Monday, January 31, 2011

Digging In Art + Books

I wrote recently about my love of books.
Taking that a step further, 
I love wandering and perusing through bookstores. 
My favorites, are used bookstores,
especially when they are not overly categorized.
It's a sad truth though, too many sellers
have fallen by the wayside.
And yet,while the virtual world is closing in
 on the printed media,
many are impassioned to preserve and protect 
the world of books.

Enter, Michael Deyermond 
and his new shop,
"A long summer road trip across the Midwest and Northeast — places with histories of institutions and wealthy families with large libraries — saw the Equator Books vet digging through yard sales, strangers’ garages, and vintage shops to uncover tomes, most of which date from the 1930s to the 1970s.
Beyond being categorized by literature, art, and rare, the handpicked selections are intentionally left unorganized to encourage browsing. You might just stumble across a copy of Dare Wright’s The Lonely Doll, vintage hardbacks of The Old Man and the Sea, or a catalog from Irving Penn’s first show at MoMA."
via daily candy
But more than just collected tombs, 
as an artist himself he also set his sights
His first exhibition, none other than 
the art of Dennis Hopper was a very nice start.
Dennis Hopper Lips
Whether new or renewed
books and art are a perfect compliment
and hopefully, here to stay.

Quote of The Day

Guton\Waker Vogue Winter
Winter draws out what summer laid in.
Thomas Fuller

Friday, January 28, 2011

Off Season Beach Camping?

Yes, off season beach camping. How cool does that sound?
Think about it, much less crowded and, 
at least here in California (sorry East Coasters) the weather is
pretty much conducive most of the winter.
I got the idea from Kevin Mulvihill who posted his trip on
 Ready Made (that's his sunset).
In Northern California one of the best options
"From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1000 species of plants and animals to discover. Home to several cultures over thousands of years, the Seashore preserves a tapestry of stories and interactions of people."
While the water may be even chillier than summer, 
with a blue sky and water to match, throw in a gorgeous sunset,
toasted dinner, wine and s'mores.
Point Reyes is the real deal when it comes to (gulp)...
backcountry camping, but the trade off would be a hugely rich experience.
Wildcat Campground.
COAST CAMP
Coast Camp is nestled within a small coastal grassy valley with easy access to the beach and tidepools. The beach is within 200 meters (200 yards) of the campground. 
GLEN CAMP
Glen Camp is a quiet and secluded camp deep within a wooded valley protected from ocean breezes. The shortest hike to this camp is a moderate 7.4 km (4.6 miles) by foot along the Bear Valley Glen Trails. 
SKY CAMP
Sky Camp is located on the western side of Mt. Wittenberg at an elevation of 310 meters (1025 feet). In clear weather, it has a sweeping view of Point Reyes, Drakes Bay, and the Pacific Ocean.
WILDCAT CAMP
Wildcat Camp is located in an open meadow on a bluff overlooking the ocean with a short walk to the beach and a 3.2 kilometer (2.0 miles) round-trip walk to Alamere Falls.

Besides these incredible sounding campsites and vistas, 
Point Reyes is a National Park that offers an
whether we actually make for overnight or simply make it a 
fresh air and sensory filled day trip.

Now about that tent...
xo






Luxe Living: Going Coastal

Location, location, location: La Jolla.
It's no secret, right now I am loving all things LA.
From taco truck movement, art, the Hollywood scene
and now of course Million Dollar Listing.
This gorgeous hunk of real estate is a big one but, 
if anyone can sell it, it will be my boys Chad, Madison
 and the Joshes who bring home
 the signature direct to the dotted line.
It is called The Razor and it is 11,000 square feet 
of glass perfection. As we can see, it is umm
right over The Pacific Coast and has seven bedrooms, eight baths, 
a subterranean parking garage, a home theater, and 
(of course!) an infinity pool. Can't wait for the open house.
Yes please.
xo

Quote of The Day

Every man has three characters: 
that which he exhibits, that which he has,
and that which he thinks he has.
Alphonse Karr 

Thursday, January 27, 2011

REAL TV

Hallelujah ! 
I so love  real life drama- no not the kind they show
on MSNBC,  the REAL kind....
The Real Housewives of  Beverly Hills 
and the (the first of 2) reunion is tonight!
Our fearless leader Andy Cohen will be 
the Tom Brokaw  (referee)of this glamourous assemblage
which, guaranteed, will be must see TV.

Don't try to hide, you cannot escape.
Don't pretend you don't watch.
Just set the DVR and you can watch the drama....
over and over in privacy.
Cheers!

Now That's A Closet...

It is no secret that I love the concept of voyeuism- especially
when it has to do with the peeking into people's lives..enter 
The Coveted a super cool (kind of like The Selby) look into 
the closets etc of the fashion set. Such as..
It really is really cool, as each photograph is accompanied with curated text.

