Deep breath.....Heaven!

gaudi gaudi gaudi, originally uploaded by Mr. Mark.

How does this get from brain to paper to reality?

Gaudí details.-, originally uploaded by ancama_99(toni).

How did these people get in my house?

the magic world of Gaudi, originally uploaded by peia... missing you!!!.

and this is where they did the laundry!

Gaudí - Casa Batlló 5, originally uploaded by jordicerda52.

Gaudi's "Casa Batllo" in the dusk

Gaudi's "Casa Batllo" in the dusk, originally uploaded by Speck in Time.

Internal courtyard anyone?

Gaudi's Casa Mila .:HDR:., originally uploaded by markeloper photography.

Dragon or house?

Casa Batlló, originally uploaded by MorBCN.

Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló, originally uploaded by MorBCN.

Can you imagine living here?

La Pedrera

~~~~, originally uploaded by Paco CT.

My ultimate apartment fantasy

Do your chimney tops look like this?

Chimney tops, originally uploaded by kitschcafe.

Oh, how I love Gaudi

Spires, originally uploaded by kitschcafe.

BRAVO!

Last night Bravo premiered it's newest reality show, Work of Art. Similar to Project Runway and Top Chef in concept, Bravo has gathered a slew of aspiring artist and brought them to a communal studio to compete and see who remains the lone artist standing. 

Personally, I am thrilled to see Bravo go out on a limb and give their creative audience something that doesn't involve screaming housewives (although you know I love them too) lampooning each other. 

We will see how long the Bravo editing crew can control themselves and we begin to see the artists devouring each other to get to the top, in the mean time though I think we have something interesting to watch. Watching an artist's process never fails to fascinate me, and we get a whole studio full of them here.

I would love to name a few favorites right off the bat but I am going to limit it to one in this post (I think you will have to put up with several posts about this show, reader!) 

My hands down favorite right off the bat has to be Mark. I'm not going to lie, I love him because he is from my home town. I don't know him, but I know where he comes from. It's not easy to be an artistic type in a small town. Even a small town in California near the beach. Our town is an agricultural community. Rodeo and country music are huge. Cowboy boots are seen just as much as flip flops and china flats. It is a so nice to see someone from home get this kind of national exposure. I'm rooting for you Mark! Make Santa Maria proud.

Out of Illness, Inspiration.

Having been home sick the past few days has given me a chance to catch up on my netflix que and my Amazon rentals.

I was blown away by the documentary 'Beautiful Losers' an account of a group of post punk era artists who came into their own together during the early 90's. The film follows them from their skateboarding, flophouse, New York and California roots to the counter culture art leaders they are today.

 I was especially touched by artist Margaret Kilgallen an artist I had never heard of, who without my even knowing has influenced my work in so many ways. Her life was cut short by cancer, but she shared herself with the world in a profound way while she was here.

Now that I have seen the film, I am adding the book that also chronicles the artists to my wish list. Hopefully, I don't have to get sick again to make the time to read it!


In reverse order I have read and re-read the book 'Handmade Nation' and finally took the time to watch the film made in conjunction with the book. The film is available to rent on Amazon for a mere $1.99 for a week's access. Not even knowing it was possible to 'rent' from Amazon, I found that to be great value for money.

'Handmade Nation' explores the DIY crafting community that grew out of the same punk movement that inspired 'Beautiful Losers'. More about crafting as a way to make a living, than crafting for the sake of craft this film showcases a number of successful artists who have made a lifestyle into a living.

Even if you aren't in need of a little inspiration these are both must see films. If you happen to be a 40ish post punk wanna be artist 'Beautiful Losers' will take you back to your glory days and make you wonder what ever happened to that kid in high school with the mohawk who drew comics for
 'Thrasher Magazine' could he be the one that came up with that VW ad you like so much?

The Younger

When does it happen?

When do they shift away from you?

I wish I had known it was going to happen with the older girls.

They are gone. Their own people. Their own issues.

The younger two trust and believe. The older two question and doubt.

When it is just the younger two at home, I am all knowing.

When an older girl appears, I suddenly loose all credibility and life experience.

I am old and stupid.

When the younger two are at home there is squabbling and shoving.

When an older sister appears there is yelling and blame.

I hear they will shift back,

that gravity brings them home.

Once again I will be believed.

Once again I will hold them close.

When we are all older and wiser.

The Older

Can I Find What I Need at the Brooklyn Flea?

Thanks to Design Sponge for posting this photo before I hit the flea market!  

How cool are these lights?

This is a restaurant in California that has had a recent makeover.

Can the design team come to my house next?

Since they probably can't,

I will find cool wire baskets at the Brooklyn flea and give it a go!

Wish me luck.

photo by Kari Pfeffer

It's Time For a Field Trip!

We are hitting the road, headed to Brooklyn for the bust craftacular.

