What's the Story?

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:22:00 +0000

I LOVE this pic of a children's room, naturally from Ikea. I used to hate Ikea. Hate it. I still have mixed feelings about a lot of the product (some way too modern for my taste, not liking the cheapness of it all) but for a kid's room, it's perfect. They go through phases and stuff so quickly and there's no sadness when it's time to move on (or it broke) because I haven't spent a ton on it...and there's always something just as cute and imaginative around the corner. I suspect that is why I love Ikea for children...it embraces the abstractness of art and the wonder and imagination of being a kid and captures it so well in the products. It goes against the whole controlling/matchy-matchy of PB, Babies R Us and the like.

Source: digsdigs.com via Linda on Pinterest

I'd Wear These

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:38:00 +0000

If I saw these, I might have to buy them and rock them.

Source: mybluecanoe.tumblr.com via Chrissie on Pinterest

Falling Apart

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:56:00 +0000

I must be PMSed because I don't cry this much in one day. Earlier I sobbed over my business financials and could barely muster the energy afterwards to make a few call backs - and good call backs nonetheless - the ones to people who are actually interested and wanting to talk to me about an artist.

I just sobbed over a petition for a small dog that lost it's life overseas due to horrific abuse. My own dog has been driving me crazy this past week is getting a big hug now.

I put the boy to bed tonight and and like when he was an infant and I was a hormonal wreck, I pray for him, pray that he's always protected, safe, happy, and healthy...but I worry. I'm a parent so I worry. I worry - what if he's bullied? What if he struggles in school? In a sport? What if he's gay? What if he's unhappy? What if he hates his parents someday and rebels and turns to drugs? What if he's one of those kids that writes what they feel on pieces of paper and creates a video on YouTube? Christ.

Not all the above are scary per say but just worrisome because of the society in which we live and the pressures on kids (and even parents) today and the lack of control I have over others' behaviors. I mean, I have little to no control over most of the above. God has a plan. The end. I can only trust that me being his mother clearly meant I was part of that plan and I am equipped with his grace to handle things.

His school is teaching his class all about safety and I spent time this morning talking with him about strangers and what to do and say. I remembered the time at the kids museum when we walked out of the bathroom and he was engulfed by the crowd and I couldn't find him. For a good 30 seconds I covered a 10 yard radius shouting his name and surveying the crowd with no avail. Then I stopped and stayed in place for another 30 seconds and did the same thing, remembering that stay put rule...maybe he would see me first? Then I called in reinforcements. And within 1 minute the entire museum was on alert and a minute later a staff member found him.

And how I sobbed over him for a week after scared of what if...and how I couldn't sleep that week since we were slated to go to NYC and I was panicked of losing him (and still am - on the subway or wherever) and I carried his 30lb two and half year old self ALL over Manhattan that day out of fear. My arm was in pain for days after but I was completely freaked out at the thought of him walking or even being in an umbrella stroller. Even now, I take extra caution when I know we are headed to high traffic places.

Worry. PMS and a full moon have escalated my worry over all situations right now.

Some IPAY Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:41:00 +0000

I was MIA most of January between both APAP and IPAY - the first being the industry's huge national conference and the second being my niche conference for youth programming.

IPAY this year was in gorgeous sunny hip Austin, TX. Seriously, who knew Austin was TX? It's like a red headed stepchild (or maybe blue headed?) in the otherwise red state. So fun, so hip, full of young and old alike but you totally picked up an artsy vibe immediately. The city's slogan is "Keep Austin Weird." Well, that was enough for me!

The weather for January was in the 50s (lows) through the mid-70s (highs) and I walked for miles schlepping from the hotel to the theaters to the funky shops, to just exploring the walking trails along the river. I wish I could have seen and explored more but I'm happy to have seen the little bit of U of TX at Austin, the see south Congress St and take it in like a local, and dine out at authentic BBQ and Tex Mex joints.

Below are some pics I took from the first "showcase I saw" -- more like an exhibition. Architects of Air out of the UK create these amazing sculptures that you walk through. This was my favorite, probably because I couldn't stop photographing every square foot of it. It was an abstract artist's dream.

