Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is one of my favorite artists. Sherman uses herself as part of a installation in which one photograph captures the essence, the heart and the pain of a person, a character, a life.






Upon seeing her work for the first time, I was drawn to her aesthetic immediately. Sherman's strangely beautiful work hits me on a gut level. And to me, art is that which evokes. It doesn't need to be understood or explained, it just has to do something to me.










In each photograph there is a palpable intimacy from being included in this rich moment in the subject's life. You don't know the circumstances, you are just secretly there, observing.

To the lab!

Welcome to the family, Casey Cole!



One of the best ways to try to relax for a few days is to travel to the loving nest of family, friends, or in this case, both.



Will and I just spent a very enjoyable weekend in Cabin Point, Virgina with his parents and the newest addition to their family, Miss Casey Cole. Casey is just about the cutest, most precious little yellow lab pup, full of vim and vigor and spunk.





Our little one, Gracie, got and gave a work-out romping around and wrestling with her Casey.Our 3 year-old successfully encouraged outdoor evacuation to this little one as well, which the puppy's pooped parents applauded and appreciated.


With a heart of gold and such a playful, fun personality, Casey is smart, hilarious, and fits right in with the Cole clan.



She has no clue how lucky she is by scoring the best lab dog parents on the east coast.




Casey's first bath was both adorable and hilarious, and no doubt a full workout for Mrs. C!



I'll report back on all of the goodies we found at one of Mrs. C's great secrets, the antique mall! It was a nesters vintage heaven. More to come on that.

Summer Chloe`

Growing up with enough punk in my blood to think ice camo is close enough to couture, I can't help the anti-establishment rebellion against labels that inevitably remains. I harbor an ounce of hostility towards my favorite fashion designers for charging my future children's college funds for one voile blouse or gold over-sized tote.



One designer lured me into their air-conditioned boutique on Park Avenue about five years ago as I took the scenic route as I trudged home from one of my many jobs I had to work in order to survive in the fashion-capital of the country. Hot and exhausted, as a starving artist living paycheck-to-paycheck having just graduated from college, it was the silhouettes and shapes of the Chloe` coutures standing in the window display that beckoned to me from across the iconic Avenue.

Girlish and feminine, each Chloe` looks effortless, free, yet perfectly constructed.

Never have I, or will I most likely ever, be able to afford a frock, a blouse, or god-help-me, even a freakin' belt, from this amazingly visionary label, but I am in constant awe of the artistry and innovation that lives and breathes in each classic Chloe` piece.

Wall Graphics

One Up Designs has some cool and beautiful wall graphics. The above tree decal is an example of the custom orders this great shop provides as well as their own designs.






Nest has featured vinyl wall stickers and more, but this really caught my eye.



With better prices than most, and from a fantastic Etsy shop, this may be just what we were looking for.




The only downside I'm seeing is that they are indeed removable, but not re-positionable. Yes, I made up that word. So these would work best on something you want to keep the decal on 4LYF like a guitar case, shelf or a wall in your home where the furniture is pretty much set in stone.


As I said, you can take them off, but then you can not put them back on. So they are a one-hit-wonder, but well worth it for half the price of most other vinyl wall decals. With a great sense of design and humor (note the monkeys), someone should order these STAT.

Ultra Retro

Ultra rad Etsy shop of the week, Yo!

LiveEarth + Green Tips

Register to host an event or find out how and where to attend a LiveEarth Party. LiveEarth is a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on 7/7/07. With over 100 music artists and 2 billion people watching, Live Earth's goal is to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis. This is the perfect occasion to have a Green Rock Party at your place with friends. Keep it simple and earth-friendly and be a part of the universal solution to global warming. Check the Live Earth blog for more information on the concert, how to host a party or attend one, and for ways to help, get involved, donate time or money.



From the website I then found that MSN now offers a very helpful eco-conscious resource with an easy earth-friendly guide. With articles ranging from home decor to weddings to fashion, including the all-encompassing 50 Ways to Go Green.

A few of my favs...

*Recycle smart

From furniture to electronics, one person's trash is another's treasure-so when you want to dispose of an old item, don't make the dump your first stop. Two sites with alternatives: freecycle.org and earth911.org. The Freecycle Network describes itself as "a place to give or receive what you have and don't need or what you need and don't have-[to keep] stuff out of landfills." The Earth 911 Web site offers community-specific resources, with a focus on recycling. Check out the home page to find out where you can recycle your computer, your cell phone-even used motor oil.

*Bring home superhero plants

Certain greens can help remove indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. Don't have the gardening gene? Golden pothos, English ivy, and peace lilies are all easy-to-grow toxin fighters.

*Recycle re-chargeables

Cell phones, digital cameras, and camcorders have made these batteries more popular than ever, but in certain states-Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Vermont-it's illegal to throw them away. Wherever you live, you can find a nearby store that will recycle them for you; just go to rbrc.org and type in your zip code.

*Adjust fridge and freezer temps

Refrigerators eat up the most electricity in the household. Maximize efficiency by keeping the fridge at 37°F. and the freezer at 0°F.

And remember to keep the shades drawn during the day with the blinds turned down. This keeps out a lot of sunlight that heats up your home. Keep a fan blowing, and you can cut down the major A/C usage. I'm not preaching suffering here, just small little things that help cut down on the amount. Over time it cuts your bill down and energy-usage as well.

Keep cool with large amounts of ice cream, popsicles, and of course, a nice, tall cold one.


*Protect the earth while you picnic

At your next outdoor party, ask people to write their names on disposable cups so they'll use only one (to make it easy, put out markers). If you use disposable dinnerware, buy the kind that won't clog landfills or kill trees. To try: EarthShell plates and bowls. They're made from corn, potatoes, and limestone-and cost less than 6 cents per plate.

Tree photo from Tree of Life