Habitually Chic®

Off to Anguilla

2012-01-26T08:30:00.002-05:00

You're probably saying to yourself, "didn't she just get back from LA?" The answer is yes. But when someone asks you if you want to attend a press trip to Viceroy Anguilla when it's January in New York, the answer should always be, "abso-freaking-lutely!" So with just three days downtime, I'm headed off for a little fun in the sun. I will be enjoying crystal clear waters, 80 degree temps, yoga, poolside spa treatments, and more. To paraphrase Carrie Bradshaw, "just go ahead and feel what I want you to feel...jealous." Just kidding. You know I'd take you all with me if I could. Well, not all of you. Just the nice ones.

Later skaters!

Chic Hollywood Hills Home: Part Deux

2012-01-25T08:28:00.000-05:00

Hopefully by now you've had time to digest the chicness of the first floor of the Hollywood Hills home of Mark D. Sikes from my last post Get ready for even more amazing interior design on the second floor. The shelves that hold all his magazines are definitely going in my inspiration folder for my future home. Enjoy!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Chic Hollywood Hills Home: Part I

2012-01-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

One of the most fun things I was able to do in Los Angeles was meet interior designer Mark D. Sikes. Not only did he let me visit his gorgeous home in the Hollywood Hills but photograph it as well. You might recognize it from the December/January 2012 issue of House Beautiful. And before I go any farther, a full resource guide can be found online here since I know I will get questions about where to find things. It's always fun to see a space you have seen in a magazine in person. They only have room for so many photos so you miss so much. What struck me is how "East Coast" the house looks and not at all what you expect to see in Hollywood or California for that matter. You can see the influences also of Oscar de la Renta's house in Punta Cana and even Whitney Fairchild's Hamptons home that was featured in House & Garden magazine years ago. Mark used to work in visual merchandising but has transitioned now to interior design and it's clear that he has a great future ahead of him. I took so many photos that they wouldn't fit in just one post so this is a look at just the first floor. Pretty amazing huh?

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

High Style: Tabitha Simmons

2012-01-23T13:54:00.000-05:00

I've asked a few people to be featured in the book from whom I didn't hear back. Former model and stylist turned shoe designer Tabitha Simmons was one. But it all makes sense now. The five story townhouse that she shares with her husband photographer Craig McDean and her family is featured in the February issue of Vogue. There is no competing with Vogue or Tabitha's fabulous style for that matter. Architect Annabelle Selldorf blew out the back walls and replaced then with lovely paned glass windows and doors that let in lots of light. Landscape designer Miranda Brooks created the outdoor areas that further convince me that I definitely want to live in a townhouse and not an apartment building someday. Maybe I should making shoes.

Photos by Francois Halard

Chic in LA: Kendall Conrad

2012-01-22T19:57:00.001-05:00

My trip to Los Angeles was so scheduled that I barely had time to breathe but I did manage to find some time to shop. On Saturday, I met a friend at Brentwood Country Mart which couldn't be cuter. And thanks to the power of twitter, Julia Leach of Chance, alerted me that I had to stop by the Kendall Conrad pop up shop there. I'm so glad she did too because not only did I love the small store design and wall of black and white photos but the fabulous leathergoods. I'm not a girly girl so I prefer clean lined bags and accessories and sometimes even buy those designed for men. Kendall Conrad gets my aesthetic and I seriously could have bought one of everything. The bags feature brass hardware influenced by equestrian accouterments and her Spanish heritage which extends to a jewelry line of rings and bracelets. I ended up buying the Esclava chocolate leather and brass cuff bracelet but I have a feeling that I'm going to be ordering the Maquillaje make up bag in white leather and a laptop case before long. She even designs items for dogs and men. (I so want to make a joke that they are the same but will refrain.) I was also beyond surprised to find out that no stores in New York carry Kendall Conrad. Some chic shop owner needs to get on that!

Photos courtesy of Kendall Conrad

LA Lady

2012-01-19T20:04:00.000-05:00

Those of you who follow me on twitter already know but I thought I should mention to everyone that I am currently in Los Angeles. I'm busy shooting a few last subjects for my book and meeting up with friends old and new. My schedule is pretty jam packed which is the reason for the lack of posts. Besides shooting for the book, I have managed to photograph some fun places and stores and hopefully I can get them up on the blog soon. Until then, I'm going to enjoy the 65 degree temperatures and the laid back lifestyle. Later skaters!

