Wardrobe Wednesday: Pattern Mix Match

Ahhhh, Wednesday. It's not only Wednesday but it's the last day of August...the summer is really really coming to an end here. Today I spent the morning at the Barnacle Historic House which is a state park today. The air was thick from the humidity and the mosquitoes were out and the trails were wet. As you can see...I was not really dressed for the occasion, in my dress from Pink Chicken and sandals from J.Crew's spring collection 2008.
Now one thing to look at is I did some mix and matching of patterns today. I normally don't do this, but I really liked pairing my gingham with a fun martini print from Vineyard Vines.
Anyhow--- today Mr. cSd is hooking up my new printer so I can start scanning and printing pieces. I'm really looking forward to having that up and running.
Well, I hope you are having a nice week so far. I'm looking forward not only to the long weekend, but college football season kicking off on Saturday!!! YAY!!!

Buttons

Buttons are so pretty aren't they? They can be simple or complex...they can literally hold things together or figuratively. Pinterest Tree Find

My Family Tree c.2002

When I first started working in museums I would often spend my weekends out in the community working the museum booth with some sort of art activity at whatever festival or event we were there for. Most events would have peaks and lulls...and during the lulls I would make my own "sample" of the art project.

Sometime in the year 2001...maybe 2002 I made this family tree for myself. I had come up with the craft project for the museum for a family festival. It was fun and simple... take yarn for trunk and buttons to represent the people.

Then, recently while on Pinterest I found the image of a button tree! I decided to add it to one of my boards as it reminded me of my tree. I think its time I update my family tree...lots of changes have occurred since 2002! I really think these are pretty and on canvas would look gorgeous...happy to make one for you and your sweet family.

Chevron Colors

Have I mentioned how much I love a good chevron pattern? I do. One of my very fashion conscience "cousins" has two adorable babies and has asked me to do something for their nursery. Her son is 17 months old and her daughter is nearly 5 months old...and they share a room.

This is going to be my inspiration for their monograms... I think if I slightly change the colors for each of them so they are unique yet complimentary it will look nice in the same space. After all, isn't that what sibling are like? Unique yet complimentary of each other (I wouldn't know)?

Sorry I Missed Thursday Threads...Read and Find Out Why

Last night was quite the adventure at our casa. I promise you will laugh...and if you have kids...you will feel my pain...our pain. Just visit The Florida Room today and read all about what we were up to!

Wednesday Wardrobe: Turqouise and Silver

It's here, the school year. Remember when school started AFTER labor day? ...yeah well not anymore. School started and that means traffic is back, school zones in the morning are back and soon at work, our "summer dress code" will go away and we'll be back to business. Everyone is slowly coming back from vacation and talking about what they did where...but not me. This year my "What I Did Over the Summer" essay would go a little something like this...
I worked, spent time with my baby and painted. A lot! The summer may be over for some...but for Mother Nature in Miami...it is far from being over. So today I am wearing a very summer palette...turquoise and silver. I figure as long as the temperature is over 95, the humidity is over 90% and there are hurricanes churning off the coast...it's summer!

Post-It Note Art

Sometimes inspiration hits you...and all you have around are mini post-it notes (I blame Pinterest!) and ballpoint pens.

Wouldn't these be great paintings?

Happy Tuesday!

Pinterest (*swoon)

So I finally did it. I joined Pinterest and oh my! It's amazing! Really and truly ...I have been a user of Tumblr for 2 years now---but this takes that to another level. Here I can organize my images into groups so I can not only categorize...but I can actually find! Pinterest is like Tumblr's older and more responsible sister. One of my boards is called, Potential Paintings. Here is an image from that board...I saw this and thought to myself, that is a magnificent way of incorporating a monogram into a design! I love it. I am enjoying adding bits and pieces to all my boards. If you are on Pinterest, feel free to
follow me--- or just take a look at the boards I'm curating.

Happy Monday!

XOXO

Thursday Threads: Scarves

I love a good scarf (I'm wearing one today). Here's the thing about a scarf...
1. They keep you snug as a bug
2. They can make a plain ensemble POP!
3. They are easy to throw on
4. You can wear them in so many ways
5. Regardless of what your waist is doing--- a scarf (like shoes, bags and jewels) is always there for you!

Here are some great ones I found recently...

This tie-dye infinity boho number is at Old Navy! ...and on SALE! ...who can beat that? I love leopard...it took about 25 years, but I got there and have not looked back. I am going to HAVE to pick this scarf up from Old Navy! Yes...I said OLD NAVY again!

Warning...I do NOT know where these last two scarves came from...I was randomly looking for "pom pom scarves" and found these. Aren't they pretty? I love a pom pom detail on a scarf...makes me happy. That's why I am wearing one today. The rest of my outfit is frump-city...but my scarf is fab! Reason 689 to wear a scarf...it makes a frumpy ensemble look "put together".

