Etienne Aigner long reminds me of my childhood; I can recall my mom’s purses and loafers, which were anything but edgy. It appears a reinvention was in order (the Paloma Color Block Bootie is a highlight); loving this:
A voice of a lark and a deep abiding walk with the Lord Jesus; He is beauty for our ashes:
But I don’t rest much on that; nor would I if it were ten times as much as it is. I have a notion that what seem our worst prayers may really be, in God’s eyes, our best. Those, I mean, which are least supported by devotional feeling and contend with the greatest disinclination. For these, perhaps, being nearly all will, come from a deeper level than feeling. In feeling there is so much that is really not ours–so much that comes from weather and health or from the last book read. One things seems certain. It is no good angling for rich moments. God sometimes seems to speak to us most intimately when He catches us, as it were, off our guard. Our preparations to receive Him sometimes have the opposite effect. Doesn’t Charles Williams say somewhere that “the altar must often be built in one place in order that the fire from heaven may descend somewhere else“? –Letters to Malcolm, C.S. Lewis
One of the many sights we visited in Paris included the Musée de l’Orangerie. Nestled in the sprawling Tuleries Garden, Musée de l’Orangerie could be overlooked on one’s quest to the Louvre. However, its treasures are vast, including none other than Monet’s Water Lilies.
Confession: the Impressionist period includes many paintings one adores, however, for me, Monet’s aren’t included…until, Musée de l’Orangerie. [My truest loves center in the Neo-Impressionist period–the subject of the exhibition poster from Musée d’Orsay from my Art Wall.]
The Water Lilies impressiveness is delivered in their size, environment, and history. They are truly an experience. The video below is admittedly high-brow, but full of great content. A little sophistication for your day–so enjoyed the discussion of traditional landscapes and the departure from the classical approach. Note: the French state built the gallery for these canvases. Read this wonderful article from the New York Times.
Nick Knight
I had taken a slue of photos of my time in Paris which I envisioned framing. But, the art wall has been a slow project; slower and more indecisive than usual. It is started, now, demonstratively. My newest addition is at the top right, with a swatch of fabric that I like, and a quote I adore. I am not settled on this addition (perhaps a tad too much color), but it will land somewhere in my home. My intention is to have the art wall from floor to ceiling–a gallery effect. In case you can’t quite make out the quote (its a current obsession):
Certainty is the mark of the common sense life–gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God is to be uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow might bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. – Oswald Chambers
Valentino’s 2013 Fall ad campaign takes its lead from Dutch artists, including Johannes Vermeer. Co-creative decorator, Pierpaolo Piccioli, explained the campaign as centering on, “the magnificence of Flemish lights and 10 different characters of contemporary feminine grace and regality.” There is such strength in the color black.
One of my very favorites, Vermeer is credited, among other things, with mastering the influence of light in his paintings, as well as training the Delft School of artists.
Needing organization and a spot of color, I began leaning toward a tall bookshelf for my office. My office currently houses a black desk and black trestle table for my sewing machine. I’ve been pouring over options for too long and needed to end the insatiable search. I scooped up the piece (well, the piece in boxes) at Ikea. Love the lime green and glass, the touch of Scandinavian modern, with an eastern age.
Marinated buffalo wings, kale salad, and fruit. I marinated the buffalo wings in 1 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/2 large vidalia onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and healthy servings of salt and pepper, overnight. Roasted at 425 degrees for approximately an hour. The kale salad was snagged from a dear friend: 4 cups of kale, grape tomatoes, carrots, and feta cheese soaked for 10 minutes in 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar; 3 tablespoons of olive oil; 1 teaspoons of salt and pepper, respectively; and 2 tablespoons of dijon mustard.
My life has been overwhelmed by the Lord’s goodness. This goodness has created palpable moments imprinted in my mind’s eye–the beauty of His earth, sweet friends, new life, and manifestations of answered prayers (and a wondrous camera to capture them!). Lewis’ words from Letters to Malcolm seem fitting:
I dare not omit, though it may be mocked and misunderstood, the extreme example. The strangest discovery of a widower’s life is the possibility, sometimes, of recalling detailed and uninhibited imagination, with tenderness and gratitude, a passage of carnal love, yet with no re-awakening of concupiscence. And when it occurs (it must not be sought) awe comes upon us. It is like seeing nature itself rising from its grave. What was sown in momentariness is raised in still permanence. What was sown as a becoming, rises as being. Sown in subjectivity, it rises in objectivity. The transitory secret of two is now a chord in the ultimate music.
Was forwarded the following by Chad Howse at work recently. Both these wise words and Ann Voskamp’s 25 Point Manifesto, need to sink in:
1. Have your biggest dreams written on a massive white board.
2. Focus only on TODAY.
3. Have only 3 things on your to do list that MUST BE accomplished.
4. Practice Discipline.
5. Create an inspiring environment.
6. Have a quotes list near your desk, and your bed.
7. Workout everyday.
8. Set mini, measurable goals.
9. Work in 90-120 minute intervals, interspersed with active breaks.
10. Don’t work on small projects.
11. Clean once a week.
12. Take mini-vacations monthly.
13. Read voraciously.
14. Journal daily.
15. Win your mental battles.
The Weekend Design 