801

In January of 1997 I got my first pair of New Balance. It was a pair of the
801 trail runner. Comfortable and popular, I adored these shoes.
I wore them A LOT...my poor 801's got worn down to the core and
were eventually replaced...
To this day I run in New Balance shoes...and today for the first time in a month I ran 2 miles. I'm tired...but I feel great.

So here's a tip of the hat to my first pair of New Balance, I hope shoe heaven is treating you well.

Books...

I saw this image and it made me smile. I currently have a stack of 15 books at my desk at work. I bought them all at the Miami Dade County Public Library's Annual Book Sale...they cost a grand total of $6! My books range in titles from old favorites like "The Prophet" to new friends yet to be discovered such as, "Life of Pi" and "Wicked"...at home I have another stack of about 20 from last year...

I love books...and I am making an early New Year's resolution to read every night like I use to. Just a chapter or two a night...some quiet time with friends.

Books...

Really can't live without them...and wouldn't want to try to.

Wait a Minute Mr. Postman

Wait, oh wait, wait a minute Mr. Postman...waiiiiiiit Mr. Postman!

I love interesting design, and I thought this bag by Kate Spade is genius! Isn't it lovely?!

It's like my pen that looks like a pencil...and the one I have that looks like a red crayon...genius!

To me, life is about surrounding yourself with interesting objects that speak to you.

So kudos Mrs. Spade...I now covet this bag of yours...

Cocktail Rings

I feel like this week is going to be the week of the cocktail rings.

Why?

Well they are pretty, they make a statement...and there are a lot of fun events I am going to with Art Basel and I think I am going to take my collection of cocktail rings for a walk through the art world.

So why are they called cocktail rings? I have two theories...

1. you wear them to cocktail parties

2. when you wear them and drink a cocktail, you show them off...

it's more than likely a combination of the two...

So here's to the week of the cocktail ring...I'll be wearin' 'em...what fun!

for love of the station wagon...

So most people say, "One day I'm going to get that Porshe" ...but I'm not one of those people. My past two cars have been station wagons...and I love them. I adore the station wagon. It's roomy...but small all at the same time. They are efficient and effective...really they are wonderful all in all.
So my dream car is a Volvo station wagon. That's all I want. ...I'd like it in blue or green...and in it I will lug around all the important things in life...family, friends, dogs and groceries.

A cold day at the beach...

This morning it was 57 degrees outside. Now...I know that to my friends to the north, 57 is a nice spring day...but to those of us in Miami, 57 is cold.

Now don't get me wrong. I am NOT one of those woosey Miami residents who can't stand cold weather...I LOVE IT! I love "natural" A/C! I smile all day when I know it's cool out...I feel better, I want to be outside enjoying it, I love to feel the wind snap at my face.

I also love the things that come with a cold snap...hot cocoa, sweaters and scarves...and your occassional fire in the fireplace. Fantastic!

So cheers to the next 2 days which will bring us a nice cool change. I wish it would stay like this...but alas we live in the sunshine state.

...beggars can't be choosers.

You, Me and Barcelona Baby!

Gorgeous isn't it? Don't you just want to sit in it and pet it?

...I do. I love the Barcelona chair. The thought of it makes me happy.

Here it is side by side with the ottomans over there...

...just take it in...lovely!

Horizon

I see it as the sun rising...hope...a new start.

I am loving this image at right now.

I hope you love it!

Don't foget to vote for a Change We Can Believe In!

La playa

How I love the beach. How I love to walk up it and feel the sand underneath my feet, between my toes...and eventually everywhere. How I love to feel the sun on my skin and a breeze on my face. How I love to jump in the water and look back onto the sand...then look out onto the horizon...

How I love to get out of the water and eventually feel the salt on my skin...

...and then...when you leave, you smell like sunblock and salt...and if you wanted to, the sun has kissed your body and you glow.

Olympaholic

So every 4 years I turn into an Olympaholic...technically every 2 (since they split up summer and winter game years)...

so for the next two weeks, I will be watching the Olympics non-stop. I don't really care what the sport is, I'll be watching.

I do have my favorites...rowing, swimming, diving, soccer, gymnastics....then random fun ones like badminton, beach volleyball, equestrian sports...track and field is cool...who are we kidding I enjoy watching it all!

so...kudos to all sports, from the ones shown in primetime...to the ones shown at 1:00am!

Chandeliers in Unexpected Places

I love the look of chandeliers in unexpected places. I love how they make any space luxurious, fabulous and to die for...

These are some of my favorite unexpected places...

One of my best friend's lived in NYC until fairly recently. Her apartment was everything I would want and more. A small stylish flat with a view of the Chrysler Building. In her Missoni filled room was a chandelier. It just gave that room the most warm and welcoming glow. Above there is a picture of the space.

Another great unexpected place is a small brewery/restaurant in Coral Gables called, Titanic. In the main dining room a navy blue ceiling is the backdrop for a lovely chandelier.

And finally my most recent addition came as early as this past Friday, at a place called, Bin No. 18. There are several chandeliers in the small galley restaurant lounge. They give this charming space a lovely glow. The two other pictures are of chandeliers at Bin No. 18.

...one day I'd like to have a chandelier in my closet...see then it wouldn't be a closet, it's be a dressing room. Fantastic!

Oh Soy Steamer...Why do I love you so?

An ode to soy:

Although I know

you don't have teets

your milk is warm and sweet

and with a shot of hazelnut

you always hit the spot

I love you soy steamer

you've made me a believer

Summer Rain

The summer rains have started to fall. The days are predictable, hot and steamy in the morning with dark clouds starting to roll in after noon...then at around 2:00pm the skies open and close...and open and close...and open and close.