I decided to depict my ensemble...so you can see for yourself...that frizzy humid hair and all...a scarf is a lovely bandage!

Wardrobe Wednesday: Shades of Blue

Good Wednesday! I hope you are having a lovely week...it is hot and steamy in Miami--but no hurricanes for us (in more ways than one-ba-dum-ching) and that is a good thing!
Anyhow, here is today's Wednesday Wardrobe. A lot of blue with a splash of yellow. I knew I was going to be doing teacher trainings all day today, in a hotel...which means one thing...cold! Hence the pants and cardigan.

I'm having a sale of paintings from last fall's show at Books and Books in Coral Gables. To see what is available visit my Facebook Page.You will see in the Books and Books album that there are paintings marked as "Available and on SALE". Drop me a line and I will give you the details. ALSO...if you have not already, go ahead and "LIKE" the page!

XOXO

Bon Fete

It is hard to believe but in 3 short months babykins will be 1! Amazing. So...the anal planner in me is thinking party themes (notice one of my Pinterest boards). I have been a fan of bunting for a while, even thought about putting some sweet bunting in babykins' room...and now with her party in the not so distant future...I am thinking of bunting, pastel color schemes and pom poms. That is where the inspiration for this drawing came. I'm thinking it could be a fun painting for any space. What do you think?
...now I ask you...pom poms, bunting and or pinwheels?

Hoot Hoot Owl

Greetings and happy Monday! I hope you had a nice weekend. I had quite a productive weekend myself. When babykins wasn't crawling or pulling herself up in my direction, I was sketching a lot. This owl is one of my favorite additions to my sketchbook. I'm sketching a lot because I had the grand idea of asking a few of my "artist museum friends" if they would be interested in going in on a show together. So far everyone I have asked has said yes...but it seems like everyone is busy and we'll need about a year to get this together.

I have never been one to really "theme" out a show (hence my double theme last year). So I am going to start drawing and painting and see what kind of common theme I find. Let me know if you have any suggestions, I am open to them!

Emma C'est Fini

Last night I finished Emma's E. I made the "E" rose metallic, and I think it will look nice next to her sister's "M". Now to ship it to its new home in Virginia! Hope Emma and the family enjoy the painting.

Thursday Threads: Minor Details

Minor details...sometimes that is all that it takes to take something from pretty to stunning. From plain to extraordinary. Details. They are all around you--- and you should always pay attention.
Here are two items which I would gladly add to my repertoire just for the small details they have. This watch is another fabulous collaboration between Timex and J.Crew. Here 's the kicker...the detail I am in love with on this piece, the date! It's what these watches have been missing. I love having the date on my watches. Here another lovely piece. Kate Spade designed this beautiful clutch which looks like a copy of Pride and Prejudice. First of all this is one of the greatest novels of all time---so how lovely is it that you can take it with you anywhere while you look lovely sipping on a cocktail at a fete?!

These are my picks for Thursday Threads this week. The little details that make you stand out.

Wednesday Wardrobe: Hot Summer Days

Happy Hump Day! It was hot (about 94 degrees) and swampy (about 100000% humidity). Gross! However I went to lunch with a new friend from the Miami Art Museum...so I wanted to be dressed for where ever lunch and our appetites may take us. Above you will see my ensemble for this VERY rainy day.

You'll notice that all 3 of my MAM ribbons have fallen off! This means that my wishes are suppose to come true (yay). I am also still wearing my locket...which I made...and have gotten so many compliments on that I am officially making them. So, if you want to wear someone you love in a beautiful sterling silver glass locket-- let me know! The size I wear is a 1.5" oval on a 32" sterling silver chain, but I can make them smaller in an oval, square or heart in 1" size. All you have to do is send me the digital image you want. The one I wear is $60, the smaller one is $50 and I will ship!

Henry's Whale

You may remember about a month ago I painted a whale in a new size (Biggest). The baby's name was always hidden because mom and dad had not gone public with it. Henry is now not only a public name...but he's made his appearance in person!
Here is a look at Henry's Whale. Isn't this such a sweet nursery? Thanks to mom and dad for the opportunity to make something special for their sweet baby boy.

If you are interested in commissioning something special for your home, visit my website for more information. Also if you are on Facebook don't forget to visit the new page and LIKE! :)

Round Here We Stay Up Very Very Late

A month ago one of my dearest friends, T had a sweet baby girl. Instead of doing a nursery letter, I decided to do something relating to her room. I showed the initial pen sketch to T and she loved it (although papa owl apparently thought his beak was too big). Anyhow--- this week I will begin putting this on canvas as I word on E's painting too (you may remember from my previous post).
Anyhow--- what do you think of the owl family?

