Beauty Chaser

Over the last few weeks, I have been asked a simple question that I simply don't know how to answer. "If you could do anything that you wanted to do, what would it be?" For someone who has been chasing their dream for over ten years you would think this would be simple. But if anything, I find it increasingly difficult as I look both in my past and toward my future.

What do I want? When you take out logistics, finances, all limitations. What is my dream? I stop. I ponder. I rack my head against the wall. And the only thing that comes out is this truth. I long for beauty.

It's true, I am a beauty chaser.  I have flown my beauty flag my whole life. Always seeking loveliness and striving to surround myself with it. This is why I dwell on paint colors, make valiant efforts to meet (and feel a personal connection with) the artists whose work adorns my walls, and fill my shelves with photographers/designers/artists whose work I admire. It is why, I NEED to pick up fresh flowers from Trader Joe's and arrange them around my home in beautiful pitchers and vases. This is why, I shamelessly preselect people at parties that I want to be friends with because I love the outfit they put together or the way they fixed their hair. It's why I spend hours on Pintrest and read way too many blogs just so I can soak in the eye candy that is just there for the taking.

It is why, I dwell over my own photography and strive to be better. I am ever learning greater technical skill. My goal daily is to capture truly beautiful, creative moments.

Even as I say what it is I truly want. I feel silly. That's my dream job? To be with and create beautiful things? Seems vague, and probably not exactly the answer that they were looking for. But it is the only truth that I have for the moment, so there is nothing to do but own it. I want to be with and create beautiful things.  I want to be a beauty chaser.

So today, I left behind the hours of editing, invoicing, and house cleaning. I picked up my camera, grabbed my husband, and we went to the home of the late philanthropist and collector Marjorie Merriweather Post's Hillwood, an urban oasis blending exquisite arts and lush botanicals in DC. And was I ever inspired! Talk about discovering the ultimate beauty chaser!

You know when you feel like you just understand someone no matter what your differences, not to mention your lifespan? I just felt her love of beauty in the house from the furnishings, to the Japanese gardens, and an incredible demitasse cup collection that inspired me to start one immediately. Hillwood hosts the most extensive collection of Russian imperial art outside of Russia, and a pretty incredible collection of 18th Century French art. It didn't hurt that she once had a career as a "diplomatic wife", she shares my love of delicate flowers, and spent two years bringing Hillwood to it's currently glory. Something tells me we'll run into each other in another life and be grand friends.

Now back to my truth, I was absolutely, enthusiastically thrilled to be there surrounded by all that beauty and the effort it took to create it. So that is it. It's official. I AM a beauty chaser.  Right now it's just me and Ms. Post but I welcome you to join me in my endeavors!

In Search of a Legacy

I am on a soul search. For some reason soul searching brings to my mind ideals of meditation, tea, and prayer. Maybe I've been watching to much Eat, Pray, Love. Or maybe we have the definition of soul searching all wrong, and we think that the clouds will part and our purpose will be before us.

When we arrived back in the states a year ago, I was bright eyed with the prospects of being stateside and excited for an opportunity to run an business without all of the bureaucratic red tape that I had encountered as a spouse in Zambia. Oh the joy of work! Well a year has gone by and like a new penny that has lost it's shine, I am forced to take off my rose colored glasses and analyze both my present and my future.

What people don't tell artists when they begin their journey is that even if you work for yourself, your client often dictates the terms of the deal, which in turn dictates your creativity. I have spent the last year learning how to photograph weddings, portraits, families, and events. I have created a business, a new brand, and gone from zero events per year to double digits. It has not been an easy road. Some days I have skinned knees and a bruised ego, but occasionally I have incredible success.

I started on this path because I fell in love with the idea of creating something. I stayed on the path because I loved people and I kept thinking that if I helped them in some way or captured a beautiful memory of their life that all I am and all I create would be of some value. The unfortunate truth of the matter is that most of the work I create is stored on a thumb drive, stuck in a drawer, with a few winning shots showing up in frames occasionally in someones home. This makes me question my legacy and ultimately my purpose.

