Who is Dame Edna?

In case you are wandering, these characters are dressing up as Dame Ednas. The first time I came across Dame Edna was watching a Stella McCartney New Years Eve Fashion video. My husband and I cracked up watching the Dame entertain us. She was hilarious. The Real Dame Edna Everage is a character played by Australian dadaist-comedian Barry Humphries. The Dame Edna  has been a rep for Mac cosmetics, a Broadway star, a successful comedian. I recommend watching the interview Piers Morgan did with the Dame on April 27, 2011. She is intelligent, witty, and quite respectful to the Royals. The Dame Edna Everage character was originally conceived in 1956. It is one of the longest lived comedic characterisations ever devised. Dame Edna has one of the most impressive acting and stage careers I have ever read about. Dame Edna even had a small part as voice over in Finding Nemo. Take time to hear what the Dame Edna has to say about anything. You will not be sorry.

Fresno Street Art # 2

The colors in the wall art are saturated using the Portra 120 NC film. I have used the Portra 120 VC in Chinatown, SF, but for this day I chose the NC film. I like the natural color of the street art. The color in the art pops enough, I do not need more popping of color.

Fresno Street Art

This is the cool stuff. Right here tower district Fresno, Ca. I shot these in the rain, yes in the rain. I have taken the best street art photos in the rain. My husband Dan grew up in Seattle. Washington. He does not mind the rain and he likes to walk. This makes for some clear crisp street art photos. These were shot with my 1984 Hasselblad medium format camera and I gravitate to Portra 120 NC film.

Richard Silva

We went to Fresno, California to ArtHop nights to see Richard Silva an iconic Fresno artist. He shares studio space with Dixie Salazar at 654 Van Ness Ave. Fresno, Ca.  Richard is an exciting artist who incorporates a mixed media approach. There was good music and nice people out at ArtHop. It is refreshing to be in a place like Fresno where the locals enjoy coming out for art, music, and fun. It is always enjoyable to see the spaces where artists create art and share their experiences.

Dynamic Diane

Diane L. Johnson-Mendes is the owner and one of the artists at Studio 74 an art gallery in the Tower District  for local art and emerging artists in Fresno, California. She was welcoming to my husband and I on our recent visit to her gallery. She is currently showing plein air paintings from the San Joaquin Valley.  She also has a nice mix of other art, jewelry, and photography in her gallery. Diane gets you in the mood to enjoy art and is open for questions about  restaurants or stores in the Fresno area. The night we arrived the media was about to take photos of Diane at the opening of ArtHop. She still made time for customers. Fresno is lucky to have such an enthusiastic gallery owner.

One of A Kind Jewelry

Susan Schroeer is a talented artist making art in Raleigh, N.C. My mother-in-law Marcy treated me with two of Susan's one of a kind necklaces. I treasure them. Her jewelry is precious to me. The stones and vintage finds are hand picked by Susan and the customers tend to gravitate to the pieces that speak to them. Her necklaces are wearable and fun. Treasures from the South. You can feel Susan's good energy in her custom jewelry. Her online site is Treasured Connections. Today is Easter Sunday and I think I will wear that lovely blue and yellow treasure.

Eggs to Covet

My friend Nena and her daughter Andrea have designed some beautiful Easter Eggs for the season. They use skins of onions, vinegar, clean pantyhose and small leaves. It is an organic natural way to create art. Go to Mama's Taverna for the recipe. Happy Easter and Happy 50th birthday to Lisa my dear childhood friend. Every Easter Lisa and her children make homemade chocolate Easter eggs and I am lucky to be on the receiving end of this tradition. My friend Lorie decorates her lovely home with beautiful festive Easter decorations. My sister Anita makes Polish beet relish we grew up on and my sister Deb always sends me a special box of Easter goodies. My friend Jo Ann makes the most delicious homemade chocolate peanut clusters. My friend Regina will make her typical Friday night enchiladas and then host a barbecue this weekend. My friend Jo is assisting the church at this special time of the year. I think we all create our own Easter traditions. We enjoy the Easter holiday and always remember the traditions that made us who we are. Happy Easter.

City Block

               
                   

I am in the California sun most of the day on a photo shoot. I have been using these products for 15 years. My friend Holly got me to wear block and I have never turned back. In the winter I wear the 25 and in the summer I switch to the 40. I use it as my foundation. It goes on white and then turns to a simple natural base. It is extremely lightweight and I got to tell ya folks, I cannot leave the house without it. Love, love, love, this one.

The Green Vase

I think I can love to shop again. I rediscovered The Green Vase in Arroyo Grande, Ca. The owner Connie Cetti has an eye for interesting and vintage finds. I purchased a Vichy water glass basket holder that I am crazy about. I came home and did my homework. This is a little French basket carrier from France. Vichy water is a naturally effervescent mineral water from the famous Vichy, France. It is thought to have healing powers and people would go to the Springs to drink the healing waters. These waters would be carried in these small protective baskets. They date back to the 1880s and have Vicky etched on the glasses. Before plastic water bottles, baskets were used to protect the glass for hiking to get the precious water. What a find! I am thrilled however, I confess I bought it to carry 120 film and now I want to trek for some Vichy.

                                                                                                  

Join Connie and other vendors at Remnants of the Past, Sat., April 30, 9-4 pm. at Nipomo, Ca.

Sensible Scentsy

My friend Jo Ann is always thinking about ways or ideas to improve ones life. She is a Mother and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. She recently started a business selling Scentsy. The Scentsy warmers use a low watt bulb to melt a specialty formulated wax slowly maximizing the fragrance of the product. It is safe and smokeless. I am particular about candles. The scentsy wax is pleasant.  The warmers are elegant and earthy. I could live well with scentsy around my house. These warmers and night lights would make great gifts for those special Mothers in our lives. You can shop privately by contacting Jo Ann Giordano at her Scentsy web page.

Louie

My name is Louie and Sat. I turned two years old . My parents adore me and life is great here in Arroyo Grande, Ca.

Congrats Boo Boo Records

Boo Boo Records is proud to announce April 16, 2011 as Record Store Day. Hats off to the San Luis

Obispo record store for selling us music of all kinds. Go to the store today for free live music, giveaways, and yes free spray stenciling from 10 -9 pm, today Sat. I know my husband will be going by the Boo Boo today.

Jolly Roger Bradfield

                                                                                             
 Roger Bradfield is an amazing person. He is an active children's book author. He is also a cartoonist, painter, and world traveler. He is a terrific artist who is greatly respected by his peers. If you want to feel good, pick up a copy of one of his books and curl up on your couch and I guarantee your mood will improve. I have read these two books and I can assure you I am just beginning to dive into all that he has written. My husband Dan is an artist and he enjoys Roger's wonderful drawings and whimsical style.What a gift Roger has given to all of us.

Big Buddha Handbags

Big Buddha handbags are animal friendly and 100% vegan. Founder and designer Jeremy Bassan is the inspiration behind these creative and inexpensive handbags. He designed these for "girls on the move". Love Big Buddha Bags. Versatile and cool.

The Man With The Tie

                 
 Meet Carlos. He wears a shirt and tie every day. Carlos is a manager and  also wears a tie when he is out on the floor helping his staff.  We love seeing Carlos the man with the tie.