On My Mind

Sometimes random mish-mash posts can be fun, especially on a Friday, don't you think? Here are a few things on my mind these days.

I spotted these shoes when shopping with my sister-in-law in Houston and it took some strength to resist the temptation to even try them on. I think they're perfect, but I don't need anything new right now. Maybe I'll watch for when they go on sale.

I've been getting really into the look of Turkish Kilim rugs lately and have learned that eBay is a great place to find them. Wouldn't this one be gorgeous on hardwood floors against white walls?

My sister-in-law (a different one, I'm blessed to have 3!) sent me this awesome video last week. I really liked it and believe its message is a powerful one. Watch it and let me know what you think.

Occasionally, I like to see what's going on at my alma mater. I stumbled on this article and I'm quite captivated by this new interdisciplinary sacred music drama about Joan of Arc that is being created and performed by several collaborating departments. It's called "I Was Born For This" and I imagine it's incredibly moving.

I can't wait to try out this studio when we're in Charlottesville!

My friend Kristyn recently re-branded her handmade jewelry shop and her new collection is stunning. I bought the Arch Earrings (pictured above) and they arrived last week. They're simple and feminine and exquisite. Do check out her shop--I think you'll be impressed.



What's been on your mind? I'd love to hear. Enjoy this middle-of-May weekend, friends!

Art Assignment

I discovered a new YouTube channel recently called Art Assignment and last night I got caught up on their first couple of videos. It's quite neat! It's hosted and run by John Green (author of The Fault In Our Stars) and his wife, Sarah Green, and produced by PBS. John and Sarah tour the country visiting contemporary artists and then commission these artists to dream up a creative "assignment"--it can be anything! The videos are posted on their channel and anyone and everyone who is interested can participate. Definitely a little quirky but I think it's a pretty fun concept.

Several of the assignments they've posted so far are (to me, anyway) not exactly "art" per se, but rather an encouragement to be creative and have an experience that is new and imaginative and perhaps to see the world and the people in it in a fresh way. For example, one assignment is to place an object in a public place and observe what happens. Do people pick it up? Notice it or walk right by? Talk about it with the person they're with? Then you create a record of what happened--a photo, a video, maybe a drawing. Doesn't that seem like an intriguing social experiment? And what's fun is that anyone can do the assignments. You don't have to be particularly "artistic," just enthusiastic and innovative.

Anyway, in case you're curious, here's a little intro video that explains the web series well.

Do you think you'll participate? Or follow along with the videos (that's what I plan to do!)?