I’m currently working on a portrait that isn’t being nice to me, while also planning out some new paintings that are going to be a departure from my usual work, so in the meantime — besides beating to death the exhibitions coming up — I thought I’d share with you the material objects I’m diggin’ on lately!
My Frieling French Press. I ditched the drip coffee maker because it took up too much room and would always get gross. This is not only pretty, but keeps coffee warm for quite a long time. Oh yeah, the coffee tastes better too!
Fresh Sugar lip treatment. I have a bad habit of chewing on my lips, also, they get dry and gross during winter. I’ve been slathering this stuff on like crazy and love it. It helps to have the tint for me as well, being that my lips naturally do not have pigment. I think I bleached them out by starting to wear lipstick at age 12!
Yves Saint Laurent mascara. Got to admit, I didn’t like it at first, but I had to get used to it and now dig this quite a bit. I never buy mascara that is this expensive usually so maybe that’s why I was a little “eh” at first. I got it in dark brown and find it stays on forever and makes my bitty lashes look not so bitty. I hear the chic French girls use it, and that was all I needed.
My Filofax! Okay so that isn’t really new, I’ve had a few models since 1999, but I finally settled on the Slimline model in camel. According to The Telegraph sales are up, which is no surprise to me really. I get made fun of for being old school, but I find I am way more organized than anyone I know with smart phones and such; it always seems they have to be reminded of dates and times for appointments and events on a constant basis. Not only do I never have to worry about the battery dying, but I don’t poke around writing stuff down while I drive — unlike some of you texting and driving jerks!
After Inked tattoo lotion. My husband started getting tattoos a few years back and I saw an ad for this stuff. He’s had some large areas filled in black so I thought I’d order it and try it out as it says it is good for old tattoos (mine is ancient). It acts almost like a varnish, especially for the older tattoos, bringing the color back a bit, and it smells puuurty. I’ve actually used it as a hand lotion sometimes and it works for that too!
The Marchesa Casati: Portraits of a Muse One of the newer books about her, and it makes a fabulous coffee table book for your guests who do not know who she is. If you are like me and you like tales of eccentrics who had too much money, fashion, and art, well go get yourself a copy of this bad boy.
Purex 3-in-1 Sheets. Yeah you didn’t think I would make a list without throwing in something practical, did you? I am an artist and a Cleveland housewife after all! Even my husband studied these things and found them fascinating. I hate doing laundry and jugs of detergent + softener are heavy; this takes care of everything — everything! I’m lazy, so there.
Arty Farty 