...getting ready for July 4th!

The "Annual July 4th Extravaganza" is coming up.  For some reason, July 4th has evolved over the years into one of those holidays where the my family "gathers."

I think the tradition started when we lived in a community where there was a pool!  We no longer have access to a pool, but we still gather!

When I think of July 4th, I usually think of outdoor picnics, barbeque, and fireworks.

Typically, if any decorating is to be done, it's in the form of bunting, outdoor flags, and lighting.

Although we do some decorating outdoors for July 4th, I always like to get the inside of the house ready for this summer holiday.

About the time May rolls around, we begin to see 4th of July decorations in local stores.  Too early, but... as with anything...if you don't purchase when you see it ...  gone!

This year I decided to take a trip to the local Yankee Candle to begin gathering items for the July 4th celebration.  I created a few arrangements here and there just to add color and focus.

No large purchases--just a table runner, some interesting items for a table arrangement, and candles!  I pulled my 4th of July wreath out of the attic and "tidied it up," got out the things I have collected over the years, and went to work on the arrangements.   Here's what I came up with:

This piece of pottery "stays" on our breakfast table.  I added the candle as the centerpiece.  Next, I resurrected some red and clear glass stones.  I found the "wicker" stars at Pier One!

For the screened-in porch--a table runner topped with a luminary and accepted by red stones and seashells.  I added a July 4th ribbon!

The simple metal wreath hangs on the back door (which is inside the porch).  We gather outside under the gazebo, but, always go in and out, so the wreath adds a nice touch.

I love this lantern from Yankee Candle - it reminds me of New England for some reason...

(guest bath)

The front entry

 July 4th wreath (above) arrangement with curly willow (below)

Even though we will be eating in the courtyard, the dining room table needed to be involved in the July 4th decorating bonanza!

Three stark pillars sit inside glass hurricanes.  I placed these on three different wheel thrown plates.  July 4th table runner is the base for the candles, curly willow, sparkly stars, and wicker stars.

My favorite tin lantern on the island in the kitchen.

...bring on the fireworks!

Saved

denizen goes couture!

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is located on Broadway in Nashville.  The art deco building was originally a post office.  Now, it houses the Frist Center, which opened in 2001.

The building itself is exactly what you would expect of something built in 1933 in terms of architectural design.  It is typical of the period -- with marble floors, woodworking, and finishes.

The Frist is host to many exhibits--traveling as well as permanent.  This week the Golden Age of Couture opened. 

I read about the exhibit to get ready for my visit to the Frist and remembered taking a basic design class in undergraduate school where we studied the history of fashion design along with principles of interior and exterior design.

The "new look" -- in particular was one of the things I remember most about the class.

So...needless to say I was excited about the exhibit because all of the "greats" would be represented...Dior, Balenciaga, Shiapperelli, Lanvin, and of course...Coco!

The exhibit was much larger than I expected.  It was organized in a way that took you on a journey through one of the greatest stages of fashion and fashion design.  Here are some of the highlights taken from the program:

Label inside the bodice of a Dior!

Balenciaga evening dress (1955)

Pierre Balmain dress and petticoat (1950)

Jeanne Lafaurie evening dress (1950)

Jean Desses coctail dress (1951)

Antonio del Castillo evening dress (1957)

Roger Viver satin shoes (late 1950s)  LOVE the pink satin and beading!

 An entire section was devoted to fashion photography!

For more information on the exhibit, visit: The Golden Age of Couture

Check out the  Frist Center for the Visual Arts

Viva couture!

...will I ever own a Dior?!

Hatch Show Print...old school N'ville on Lower Broad!

Last night we attended the Nashville Rising benefit concert for flood relief.  As I watched the crowd I noticed a Hatch print commemorating the event was part of the "merch" for sale--with all proceeds being donated to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Although you might not know it, you have probably seen a Hatch Show Print poster or print at some point in your life.  The company was founded as Charles and Herbert Hatch and moved to Nashville in 1879.

The technique used is called, letterpress, and involves individual, movable letters and image blocks.  These are coated with ink and then pressed onto a surface.

Famous for handbills announcing special appearances in the 1870s, Hatch Print also designs album/CD covers, event posters, postcards, invitations, and many other items.

I first realized that a CD cover was a Hatch print in 2001 when I purchased Bruce Springsteen Live in NYC!

This site tells more about the process:  The Art of Hatch Show Print

Since I became aware of all of the posters and music-related materials designed and printed by Hatch, I visited the store thinking that there would be a ton of historic posters for sale.  But, I found out that little are available in the actual store because the business has moved several times since the 1870s.

 Pretty much the extent of the merch!

Now, I am always on the lookout for "anything Hatch!"  Here are a few that we purchased and framed:

We bought this poster and framed it with a simple black, matte frame.  We purchased it last year when the Conchords played the Ryman.  It was the night of the Good Friday tornado!  The print hangs in our hallway in the loft.

This framed woodcut was designed by the current owner of Hatch.  It's called "The Walking Stick."  Although some of it is cut off due to the glare, you can see a man bending down to pick up his walking stick.  The woodcut is on one of the walls in our bedroom.

...and here's the newest--purchased last night at the concert. I'll have this one framed in a sleek black frame and already have a place in mind!

For more information on Hatch, check out the Hatch section of the Country Music Hall of Fame site:

http://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/making-of-a-poster#video

...always on the lookout for a Hatch!

Here's to my father!

On this Father's Day, I'll share some of the things that my father loved.  Although some of these things "are harmful to the health," he did love them!

My father passed away in 1993 and not a day goes by that I don't think of something he said or something that I would like to tell him.   When I was a child growing up in Brooklyn, most of the fathers went to work in some type of service uniform.

Not my father!  He worked in an office and wore a suit.  My little friends always told me that he looked like Ricky Ricardo!   Possibly it was his hair.  More than likely it was the Spanish!  It was all the more confusing when people would tell me "...you look JUST like your father!"  I would then run to the mirror just to make sure I was still a girl and not turning into Ricky Ricardo!

Here's Ricky!

Here's my father...what do you think?

 Here's me ... do I look like Ricky? ... do I look like Tony?

So...in thinking of Tony...  Happy Father's Day and here's some of his favorites!

CARS!  Although these are not the actual pictures, my father drove a Studebaker, Volvo, and 1969 Mustang Mach I!

He played the saxophone and loved music of all kinds.
As a child, I remember "doing the twist" with daddy!

He also loved Soupy Sales.  We would watch together and do the Mouse!

I was the coolest kid when I got this album for a birthday and when my father brought us to see A Hard Day's Night at the movies.

Of course he loved Puerto Rico ...who doesn't?
(Once he brought me home a manual typewriter that he won at a conference in P.R.!)

...bad, bad, bad!

He also loved "quality" - He had Hartman attache cases...lots of them!

...and of course the "Amazins"

...thinking of daddy!