Apartment Therapy

Our home was featured in an on line home design and trade magazine called ApartementTherapy.com

It was interesting to see our home through the lens of the photographer and to read peoples comments. Thankfully, most were complimentary. However, there are those who can be very critical and my get all nitpickey about all these aspects of your home.  In the end it is the place in which you live and it has to please you and our family. Lastly, it is always a work in progress. I tell ya it's a bit weird to have strangers look at your home and make comments on it.  But anyway...check it out if your interested. It certainly was a fun experience.

Today...Just Thanks!

Considering the connection of my blog title to the idea of "Neverland" I felt the need to just say a little something. No matter how many of us saw this coming for years the reality of it is so hard to take. Such a wondrous, tragic and ultimately sad life. How lucky we should all count ourselves to have witnessed  the pure gift of talent grow from childhood and expand into unexplainable genius in adulthood. I don't believe there is anyone alive today who has not received  directly or indirectly something from the talents of Michael Jackson. I relate in so many ways to being able to capture and hold onto the things that make us so alive, so fresh, so excited and passionate about life as we are in childhood.  I chose to keep in my memory the wonders of Michael Jackson and  the shinning example of an undeniable gift given from something way bigger than us and then shared with the world. So today...just wonderful memories and music of childhood, of a little boy who could sing and dance like no one else, growing up with the Jackson5 and the talent of Michael Jackson..and I vow to play that music for my child, to use it as an example of pure talent and him as an example of a true original and originator  with the hopes of never having to discuss any of the ugliness, hoping that now it all goes away (but knowing that it will get uglier than ever, I think I will choose to ignore the media). 

Thank you Michael.

Jazz Age Lawn Party

Sunday, June 7 we went to a most fun event with some very good friends. It was a Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island. The 20's/ 30's/40's being my favorite American times of the past, I was into it!! Gi and her special friend Lily were like two little flappers. They didn't even have to do much,  just with their everyday hair cuts they fit right in.  I'll tell you it was a beautiful day and just another special event that made me fell like I Love where I live and I am blessed with very special friends!!! Funny none of us had never visited Governors Island before. Even though we all pass it on the ferry to and from Manhattan all the time. We've all always wanted to go and I am sure glad we all did. What an interesting place. I want to go back on a weekday when there are not as many people and just explore! It's a wonderful picnic spot and so easy from SI! 

But, this Lawn Party was fun and special.  The Dreamland Orchestra  was playing and so many people really dressed the part. You really felt like you were back in time. I found out about it a bit late and we were rushing to get there but..next year perhaps I'll make a better effort and plan to stay the whole day!

 

Ma Petite Artiste!

 Ah Ma Petite Artiste (hmmm...is my French O.K.?).  G's latest works have been really wonderful!!

As an artist I am so unbelievably proud and astonished at what she does. These two especially grabbed my attention because they are so colorful. Often she grabs one color and just uses it and when she changes colors she changes pages. But that all seems to have changed with these two drawings. It's also unbelievable for me as a professional artists to look at my child's work and learn and admire.  It's funny because as I teach her, she reteaches me!! I watch her as she naturally works her way around the page just intuitively balancing and composing. It reminds me to allow myself to be more free and spontaneous. To let things happen.  

I have also explained to her what a work in progress is and now the drawing directly above is still on her easel and she is adding to it.  I told her to let me know when she thinks it's finished and I will put new paper up for her. So..stay tuned for the finished product! Hmmm..maybe we'll frame this one!!

First Dance Recital

What a special day it was this past Sunday. G's first dance recital of I hope many many more!! I feel that dance class really helped her to be less shy and more free to express herself in front of others. She took to it just about immediately. She went right into the class on the first day without me and just went for it. She never wanted to miss a class...so we didn't. She got an award for having perfect attendance. I think she was very proud of herself  and her accomplishment. Other than her and maybe one more little girl who was in the slightly older class all the other award recipients were the older girls. So I think she felt special.

On stage she did a surprisingly amazing job.  I think she really did all the steps and with lots of energy! THey did a dance to "You Must have been a Beautiful Baby." I did think she would do O.K. but it was her first time on a big stage and I thought she might get a bit overwhelmed and maybe just stand there a bit then do a step or two. But, the stage did not seem to bother her at all. She just did it!! Funny because she would never show me her dance at home if I asked her nor did she practice at home.  I really think she performs better when I'm not right there with her. That is fine by me...as long as the results are as wonderful as this!!! We are so proud of her!!!

It was especially wonderful for her to have her two very special friends Lily and Lucy in class with her and for them to share the class time and this day together. The day was even more special because she had so much of her family in the audience there to see her. We had a lovely day celebrating after ,all friends and family had a very nice lunch at The Veranda and we brought in an ice cream cake with all three girls names on it and big tall candles that they all blew out together. Really a wonderful and memorable day!!!

Haven's Birthday Gifts

It was our special friend Haven's Birthday this weekend and she is loving Hello Kitty right now. So, just for her I did a Hello Kitty crown and wand.  I would normally not do a licenced character but....I made an exception and I think it was worth it!  I really love how they turned out!  She also really wanted some of my little cakes so...Enjoy Haven and Happy 3rd year!!!!  We love ya!!!

UhOh..G really liked this one....I'm going to have to come up with something real special to get her mind off making her a Hello Kitty Crown and wand..hmmmmm.

Fiona's Birthday Gifts

The last two weekends were filled with Birthdays. My hands were busy!! This is the crown and wand I made for Fiona. Enjoy and Happy 4th Birthday Fiona!!