More than Words

Pardon the profanity but sometimes, it is the only way to express indignation when it comes to the Big Bad C....especially when it shows up time and again. I was going through the to do pile on my desk when I saw the subversive cross stitch kit for my art teacher and dear friend, Zizi. I bought it a year ago and knew I must.get.it.done. So I x-stitched away for the next 5 hours and reminisced about how we got to know each other during our Euro sojourn in the summer of 2007.

Zizi is an odd bird. I mean that in a good way and which is probably why we get along. She spent her first few days and nights redecorating her suite at Chateau de Pourtales (Strasbourg) until she could comfortably lay in bed knowing that the antique desk was where it needed to be, walls were scrubbed, and the covetable French Normandy armoire was situated in the room..nevermind that she had to haul it herself. I can go on and on extolling her beautiful qualities and our (mis)adventures but the very important lesson I learned from her was to look at everything with a fresh and creative twist. What is seemingly banal even to the unjaded eye is viewed with renewed interest. While others bought tchotchkes, she explored unbeaten paths and came back with hardware supplies, Dior paperdolls, or a shopping basket she found along the road in Basel to create art with. Never was there a dull moment during classes, museum walk throughs or early morning flea market jaunts. I came to appreciate Conceptual Art even more through her eyes.

I had become listless for not calling Zizi lately but then, how best to express things you want to say but can't find the words for? Well, I got a wonderful surprise from artist Laura Loving, last Friday. She read my New Year post where I featured her brilliant cheery artwork and sent me a fab mix of her note cards - A Honeymoon in Paris, Loving New York , and The Fabulous Flower Collection - as a sweet thank you! The cards were absolutely perfect for Zizi and here's why....

we watched the full moon from the Eiffel Tower...

we had a Laduree moment rowing in Versailles...

(let them eat macaroons!)

we spent Saturday mornings at the Strasbourg flower market...

Aren't the cards just perfect for celebrating each memory? Laura Loving's images weaves its way into  your heart and life like that. She also accepts commissions in a variety of sizes and mediums and  can be contacted here.

*photos from personal archives*

Puttin' on the Ritz

Last July 15th, I had the pleasure of being invited to Laura Loving's art show at the New York Mercantile Exchange through my good friend Elizabeth Eller. Charlotte born, I thought it only apropos to feature her work with my New Year images since I rang New Year's Eve with the Snug partner at the new Ritz Carlton downtown.

Per her bio, Laura's distinctive style consisting of bold lines, dramatic surface patterns and pure color result in vibrant paintings with strong poetic energy.  She describes her work: "I consider my art to be an invention of reality rather than purely an exact imitation. I exaggerate color and shape to create art that is humorous, alive and uplifting. The evolution of my style has its roots in American Folk and Pop Art. Having lived and worked in Nice for two years, the rich artistic heritage of the French Riviera has also had a strong effect on my work. I want my art to create a positive bond with the viewer. Without question, making a connection with someone through my work is the best part of being an artist."

You can see more of her work here.

I Can't Live Without Champagne, 2006 

Oil enamel on canvas, 24 x 30 inches

The Only Thing That Helps, 

Enamel on Canvas, 16x20 inches

Taste the Stars, 2006

 Enamel on Canvas, 18x24 inches

The Ritz Carlton, Charlotte is more like a compact business hotel compared to the resort properties of the brand. Designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, it is distinguishedly the first green hotel in the city and the first within The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.  Allyce Patten who is part of the PR and Retail team was gracious to show me around. Her enthusiasm about their fervency in sustainability equals their service par excellence philosophy. 

The Lobby Lounge is sleek and cozy with 

local artwork punctuating its walls.

Champagne service at our Parlor Suite overlooking downtown

was the perfectly private way to celebrate.

(Reach for the Stars, 2001, Oil on canvas, 24x48 inches)

The Southern brunch on the 15th floor was the only event 

that could rouse me from blissful slumber amidst 

clouds of Frette and featherdown.

