For the first time, I took a sabbatical from posting and I must say, I truly missed the engagement and inspiration that naturally comes with the research and writing. The past few weeks have been stressful for me between being quite ill, managing the workload from business school and a full-time job. I needed to press pause and focus on the things that needed my immediate attention. We all get to these crossroads and it's important to re-prioritize short-term. What was re-confirmed however, is just how much of a priority C&C is for me and truly, how much value the experience has added to my life. I hope it's made an impact on yours in some way as well. I'm looking forward to getting back into the groove with C&C.
xx Caitlin
The Woman In Gold
I had a chance to see the film on Easter Sunday with my sister and really enjoyed the film. Based on the true story of the late Maria Altmann, an elderly Jewish refugee, she, along with her lawyer (played by Ryan Reynolds), fought the government of Austria for almost a decade to reclaim Gustav Klimt's infamous painting of her aunt, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (above). The painting was tragically confiscated from her relatives by the Nazis in Vienna, just prior to World War II. The battle was fought in the Supreme Court of the United States, which ruled remarkably in her favor in Republic of Austria v. Altmann (2004). Watch the trailer, here.
Artists in Love
Next on my nightstand will undoubtedly be Veronica Kavass’ book Artists in Love. In the book, she recounts the romances of prolific couples such as Gilot and Picasso, Alfred Stieglitz and Georgia O’Keeffe, Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg, and the list continues. Some were mad, passionate romances and others were merely odd unions. Above: Françoise Gilot and Pablo Picasso in Golfe-Juan, France, 1948.
Easter in Inverness
Enjoying the Easter Holiday in Inverness with my family. Above, is the view from our rental home on the National Seashore. The landscape remains one of my most favorite - so pristine, pure and still. More will come later in the week with scenes from our adventures. Enjoy the weekend with your loved ones and family. xx
Fewer, Better
My best friend is as thoughtful as they come, not to mention, an incredibly thoughtful gift-giver. She sets the bar pretty darn high and it's as if she has spent years scouring the universe to present one with a carefully curated gift that represents the recipient's taste, culture and essence to an absolute T. I'll never forget two years ago for Valentine's, she made me a batch of homemade ice cream and proceeded to alert me with a trail of Post-Its to the freezer in the apartment we share. (For anyone that knows me well, ice cream is my vice, through and through). This year for my birthday, I came home late that evening to a beautifully wrapped packed with two of Cuyana's travel sized cases inside. They are personalized with my initials in a lovely gold foil. They came to me in perfect time before our trip and I haven't stopped admiring them since.
Cuyana's mantra is "Fewer, Better" as they produce mostly leather goods that are of such high quality and taste. I highly suggest you browse their site.
Mexicoma
Such a fun time in Mexico celebrating three beauties that are getting hitched! Ocean air, cervaza and lime poolside, hikes through the jungle, late night dance parties, enjoying fresh ceviche and fish for dinners sun-kissed admiring the sunset... the trip was one for the books!
Case of the Mondays
...BIG time. Hope you all have a nice start to your week!
The Body Holiday
I was intrigued by this mention of The Body Holiday, in Net-A-Porter this week. The resort, in beautiful St. Lucia, truly brings together the concept of Mind, Wellness and Vacation. Read more, here.
Rattan
London based designer Allegra Hicks and her husband recently took up residence in a historic building in Naples, Italy. I'm gushing over her terrace (above), as shown by Architectural Digest this month. I'm a huge fan of rattan seating, it reminds me of my Grandfather's breakfast table in his New York kitchen. He would shuffle into the kitchen in the wee hours of the morning in his bathrobe and slippers beckoned by his habitual breakfast, one that was routinely prepared the night prior. He was also surrounded by terra cotta planters like the above, full of geraniums he would nurture.
Above: Allegra Hicks' terrace chairs are Verner Panton and rug from her own collection. Read more, here.
Leftovers
Thank you to everyone for such a beautiful birthday weekend. If there is one thing I've learned in recent years, it is how important it is to carefully select the people you let into your life. I am especially grateful for all the friendships I've made in the past 3.5 years in San Francisco. Looking forward to enjoying these flowers leftover from the garden party Saturday. xx