Photo of Los Angeles by Nicholas Maggio

Chic in Atlanta: Sid Mashburn

2012-01-17T23:30:00.000-05:00

While I loved Ann Mashburn in Atlanta, I kind of wanted to move into Sid Mashburn and marry their handsome salesman Randall. It's a mecca for menswear and impeccable custom suiting. The tailors are on site to cater to your sartorial pleasure and couldn't be sweeter. If you're a Southern gentleman or even a Yankee, get thee to Sid's the next time you're in Atlanta. And tell Randall to call me.

Sid Mashburn

1198 Howell Mill Road

Atlanta, GA 30318

404-350-3135

Randall on the phone.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Chic in Atlanta: Ann Mashburn

2012-01-17T14:29:00.000-05:00

Also top on my list to visit in Atlanta were visiting the Ann Mashburn and Sid Mashburn stores. I had heard so much about them that I couldn't wait to check them out for myself. I can definitely say that they don't disappoint. The men's store Sid Mashburn opened first in 2007 and it took some prodding by the couple's five daughters to convince their mother to open Ann Mashburn, the ladies store in 2010. Ann Mashburn herself is actually quite qualified in the fashion realm having worked under Polly Mellon at Vogue in New York as well as for Glamour and J.Crew. She also happened to be around the day I visited and could not have been nicer. That made the visit even more special.

Of course, I couldn't leave without buying a little something and what I bought is actually a testament to Ann Mashburn's great design skills. I loved the Jackson Pollock look of a splatter print shirt but it was a pop over which usually never looks good on me. (A pop over is a shirt that only buttons half way down like a tunic.) I need pieces that give me a waist but I decided to try it on just in case. It was perfectly fitted and nipped in at the waist and very flattering. More importantly, the collar stays put when you pop it up. The shirt gets an A+ in my book and I have a feeling I'll be calling down to Atlanta to order it in every print!

Ann Mashburn

1198 Howell Mill Road

Atlanta, GA 30318

404-350-7132

Ann Mashburn

The splatter print shirt designed by Ann Mashburn that I bought at the store.

These new Taffin candles by James de Givenchy smell amazing!

The moodboard was pretty epic!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Chic in Atlanta: Pieces

2012-01-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

I am embarrassed to say that I had never been to Atlanta, Georgia before Americas Mart invited me down to speak. I took the opportunity to stay the weekend and see some sights. At the top was stopping by the store Pieces. I shopped from them online for my bachelor pad project in 2008 and it was fun to see the store in person. Owner Lee Kleinhelter has so much inventory online that I was expecting a larger boutique but she packs a lot into a small space. Lee was unfortunately shopping the Mart so I didn't get to meet her but I definitely enjoyed my visit. I highly recommend it to any designer visiting Atlanta. Or you could always do what I did and shop online.

Pieces

3234-A Roswell Road, NW

Atlanta, GA 30305
404-869-2476

www.piecesinc.com

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Off to Atlanta

2012-01-13T14:19:00.000-05:00

I am off to Atlanta this weekend to attend the Atlanta Market and to speak on a great panel at AmericasMart. Maxwell Gilingham-Ryan of Apartment Therapy, Christiane Lemieux of DwellStudio and I will be discussing Daily Design: How the Everyday Inspirations from Blogs Change the Industry on Saturday, January 14 from 3:00-4:00pm in Building 1, Floor 14, Seminar Room. A cocktail meet and greet and book signing will follow so I hope everyone attending the Market will stop by and say hello!

I also look forward to catching up with friends in Atlanta including interior designer Courtney Giles and stopping into chic stores like Pieces, Sid Mashburn and Ann Masburn. Hope ya'll don't miss me too too much while I'm gone but you can always follow my adventures on twitter.

Bon Weekend!

Chic Repeat: Malene Birger

2012-01-12T10:53:00.000-05:00

I started out on track this week but photo shoots for the book and preparations for trips to Atlanta and LA have left me falling behind. Until I get myself squared away, I'm posting a repeat. If television can do it, why can't I? The house belongs to Danish fashion designer Malene Birger, who has the lovely nickname of the "Queen of Fashion in Copenhagen." It's still one of my all time favorite more than a year and a half later. I can find some of her fashions in the US but I'm still waiting for her to open a stand alone shop. I can already imagine it being just as chic as her own home.

