Friday Five: Summer Summer Summertime

Even though today is a terribly gloomy one in NYC, there is a bright side : Summer is in full swing. There is so much to do in NYC and most of it is free. Here are my top five events for some fun in the (hopefully) sun.

1. Figment NYC- From June 8 - 9, Governor's Island is turned into a large-scale collaborative art exhibit for the entire family. This free event features every medium of art and encourages visitor participation. This year, exhibits include an audience hoop dance, where you can learn the dance in advance and the Carl Wagan Bookmobile. The bookmobile is a mobile gallery and classroom where Carl teaches workshops in printmaking, writing and bookbinding - all in a VW camper. For Game of Thrones fans, Kostume Kult brings its iron shopping cart throne to the island for some costumed interaction. Figment NYC is a rain or shine event and definitely worth braving a little bad weather. 

Kostume Kult's Iron Throne Experience

2. Museum Mile Festival - Tuesday, June 11 is "New York's Biggest Block Party." One day a year, ten of New York's museums on Fifth Avenue open their doors for free to all visitors for a mile-long block party and celebration. The  stretch of Fifth Avenue from 105th street down to 82nd street is closed to traffic and the street becomes a party zone, providing activities such as music, dancing and crafts. 

From the Museum Mile Website

3. MoMA Nights - Every Thursday in July and August, the Museum of Modern Art provides a free concert experience for all of their visitors. These concerts relate to the museums exhibits and take place in the beautiful outdoor sculpture garden. In case of rain, the concerts are moved indoors to one of the museum's theaters. The museum offers a wide array of snacks and beverages, making this the perfect setting for a night out with friends or a date. While you are at the museum check out the rain room - you will not be disappointed. 

4. Bastille Day - I am sort of obsessed with Paris and all things French - macarons, poodles, crepes, croissants, Degas (I could go on, but I will spare you my list). Since I have yet to go to the actual country, I make sure to go to the 60th Street Bastille Day Festival every year to get my fix. I am never disappointed. Although it can get a little bit crowded, there is so much to do and see. There are activities for every age, such as wine tasting for adults and crafting for children. There is live entertainment including a mime and several live musicians. Of course, my favorite part is the food. Cheese, crepes and pastries always make for a good time. This year the festival takes place July 12.

5. Hester Street Fair - There are tons of street fairs happening every weekend in NYC, but Hester Street happens every Saturday and in my opinion has the best vendors.  Artisanal foods, jewelry, vintage clothing, jewelry and more can be found here. While you are there, make sure to try a treat from  "It's a Cuppie" - a cupcake with a cookie baked inside. Brilliant!

Strawberry Shortcake Cuppie

Art lessons: Alaya Gadeh

Have you ever had a dream so beautiful that you wish you could permanently capture the images that played in your head?  German photographer, designer and artist Alaya Gadeh seems to have the rare ability to do just that. Alaya’s works are beautiful, imaginative and inspirational. She combines various art techniques  to create images that appear to be dream-like and full of fantasy. While viewing Gadeh's work, I feel almost as if I am seeing a part of myself that I buried deep down. Her work is subtle. She uses bold colors, but frequently mutes the tones with an overlay of texture or pattern. Gadeh incorporates elements from nature in her self portraits. She also creates colorful and intricate mandalas, which often aid in meditation and the process of finding one's true self. Here are some of my favorite works by Gadeh.

Couleur Royale de la Mandala, no. 1

Floral Dream



Friday Five

Friday is finally here! I have been M.I.A. for a while, but I am back and feeling quite inspired. I hope everyone enjoys a great weekend. In New York, it is going to be sweltering, so stay hydrated. Here are my five favorite things for this week. Enjoy!

1. Photoville NYC -  Located in Brooklyn Bridge Park along the waterfront, this unique photography exhibit is made up of freight containers "transformed into temporary exhibition spaces." There are many photography styles and techniques used throughout the exhibit and it all comes together into a large, ecclectic mix that can appeal to anyone who enjoys photography. Showcasing works from amateur photographers (the "underage" section featured works by artists all under 18), student photographers and professionals, Photoville had something that could speak to everyone. The scenerey was enjoyable, the selection of food trucks were great and the workshops offered were very interesting. I went to Photoville last weekend and was thoroughly impressed. f you have time this weekend, check it out before it closes. Oh, and if you like to spend time with your dog on the weekends, Photoville is very animal friendly. There is even a dog run for your pup.

For more information click here

2. iPhone Scuba Suit - I love that I know will have the ability to take my phone in to the water with me and get some great underwater shots. While I am not a big beach person, I think this will be fun for some goofy pool images. This case is 100% waterproof, so there is no need to worry about any damage.

