PINA

Last night I had the honor of seeing Pina (in 3D), thanks to a nudge by Daven (my fondness for the director, Wim Wenders, is well-documented). There aren't words, really, to describe it. So all I can say is run, go, watch and then see it again. Lately there's been a blog trend that involves the authors unabashedly announcing that they're about to share something "authentic" and "honest." I'll hold my tongue and instead go positive and say this: in watching Pina, it becomes immediately apparent how work that is authentic and honest does not need a preamble. It is unmistakable, and it is profoundly rare. This was my experience with Pina. What is so striking is how every gesture and expression rings true. You don't need someone to tell you it is so, because it just is. The spectrum of human emotion and experience conveyed in the choreography, movements and dancers' reflections about Pina threw into sharp relief the other aesthetic encounters in my life that lack this quality. It's a gift to be reminded of the difference.

Collabiration with: Gus & Ruby, et al. for Maine Photo Shoot

 

Speechless about sums up my reaction to this unreal spread featured today on Style Me Pretty, shot by Corbin Gurkin Photography and styled by Maine Seasons Events. It's so funny with these things. Every once in a while I get an email from a favorite collaborator like Gus & Ruby asking me for a little of this (some digital calligraphy!) and a little of that (labels for invite boxes!) and I gladly oblige. And then one day I get to see the fruits of these labors and marvel at the abundant spectacularness of it all. Thank you for including me!

Photography: Corbin Gurkin Photography / Location: French’s Point in Stockton Springs, Maine / Design + Concept: Maine Seasons Events + Flora Fauna / Floral Design: Flora Fauna / Custom Table Ruffles: Maine Seasons Events / Cake: Nothing Bakes Like a Parrott / Stationery: Gus & Ruby Letterpress / Calligraphy: Neither Snow / Tulle Posies, Dessert Table Buds + Place Cards: Paper Posy Designs / Hair + Makeup: Lisa Nichols Salon / Dresses: Lula Kate / Rentals: One Stop Party Shoppe

YOANN LEMONIE

I'm a bit late to the Lana Del Rey party. The music really brings me back to the Mazzy Star days, when I could stomach "fears" rhyming with "tears." It feels like eating a heap of cotton candy. In digging around I found the video to Born to Die; the ending makes it too graphic to post here. But the art direction by Yoann Lemonie is an unexpected mix of high and low and camp: chateaus, making out in old cars, gilded Cathedral ceilings, tigers, blue rose crowns, tattoos, joints and red Converse and nightgowns and moody lighting. Lemonie has also directed this Yelle video (striped still above) and Taylor Swift's December. I'd love to know his process for pulling together all of these disparate images. 

{Stills by Yoann Lemonie}

WENDELL BERRY: THE WILD ROSE


I recently finished a commission of "The Wild Rose," a poem by Wendell Berry (I highly recommend this episode of On Being with him). What simple, touching verses, and such a lovely present for a husband.

 

"The Wild Rose" by Wendell Berry

Sometimes hidden from me
in daily custom and in trust,
so that I live by you unaware
as by the beating of my heart,

suddenly you flare in my sight,
a wild rose blooming at the edge
of thicket, grace and light
where yesterday was only shade,

and once more I am blessed, choosing
again what I chose before.

I HEART WILL ROGERS PARK

We've hiked many weekends in Los Angeles. That's the part no one ever mentions. That you could take a different hike ever single weekend in the area and probably never exhaust them in your lifetime. And every one is more gorgeous than the next. Our "lazy hike" is also the closest to us, at Will Rogers State Park. After a pleasant 3 mile trek, an expansive, lush green lawn awaits for picnicking, napping and reading in the sun (along with rocking chairs in front of the historic house). I treat the park like our back yard. But my guilty pleasure is that there is a video of Will Rogers' rope tricks shown on a continuous loop at the Visitor's Center. No matter how many times I see it, I still find myself astonished at his talent (next time I'm just going to buy this DVD.) There's a clip above (the slow motion at ~2:11 almost chokes me up. And yes, he ropes a mouse to his bed.) Unfortunately the best clips-- blindfolded, with double ropes and two horses, etc.--aren't available online.

COLLABORATION WITH: MARCO, ELIZABETH, AMANDA + COSMO

Last year Elizabeth got in touch to discuss a collaboration for her husband, Marco. As an anniversary gift, she gave him a tattoo by the incomparable Amanda Wachob (please check out her work here and a profile over at Design*Sponge here.) Marco chose the Latin phrase "Ut Amen Et Foveam" which means "So that I love and cherish." Elizabeth writes: "It's a memorial to our sweet little chihuahua Cosmo who tragically passed away last March at only 7 years old." (Shrine to Cosmo on the left.) Amanda weilds a tattoo needle like a paintbrush and I love her interpretation of my calligraphy: fluid and, in Elizabeth's words  "masculine, charming and romantic." Thanks so much to Elizabeth, Marco, Amanda, Loris and the late and beloved Cosmo.

{Photo of tattoo by Loris Guzzetta}

EL CAPITAIN + LE WEEKEND

Last week Amanda and I headed up the coast for a girls getaway before doing a little shoot with Jose Villa. We stayed at El Capitain Canyon, which has both safari tents and cabins to rent. What a glorious weekend. Antique shopping, tacos at La Super Rica in Santa Barbara (thanks, Joy!), ice cream and mint chocolates at Ingeborg's, a drive up Figeuroa Mountain Road, owls, hiking, dance parties in the car, cherry ring pops, drinking red wine through paper striped straws, crafting on picnic tables (do you know this tumblr, Ghetto Hikes? You must!). From top to bottom: the tents, the trees, the cozy inside, straws, hike, this sweet note I found inside of a silk nighgown at the antiques store, Jose at work + his divine office, the rainbow mottled bark of a tree (and the new header for winter '12). It was so fun to meet Jose and Joel in person, having collaborated with them on so many fun projects. Thanks so much for the outstanding suggestions, guys! Can't wait to come back!

JENNY + ANDREW

Today Design*Sponge featured the design details of Jenny and Andrew's Colorado wedding. I worked with the couple, Mr. Boddington's and designer/stylist Jolene Sullivan for almost a year, from addressing the save-the-dates to creating a custom seating "star" chart and countless goodies in between. As you can tell from the glorious photos by Tec Petaja, it was an intimate affair. By the time I finished the last star place card, I felt as though each and every guest was a personal friend. Jolene Sullivan is a gifted planner, who has such a delicate and understated touch (as I attest!). Hop over to her site to see more photos of the rehearsal dinner and the big day. Thank you go Grace, Jolene, Jenny + Andrew and all of the stellar vendors who created such a special day.

Venue: DUNTON HOT SPRINGS in Colorado
Photography by TEC PETAJA
Event Planning, Design + Styling by JOLENE SULLIVAN
Fine China Rentals by Les Tableaux
(The fine china included: DAVID STARK for WEST ELM “Wood Slices” china + HERMAR brushed-gold flatware + ROOST “Birch” glassware)
Gold Zig-Zag Tray + Paper Bowls + Vases by Chicago ceramicist UP IN THE AIR SOMEWHERE
Flowers by STUDIO CHOO + SAIPUA + NICOLETTE CAMILLE + MAGPIE & RYE
Paper goods by MR. BODDINGTON’S STUDIO