Toxic

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:31:00 +0000

I know I'm a pretty rational and compassionate person. I also know when enough is enough...when all compassion and tolerance has to end because someone I've tolerated in tiny dosages (because I needed to) is actually just a miserable insecure toxic bitch.

I've known for years this girl and I were night and day. So much so that it was always a chore to entertain her, hang out with her, and just have her within my circle of acquaintances. But I did it because it was like family..and because every once in a while, I can just deal. I can make the small talk, I can be cordial. Because it's what we do as adults - we suck it up sometimes.

I can.

And then one day, despite whatever conditions this chick has in her life, whatever someone wants to say - again - to excuse her horrid, fake, bitchy snobby behavior - I say no. I'm done. At 34, I am done. I don't need to pretend anymore, to be civil, to do anything ever again. Because girls like this don't deserve someone like me. Girls like this don't know how to handle someone like me...they only know how to handle their kind, the kind that enable and percolate their own insecurities.

Cutting the toxic yet again.

Understood

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:47:00 +0000

I think this speaks to parents, great friends, great relationships, and significant others.

These words reminded me of a moment at IPAY talking with colleagues and we were sharing some of our fears and insecurities and I recalled a few that while they are still with me are less intense now than they were about 10 years ago. It also reminded me of my colleague who once said to me - in front of others - "You can be so tough sometimes and then so completely vulnerable." No, I told Alex the other day, it wasn't a girlfriend but a male colleague. Uh, 8 years later, I still HATE that I had nothing to say in that moment...so taken aback, so called out, so mad he knew me that well. With a guy's perspective, he thinks it showed how much this guy cared for me.

Who knows. Truthfully, I can't forget it...it was that dead on...I used to say in my early 20s how much I wanted someone to just completely understand me and this person not only figured me out but had a wisdom to know who I was at 26...maybe he understood because he was/is the same.

7 Fingers "Traces" at Union Square Theatre

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:17:00 +0000

I saw Traces at Union Square Theatre while at APAP earlier this month. Long overdue. This is an amazingly talented physical theatre company. The acrobatics are jaw dropping.

Turtles with Tierney Sutton

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:16:00 +0000

Many moons ago I supervised the Turtle Island Quartet's rooftop photo shoot. Come to think of it, there is an adorable photo of me from that dreary November day in 2003. A lot of memories captured in one little photo.

This is the ensemble with jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton. They did a rendtion of Joni Mitchell. I know it's blasphemy admitting this but I actually do not like Joni Mitchell...not one bit. I tried, I did. I tried to like Blue. Don't get me wrong...she's a wonderful songwriter and vocalist. I'm just not into her style nor I am I really into that whole 1960 hippie/poet thing. You can throw Bob Dylan into the mix of artists I respect but just don't like. However, this was a wonderful performance. Tierney has such a strong beautiful voice...I am sure I am not doing it nor her a service in my choice of adjectives. And Mark Summer is just the man on cello.

Many moons later, I am still one of the Turtles biggest fans.

MAN

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:14:00 +0000

Can you look at this picture and see anything but cute innocence? Too bad he wreaked havoc this entire day! Good thing he is this adorable.

Oh Christmas Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:37:00 +0000

Taken with the Retro Camera app.

Christmas Toys

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:42:00 +0000

One can't help but have a moment of panic pre Christmas about whether your child(ren) have enough...does the pile seem big enough? Is there a fair amount of diversity (clothes, toys, games, crafts, electronics, etc.)? I experience this each year. Mitch definitely had more pressies to unwrap this holiday from previous holidays...although this year we thankfully did not have to assemble anything! No train table or kitchen. Those were the big gifts of years past and it makes sense to let them stand alone with a few items flanking it.

There is also the moment after the first round of gift opening that you wonder -- yikes, there is too much. Where is this all going?

Suffice it to say that he made it out well - just enough. We are sorting through some older outgrown items and donating to friends and Goodwill and making an Ikea trip later this week for a storage bin. All in all, I am pleased as I am positive he is with his loot.

My Favorite Things

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:28:00 +0000

A repost from Piccadilly's blog from this week.

