A New York Story

When I was 19 years old, I left the small town (pop. 3,000) I grew up in and moved to the big city. A lot of small town girls have done the same, and if they haven't, they have surely dreamed of it. In my case, the city was New York. After all, "If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere" - at least according to Liza Minnelli. Today I was checking out Homer's Odd Isn't He and came across this video of actor Griffin Dunn. You may not be familiar with him, but I remember him fondly from the 1985 film "After Hours". It was directed by Martin Scorsese, had a great ensemble cast and has become a bit of a cult classic. It is about a guy who is out late in NYC and can't seem to get himself home - loses his subway token, doesn't have cab fare, yadda yadda yadda. Before sunrise he manages to stumble upon all kinds of quacky, New York types in his quest to get himself home. It is one of my all time favorites and above all else, reminds me of my early days in New York. If any of you have an affinity for New York City, Mr. Dunn, or just following your dreams, you may appreciate this New York Story.
If you can't open the video above - here is the LINK

How Motherhood Changes One's Life...

...As told by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anna Quindlen.
I have just read the most poignant story about motherhood that I have EVER come across in this post by Faboolosity. If you are a mother - or mother to be. Please read.

We are sitting at lunch when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says, half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?" "It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says,"no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations...." But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die. I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a souffle or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation. I feel I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell.
She will have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. I want my daughter to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years -- not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic. I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or a cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real, it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reach across the table, squeeze my daughter's hand and offer a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all of the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. This blessed gift from God . . . that of being a Mother.

Connecticut - New England's Jewel

One of the things I love when I view other blogs, is getting a glimpse of how beautiful places are all over the world. Views of stunning homes, cozy cottages, gorgeous geography - a looking glass view into how the rest of the planet lives. Among those blogs, are the design divas (you know who you are) who day after day post exquisite photos of interior design, each decorated room more dazzling than the next. And although I long as much as anyone to recreate these spectacular scenes in my own abode, I think my heart truly lies not with the interior, but the exterior. So I thought I would show everyone out there what my little corner of the world is like - out under the blue skies of Connecticut. We are located on the east coast of the United States and are fortunate to be located on the sea, but also close to rolling hills, rivers and forests. Although we are located very close to New York City and Boston, Connecticut can be very rural and my favorite homes are the old ones, dating from as early as the 1700s. Though I live in a contemporary house at the moment, I spent many years living in an 1855 Colonial. Yellow with white trim and a cornflower blue door...loved it.
So here is my quick tour...of Connecticut.

Antique Farm House

Summer Mansion by the Ocean.



Old Stone House at the end of a Lane.


Antique Cape - circa 1787



Classic New England Seaside Home with Porch.

Antique Greek Revival Colonial in the country.

Corporate Lawyers go Cottage Industry

Talk about life style change! Robert & Kara Brooks, husband & wife, ages 50 & 34 respectively, left corporate litigation behind to open Still River Cafe in Eastford, Connecticut. Turning a 150 year old barn on 27 acres deep in the Connecticut countryside into a "jewel box operation", they are noted for growing their own organic produce and using local sources for their meat, fish and poultry. I have a special place in my heart for this gem of a restaurant. Not only is it an inspiration for me on my quest to start my own business, but I was married there last summer - to the man of my dreams I might add - and it was the perfect place for me to celebrate a new beginning!

Coral Bay Inspiration!

Coral Bay, St. John U.S.V.I.
I had the good fortune last month to take a week and relax in St. John, United States Virgin Islands. I hadn't had any time off since last July, so believe me - it was a long overdue break!
We stayed in the sweetest cottage overlooking Coral Bay and spent our days swimming, hiking and sailing. The owners of the rental cottage, Mary & Jay are in semi retirement, having moved from Cape Cod several years ago. They were wonderful hosts and introduced us to many of their friends - most of them transplants from New England as well. On the bed in our cottage was the most beautiful quilt. Apparently Mary has been quilting for years and has incorporated a sewing room into her new island home. I think she has a real gift for color and all of her pieces are finished beautifully. She is just another inspiration for me on my quest to create my own Cottage Industry!

Old Friends

Years ago I was fortunate to know a wonderful group of people all living in Milan, Italy - each trying to make a name for themselves in the fashion industry. It's been many years since then but lately, as I delve into my own creative depths, I remember my old friends - many of them photographers and wonder where life has brought them.
One of them is Donna DeMari. She has done well over the years, a successful fashion photographer noted for being the first woman to photograph the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition in 1996. It is her black & white photos of horses though, that really touch me. Turning the pages of her book, her passion for their equine majesty is unmistakable. It is nice to see that she has moved beyond the confines of commercial success and created something she surely loves.

Are you in the.....212 Zone?

