The City Sage

Only 52 Days of Left of Summer!

I've done some complex calculations and I have determined that there are only 52 days of summer left. That's right, folks. 52 days left to eat popsicles, rub your toes in the sand, invite friends for impromptu backyard barbecues, and blame your general feeling of lethargy on the season. So let's make a countdown list: an itemized, prioritized, indexed rundown of everything to get done before its over!

Here's what's on mine. You can bet I'll be blogging these things so that you hold me to it: 1. Make and eat homemade ice cream sandwiches. 2. Find a new pair of sunglasses (I've had my old ones for way too long!) 3. Spend an entire day without opening my computer or turning on my phone. 4. Make a roadtrip playlist for the car. 5. Go for a swim (Can you believe I haven't yet this year?) What's on yours? 

Images: 1. Life Magazine August 1953 2. @TeamWoodnote Instagram 3. Jeana Sohn 4. @CitySage Instagram. 

Lately Loving: Jennifer Ament Art

I first learned of Jennifer Ament two years ago while shooting the home of Victoria Smith--aka sfgirlbybay--for the first issue of Rue. I've since admired Jen from afar, not only lusting after her work but also delighting in her frank and approach to life (most of the wise and witty quotations I tweet are via her). So when I finally met her in person last week I wasn't surprised to confirm: she's the real deal.  

The main body of Jen's work is her linocut prints. Their strong lines, impactful presence, mysterious allure, and often humorous, ribald subjects reflect her personality to a tea. A chat with Jen skips the small talk and goes straight to life's most important topics: food, philosophy, friendship, fashion, family. Of her approach to work, she says: "I love what I do; if it ever starts not being fun...I will stop doing it."

As for the artwork itself, I adore it not only for its charm and cheek but for its versatility. One of these pieces would slide just as easily into a traditionally styled gallery wall as they would stand alone in an entry way. Or just imagine the daily smile that skull and crossbones would bring to your face if you hung it next to the bathroom mirror. This is art you can make your own--and that's my absolute favorite kind!

P.S. Follow Jen on Facebook and Twitter. She's full of awesome and hilarious outpourings. Images: 1. 2. 3. 4. Speak No Evil Print. 5. Ferry Boat Print 6. Eat The Rich Print. 7.

 

 

The What If Conference

This week I attended the What If Conference. On paper, it's a conference for 'Creative Entrepreneurs'. In practice, it's a gathering of open-hearted souls who are ready for change, who are ready to ask the hard questions and hear the hard answers, who are ready to say, 'What if I made my life everything I know it can be,' then actually make it happen. But here's the thing: though I went to What If as a speaker, I didn't believe I deserved a place on that stage.

Last winter, when I was invited to attend, I was at a very different place in my life. I had a business, I had to-do's, I felt comfortable with the title 'Creative Entrepreneur'. Now I've left that business behind, my to-do's have become 'what to do's?', and there is nothing comfortable about where I am now. As I prepared my presentation, I found myself paralyzed. "Who am I to stand before an audience and talk about keeping it together when my whole life is falling apart?" my inner voice asked. "Moreover, what the heck am I going to say?"  

So I told the group the truth. That I'm floating, uncertain, terrified. That I have so many big dreams but I'm scared to take the first step in making them a reality. Guess what? It turned out everyone knew exactly how I felt. We were all there to forge through our terrors, to embrace our uncertainties, to explore the idea that even though we're floating, at least we can hold hands while we do it. Because here's the thing: though a single floating balloon can get lost in the sky, a bright, brilliant, blazing bunch of them can be seen from space.

P.S. I'm not done talking about this. I'm just getting started. Stay tuned, have a great weekend, and we'll be back next week with our regularly scheduled programming and then some!

Lately Loving: Raw and Rugged Jewelry

I go through phases with jewelry; sometimes I couldn't care less about it, and others I'm like a magpie, swooping down on every shiny thing I see. These past couple months I'm in full-on 'ooh! sparkly!' mode, and I'm drawn in particular to pieces that have a jagged, uncut edges and matte finishes--rings, necklaces, and bracelets that look unearthed from the annals of time.

The great things about designs like these? They're often made by independent artisans, they tend not to cost as much as the more refined and polished collections, and they're generally sold in small boutiques as opposed to the big department stores. I've been picking up little gems here and there on my travels as a souvenirs, and every time I wear them it's like hugs from my friends!

Shopping Guide: 1. Made Her Think Open Spike Pendant 2. Sol Del Sur Brass & Leather Necklace 3. Sarah Swell Ruina Ring 4. Loren Stewart Arrowhead Studs 5. Giles & Brother Hammered Archer Bracelet 6. Unearthen Crystal Bullet Necklace

Hit the Road: How Do You Ease Travel Anxiety?

I am a sissy when it comes to travel. I spend the day before a trip wringing my hands and looking for the nearest hole to crawl into. When I was eighteen my parents shipped me to Nice for a summer to learn French (rough life, I know) and for the first 24 hours I was a blubbering ball of homesickness. But once I got into the swing of things (ie. found the beach) I never wanted to leave!