A Chic Benefit

2012-01-11T14:40:00.000-05:00

I was honored to be asked to co-host a benefit for Pancreatic Cancer Research next week and hope all of you will stop by to support this important cause. The event will take place from 7:00-11:00pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at the Tribeca Grand Hotel Church Bar. To RSVP, please email Amina Akhtar, aminaakhtar@mac.com. For those of you who cannot attend but would like to donate, please click here. Thank you!

Mellow Yellow

2012-01-09T10:15:00.000-05:00

Even though Pantone has declared Tangerine Tango the color for 2012, I still think yellow is going to be just as big. From shades resembling an egg yolk to pale lemon, it's bright and cheerful yet chic. Yellow and black usually reminds me of a bubble bee or Steelers uniform, but it's starting to grow on me. I also love it with pale grey and you can't go wrong mixing it with blue. It seems a great harbinger of spring and forsythia. Take that orange.

Vivianna Volpicella

Elizabeth Peyton

Scalamandre

Domino

Tommy Ton

Kate and Andy Spade residence

Benjamin Dhong

via World of Interiors

Jean-Phillippe Delhomme

photo by Douglas Friedman

Tommy Ton

Lindsey Coral Harper interior design in House Beautiful

Lisbon, Portugal

World of Interiors

Steve McQueen

Tommy Ton

photo by Jessica Craig Martin

photo by Cass Bird

Chic in Morocco: Four Seasons Marrakech

2012-01-08T21:30:00.000-05:00

After a brief reprieve of warmer temps on Saturday, we're back to feeling the winter chill in New York. Perfect time to revisit my trip to Morocco and luxurious stay at the Four Season Marrakech. The hotel had only been open for a few short months when we arrived and we were the very first press to experience its splendor. It really does remind me of an oasis in the dessert full of palm trees and gorgeous pools. It's about five minutes from the airport and shopping in the souk but you couldn't feel farther away from the madness of Marrakech. They were having the grand opening celebration a few days after your departure and the Prince of Saudi Arabia had flown in for the festivities. Almost wanted to become one of wives just so I could stay in this paradise forever. It was that magical. Sigh.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Drama at Downton

2012-01-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder that everyone's favorite period series Downton Abbey returns to PBS this Sunday, January 8th. I was lucky enough to attend a screening of the first episode and Q&A with some members of the cast last month. I also was a naughty girl and then watched the entire season 2 online because I couldn't wait. You are in for many drama filled episodes that deal with World War I and the changes it causes at the house. Of course, the best quips come from Dame Maggie Smith who plays the Dowager Duchess of Grantham and I can only imagine how author Julian Fellowes comes up with them. "What's a weekend?"

Warm Winter Orange

2012-01-05T09:00:00.004-05:00

My love of orange is no secret. Especially burnt orange. I saw a space so beautifully decorated with the color yesterday that it inspired me to put together another little compilation inspiration post. Enjoy.

All photos from tumblr

Looking Good is the Best Revenge

2012-01-04T10:11:00.002-05:00

I was very impressed with the dignified and classy way that Demi Moore handled the recent collapse of her marriage to Aston Kutcher. It's also nice to see her happy and looking gorgeous in the February issue of Harper's Bazaar. More importantly, I hope Ashton sees the cover of this issue everywhere he goes for the next month and it is a constant reminder that he is an idiot. Looking good really is the best revenge.

You go girl!

Photos by Cedric Buchet

Le Cabinet de Curiosités

2012-01-03T12:39:00.001-05:00

Over the holidays, my friend Jessica and I visited an amazing exhibition organized by the Marlborough Gallery downtown in the old Mercantile Exchange building. Le Cabinet de Curiosités, is a show conceived and curated by Thierry Despont, where "contemporary art converges with 18th- and 19th-century antiquities in a setting that blurs the confines of time and categorization." It mixes pieces by Thierry Despont himself and artists Manolo Valdés and the late Claudio Bravo, as well as rare antique furniture from the Steinitz Collection. I especially loved Thierry Despont's sculptures of animals and bugs made from metal machine parts and found objects. It's a small jewel box of an exhibition but worth the visit.

