Oh Pretties...
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
When Pom Poms, an Eletric Guitar and Drums Come Together
I bring you Scout Niblett.
Pom Poms
...and yes sometimes I do need someone to cheer my on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me up--don't we all.
Here she is on the Black Cab Sessions, which I highly recommend checking out.
...and yes sometimes I do need someone to cheer my on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me up--don't we all.
Here she is on the Black Cab Sessions, which I highly recommend checking out.
One more, she and Will Oldham of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Palace fame, did a couple of amazing duets, I was so lucky to get to see them perform together. Below is about the weirdest video I have ever seen, but I love the song.
Kiss (This Fool Can Die Now)
Friday, April 13, 2012
Wind Map
I just saw this gorgeous wind map of the United States, courtesy of my husband. On a side note I love information graphics and this is one of the best artistic examples I have seen. Check it out, you will be happy that you did. I recall being told that I would like this, apparently M. likes to look at it everyday and now that I have seen the page I understand why.
Artist and Artist Inspiration
Sweedeedee
Artist: Cat Power, (Chan Marshall)
Artist Inspiration: Michael Hurley
Both Chan Marshall and Michael Hurley are greta musical artists, it was a joy to find the original version of the song, it is quite different but also quite enjoyable.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wednesday Walking
 |
| Blue Heron, ardea cinerea |
 |
| Penny, canus lupus backyardus |
Since my little Penny doggie girl was feeling better, we took a long walk along the river. It was so nice to see her romping around again. We came up on this Blue Heron, who had hunted a gopher and was, from what I could tell, trying to figure out how to eat it.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The End and The Beginning
 |
The End and The Beginning, by Wislawa Szymborska
After every war
someone has to clean up.
Things won’t
straighten themselves up, after all.
Someone has to push the rubble
to the side of the road,
so the corpse-filled wagons
can pass.
Someone has to get mired
in scum and ashes,
sofa springs,
splintered glass,
and bloody rags.
Someone has to drag in a girder
to prop up a wall.
Someone has to glaze a window,
rehang a door.
Photogenic it’s not,
and takes years.
All the cameras have left
for another war.
We’ll need the bridges back,
and new railway stations.
Sleeves will go ragged
from rolling them up.
Someone, broom in hand,
still recalls the way it was.
Someone else listens
and nods with unsevered head.
But already there are those nearby
starting to mill about
who will find it dull.
From out of the bushes
sometimes someone still unearths
rusted-out arguments
and carries them to the garbage pile.
Those who knew
what was going on here
must make way for
those who know little.
And less than little.
And finally as little as nothing.
In the grass that has overgrown
causes and effects,
someone must be stretched out
blade of grass in his mouth
gazing at the clouds.
________________________________________
The Nobel Prize winning Szymborska passed away at the age of 88 this past February, her legacy is great and her gifts of poetry to all of us are even greater.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Friendship, Love, Flowers
I have had this and worn it for years and it never, ever, ceases to make me happy just by either looking at it or simply knowing that I am wearing it... that is the best gift. Now the amazing wristlet was made for me by one of the most special people I know and is embroidered with the saying, "love is fresh flowers" which means so much to me. Sarah of Sarahmade or as I like to think Say Rah, knows my love of flowers well since she got to live with my weekly farmers market bouquet for several years. I at some point years ago quit smoking and decided to spend that money on fresh flowers. That tradition stuck with me until my husband and I moved in together and instead of buying a bouquet, we planted a garden.
Frye Melissa Boots
I have been boot lusting over the Frye Melissa Boots. They have two styles that I am trying to decide between, a pull on with button detail that look a little like my Seychelles Mademoiselle boots, and a zip up snap boot. Both are great. I am leaning towards the Melissa Zip Boot in dark brown, or the Melissa Button Boot in Black. Honestly I would like and wear them both, and should I ever come across them for a seriously good deal I might really consider it but Frye boots are an investment, they will take a long time to break in but last for year and years--which is more than I can say about my Seychelles or my Steve Madden Frenchh boots both of which are showing major wear.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Pretties
 |
Pipit, by Dustin HorowitzPhotogarden Flared Dress |
 |
Gregory, by Gregory ParkinsonSolvang Blouse |
 |
Hi There, from Karen WalkerTile Confetti Sailor Dress |
 |
Treasure by Samantha PleetOracle Tieback Dress |
Some lovely things from Anthropologie
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Weekend Recap
Santa Cruz is beautiful, but I realized this weekend that the Santa Cruz I know is pretty different from what a tourist would likely experience. So this weekend I had what I think of as a more tourist in my own town experience and it was fun.