I love the summer rain.

Naufragada

A few years ago, I wasn't happy with my job. I felt like I could be doing so much more...that I could be creative in my work. I wasn't being given that opportunity and I started thinking about all the things I had ever considered doing "when I grew up"...so I started looking at graduate programs. Programs in Architectural History, Art History, Museum Studies, Architecture, Education, Museum Education, Art Education...etc etc etc.

I finally narrowed it down to a few choices, University of Virginia or SCAD for Architectural History...Bank Street College of Education for Museum Education ...or Taliesin / Taliesin West for Architecture.

Last month I was in Scottsdale, AZ visiting with friends. On our last full day in Scottsdale and with half of our group gone...the remaining 3 went to Taliesin West. It was magnificent to get a glimpse into what might have been.

Our guide, a former "apprentice" at Taliesin told us about how first year students live in the desert in a tent. He showed us a picture similar to this one and pointed to these small white tents in the desert. A small slab of concrete...and some wood poles and canvas. He told us how on your first night you start to think like an architect because you immediately tried to figure out ways to make your living space more comfortable. The next day new students start working on improvements to their homes in the desert.

So I thought about it. Mine would have turned my tent into a sailboat. I would have painted the canvas like the sails of a boat, and made the interior feel like we were on a boat near a beach. I appropriately would have called my home, "Naufragada"...after all what else would you call a Latin beach girl living in the middle of the desert?

...here's to you "Naufragada"...my little home in the desert that never was.

RIP Bobby 1925-2008

Oh Robert...Bobby Bobby Bobby...how do I love thee, let me count the ways.

I loved you for "monogram" and the way you made that animal look at me with a tire around it's body.

I loved you for creepy birds who stare at me...I loved you for beds and silk screens of JFK....I loved you for shinny things, torn things and splattered things.

I am so happy I had you in my life. The way you greeted me through a slide projector in a dark room. The way you smiled when I walked into your gallery. Not too many have made me feel so special.

You'll be missed my darling Bobby.

Dearest Jane

Dearest Jane,

I wish I could dawn lovely dresses and gowns like those worn by your heroines.

I wish I could spend my days in the country, leisurely reading, drawing, touring homes, spending time with my friends...waiting for Mr. Darcy or Captain Wentworth to pay me a visit.

Oh dear Jane.

Covet

Covet:
1.
to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others: to covet another's property.
2.
to wish for, esp. eagerly: He won the prize they all coveted.

...i covet these...anyone wanna buy me these Kate Spade's? I've been a really good girl.

Maybe baby someday...

Monticello as most of you may know is the home of President Thomas Jefferson. President Jefferson was a renaissance man with great vision. He also had a sister, and she had kids, and they had kids, and they had kids, and they had kids...and from that batch came my father-in-law. So President Jefferson (or as I like to call him, TJ...Uncle TJ...Great-Grand Daddy) is a direct relative.

This summer while visiting the family summer home, we went to see Monticello. Just a short walk away from the main house is the family cemetary...and maybe baby someday we'll be burried there too! We've already picked our corner.

This picture was taken on our visit. As you can plainly see it was a gloomy foggy day, perfect for graveyard plot picking!

Snap the Whip

I've made art my livelyhood. The study of it, educating others on it, appreciating it, writting about it...and occassionally making my own.

A few years ago a friend of mine showed me a framed picture of her infront of one of her favorite works of art. It is a picture of Louis in all his regal glory. This inspired me to take pictures of myself infront of works I appreciate.

So here I am. At the MET. In May. 2007.

Snap the Whip

Winslow Homer

1872

Prep

When I was 13, my friend Elisabeth use to call me prep. I was...I am...I always will be. Though I do not restrict myself in the way I dress, deep down inside there is a 13 year old girl, wearing loafers with argyle and headbands...oh wait...that's what I am wearing today...with pearls. Long live the prep. Long live madras, argyle, loafers, monogramming and all good things that come with it...like golf, tennis, croquet...martinis, vodka, gin and wine! Long live names like Anastasia Beaverhausen and boys who are III's, IV's and V's. Toodles Bunny!

xoxo, Anastasia Beaverhausen

Paul McCartney c. 1964

When I was about 16 I discovered the music of the Beatles. Sure I had heard it before, but I listened carefully and it spoke to me. Quickly over the next few months, I collected all the their CD's and even started putting together a book of illustrated Beatles lyrics. This Sunday at the Grammy's the Beatles were celebrated with performances from the Cirque de Soleil show, LOVE and the film, Across the Universe.

Last night, I watched the film Across the Universe and it brought back all the memories those songs have for me. I love them...and I love Paul. He's my favorite Beatle...

So, here's an addition to my "list"...Paul McCartney c.1964 I love you. I still love you today...but in 1964 before the true mania of the Beatles began....yeah....LOVE YOU!

Donald Judd c. 1964 Untitled

In 1998 (I think) I took my first American Art, Art History Class. I quickly learned a couple of things about Donald Judd...

1. the majority of his work is untitled

2. if I guessed c. 1964 on my tests...I would be right about 75% of the time

3. He likes boxes

I soon too loved Donald Judd's boxes...and if I could own a ladder like set of Untitled boxes, I would want them to go in a living room with vaulted ceilings.

Captain Wentworth

Like most girls I adore jane Austen. So I was delighted to hear from my good friend Bonita that "Masterpiece" (previously known as Masterpiece Theatre) was airing the entire Jane Austen BBC collection!

The season kicked-off with Persuasion...and that is when after having read it years ago and falling in love with my mental image of him...that I fell in love with the Brit who took on this fantastic role.

So here's to you Rupert Penry-Jones...or as I call you...Captain Wentworth. You're officially on my "list".