Good food, creative types, hanging out with my brother and my good friend Elizabeth, what more 

could a girl ask for?

Before that we are trying our luck at the Brooklyn Flea.

What treasures will we uncover? More importantly, what will we be able

to afford?

Stay tuned for a full report on our New York adventure.

And you thought Carrie and the girls were wild!

If you Follow......PLEASE let me know.

karst, originally uploaded by marusica.

Jim always reminds me, if you build it, they will come.So many of you come to Libby's World. You tell me in e-mails, phone calls and over coffee. Since you visit, will you follow? I had to take the follower feature off my blog for awhile because it was too depressing to have only three followers. I was sure other, more successful bloggers were laughing at me, behind my blog. Well, I've decided three followers is something to be proud of. I have put the "follow" feature back on the blog. So please....I'm begging....will you follow?

SWAGGER WAGON

I may have to get out my favorite set of wheels again.

For the first time in a long time I put over $50.00 of gas in my car in one pump. Is is back to my two wheeled vehicle?

Banana seat

Banana seat, originally uploaded by kitschcafe.

This is a yellow version of the blue "Lady Stingray" that I rocked during my formative cycling years. It even has the exact seat! Oh, the wonder years.

Join

Join, originally uploaded by kitschcafe.

With a lot of my neighbors headed into DC for their very special tea parties (I can't figure out why they don't invite me!) this is a movement I can get behind. So come on my people, let's join that coffee party movement!

Baby Tooth Holder

Milk Tooth Holder, originally uploaded by Elsita (Elsa Mora).

I love this! The tooth fairy sometimes passes us by...I don't know why she seems to forget us. However if we had this adorable holder to contain the goods, I have a feeling she would be to our house with bells on!

Pinkalicious

Pinkalicious, originally uploaded by christyberkhouse.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Look what I was up to last night!

The English Beat, originally uploaded by Akronographer.

Not only did I get to see 'The English Beat' one of my all time favorite bands but they actually played a song for me! I sent a quick request via facebook before the show and the next thing I know, I'm in the front row and Dave is singing to me! We even spent some time with him after the show. You know you are old when you finally meet Dave Wakeling and you spend the time talking about the fact that you each have four kids and he is a grandfather!

I guess it just shows patience pays off. I have loved them since I was 14 and finally ten years later (OK 27) I get to chat with my teenage self's crush! I'm a little older and a little wiser but I have to say....my heart was pounding!

Is this Heaven?

Daisy Daisy, originally uploaded by snailtrail.co.uk vw camper hire.

Daisy and Daffodil

Daisy and Daffodil, originally uploaded by snailtrail.co.uk vw camper hire.

Spring has Sprung

Spring has Sprung, originally uploaded by snailtrail.co.uk vw camper hire.

Ahhhhh......

The French Apartment

French market, originally uploaded by Libby's World.

Here is my partner in crime, Anne Marie. She is stealing these pillows from our new friend Cathleen who owns the adorable shop 'The French Apartment'. You may think I am kidding when I say AM stole the pillows. I'm not. Kathleen was giving things away. Check out her shop the next time you are in Georgetown!

Pastries

French market, originally uploaded by Libby's World.

What is a French market without French pastries? I must say, as good as I have been being lately in my food consumption, I still had to partake!

My New French Friend

Fw: IMG00037-20100423-1047.jpg, originally uploaded by Libby's World.

We had a great day with loads of finds. I don't know if it was because we got there early or we just had good luck, but I will be there next year with bells on!

Overall...Fabulous!

bathroom redone (temporarily), originally uploaded by kimhas7cats.

How great are these hooks in the room below?

bathroom redone (temporarily), originally uploaded by kimhas7cats.

Love the Black Wall!

bathroom redone (temporarily), originally uploaded by kimhas7cats.

The pop of the yellow chair...the yellow in the pictures...HELLO!

I Heart Laksaware!

I Heart Laksaware!, originally uploaded by Trisha Brink Design.

I found these on flickr. The photos were uploaded by Trisha Brink Design but as far as I can tell she purchased them at laksaware on etsy. Check them out. What a great housewarming gift! Or maybe just give yourself a little something.

It's a Beautiful day

GO OUTSIDE, originally uploaded by Trisha Brink Design.

Go outside!

What a sweet room!

for a sweet tomboy, originally uploaded by lakbdesign/fergusandme.

I love that this was designed for a tomboy!

At Last

deluxe, originally uploaded by marusica.

I think the last time I managed a blog post my computer looked like this! Sorry to everyone waiting to be interviewed and to those of you waiting to read said interviews. I am back in the saddle! I don't quite know how I get so derailed when all of the kids are home. I'm blaming it on them, really it was the glorious weather. After the arctic winter we had, I had 4567 projects to work on outside. I guess I should just take my computer outside and set up shop in the back yard.

But then who would prune my juniper bushes?

I can't get enough of Frillie Designs!

light locations, originally uploaded by frillie designs.

Heaven.

light locations2, originally uploaded by frillie designs.

Jane would like to move in please...

