Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino have
announced the formation of The One Fund Boston, Inc. to help the people
most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15,
2013.
To make a donation to One Fund Boston, click here.
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Last week I was lucky enough to visit Charleston, SC with my mom (along with a special guest appearance by My Cousin Laura). The plan was to escape the cold, gray days of early Spring in New England and enjoy the bursting colors and warm temperatures of early Spring in Charleston.
So, part of that plan worked out.
While the sun did shine for most of the the 3 days we were in town, it was accompanied by cool temperatures (low 50s) and often gusty breezes. However, Charleston's beauty did not disappoint.
One of my favorite things to photograph in Charleston is the wonderful window boxes in the historic downtown area. Here are some of my favorites...
Soon enough it will be time to plant my window boxes here in Massachusetts ~ and I'll have no shortage of inspiration! Now if only some of that elusive Southern warmth could make it here...
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I had such good intentions of crafting Valentine gifts this year. Then I got a late start and then the Blizzard of 2013/Nemo hit and we didn't have power for 5 days. Before the lights (and heat) went out, I started making some paper mache hearts and a few other shapes. Eventually, my work turned into this:
Want to make one of your own? Read on...
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A few months ago, I pinned this adorable teacup repurposed as a suet feeder for birds:
Source: tuinieren.nl via Jen on Pinterest
I actually made a whole bunch before Christmas and gave them as gifts. I did however hold a few back for myself. They've been sitting in the garage, me too lazy to get a piece of ribbon to hang them with.
The meteorological arrival of Spring on March 1st seemed to coincide with the arrival of a whole bunch of hungry birds so I figured I'd better fill the birdfeeder and finally, hang the teacup suet feeder.
Perhaps the reason I kept putting off going to this garden bed was the fact that it looked like this:Thanks to Nemo, we have countless limbs and branches down around the yard. Apparently it is also time to take down my mini picket fence...
I stood the birdbath up, filled the bird feeder, and finally, hung the teacup.
By the time I got back in the house, at least 10 birds (mostly chickadees, a woodpecker or two) swooped in for some grub. At the birdfeeder.
All day yesterday, the birds ignored my teacup suet. I was bracing myself for another #PinterestFail. All was redeemed this morning when I saw several birds taking a turn in the teacup.
Maybe tomorrow I'll bust out my real camera with the zoom lens and try to get a picture...
Hurray Pinterest, hurray birds and hurray Spring!
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One of my favorite pieces of art that I've made and is actually on display in my house is a collage hanging in our Hall of Woof:
The main image is a vintage flash card and the rest of the collage is comprised of various paper scraps, some old (like 1880s old), some new scrapbooking paper. Maybe part of the reason I like it so much is because I see it about 20 times a day ~ it's hanging opposite the bathroom door so every time you come out of the bathroom you see it...
As part of my efforts to create more art this year, I'm also trying to figure out which medium to work in. Making more of these collages seemed like a good start.
Inspired by a small (4x4) collage by Sarah Ahearn that I purchased a few years ago and have in my studio, I created this polar bear scrap collage.
The central image was cut out of a children's dictionary from the 1970s. Again, I used new and vintage paper scraps including bits of a nautical chart and the No. 83 (Wes Welker's number) from an 1880s ledger I bought years ago at the Metrolina Flea Market in Charlotte. I miss that place...
I cut out the text from the original illustration and used it in the collage. I painted the sides of the canvas and used a white pen to draw a few snowflakes.
My boys love animals and are currently into bears of all kinds so I hung this in their room.
Art = Love.
Thanks for stopping by,
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I haven't yet made the time to sit down and formally write out a list of resolutions or goals for 2013, but I do have a few floating around my head.
Go to more museums.
Eat more fruits and vegetables, less processed food.
Make more art.
My first piece of the year is a mixed media Cupcake collage. Ok, it's mostly a painting, but I did add cut out book text and glitter, so technically: mixed media. Right??
I'm just going to go with it...
It's fun to play around with black gesso, love the outline effect.
Maybe 2013 will {finally} be the year that I paint the kitchen cabinets white, create a mosaic on our home's foundation walls using rocks and shells, and master the scroll saw.
Maybe not.
Making more art, though? I'm pretty sure I can do that.
Thanks for stopping by,
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Whilst in NYC, I of course made time for a visit to Anthropologie at Rockefeller Center. I mentioned previously that I saw a display there that warranted its own post. And here we are...
Yes, that's an entire (faux) wall made out of thrifted books. It was awesome. I didn't even realize there was a pattern until I stepped back. Seriously, how cool is that?? The piece that really puts it over the top for me is the fab chandelier.
Those visual display peeps at Anthropologie really know what they're doing, don't they...
I didn't take the time to count the books, but how many did they use? 1,000? 842? Suffice to say, a lot.
I must've stared at this installation for at least 5 minutes, moving around the store to view it from different angles.
Lots of great titles in the mix...
Books, not just for reading anymore!
Thanks for stopping by,
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We pick up the story of our NYC adventure just as we're leaving Central Park and heading to The World's Most Crowded Greatest Toy Store. As if the wall-to-wall people all day weren't enough of an indication, having to wait in line to go into FAO Schwarz was a sure sign that it's Christmas in NYC. At least the line moved quickly. Our first stop once inside was another line...for: the Big Piano.
Aren't these girls too cute?
Oops, I mean these girls!
Ebby was disappointed to find that the $25k Barbie foos ball table was gone, so the girls had to make new friends...
When we hit the streets again after FAO, it was dark and Ebby was beginning to realize that her friend's boots, while cute, make not have been the best selection for footwear for a day a walking in NYC. No matter, we persevered onto Dylan's Candy Bar.
