this was my 2009

I fought really hard.

my niece caroline came into the world

I fell in love with st. barths again

more below

What I see

 

all photos below and above by me between 2005 and 2008

Jack Dishel of Only Son's new music video, directed by Adria Petty. Check out my little post on the Opening Ceremony blog about the set he played last week!

holirave!

pray to the dinosaurs

JUDITH 
do you believe in god? 

ME
no

 JUDITH
 do you believe in dinosaurs? 

ME
yes


JUDITH
 so tommorrow morning you are going to pray to the dinosaurs. pray for love.... for upliftment, for... power against assholes in this world

black is light

inspiration

  

giving thanks

Thanksgiving was, per usual, full of family, warmth, wine, and good food. I've come a long way since last year, and as such, can safely say that this thanksgiving the food was much more enjoyable than last year's. There is something really comforting about the fact that while everyone in my family grows older, the recipes and tastes stay the same... oh, and the fact that no matter how old the younger cousins get,our table is still called the kids table.

Everyone has the same expectations, and the same anticipation, which always makes a really wonderful meal. I always look forward to Aunt Lori's brined turkey breast, mom's stuffing, the sweet potato casserole , and most importantly, the french rolls from Wheatley Bake Shop .

We celebrated my sister's 21st birthday over carrot cake. Another landmark in the Gherardi/Farrell family.

I was thankful for a lot of things this year, particularly for the ability for myself and certain family members to endure and survive the past five years. And the quest to find my voice and to open my heart. And the entrance of new faces in my life-- people who I know and want to be good friends for life.  Thankful for the mistakes I made with certain people this past year, and knowing I have the ability to continue having hope in my heart and letting go at the same time.

 Then there are always the smaller things that make these big things possible, like good songs , and hobbies, living in this crazy city, my cozy apartment, living as comfortably as I can, and knowing that a new dream or adventure is right around the corner...

Back to the city it was, and it only gets crazier from here. Black Friday was insane but I scored these shoes by Toga, which oh yeah, I'm thankful for too...

evidence: crawling tubs and iced porches

   

moonchild

years, and years, and years gained

November 12th 2009 was my little sister's twenty first birthday. It is so remarkable how quickly time goes by; for I feel that only yesterday she was but eight years old, with two blonde pigtails and hyper hyper hyper. My parents and I took a drive from New York all the way to Boston, where we spent the weekend with the now legal C.F..

Any sort of movement is good, and change was necessary for me last week. To get away from the city was a long fresh breath, a well-needed step back...

If it is one thing I realized, it is that little has changed over the past ten, even twenty years when it comes to the way I see things from the inside out. Meaning: Do we ever truly feel like we have grown up?

Part of me thinks that the things we gain in knowledge leads to maturity-- and maturity is nothing but, as the years go by, layers which shield our innocent internal, so very alive child from the harsh and cold world.

On another front, we of course spent an hour or so shopping, where I found a few goodies for bargained prices (naturally):

 ann demeulemeester

d&g

unknown japanese brand

november's favorite things

1. the family jewels- 130 w 23rd street, nyc ny, 10011 - When I'm up in the chelsea area, I always make a point to sift through the extensive collection of vintage at The Family Jewels. You'll find some designer, but it's mostly pretty unique and fun pieces from the late 50's through early 80's which I love to incorporate into my wardrobe. Definitely worth the trip above 14th street.

 

2. Brahms - I have always been partial to Brahms' Intermezzo in A Op 118 No. 2, and perhaps to love it as much as I do is a bit cliche for those who are fans of Brahms. I don't care much about that. There is just something about the song's progression, movements, and chords that resonates in me. It reminds me of age, about the passing of time, about the changing of seasons. I've taken the time to try to learn it... and have been able to learn the first movement, somewhat successfully, at least. The thing is, I could listen to his intermezzos all day... and I do whenever I have the chance.

3. Mackenzie Childs - Building and decorating a home for myself has meant searching high and low for "the perfect" and "most fitting" items to decorate with, and the most appropriate pictures to be inspired by.  Being that my home while growing up was filled with Mackenzie Childs items, I tried to steer clear of this sort of look. I guess you could say that I couldn't help myself.  It's your farmhouse decor gone crazy, and I love it! Where else can you get a taffeta, grosgrain, and satin striped tuffet with multicolor tassels?

4. Sea of Shoes - I only wish the best for this one. Jane Aldridge certainly has a sure grasp on her personal style. This, combined with impeccable taste (particularly when it comes to her choice of shoes) and a cool photographic presentation makes a powerhouse of a blog.  I love looking at her posts, and I am always intrigued to watch the steps she takes in the fashion industry.

5. Whole Foods' Mom's Chicken Soup!

26B Chronicles

meghan farrell

 

the dark crystal and dolly dearest

Rodarte has been a name on the tip of my tongue lately. Since sisters Kate and Laura Mullaevy's line won the 2009 CFDA award for Womenswear Designer of the Year,  interest and demand for the line has most certainly escalated.  To own a Rodarte piece is like owning a piece of art: for the time, skill, hand craftsmanship, and heart that goes into each garment is evident by a single glance. Each piece is magical.

The girls always seem to do it right. Details like the sharpie-drawn body art in their most recent Spring 2010 collection was an amazing innovative complementary touch. The color palettes and mixture of colors within their pieces always seem to resonate a really edgy and beautiful feel. The materials of choice used to weave their signature knits provides a depth and individuality that makes each piece so special. Their introduction of dolls outfitted in garments inspired by prior collections (see above - available at Colette Paris) was genius.

Most recently, their jewelry collaboration with Mark Walsh and Leslie Chin sparked my interest. We received the pieces at Opening Ceremony just a few weeks ago. The settings are all made in Walsh's and Chin's studio in Paris, and the glass used in the pieces is in fact glass from the 1930's. The cuff bracelet reminds me of a terrarium... there is definitely a raw earthy feel to these pieces.

available at Opening Ceremony

Upon research, I found Mark Walsh and Leslie Chin's own line to be extremely solid. Being that my own interest in the industry lies mainly in jewelry design and fabrication, I am intrigued by designers that find new methods to make or present their work. This duo's innovation is wonderful. 

available at Colette Paris

glowing fingertips and parted hair 

woven to the threads of the keeper of youth

who so delicately presses the palm onto scalp

firing words of miracles 

chanting repetitions of truth

it's finally here

                        

"A wind has blown the rain away...

      ... and blown the sky away 

... and all the leaves away, 

and the trees stand. 

                         

                          

     I think, I too, have known Autumn too long."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                       

e.e. cummings