On a similar but so different note...                  
What exactly does it cost to have Carrie Bradshaw's closet? 
Well, when I first saw this, I thought
"what's the big deal, she still has to share" .
However no, this IS Long Island sweetie...
the husband's is soon to follow.
xo

Quote of The Day

Our ideals are our better selves.
A.B. Alcott

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

More Than Just A Quote

All places that the eye of Heaven visits,
Are to a wise man ports and happy havens.
Shakespeare.


xo

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Sophistication Confrontation Above All: Wit

I have always loved talk shows.
I think it's because I love hearing about other people's lives
and antics. Big stars, small stars, reality stars
and dare I say it... the stories of even real people.
I grew up watching Steve Allen, Mike Douglas,
Merv Griffin (Dinah Shore-short lived)
and of course Dick Cavett.
To me, he was always the thinking man's
interviewer, edgy yet sophisticated.
With his new book,
he lets loose and dishes about his on air life.
He 'brought  razor-sharp wit and in-depth interest 
that made Americans welcome him into their living rooms 
for almost two decades beginning in the late Sixties. 
His career soared thanks to sit-downs with Bette Davis,
 Richard Burton, Ingrid Bergman, Robert Mitchum, Woody Allen,
 Paul Newman, John Lennon, Gore Vidal, Norman Mailer
 and scads of other big guns — many of whom bid good-bye with
 “How you got me to talk about that I have no idea.” 
Ninety-minute shows will do that.'  (via WWD)
Not one to sink into the backround he writes a great opinion column
for the NY Times take a look, it doesn't disappoint
and of course, neither does the book.
Bette Davis (the jewels are real and she is spectacular)

.
Jimi Hendrix (a true genius and gentleman)

Happy viewing!
xo



Quote of The Day


You get in life what what you have the courage
 to ask for.
Oprah Winfrey

Monday, January 24, 2011

What's For Lunch?


Homey comfort food, like in
kindergarten, but, soo much better!
That's what's for lunch (hey- or breakfast).
Leave it to MIT graduate, Heidi Gibson.
Having won a grilled cheese competition,
 she opened up an outpost
of blue plate perfection.


Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Mousetrap

Tillamook sharp cheddar, creamy havarti, monterey jack, on artisan sourdough 6-
*add applewood-smoked bacon or artisan cured ham +1.5
*add roasted tomato +50c, bread n'butter pickles +50c

Moscone

fresh mozzarella, fontina, roasted tomatoes, basil-lavender pesto, kalamata olive tapenade 8-

Piglet

Tillamook sharp cheddar, artisan cured ham, apple mustard, rosemary butter 8-

Mushroom Gruyère

fontina, gruyère, roasted wild mushrooms + gold potatoes, melted leeks, caramelized onions, thyme butter 9-

Jalapeño Popper

chèvre, monterey jack, applewood-smoked bacon, apricot-jalapeño relish 9-
Sandwiches and more daily...
Mon - Fri 8-3
Sat - Sun 9-4
1 South Park Ave Ste 103A
415 243-0107

xo




Quote of The Day

If you live in the river,
make friends with the crocodile.
Unknown

Friday, January 21, 2011

It's In The Box

They say eyes are the windows to the soul,
then maybe the Fridge is the window to what we eat?
I love looking at people's fridges. 
You know, the photos, notes, magnets etc on the door.
But as an amateur voyeur, I do find the 
interiors pretty fascinating. There are all types-
the MTV champagne and Evian set,
the college set- Bud Light and Prego,
young families-everything but the kitchen sink,
YUP-takeout leftovers, 
the cooks-leftovers,and well stocked condiments
the organized and the unorganized...
it's all good.
It may seem strange, but trust me,
I'm not alone. Just for fun, checkout
Fridgewatcher to see what's chillin 
all over the world. Really.
xo

Quote of The Day

When things are as pretty as that,
criticism is out of season.
R.L. Stevenson

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Citrus State Of Mind


I love living in a state that is blessed with 
fits of sunshine and citrus in the middle of winter.
While never taking them  for granted, we always try 
to enjoy both while they're here.