I have no regrets in terms of what I've learned, nor in the skills that I've acquired on this journey. But I do have to ask the question, "What do I want to create?" If I can find the answer to that question, then all I have to do is be brave enough to make it happen.

DIY: Capiz Shell Pendant Light

Hello friends!

It has been far too long since I did a personal blog! This is mostly because my business has been taking up lots of my time so the only blogging I have been doing is there! Speaking of there is a new wedding up so pop over and take a look!

When Dom and I moved back stateside, we literally had zero furniture. One of the glories in the state department is that they provide furniture to you when you are abroad. Unfortunately, that isn't the case when you get back home. So one of my first projects upon returning was putting together a home that had more inside than just books and art.

I had a blast shopping, choosing paint, and curating the space. Many thanks to Craigslist, antique stores, and Leah's love of auctions because I put together a space that was mid-century modern meets bohemian eclectic and I love it!

One of the first pieces I bought was a Capiz Shell Pendant Light from a very awesome junk/antique shop here in D.C. Several of the shells where damaged, but I just knew that I could restore it to it's former glory. Sadly it has taken me about 9 months to get around to the project, but last night we hung the pendant and I was thrilled with the results.

Here's a brief step by step of my DIY!

Step 1: I traced out the shape of the Capiz shell on a piece of white paper and cut it out as my sample.

Step 2: I used my sample to make wax paper versions. Each faux shell took 3 wax paper shapes. I had to do several test runs to figure out how many layers were the appropriate opacity when the light shone through the lamp. Three was the magic number.

Step 3: I grated up some candle wax to use in between the wax paper layers.

Step 4: I put the candle wax in between the layers of wax paper, covered it will pieces of brown paper bag, and put a warm iron on to melt the wax.

Step 5: I covered the outer edges of the faux shell with modge podge, once it dried I added a yellow and gold wash to the very edges so that my new shells would looked aged like my old shells.

 

 

Step 6: I removed the broken shells, and replaced them with my new shells by modge podging them in place. Once dry I made creases with a butter knife where the fishing line should of been and punched tiny wholes where the wire would go through. This give the visual of my shells being exactly the same as the original shells.

 

Step 6: My wonderful husband hung the hanging pendant for me, and we used a simple hanging pendant light from ikea that plugged into the wall socket! 

Now we have light and style in our living room! Woohoo!!!

Long Lost Blog!

I have been sorely neglecting my blog duties! I promise it's not you, it's me. Dom and I have finally moved into our D.C. place but it's not exactly home yet. This next week, painters will be arrive and hopefully by the end of the week, it will be a little more to the taste and stylings of C.K. Randazzo. :)
I also have a couple of projects on my agenda for the weekend! There will be some furniture transformation happening that I'll be excited to post on the blog.

Once we have paint on the walls and the carpet cleaned, I will actually receive the shipment from Zambia. I always say that it's amazing what you can live without, but I must admit that I am tired of living without. I want art on the wall, creative, comfortable spaces, and those little things that make me happy like drinking homemade espresso out of my favorite mug.


I just keep imaging the the dinner parties, bbq, and get togethers to come but I am anxious to get the show on the road! In the mean time, I have PLENTY to keep me busy namely business registration, new website for the newest branch of my business (SO excited about it, but more to share later!), and a whole lot of technical logisitics.

Goldy Locks....

Check out this baby! Snagged her off of craigslist for 25 dollars! She's going to be a beauty in my new office! I think the white frame needs a bit of repainting.....debating between Chrome or White. Thoughts?

