Inspiration Monday: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Art Theft

Inspiration Monday: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Art Theft

I love a good mystery. And going to college in the Boston's Back Bay neighborhood--I would walk by the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum nestled between high-end brownstones and dirty college buildings. I have always loved museums and art--I would go to the Museum of Fine Art Boston by myself more than a few times a year since high school--but what always intrigued me was the great Gardner Art Theft of 1990--more than a few years before my time but infamous to anyone growing up in the area.

Get At It Catherine Zeta Jones

I always wondered who stole the 13 works of art and why--stolen masterpieces are not something you can hang up for company to see but what is the point of keeping them in a dusty closet or attic? You can't sell them for true value on the open market and most dealers wouldn't want to get dragged into the world of underground forgeries and sales. So what would make someone want to do this?

A Lady and Gentleman in Black by Rembrandt 

And the story is so brazen--all it took was a couple of men dressed as cops to pull off one of the most brazen acts in recent art thefts--it feels more like the sequel to "The Thomas Crown Affair" than something that happened in the real world and yet right now--25 years later--the FBI still has an open case and continues to promote the hell out of the story. I mean--there is still a FIVE MILLION dollar award.

The FBI reward and investigation page

It's all so crazy and manic and romantic and I just want to know more. I makes me think of high society hi-jinks, tortured lovers sharing the paintings, families in some small town who dont know their dad's or uncles where thieves and that in the attic sits Degas sketches or a Vermeer that is one of only 36 in existence

The Concert by Vermeer

I mean--it's all so Cary Grant and Renee Russo.

I Mean--Come On--Sexy Art Detective

Sidenote: When "The Simpsons" goes into Burns' house and through his art gallery you can see the Simpsons versions of both these paintings as well as other famous stolen art works--which I never realized until today

Fashion Files: Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning 

It's that special time of year… Not quite being mad rush of Christmas shopping or the early summer wardrobe flip… You have money finally back in your pockets and time to really sit down and do a detailed organization of the closet both bedroom and bath

So here's the hit list – – the things you should think about replacing…

BATHROOM

]Toothbrush: this is one of those things that should be done every six months but people just forget--like they forget to go to the dentist.I'm a huge person about dental hygiene and it's one of the cheapest beauty tricks you have so help yourself with either totally new brushes new bristle heads and don't forget travel ones as well… You going to be very happy that you kept up with this--because keeping your real teeth is one of the best age defying tricks you can have

                                           The Truth About Blanche Deveraux

Exfoliating gloves and pumice stones: this is something that I always forget to replace but can honestly get gross and cause more problems down the road... Even if you wash the gloves out like you should they can still have germs and dirt so just toss them. And this is a good time to replace the pumice stone so you can start fresh to get your feet ready for spring and flip flops.

                                      Or You Could Do This--Not Creepy At All

Sun screen: This is one of the lotions that no one thinks of as going bad but it can--and once it does it loses it's ability to be useful which leaves you open to all that nasty sunshine that cause wrinkles... And when you buy it--avoid buying in bulk so it doesn't go bad before you've had a chance to use it. Unless you're a lifeguard--then load up.

                                               Keeping It Real--Greasy That Is

Vanishing cream and moisturizer: These are both products that once they go bad--they will really run the risk of fucking up your face... And while most women are pretty on fleck with how and when to use a full bottom--most guys are half-hearted and end up with irritated skin due to the bottle of Clearasil bought after a bad weekend at Coachella.

                                    Is That Bad Skin? Nope-Just A Bad Person

BEDROOM/CLOSET
Socks/Underwear/Undershirts/Tank Top: There is nothing guys suck worse at then remembering when to repair the unmentionables... Sure they probably got some joke ones for the holidays and they might buy some new socks when they dont want to do laundry... But unlike the ladies--men dont think of underwear as something sexy or something that gets worn out until it tears along the seam but there is nothing grosser than threadbare briefs or socks that would be better used as sandals

                              Here's How To NOT Wear Your New Wifebeater

Sunglasses: They get beat-up, scratched and thrown around all year long but spring time is the perfect time to go and find the latest looks on sale. I know you love the ones you have--but it is always good to have backups and why not something in the latest style but half off post Christmas and pre Fourth of July?

