Synchronicity: Africa

Just a quick post today, because I think somehow the collective unconscious is directing me in this...It started with the Toto song "Africa".  I heard it a couple of days ago on TV and decided to add it to my playlist for the gym.  I listened to it a few times, then heard it playing in a store a few hours later.  Then today, a friend on Facebook--who always writes '80's lyrics as his status--wrote the opening lyrics to the song.  A friend of his posted a link to a really amazing A Capella version by a Slovenian chorus group (see below).  I love when that kind of synchronicity happens.

"I know that I must do what's right sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti".  (I always thought it was "rises like a lepress" which I kind of like better :)). Photo.

"I bless the rains down in Africa".  One day I hope these may be my own photos--and that Africa finds some peace and tranquility.  Photo.

Until then, enjoy this great version of Africa by the Slovenian group Perpetuum Jazile.

A Little Art Project: the Fashion Files

One of my favorite blogs I follow, Sea of Shoes, is having an art contest based on the Spring/Summer 2011 runway shows.  I'm sure there are thousands of entries (of which my submissions will probably be lost), but I decided to use that as inspiration to get back into drawing, painting and Photoshopping.

The project was simple--do your own interpretation of your favorite runway looks.  Well, I am a Libra and can never make up my mind--not to mention I was inspired by so many looks--that I chose 4 looks to interpret using different techniques.  I had so much fun!  I just wish I had more time to create all the ideas I got while searching through the beautiful Spring designs.

Designer: K. Aggugini.  I was inspired by the subtle hits of this jaguar print.  I scanned in a sketch I did in marker and then color and shaded her in Photoshop.  I created a jaguar print that I filled in the dress and jaguar--and some hits to the ground.  For the background I used a scanned in image of tea-stained watercolor paper to give it that vintage safari look.
 

Here's what it actually looked like.  Looking at it closely, it's an allover jaguar print that's been dip-dyed.  Gorgeous.

Designer: Dolce & Gabbana.  I loved their all black and all white designs this season so I did one of each.  They always have a sultry Italian Catholic Widow look to their line, that kept the solid blacks and whites from looking too stark. In these next 2 pieces, I wanted to do a positive/negative effect.  For this version I used a monochromatic watered-down acrylic black with hits of gold marker for her necklace, earring, and frame.

Both dressy, and easy, breezy casual.

For the white version from the Dolce & Gabbana line, I wanted to capture the transparency and hits of lace pattern.  This was acrylic, gold marker, and white pencil for the details.

Light and airy.  I would need slightly more coverage.

Designer: Acne.  What inspired me about this look was the stark red on a gray and black runway.  I decided to do a collage.  I painted her in Luma Dyes (black is acrylic), then painted some watercolor paper in ombre shades of gray.  Cut and paste.

I think I even got her walk down.

I think I enjoyed the Luma Dyes the most.  Maybe I'll try finally painting interpretations of the jellyfish I posted previously.

Election Results Special Cocktail: The Drowning Sorrow

It's simple.  Have a seat in a comfortable leather chaise lounge.  Pour yourself a healthy shot of tequila. Sip and repeat.  Listen to Led Zeppelin (even though prop 19 was defeated as well).  Reflect on how good it felt 2 years ago tonight.  Realize there's always next year.  And the next.

At least I voted.

Dia de los Muertos, L.A. Style

In the land of make-believe, nobody does Halloween like L.A. (sorry, NYC, you're a close second).  Sure, there are all the parties and the costume parades, not to mention house decorations taken to the next level.  However, one of the most intriguing and surreal events doesn't actually celebrate Halloween at all, but the day after: Dia de los Muertos in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.  Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1 (also known as All Saints Day) and November 2 (All Souls Day).  It is a traditional Mexican holiday to pray for and remember those who have passed in the previous year.  Family members and loved ones create altars with pictures and sweets and flowers, and anything that is a reminder of them.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery (final resting place to such celebrities as Cecil B. DeMille, Jane Mansfield, Joey Ramone, and Rudolf Valentino), hosts the Dia de los Muertos in L.A.  People set up altars along the walkways and Mexican bands play in multiple areas around the grounds.  There is an art exhibition in the mausoleum and vendors of traditional Mexican food (and Margaritas!).

