Point-and-shoot then crop, crop, crop

Technology is our friend

Grease pencils

In my previous life, layout editing and design helped to pay the bills.  From newspapers and yearbooks, to pamphlets and local magazines, grease pencils and graph-lined paper were my friends.  Today, things have changed…. Kodak has filed for bankruptcy protection, cameras are now digital instead of analog, and photo editing is done on our computers and cell phones. 

Plastic photo cropping tool.

In this particular instance, technology IS our friend.  Poof-be-gone to those long days spent in the dark room, looking at slides, and proofing typeset.  And, the individuals who developed “Spell Check” should be canonized… or at least knighted!

Does anyone use a dictionary these days???

This is certainly NOT one of those “back in the good ole days,” Kumbayah-inspired moments.  No need to reinvent the proverbial wheel!

Old rusty wench

During those years, I spent most of my time – especially on yearbooks and newspapers – hunting through photo negatives, deciding what needed a reshoot, and figuring out how to make things look their best.  Now, that job would be soooo much simpler.  Our technology can make even the most mediocre photos look great.  My photographic expertise, that of using my iPhone to point and shoot, is a great example of the necessity of our current computer technology.  Those little "tweaks" can make all of the difference in the world.  And, when all else fails, convert it to black and white. 

Take for instance a few of my photos... all taken either with an iPhone or a Sony Cybershot point-and-shoot camera.  NO Photoshop® was used.

Men's Store in Portobello Market.  London, England. 

The results can be markedly improved by simply cropping the photo.  The black and white version was born out of necessity... the image was being used in a gallery mount of b&w photography. 

Train from the "the Underground." London, England. 

Converting this photo of the London Underground to black and white while simultaneously cropping out that advertisment for the iPad 2 makes it... timeless. 

Seagrass baskets being woven at the Market.  Charleston, SC.

Sometimes, the idea is to "crop in" elements in the photo.  The visual impact of the baskets were lost in the original... but by only including them in the image, their impact was dramatically enhanced. 

Vintage car at the Avalon in South Beach.  Miami, Florida.

This is one of my favorites!  By using a red filter, the blue becomes a vivid black and the street and other distractions are eliminated by "custom" size cropping.  

Personally, I’m thankful for the crop, edit, and enhance features on my computer.  They would have saved me a great deal of time trying to get orange grease pencil off of my hands. 

Give it a try.... point-and-shoot, and then crop the crap out of it!  The results might suprise you...

Easter Trivia and Traditions

Easter traditions

Easter Candle

"Easter is the gift of HOPE... Easter is the gift of PEACE... Easter is the gift of LOVE..." from Easter is the Gift poem.  Author unknown. 

Easter is one of my favorite holidays.  Here are a few Easter facts that you may not know, some of which I didn't know until this morning!

1.  The DATE of Easter

photo by Josh Goh

Easter is commonly referred to as the “moveable feast” because, based on the lunar calendar, it can fall between March 22 and April 25.  This time of lunar lunacy, or full-moon fever, may explain the slightly erratic behavior of some sporting Easter bonnets the size of small sombreros or dressing their unsusptecting children up like Easter rabbits.  Good grief!

2.  Easter eggs

In both the secular and religious worlds, eggs are a symbol of both fertility and birth.  And, from a practical point, they are cheap and multifunctional.... pretty, easily dyed, fun to throw, delicious in a soufflé, and fairly harmless unless you have an egg allergy!

3.  The Rabbit

In Germany, tradition states that a white rabbit would leave baskets of goodies for well-behaved children on Easter Eve.  Those traditions arrived in Pennsylvania by German immigrants in the 18^th Century.  Today, they are as symbolic of the Easter season as Peeps and colored eggs... just don't give a couple of them to your kids as a gift.  Remember the old saying:  "They reproduce like rabbits!"

4.  Brightly colored objects or flowers

In the ancient societies of Rome, Greece, and Egypt, colored eggs and flowers were given as gifts during special occasions during the spring.  This idea of coloring objects migrated to Europe where they began to symbolize spring, or the “rebirth” of nature.  Just think, this idea of colorization has been popular centuries... hundreds of years before Ted Turner decided to "add some color" to old black and white movies during the 1980s. 

5.  The Easter bonnet

During Lent, many ladies would forgo the purchase of anything luxurious.  But, as you know, ladies like to shop... and after those 40 + days of "self-denial," a decadent purchase was soon to follow.  Frequently, those purchases were clothing.  The Easter bonnet was as historically extravagant as Christian Louboutin shoes are today.  The idea of bonnet purchase most likely started during the 16^th century tradition of ‘wardrobe renewal’ to symbolize spring. 

