Monday Muse | Peggy Guggenheim

 

Trailblazer, fearless, visionary, style setter, art connoisseur, modernist queen, and odd beauty.

image via, peggy pictured here wearing her alexander calder earrings.

"I was a liberated woman long before there was a name for it." ~Peggy Guggenheim

Alexander Calder

image via

I have been a long admirier of the mid century work of artists Alexander Calder, who is credited as part of the modernists movement. I have a curious interest in his life and work, but lately he has been on my radar more often due to the current exhibition at the LACMA, (which I plan on attending before it ends in July 2014). Follow the Alexander Calder information page on Artsy.com to view collections and keep in touch with all of the current Calder happenings and exhibitions around the world. 

I am quite fascinated with his iconic and Avant-garde circle of insider artist friends (who included Georgia O'Keeffe + Peggy Guggenheim). And also the modern kinetic abstract mobiles + sculptures that look so simple, but are yet so complicated, only an engineer (he so happened to be one) would completely understand all of it's working components.

Another chapter in his life that was quite incredible, were his jewelry making years. His handful of jewelry and metal work are considered highly collectable and rare, making only 1,800 pieces entirely by hand. He rarely used solder in his pieces and almost always conjoined using the rivet or wrapping process, using metals like silver, copper + brass. His oversize statement pieces are simple, but striking and most have a very chic modernist appeal to them, they can be viewed as a piece of wearable surrealism art. I just want to hold one in my hands, since owning one is most likely out of the question and budget (they have auctioned off for upwards of $500,000).

Alexander Calder found beauty in the things that we often overlook using industrial materials and scraps. He was definitely ahead of his time, being that his most significant pieces were created before 1945. I recently took a jewelry making class at my local community college, it's something I have wanted to pin down for a while now and finally just made the time for it. A few of the pieces I made in class were also created with a rivet process (inspired by Calder). I just love the handmade feeling it emulates and I now have an entirley new appreciation for this craft all the way around.

Some influencial women of style graced with Alexander Calder pieces included:

 Georgia O'Keeffe

 Angelica Huston

Peggy Guggenhiem

Textile designer Eszter Haraszty

Calders wife Louisa Calder

xx~syd

Valentino. Every. Time.

When it comes to the collections on the runway, Valentino never ceases to put me in a state of swoon. Every piece in the collection is always just simply beautiful. The attention to detail and the craft of perfect tailoring are to be expected, but it never lets down, ever. Designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli of Valentino just nail it every time, they truly understand the structure and art of fashion and the timeless beauty and grace of it on women. They just make it flow effortlessly collection after collection.

 I am in love with just about every piece of the pre-fall 2014 collection, but couldn’t fit them all here, so here are ten that are at the top of the list. Although anything from the collection would suit just fine (*sigh* one of these days....).

images via: style.com

What are some of your favorite pre-fall designers or collections?

xx~syd

Happy Birthday Peggy!

"I look back on my life with great joy. I think it was a very successful life. I always did what I wanted and never cared what anyone thought. Women's lib? I was a liberated woman long before there was a name for it." ~Peggy Guggenheim

*wearing alexander calder earrings, circa 1950s

image via

~Syd

Vera Neumann for Target

The iconic artist + designer known her her colorful, bright and cheery patterns and signature lady bug trademark, currently has a reproduction collaboration with Target. I am pretty over the moon about this, hence the fact that I have searched for and collected little vintage treasures with her signature on them for many years. 

xo~Syd

a new year and a fresh space

Starting off the new year right means having an organized working space. One where you can feel constantly inspired and motivated on a daily basis. Surrounded by the things you love, be it your favorite art work, books, stationary, reminders, or just a pretty bouquet of your first pick of flowers.

It also helps if that space is a pretty one, so here are a few desk and office accessories that I fancy…

Oh! And I think everyone should own a vintage letter opener, just my two sense!
xo~syd

1. eiffel tower thank you cards: graphique de france | 2. letter opener: etsy | 3. art work by my lovely friend: valerie galloway

4. two carat coffee mug: target | 5. desk lamp: land of nod | 6. dachshund letter holder: anthropologie

7. paper weight: kate spade | 8. grace coddington memoir | 9. vase: jonathan adler | 10. pink desk calendar: sugar paper

Insta-Life!

I will gladly admit that I am completely and utterly addicted to Intagram! So much in fact, that it deserves it's own section in my blog. I think I will title it Life Instagramed.....snippets of recent things going on in my busy day to day life, that I manage to capture on Instagram.

So every know and then I will update this section with these images, here are the first few.....

My go-to red beret, this time worn with freshly trimmed bangs.

A piece of art I recently purchased from my friend Vallerie Galloway's show. She draws these amazing women of french influence & culture (my fave). This one is titled "la bicyclette." Here is her Etsy store, you should take a lookie-lou, I know you will fall in love!

I was feeling a little under the weather this particular evening. So, I stayed in with a comfy blanket, hot cup of tea and a good movie!

I was super excited to get a new bag, especially this pretty little practical brown Coach one. It fits my day planner and steno pad perfectly. You know,  the one I can't live without (for the sake of writing my thoughts & things to do list down).

I guess I'm a little anxious to go on vacation. We still have a week and a half to go, but I dug out the luggage and started packing for Austin last weekend!

A sweet strawberry treat (strawberries & sugar), that I used to share with my Grandmother as a child. I still get all giddy when I make this snack, it brings back a lot of precious moments I spent with her as a child. 

Romeo has been enjoying playing with our new puppy Gracie. She has been the little soul that completes our family. She is constantly cuddled and kissed.

The fall baseball season is almost coming to an end in November, but only a few months off and then the busy baseball boy's schedule will resume. I tell you, this kid eats, sleeps, and breathes baseball!

Someday, Romeo is going to make a really good boyfriend or husband. He surprised me with a Saturday morning breakfast.

Yoda pancakes to be exact!

A Sunday morning walk to the coffee shop, just the three of us and Gracie! Romeo was more excited about his miniature coffee cup, then he was the hot chocolate inside. 

Our most recent editorial photo shoot at Black Cat Vintage, here is a sneak peak of the wardrobe in my workspace that day-yum, yum!

More yummy vintage pieces to play with at Black Cat! Feather hats for Spring!

Till next time,

xx~Syd