Most of the photos I took are without flash--to capture the haunting atmosphere and appreciate the lighting and candles.  I didn't have a tri-pod so some of the pictures are blurred.

The altars.

This one was really blurry, but it is the "Rainbow Bridge".  Anybody who has lost a beloved pet has probably heard of this.  There is a picture of a cat in the foreground and at the top of the rainbow are toy kitties.

Trippy.  This was at the entrance to the mausoleum.  The lights kept changing color and it was a slow exposure--I was curious to how it would come out in a photo.

This is part of the art exhibit inside the mausoleum--I love the crypts with names and dates on them.

One of the bands playing in the mausoleum.  The light colors kept changing here too.  I love the person in the middle of the stage--looks like a spirit.

This is an altar and candles floating in a pond outside a different mausoleum.

One of the party costumes.

Speaking of parties...we started the night out with ghoulish cocktails at my friend Sherri's house.  She made a Pomegranate Martini with worms.

And a Classic Martini with eyeballs (radish stuffed with blue cheese and olive).

Of course, it's not a cocktail without a themed cocktail napkin!  Included also, a side of burrata mixed with sun-dried tomatoes.

Happy Halloween!!!  Feliz Dia de los Muertos!

Stylin': 1960's Dashing Panache

If you haven't seen or heard of the gorgeous styling on Mad Men then you probably haven't been on this planet for very long.  The biggest star of the show is the fashion of the early 1960's.  This is the stage of that turbulent decade that brought you the beauty and elegance of Jackie O. and the class and style of Audrey Hepburn along with her exquisite fashions in Breakfast at Tiffany's and Roman Holiday.  It has inspired many a design collection since and made vintage fashion from that era so valuable and timeless.

I was so happy to see this still on AMC's website.  When I saw this scene I thought what perfection!  The color combinations, styling and even their staging led to such a divine composition.

As a fellow red head, I just love how they use fabric colors to compliment her hair.

Jackie O. personifies the fashion of these times.

This is from a story by the Smithsonian Magazine.

A fashion story from the early 60's wouldn't be complete without Audrey Hepburn.  I love the arm bracelet--not to mention her tiny waist!

And of course the ever iconic yet always inspiring image from Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Here is the 1960's outfit I put together: Dress with matching jacket at GumbyGirl, leaf brooch, pearl earrings, pearl handbag, kitten heals, gloves with flower details, and cigarette holder.  All items are early 1960's vintage.  Click on the highlight for links to their websites.

Adult Beverage of the Month (A.B.O.M.): The Classic Bloody Mary

There's nothing like a Bloody for a Sunday afternoon brunch.  Since this is both my birthday month and my anniversary--with plenty of celebrating--I thought this the perfect time to start off with my Bloody series.  There are so many variations of this drink, between the types of liquor to use and the many different combinations of ingredients.  However, I'm starting off here with the Classic.  The measurements are all to your personal taste.

The 2 main ingredients: vodka and tomato juice.  I like to use Stoli's regular, but the lemon or pepper flavored vodkas work as well.

Pour a shot of vodka into a highball glass filled with ice.

Fill glass with tomato juice.

Now come the fun ingredients.

Add a dash each of celery salt, ground black pepper and Tabasco sauce.

Add 2-4 dashes of Worcestershire sauce.

Add 1/8 tsp. pure prepared horseradish.

Squeeze of lime.

Shake it up or stir it lazily.

You can be classic (celery) or creative (shrimp) with your garnishes.  These are some additional ideas. I like to use Tomolives--small green pickled tomatoes.

Cool cocktail napkins always add to your drinking pleasure.

Ahhhh.  Sit back, relax, read a book, or chat with friends.  Enjoy!

 

Led Zeppelin's Thank You

"If the sun refused to shine,

I would still be loving you.

Mountains crumble to the sea,

There would still be you and me."
 

Happy Anniversary, Kato.

 

This song is from their 1969 album Led Zeppelin II--before they made decent music videos.  The live versions on YouTube weren't very good-- but this song is all about the words and music.  So sit back and listen to the most beautiful love song written.