Full disclaimer: I am not someone that usually gravitates toward quotes and inspirational affirmations. Quotes are nice and all, and can serve as motivational and enriching levers, but I don't usually make a point to keep them close to me or recite them in conversation. With the unfortunate news of the ever so eloquent Maya Angelou's passing, social media was abuzz with various tributes to the prolific woman (including Tory Burch's blog, above). I must say, this particular quote is one that really resonates with me. I've found myself coming back to it as it truly does give me pause. We are in absolute control of who we let in to our lives and I continually focus on surrounding myself with those that make me feel valued, respected, inspired and thirsty for living. Life is too short otherwise, don't you think?
Beg to Differ...
I have a love/hate relationship with Miranda Kerr. She is that girl you despise for looking like utter perfection every millisecond of her life, yet you obsess over her behind closed doors (not to mention that adorable little cherub of hers, Flynn). She was recently quoted in The Edit as not defining herself as a model. (See here). Well, my friends, I beg to differ. This girl is making an obscene amount of money from extremely lucrative contracts with fashion, cosmetic and lifestyle brands (despite not renewing her Victoria's Secret contract) and looking flawless is her job. Time to own it, Miranda.
Switching Off
A great reminder to take time away from both the workplace and technology courtesy of The Edit. Arianna Huffington often gets a lot of scrutiny but I really adore her.
(Click on the image to zoom).
Da-Da
A great little snippet in T&C with recommendations for Dad. While I wouldn't put my Father in the "Fashionable Father" category, he certainly does have a signature look and can look shiny as a new penny with a few "encouragements" from his daughters and wife. He would certainly prefer a new toy for the boat over any article of clothing, but I love shopping for men's clothing and might just let the above guide me accordingly...A special shout out to my friends at La Matera, keep killing it, fellas! The special day for Dad is this Sunday!
About Town: Aveline
Last Friday marked the opening of the highly anticipated restaurant Aveline, part of the Warwick San Francisco Hotel's renovation. Behind the restaurant is Chef Casey Thompson, Season Three Top Chef finalist and US Ambassador for Terrazas de los Andes, a Moet-Hennessey brand. The menu is Californian in style, (see above) and the restaurant's interior is clean, inviting, yet formal. Think glassed-in wine cellar, leather banquettes, lacquered moldings, and modern place settings. Conveniently, Aveline is just a hop, skip and jump away from my office. An in-person investigation just might be in order...
Let's Get Vintage
I've been dying to see a movie in the theater and it just seems like nothing worthy of mention has been out recently. Vogue Online ran a piece on vintage "tearjerkers" to watch and a few peeked my interest, including Le Boucher and Splendor in the Grass (above). Time to get vintage, I suppose.
"Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Overdoing" - MJ
Leaving you all with this Warhol Screenprint of Mick Jagger as a weekend commencement piece. The signed print is via Puccio Gallery in New York. If you're a fan of Mick and the gang, be sure to watch Crossfire Hurricane, the Rolling Stones documentary on HBO.
Office Inspiration: Grégoire's Gem
One of the perks of now working at an interior design firm is the sheer joy of being surrounded by tangible inspiration all day long. I am deeply affected by the landscapes in which I live and work in, and my new work environment makes me truly happy. Instead of the interior rigidness of a financial institution, I am now surrounded by a flood of rich fabrics and textiles, architects drafting elaborate blueprints, a sea of French antiques, and, a library full of auction and design catalogues. Thus, I bring you my latest obsession. If I could jump in to this landscape, I would. The images come from the French design publication Côté Sud and depict the most idyllic residence on the French Riviera. The vacation home belongs to Grégoire Gardette, legendary photographer, designer, publisher and graphic designer. Now all I need is a new white bikini, my Bain de Soleil and a tall glass of Pellegrino - dreamy!
In addition to salivating over the serene scenes above, be sure to view Grégoire's portfolio, here: http://gregoiregardette.com/fr-en/
On View: Slim at the Staley Wise Gallery
All knowing of my obsession, I was tipped off by the Mother of the Bride at an engagement party Saturday evening, that the Staley Wise Gallery is showcasing photos of my beloved Slim's work. Until June 28th, the gallery presents a collection of rare signed Slim Aarons photographs, many of them never seen before. New York friends, I do hope you will go!
Find details here: http://www.staleywise.com/current_exhibition.html
In the Dunes of the Cape: Saving Modernity
"For nearly four decades, the area was a haven where two different sets of designers—European modernists and local nonconformists—found common ground, working hard during the daytime, then repairing to each other's houses for cocktails and bonfires at night." - Carol Kino reports from the WSJ
I really enjoyed reading this article in the WSJ about the quest to save Cape Cod's vast array of avant-garde homes. Having gone to high school in Massachusetts, I spent over half my teenage years on the Cape and consider the landscape to have had a deep imprint on those indelible years. What I didn't know, is that the Cape plays host to hundreds of modernist homes (like the "Hatch House" above). The article chronicles the efforts of architect Peter McMahon who is championing to save Cape Cod's endangered midcentury modern houses through his nonprofit Cape Code Modernist House Trust. The homes, as McMahon explains, were built on the cheap, using materials such as plywood, salvaged lumber and plate glass. Think: design on a dime with Frank Lloyd Wright, subtracting any formal study of architecture. Many of the builders lacked formal schooling and experimenting was often a key ingredient to the designs.
As part of a shift in policy dating back many years ago, several of the modernist houses had been condemned and derelict. When the Cape Cod National Seashore absorbed a vast array of land containing some of these houses, budget constraints led many of the houses to demolition. Quickly, these houses were disappearing. Luckily, McMahon swooped in at the right time, taking on many restoration projects and registering many of the houses with the National Register of Historic Places. The houses are apparently tucked away in the woody dunes of the cape, little gems that tell a story of life, design and romance after WWII.
Read the article here: http://online.wsj.com/articles/saving-modernism-in-cape-cod-1399492974?tesla=y