This was the email I got today from my Regional Manager. Just that single sentence.
212: The Extra Degree
(Click link to view) Have you heard of this?
The company I work for (a large corporation) shoves this motivational concept down our throats annually at our sales conference. Don't get me wrong - it looks great on paper and initially is very inspiring. In fact the music track is quite catchy. "At 211° water is hot. At 212° it boils and transforms into steam. That steam can then power a locomotive! "
You see what we could all accomplish if we just pushed ourselves that extra degree?! The only problem is, between my demanding job, large home, three kids, new husband, and everything else I have going on - I'm not sure I have an extra degree in me. And why is it we are pressured to push ourselves even more? Isn't juggling my work and family enough. Aren't I already doing two jobs when my mother was only expected to do one.? I once heard an interview with the actor Jeremy Irons (a Brit) where he mentioned that he had moved back to England from L.A. because he didn't want his children to grow up with the American concept of what being "successful" means. Let's face it, in this country, one is judged by their success in business. We work crazy hours and consider a week or two to ourselves all year adequate time to get over the stresses of the other 50 weeks. None of those silly siestas for us. The month of August at the seaside? Bah Humbug! Going the extra degree...For me that could be shaving ABOVE my knees in my morning shower, even though I'm running late. Do you think that would count?
Okay, I'm done ranting. I think this is just my reaction to it being Monday and me feeling like I've used up half of Tuesday's degrees.

Impressionism Still Lives!

Essex Cat Boat from South Cove - morning
LEIF NILSSON SPRING STREET STUDIO & GALLERY
As a former art student, I can never get away from first falling in love with the works of Manet, Monet, Degas & Renoir. There is something so magical and transcendent about this style of painting. One of Connecticut's best in this genre is Leif Nilsson. Originally from Old Lyme, CT - a town that could be described as a painting itself, Leif now resides in the other quintessential Connecticut River Valley town of Chester. I don't pretend to begin to have this kind of talent but am certainly inspired by someone making mucho dinero doing something they love. Below are the artist and his studio.

Spring is Here!

In my quest to design my new life and new product that will support me in the manner I have become accustom, I've been reminiscing on the days when I created hand painted tiles and sold them in "kits" for the kitchen or bath at street fairs in Greenwich Village. In chatting with Habitually Chic (who lives in New York) I remember the city and it's street fairs arriving with the spring season. I think I will have to head down to lower Manhattan - a two hour trek for me - for a creative hit at one of the upcoming fairs. Christopher Street, Soho, LES, Brooklyn Heights - doesn't matter. There is always someone reaching for their dreams in New York. I've found mine there in the past - time for an update!

Kaffe Fassett

Years ago I was married to a Brit and living in London. My tea drinking, freelance illustrator neighbor turned me on to Kaffe Fassett. If you are not familiar with him, he is a textile, knitware/needlepoint designer. I fell in love with his designs and colors and immediately started making his tapestry pillow kits. He's recently made a push toward the textile industry but started out dropping out of art school in England to do his own knitting designs. He's an American - born in San Francisco but living in England since the '60's, so he might as well be a Brit. In this age of muted colors (or as the Brits write it: "colours") it's refreshing for me to see such intense color in such quantity. It's so rich you can almost taste it.

Living my Dream

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.“ - Henry David Thoreau

I have this quote posted on the cork board in my office - which is a closet by the way.It's hard to be inspired, or for that matter, inspirational, in a closet. It's a space that if in your home, you would not hesitate to store your brooms, recycling bins, cleaning supplies. I've painted it "Melon", a bit of a creamy orange, but alas, it's still a closet and my co-workers love to ask me if I feel as though I'm sitting in a pumpkin.
I have changed many things for myself in the last three years - I have a brand new husband and a new home. I am closer than ever to the life I have always wanted for myself. The last piece of the puzzle is to leave my corporate job, and finally work for myself. In another life (read: When I was younger) I went to art school, worked in the fashion industry, lived and worked around the world. Then I had three wonderful children and after spending several years as a stay at home mom, I found myself in the job market, looking for a good salary and benefits. And I found one! But the pressures of a corporate sales & marketing job with a public corporation have after five years, grown tedious, time consuming and stressful.
Now I have found myself needing to rearrange my life once again to find that last piece of
the puzzle.
I am on a quest to complete my dream.
Another one of my favorite quotes:
"It's never too late to be who you might have been." --George Eliot



The world is my oyster!



The "youth" that I mentioned.
I'm ready for the next phase of my life!!

Cottage Industry Artists featured at Local Farmer's Markets

Connecticut
Coventry Farmer's Market
June 1st is the Grand Opening of this year's Coventry Farmer's Market with a new location on the grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead in South Coventry. (Directions) It runs every Sunday, June thru October from 11am - 2pm. The market is known for it's fresh produce, artisan breads, baked goods, honey,jams and the like but is also a venue for local artists and craftsmen. Some of my favorite are:
Susan Parks Soap
My favorite is her Egg Yolk Soap. It is derived from a 19th century recipe and produces a rich, silky lather, it's key ingredients being Eggs, Shea Butter and Bees Wax. She also does Goat Milk Soap, made from her own goats!



Cato Corner Farm Cheese
Producing all their cheese by hand from their herd of mostly Jersey cows, they are located in Colchester and a review from Town & Country Magazine says it all - "World class...some are wonderfully spicy and pungent. All it takes is one bite of their most popular offering, the Belgian-inspired Bridgid's Abby, and you'll swear off bland, pasteurized cheese forever." Other varieties include the Hooligan, the Despearado, and the Drunk Monk!


Beauty That Moves
Heather Bruggeman does these quirky, vintage inspired bags as well as beaded jewelry.



There is always something totally unexpected at the farmer's market - demonstrations,
jugglers, the most perfect marinated mushrooms.....definitely worth the trip!