A fellow blogger recently posted about how she'd been inspired by one of my favorite movies, Love Actually, and the words "Love really is all around." She let those words be her guide as she decorated her house - specifically her Christmas tree - for the holiday. Stenciling those words on ribbon she encircled the entire tree in the ribbon and adorned it with handcrafted framed ornaments of her family.
It got me thinking. If I had the time to do something similar, what would it look like? Most likely "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music. Then I thought - in lieu of ribbon - I'd write a holiday blog post about my favorite things, especially at this time of year.

Classic Movies
I am watching Meet Me In St. Louis as I type. My Pop Pop introduced me to classics with the Sound of Music around the age of 5 so it's no surprise that I love that movie, and tons of others, and feel the need to watch them all one right after the other during these relaxing post holiday days.

Cocoa and Lights
A cup of cocoa and a stroll through a park, Macy's Light Show, or even South Philly looking at all the lights (and plastic praying Blessed Mother hands) goes a long way, especially with a 3 year old in tow. I love white lights most of all, especially when entire streets are lined in them. Cue a little Celtic music and it's the most romantic setting. My son is entranced with all lights (and scary blow up Santas, etc.) but it's OK...it's all magical to him and experiencing the holiday through his eyes is joy.

Vintage
My love of vintage runs the gamut but this time of year I especially love gorgeous vintage dresses, old photographs (in general but mostly of my family), mid century ornaments, and Christmas albums on vinyl.

Handmade
It was something of a lean holiday in this house but it made me grateful for my artistic side. For years I've given paintings from various classes, b/w photographs taken and framed, and most recently, hand crocheted scarves and dishcloths. Needless to say, a few daycare teachers received Trader Joe's coffee, cookies, mugs and a crocheted dishcloth. I appreciate all handmade goodies, be it jewelry, little ceramic magnets and stones, ornaments, pottery, you name it. And I love spending time hunting for that perfect handmade item for the artists and creative folk in my life.

Italian cookies
My Grandmom nails pizzelles as well as her lemon cookies. I experiment with ricotta ones but I have yet to try the pizzelle iron.

Pointsetta
Red, white, and tons of them. My Pop Pop would get them for my mom every year and they would adorn the house. Flanked with evergreen swag and red bows, it's so classic Christmas to me. And it ties into my next favorite thing.

Nature
I know it's dreary out and we almost never get a White Christmas but I love nothing more than bits of nature brought indoors this time of year -- pine cones, green, berries. If it was up to me I'd have THE Charlie Brown tree (I'm not a fan of fat bushy trees). Brandywine River Museum has an annual "critter sale" - critters made from all natural elements, assembled by their volunteers - and I have a dog, squirrel, and bear and they are the coolest and simplest ornaments. There's also a bit of hope that shines on December 22, the first day of winter, knowing we gain a little more light with each day until June...always worth celebrating.

These are just a few of my favorite things...and if I look around I can see a little piece of each in my holiday decor, mood, and spirit. Piccadilly wishes you all a wonderful holiday season and Winter Solstice. May you find the time to rest and recharge, be with your friends and family and to quote one of my favorite bands, "Be here now." Enjoy and be grateful for the gift of the present moment.

By Chrissie

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:17:00 +0000

Every so often I circle back to these words, words I originally uncovered on a piece of paper (I believe at church?) back in 1999 when I was feeling confused and lost especially about relationships.

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke

Several years ago I would see this very passage engraved on the Jeanine Payer "Palmer" bracelet. I still covet this bracelet.

Clusters of Low Hanging Fruit

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:42:00 +0000

It's a bit of a Charlie Brown tree standing at just about 5 feet tall. I bought this artificial tree about four years ago. It's supposed to be seven feet tall but the middle part never fit correctly so we simply put the top part on it and called it a day. It's seen it's share of Christmas' with lots of ornaments, few ornaments and I believe it was last year that I never got back to the attic to get the ornaments and it had lights and pine cones.

