Hyper Holiday

I have been in an extremely hypnagogic state for the last couple of weeks. A week of jetlag, the onslaught of work, chores, and errands are beating me down. My dear father, who I'm missing terribly, thinks it's due to the following reasons: I'm better fed at home, pampered with massages and acupuncture, didn't have to do any sort of physical labor (his term for basic household chores), and lived like a lady of leisure. Shades of a perfectly marbled cow's life seem so distant now as I type away from the kitchen counter listening to the dishwasher hum.

I remarked to Melanie, one of my best friends from college, that I am so unlike this. To which she replied, lamentably, "it's our age, dearie." Having recently turned 35, I shuddered at the thought while lying in bed. Vanity immediately got me back on my feet as I reached out for La Mer's Eye Balm Intense on my night stand ready to regain my footing.

Just emptied my postal box the other day and still opening a few holiday surprises. Christmas in March is still ok in my book as long as the weather is below 50F, though we've been having some spring flings at 70F the past days. Just as well, it suits  flashbacks of my charmed hyper holiday which started last mid December in New York....

 Irwin Feld Design's It's A Snow Day

 material development research at a glitzy showroom

 slipped into BG to pick up resort Louboutins

 and stepped out in time to marvel at the 
Unicef Baccarat snowflake

photo credit
Arrived Cebu in time for my birthday surprise

cleverly crafted by best friend Joanna Lhuillier

with the help of other besties

 then along came Christmas

 New Year crept up soon after

 

watching the fireworks

 with my family

from the garden 

 was magical

It was the end of a very interesting decade, 

to say the least.

so much to be thankful for

more to look forward to

 

everyday is a reason to celebrate 

no matter what...

goals. resolutions. plans

are recorded

in the hopes that they will spring 

to life from these pages

make time for family and friends

nurture oneself

unlock a few mysteries along the way

make dreams happen

create. sing. dance

 

days and nights are passing too quickly

2011 has been off to an amazing start

but there are days when I feel I'm not doing enough.

i'm happy to realize that i've been living my sage friend's advice

on his annual holiday card:

"find and fill in the blanks to your taste"

My dear friend, Jean Moraros, creates a beautiful holiday card every year.  I posted his last card here. He is an artist in many ways with a beautiful soul. His aura and peaceful sensibility radiates.  It is a delight to open his card in March as I'm stressing out about work. A healthy reminder that I have been  doing what I'm supposed to be doing and always at the right time and place even when it doesn't seem to gel on days like this. Click on the photo to enlarge so you can seek your own adventure as well.

p.s. Hyper Holiday not over yet....will be sharing about our Cebu Mardi Gras in January and Lunar New Year

Think Pink

I've been in West Palm Beach for a week to visit with family and do a bit of work under the sun. As much as I love Fall, a tropical girl needs a constant shot of sunny vistas and palms shooting the breeze. I was here last December to celebrate my birthday and spend the holidays. I am reminded how quickly time flies and how the pursuit of time relentlessly fills my days.  My aunt gave me this gorgeous book, The Sundial Ticking, two years ago with poems by Theodore Plotkin and art by Edna Hibel. It is a great collaboration between real life partners.  

Someone asked me in High Point where she can get this book. It was published in 1978 by JAR Publishers, my recent search results led me to 3 sites: Ebay, Amazon, Alibris. You can find more information about Edna Hibel's works here.

I added a splash of pink to our grey and orange vignette in High Point to celebrate breast cancer awareness last month. My late grandmother and aunt are both survivors so the cause is personally dear to me. I also wrote about it last year when I dedicated a post to a good friend and mentor who is continuing to fight it bravely. I made this for her from Subversive Cross Stitch. Thinking pink is not only for October but all year round and I've scheduled my mammogram for next month. 

I dried some roses to layer the sweet-subversive look.

Sometimes, niceties just don't cut it. 

My friends at Irwin Feld Design had a Fall celebration to support the cause and custom made this glamacious bench. It is available for purchase at $1800 with all proceeds going to Komen Connecticut. A perfect multitasking accent piece that will inject mid century modern style into your home. Please contact them for details. 

It's no secret that I love to shop and gift shopping is an all year round affair wherever my travels or online jaunts take me for special and just because occasions. I have a long list of loved ones and personalities to pick for and I try to be original and thoughtful. It's a big plus when it's for a cause. Perhaps my most eco friendly and stylish find for bags is Sally Ferebee's SewFew line.  I love how each bag complements the different personalities in my book. Light and great for travel, it immediately adds a punch to a cocktail dress or basic t-jeans-heels outfit. It is the whimsical and original find amongst your row of ubiquitous IT bags. If you live in or near Greenville, SC ,there is a holiday bazaar going on right now. Participating artists are giving 10% of proceeds to favorite charities. 

Textiles. Reincarnated.

 SewFew transforms fabulous fabric remnants and scraps 

into sassy purses, zipper pouches and smart sacks. 

Chic, striking and accented with vintage 

brooches and embellishments, 

All are truly one-of-a-kind... 

just like the fashion-forward ladies who carry them.

I attempted to style the bags at her home
 on my last visit and took these photos.
Bags are instantly snatched so 
please contact her for the latest creations.

"It all started with two simple observations: I saw too many beautiful fabric samples and swatches being thrown in the trash... and I saw too many ladies carrying mediocre handbags. Appalling, right? SewFew was born as a solution to both of those ridiculous situations. Easy on the environment, and easy on the eyes, SewFew bags prove just how sexy eco-friendly style can be." ---- Sally Ferebee