Given that I have this pattern, I now remind myself that the build-up is always worse than the reality, and moreover, I always have a great time when I arrive. That said, anything I can do to ease anticipation is just dandy--and that includes simplifying the packing process. For each trip I pick a palette, I ensure I can wear each item with everything else, and I never check my luggage.

Case in point: I'm headed to Portland this morning! I've never been and I'm downright petrified. To make matters worse, I'm the opening speaker at the What If Conference, and my talk is only kinda sorta prepared. So I'm bringing my safest, comfiest clothes: denim and leather, stripes and basics in red, white, and blue. 'Cause the last thing I want to worry about is my outfit...

Tell me: Does travel get your knickers in a knot? What tips and tricks do you have to keep yourself calm? Shopping Guide: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 

Black and Blue All Over

Remember fingerpainting? I was quite the little Picasso with those pots of squidgy, gooey tempera paint. I seem to recall that every masterpiece would lead to a stage at which all the colors bled into grand whorls and swirls of cobalt blue and deep, ruddy black. Sure bits of green or red would peep through, but who really cared by that point?

The more I think about it, the more I'm fascinated by the color blue--by its endless variety of shades, and its funny way of transitioning into black without our notice until it's too late. Like a twilight sky that slips into night, or violet eyes that draw you in until you're lost down the center of the pupils and you're never coming back. Or if you do, you're bruised. Black and blue. 

P.S. A song on the subject. Images: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 

Do More Summer on Instagram

Nature? What's that? Don't ask me. Last week I saw a rooster and judging by my reaction, you'd have thought it was the most exotic creature on earth. Lately the Instagram feeds of some of my favorite photographers have me itching to get outside more--to take advantage of summer while I still can. For example, the way that San Francisco's Colin Price (above) captures green is almost criminal. 

Then there's Åsa Liffner (she's Swedish so you know she's gonna be good). Follow her for snippets of Scandinavian country life, food, and the occasional design vignette. Both of these photographers are ones to watch for their non-Instagram work as well (nonstagram? is that what we're calling it?), but I'm so grateful to them for sharing their wild and wandering ways to prod me off the couch!

For more on Colin Price, check out his site From The Weekend. And for Asa's pro site, head here.

Romance in the Desert: Shark Pig for Leisure Society

My earliest memories of the desert date to 1986, when my father took me camping in Nevada to see Haley's comet. My fascination with those endless sands, the vast and open starscapes, the soaring heat and plummeting cold: it's only grown since that trip with my pop. So when Brian (aka Sharkpig) sent me this video he made for the eyeware label Leisure Society, I was gobsmacked.  

Not only are the glasses seriously luxe, but the film itself is some of Brian's best work to date. The choice of music--don't get me started on Holst's 'The Planets'--the pacing and storytelling, the camera work. Yeesh. This is 'dive in and swim around' stuff, and it's plain to see why the desert gets my vote every time. Watch it uninterrupted for the perfect Tuesday escape.

Images: 1. 2. 3. 4.   

 

How to Wear It: Club Monaco July Collection

The Look: Floral Crop The Occasion: Quarterly meeting, Neighborhood Warbler Watchers Society.   
The Look: Hip to Tie The Occasion: Cake tasting for your third-cousin-twice-removed's wedding.  

The Look: Tropez Stripes The Occasion: Chanel Bridget B. when you just feel fidget-y. 
The Look: Maxi Zest The Occasion: Whenever you need built-in air-con. (Breeze not included.)

The Look: Tucked & Slim The Occasion: Corporate takeover (of the candy jar on your desk).  
The Look: Buttoned & Trim The Occasion: Corporate takeover (via phone from the back of a cab).  

The Look: Rumpled Linen. The Occasion: Juleps, Sunday at noon (or Monday, or Tuesday, or...)  
The Look: Wild Card The Occasion: You've given up on your laundry. And besides, this outfit looks way cuter on you than on him.

Images: Club Monaco, July Collection

Get Dressed: Mad Men Style Part Deux

As promised, here's look two of three from the 60's 'Disgruntled Housewife' shoot I did with Woodnote Photography and The Makeup Dolls. For this one we kept it super simple and let the fashion and beauty do the talking. My favorite neighborhood boutique mira mira lent us this killer dress by the label Shakuhachi--the silhouette and graphic print just screamed aging go-go girl.

Hair and makeup focused on a naked lip, heavily lined lids, and deadly lashes (check out how brilliantly Caroline captured that single lash, above left!) Once everything was in place, I had no trouble getting into the character of a woman coming home from a horrible night out at a cheesy tiki theme bar. Spurned by potential gentleman lovers and catty female frenemies alike...

I've been thinking lately about the style shoots that I do for my blog, and about those I see on other blogs--they're everywhere! They're fun to do, and they can be a big confidence booster too. I feel strongly that everyone, blogger or no, deserves to have beautiful photos of themselves that make them feel good. I'm going to be talking more about this in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

P.S. Also stay tuned for the third and final look from this series, and for Woodnote Photography's outtakes from this look as well. And in case you missed the first look, here it is! I'd like to give a shoutout to Caroline of Woodnote for her incredible way with light in this series. Having her on my team is such a blessing.