This year Mitch helped me decorate and hang the ornaments. There was a lot of low hanging fruit and clusters of the fruit too. I made one attempt to correct the lopsided look of the tree due to the ornament placement. It did not go unnoticed. One trip to the bathroom and the boy quickly righted my wrong and moved his ornaments back to their original places - bottom left, clusters.

I had also spent about 10 minutes the evening prior setting up this adorable wooden railway around it, thinking not only did it look old fashioned and cool but that he'd love to come down, see that and play with his trains the following morning. Not so. He noticed it and perhaps for a brief 30 seconds considered liking it. He then set about dismembering it and rearranging it elsewhere on the rug.

And so it goes. Happy holidays.

Please Touch ~ December

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:33:00 +0000

Hadn't been to the kids' museum in a while and Uncle Brian had never been so we told the boy we'd all go together soon. Soon wasn't soon enough. Today we ventured to Fairmount Park and enjoyed practically having the space all to ourselves. There's even a dance party at the end of the day - complete with drums and tambourines. 4pm on a Monday -- where it's at.

MOQRS

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:25:00 +0000

What the hell does MOQRS mean? Ask Mitch. He may be able to fabricate an answer. Or just tell you, "I dunno." He's learning letters at school and usually he shouts out, "Look, Mommy! S for Shawny!" or "M for Mitchell!" In recent weeks, MOQRS - pronounced "em-oh-cue-are-ess" - pops up everywhere. It's on billboards...it spells all sorts of things...it must be written down on paper in blue crayon.

I think it's adorable that not only is he learning individual letters but that they go to together to spell a word. And in his 3.5 year old mind, MOQRS spells many things.

What else? Lots of "I dunno" moments...lots of "Wait a sec!"

Just the other day he surprised me by pointing out and identifying a volcano on his new US map placemat. A volcano.

This is for Mitch and his vocabulary that is growing and spewing like a volcano:

Inspirational Characters

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:05:00 +0000

I wanted to highlight a few inspirational women characters that have inspired me over the years, primarily from a creative and leadership standpoint. A shout out to ModernKiddo - a truly awesome blog that highlights kids' vintage clothing, toys, perspective and more. My list is in no particular order.

Stevie Nicks - She's real of course but her presence anywhere was that of an exquisite character. Since I was small and I saw her grace the vinyl album covers of her solo albums, I was fascinated with her. She had a presence...something about her commanded your attention. I would later find inspiration in her music, lyrics, and image in my late teens/early 20s. To this day, she is still a huge creative and entrepreneurial inspiration for me.

Charlie's Angels - I first fell in love with this show in high school, watching the reruns on TNT. The ladies could do anything guys could do - and with grace, attitude, and sexiness. The perfect blend. My favorite combo was Sabrina, Chris, and Kelly.

Wynona - A simply fascinating actress in the late 80s and early-mid 90s. It's like her collection of films were especially curated for her. Always a little but weird but still engaging. As Lalaina Pierce, she captured my generation's spunk, drive and confusion post college so well.

Scarlett - I first watched GWTW at 12/13 years old. I was hooked. Scarlett's determination, perseverance, and fierceness resonated with me for years. Much later - like, in my late 20s, early 30s - I would watch and realize how exquisitely written her character was. I could still relate to the aforementioned traits but equally important is her silliness, moments of immaturity, and conflicting feelings. It's easy to see - and love/respect - what is on the surface but how many of us have been ready to smack her at times for being so foolish too? Who can't relate to that dichotomy?

Maria - I was a preschooler when Maria entered my life. I honestly cannot distinguish between Maria and Julie Andrews because in my eyes, they are both strong women/characters. Another well written character who spews both confidence and vulnerability. My most favorite moments are when she defies Captain VonTrapp - to his face - but always speaks the truth.

Nancy Drew is to this day just awesome. A bad ass girl detective. She had her best pals Bess and George as her side kicks and they all brought some level of humor and wit to whatever mystery was needing solving. Nancy and her gals were always up for a challenge and to this day, I love that about them.

Kristi, Claudia and Dawn -Claudia was my favorite Babysitter's Club character. Is it any surprise? She was the artist and fashionista. While I loved Kristy's leadership and Dawn's individualism and independence, I thought it was brilliant that the author had such a defined artistic character.