So many mouth-watering treats...
This display from the rainbow bulk candy wall was my favorite:
Purchases were made by all here, including me who got something for Ebby's stocking ~ right under her nose. So sneaky!
A stop across the street at Bloomingdale's meant a quick cruise through Magnolia (to check the scenery, no cupcakes this time) for me...
Meanwhile the girls went to find somewhere to sit down for 10 minutes. #seriously.
Re-energized, it was time to head back downtown--on foot. Love how the city transforms at night...and I love that woman's leopard print coat. So New York.
Our final desitination of the day: Times Square.
Our first stop in Times Square was Jamba Juice. What can I say, we were thirsty. Out in the heart of Times Square, it was people aplenty.
For the record, I cannot imagine being here for New Year's Eve. Actually, I can imagine it and it involves an astronaut diaper, aching feet & neck, and general sensory overload. We looked up, we saw the Centennial ball for this year. I'm good. I'll watch the rest from my couch.
Times Square is an experience for sure.
The girls shopped (and sat) at Forever 21
Saw the ferris wheel at Toys R Us
And took in the, um, unique atmosphere...Kids, stay in school and don't become this guy:
Finally, around 7:30, we emerged and made the final 6 block push back to 34th St. to the bus stop. It seems however that the crowd and the giant strawberry-banana-orange Jamba Juice did not agree with Ebby. We had to make a pit stop at Duane Reade for Pepto Bismol tablets, gum, and water. For a few minutes it looked like Ebby might hurl right there on the streets on Manhattan. Luckily, a. I brought a doggie (poop) bag to use as a puke bag on the bus, just in case and b. she didn't hurl after all. By a little after 8pm we were gathered at the Bolt Bus stop next to the Tick Tock Diner awaiting our chariot home.
It was a fun-filled whirlwind of a day for sure. It's always fun seeing NYC dressed up for the holidays. On our next trip though we might skip Midtown altogether. Chelsea, SoHo, TriBeCa, and the East Village are calling my name. I'm going to see what I can do about answering come Spring!
Thanks for stopping by...
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A December Saturday in NYC with 3 teenage girls? When you've got a persuasive daughter, an affinity for the Big Apple, and round trip bus tickets from Boston for only $32, the answer is yes.
Here's a quick peek at our timeline:
With a loosely planned agenda, we were able to cover a lot of ground in not a lot of time. Our stops...
1D World near Madison Square Garden
Pretty much a supersized concert souvenir stand selling all things One Direction. The girls are big fans so it was a must see. They added their grafitti to the walls but didn't make any purchases.
Macy's
The line for Santa was way too long but Mrs. Claus was just hanging out by some better sportswear.
We looked, but didn't touch, the dresses in the Bridal Salon.
Ebby had done some research online and picked our lunch spot: LT Burger at Bryant Park. On the way we checked out the ice skaters and the carousel.
We got off to a rough start with the service at LT Burger (waitress mix-up meant it took 15 minutes for someone to take our order), but the food was delicious.
We all had The Standard burger, fries and a shake. $22 per person with the tip, btw.
After lunch we walked by the lions in front of the NY Public Library and up 5th Avenue to Rockefeller Center.
Last year when I came with Ebby it was too early for the tree to be fully decorated so this was her first time seeing it. All the girls were pretty impressed. I think.
Next up was my one requested stop for the day: Anthropologie at Rockefeller Center. I admired the windows and was duly impressed with the creativity and detail but they weren't my favorite.
Maybe it's because I'm jaded spoiled by the real Winter Wonderland animals we have in our backyard...
I found the interior displays to be more to my liking...
I thought this book page chevron wall was very clever:
Inside of Anthro I did see what turned out to be my favorite display of the day ~ something so cool it deserves a separate post. Hint: book wall...
Onward up 5th Avenue we admired more windows and storefronts and general festive atmosphere.
I gazed longingly at Henri Bendel as we walked past. I did take in the windows at Bergdorf, but again, I liked them but didn't love them--though I'm sure my boys woudld've loved the dog circus themed window!
Our next stop was the Plaza Hotel. The girls were particularlyenchanted by the sight of Afternoon Tea at the Palm Court. At $50-$60 per person that wasn't happening (this time), but we kept it classy by posing by the lobby Christmas tree instead.
Luckily you can get less expensive fare in the basement concourse level of the Plaza at the Plaza Food Hall. It was my first visit here and except for the shortage of women's restrooms, it was a thumbs up. We wandered around to get the lay of the land and ended up at the Billy's Bakery outpost.
I've read good things about their cupcakes so when presented with the opportunity to sample, how could I resist?? For whatever reason, I overthought my flavor selection. I should've gone with something classic like Vanilla or Red Velvet, instead I got Banana Nutella. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but too banana bread-y for my taste. Oh well, I'll try again next time. Such a burden!
On the way to find a seat, this sign caught my eye at Three Tarts.
They had a variety of flavored handcrafted marshmallows. Making marshmallows has been on my list for years, but it has yet to happen. For $1, I figured I'd see what the fuss was about. I chose a raspberry marshmallow. It was light & airy, with good raspberry taste. It would've made a yummy s'more...
Before it got dark, we finished up at the Plaza and headed across the street to Central Park for photos and a brief bit of exploration. Ah, nature!
After our stop in Central Park, it was around 4pm-- a little more than halfway through our day in the city! This seems like a good spot to take a break the retelling of our adventure. Stop by tomorrow for Part 2 which includes hotspots such as FAO Schwartz and Times Square!
Thanks for stopping by,
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