Because it's Tuesday.

And my daddy has king cake on a UPS truck headed my way.

 

Happy Birthday to Mr. Darcy!

Today is a great day. Not because it's Monday. Not because I snuck a Dr. Pepper in for lunch. And not because I ate cookies too. But because it's the 200th anniversary of the first Pride and Prejudice printing. Elizabeth Bennet is hands down my favorite book character, followed very shortly by her loving dad. While I've never day dreamed of living in their world, I'm happy to escape into it a few times a year. Never read Pride and Prejudice? Lucky for you it's in the public domain!

Lucky for us, Pride and Prejudice has also spawned some pretty amazing things- from book cover art to film to spin off novels. Here are a few of my favorites:

                                                     

                                                      

How STUNNING are those flowers???

                                                       
The classic Penguin Cover

                                                    

And the Pengiun Cover re-imagined for the Work of Art TV show.

Of course, no good book is worth it's salt until a film has been made. Thankfully there are several versions of Pride and Prejudice to suit your fancy, but my favorite is the 2005 Focus Features Film.

                                                   

I could, and sometimes do, watch this version monthly. The cinamatography is so incredible and the light is some of the prettiest I've seen captured on film.

But wait, didn't I mentione spin-offs? Well, there's the ever popular

                                                             

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but my favorite contemporary spin off is

                                                           

Definitely not Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos, which is enjoyable from start to finish. Just like the original. :0)

Enjoy!
-DBC

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra does Oz

This afternoon I had the pleasure of joining my friend Vicki for one of the best symphony experiences I've ever had:

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's Wizard of Oz!!

The hubs and I have had the pleasure of attending a few Orchestra performances in recent years and have always thoroughly enjoyed them, but this really took the cake. The performance was part of the Pops Series and really highlighted the talent of conductor Ron Spigelman. To say that this was a feat of strength for the orchestra is no embellishment! 

                                       

The Orchestra played the ENTIRE movie score while the film and dialogue played along. It's really difficult to see in the photo below, but Mr. Spigelman conducted the Orchestra by monitoring the film via a small screen and clock located on his stand. The Orchestras timing was impeccable, but what impressed me most was the quality that live music added to the overall experience. 

Plus, how gorgeous is it to watch such a classic movie on a HUGE screen! If you ever have the opportunity to experience something like this I highly recommend it. Many thanks to Vicki for her generosity and for taking me!!

- DBC 

Fresh Art Friday: Yago Hortal

Every once in a while I come across a young artists work that just knocks me speechless- Yago Hartal's work qualifies.

                                         
                                         P47

Hartal was born Barcelona and works primarily in either Barcelona or Berlin. He's only 29 and has already held major shows in LA, New York, Wisconsin, Berlin and his home town of Barcelona. The paintings feel pure and gestural and have such an amazing life. His recent work seems to be mostly acrylic on canvas, so I can only imagine the beautiful luster these babies must have.

                            
                            KL32

                             
                             Pieces names/numbers unknown but too pretty to pass up

                                          
                                          KL30

I could stare at this ALL DAY. Gorgeous, gorgeous work that seems to take all the spontaneity of ab-ex and meld it with the colorful Spanish culture. Bravo.

- DBC

My holy grail nail polish

I've previously mentioned that during our Vegas Vacay I was fortunate to visit the Vdara Spa for a pedicure. I chose to visit Vdara because of their commitment to natural and, if possible, vegan friendly products. It's safe to say that my pedicure there was the best I've ever had, but I left even more exited when I found out about SpaRitual nail polishes. SpaRitual polishes are special because they are DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde free, are vegan friendly and are made with 50% recycled glass.
                     
                       
Bismuth, part of the metal collection, was the color I selected for my Vegas pedicure. It is GORGEOUS on and lasted a very long time.

Yesterday, while trying out Hollywood Nails and Spa, I was happy to see that they sell SpaRitual products for just $5 each!  My husband always laughs at the fact that I change my nail color at least twice a week, so having polishes I feel good about using are a must. For this round, I picked up:


         

Inner sanctum, which is a lovely rose/nude and

                 
Shower the People, which is described as a shimmer topcoat but I find more iridescent.

When paired they are beautiful and I'm so happy to know that I'm not harming the environment with my nail color choices. If you're not local you can also pick up SpaRitual at Sephora.

Here's to pretty!

-DBC

Because it's Tuesday in the Nation

Awol gets me through Tuesdays.

-DBC

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?"

             - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On November 2, 1983 President Reagan signed a Bill dedicating the 3rd Monday of January to visionary civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King. In 1994, President Clinton expanded on our day of dedication to formally commemorate the day as a Day of Service, challenging our nation to volunteer in honor of Dr. King.

Here are a few of my favorite volunteer ideas in case you'd like to get in on the fun:

                                                            

• Become a Mentor to a low income, minority or first-generation college student.
• Take a class or volunteer with the Red Cross.
• Be a volunteer gardener with your area Food Bank.
• Deliver much needed meals to elderly or homebound clients with Meals on Wheels.
• Greet families taking parenting classes at your local Parenting Center.
• Cook dinner for Ronald McDonald house families.
• Help sort donated books at your local library.
• Volunteer on the board of your favorite local charity.

Whatever you decide to do, remember that time given to your community is valued and appreciated.

Love your city today,

-DBC