6.  Ham

Though lamb was the meat of choice for the Last Supper, pork has been much more economically attainable for most people over the years.  And, fortunately, everything tastes better with bacon!  OINK.

7.  Sweets and treats

Though hot cross buns were the "original" Easter treat, a few important dates should be noted:  Chocolate eggs were first seen around… the early 1800s, Jelly beans… the 1930s, and Peeps… the 1950s!

There you have it… some Easter-inspired trivia.

Art Imitates Life

Art imitates life

Jumping Through Hoops 

Artist, unknown.  Media, marble and wrought iron.

Because of an unusually brilliant sunset at the office this evening, my favorite sculpture on the stacked sideboard was behaving like a shadow puppet.  Grabbing my phone to take the photo, I began to smile.  The sculpture, “Jumping Through Hoops,” was a birthday present to myself, purchased at the Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, NC. 

The award-winning Fearrington House Inn

http://www.fearrington.com/house/

I vividly remember the evening… the unexpected arrival of friends for dinner, the introduction to the Fearrington’s Oreo goats, and the acquisition of that poetically insightful piece of art.  It was my 40th birthday...

Despite a lifelong appreciation of three-dimensional art, during all of those years of Plastic Surgery training, I hardly had time to watch the news, go to the dry cleaners, or scratch my butt.  As a result, my admiration had been put on an indefinite hold!

Then, about 10 years ago, I decided to skip the afternoon sessions at a meeting.  My brain was tired and I needed to get outside.  Walking down Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Rodin Museum caught my eye.  Who knew?  The biggest collection of Rodin outside of France is in…. Philadelphia.

The Thinker greeted me at the Gate….

The Thinker by Auguste Rodin at The Rodin Museum

 Philadelphia, PA

Since that chance encounter with the mastery of Rodin’s works, my love of art and sculpture was reignited. 

A few years later at a conference in Las Vegas, my tickets had finally been delivered for “O” at the Bellagio.  Inside the “O” Theater lobby, a room with a spectacularly vaulted ceiling, houses…The Art of Richard MacDonald.  Life-sized bronzes inspired by the Cirque du Soleil characters adorned the space.  The experience was magnificent and surreal.

Blind Faith by Richard MacDonald at the entrance to the "O" Theater

Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada

http://www.richardmacdonald.com/

Over the years since, my natural inclination while traveling has been to head for the museums and sculpture gardens.  A few other examples include:

The Last Conversation Piece by Juan Munoz at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

Washington, DC

The Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York, NY

Gyre by Thomas Sayre at North Carolina Museum of Art's Museum Park

Raleigh, NC

The Winged Victory of Samothrace at Louvre Museum

Paris, France

So, why do we love art?  Why do I love art??

Well, maybe it is beauty for the sake of beauty?  Perhaps it is seeing the world from another perspective?  Or, maybe it is understanding that art can imitate life?

“Jumping Through Hoops” described my life at the time - symbolic of those years of hard work and paying my proverbial dues.  Today, having THAT demonstrated in a piece of art... still amazes me!

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren

...an American icon.

Was reading news headlines this morning and came across a story about America's 10 highest-paid CEOs.  Holding steady in this impressive list was Ralph Lauren.... with compensation from Polo Ralph Lauren in excess of $66 million/year. 

And, did I mention that Forbes ranked him as the 173rd richest man in the world with an estimated wealth of $4.6 billion.  Chaaaa ching!

Initially, my response was:  "Yep, that proves it -- I knew that I paid too much for that suede belt, yesterday."  But, then after thinking about it, wasn't mine the typical American response?  We want people to do well and be successful... it IS the American dream, afterall.  But, then we want to bash the devil out of them for making too much money. 

"God Bless America".... couldn't resist!

So, I decided to do a little research. How did that "Curator of Cool" begin his career?  Was it a polo shirt???? 

Well, NO! 

In 1967, his initial endeavor into the design world was a necktie... which he sold from the trunk of his car.  Eventually, Bloomingdales purchased his entire line of ties!  And, as for that famous short sleeved Polo shirt, it wasn't released until 1972. 

Over the years, the Ralph Lauren label has become synomymous with luxury... selling his collections in amazing spaces around the world. 

Ralph Lauren Store on Madison Avenue

http://www.classicaladdiction.com/2011/01/ralph-laurens-dream-store/

Ralph Lauren Store in Russia

 http://08541185d.blogspot.com/2009/03/1967-ralph-lauren-establishes-polo.html

Restaurant in Ralph Lauren's store on the Left Bank in Paris.

http://fannibakos.blogspot.com/2010/04/ralph-lauren-restaurant-in-paris.html

Why the success?  Well, honestly, the guy has one helluva a design aesthetic.   Just take a peak at the following:

The home in Bedford, NY, that he shares with is wife and family.

