Derosa Art Preserve and My Band of Colorful Characters

First of all, let me apologize for my lack of presence here.  Having just moved I was hoping for a free internet connection which I did have, but it only lasted a few days.  I have now bitten the bullet and paid for it.  It's well worth it, I was getting so bored.  

Last weekend, some friends and I went to the Derosa Art and Nature preserve in Napa.  It was one of the most interesting places I have been, in the area.  I highly recommend visiting if you live close by and if you plan on coming to the bay area.  They have the largest regional art collection in the United States and quite possibly the world.  There was so much to see that I plan to go back in July with my mom, when she is here.  There were no photos allowed inside which is where most of the art is so these are all just outside shots.  

 I was so excited to see so much work by David Best, who I was already a huge fan of.  His art is really touching and invokes many emotions.  I saw a sculpture which was about the invasion of Poland by the Nazi's, it was a full size horse with a young boy on a carriage, it was really dingy looking with jewish stars and symbols all over it and underneath it was a pile of ashes, very intense and beautiful.  

The lake when you walk up to the first gallery.

This is the back of the property where a lot of the sculptures are. 

I was so excited to see so many peacocks, they were at the end of mating season so they were really loud.

The other side of the lake outside the second and largest gallery.

The old barn and stables, this tower was a add on by Rene Derosa who converted this into his home. 

These last two are from a event called ShowNuff I attend every friday night at 111 Minna.  My friend Conrad (playing the guitar) books the happy hour with live music which is so much fun.  It's free to get in with drink specials and great local live bands and is every friday from 5-9.  This Friday Kalri$$ian will be playing, who I preform with.  Come on out and see us!  Add us on facebook too!

Nooks, Crannies And My New Obsession!

I've been reading a lot of online decorating blogs lately which has made me really think about "my" style of decorating.  I have a very eclectic aesthetic, I like tribal, antique, folk, gypsy and boudoir.  I'm pretty all over the place but somehow I make it work.

Since living in San Francisco, I have purchased so many gorgeous art pieces from thrift stores.  I have managed to decorate my entire apartment with thrifted art that matches my taste and goes together.  It's really wild actually.  I believe that everything happens for a reason and if this collection is any indication, the universe wants me to be happy.  I have recently decided that I wanted to have a "animal" to collect.  You know how lots of people really love owls or frogs or which ever animal speaks to them.  I decided my animal of choice would be peacocks, I have always loved them.  The bright colors, the crazy huge feathers, it just seemed perfect for me to collect something so bold and eclectic.  A few months ago while on a wine tasting excursion to Napa I found a beautiful old metal peacock music box at a yard sale.  I'm pretty sure that sparked my interest, or at least reaffirmed it.  Since then I have noticed a few other peacock things around the house, unknowingly having picked them out.  I guess it's meant to be.

Yesterday I went to the local thrift to try to find more wooden hangers and managed to find some satin ones too, I came home with about 12 more and 2 amazing framed Vogue cover prints, one of which has a peacock.  Another sign that the universe gives you what you want!  This post is going to be very photo heavy but I wanted to show my collection of things I have managed to collect in San Francisco thrift stores by not spending much money!  Here goes........


Edit:  I looked up the meaning of Peacock in terms of symbolism!

Peacock: Fully aware of his own beauty, peacock signifies a new opportunity for spiritual growth and healing. Peacock's gifts bring confidence, stature and accomplishment to the dreamer. Peacock's feathers are ringed with eyes that contain the medicine of foresight and clairvoyance. On the surface, peacock spirit is boastful energy. The lesson is to watch our pride and beware of the ego. Thus, Peacock medicine is our ability to be noble, yet humble.

The new Vogue prints, I paid 8$ each for.

Vanity Fair cover 

Mucha, one of my Favorite artists

Another Vouge cover

Another Mucha, with some of my tin collection which is mostly thrifted, some are from Etsy. 

More tins and  new thrifted mirror, notice the peacock on the taller red tin.

The peacock music box that sparked my collection, I paid 1$ for it.

Thrifted horse picture, and the start of my collection of Hex Signs (both thrifted) these two symbolize peace.

Thrifted Moroccan lamp and wooden box, I painted the lamp shade and plant holder

My mom sent my this peacock wall hanging recently before I even told her I was collecting peacocks.

Thrifted silver tray and vintage mirror and brushes from etsy. 

Modern Art

The Sf MOMA is having a Richard Avadon exhibit right now.  We finally went to go see it today.  Seeing his photos up close and personal was a amazing experience.   Most of his art is simple but striking which allows the personality of the subjects to really shine through.  In addition to the R.A. exhibit we checked out the rest of the museum which was really neat.  There were lots of very simple art which most times I can't get into.  A huge painting of a all grey canvas does not speak to me at all.  I guess I am more into the art that seems like it takes a special talent and creativity to come up with.

I really liked the outfit I choose today, it was sort of a accidental, magical pairing.  I put on my dress, tights, shoes and as I was finishing up the mending of my vintage kimono I tried it on to make sure I had sewn the sleeve back on correctly and it somehow looked perfect with the rest of my outfit.  This is the same kimono I got a couple months ago and am in love with.  I hadn't been wearing it because it was in need of repair.  I am so glad I got a chance to fix it today which lead to it perfectly complementing the outfit I had already chosen to wear.  I love happy accidents.