Le Cabinet de Curiosités

6 Harrison Street, 2nd Floor

New York, NY 10013

Tuesday thru Saturday

11:00am to 5:00pm

Open through January 31, 2012

Write It Down, Make It Happen 2012 Edition

2012-01-02T23:55:00.002-05:00

If you are a long time reader, then you will know my love of the book Write It Down, Make It Happen. Instead of making New Year's resolutions that just get broken a few weeks later, why not outline your goals for the year. I just went back and reread my New Year, New Goals post from January 2, 2011. Number 3 was, "I will have my book proposal picked up in 2011." It's a pretty amazing feeling to be in the middle of that process and to know it will be published in late October or early November 2012. Proof that sometimes, writing it down can actually make it happen.

I will continue to travel more in 2012. This goal was on last year's list and when I started to tell people that I wanted to write more travel stories, I was offered them. I couldn't even image when I wrote that goal that I would be invited on an amazing trip to Morocco. This year, I already have January trips to Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Anguilla scheduled which is starting the year off on the right foot. I also have been chatting with friends about a possible trip to Mexico City in April. I'd also really like to turn some of my trips into opportunities for travel magazine articles.
I will go on an African Safari in 2012. I am making this a goal separate from travel because it is a major goal that I have for this year. It's always been a dream to travel on safari since seeing Out of Africa. I originally wanted it to be where I went on my honeymoon but since that doesn't seem to be happening, I'm just going to go by myself or with friends, preferably on a press trip. Safaris are expensive you know. I already have my safari ensembles picked out at Beretta.
I will sell at least 50,000 copies of my book "Creativity at Work." This goal technically will begin in 2012 and continue into 2013. I was already told that this goal is a bit crazy which of course will drive me to make it happen even more. If you tell an Aries something is impossible, we'll figure out a way to make it possible. If each of my daily blog readers bought one copy, I would make this goal. If half bought two copies, I would again reach my goal. We've already been laying out the design and I really think you're going to like it if I do say so myself so hopefully everyone will buy a copy. I'm already looking forward to my book tour and parties.
I will consult on a hotel project in 2012. My various trips in 2011 had me staying in many different hotels. I feel like a lot of commercial projects in general are designed by men. Tall men who don't take into consideration that a petite woman or shorter people might be using their spaces. There were a few tubs I could barely climb in and out of as well as one room so dark I could barely see in it. Men also don't think about putting a standing makeup mirror in the room so a woman can put her makeup on out in the room while her traveling companion takes a shower and gets ready in the bathroom. And what's up with just five hangers in the closet? That doesn't even cover one day's outfits for me.
I will advance my photography skills in 2012. I feel like I barely know what my Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera is capable of doing. There are functions that remind me of math class which was never my strongest subject so I am determined to take a photography class this year. I also don't feel like I know enough about lighting and post production. I am actually considering spending time this summer assisting some professional photographers. You are never too old to learn or try something new.
I will eat healthy and make time for exercise in 2012. One of the hardest challenges for me is working from home which deals with a few items on my list for 2012. It's easy to spend all day working in front of the computer. I've already started to eat healthy and drink Green Love juice from Organic Avenue everyday and look and feel better . I plan to get back on track with yoga and Physique 57 as well. My warm weather trips in January are really helping keep me on track so far but I want to keep up with this goal for the entire year.
I will try to get better at returning emails in 2012. This is my goal every year and I never seem to get a handle on it. I receive a crazy amount of junk emails everyday which doesn't help. I've been trying to unsubscribe or create delete filters but my inbox always seems to be full. I am going to try to keep to the 24 hours rule in 2012 but sometimes I just want to enjoy my life and not always be worried about returning emails.
I will get up earlier in 2012. I don't sleep in until noon but I also don't get up as early as I should. This could help with number 6 by giving me more time to return emails. We'll see how it goes.
I will not feel guilty about seeking inspiration during the middle of the day 2012. I paid my dues. I worked for other people in offices where I was chained to my desk all day. Part of me thinks I should be on a schedule but as a creative person, I find a schedule stifling. If I want to go to a museum exhibition during the middle of the day for inspiration or even just get a manicure, by golly I'm gonna do it. This can only really happen if I get better at goal #7 and have all my work done but not sitting at my desk all day also helps with goal #6. I just want to enjoy my life as much as possible.
I will be really happy in 2012! I can already tell this is going to be a great year!

