The Crosby Street

I have fallen in love with The Crosby Street Inn, in NYC.  Kit Kemp the designer, owner, hotelier has the best job ever.  She basically gets to shop for the most fun fabrics and pieces of art for her hotels.  Dream job!  Her use of color, texture and modern art is just perfect.  My favorite thing was the art, this, Jaume Piensa steal head sculpture just blows me away.  I saw him at Art Basel the year we went and when I walked in the hotel and saw that he now lived in the lobby I was so excited.  If you look at him up close he is actually all the letters of the alphabet soldered together to form this gigantic human head! People are so talented. 

 

I am taking Jay to New York this weekend, we are leaving today.  I am so excited to take him to the city.  It is all about him but we will have to make one pit stop at Barneys to look at all the new Balenciaga Bags.  I wonder what color I will fall in love with this time.  Even if  I can just look at them, well I might have to touch one or two too.  The leather is as soft as a velvet.  If I splurge I will let you know but FAO Schwartz is way more important this weekend!!!!  TOYS, yippie! 
 

Now have you ever seen anything more couture than a San Pellegrino bottle wearing a Missoni dress.  Not me!  I told my family no one is allowed to drink this bottle.  I like its style..........
 

 I finally broke down and bought this Nanette Lapore Maxi Dress after having a picture of it on my desk for my weeks.  I had to track down my size because I waited so long to order it, but I found it!  I still have not worn it, I don't know what I am waiting for.  I guess I just need a fun place to go.  Maybe I will take it to NYC or I suppose I could wear it to work.  What do you think?

 "Strawberry Margarita", perfect for summer.........pink finally, love me some pink.....so does Ms. Lily

Whatever designer at Toms Shoes came up with this wedge is brilliant.  I actually have them in black too, but the seersucker and the grey have been my favorites.  This is just a great all around shoe for work and play.  They take a day or two to break in and I have worn the sole off from over wear, but they are a small investment and worth every penny.   

The best book I have read in a long time.  I am going to start reading it again soon and I just finished it a few months ago.  I am so glad this love story has been told.  If you like art, NYC, rock and roll, famous people and love stories, well then this is a must read.  I finished it on a plane flying into the big city and the timing was perfect for the trip.  There is so much in site on NYC in the 70's, I really learned a lot.  The story of  how these two people lived in this crazy art world, well I just could not put it down. You have to read "Just Kids" by Patty Smith. 

"Writing is not some quiet, closet act."
— Patti Smith

Robert Mapplethorp (photographer and artist) and Patty Smith (poet, artist, rock star!)

"I have loved books my whole life.  There is nothing more beautiful in our material world than the book" --Patty Smith

One of the reasons I am telling you about the Crosby Street this week is because I am taking Jay to NYC this weekend.  We are staying at a different hotel, The Ace, but I compare everything to the Crosby Street.  I have never stayed at the Ace, but it is supposed to be the hot new place.  I will let you know what we think.

Since it is all about Jay this weekend, well and a little about mommy, I though I would show you all a fun picture of his room.....It is a really fun space.  I think he likes his room.

 

"Who can know the heart of youth but youth itself?"
— Patti Smith (Just Kids) 

See you when we get back from the Big Apple......Jenny

Serenity Now........Please

 I am about to start an install for a client and as of today the house is not finished being built!  It will all be ok but they are having a party on July 4th and have invited people stay in all of the bedrooms.  Yikes.  Will it really be ok.  Someone, please tell me!

This hangs in my office.  No day is the same for me and there are times (like right now) that I really wonder if I can pull it all off professionally.  Women try to do so much and right now I am having to take deep breaths to get through it all.  Sometimes when I look at my babies I just think I should give it all up.   But, I am glad they see me get up every day and go out to do something I really do love.  I just try not to let them see me stressed or frustrated.  My husband and I have a policy called "Leave it in the Car".  This means that if you have had a bad or crazy day, once you get home it is all about the kids and no bad moods!  

I found this old French iron ships wheel and my clients flipped out about it.  They like architectural details and this wheel has such pretty lines and is really interesting.  So, we just had to figure out something to do with it.  We discussed a table and some other things, but we decided to make it into a light fixture to go over their kitchen island at in the new beach house.  My lighting girl has made it into a light fixture, but I have not seen it yet.  It weighs almost 100 lbs so I am totally freaked about hanging it.  We put extra blocking in the ceiling and I have to get it hung before she gets into town!  I don't think I can have her standing there watching us hang it!  She will be biting her nails, as will I.  Once it is up, I will show you guys how WONDERFUL it turned out.  Prayers would be helpful here! 

Here are some fabrics that we are using in the beach house.  Some are for pillows, some for headboards and some for window treatments.  You have to guess what is what today, but I will certainly take pictures when it is all pulled together!  

I found these blue suzani pillows at one of my favorite local antique stores, 17 South Antiques. I see suzani's all the time but I have never seen all blue.  Usually they are such warm colors, so to find these cool blues was perfect for the beach house!  I love old suzani textiles so I am excited get to throw these into the mix. 