Dishes

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:56:00 +0000

Just a post-Turkey day thought: Who else has family that as soon as one finishes his/her meal (usually her), stands up and clears plates and immediately begins doing the dishes? My mom does this and I have mixed feelings about it. Part of the dinner is the socialization aspect of it and when folks jump up and put the focus on cleaning right away, I'm a little annoyed. Don't get me wrong -- who isn't grateful for an extra (or 3 extra sets of hands) to help clean up after a party? But I tell them to sit down and leave them...even for 30 minutes. Enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation. The dishes will get done.

This drives me the most crazy when my mom hosts Christmas Eve dinner at her own house, slaves away for weeks prior and then barely gets to enjoy it when it arrives because she's still caught in the stress ball moments. The best time to finally relax would be following the meal - and enjoying dessert and coffee - but she rarely does this. Dishes have to be soaked and stacked, fine china cleaned with care, dishwasher load one going before the first pot is on the table.

Damn the dishes.

Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:28:00 +0000

I had a moment yesterday to get outside and really enjoy the gorgeous crisp fall afternoon. In between preparing a turkey and aromatic stuffing and tidying up the place for the family, I escaped for about an hour to go for a short two mile run. Sans my iTunes, it was me and the sound of the pavement and the wind blowing. With all my traveling this fall, I was happy to sneak in a run at a hotel's gym, a walk outside with the dog, or a visit to the gym for a spinning class. It was like therapy to get outside in my gear and move. I saw the last of the fall foliage set against a backdrop of a cloudless blue sky. I stared longingly at a tree outside the church and considered for a moment myself at 20, curled up underneath with a text book or a file of photography contact sheets, the Smiths playing from my disc man.

Runs are amazing, whether I have music or not. My head is cleared and I get perspective. On Thanksgiving Day, I had a moment to reflect on my blessings -- my family, sweet son, home, friends, colleagues, work, and characteristics the Lord has bestowed on me like fight, determination and perseverance. And of course the ability to recognize that things happen for a reason and we are all part of His master plan.

It'll get chillier now with December waving his hand at us but I hope I can squeeze in a few more late fall runs before snow falls.

A recent sunset on a warmer November day.

Real and Imaginary

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:40:00 +0000

I drove out to State College with my colleague yesterday and I think in a span of 12 hours he went from being my ex-boss to a colleague (at least in my mind) and with it a few realizations and confidence.

When started my agency, I was nervous but excited. I went to a few first conferences with excitement, more to show folks "This is where I am now" and those folks were interested, curious, and also excited. Fast forward 18 months and there have been some ups, downs and plenty of lessons. Within those 18 months I also have fought some inner demons, particularly related to confidence. It's easy in the beginning - to ride those coat tales of being a freshman and enjoy the newness. It's tougher when it's my second or third time around and while the agency is still young, things look and feel different now. A sophomore year tale I suppose - older and wiser but still young. These past 6-9 months have been filled with confidence and vulnerability. Depending where I am on that spectrum, something can be very real or very imagined.

I realized yesterday - when I was able to look beyond my own expectations and needs and "silent contracts" - that the sadness I felt post Baton Rouge was certainly real and justified but that I only looking at one side of very complex shape. I only saw reactive behavior and avoidance and I was not in place to want that nor know why it was the case and I interpreted it as unsupported. I let it shake my confidence a bit in a super new situation and naturally, let my imagination get the best of me.

Through a host of conversations yesterday I saw that while it was reactive, it was based completely on how everything I am going through is a mirror image of what my colleague went through, following almost the same timeline.

I saw a week ago through some little gestures that this person while not the most socially graceful was interested and supportive. The terms of my silent contract had to be struck - it was unfair because silent contracts mean that only I know what I want and need and the other person has no idea and therefore no opportunity to try. Moreover, my terms were unrealistic since they were based on interpretations. I saw a little gesture and my conscious thought, he's trying. I have to re-evaluate and remember that just because someone doesn't do or say what I want doesn't mean they aren't doing everything they are capable of doing...especially people who don't have a ton of social skills to begin with.