In progress.., originally uploaded by frillie designs.

I want to wander in and check out that wallpaper tree.

Millies Creative Clutter

Millies Creative Clutter, originally uploaded by frillie designs.

I LOVE this in a little girl's room. How can you go wrong with using a child's artwork to decorate a child's room. I think sometimes we forget who actually lives in the rooms we decorate for children.

Lately I've Been Thinking a Lot About Food.

DSC0522, originally uploaded by Phu_Tran.

And how we use it in our lives. How people can use it to form community and nourish themselves and their families. How food, just like love is often best in it's raw form.

This week why not challenge yourself to eat food you recognize in it's original form. An apple instead of apple sauce. A baked potato instead of french fries. If you eat meat, a steak instead of hamburger.

Let food nourish you and your community. Invite someone to share a meal with you. Serve foods in their true form. Let the conversation flow. Drink a glass of beautiful organic wine. Light a candle. Smile. Laugh. Eat.

Fruity!

Cotton Milky Way Cupcake Dessert Plates - 8 small plates, originally uploaded by Wobbly Plates.

Black Eyed Beans

Black Eyed Beans, originally uploaded by Ganga108.

Good luck with that!

vegetables...

vegetables..., originally uploaded by h.spencer.

Yum....

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Yarn store adventure!

IMG00066-20100312-1719.jpg, originally uploaded by Libby's World.

Winding wool at Fiber Space--our new favorite place in Old Town!

The end of 'My View'

My month long stint as an ambassador for 'The View' has come to an end. I really enjoyed my last week of watching the show. The highlight had to be being 'backstage' at the Oscars with Sherri. I needed some girlfriends to dish about the Oscars with but couldn't find anyone who had actually watched the show. That is when I turned to my girls over at ABC. I drank coffee as we chatted about the dresses, the hair, the do's and the don'ts. Yes, I was talking to the TV and no, the ladies at 'The View' couldn't hear me but they were there when I needed them.

So even though I have been feeling a little judgmental of my girls and the format of the show over the past month. I am happy to have spent the time with them and look forward to visiting them in the future. They will stay on my tivo. I still feel they need a little fresh blood, a new young face, a male host just something to shake up the boat a little and get back to the original idea of the show. People of different ages and backgrounds, coming together to share their 'View' on things.

* disclaimer - I am an official ambassador for 'The View' and will receive official 'View' branded   merchandise for taking part in this program.

Look What I Found!

Why Yes Toto, We are in Kansas Close-up, originally uploaded by artsyorange.

The Great Escape

The Great Escape, originally uploaded by artsyorange.

Pink Airstream

Pink Airstream- Jenni Horne, originally uploaded by artsyorange.

Pink Camper

jenni pink camper, originally uploaded by artsyorange.

The vintage camper obsession continues!

jenni orange camper, originally uploaded by artsyorange.

I am in love with Jenni Horne's prints! I have heard about Jenni in a round about sort of way for a few years now from my friend Cindy who loves visiting a shop called 'The Vintage Flea' Jenni started in Newnan Georgia. Check out Jenni's etsy shop to snag one of these adorable prints for yourself. Yes, she does more than trailers.

A New View

As I'm sure you are tired of hearing, I am an ambassador for the ABC TV show 'The View'. I'm not sure what possessed me to apply for this position other than there was a time in my life where I really enjoyed the show and all it had to offer. After watching The View for the last couple of weeks, I am amazed how far the show has strayed from what I understood it's original premise to be.

 In the beginning 'The View' was meant to be a show that brought women of different generations and backgrounds together to discuss topics and conduct interviews in a round table format. While I have enjoyed the show and some of the guests, I can't help feeling that the program has become somewhat stale. All of the women now come from the entertainment field. Elisabeth may be the one exception although she did come to the program via the reality show 'Survivor'.

 I watched the show as a young mom at home with small children and I enjoyed the healthy discourse the differences between the women caused at the table. Now I watch the show and I don't think the young mom I was back then would have anyone on the show to identify with. I think the program is in desperate for some fresh young blood, or dare I say it? A male host at the table. Why not a gay man?

 I think a show that started out as groundbreaking has lost it's mojo. Even Robert Pattinson of Twilight fame failed to get the needle into the red for me. I don't want to get too negative, I just think it may be time for 'The View' to take a look at itself from a different angle.

Let me know what you think. Have you ever watched the show? What is your opinion?

Disclaimer

I am an official View Brand Ambassador and will be receiving View branded merchandise for my participation.

the lil bee: Day 5.

the lil bee: Day 5. See, I am not the only one who does not do well with winter and snow! Check out the goings on over at one of my favorite blogs the lilbee. They are on day five of no power! It makes me feel like a wimp for complaining about two. It's nice to know there is one more person out there who will be happy to see the backside of this winter!