Well the blue toes this week are called "Ogre the Top Blue".  They are Ogre the top alright!  But they work so well with all my client's blue I went for it!  It is not the exact blue but it really was the best one they had.  I thought I would only keep the color for a couple of days but I am actually starting to like it.  It adds so much life to one of my favorite pairs of shoes, these camel colored "Coclico's".  These shoes go with everything. 

 More fabrics for you to guess where they are going.  I will give you a hint though, the blue and red paisley linen fabric is two roman shades and one cafe shade in the kitchen.  I was trying to decide on the butlers pantry / laundry room form the other guys.  They are all great but we could only choose one. 

"I try to take one day at a time but sometimes several days attack me at once"--Jennifer Yane

I found these blue and white batik pillows at furniture maket and they were one of my favorite finds.  Then I came across these graphic batik throws and am going to make this one into pillows.  These batik patterns have a very relaxed feel and work great for the beach.

I do not really care for mass produced accessories.  I have always enjoyed looking for one of a kind finds.  These will be making it out to the house soon, which is sad because they look go good in my office.  Ahhhh, guess I will just keep exploring for more, which is fine with me since I love to shop!

Now I know everything is going to be fine and turn out great, I really always have worked better under pressure.  I am more excited than anything, well except I am a little nervous about hanging that light!

"The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire day on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it" --unknown

My Mother's Garden is..........Magical

 I don't know all the names of these Roses, but together they remind me of a candy dish at my grandmother's house.  There is nothing like going to visit the house you grew up in and the grounds at my parents house in Charlotte, NC remind me of a childhood fairy tale.  The kids can get lost in the overgrown jasmine and then find secret hiding places in the box woods.  Such wonder to children, can't you remember when everything seemed so large.  A secret hiding place was where you could keep your favorite treasures, use your imagination and just be a child.  It becomes hard to have a secret hiding place when you're a mommy.  Or maybe we want to be found.......well????.........most of the time.  Hee Hee

Oh and she grows my favorite peonies too!

The prize is getting to enjoy the flowers once they have been arranged.  Selecting them each for there color and design.  In the end they still look so good all together, you almost hate to split them up.  

Besides all of the color there are so many different textures here.  The mix of iron, brick, stone and bronze are softened by the plants that flourish around them.  All these elements plus water create softness and depth.  It is such a relaxing place.   

My mom has this little girl statue in the garden and she says it reminds her of me.  I am an only child so.....well, there you go.  Now that little girl reminds me of my little girl.  And since I did not have time to get a toe nail polish change (I promise I will be back on track next week), I will tell you about Lily's favorite shoes!  The T-Strap jellies from Gap Kids have been such a hit for us this summer.  You can tell we like them because we have a pink and a green pair.  They are just the cutest and go with everything.  I wish they made them in my size.  So 80's!

Since we are talking about moms, I got in trouble by Lily's teacher during her mother's day party.  She read Lily's gift note to the class and this is what it said.  Surely it was the Popsicle part that I got called out on, right?  Oopsy busted.  Aw, my little girl loves her paci and  to me it still makes her my little baby.  Don't grow up to fast.........

  The sun room is my favorite room in my parents' house.  It really does bring the outside in.  We recovered her chairs in this awesome Raoul textiles fabric and then did these great painted floors.  The room is fresh and bright, it might be my favorite place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee, in all of the world!.....and that is saying a lot, since I love my quiet coffee - moment in time thing......like all the rest of you mommies......

Since we are talking about mom's house, I will give you a sneak peak at the kids' bedroom in her house in Charleston.  I just had these pillows made for her for both twin beds.  The red and white wacky chevron pattern bolster pillow will go at the foot of both beds.  We have just started this playful room but as soon as we finish, I will let you know......I think the roman shade is supposed to be installed this week....and the paint, well we are working on that.

And I just have to show this photo of Jay feeding Oreo, in my parent's yard here in Charleston.  This rabbit has shown up in her yard and we named him Oreo.  I have a feeling she will be living in our yard soon.  She is the sweetest little gal and just precious.  I don't know if I am ready for a pet yet but someone from up above has seemed to land Oreo right in our lap.  I will keep you posted on his where abouts and new digs.  Any advice on pet rabbits?

"Mama was the greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness.  If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is the sweet flower of love" ---Stevie Wonder

Can it be?  Pop Art, here on Sullivans Island?  What!

 

This is me and my new friend "Standing Bull".  He is an Andy Warhol that just happens to be living about 5 minutes from my house, right now!  This is the coolest.  Some friends own the Everett White Gallery on Sullivan's Island, and  they have acquired this show of Pop Art which will be here for the next few months.  It is really fun and exciting to have this caliber of art right in my backyard.  I was lucky enough to be able to get a personal tour from Issa Ababseh, curator at Hamilton Selway Fine Art in LA.  He walked us through, told us about each artist and how his gallery acquired the pieces.  We learned about different printing processes and why some pieces were more valuable than others.  When I go to LA in the fall, he said I could come visit the gallery and see everything.  YESSSS!  Maybe Justin Timberlake will be there when I am.  Issa has sold pieces to celebs like him and Janet Jackson.  If so, I promise I will get his autograph for you all to see.  

