Wish One...

these two photographs from Taverne Agency

A few weeks ago, by chance, I watched 'The Bucket List' with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson (whom I think is a great actor). Anyways, without delving too much into the plot, it's basically about two old men who, sharing the same hospital room, find out they have only a few months to live. In finding this out, they make their 'bucket list' - all of the things they want to do before they die.

This got me thinking, as I'm sure most would, what would I do if I found out I had only months to live? Some answers came right away, others over time... so, I'm going to post them here - in no particular order. The things I want to do, places I want to go... and maybe I'll never have a deadline to keep to.

So - here's one, I want to ride a beautiful horse along an endless beach, and at times, really fast so I can feel the wind on my face. Late in the afternoon too... so I can watch the sun set as I trot alone the sandy beach.... an absolutely beautiful, peaceful, and invigorating moment to be lived.

Thinking about how beautiful and powerful horses are, and how much I admire their beauty, grace within that strength. I couldn't help but think of the photographer Tim Flach, who's 'Equus' book project, displays his entire horse series. For an article and interview with Tim Flach on this, see this link.

 These photos say it all, and are so breathtaking, they are so visually descriptive in their simplicity, I am quite captivated.. Here are some of my favorites, I particularly like the one below on the right - which was taken as this horse was racing down a track at 30 mph, and then pulled to a grinding halt... it's a powerful image...

A Little More Shabby Chic!

25th street flea market, nyc

The Antiques Garage, nyc

One of my favorite things to do in NYC is checking out the 25th Street Flea Markets, I just love these places - I have wandered around them many times, always finding something I would love to keep!! I think my best find was a 1930's mixing bowl, which was a perfect gift - and now has a wonderful home!

I think I have found a little soft spot for things vintage, flea market, shabby chic, and antique! Below is a chair and ottoman I saw on my last visit - which I would have loved to snap up, clean up, accessorize - if only my little NY apartment could have handled it!

I also found a couple great photo's of the NYC flea market on flickr! Check out 'The Gentleman'.

And if you want to read more about flea markets in America, with some handy little flea market find tips, check out the blog Flea Speech!

So when arriving at my (apartment!) door step today, I found my wonderful purchase of the book 'Flea Market Style' by Emily Chambers, waiting for me! I haven't had the chance to properly devour its pages yet, but here's a few photo's I took of my favorite pages so far! Oh! The inspiration!!.... Oh! How I wish my apartment was bigger!!!!

oh...it's the British in me!

who said dark leather sofa's had to be drab?!

I do love those french inspired beds...

beaten and battered metal furniture - yesss please!

can you imagine the wonderful dinner parties?!!

When It Rains?

It pours in New York....

It's a soggy wet Friday night in New York City... and what's the best thing to do when the weather is terrible? But stay in the warm, curl up under a blanket, request the presence of Mr. Ben and Mr. Jerry, and gather some wonderful reading?!

Well, that's exactly what I did! The last time I gobbled up a tub of Ben & Jerry's by myself was back in Summer '06!! (can you believe it?!) In my glorious mailbox today I found my new figure drawing book - and I'm loving reading it!! (now time to put it to some more practice!) Below are just a few pictures of my three items of reading material from my evening!

A Glorious evening - it's been too long since I last spoilt myself!

Mr. Ben & Mr Jerry!

My evening's reading material!! "Master Class in Figure Drawing" by Robert Beverly Hale, "A Century of Interior Design 1900-2000" by Stanley Abercrombie and "Attention to Detail" by Suzanne Trocme.

Above images from "Master Class in Figure Drawing" by Robert Beverly Hale. This book is a wonderfully illustrated and amazing book - jammed full of very helpful hints and descriptions!! Robert Beverly Hale (1901 - November 14 1085) was an Artist, a curator of American Paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and an instructor of artistic anatomy at the Art Students League of New York before retiring in 1982. A great book I will use often and keep forever!

1950!

1926!

My favorite images and years of design are in the above images from "A Century of Interior Design 1900-2000" by Stanley Abercrombie. This is a stunning book, I would recommend any interior design enthusiast to have in their collection! Although this isn't a complete history, It covers so much - year by year the book tells the story of interior design, furniture, architecture and all major events for designers, creators and inspirations within this most eventful century! 

Just a snippet! London's Suzanne Trocme's "Attention to Detail" - This is a wonderful book full of visual eye candy! It has a ton of inspiration and some just stunning photography by Andrew Wood!! Oh my head is reeling with the possibilities!!