New Year Zen wishes from the Spa

Formerly known as Gypsy Queen, I was a lifestyle|event columnist and talked a good bit about partying with a cause. I think the theme for this new decade should be partying with a sustainable cause.

A Celebration in Pink+Green

Winter is for the birds

artwork by Laura Loving , enamel on canvas, 10x10

I was only too happy to slip into my flip flops

sugar cookie by Bernadette Gallego

to spend the holidays with family in West Palm Beach

tableau of personal things: Lilly Pulitzer: A Guide to Colorful Holidays,

elephant bag from the Siem Reap flea market,

vintage sunglasses from Melrose Place,

sequined bag from acquaintance Christina Yu of Ipa-Nima fame,

Lilly P pouches, green leather bag from Hong Kong with Luella pompom keychain

It began with a spectacular surprise at The Breakers

my senses were in full bloom

gumamela/hibiscus from Alegre Beach Resort Cebu

the ocean never fails to balance me

Frou La La napkin ring in green turbo shell

with baby starfish on vintage ribbon, boar tooth, freshwater pearl,

wood beads, swarovski crystals strung in coconut beads

A.Postcard.Perfect.Moment.

from the Lilly Pulitzer holiday stationery collection

I couldn't ask for a better birthday celebration that turned into a week long affair

surprise birthday cake from Bernadette Gallego on my big 3-0

of flowers

flower centerpiece from a best friend's wedding reception

food and wine

one of Garrison Rousseau's fabled dinners

corals and carved bone crustaceans from F.S. Henemader's

sweetness

Crema Catalan fresh from Bernadette Gallego's kitchen

song

Lillified Steinway

and merriment!

photo from my Moroccan themed 27th birthday at my father's garden (2002)

I've always been enamoured by the pink and green mix.

fashion shoot for Zee Magazine's Most Stylish 2006

vintage dress by New Yorker in Manila, iguana-Martin Gallego's pet,

jade & diamond ring-family heirloom,

photography by Jon Unson, makeup by Romero Vergara

bougainvillea on terrace, Alegre Beach Resort Cebu (2005)

coffee table tableau at Richard Stolzman's beach paradise in Mactan Island (2003)

facade of Alex Kafe, Argao (2005)

sideroad bushes, Pilar, a fishing village in Siargao (2005)

beach house of Ed and Bernadette Gallego, Alcoy (2005)

Tops, lookout point in Cebu (2004)

the sweet Margarita at our Cebu Mardi Gras brunch

with my parasol from Saigon's Ben Thanh market (2006)

Its vibrant cheer immortalized by icons

Dorothy Draper and Lilly Pulitzer,

photos from Renovation Therapy blog

The colors were also my inspiration for an Advanced Textiles school project

photo taken at an abaca weaving hut in Alcoy, Cebu (2005)

pink and green raffia lariat necklace by Ethnic Ventures

where I used the image of one of my favorite sculptures,

Woman with Her Throat Cut by Alberto Giacometti

for a sinisterly whimsical tangent.

Segueing into Christmas

photo from Freshome blog

card from the Lilly Pulitzer holiday stationery collection

we partook in holiday feasts

another one of Garrison Rousseau's fab table arrangements

he designed the china for Shanghai Tang

table linens from Iloilo made of indigenous fibers (2003)

much tooo much

photo from the old Schnadig showroom, High Point Market (2005)

With my embonpoint, I am starting to look like this ornament

but also filled with new lovely memories of family

photo from Lilly Pulitzer holiday collection

no time for food related postsantum depression

I relish the blessings of 2009 and have purged its ills.

photo taken from the Hot Springs Pharmacy, Virginia

where everything has eerily stood the test of time (2007)

Ready to greet 2010 infused with pink champagne

photo from moblog

with my nearest and dearest from all over the world!

Pink Champagne by Julia Gilmore

*photos, unless noted, are from personal archives*

Attached is a video by Fashion TV Philippines documenting the Zee Magazine fashion shoot.