I am very lucky that so many wonderful people in the worlds of design, fashion and art read my blog. So many have found their true passion in life and have their dream jobs which is the theme of my book. But the person I think about most when I write my blog is that person who doesn't have their dream job. The person who is sitting in a cubicle miserable and reading blogs as an escape. I never ask my readers to do anything for me but if you are one of these people, please take one step toward your happy life in 2012. Maybe you could take a class, find a mentor, volunteer, read a self-help book, anything. Do something that can get you closer to your dream job and dream life.

Life is short. The world is big. Get out there and enjoy it!

Photo by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Ring Out, Wild Bells

2011-12-31T13:55:00.000-05:00

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,

The flying cloud, the frosty light;

The year is dying in the night;

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,

For those that here we see no more,

Ring out the feud of rich and poor,

Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,

And ancient forms of party strife;

Ring in the nobler modes of life,

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,

The faithless coldness of the times;

Ring out, ring out thy mournful rhymes,

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,

The larger heart the kindlier hand;

Ring out the darkness of the land,

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

- Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

Happy Days

2011-12-29T09:00:00.012-05:00

Photographer Sophie Elgort linked to this article on twitter and I thought it was definitely worth posting here. As we start the New Year thinking about how we can be more organized or on time, perhaps we should start by working on being happy. Most of my friends will attest that I'm a pretty happy glass half full type of person. That's not to say that everyday is full of sunshine and rainbows. But when bad things happen, I always try to figure out a way to turn that negative situation around. Many times when I'm in a funk, a quick visit to twitter is all it takes to get me out of it. Everyone is so funny that before I know it, I'm laughing out loud. I've often joked that twitter is my happy place and it might just make an excellent No. 13 to this list.

12 Things Happy People Do Differently

Studies conducted by positivity psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky point to 12 things happy people do differently to increase their levels of happiness. These are things that we can start doing today to feel the effects of more happiness in our lives. (Check out her book The How of Happiness.)

1. Express gratitude. – When you appreciate what you have, what you have appreciates in value. Kinda cool right? So basically, being grateful for the goodness that is already evident in your life will bring you a deeper sense of happiness. And that’s without having to go out and buy anything. It makes sense. We’re gonna have a hard time ever being happy if we aren’t thankful for what we already have.

2. Cultivate optimism. – Winners have the ability to manufacture their own optimism. No matter what the situation, the successful diva is the chick who will always find a way to put an optimistic spin on it. She knows failure only as an opportunity to grow and learn a new lesson from life. People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times.

3. Avoid over-thinking and social comparison. – Comparing yourself to someone else can be poisonous. If we’re somehow ‘better’ than the person that we’re comparing ourselves to, it gives us an unhealthy sense of superiority. Our ego inflates – KABOOM – our inner Kanye West comes out! If we’re ‘worse’ than the person that we’re comparing ourselves to, we usually discredit the hard work that we’ve done and dismiss all the progress that we’ve made. What I’ve found is that the majority of the time this type of social comparison doesn’t stem from a healthy place. If you feel called to compare yourself to something, compare yourself to an earlier version of yourself.

4. Practice acts of kindness. – Performing an act of kindness releases serotonin in your brain. (Serotonin is a substance that has TREMENDOUS health benefits, including making us feel more blissful.) Selflessly helping someone is a super powerful way to feel good inside. What’s even cooler about this kindness kick is that not only will you feel better, but so will people watching the act of kindness. How extraordinary is that? Bystanders will be blessed with a release of serotonin just by watching what’s going on. A side note is that the job of most anti-depressants is to release more serotonin. Move over Pfizer, kindness is kicking ass and taking names.

5. Nurture social relationships. – The happiest people on the planet are the ones who have deep, meaningful relationships. Did you know studies show that people’s mortality rates are DOUBLED when they’re lonely? WHOA! There’s a warm fuzzy feeling that comes from having an active circle of good friends who you can share your experiences with. We feel connected and a part of something more meaningful than our lonesome existence.

6. Develop strategies for coping. – How you respond to the ‘craptastic’ moments is what shapes your character. Sometimes crap happens – it’s inevitable. Forrest Gump knows the deal. It can be hard to come up with creative solutions in the moment when manure is making its way up toward the fan. It helps to have healthy strategies for coping pre-rehearsed, on-call, and in your arsenal at your disposal.