 On a serious note, if you are in the area you have to come see this show.  It really is a special treat to have something like this in Charleston.  

One of my favorites in the gallery right now is "Vivian" by Alex Katz. She really looks like a Vivian doesn't she? My mother has a thing about ladies in hats, and this hat sure does make a statement.  The black against that yellow and the sunglasses---she really is as cool as ice.  I wonder where she got that hat?  Love.  

Since we are talking about Warhol, who was one of the most celebrated artists of his time, I have to bring up Shepard Fairey.  He actually grew up with my husband and sister-in-law here in Charleston,  and I have heard people say that he is the Andy Warhol of today.  It is hard to realize, in the present, exactly what a statement like that means.  Shepard is most famous for the Obama "Hope" poster, but started out with the "Obey Giant" sticker.  He is also known for painting graffiti all over the country.  He did the above installation in Charleston at an art studio and event space called Eye Level Art.  We were also able to see a large installation of his at Art Basel which was lit up at night, making it quite impressive.   

 I just finished reading Steve Martin's novel,  AN OBJECT OF BEAUTY.  It is really good if you are interested in  learning about the New York art scene.  Andy Warhol's controversial "Flowers #65" is on display in the Everett White Gallery.  The "Flowers #65" print has significant meaning in the book, so it was really cool to see it in person. And yes, the author is Steve Martin, the comedian.  He is actually quite a talented writer. 

Takashi Murakami became famous for this Louis Vuitton design that was popular a few years back. Upon seeing Murakami's, "Flowerball 3-D", it was obvious which Louis V bag he had designed. I would love to be able to purchase one of his art pieces for Lily's room.  They are so quirky, colorful and fun.  Makes me smile!  

Since we are on the subject of Sullivan's Island, I thought I would show you some of my favorite homes on the Island. Although there are many different types of architecture on Sullivan's, there is still a relaxed island feel.  This first home has a Victorian flair and  is just so darn sweet!  I could actually see it in the Bahamas.  The round porches and decorative railing give this house such character.  The  next photo shows the classic "old school" beach cottage.  The topography of Sullivan's Island allows for many of these houses to be hidden by fauna and flora. You really have to get on a bike or go for a walk to see everything.  I am still discovering new houses out there.  Some, like this 2nd one, are nice and tucked away, creating a little "bohemian wonderland". 

This house was built a few years ago, and it could truly be in "Dwell" magazine  Because of its modern design, the house is different from the typical beach cottage you see on the Island  The house is warm and has some really interesting details such as a stained grid pattern plywood ceiling.  It is nice to see people doing things a little differently, and wow if you could see their view! We are convinced it is the nicest on the beach. 

This Sullivan's Island home is my artist friend's, Anne Darby Parker.  The street she lives on is my favorite street in the Charleston area, Officers Row.  This was where the Officers lived during the Civil War..  There are 6 or so houses that all look exactly alike except for modern updates and paint changes.  They are gorgeous old homes, as you can see by looking here at Anne's.  There is so much history in Charleston, and I have the most respect for people who take on these historic properties and maintain them. 

Now, I would be perfectly happy right here.  Love the classic beach house for me.  Maybe one day..........

 Every girl needs a pair of red shoes.  What a party on your feet!  Anyone stepping out in red shoes is feeling sassy.  And what goes better with red than purple.  Purple and red are one of my favorite color combinations.  After I got the red "Paul Green's",  I just had to have purple toes.  This color combination is so majestic and rich.  I feel like a queen.  The purple toes are a little crazy, but they are keeping life interesting for the week.  The color, "A Grape Fit",  also looks really nice with Warhol's "Cow 1976".  He actually drew this cow for his mom and ended up turning it into wallpaper.  I believe Issa told us he wallpapered his mothers entire kitchen in this paper.  Now that would make you drink your milk!

And yes I splurged this week and bought some flowers from the Farmers Market.  There is just so much color in this week's post that they go perfectly.  It is not too much of a splurge. Just $8 and we are supporting local farmers.  These flowers are so wild and unpredictable.  Each bouquet is different every week, but hydrangeas out of the yard next week!

 

 Oh and Joe informed me that I got the "Limie" recipe wrong last week.  So let me try again....

1.  large pot 

2.  1 twelve ounce can Limeade 

3. 12 pack Sprite Zero 

4.  24 ounces of Mount Gay Rum

5.  3 drops of green food coloring

6.  Stir very well

Freeze over night and chip away at the ice with a large spoon.  Tasty!

Did I get it right this time honey??

One last piece from the show, "Love #12, From the Book", by Robert Indiana.  There is that word again shown here in such bold color.  I think I could do a whole post on how the word "Love" is used artistically.  Oooh, that could be a good one for the week of Valentines!  Anyway, love to all---have a great weekend, J

Art is what you can get away with - Andy Warhol

professional photos courtesy of Then Now Later On and unprofessional by Jenny