Beautiful SLO Botanical Garden

          

                          

This Sunday we went to the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden. Dan enjoyed doing his watercolor, and I shot Macro and chased around  the largest black and yellow butterfly around the garden. Right now the Botanical Garden has a wonderful sculpture show in the garden. Frame Works is sponsoring the 8th Annual Art Eco show running until May 24. The show features artists using reclaimed or natural materials in their art. The perfect plants are blooming and the birds and butterflies are cruising. Not a bad Sunday afternoon.

Who is Nishant Choksi?

          

Nishant Choksi is an amazing illustrator. His illustrations are like cartoons for grown-ups with the one on the right demonstrating "is your dog smarter than a 2 year old?" He uses bright colors with short bites of humor. I get the point and I like his stuff.

We Lost Libby

We lost Libby Whaley on Friday April 13, 2012. I had the honor of working with Libby in my years working at the Rehab Institute of Santa Barbara. Libby was Southern, fun, and adventuresome. She instructed physically challenged patients to golf, kayak, swim, ski, dance, and do just about anything. She lived her life with grace and guts. Libby was vibrant and will live on forever in our hearts.  We had many laughs co treating at the Rehab Institute of Santa Barbara. We will miss you Libby.

The Beauty of the Coast of Croatia

My friend Nena just got back from Serbia. She had a packed schedule, but still managed to have some coastal fun.
 


                      

She showed me some photos on her phone and I was taken by the beauty and art of the Dalmatian Coast. The Adriatic Waters, forested Islands, and Medieval Villages about put me over the edge. The fabled towns have structures with castle roofs from the 13th century. I saw scores of fishing boasts bobbing in the harbors with backdrops of families and couples strolling along the marble promenades. The cafes were hopping with people eating and drinking to their hearts delight. The ancient towns have cobbled alleyways that climb up to castle like architecture. She took me back to the middle ages with yet a modern twist. She brought back these large heart shaped milk and white chocolates that had herbs, lavender and cranberries on the top.I was the first in our department to destroy the beautiful chocolate hearts. The beauty of the Croatia Coast. Unreal.

L'EAU D'HIVER

L'eau D'Hiver was developed by Jean-Claude Ellena who was born into a fragrance family. His fragrances are creations defined as "poetry of memory". Everyday smells are his greatest inspirations. His signature in the fragrance world is said to be simple, and modern. This fragrance has notes of heliotrope, iris,and  honey. Dan describes this as sweet and violet and I would say it is intricate, and unforgettable. I am so happy I found this little sample hidden in his sock drawer. Men and women can wear this one.


                                                               

Spirit Character

We recently found a library gem  Will Eisner Professon: Cartoonist . It is a documentary about Will Eisner, an innovative comic-book artist who created the Spirit, a hero without superpowers. Mr. Eisner himself called the spirit a "middle class crime fighter".  It was refreshing to see Mr. Eisner's artistic road unfold. He was influential to the US Army during WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He made instructional comics for teaching purposes. Gosh would I love to have him assist us with educational manuals for Occupational and Physical Therapy to our patients recovering from various orthopedic surgeries. A film definitely worth viewing just to see the adventures of the Spirit.

Celebrate Earth Day April 22

                     

Today is Earth Day. Respect the Earth and walk outside and enjoy what is outside. Arroyo Grande Care Center helped their residents to plant and utilize a working garden. I always feel better in my little garden as I watch my cat Louie roll around in the dirt near the lavender bush. I am happy to say the Methyl Iodide used on growing strawberries has finally been removed from the US distribution because of its direct link to serious illnesses among the workers. I saw this cute craft on Priscilla Woolworth's blog. Paint a coffee can and plant something in it. Jo Ann, in our OT department at AGCC, came up with the idea of having the  residents paint Terra cotta pots. After the pots are painted, we find a home in those pretty pots with  recycled succulents from larger gardens.  A very satisfying earthy craft. Today is not only Earth Day, it is the birthday of my dear childhood buddy Lisa. Happy 51 and Many More.