Available here

3. Princess Vera Wang for Kohl' - On July 9, Vera Wang will be launching her new line Princess Vera Wang - a wallet-friendly junior's line of clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories for Kohl's. While I do not usually shop in the junior's section, the video has my inrest peaked and I can definitely see myself mixing in many of the pieces. The line is will combine Vera's "vision  of playful sophistication and incorporate many of the styling elements and design characteristics for which she is best known, including mixed media and artful whimsy."

4. OPI Spotted - Because shattered nails are so "last year", OPI has released its newest top coat effect polish - "Spotted." Apparently, the polish is only available in France. It replaces the Green Shatter from the Spiderman Collection. I love the look and have found it readily available on ebay, if you are willing to pay the hefty price.

Image found on lacquernails.tumblr.com

5. Summer Berry Pizza - Have you ever eaten something and felt that all is right in the world? Well, sorry if I sound dramatic, but that is how I felt when I ate this dessert pizza. It was amazing. Every bite was perfection. We cheated and used store bought pizza dough, but the result was heavenly. Everyone should run out and get the ingredients for this pizza! The recipe can be found here.

Receipe found on DonalSkeehan.com

Summer Reading List

I am the first to admit this - I am a nerd. I love to read. Actually, I prefer it to almost anything else (anything except shopping). Each year before school ended for Summer break, we would get a list of books to read for the next school year. Most people groaned. I was happy. New books! I have continued on with my own personal summer reading list each year. Last year, I completed the Modern Library's 100 Best Novels. No, I was not a shut in. I had read a good chunk of them over the years, so I was able to finish up the list without spending my entire summer with my nose in  a book. This year, I picked a mix of books to satisfy all of my interests. There is some YA, classics, short stories, fiction, biography, art and fashion. Please note: Mr. Grey did not make the cut. Sorry ladies!

The Kissing List -  A series of interlocking stories about the love lives of several women.

Available here

The Great Gatsby - I have read this many times before, but I have to get in one more reading before the movie comes out. Plus, this book is the perfect go to for fashion ideas and inspiration. The costumes in the upcoming movie version are going to have a huge impact on the fashion world.

Available here

The Year of the Gadfly - The basic description of this book grabbed me right away - A young news reporter communicates with the ghost of Edward R. Murrow and investigates a secret society at a New England prep school. It seems like it will be full of mystery and silliness.

Available here

Advanced Style -  My friend and I joke around about something we like to call "granny style." The ability to mix and match fashion as an elderly woman fascinates me and I am constantly trying to understand how some women can mix sequins with polka dots and look amazing. I can only hope to be as fashionable and glamorous as some of the elderly women I see walking in NYC. This book will serve as an inspiration for my twilight years.

Available here

The Paris Wife - This novel the story of Ernest Hemingway, his "starter wife" Hadley and their life in Paris. As the book unfolds, we see that life during the Jazz Age in Paris might not be meant for a young couple starting out.

Available here

Frida: A Biography of Frida Khalo - Khalo's work and life have always intrigues me. I hope to learn more about her creative process, how she handled her heartache and physical pain and what inspired her.

Available here

Coco Chanel: An Intimate Life - This controversial biography mentions Chanel's drug use, lesbian affairs and German lover during World War II. Intrigued yet? No other designer had as much influence in women's fashion as Chanel and this book gives an in-depth look into her personal and business life.

Available here

The Innocents - Adam and Rachel have been dating for twelve years and are about to be married, but all of that changes when Rachel's cousin, comes to town.

Available here



The Best American Short Stories 2012 - This collection of short stories features a wide variety of new writers, acclaimed authors and everyone in between. This year's collection is said to feature stories that represent what is going on in the world today.

Available here

Flirting in Italian - Four young girls experience all the Italy has to offer - cute boys, ancient art and beautiful surroundings - along with uncovering a family mystery.

Available here

Friday Five

This week flew by and I could not be happier. I have a packed schedule this weekend - volunteering at the MoMA, BBQ with friends and family and celebrating my sister-in-law's birthday with brunch. So to kick off the weekend, here are my favorites for this week. Have a great weekend and enjoy the sun!

1. Trina Turk for Banana Republic: California native, Trina Turk, has brought her signature Palm Springs style to Banana Republic with a line of colorful clothing and accessories. The items in this line are adorable and perfect for summer. Filled with punch colors, these pieces will add a bit of glamour to your summer wardrobe without the usual hefty price associated with Turk's designs. Oh and the bracelets practically beg to be stacked!!

