Book Love

Images via Oliver Scott Photography

I'm just crazy about these 3D, mixed media, mini installations made with books and objects.

The beautiful lighting and styling of the photographs certainly doesn't hurt either.

I think the high contrast of the first image is perfect.

I have paper cutting on my brain these days. Twirling and whirling.

Cutting + painting, that is.

45 Books

Book 27

Sleepwalk and Other Stories - Adrian Tomine

Book 28

Summer Blonde (stories) - Adrian Tomine

Two story collections by the same author. Both present tales of the seemingly ordinary, the lonely, the mundane, the "motions", the self-analytical, the lost, the uncomfortable, the unconventional,  the unseen and overlooked. Stories where characters find themselves in surreal moments where the present is too much to comprehend or too dull to bother with. Where the pause button has been pushed and the past comes rushing back to overwhelm the senses resulting in a state of consciousness akin to a lucid dream. Most are open ended, depicting moments and vignettes but not comprehensively painting a picture. The illustrations are great. The characters are touching. Tomine's style is very unique, distinct. The tone is hushed and tends toward a somber nostalgia.

Pairs well with Sunday morning coffee/tea.

The Thrill Is (Not) Gone

Sunday night I brought a change of clothes to the theatre with me. I slipped into the empty studio, 20 minutes before rehearsal ended, to change, reapply deodorant, and wipe my brow before dashing out to where the idling, running car waited, Darling behind the wheel, to pick me up. We bolted downtown, to BB King's on Beale (you know the one, the namesake of the first "B" in the handle) and made it just in time (2 songs early to be exact) to see the King of the Blues himself -- Mr. B.B. King.

Remember this Silly Symphony? I had totally forgotten it existed until last night, when I stood awestruck and watched how the brass wailed and the guitars cried. I suddenly remembered when, eeps! more 15 years ago, my piano teacher told me to make the instrument sing. The music was alive. Heaving, sweating, swinging, lovemaking, and lamenting. 85 years worth of experiences (beginning in Itta Bena, Mississippi, and, through luck and twist of fate, presently residing not far from there once again) poured through the vocal chords of this one man. eighty. five. years. Talk about soul.

I really don't know how to tell you about these music filled evenings I've been having. Music like this far transcends my vocabulary, or, at least certainly my ability as a writer to string together the parts of speech necessary to articulate what seemed so clear just a fortnight ago.  Remember when I said I have really lucked out with opportunities to see music legends? I'm floored and honored that my luck has continued to keep up. Darling and I work long and hard, we don't get out too often, but we always try to make time for late night acts that catch our attention. Our evenings of music are magical, they feel extra-special, rewarding, and have totally enriched our experience thus far in the South.

If you are ever in Memphis on Friday/Saturday, consider checking out BB King's place on Beale. I had thought, prior to that evening, (as maybe you do now) it might have been a little hokey but it turns out the house band is fantastic. fan-tasss-tic. remarkable. They'll knock you're socks off.

Happy Weekend

 Image via Real Simple

I can't believe it's Friday! Although it's fantastic the weekend has finally arrived, I've got to tell you, it's a bit anxiety inducing. This is the last weekend I'll be spending at home before my mother arrives.

***---------***

(yup, that was the record scratching)

Holy $%&* my mom is coming to visit!!! You need to realize that my mother has never stayed with me before. She's actually only ever visited me on a handful of occasions, for a few hours at a time. Therefore, the approaching 8-day long stint has been giving me cold sweats for at least a month. (I recently found out my sister is also coming, officially, boo-yah!) (yes, I said it, boo-yah)

She won't be here for two weeks but next weekend I'll be out of town and currently my weekdays + Sundays are completely dominated by dance rehearsals right. If it's not done this weekend, I don't stand a chance against anything that can't be shoved into the back room closet.

Any advice/tricks/tips you have to offer by way of:

1) Cleaning--what are some key things to hit/remember that make a big impact?
2) Keeping things in order for two whole weeks--How do you stay on top of it?
3) Quick styling tips--seem shallow? totally. But I mean, my mom is coming to visit... name one thing that would induce more pressure to make myself and my place look totally put together ...  

"ooohh, this old thing?" *rips price tag off, wads into ball and eats when mother turns her back*

If my finances allowed I would have probably redecorated by now; however, that's not exactly realistic.

What do YOU do to prepare for family to visit?

Happy Weekend Friends

Wish me luck and loads of productivity!

xoxo

Happy First Day of Fall

I know things have been a bit music-centric around here lately, but it's only because...