The Art of Thai Kitchen

Thai Kitchen is a work of food art. Burt and Nick are awesome. Just go in the restaurant to see what threads they are sporting. They are stylish and very customer oriented. Their aunt is a living doll and the food she cooks is tasty to the max. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere. The curtains were handmade in Thailand and add a special flair to the place. I love the pineapple fried rice with chicken and shrimp and Dan enjoys their curry dishes. They are not afraid to pour a glass of wine and observing the regulars like us that frequent the place, why go anywhere else when you can go to Thai Kitchen, where life imitates art. 161 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, Ca. and they are closed on Wednesdays.

Marc Cross Handbags

                           

These are samples of Marc Cross beautiful handbags. Barneys is selling the stunner one on the left for a hefty price and I bought the classic Kelly Marc Cross for a great price on eBay. In the late 60s the Marc Cross Store was on Fifth Avenue in NYC. Marc Cross sold leather wallets, desk sets, and leather covers for cigarette lighters. It was owned by Gerald Murphy's family. In a racy scene in Hitchcock's "Rear Window" Grace Kelly opens up her Mark Cross overnight case to pull out her silk negligee. Since we did not win the Mega Millions in Ca.,  the eBay Marc Cross in mint enough for me.

From Santa Barbara to Santa Ynez

Lorie is my dear friend from Santa Barbara. Lorie and I arranged a day trip to Santa Ynez.  I coveted  her outfit. She paired her boots with a darling wrap dress/top she found on a trip with her husband to North Carolina. She added a lovely blue scarf and leggings to the dress and voila she is ready for a day trip to Santa Ynez. We hit some of our favorite jaunts Sage of Santa Ynez and Tumbleweeds and had a nice lunch in one of our favorite towns. After shopping and lunching, we usually sit on one of the benches and chat. That is always my favorite part of the day.  Good friends are precious jewels.

Portra 120 400 S Film for Interiors

I love going to Vintage Etc.one of  my favorite San Luis Obispo stores. You can always find gifts and special things. I like the owner Judy and find her staff sweet and accommodating. They change the decor and keep the store alive with new themes and finds. It is a dream to take the Hasselbald in and shoot interior shots and if I get in a shooting funk,  I can always pick up a Parisian interiors book to get ideas. Can you find me in the top photo?

We Lost a Great Artist Tim West

                            


              

We lost Arkansas Artist Tim West last week. Diana Michelle Hausam has taken some stunning portraits of Tim we viewed at M2 Gallery in Little Rock. At one time, his work had been accepted at the Louvre and the MOMA.  He was a reclusive artist who walked in bare feet and used his bicycle as his transportation. His parents were writers and homesteaders living in the Ozark Mountains. He had an interesting life and it is captured on a documentary film Westland. M2 Gallery has respected and carried Tim West's art. He will be remembered as an extraordinary artist. I feel lucky to have seen Tim's work. He was amazing.

Happy Easter

          

These are deviled eggs and yes the beaks are carrot pieces and the eyes black olives. I love Easter. Love the simple foods and watching the kids run to gather their colored eggs. My dear childhood friend Lisa makes homemade peanut butter eggs, and wraps them in wax paper, stuffs them in a mailing box full of color filler,  and sends them to loved ones. What a sweet and thoughtful gift that magically arrives every Easter Holiday on my doorstep. Thanks Lisa and Happy Easter to all.

Mildred Pierce

                          

Mildred Pierce was directed by famed Michael Curtiz. The film has a German Expressionistic style to make Mildred Pierce's world appear dark and gloomy. Joan Crawford plays an academy award winning Mildred Pierce unable to come to terms with the betrayal by those she loves.She wears amazing fur coats and padded shoulders but most unforgettable are those stylish hats.

Go Ahead and Blush

Sonia Kashak has a purse brush set that is great. Got this for a photo shoot and just love it. It can travel with you in your purse or your car. It comes with four brushes for eye shadows and eyebrow. Target is the place to locate this cherry find.

Emilio Pucci

SFMOMA bookstore has this Pucci book available featuring hundreds of photos and drawings from the late Italian designer Emilio Pucci. Each copy is bound with Pucci fabric.Thumbs up for this book. An art treasure.