Saturday I rode along the San Lorenzo River to the Boardwalk and then up to the lookout bench above Seabright beach - definitely not my usual ride, but one that was absolutely worth it for the view. I packed a hot cup of tea and set off. One thing that is very different from my experiences riding my old Bianch road bike is that people either must love my bike or get very happy seeing it because I had strangers wave at me, multiple strangers and one group of college students who asked if I would carry their twelve pack in my bike basket - I rang my bell at them. It is a very different experience going from an aggressive road bike to a dutch style, upright bike, complete with rear rack and a front basket. I love both bikes but could no longer ride the Bianchi anymore and sold it to a wonderful new home. It was a big stretch going from that to a heavier, town bike and I have to admit I felt a little silly the first time I took it out but I have completely embraced how easy it is to ride. Sure it weighs twice as much but I can go grocery shopping with it and I have great visibility of what is around me whether it is cars or beautiful scenery. My Public C7 ( I still do not have a good nick-name for my bike although the song White Light/White Heat by the Velvet Underground does come to mind when I see it) and I even did a little bit of off-roading.
Looking out at the Boardwalk I can't help but think, "what is this thing doing here, it's big, it seems random and it is located in one of the most gorgeous places on earth. It is definitely is a relic from an different age, one where my grandparents would have played badminton on the beach and then gone dancing to live big band music in the evening. There is still a wooden roller-coaster- that works and mind you is a very good time.
There was a lot more to the weekend maybe I'll post pics. from it soon.
 |
| Public C7 |
 |
| View of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk |
There was a lot more to the weekend maybe I'll post pics. from it soon.
The Velvet Underground White Light/White Heat
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Dead Man's Bones Music Post
This post is in honor of my father who sends me mix cd's and texted me last night to say, "did you know Ryan Gosling sings my favorite song". His favorite song I know well, because he played over and over for me, and it's good, I really like it am happy every time my iTunes shuffle lands on it, but no I did not know Ryan Gosling had a band. Well I decided to do a little youtube perusing and found a lot of their music online. Please don't be surprised if I re-post some of this closer to Halloween if you watch the videos you'll see why.
Name in Stone by Dead Man's Bones, there is a bit of crowd noise in the beginning but that tapers off to a great song.
And now for my Dad's favorite song, My Bodies a Zombie For You, by Dead Man's Bones.
Name in Stone by Dead Man's Bones, there is a bit of crowd noise in the beginning but that tapers off to a great song.
And now for my Dad's favorite song, My Bodies a Zombie For You, by Dead Man's Bones.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Three Day Weekend
I/we have a three day weekend coming up and no plans.... I feel as though something is seriously wrong with that... really nothing at all. All of my great ideas for things to do involved being outside and it is supposed to rain over half of the state of California this weekend. I have considered driving to the other part of the state, really anywhere warm but with gasoline being at $4.50/gallon I think I should have more of a plan if I am going to drive that far.
Here are a few off the top of my head ideas for things to do:
1. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Geary Street Gallery visit
2. Matinee-I have been trying to see Hugo before it disappears from theaters or go to see the Hunger Games
3. Visit the Best Friend in S.F.-always wonderful
4. Go for a muddy, rain filled run in Henry Cowell State Park with Penny (the four legged wonder dog)
5. Scan old family slides and send edited pictures to my mom and uncles
6. Scan negatives and edit them from my trip to India
7. Paint tiny wall in by the office-boo! I know I must but in the rain with two animals errrr. I have been delaying this project pretty much since I convinced my husband how great it would be.
8. Paint for the pure love and joy of it-not a bad option.
9. Bake, bake, bake and then drop off tasty treats with friends
10. Drive up the coast and watch the storm roll in over the ocean, with a hot cup of coffee
11. Wes Anderson Movie Marathon!
12. Go to a Hockey game, (yes I admit it I am a fan, and I vote, have a dog, listen to Belle and Sebastian, wear clogs and all other sorts of other things that would not lead you to think I was a die hard hockey fan)
I know this all sounds nice, no? Ultimately this list is not a trip to Hawaii, Morocco, Sedona, or any of the other places I have been fantasizing about, but those are day dreams and my reality is really good.