...because something in music has recently (once again) creeped deep inside my body. 

...because I can't ever seem to hold my head or shoulders still, even in public. 

...because my feet immediately burst into acute paradiddles every time they touch tile.

...because I still choreograph in my car.

 ...because my senses are feeling very in tune.

I have always connected with music but the intensity ebbs and flows, as with anything.

But it's on now,

So it feels an appropriate way to wish you a happy first day of Fall.

Maple Leaves - Jens Leckman

I still think this is one of the saddest, most bittersweet songs I've ever heard.

 But I love sad bastard music.

love it.

'suppose I'm a masochist in that sense*.

+ Plus +

sad bastard music is very fall, don't you think?

*Aren't all liberal arts major types?

Music Love

This past weekend was an intense flurry of music and dancing.

I don't know if you have been sticking around this blog this long, but some of you may recall last October Darling and I saw the Drive-By Truckers in Oxford, MS.  Well, Friday the Truckers made their way to Minglewood Hall in Memphis to shake things up, to tell us what's what. The Truckers, for me, are the perfect mix of country and rock. A little bit down-home, a little bit rockabilly, the size of the group and the intensity with which they play truly makes for an exciting and energizing performance. The love of what they're doing reads so clearly and, as a listener, you get a great sense of the camaraderie and collaboration of the group. (Mrs. Smith, to answer your comment from last time, they did play My Sweet Annette in Oxford, also one of my very favorites, but not this time... However, the songs from the latest album have definitely piqued my interest. I'm going to check if Darling has purchased the album yet!)

Saturday, I found myself at Minglewood once again, (you'd think I couldn't get enough of the place or something) this time Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings on the menu. First and foremost, I love her. She's so spunky and firey and has this loud, infectious energy that not only fills up the room, but knocks your socks off. In Tina Turner worthy fringe, Ms. Jones had those boys (the Dap Kings) connected to her body with James Brown precision ("hit me!" -- BAM! "hit me!" -- BAM! BAM! "one more time" - BAM!). The simple aesthetics, the erect postures of the musicians, the skinny suits - pastel shirts - manicured moustaches, and dancey vibe has me convinced that Saturday night is the closest I'll ever get to experiencing the old-school American Bandstand. Her vocals were truly astounding, and girl knows how to break. it. doooowwwn. She's so great, in fact, that Ms. Lootie, who was celebrating her 99th birthday came out for a good time (trippy, no? Can you imagine? I  mean, she left the house...99 years old). Break it down. 
 

On the agenda for next weekend, music... 

the next, you guessed it...

Welcome Fall

Busy Busy Bee

Hey'all. After a conversation Saturday I decided it was necessary to sit down and assess my schedule--was googley eyed just thinking about it. Now through the end of October is pretty jam packed for me. I'll definitely be to, and when there is to you can bet there will certainly be some fro. Between these two I may disappear for a few days at a time but I'm not gone and I'll have lots to share, even if its after the fact. So...

Thank you for being so fantastic, for sticking around, for giving your thoughts-slash-insights, for sharing with me! It is the madness that keeps us on our toes, right? Banality and monotony can be death. Let's keep it a bit exciting (to help convince myself that I'm glass half-full instead of anxious about all of this).

xoxo

Happy Weekend

I know its been over-blogged but I too look forward to reading Anthology Magazine when it comes out! I love their first theme of the slow life. Something I'd like to consciously incorporate into my weekdays.

To enjoy a bit of the slow life ourselves, Darling and I wake up early on the weekends and I make a full eggs n' bacon (over-easy, of course), sliced avocado and  toast breakfast with coffee and juice. Saturday, I usually hit up the Farmer's Market afterward while Darling gets going on lesson plans, and then the day usually turns from there into the usual to-do's... Love those big breakfasts though. We both look forward to them enough that we are willing to run to the store if need be, we both somewhat despise the grocery store.

For the next few weeks I'll be rehearsing for 6 hours on Sundays. It's not the duration of 6 hours that is intimidating, the kicker for me is the fact that it runs from 3-9PM. Three is just so late for me to start such a demanding stretch of physical activity! Any tips for snacks, energy or mind boosters to help this girl out? I can't decide if an early morning yoga class will help wake my mind up or just tear down my stamina. I was so wiped this last Monday, I'm going to try and be proactive this time.

Happy Weekend Friends

Take it easy.

xoxo

As If I Needed Another Reason To Love Coffee...