MidCentury Modern 0 Vintage Clothing 4

Dom was working second shift this week so he indulged me by letting me drag him around to a few vintage stores around U Street. Our initial target was Ruff & Ready Furnishings, but it turn out they are only open on Saturdays and Sundays. As was our second target, Millenium Decorative Arts. We were able to check out the fabulous Goodwood, which "yelpers" everywhere have been raving about since my arrival. It was fab! And totally out of my price range, I made a mental note to my older, hopefully slightly wealthier self that this is place to take note of. There was a white leather chair that I attempted to put in my handbag prior to leaving the premises.

Anyhoo...I did have the good fortune to stop into Junction Vintage which is a fabulous vintage clothing store. They have a great selection of items, and the girl working there was great! I told her that our furniture mission had been a fail. And she proceeded to give me the in's and outs of the vintage furniture stores in the area. She even revealed #asupersecretstealofadealfurniturespot. It is on my to do list to follow up on this lead, and will be revealed at a later date! Rule number #1 of thrifting, make friends with those who do it for a living. They know things!

After a walk through the botanical gardens and a fabulous lunch at the Native American Museum with my honey. I dropped him off at work and continued my hunt. I went down to Georgetown where I visited Random Harvest which had some truly beautiful shabby chic meets Hollywood regency pieces. It was a great place to be inspired, but I was definitely out of my price league. Same story at Susquehanna Antique Co., they carry mostly old world antiques which are alittle too frufru, fancy schmacy for my style. To each their own...

Luckily, the day was not a waste. Since I was in the area, I HAD to stop by Second Hand Rose, the mecca of high end D.C. vintage shopping. They've been in the area for over 30 years and they have a wealth of designer labels from every era. They also have a killer sales rack. I didn't have much time left on parking but I did manage to grab this houndstooth Elle Tahari Blazer for $10 dollars, it's original price in the shop $169. It is definitely vintage, fully lined wool blend. It is in PERFECT condition. A girl can never have to much hounds tooth right? Now where is my $10 mid-century modern table??

Collecting my own version of pirate gold....

Anyone who knows me, knows that I dig a good deal, especially when it comes to vintage items. On Friday, I decided to get myself out of the house (letting Dom catch up on his zzz's after the night shift) for the sole purpose of going to look at antique/thrift shops. I was actually on a mission for mid-century modern furniture but these things never quite turn out like you plan.

My first stop Bethesda Flea Market, held on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. It was cold, and there wasn't much there in terms of furniture. But on my way back to my car, I ran across this tiny little thrift shop that was gold mine! You can visit too if you're are up Bethesda way! All items except those in the two lower rooms are half price on Sundays, and discounted 10% on Monday!


Now I know that some people have some pre-concieved notions regarding "junk" shops. For me it's more about following my pirate tendencies and treasure hunting. If it's not your thing than you will never understand, but if you dig a good bargain and some vintage gold then let me know and we can be mateys. I love the fact that you never know what your going to find, and that keeps me coming back for more.

My retro booty from this trip is as follows:

One fab wrap party dress with gray and white stripes, double wrap bow, and fabulous layered skirt. Tag reads: Remedy: Made in NYC unlike most. Looks vintage, but I couldn't find any info online about. Total steal for 10 dollars. Might be coming to a wedding near you!

One fantastic vintage skirt suit. Fab puffed sleeve with shoulder pad, bow tie, and skinny belt. 100% silk, blue with orange diamond design. Made by Maggy London Petites (Jeannene Booher). Not sure of the year but I found several Maggy London suits on Etsy in the $40-$60 dollar range. My steal....$12.  The bow is my favorite part!

The third and final steal of the day is a gorgeous wool blazer, fully lined, 3/4 inch sleeves, with gold buttons, and a lot of sass! This piece has already made it's d.c. debut. Made by Point of View, very Ralph Lauren. I doubt it's vintage, but still fabulous. I dig a good blazer, I am certain I have way more than I need but when you pick one up for $8 you can't really complain, right?

 

So the moral of the story is I came home without furniture, but who needs it when you have fabulous outfits to wear out? Somehow I don't think my husband is surprised.  Anyone up for thrifting?