiful weather ... I love it!

But another major perk of the fall season is the fashion collections that make their debut. It's like fashion hibernates for a bit come summer because people are literally wearing less clothing. But in the fall it's like everyone wakes up well rested and comes alive again with vigor. And even though we havent experienced our usual summer heat waves here in So Cal yet, the e-mails and magazines are already showing us how to bundle up.

Today I received the shoe preview for fall from Bergdorf's (http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/) and wanted to share my favorites that Im feelin' thus far.

In case you can't tell I like chunky chunk heels. Double platforms. I just want to bite into them.

And of course an animal print can never go wrong ... not even on your feet. Imagine these prints

with a solid sheath. Both of these animals are from Louboutin.

The hybrid of clog and wedge by Prada is ingenius. And very 70s. Love it!

And isnt it amazing how Louboutin can make a plain satin pump look oh so regal and non-bridal?

My favorite shoes are always the experimental sort. I love how wild and different these standout statement makers are. These sculptural lace pumps are so delicate looking, yet fierce (Valentino). The python pumps are in perfect fall colors (Lanvin). And sparkle is fitting for any time of year (Louboutin, Miu Miu).

What are you eyeing for fall?

Gifts From the Sea

In yesterday's post I forgot to show the exquisite gift we all received from Terri (www.terribrushdesigns.blogspot.com). This beautiful pendant is two-sided and pays homage to the Mermaid's Mercantile (one of my favorite places to shop and browse). Love the sea green colors, rhinestones, and vintage text. There's definitely no better gift a girl could receive than jewelry. Thanks Terri : )