Although I'm a black coffee girl (a purist, if you will), I do enjoy a soy latte on occasion. My own barista skills never even got close to this kind of beauty/mastery. Truly amazing.

It really is the simple things, how special.

Found via the lovely d.light blog via the top the best.com

Go On, Spread It...

Because everybody needs a little lovin' on.

xoxo

<3



45 Books

Book 27

Zeitoun - Dave Eggers

I typically give Dave Eggers a hard time. I couldn't finish the last book of his I started. I find difficulty swallowing the pop fiction  he burst onto the scene with. Sure he's clever, there is wit and sarcasm littered throughout the pages, but it seemed for me, that these are sparks which ignite nothing.  This all goes to say that I really think Eggers is moving away from his former reputation. Zeitoun is such an incredible story, a non-fiction account of the Zeitoun family's experience of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. It is flabberghasting, eye-opening, and endearing. Unfortunately (tragically, ironically), the most surprising element is how unsurprising the injustices and circumstances are. The more I read/hear/encounter about Katrina, even 5 years later, the more my heart breaks and the more I realize the resources for recovery have not been and are still not there. Eggers takes the back seat as author on this one. He respectfully "dissappears" from the scene and allows the story to be devoured. Becuase we all know something of the cluster **mess** Katrina was for NOLA, you can imagine that I could do nothing but read the story with a notably intense sense of urgency.  It's remarkable, truly. If you're looking for something captivating and quick, that isn't a huge time investment although definitely an emotional one, this book is fantastic.

In addition, all author proceedes go to the Zeitoun Foundation, founded in 2009 by the Zeitoun family, the author, and McSweeny's. Its purpose is to aid in the rebuilding of New Orleans and to promote respect for human rights in the United States and around the world. The Zeitoun Foundation will serve as grantor of funds generated form this book; the first group of recipients include the following nonprofit organizations: http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/, http://www.thegreenproject.org/, www.thejusticecenter.org/lcac, http://www.ip-no.org/, http://www.meenamag.com/, www.ny2no.net/theporch, http://www.ccano.org/, http://www.irw.org/, http://www.theneworleansinstitute.org/, http://www.neighborhoodstoryproject.org/, www.tulane.edu/~msa/, http://thelensnola.org/, http://www.nocca.com/

Brass Knuckles

These multi-finger rings are too cool. I want one.

From AMictlan on Etsy

45 Books

Book 26

Pride of Baghdad - Written by: Brian K. Vaughn, Illustrated by: Niko Henrichon

In 2003 a small pride of lions escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during the US bombing.

Vaughn and Henrichon have collaborated to beautifully elaborate and fictionalize their story. 

It's both very touching and very dark. The illustration, the color, is gorgeous.

You can choose to read it as an allegory, the symbolism and critique is hard to miss. I chose to primarily read it as an animal lover. I cried.

45 Books

Book 25

The Angle Of Repose - Wallace Stegner

Stegner is a big name at my alma mater (Darling was a part of the 08-09 Wallace Stegner Think Tank, writing a legislative proposal to redraw the boundaries of Canyonlands National Park). When brought up in discussion, I always think of Wallace Stegner, the environmentalist.  That is just my experience. I spoke with my mother about this and she agrees that those who know him as a novelist are surprised by his environmental activism (although place - as a convention - really starts with him and his work) and vice versa. Although I know many titles of his work, this was my first indulgence in it. Any expectation I had for a Stegner novel was turned on its head. I loved it. Really loved it. (I suppose I really shouldn't be as surprised as I am, it did win the Pulitzer.) I delighted in the character development, the beautiful language, the landscape. I relished its high-literary style and lyricism, its poignant observations, and sympathetic and respectful tone. I found myself returning to chapters, paragraphs, sentences, words-- over and over again. I made plans to reread (the book as a whole, but also just the section itself) almost as quickly as I could digest the present paragraph. Susan Burling Ward is my favorite fictional heroine I have met in a long time, I would say certainly this year. A strong woman, a lady, an artist and writer--the unexpected life she finds herself living in the crude, undeveloped American West. She's simultaneously lovely, tragic, intelligent, traditional, and human. Most of all human. She is not without flaw, but, like everyone else you encounter and connect with you love her for it. 

I think if I make it to 45, and I'm over halfway there, this will still have a fantastic chance of making it to the top 5 roundup* come December. And 45 is a big number to whittle down to 5, no? That's how much I recommend it to you, if anyone takes my recommendations :)


* As I looked at this post I realize that I had completely forgotten that I had made some small to-read lists. I have only read 2/9! Whoops.