So my New Year's resolution is as my colleague Jenny says, not to feed that monster any more. I'm calling it the sophomore monster - the one that because of where she is on the learning curve, can play both vulnerable and confident cards rather well but it yields both real and imagined (immature, silly, dogmatic) thoughts.

I'm still not certain if I am competition to this person but I'm letting it go. There are too many relationships going on here to try to sort out in a clear fashion - mentor, competitor, friend. I'm going to respect the competition line and not going to run to him with every victory or mentor like question in the future and/or assume he wants to offer up info but I'm over thinking he doesn't care. I'm over calling him my ex-boss. We are colleagues. It took me 18 months to be comfortable and confident enough in myself to use that term.

Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 01:37:00 +0000

Just like it's nickname, The Windy City, my recent trip to Chicago was a whirlwind of an adventure. I was only there overnight but I packed a hell of a lot into about 24 hours. The reason for the trip was to see Piccadilly roster artist The VonOrthal Puppets. The company was commissioned by Chicago's notorious Joffrey Ballet to create a life size puppet of Don Quixote's horse for their fall production. The company worked all summer on the horse and it debuted along with amazing ballet dancers and the Chicago Symphony last week to terrific reviews. VOP invited me out to see the performance and since I hadn't been to Chicago in nearly ten years, I jumped at the chance.

I have to first thank my colleague and friend Kristi who introduced me to AirBNB. Don't know of this gem? It's a great website to find hostels, room shares, room rents, etc. for pennies. A typical Chicago hotel room is well over $100/night. Even with Hotels.com, Hotwire, and TripAdvisor this fare stalker couldn't find anything to fit my budget, especially for one night. Enter AirBNB and I found a lovely room along the West Loop in the Fulton River District - minutes from everything - for $75.

I had lunch with a colleague from the Chicago Humanities Festival at a fabulous pub, appropriately titled English. From the outside, it almost looks like a whole in the wall that's been around since the 70s. Inside, it's a swanky pub with yummy food.

I had a little time to wander around but it was a cold and rainy day so I didn't get to really take in Grant Park or Michigan Ave. I also had lofty goals to see the Art Institute and slink around some vintage and antique stores on the west side but honestly, I was so damn cold that my mission was to find a sweater and then hole up in a coffee shop somewhere. I was definitely under prepared for 45 degree weather.

One place that stole my heart was the no kill animal shelter I passed walking to the pub. Right on the street with huge glass windows was a large shelter, Anti Cruelty, home to so many cats and dogs. I walked around the street perimeter and stared at all those precious doggies...so many who looked at me like, "Can I come home with you?" They all wore these sweet bandanas around their necks and many had personalized blankets and toys in their crates. I was really moved. So much so that I went to sleep that night worried about those animals - sleeping in there, cars and trucks and noises whizzing past them, lights that play tricks on them, scared and lonely when they should have a warm home and a bed to sleep in, with a loving family. Even from visiting this site now, it's clear this is one no kill shelter that does great work. Those precious dogs motivated me to find a local shelter and offer some service.

That evening I enjoyed delicious dinner with my colleague Cynthia VonOrthal and then my first ever ballet. I know - me. First ballet? Yes, it's true. I had a chance to see the Nutcracker at age 8 when I was still on Long Island but it was scheduled for mid-December -- after I would move back to the Philadelphia region. It's like it was never meant to be. I would never see the Nutcracker and it would be 25 more years before a saw any ballet. But as I learned from several colleagues, I didn't just see any ballet...I saw the Joffrey. It's easily one of the top 3 ballets in the nation. The company performed Don Quixote and for nearly 2 hours I was on the edge of my seat spellbound. It wasn't just the awesomeness of the principal dancers. It was the entire production, soup to nuts - the score, the story, the presentation/delivery, the life size horse puppet created by the VonOrthal Puppets, and the experience of having killer seats in a gorgeous old theater.

I hadn't been to Chicago in nearly 10 years. My trip back was incredible and followed by a mini tour of Lake Side Drive, fabulous views of the lake, more delicious food, and a tour of the VonOrthal Puppets' studio. I was treated like a queen and I'm forever grateful for this opportunity and the hospitality of my colleagues.