Shop the collection here

2. Cindy Sherman at the Museum of Modern Art: Cindy Sherman is a genius and a pioneer for women in photography. This is the last weekend to catch her retrospective at the MoMA and I highly recommend going to see it. The show spans her career from her early series of  Untitled Film Stills to her present work. This show is truly a must see for photography lovers.

3. Big Apple BBQ Block Party: For the 9th year, Madison Square Park is hosting the Big Apple BBQ Block Party, featuring amazing BBQ food from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Rack & Soul and more. Admission is free and plates of food are only $8 each. The Party starts on Saturday, June 9 and lasts until Sunday.

For more information click here

4. Monet's Garden at the New York Botanical Gardens: Claude Monet was an avid gardener and his love for gardening was evident in his paintings. Monet even hinted that flowers might have been the reason he became a painter. From now until October, the New York Botanical Gardens will have on display rare artifacts from Monet's life, as well as paintings, one of which has never been exhibited in the United States before. Photographs of Monet's garden at Giverny are also on exhibit. The Conservatory features gorgeous plants, including Monet's beloved waterlilies.

For more information click here

5. Watermelon Sangria: I am known (well in my family) for making an awesome red wine sangria. This recipe calls for white wine and watermelons. It is the perfect summer drink for BBQs, summer parties or anytime you want something refreshing. I plan on making a batch this weekend.

Gifts for Dad

Father's Day is just around the corner. There are a lot of great ways to show your appreciation for dad, so I decided to compile a list of great things I think any special father in your life would like. There is no shortage of novelty items or ties, but sometimes dad deserves something a little more memorable. Take a look!

Print from HairBrainedSchemes

Nut and Bolt Cuff from Giles & Brother

Yankee Stadium Seat

Vintage Colors Watch from G-Shock

Bobba Fett Helmet Cuff Links

Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer

Fedora from Gap

Bulleit Bourbon

Scuba Mask with camera by Liquid Image

Guinness Cupcakes with Bailey's Irish Cream Frosting - Recipe here

Nothing is better than a home baked present!!!

Art Lessons: Claudia Varosio

Earlier this week, I was on Etsy looking for some new Audrey Hepburn art to add to my collection. I happened to stumble upon Claudia Varosio's amazing shop and instantly fell in love. Claudia is a self-taught illustrator who creates book and movie posters,as well as amazing paper dolls. Her unique spin on these posters is completely original and inspired by pop culture and various elements of each movie. Claudia uses line and color in a way that brings each poster to life. Although many of the figures have minimal facial features, each one is expressive and jumps off the paper. Claudia was nice enough to allow me to interview her. Read on for my conversation with the London-based artist.

Etsy showcases many sellers on their blog with the "Quit your day job” feature. Do you have a day job or is illustrating a full time gig for you?

I do have a day job, so my Etsy shop is currently a part time gig.

Did you go to school for illustration? If so where?

Nope, I am mostly self-taught, though I would have loved to go to a school for illustration.

 What was the first movie poster you made?

It was for the film The Time Traveler's Wife, quite a few months before it came out: I had read the book, loved it and was very exited about the film. Ironically I have not seen it yet!

What is your favorite movie?
Ahh that is tricky... It changes all the time, but at the moment I would say Chinatown.

How do you get the ideas for your posters? What is your inspiration?Watching the film and trying to find a key image is what tends to work best for me... And then, what comes next is to try and make that particular subject as esthetically pleasing as I can. Visually, I would say that my main references are the vintage poster from the beginning of last century onwards, and 'graphic novels'.

I love the subjects you chose for your paper dolls. To me, they seem to be very stylish characters - some of them even icons. Did you pick them for any specific reasons?Thank you! I tend to pick either actors or characters from movies who have a strong charisma- as well as an interesting wardrobe!

Many artists now create across multiple media - photography, painting, sculpture, video. Do you work in any other media?

Not at the moment, but sculpture is certainly the most appealing of the media you mention, and in the past I have enjoyed doing it, so who knows, I may go back to it one day.

Have you ever shown your work to movie studios or book publishers?

2 of my images (Taxi Driver and the Dude paperdoll) are to be published in a couple of books about cinema, in the near future, but I have not approached neither publishers nor movie studios yet...

How would you like to see your business develop in the next few years?I would be happy to carry on doing what I am doing, enjoying it as much as I enjoy it now.

Which movies are you excited for in 2012?

On the Road and the Great Gatsby, I would say, as I love both books and am really curious to see how they have come out.

Make sure you head over to Claudia's shop and check out her amazing work. Tell her Tara from Life is Beautyfull sent you!!!