The Capri

1 oz. gin
1/2 oz. limoncello
5 kumquats
4 fresh mint leaves
3 dashes orange bitters
Splash of club soda

Muddle 3 kumquats, 3 mint leaves, limoncello & bitters in the bottom of a martini shaker. Fill the shaker with ice & add gin. Shake vigorously. Fill a glass one third of the way with fresh ice, drop in a kumquat & add more ice. Add the remaining kumquat and cover with ice. Strain the cocktail into a glass and finish with a splash of soda. Garnish with a mint leaf. Serves 1.
Cheers!
xo

Luxe Living: View From The Top

I so wish I could remember where I put
that (extra)  $20,000... (a month)
 Two-bedroom, 1,800-square-foot unit can order up room service from Jean Georges.
 (There’s also a garage, spa and swimming pool, among other amenities.)
 The views are killer: Central Park from north to south. 
Corcoran Group
And of course there is  the similar but different angle...
Not really feeling the city life or rentals 
for that matter?
I hear the air is much clearer in the wild..
for 34 million (dollars), it should be.
Enough said.
xo

Quote of The Day


Our deeds determine us 
as much as we determine our deeds.
George Eliot

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Tattoo ART...

It's not that I love tattoos or even tattoo art, but when it comes to art styled like tattos, it's time to sit up and notice. Take  the work of Jacob Dahlstrup, a Danish artist who uses a tattoo machine on heavyweight paper to create eerie, skeleton-obsessed line drawings. From ships and mermaids to roses and scrolls, Dahlstrup uses traditional tattoo designs as a starting point before veering into the uncanny and unsettling.
Artist statement:
Key to my practice is a process of calculated spontaneity and pre planned coincidence through which I work primarily with a combination of drawing and installation. Through merging of material and context I explore the visual language of nautical folklore, which tells the story of faith, hope, love, and the struggle to get to the non-existing point in the horizon.

On a Sailors Grave (no roses grow) from Jacob Dahlstrup on Vimeo.

Cool right?
xo

Quote of The Day

Fortune reigns in gifts of the wold.
Shakespeare

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Changing The World One Globe at A Time


I love the look, the feel of a globe- the topography, 
the colors, the boundries.
There is something about a globe...
even though now, more often than not,
those we own may be an outdated geographical source. 
It is kind of interesting to look at older
globes and actually see how our world has changed.
I was so intrigued when I came across
the work of  Wendy Gold.
This local Marin-based artist is...
turning the world on it's head~ so to speak.
~ It's called Imaginations ~
Wendy finds globes at garage sales and flea markets, and decoupages them
 with recycled materials. The results are part history, part whimsy.
There are eleven designs and, 
each  is more enchanting than the next:
 On Flutter By, (above)the continents are covered in hand-cut butterflies, Your World is personalized  with your family tree and Where the Wild Things Are tells the classic story as the globe spins.
The possibilities are endless, much like I guess...
 a road more traveled.
xo



Quote of The Day

Slow and steady wins the race.
David Lloyd

Monday, January 17, 2011

RIP



“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is– what are you doing for others?”
-
–Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Hooray For Hollywood....

Well, while I may not have a Ticket To Ride
there is nothing to stop a girl from 
playing like she does and making it a 
party along the way.
Here at Hunter House, we like to make the most of
Awards Day, which usually means...
and anyone else who is riding the Red Carpet bandwagon.
and the fantasy, I buy in to it all and want to revel
in the conversations, the fashions, the glamour. 
Never one to be a back seat driver,
I will make sure we have all the bases covered 
for our day into evening viewing.
Glamour...
Via 1stDibs

Living room viewing does not require a gown!

But it definitely requires a pretty cocktail!


Our ballots are ready.

Cheers!
xo

Friday, January 14, 2011

Mapping Hollywood

Yes, this is the  (Golden Globes!)kick off weekend for 
award season, and after the holidays
it is welcome frivolity.
In a nod to the categories of
I have found two views of  The US map
which attribute the state symbols 
using  movies and TV series-
it's not official, but you never know!

xo.

Quote of The Day

Though inland far we be,
Our souls have sight of that immortal sea
Which brought us hither.
Wodsworth

Thursday, January 13, 2011

David vs Goliath

 Excelsior resident Aaron Perry-Zucker decided to cover up graffiti in his neighborhood by re-painting benches in bright colors that he says deter the vandals from returning - at least not as quickly as they would when the city covered their scrawlings with drab grays and browns.
Neighborhood groups like the Excelsior Action Group, who also work to clean up the area, approve of Perry-Zucker's benches that appear in a range of primary colors, but the artist admits he doesn't actually have permission from any sort of authority to leave his mark in the park. As Rec and Parks spokesman Elton Pon stated boringly: "the public is not allowed to paint over city property at will, no matter how bright and colorful the paint" and promised that the benches and signs would quickly return to their standard color sometime this week. How drab.
In the meantime, Perry-Zucker says he's on the look out for other things in the park brighten up.
xo

I'll Dream in Spanish

Loving the mix of different whites
 the brown wood, leather, the glass...
even though it's rather grand, it still feels... homey.
Viva La Espagna!
From Lázaro Rosa-Violán interiors.
xo