Book Love

Book Love Print - by Marmee Craft on Etsy

I love the freckles on her arms!

Mrs. Jones

Mrs. Jones (my looong time friend) asked me to work with her to create a piece for her son's nursery. Here's that story in photos. Enjoy :)

Photo. 

Lets first talk about how adorable little Mack is!

Stencil.

Splat.

Fin.

Mack's painting was done on a 16" x 22" canvas in acrylics.

Thank you for enlisting me in this project!! You know I had a blast, you know I'm into that ish.

Away From It All + Happy Weekend

My dears, why do you torture me so? For whatever reason, so many blogs I follow have been posting pictures of various mountains this week and my heart breaks. It's not fair. I'm hoping to meet up with my girl La to hear about/see her photos from hiking Mt. Baker in Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington and  her trip to Seattle (I would move there in an instant, you know).  My daydream of choice lately is jumping out of this rat race and working for the forest service or a national park. It would be simple (it's a daydream, humor me on this one). Just my pup, my Darling, my books and notepads, and steep, steep cliffs to hike and climb and scramble and explore...

 

My old digs, via Roxy Marj 

The Uintas, via Mrs. Thomas (who's expecting soon!)

Yosemite - Say Yes! to Hoboken

Somewhere near Santa Barbara - D*S

Hope yall have a fantastic weekend! I couldn't be happier it's Friday. 

 xoxo

Clueless

Cher: "Okay, so you're probably going, "Is this like a Noxzema commercial or what?" But seriously, I actually have a way normal life ... " - Clueless (1995)

I have had more trouble with my skin in adulthood than adolescence. Moving to a new climate has proven to be very hard on my skin this past year. It's no fun being a victim of adult acne nor is it fun trying to troubleshoot the problem:

Are you complex or combination? 

 uhh.. yes, I mean no.. sometimes..?  

Where are your problem areas? 

uhh.. kind of in different places.

Is your skin sensitive? 

umm.. to some things, somtimes. option C? Wait, what's C again?

What is you biggest skincare concern? Aging, wrinkles, tone, quality?

 Hobocamp? ho-hobocamp! hobocamp!

 

You think I sound ridiculous? Go to an Erno Laszlo counter - they'll "clock" you. I think I was something like an 11:45:08 AM Mountain Standard Time and no, they didn't also punch me in the face afterward.

Although I would love to use a high-end-miracle-working-line (like Dr. Perricone), it's just out of my price range. I went to Sephora and was talked into purchasing a few products from the Philosophy line.

I've been pleasantly surprised with the Purity wash (an all-in-one, gentle cleanser):

and the Hope in a Jar moisturizer: (very light, absorbs quickly, but is still very effective + SPF protection is always a bonus in my fair-freckled book).

I might just begin my conversion to the Philosophy line. It's affordable and gentle. Although I haven't totally cleared up my skin feels fundamentally different after the first few days of use (hopefully that's a good thing). Of course the sales girl tried to convince me that I need a toner, and pore vacuum cleanser/minimizer, an eye cream, a weekly microderm abrasion peel, a mask, 6 serums, some foam, and possibly a moustache-eyebrow-bikkini-leg wax in one... I've definitely left something out, I can't keep it all straight. It's overwhelming.

I like need my routine to be minimal and straight to the point. I am much more efficient and reliable at keeping a skincare routine when I have less products/jars/bottles/tubes to fuss with.

Do you have adult skin problems too? What's you're routine? Any tips/tricks to share?

I can't be the only one who is looking for a little guidance.

xoxo

Book Love

Beautiful, serene photographs from Mary Ellen Bartley Photography.

If you have a few moments, you should check out her site... so much book love, the beach lane series is unbelievable.

Found thanks to the always lovely Birdy Darling.

The Young Machines

Put the needle to the record.

This yellow changes color in the light like no other paint I've seen.

Click Here to see what I'm talking about ... You see? It's crazy.

Sometimes I think of changing it. It can seem so harsh when the lighting is bad.

1969 Rock-Ola Jukebox

Darling has a little pet project of his own. He has asked me to do some "before" and "after" documentation. I'm really excited he's going to get this baby cleaned up and working. It's in very good shape but needs a bit of love, some fine tuning, a new needle, paint and robots (!!), you know - we'll see, etc. We've got loads of 45s, some great playlist material. You are all cordially invited to come to our party once the work is done! TBC...