Pickles and Persimmons

It’s windy, it’s rainy, it’s dreary…it’s fall. So, naturally I thought it would be appropriate to do a post on what I yearn for most at this moment - a sunny, bright pool spot. These architecturally stunning and exotic locations have a serious drool-factor built in. Imagining stepping into one of these babies, with the sun warming my face, will hopefully be enough to get me through the next seven months of winter - or at least until my next vacation.

Best, Lauren

Solo House - Pezo von Ellrichshausen Architects: Take a meditative swim in this open-air concrete cube.

Villa Mayavee Phuket Thailand - Tierra Design (http://www.tierradesign.com/index.htm): Channel your inner Jesus as you walk on water around your Thai villa.

Casa del Flora Resort, Thailand - VaSlab Architecture (http://vaslabarchitecture.com/): The sand-haters spot.

Ubud Hanging Garden Resort, Bali - An Orient Express Hotel (http://www.ubudhanginggardens.com/web/pubu/ubud_hanging_gardens.jsp): It’s not Babylon, but it will do.

Residential Complex in Singapore - Safdie Architects (http://www.msafdie.com/#): You can fly through the air with the greatest of ease.

*All images were found on the site http://www.blessthisstuff.com/

There are very few brands that have the power to become more coveted as its products get older. This is particularly true of any sort of athletic or performance gear in which innovative technology is the name of the game. That being said, I’ve noticed over the years that Patagonia products have a unique, almost cult-like following of those who want to get their hands on rad 80’s fleeces and perfectly worn-in jackets. 

As part of its Common Threads Initiative, Patagonia has launched another great tenet to an already outstanding brand entity, an eBay powered re-sale site. Now, Patagonia enthusiasts or novices have a chance to get their hands on items that range from gently used to completely retro at a far lesser cost than buying products new (yes, I am familiar with the term “Patagucci”). I think it says a lot about an apparel company as a whole that would encourage consumers to utilize a secondary sales market in the name of conservation. This is another great opportunity for customers to use the power of their dollars to make big changes.

*As Unkle Buck would say, this fleece angers people - I can’t be without my 90’s pull-over fleece and neither should you.

The site is set up to look almost exactly like the Patagonia shopping site you already know and love. Head to this site and register as you normally would to be an eBay seller. Then, get to rummaging. Or, simply browse the already available items on sale.

Best, Lauren

I don’t know about you, but it seems like no matter how long I’ve been cooking and baking, measurement conversion is still a constant battle fought in the midst of dough-kneading and water boiling. I’m tired of heading to my laptop with sticky fingers or rummaging through the kitchen-drawer of doom where all magnetic charts and paper scraps go to die. So, I was delighted when I found this great measurement conversion chart that can be suick virtually anywhere in the home!

Now it’s just a matter of finding a space in my kitchen to stick this measurement miracle. If you’re interested in creating your own home conversion chart head here to buy the sticker.

Best, Lauren

This kit has been brought to my attention several times over the last couple weeks and I’m incredibly excited to give it a try. Now, growing your own pearl oyster mushrooms from recycled coffee grounds is as easy as having your own personal herb garden on your windowsill. I love the company, the concept, and their mission. Also, if you buy a kit and post a picture of it on facebook, Back to the Roots will donate a bag to a local classroom of your choice.

If you’re interested in knowing more about this great product check out their full site here. You can also watch a TedX talk by the founders on sustainable foods on the site. Can’t wait to share pictures of my growing kit and the delicious recipes I make with my mushrooms!

Best, Lauren

Depending on who you speak to, when the name Jay DeFeo is mentioned, the response varies greatly. For those who know of her, they often think The Rose. For those who’ve never heard of her, they think she’s a man.

To give a quick summary of DeFeo’s life, the artist moved to the bay area prior to high school. She attended UC Berkley for art school where she received her masters. After traveling throughout Europe for eighteen months, the artist returned to San Francisco and married Wally Hendrick. Their shared apartment on Filmore Street became a social and creative epicenter of beat culture characteristic of the Bay Area in the 50’s and 60’s. Within the bay window of this apartment is where DeFeo created The Rose, a painting, that morphed over several years into what could be considered a sculptural piece. In total, The Rose stood at 11 feet high, nine feet wide, eight inches thick, and weighed 2300 pounds. When the couple moved in 1965, the artist Bruce Conner documented its removal from their apartment in the film The White Rose. As a result of the extensive process of The Rose’s creation, and possibly the use of poisonous lead paint, DeFeo was worn out and seemingly driven mad by the loss of her work and thus produced no art from 1966 to 1970, resulting in the loss of much the momentum she had garnered during the 1950’s and 60’s. For a great three minute clip narrated by Bruce Conner click here.

However, The Rose, which most would assume references the flower, is actually about the compass rose, as Todd Hosfelt, Owner of Hosfelt Gallery, would suggest. Setting a course that had no foreseeable end is what made this piece, and thus Jay’s outlook on the creative process so unique. Starting this month, an exhibition of DeFeo’s pieces from 1971 to 1989  will be on display at the Hosfelt Gallery in San Francisco. This will mark the first time in fifteen years that her work has been on display on the West Coast. The overarching theme of the compass as a tool for guidance is present in the painting, photography, and drawing brought together for this show.

Todd Hosfelt’s full essay on the works in the show can be found here. The show, entitled DEFEO, will be on display until the 22nd of October, 2011. You can also find more information about the artist, her life and her work at http://www.jaydefeo.org/. Additionally, a major retrospective of DeFeo’s work, which has been assembled by The Whitney Museum of American Art, will be on display in Autumn 2012 at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Best, Lauren

*All images ©2011 The Jay DeFeo Trust/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

It’s been a crazy two weeks. So, I’m delighted to bring you such a simple treat that I’ve been enjoying as I try to slow down a bit. I’m generally not a fan of coconut flavored items. Piña Coladas make me feel as though I’m drinking suntan lotion and I’m not sure I believe drinking coconut water actually delivers all it promises. That being said, from the moment my mother forced me to try one of these bad boys, I was hooked! This tropical M&M truly took me by surprise and I haven’t been able to stop hunting them down since. I’m going to try and envision myself on a Caribbean beach as I kick back with a few coconut M&M’s.

Best, Lauren