Luluology's blog

Fête de la Victoire

As a memorial to her father, who was in Paris on Victory Day 1945, my friend Amy invited friends to share in her dad's memory by throwing a french-themed soirée.

 

let them eat...

 

 

Incredibly touching, as well as interesting, was the display Amy created to showcase her father's momentos and set the tone for the evening:

 

memorial

Included with personal photos, documents, coins, and Ralph's favorite beer was his metro ticket from May 8, 1945.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guests were encouraged to bring French-themed food or drink and left with a glass from Ralph's wine glass collection.  I brought my meter tall Eiffel Tower (which a Frenchwoman said you would never find in France...true enough...it wouldn't fit in a suitcase anyway) and channeled a bit of Bardot.

 

 

Guess who this is?

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She was working on this canvas in the backyard as the sun went down the other day.  I caught her silhouette.

Too Hot

burn 'em up

Putting the Free in Freetime

I came home one day last week to three children painting with watercolors.

 

 

i'll have to ask the artist the title

It remined me that creativity needs some free time to come out. 

You know.

Germinate.

Blossom.

Fruit.

Even for kids.

So, as adults it is important to block out the "free" time to explore your creativity.  This would be slightly different than setting "cultural dates" or providing inspirational experiences for yourself.  Time to think, feel, or play. 

Try different projects or media than you are used to.

inspiration photos

Savannah & Charleston

 

creative with cupcakes

My cousin introduced me to dangerously delicous and adorably creative Sweet Mandy B's cupcakes on Webster in Chicago.  

 

 

Sweet Mandy B's

 

 

They taste as good as they look.

cupcake anyone?

I have yet to try all varieties, but the orange creamsicle is my favorite.  Seen here center stage, I love the little jellied orange slice on top.

 

While on the subject of creative cakey confections, feel free to admire this chocolate cake decorated by Wells:

 

spooky sweet

 

before & after: stairs

Sorry...only decent Before picture I have.

I ripped the carpet off in a fit of impatience.  15 minutes and the carpet was gone.  I spent the next two hours picking out nails.  Then the next two days refinishing.  So, I did think twice before I dove into this mess a few months ago:

 

 

during

During

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

after

After

 

 

Reviews are mixed...but I say you can't go wrong with black & white.

Q: "What creative projects do you have going this week?"

My friend, Jeanette, asked me what creative thing I am doing this week. 

A:  "Trying to figure out my life."

 

pages

I decided to start a scrapbook (you know, the old fashioned kind where you actually tear something out and glue it into a book) --a journal of ideas, trying to zero in on what my master's thesis for anthropology should be.  Here is an article Lars gave me about Yo Yo Ma, who has an anthropology degree. 

So, I'm gathering ideas.  Trevor forwarded an article on a study about smiling to me.  Very interesting because I am reading a book,  Doing Anthropology in Consumer Research, which warns that emotions are not universal.

 

 

journal

Other inspirations, an article on anthropology and the humanities from an entry level cultural anthropology class, random ideas, and some of my favorite museums.  Maybe I'll share those in another post.

So, everyone, expect I will pursue this conversation with you.... I love getting other perspectives.  I have a feeling this is the fun part.

before & after: china hutch

 

before

Before: Provincial style china cabinet, Goodwill find. Bad wood, great hardware. Frenchy lines and flower garlands.

 

after

After: Rockin' 4 coats of paint with cream and black houndstooth interior.

 

games

Now:  New life as family game storage.

scrabble anyone??

Before & After: Benches

I bought these benches ages and ages and ages ago at a yard sale in the Bay Area.  I considered getting rid of them many times...so glad I didn't... they now have a new life as benches at the head and foot of my kitchen table.

 

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