Here are a few off the top of my head ideas for things to do:
1. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Geary Street Gallery visit
2. Matinee-I have been trying to see Hugo before it disappears from theaters or go to see the Hunger Games
3. Visit the Best Friend in S.F.-always wonderful
4. Go for a muddy, rain filled run in Henry Cowell State Park with Penny (the four legged wonder dog)
5. Scan old family slides and send edited pictures to my mom and uncles
6. Scan negatives and edit them from my trip to India
7. Paint tiny wall in by the office-boo! I know I must but in the rain with two animals errrr. I have been delaying this project pretty much since I convinced my husband how great it would be.
8. Paint for the pure love and joy of it-not a bad option.
9. Bake, bake, bake and then drop off tasty treats with friends
10. Drive up the coast and watch the storm roll in over the ocean, with a hot cup of coffee
11. Wes Anderson Movie Marathon!
12. Go to a Hockey game, (yes I admit it I am a fan, and I vote, have a dog, listen to Belle and Sebastian, wear clogs and all other sorts of other things that would not lead you to think I was a die hard hockey fan)
I know this all sounds nice, no? Ultimately this list is not a trip to Hawaii, Morocco, Sedona, or any of the other places I have been fantasizing about, but those are day dreams and my reality is really good.
 |
| I was checking my camera settings when I took this but I think my enduring plant looks nice |
Monday, March 26, 2012
it was great until it wasn't
Saturday was an wonderful, amazingly fun and beautiful rainy day. I went to Berkeley to spend time with a friend and see the Pina Bausch movie (in 3D) by Wim Wenders. The movie was inspiring and gorgeous, Berkeley is beautiful even in the rain and spending time with an old friend is priceless.
Sunday was a slow day but quite nice with a morning walk on along the harbor and beach. I spend the afternoon scanning old slides and digitally bringing back to life old family moments. The afternoon ended with a nice hike. All in all the weekend was great until it wasn't.
Sometimes it is best just to reflect on what was good.
Above is what I call my collage of unease. It is a selection of several parts of paintings I have done, in a way could call in a homage to the painter Squeak Carnwarth.
 |
| Squeak Carnwrath |
Trust from the movie Pina, by Wim Wenders
Love from the movie Pina, by Wim Wenders
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
To Boot or Not To Boot
To Boot!
The Mia Bridgeport boot.
---------------------------------------------
March 16th, Follow Up
The boots arrived! I opened the box and put the right boot on, it fit perfectly, the height, heel, boot shaft circumference, all was was great. I took the next boot out and .... they had sent me two right boots--baaaah! So naturally I put that one on too just to see if it would also fit and you know what, it did, but I also realized that I would love it if the boot had an inside zipper instead of an outside zipper. I do like the outside zipper look but an inside zipper is a little classier and would have a longer shelf life. Anyway I decided that I would still be happy with a replacement pair, even if they were not the most perfect boots in the world, but the company I bought them from were all sold out. I am to be completely refunded including shipping and get a $20 credit towards a future purchase so it's not terrible but I feel like I was so close--oh well the perfect boots are out there somewhere. If I don't find them I may just have to take up shoe design--you know my dream job.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wildwood, The Book
I was drawn to this book for the illustrations but have greatly enjoyed reading it too, yes it is a children's book, but I do not discriminate. I only found out today that the author is Colin Meloy from the band the Decemberists and the wonderful illustrations are done by his wife Carson Ellis, a professional illustrator. The NY Times did a nice little article about the book, here is a link to more of Carson's illustrations.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Accio Keys
Yes these words have gone through my mind on a number of occasions, especially yesterday when I locked H. and myself out of the house on our way to work, now if I can only remember to get this for myself for my birthday, maybe then there will be hope for remembering my keys.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Friday, October 14, 2011
Bicycletta
Oh swoon, so yes I am in the market for a new bike. I finally sold my road bike to someone who will ride her. It was hard but I had to realize that I may never be able to ride a road bike again, but this has opened the world of upright go grab some groceries or a cup of coffee bike riding to me. Here are two serious contenders for a spot in my garage.
Also for some more Bicycle fun check out my pinterest bike board.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
