against the glass or for Carla, with love

Snow White

House sitting for David and Carla Cohen allowed me to pour over their bookshelves, an extension of the passion that I was blessed to be bathed in during my tenure at Politics & Prose. Beyond the bookshelves, there was the garden, the kitchen, the sofas worn with love, the beating presence of family. Carla showed me such great kindness while I knew her, despite her frustration with my rejection of a book or two she pressed into my hands. I've since read them all, including her favorite, Angle of Repose. Carla is one of the great forces in my life; I wish I had written the letter I meant to send, telling her so.

Marchesa on a thin leash

The Palm Court of the Plaza, before its glass ceiling was removed

Yesterday, I fell in love with a glimmering envelope of a dress. Too soon, though. On the one hand, the weekend was fraught. On the other, we had champagne at the Plaza.

Paring Down

Jane Fonda via Child of the Moon

Shala's grandmother said:

Keep your secret. It’s a creole proverb. Over and over again I hear it in my head. Keep your secret. It goes along the lines of “know thy self” and when you know yourself then you should keep your secret.

Don't Look Back

Consuelo, Duchess of Marlborough, with Her Son Ivor Spencer Churchill, 1906 by Boldini

Like Sleeping Beauty's castle, they say, where an early Mickey Mouse, a calling card, billet-doux lay in wait, under a half-century's dust.

And Boldini? His women, they smile.

Two of Me!

Confetti System on The Selby

Shoulda planned a party but we went to the cinema instead. Boy, did it feel good.

My castle, my books.

Plucked The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie from R's shelf- inscribed to her from G., our favorite Australian. Have I, or have I not, gone to visit Miss Muriel Spark in Rome?

2:16 A.M., Monday

Turning something feared into something fun, thanks to my best girl, the original VisionQuester.

Puckish

Let's stay in today. Please.

Tony Curtis, June 3, 1925 – September 29, 2010

Farewell, Mr Curtis. Let's revisit your finest hour and catch up with Josephine, Daphne, and Sugar Kane Kowalczyk.

Cake? Who needs it! Give me swans instead.

Black, white, lace, leopard. There's really nothing I'd like more (sartorially, speaking) than to populate my wardrobe with Dolce & Gabanna's Spring 2011 collection. Until then, I'll scrub deep, dress sheer, and walk by Fortunato's every morning for that real Italian feeling.

Reparation

Roman Pool, Hearst Castle

Mosaicology asked (thank you!), I answered. I'm normally shabby at these things- this time, fleet feet! Though, I haven't quite played by all the rules, so shabby still, I suppose.

1. I am an only daughter's only daughter.
2. I am black-haired, turning white.
3. I am intent on anonymously distributing a pamphlet.
4. I am outing my anonymous intentions.
5. I am a weasel, and an owl.
6. I am green-eyed, though not the jealous sort.
7. I am in love.

Aunt L-

The Godfather (don't think about what happened next)

We're back from Wine Country, with a sheaf of lavender, fresh from the fields, a battered silver swan, and a noble Roman nose. We were spoiled by parents, and vineyards alike. We stayed in a town from my childhood, and eased back into life with a nightcap and 30 Rock.

Cats in repose

he's a P, i'm a B (frm identical eye)

Bowled over by beauty, I've been a fog-wanderer. We're off for a small holiday. I'm aiming to do nearly nothing but mull and muse, and even those I might leave at Pennsylvania Station.

Come back

photo frm Vogue UK

On Sunday we celebrated! We toasted to Cherokee's parents and to...together! I sat in the park, with my oldest friend. There was hope and musical accompaniment. I arrived home to pizzas and a house full of love. We raised glasses of Dom Pérignon with some of our very dearests. I have snakes with diamond eyes on my left hand.

On Monday, Björk sang Gloomy Sunday for her friend, Alexander McQueen.

Ouroboros

frm Purple Diary

Inscribed in hieroglyphics on an Egyptian wall: the male serpent is bitten by the female serpent, the female serpent is bitten by the male serpent, Heaven is enchanted, earth is enchanted, the male behind mankind is enchanted.

Beloved

Ketubah, Italy, 1662

This is a love letter, a love letter to my parents, my ghosts, my swans, my muses, what I have loved, what I have lost. This is a love letter to animals, spirit and flesh, wild hearts, graceful souls, hopefuls, brothers and sisters, dearest ones, wonders I have known, wonders I will know. This is a love letter to the man I will marry.

Free, like only a gang of wild bunnies should be.

Creature Ring II by Bittersweets NY

Last night, Robin taught me new tricks, ergo you can't hold me back! Only I'm allowed to do that.

Dream time

The World of Henry Orient

Last night with R:

me: Its going to be so much fun when you can share all these things with S. (ed: R's daughter, age 4). Did you read The Egypt Game? Kind of a companion piece to The Mixed up Files. 1960s New York, good god. Breakfast at Tiffany's, Lyle Lyle Crocodile, tail end of Salinger, The World of Henry Orient, Auntie Mame, Peggy Guggenheim, and now Mad Men.
R: That is quiet a gamut of age ranges! We read lyle lyle a lot now. I never read The Egypt Game! Exciting. Auntie Mame is a Very Weird Read.
me: i get easily carried away

My castle, my books.

Last Year at Marienbad

As summer wanes (waned, but I won't admit it, no) I've picked up a long-time library resident for a first time read; The Invention of Morel, inspiration for my beloved Last Year at Marienbad, inspiration for your beloved drama. Turns out, we might all be lost to temporality.

Breaking rules every other minute

Rodarte

This girl has to take care of this girl. Back on Monday.