E is for Emma

My cousin F had her 3rd baby a month after babykins was born. Sweet Emma is such a doll and recently moved to Virginia (along with the rest of the family naturally). Anyhow... F wanted me to paint a nursery letter for Emma.
Here is the sketch of what I already have going on canvas. I am going to finish this up in the next couple of days and send it on its merry little way.

It's always such a pleasure to do things like this. I like to think that the children will keep their letters, monograms & or names that I paint for them their entire lives. If you have someone special that you would like me to paint something for...just let me know. I'm taking commissions.

The Art of Food

This week I had the pleasure of attending a dinner party. It wasn't an ordinary dinner party---this is the kind of dinner party you dream about as a child...the kind in movies...with multiple wine glasses, forks and knives lined up on either side of gorgeous plates... the kind with hors d'oeuvres and champagne before the meal is served. The kind with white gloves and piano music. You know?

It was remarkable...the house is owned by one of my dear friends, an architect/preservationist--- but it is currently inhabited by a lovely couple Rafa and Gaby. You could say Gaby is a chef...but really what she is, is an artist. You wouldn't know it by looking at her petite body and shy demeanor...but this woman can make your pallet sing. Her partner, Gretha is a fiery blonde who takes smoke breaks off of the kitchen and engages the guests in conversation about playing guitar. Both of them are Venezuelan and have opened up a catering shop in Midtown Miami called, The Copper Box. They say the name comes from two sources, 1. The building they are in looks like a copper box 2. Gretha told me that Gaby's grandmother use to keep her spices in little copper boxes in her kitchen. They are just starting out---but that's just in Miami. In Venezuela they had a following catering intimate dinners and lavish parties. I wish them success, because the food, the presentation, the details were remarkable and unlike anything I have experienced in many many years. 5 courses and 2 bottles of wine later, I fell in love.

So cheers! To a great weekend and to great food!

Thursday Threads: India Imports Edition

So I have a secret. India Imports. ...India Imports is one of my happy places. A great little oasis of colorful tunics, colorful pompom scarves, countless numbers of Indian sandals, rows of sparkling bracelets and earrings galore...it makes me smile. I have been going treasure hunting there for about 3 years now---and nearly every time I walk in, I walk out with something spectacular, that not only doesn't break the bank--- but I know no one else will have.

The best part of India Imports, are the owners, Vikas and Alka. I adore them...they are so sweet, so attentive and really pay attention to the details. Alka is even my friend on Facebook!

So, if you want to add some POP to your wardrobe...or you want to gift something special and unique...go visit India Imports! Tell them I sent you.

Wednesday Wardrobe & WINNER Annouced

It's Wednesday! That means it's Wednesday Wardrobe...and I'm announcing the winner of the "What I Wore Today" personalized watercolor. First off...this is what I wore today. As you might notice, one of my three ribbons I put on just yesterday already fell off! It happened last night, "I wish for many happy birthdays for my daughter" slipped off my wrist while changing. You might also notice that I am wearing the bee earrings I was hunting! Hooray I found them!

...now drrrrrrrrrrrum rolllllllllll please! (sound the horns) (cue the lights).... and the winner is...
YEAH! So excited for this! Kristin from Bon Bon Rose Girls
Congratulations! Email with the picture you want me to work from, the list of items (if you want them listed) and address for mailing.

XOXO

I Wish I Wish I Wish...

The premise behind artist, Rivane Neuenschwander's I Wish Your Wish installation is that you write a wish down on a piece of paper (don't share), roll it up and go find a my wish on a ribbon you like. Take that ribbon and replace it with your written wish. You then take that ribbon and tie it with 3 knots on your wrist--- do not take the ribbon off...it must fall off in order to come true.


I took 3 ribbons...

1. I wish my daughter many happy birthdays
2. I wish for health, wealth and happiness for my family
3. I wish to be skinny

Ok so 2 out of 3 are lovely and the other is more for fun... there was one that said something like, " I wish I was the captain of a pirate ship that flies in the sky"... maybe I'll go back for that one.

So if you are in Miami--- stop by the Miami Art Museum to make a wish (or 2...or 6) for yourself.

M is for Michael: Final

Baby M's ...M was delivered today. His mom, one of my BFFs from college and a sorority sister is in South Florida visiting her family. So this morning, babykins and I headed north to see our Texan friends. We arrived and played and played and played in the "green room". It was a lot of fun having our kids together, playing together. "Aunt Ceci" and "Auntie K"...big difference from Ceci and Mo ;) .

Well, the "M" arrived and was welcomed warmly. It was also called "perfect" by Auntie K. I'm so glad!! Now the "M" will travel west to Dallas and find its rightful home in Baby M's room. Big hugs, kisses and all my love to the G family! I can't wait to see Auntie K next month at Singleton in the Kitchen's wedding!!