Outfit details

Dress-Vintage

Tights-Marshals ?

Belt-Vintage (new this week)

Necklace-New DIY (Pretty Pirate Designs)

Boots-Vintage

Kimono-Vintage

Bag-Marshals

Eye Glasses-Vintage from Grandma H

The Ceiling of the SF MOMA

The cutest little mini, embroidered hippie shirt

Not quite sure about this piece, it was made from lead, scary

Close up of the necklace I made out of a vintage belt that was my moms

Magic door in the Mission

I stumbled upon this mini door and window in a alley way in the mission yesterday. I wanted to climb on in but I didn't have the minimizing potion with me, unfortunately.

Magical sky in the Mission

I'm so far behind on my posts again,  thanks for all the lovely comments on the last post.  I was really excited about that outfit.  This outfit is most likely the most casual of outfits you will see me wearing.  It was a lovely evening in the mission so we went for a drive to capture the amazing clouds that were painting the sky.  It's nice to actually have some outfit shots that aren't DIY in the mirror.

Grey tank-Arkay workshop

White vest-thrited

Cut off levis-thrifted and cut

Shoes-thrifted

Necklace-thrifted

Bag-Pretty Pirate Designs (self made)

Tuesday project day!!

I decided to make a wall hanging today, I had been trying to find something to put over our bed for a good while now. Living in earth quake country we have to have something that isn't going to fall off and bonk our head. I had been searching on ebay and etsy for a asian influenced tapestry or wall hanging and was not finding anything I liked which make me think to DIY! First I searched the web for trees that I liked which helped me get a good feeling of what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted it to be asian art because our bed room is all decorated in asian art. Here are the photos of the finished project! I think our bedroom is finally coming together in my usual mis-mash of colors and textures.

Below is the rest of our bedroom, the first art piece was made by my aunt in the 60s/70s from a kit, it's all made with tini little rocks. I inherited it from my grandparents, who she had made it for as a gift. The jewelry box was a birthday gift from my BF, when I turned 30. The circular art I found at the thrift store for 1.50$ each, as well as the purple velvet curtains (14$). The last piece is the newest find at my fave thrift store, its a silk painted fabric that has been framed it was 12.50$.

Handmade shoes!

A friend of mine from hi school just had a art show in my hometown of Vancouver, WA. The show was a group show. As I was looking through the photos he had taken of the show (all amazing B.t.w) I stumbled upon this shoe designer. His shoes are incredable, made with some recycled materials and sometimes wooden heels, like real branches. I'm in love and I want the pair with a real railroad spike heel. SWOON!! Last 2 pics by my friend Nathan Childs, who is a amazing artist himself. Portland represent, Word!

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Happy 4th!

We ended up at the Legion of Honor today, July 4th. It's a gorgeous old building in Sf, full of really amazing and priceless art. I had no idea it was full of art until we went inside. We then knew we had to see it. I took a few pictures of some of the amazing collection they had on display.

I am wearing 100 percent thrifted today and a DIY necklace.

I had no idea the original "thinker" was in Sf, here it sits outside the Legion of Honor. Also a original painting from the renaissance period, I forgot to write down the painter.

This mirror belonged to Louis the XIV, it is made from gold, diamonds, rubies and emeralds. The drawing is etched and hand drawn by Max Clinger, his art was there for a small time only and was beautiful.

Days off in wonderland

Adventures this weekend included the Contemporary Jewish Museum, cuddling with my kitties, spending too much time at the BMW dealership, just so we could end up pulling out a fuse and putting it right back in and the best falafel ever. Today we did some shopping for my boyfriend at the Rugby store and AA. I also went into a ralph Lauren store this weekend and was really impressed with the designs. I always thought RL to be for old men, but I saw the most gorgeous patchwork white lace dress. It looked like it was patched together with all kinds of different vintage lace. I am going to attempt a DIY using this dress I made as the base layer.

I am wearing

vintage lil boys jean jacket-thrifted

white 70's shirt-thrifted

skirt (altered by making shorter)-thrifted

Grandpa's old belt

AA high waisted leggings

Shoes from Burlington coat factory

Necklace-thrifted

Bracelets-thrifted

Purse-marshals

I look like a giant in this shot taken by my BF, funny angle. I am as tall as the door, ha!

Todays hairstyle-top knot with braided bangs

Lots of car time today

Contemporary Jewish Museum

Jewish Museum

Sam snuggling with my purse (from Marshall's no brand tag)

Sylvester looking evil mid yawn

Sam cleaning Sylvester

Outfits

I go through fazes and right now I am feeling the 70's vibe. I have been craving folky shirts and big bell bottoms and simple dresses. The other night I went out with some ladies to a reggae/dub night in the mission (my hood). We had a great time dancing to awesome live reggae and dub.

I am wearing-

70's leather jacket-garage sale in oregon

Scarf-f21

Mexican embroidered shirt-thrifted

Jeans-Ross

Purse-Marshalls

Eliza is wearing- (what I know)

Jeans-Crossroads, mens

Boots-thrifted on haight

Fashion in art

George Barbier is one of my all time favorite artists. You can see he was inclined to paint beautiful woman with a strong asian influence. I love asian art as well and have lots in my home already. I wish all of his prints would end up lining my home for daily outfit inspiration.