Kennedys

I'm back in LA after a long flight from Washington! The plane was packed with inaugural revelers, toting souvenirs and donning Obama buttons. (I brought my daughter an Obama jack-in-the box.)  I thought a lot about our previous presidents this week, especially JFK. I wish he and his brother Bobby could have lived to see this day. How far we've come.....

(Bobby is in the middle picture, by the way, jogging with his dog "Freckles.") 

DC Row Houses

I spent the day walking through the streets of DC, from the Jefferson Memorial up through Chinatown and over to my little rented apartment on 12th Street, where I've been filing my blog from the basement laundry room. (It's the only place in the building where I can get on the Internet. )  I wanted to share with you this picture taken by RonnieR. (His DC set on flickr is wonderful.)  Tomorrow I'm heading home to LA, where (alas) marble buildings and row houses are in short supply. I'm looking forward to thawing out my toes. 

Bunting

I love glossy red doors. But a red door topped with bunting? Fantastic. I spotted this door at a firehouse near Thomas Circle in Washington D.C. today. The city is still decked out in red, white and blue for Obama's inauguration. Flags are essential for such celebrations, of course. But bunting is like a party dress trimmed in grosgrain, only unwrapped for the very best occasion. My friend Carla Hall shares my love of these billowy banners. (I've known her for 18 years and never knew this about her until this week, when we were traveling down Massachusetts Avenue in a cab.) She said: "The loops of fabric remind me of a more gentle time in our history."  Bunting is charming, to be sure. But there's more. It's an atavistic elegance.

Obama

I love this illustration by Richard James (for Women's World Daily).

All That Jazz

What better way to celebrate the country's first African American president than with a concert (or two) featuring the country's first authentic art music -- Jazz! It's woven into the fabric of our culture like a colorful silk thread. Martin Luther King Jr. called it America's "triumphant music." Tonight, at the Kennedy Center in D.C., some of the greats of jazz, including Dave Brubeck, gathered to sing and celebrate. I put together a little collection of photos, posters and album covers. I LOVE the one of Josephine Baker. And the one of Ray Charles makes me smile. I saw him nearly 20 years ago at the Ventura Theatre, complete with the Rayettes donning sunglasses. So much cool. 

(PS: please click on the English Muse homepage for an exciting giveaway:  A Brad Pitt "Make It Right" newsboy cap!) xoxo

Lincoln Memorial

There are moments in your life you cherish forever. This was one of them. I was incredibly fortunate to be able to see the concert for Obama at the Lincoln Memorial  up close today. This is a picture I took of Bono telling the crowd -- via big screen -- "let freedom ring."  Amazing.  (To learn more about the preparations for the event, here's my column!) 

The Week Ahead

Hello everyone. I'm here in DC for the inauguration. I'm staying at a lovely rented apartment for the week. I wanted to get a hotel room, but they were all sold out by the time I started looking (the day after the election.) They were also incredibly overpriced. My apartment is wonderful (on the top floor of an old brownstone.) However, there is one major drawback: The Internet is a bit spotty. I'm here, posting on my blog in the basement where I've managed to find an open line. (Thank you to the person who has AT&T nearby.) I spent a little time today at the Lincoln Memorial watching the rehearsals for tomorrow's opening concert. (More on that later!) In the spirit of the week, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite Washington images and art for sale on Etsy at the moment. Enjoy! xoxo

(1. Michelle Burnett Fine Art.  2. Daogreer Earth Works  3. Jan Morales Photo.  4. Cherie Lester Photography & Mixed Media.  Kalika Designs.  6. Allison Ostertag.  7. BlindeyePhoto.  8. Jetset Paper.  9. Allison Ostertag.)

DC Bound

Dear All,  I'm heading to DC for the inauguration! Will be posting pictures and updates! Stay tuned! xoxo

  

Young(er) Obama

I love these photos, posted on Facebook by KCRW's Jeremy Sole.  It's amazing how much of this cool the new president has retained. 

If You Please

Awhile back, while browsing at Anthropologie, I noticed a flood of new etiquette books. They seemed to be on every shelf and table: How to write a letter; how to spiff up your boyfriend; how to throw a party; how to slip away from a one-night stand (leave quickly).  And perhaps the ultimate:  What would Jackie do?...

I wondered: What did the etiquette books look like when our grandmothers were debutantes?  With the help of eBay, I found a number of interesting vintage tomes. 

Here's a sampling of the advice:

✒On smoking (from New American Etiquette, 1941):

"Smokers far out number non-smokers in every type of community, in every class of society...Non-smokers have a right to refrain but they must learn to put up gracefully with those who do -- otherwise they must retire from social activities." (Hah!)

✒On diet (from Personality Unlimited, 1943):

"Cut down on the intake of fatty foods! Use less fatty meats and no fried foods at all. But do eat an abundance of fresh fruits and at least one salad a day." (A book ahead of its time.)

And finally...

✒On dating (from New American Etiquette, 1941):

"If a girl is a nice girl, with a sense of true proportions and a desire for things in good taste, she will remain a nice girl despite her new freedom. She will probably safely end up with a good husband, nice home, and clever children...If she is a cheap girl , she will have future hours of deep regret." (But a lot more fun.)

PS: The wonderful folk artist CJ Metzger created the illustration (above) for a story I did on this subject! Check out her website! 

Oh, and thank you!

xoxo

Enchantments

I was so enchanted by isphotography's photos --  found at Poppytalk's online Valentine store this week -- that I wanted to investigate further.  The photos are the work of Montreal-based photographer Irene Suchocki, a lovely "purveyor of little poems for the eyes." If you have a chance, check out her website. The images above remind me of winter, warmed by light.

44th

Obama is the 44th president in the year I'm turning 44.  Is that good luck? I hope so.  I'm leaving for Washington on Friday to attend the inauguration.  Can't wait! 

PS: I found these prints by Marisa Allegra Williams on Etsy tonight!   xo

Inspiration

 I'm completely awed by Poppytalk, a Canadian site dedicated to all things beautiful and handmade.  This week, these awesome design girls have opened their Valentine store. (See sampling above.)  I love the "Take Me Homeware" plate and the "Isphotography" glittering lights. Click on Poppytalk for the links!  xo

Domino

This dreadful recession has taken a toll on everyone, especially print media. My favorite fashion magazines are almost as skinny now as the models they feature. With all the troubles at Condé Nast and worries about more magazine closures, I wanted to highlight one of the jewels of my mailbox: Domino. The February issue (featuring the home of Zooey Deschanel) arrived yesterday. I think I've saved every edition of the decor magazine since it started publication three years ago (and I know some of my girlfriend bloggers have done the same.) It's become a cult favorite with the trendy set. Above are some of my picks from the "Best of Domino" slideshow on the magazine's website.

(PS: The pug painting is by Jessie Mott, via Dominomag.com!)

UPDATE JANUARY 29:  The word is out. Domino is closing. March will be the last issue. Sigh.

Which Do You Prefer?

Parisian Hot Chocolate??

Or Roman Coffee???


What's better:  the delicious morning jolt of coffee at a Roman café? Or the afternoon elixir of a Parisian hot chocolate? 

(Photos by flickr members Dan Taylor, Niyantha, Songbird_fra, and Edith and Wim.)