A Little About Me

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 01:27:00 +0000

I am part of Philadelphia Social Media Moms - a group of mom bloggers that regularly post to a Facebook Group for all sorts of stuff - advice, promotions, tech info, you name it. I've had a chance to offer my business insight to this community and learn some tricks and tips along the way. Last week another blogger started a feature whereby she'd interview a few of us each week. I thought you'd enjoy learning a few things about me. Here are a few of my Q and A's. Read the entire post here.

Favorite BAD band (boy bands, one hit wonder, etc)
The Spice Girls, hands down. LOVE THEM!

Best place you've ever vacationed
Syros, Greece. I left the day I graduated college in 2000 and went for 3 glorious weeks. It was a study abroad program through our Art department: Pit Firing in Ancient Greece. I still have some of the pottery I created there. Whenever I’m in a mood, all I do is think of that trip – the raw beauty, the culture, the sense of wonder and peace I felt, the sense of adventure, the sense of inspiration and creation.

How long have you been blogging?
Since 2005. A good friend had suggested I try it because I was always sending mass emails to friends, bringing them up to speed on my life. There were always tons of crazy stories and my writing style is very literary. So – lots of adjectives.

Thanks to Stephanie Anderson in Chester County, PA for highlighting so many of us. Stephanie's blog, A Modern Day Donna Reed is a humorous take on one mom's modern day life.

The Hawk Will Never Die

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:22:00 +0000

The other day, another mom blogger's post regarding Columbus Day sparked a great memory of college days past. I remembered vividly my sophomore year Philosophy class and the paper on democracy I wrote that spring. We'd spent the semester reading Plato and Socrates and then ventured into some modern day philosophy readings and discussions including Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States. We explored a lot particularly what democracy means today. What an eye opener that book was. But probably more important - and what I really remember - was the all nighter I pulled in April of 98 to complete that paper. I remember sometime around 4am having a eureka moment and writing and writing. The paper (I wish I could find it - it's on a floppy somewhere!) focused on how as individuals we need to exist in society. I love those moments when I remember something like a paper that pushed me forward as a person - as a thinker, an intellectual, and made me question previous beliefs and my role in society. St. Joe's was also amazing at somehow integrating all curricula regardless of one's major into that bigger theme of Men and Women With And For Others. I remember a day senior year when I thought, hey, the bigger themes in this management class coincide with some of the themes in Western Civ and Philosophy.

I drove past the school today - it's all gutted and under construction and I feel some kinda way that my greenery is gone. I am all for progress but it really does make me sad that the gorgeous lawn next to the Chapel is gone, having made way for a new dorm. Sad. I do need to get back though and really walk around and walk through the buildings again. The buildings really make it - the smells and sounds of students.

Here are a few pics I found on the web of my alma mater.

Love this - it's a shot of Nick Santoleri's painting of Barbelin Hall from 1995/96 - my time

The "Old Hawk" - when I was a student

The "New Hawk" - the one on my car now

Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:41:00 +0000

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, passed away yesterday. I regret that not being an Apple freak meant that I really didn't know or follow this guy. In just the last 12 hours I've learned and read a good deal about him. Besides being a brilliant creative self starter, he was an inspiration and motivator to many. Here are some meaningful quotes that have been popping up on social sites today.

"You can't connect the dots looking forward...you can only connect them looking backwards"

"I'd been rejected but I was still in love."

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma —which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

- Steve Jobs Stanford University Commencement Speech 2005

Awesome

noreply@blogger.com (Piccadilly Arts | Londonmodgirl) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:31:00 +0000

Saw this yesterday and it's my new motivational motto. Especially on the heels of PAE and how I feel a certain colleague should have been supportive and enthused for me. And he wasn't. And he blew me off. And I'm taking it personally because it is personal. And I'm worried and also discouraged and a simple "You're gonna be great" would go a long way right now. But in my hour of need I saw this and was reminded that yes, I am awesome. I'm doing great things. I've come a long way. I am proud of that. Now I better own it.