Where Art Thou Happy Place?

The sun here in Seattle has started to break up the solid mass of malaise that was crippling my creative thinking. Hibernating indoors and taking cover from the elements outdoors seems to take a toll on my ability to 'lighten up'. I do feel as though I can actually move my eyebrows out of a furrow into an exclamation. ! Oh Gee Whiz Look at THAT! A smirk? A smile?

With the loosening of my facial expression it seems to have reduced the swelling on the part of my brain that controls my creativity. The organization part of my brain was overloaded because it wasn't delegating the tasks to the motivation part of my brain which then creates a traffic jam and nothing to show for all of that thinking. What a relief!

I made the LIST. My list was not willy nilly in my notebook like the last 5 lists scribbled in every direction whenever a thought could get transferred to paper....no, I made a list with BULLETS! in a straight line with indentions.

I have been pushing things around and doing all the drudgery of cleaning out closets but not in the usual Martha Stewart way that would have classical music in the background and a vase of peonies to juxtapose with a perfect photograph of a robin's egg blue painted closet with varied shades of creamy colored pottery. No No No. I'm cleaning out the ugly stuff that people throw in closets because they don't know what to do with them. The rummage sale stuff.

I need eye candy. I need stacks of my British Home Mags at the ready for quick shots of inspiration during my work day. I want those peonies on my desk! So. THE LIST.

Once I get the list of beautifying and organized projects out of the way today (ambitious yes I know but remember the sun is the inspiration here) I will be organized and motivated to enjoy the other list. The Other List is the creative project, personal fulfillment, big ideas, fun list that I get to look forward to every day. My happy place.

Vulnerability is the Key to Joy

This is the best interpretation of what I have known for a long time now and have been struggling with "how come I know this?". I now have the answer to anyone who asks me why am I so happy and seem to be made of elastic after every hardship that comes my way.
Brene Brown has cracked the code. Listen to this talk from TED that I found on Window Darlings this morning. If you don't want to listen now that's ok, but when you come to me with strife later I will give it to you again. Without further ado:

HATS HATS & MORE HATS ! ! !

The Royals are not the only birds who wear outlandish hats. New York chicks are showing their plumage and raising money for Central Park at the same time! Check out the latest On the Street: Mad Hats in NYC by the maestro himself, Bill Cunningham.

Everyday Things

Everyday things can be arranged for happy glimpses of order and beauty.

Juxtaposing everyday objects is an ongoing habit of mine that never ceases to amuse me.

So here is a glimpse of my clutter and piles. I was inspired by one of my favorite blogs,

Apartment Therapy.

Here is my desk.

The lovely watercolor is painted by Phyllis Ray.

Book Pile.

One of my favorite books: Tokyo: A Certain Style.

Pristine....I knew when to leave it alone.

The long skinny dark box is a Leroy Lettering system.

I used this back in the day of Ink on Mylar Drafting.

Ancient History.

On top of that is a game of Go.

On top of that is a vessel used in the field and carved by

Ray's grandfather.

Neglected clutter, once arranged but, alas,

it has gotten away from

me. I delight in the colorful firework boxes from India.

Patron Saint of Architects and Buildings,

Saint Barbara, peeks out amongst the rubble.....

October Still Life

Seattle is glorious this time of year indoors and out. This is a snap of the afternoon light in the dining room. Note the eucalylptis leaves that give off scent, even when dried. Also, the blue French carpenter pencils purchased from a vendor at a Paris flea market. I bought 3 on a trip last October and my scout Wendy returned 10 months later and brought back more for my collection. Ray's collection of chemistry glassware is the perfect compliment to the Geoff Hunt print of Boston Harbor.

KOBO + MOMO: Field Trip

KOBO:

I've been pounding the pavement in Japan Town and the environs. I'm telling you, if you need a fix of NYC there is a fraction of downtown at KOBO and MOMO. Two different stores right next to each other on Jackson Street. This first snapshot is the historical side of KOBO. The Higo 5 and Dime Variety Store artifact shelves at the end of the store transport me back in time. I used to shop in this store for useful household items when it was owned and operated by the Murakami family. The original flooring and lighting is still in place but the owners, Mark and Binko Bisbie have lovingly taken over the space and created an experience of visiting a museum, gallery and boutique. They respectfully honor the Murakami family with a scrapbook history to look at in the store. The original KOBO on Capitol Hill is a jewel box of a boutique with gifts for all ages too.

MOMO:

What can I say, Leland is by far the most helpful, happy and laid back representative of a retail establishment that you can ever possibly hope for. I found clothes that I've seen in Takashamaya in NYC before they closed, so I am thrilled to have a source for unique, well designed apparel. In a nutshell here is MOMO's description on their FB page: Momo is a happy, lucky shop in Seattle's Japantown. We blend Asian style with European accents in a mix of men and women's clothing, home accessories and gifts, flavored with a bit of Hawaii. Hapa to it! I love MOMO. You will too.

Paris Storefront