Benito is Neat-o

 

Okay,  I'm going to have to promise myself that this is the last one for a while.  It's just that it was a Benito cover!  AND it's gorgeous. Okay, all done.

Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow....Ruffled Dress

WANT. 

Anguilla, the gorgeous flirty dress, the way he's looking at her....

Unusually Fine Photography

Green Lady Slipper Orchid Painting by Kim Docter

Okay, so the jig is up.  Kim Docter just-so-happens-to-be my darling mother, and the artist of this incredible painting.  The inspiration for it was a botanical print from one of my favorite coffee table books: The Orchid: From the Archives of the Royal Horticultural Society

I chose the Green Lady Slipper Orchid because it's almost bizarre.  A curiosity to be sure.  So exotic - that to some - it's almost ugly.  However, for a die hard orchid lover like myself - it epitomizes rebellious, exotic beauty. I wanted this painting to serve as the statement piece in my bathroom, and I absolutely could not be happier with it.  It is STUNNING. My mother took a very stoic botanical print (beautiful, but nonetheless) and gave it a soul.  I even convinced her to sign it...which is something that in ten years of painting has proved difficult - nigh impossible. Until now.

Needless to say, having a mother who is a talented artist doesn't suck. Next up, I'm going to put her to work on the large scale Lotus Painting for the living room.  Cause' I'm thoughtful like that :)

Thanks Mom.  I LOVE it. 

XOXO

Vintage Vogue Magazine

This little lovely just arrived in the Mail.  Isn't it gorgeous? Swooooon.  It's from June 7th, 1930 and features a cover by Harriet Meserole.  I grabbed a couple other covers, by Harriet for your viewing pleasure - they are all beautiful.

I have been collecting vintage issues of Vogue from 1900-1930 since I was 16...there are so many incredible covers. Needless to say these are ART, and they just don't make em' like they used to.  They look great on a shelf, among other objet d'art.  They definitely bring an air of elegance to a display, and a provide a wonderful historical contrast to all of the modern things that are so pervasive in our lives.

It's just kind of humbling to realize that this issue of Vogue is 80 years old...just take a moment to ponder all of the change and progress that has transpired in that span of time.

You Stay Classy, San Diego...

Windmill Palm's...the biz-nass end

A Windmill Palm is a cold hardy variety of Palm Tree which I have coveted for the last three years.  Unfortunately being a condo dweller, I am limited to a small balcony and they are usually quite large.  So when I spotted a modest sized one (about half as tall as my ceilings) I jumped at the chance to shell out for it. Fair warning - they are spendy, and not for the faint of heart (I cut my hand on one of the leaves).  However they are also incredibly beautiful, and give a mysterious-tropical-come hither vibe to a space.  Which exactly suits my goal of "relaxed moroccan in yellow repose" on the balcony. Yup, that just happened.

It's currently doing double duty - it's beautiful when I'm on the balcony, but it's exquisite against the bright white of my leather couch through the windows of my french doors.  Perfection. 

And yes - there maybe may have been some un-lady like mutterings after I cut my hand...but I'm telling you, SO worth it.  And really - I've cut myself on tape measure's, toaster's, you name it...I'm kind of legendary, so it's probably just me :) 

If you would like to find more information on how to care for these plants you can find it here. 

If you would like to take the plunge and purchase one go nuts. 

Laugh with your whole heart with the people you love the most...