7. Learn to forgive. – Harboring feelings of hatred is horrible for your well-being. You see, your mind doesn’t know the difference between past and present emotion. When you ‘hate’ someone, and you’re continuously thinking about it, those negative emotions are eating away at your immune system. You put yourself in a state of suckerism (technical term) and it stays with you throughout your day.

8. Increase flow experiences. – Flow is a state in which it feels like time stands still. It’s when you’re so focused on what you’re doing that you become one with the task. Action and awareness are merged. You’re not hungry, sleepy, or emotional. You’re just completely engaged in the activity that you’re doing. Nothing is distracting you or competing for your focus.

9. Savor life’s joys. – Deep happiness cannot exist without slowing down to enjoy the joy. It’s easy in a world of wild stimuli and omnipresent movement to forget to embrace life’s enjoyable experiences. When we neglect to appreciate, we rob the moment of its magic. It’s the simple things in life that can be the most rewarding if we remember to fully experience them.

10. Commit to your goals. – Being wholeheartedly dedicated to doing something comes fully-equipped with an ineffable force. Magical things start happening when we commit ourselves to doing whatever it takes to get somewhere. When you’re fully committed to doing something, you have no choice but to do that thing. Counter-intuitively, having no option – where you can’t change your mind – subconsciously makes humans happier because they know part of their purpose.

11. Practice spirituality. – When we practice spirituality or religion, we recognize that life is bigger than us. We surrender the silly idea that we are the mightiest thing ever. It enables us to connect to the source of all creation and embrace a connectedness with everything that exists. Some of the most accomplished people I know feel that they’re here doing work they’re “called to do.”

12. Take care of your body. – Taking care of your body is crucial to being the happiest person you can be. If you don’t have your physical energy in good shape, then your mental energy (your focus), your emotional energy (your feelings), and your spiritual energy (your purpose) will all be negatively affected. Did you know that studies conducted on people who were clinically depressed showed that consistent exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft? Not only that, but here’s the double whammy… Six months later, the people who participated in exercise were less likely to relapse because they had a higher sense of self-accomplishment and self-worth.

Have a happy day!

Originally published here.

Photo by Tommy Ton for Style.com

Winter White

2011-12-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

I could spend hours taking photos and editing them before posting but they will never get as much attention as an inspiration compilation post. So why bother fighting it. My friends at Flair Home also asked for more posts "for the boys" so I'm going to try to be better about making everyone happy. I took my tree down on Christmas night and started putting things away. January for me is all about a clean head and a clean space. I am especially taken with winter white mixed with grey, a little black, brass, and of course tan. Enjoy.

All photos from tumblr.

In Memoriam: Helen Frankenthaler

2011-12-27T20:30:00.000-05:00

Helen Frankenthaler

December 12, 1928 – December 27, 2011

I was saddened to learn of the death of abstract expressionist artist Helen Frankenthaler today at the age of 83. She was born into a wealthy Upper East Side family and worked steadily as an artist for more than 50 years. She was influenced by art critic Clement Greenberg, was married to another abstract painter Robert Motherwell, and studied with Hans Hoffmann but was certainly her own entity. She will be greatly missed.

"There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about."

- Helen Frankenthaler

10 Secrets to Success

2011-12-27T08:51:00.001-05:00

My friend Martha posted this list of 10 Secrets to Success on her tumblr last week. Her father left it on her dresser for her when she came home for the holidays. As we prepare for the New Year, I think it's an excellent list to get us off on the right foot and turns dreams into reality. For a printable version, click here.

Holiday Memories

2011-12-26T17:39:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the absence. I stayed in New York this holiday and was off enjoying myself. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and Hanukkah wherever you spent them. My father suggested recently that I tell the story of the Christmas that Santa left me every present a five year could have ever imagine like a dollhouse and new canopy bed. While that was a great Christmas memory, my favorite present was the one that didn't come from a store. After a particularly stressful 2009, I asked my father over Christmas if I could "borrow" his vintage Breitling watch that belonged to his uncle. I had always admired it and I knew it would cheer me up. I think I caught him at a good moment and he relented. For the last two years, I've worn it everyday with pride and admiration. It's beautiful to look at and is always a conversation starter. But more importantly, it makes me think of my family when we're not together. I probably should find myself another vintage watch and give it back but so far, I can't seem to part with it. Maybe a better plan would be to buy my father another vintage watch. Do you have any favorite holiday memories?