Photo from Architectural Digest.com

Inside the Madison Avenue RL Store

http://aesthetically-thinking.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html

His home in Jamaica

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/homes/features/2008/11/celebrity_retreats_slideshow_112008#slide=1

The Double RL Ranch in Colorado

http://hudsonbabydesign.blogspot.com/2011/09/lauren-lauren.html

A Man with the Midas touch... and it all started with some neckties.  Who knew?????  And this quote sums it up....

For her final season, Oprah even interviewed Mr. Lauren at his ranch. 

His IS a great American success story... but I still think that I paid too much for that suede belt!  Ha

Borrowed from the boys

Borrowed from the boys

Menswear inspired home furnishings

http://blog.decoratorsbest.com/featured/new-breed-of-tweed/

Never forget what inspires you!

Allow me to tell you a short story.

This is a story about my master bedroom.  About 10 years ago, “Designer Guys” aired on the Discovery Channel.  It was the Canadian version of HGTV, and on one particular episode, the guys covered the sofa in some high-rise condo with… black   wool   pinstripe   men’s   suit   fabric.   And, the look was, quite frankly, sexy!

http://www.moderndesigntrends.com/

During this same time, the folks at Williams Sonoma – those purveyors of All Clad and olive oil – had decided to jump into the home goods business.  As a precursor to Williams Sonoma Home, they started out with a line of bedding and towels called “Chambers.”  In one particular Chambers catalog, a herringbone duvet cover was displayed that was simply magnificent.  Unfortunately, at the time, I was struggling to buy groceries and certainly could NOT afford to pay for a $450 duvet cover.

Fast forward to 2007.  House Beautiful featured an article entitled, “Quintessential Kansas City,” featuring the home of David Jimenez, the vice president of visual merchandising and design for Hallmark Cards, Inc.  And, guess what he had in the master bedroom…. that damn herringbone duvet that I saw years ago.

http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2007/08/david-jimenez-hallmarks-new-hall-of.html and http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/kansas-city-style-0807?click=main_sr#slide-1

Hence, the inspiration for my master bedroom was reborn.

Then, there was that pesky little problem… that duvet was no longer available.

Why?

Well, home décor has historically been done for women.  Fortunately, as more men have become interested in their surroundings, we are putting a big kibosh on some of those awful florals, chintzes, and toiles.  Hence, a trend toward menswear inspired home furnishings has emerged during the past couple of years.

From flooring and rugs to lamps and upholstery, here are some great ideas...

  Recycled leather belt flooring..... LOVE this idea      http://designindulgences.com/2012/02/06/fellas-this-one-is-for-you/

Plates and nakins with a masculine edge

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/776222/list/Guest-Picks--Tastemaker-Items-You-Can-Afford/

 Mid century modern chairs in blue plaid tweed

http://www.reinspiredhome.com/index.html

 Check out that lampshade

www.wandrlust.com

Grey and yellow argyle feather pillows

http://www.bytheseadecor.com/product.php?productid=1410

That rug is GREAT... that wall color is dreadful!

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/776222/list/Guest-Picks--Tastemaker-Items-You-Can-Afford/

So, you get the idea....

http://threadhautedecor.wordpress.com/

Even some flagship stores have gone this direction.  Despite being the Women’s Store, the Ralph Lauren store on Madison Avenue has a decidedly masculine edge with the wrought iron, marble floors, and black and white décor.

http://www.luxist.com/tag/madison+avenue/ and          http://www.fashionfoiegras.com/2010/10/ralph-lauren-womens-flagship-store-on.html

If you think that the RL women's flagship store is masculine, then just walk across the street and check out the men's store.  An absolutely amazing space.....

The Ralph Lauren Men's Store in Manhattan.  http://www.luxist.com/tag/madison+avenue/ 

And, Tom Ford’s Men's Store in New York has a sexy masculine vibe with the zebra wood and dark furnishings.

photo from Veranda

http://nymag.com/shopping/openings/30610/ and    http://themanofstyle.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/the-world-of-tom-ford/

Thankfully, this trend has gotten some press lately.  Recently, it was featured on the Nate Berkus TV show.

 http://www.thenateshow.com/

Just remember, if you are re-doing a bedroom, rehabilitating a kitchen, buying a pillow, or thinking about wallpaper, don't forget about the men in your life.  We live there, too.

 Flannel upholstered walls and that leather headboard are amazing!

http://designindulgences.com/2012/02/06/fellas-this-one-is-for-you/

Spectacular kitchen.  Not really my taste, but I really like it!

http://designindulgences.com/2012/02/06/fellas-this-one-is-for-you/

Pinstripe wallpaper fabric in blue from www.doyoulovewhereyoulive.com