                                                          

 We've All Been There

Shoelaces: Nothing makes a pair of shoes look old and beat up more than bad shoelaces.... Whether it is the snow and salt playing havoc on your winter boots, boat shoes that need to have the laces re-threaded, or just sneakers with grimy laces---this one step really makes a huge difference... And while you're at it you should polish and clean those shoes for the season whether coming out of winter or preparing for spring/summer

                         Unless You Have This--Then F-You Already

Swimsuits: If you're a guy and your swimsuit has lining it is time to look and replace--especially if your a heavy swimmer... Unlike the ladies--the mesh can chafe and scrap up the thighs both inner and out when the elastic finally begins to swag... No one wants a rash in their special places and if you buy pre-season you can score some great deals before the crowds.

             Unless You Wear These--Then You're Pretty Chafe Free But An Ass

Bedding: Now is the time to stock up on some thinner cotton sheets for the warmer months--while flannel bedding might last forever its a good idea to buy something fresh and new for the summer months. Let's be honest--in the heat of the summer you're going to sweat and most light gauge sheets are really only good for the year unless you are able to buy top of the line and change them out often. It's good for your skin and your sex life

 

             Keep The Bed Sexy Or You Could End Up Like Demi Here--Alone

So that's it--a small and inexpensive list of things to stock up on during your spring cleaning. It's these little details and changes that can keep you looking fresh, clean faced and relaxed all year long. It's worth the effort.

Book Whore: The Widow Clicquot

Book Whore: The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It"
                      by Tilar J. Mazzeo

I really wanted to like this book-a nonfiction account of one of my favorite drinks combined with historical feminism and period dress. Unfortunately--and as Tilar Mazzeo makes clear--there is very little documented papers on the Widow Clicquot which is due to the time the story takes place, the rural nature of the business originally and the fact that she was a female business head which was very rarely covered in the historical records of the time. So what happens in the book--and it really should be more of a novel--is that Mazzeo is forced to guess about how things might have happened and she is a romantic at art so there are lots of candlelight and drama mixed into this story.

It makes the actual business and factual aspects we do have look silly and foolish--its almost more of a Kiera Knightly period piece than a story about a business... Though to her credit, Mazzeo loves champagne and teaches a lot about how it was made, the changes that came into the field during the time period and guesses smartly at how and why Widow Clicquot made those changes. In that sense, the novel is interesting about the path that all wines took in that time period, how the wars and culture clashes created demand and how the various champagne houses used that to create a market that would take over the world.

But if you're looking for a biographical account of one of the most important business women in France's history--know that you will be getting a lot of secondhand guessing some of which is based on other records at the time and other parts Jane Austen fandom. It's a shame because it detracts from what is really good and demeans the figure at the center of it all.

Inspiration Monday

Inspiration Monday: Philadelphia Story



This is one of my favorite films of all time....

Friday Jams

Friday Jams: Love Letter by Clairy Brown & The Bangin' Rackettes

I fell in love with the song a few years back when this album came out--there is something very Adele meets Lily Allen meets Amy Winehouse about the whole sound that I love. The song recently showed up in an ad campaign and just reawakened my need to listen to this song at least once a day--as well as a need to learn the awesome 50s choreography




This is just the best thing ever--stylized, fashion foward, soulful and fun... All my favorite things.

Art is the Best

So this was my Christmas gift from my friend Valeska--she knows my love for the diva that is Diana Ross as well as well as mid century concert pictures...

It is perfectly hung in my living room and makes me smile 

One of the things I live for is the hunt for the perfect finishing touch... In this case it was the perfect orange frame that I spent almost a full week hunting for on Amazon. It matches the orange leather side chairs and poppy designed curtains--and contrasts the teal sofa and damask wall paper in our bookcases.

It's the little things that add up to a finished look.

And that's the area I am the best at--making the time to find all the little details of color or shape or texture which add up to a complete look. That you can make anything work with a little hit of effort and exploration--there's so much art out there to find

Obsession-ish

So I've never wanted to go to Paris--it's what middle class people do when they can't see beyond their own world view. I've never felt the desire for baguets or berets or cloves or champagne 

I've always thought I was more the bazaar in the Middle East, the camel ride across the Saharah, just running my fingers and then I'll be enough… As I grow older and I see more things sometimes the heart changes what it wants

Like this picture of Paris at night--how can I not love this? It looks like the stars touch the ground

And that is worth the trip

Dying

Sorry there's been no posts for the last few days… I have become horribly sick and may possibly pass away due to all the pressure… Does anyone know what should happen with the Netty pot water doesn't drain… I think I might die in my sleep