Miami Trip

Since returning from London I've been leaning into my self-care routine and savoring my down time. I've also been taking the time to explore and shake up my usual routine. One of my favorite days of the summer was taking the Brightline to Miami - not only did I get to spend a fun day with a good friend, but I checked off some of my 101 in 1001 list! 

I first have to say, my Brightline trip could not have been easier. It's so easy to book a ticket and the train is so easy! Maybe it's just that I'm still used to the LIRR, but this train is so clean and organized. It makes a day trip so much easier. (And no, this is not sponsored - none of my posts are! - in case anyone is wondering.)

My friend graciously planned the day out for us and started with booking us a lunch at Mandolin Agean Bistro, which was delicious! I'm an avid fan of Greek food and trying new restaurants, so this was a major highlight for me. The restaurant itself was chic and was in a chic area, although we went on a Sunday so the surrounding stores were mostly closed. If you're in the area and craving Greek I totally recommend! 

After lunch we zipped over to the Perez Art Museum Miami, which was an experience! I love going to museums and the PAMM museum is in a beautiful spot, right on the water. The works of are also didn't disappoint - I saw a fabulous Frank Stella painting and even experienced a Yayoi Kusama exhibit first hand! There is a restaurant attached and if we had planned it out a bit more, I would have loved to have had a glass of wine outside, overlooking the water. Just something to think about if you're going yourself. 

We ended the trip on a high note - walking around Wynwood! I loved looking at all of the graffiti and street art. It was so colorful and fun. I actually wish we spent more time here, but I'll save it for the next trip. 

ARS xx

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Artist Love: Mimi Roberts

I just about passed out from excitement when I saw Mimi Robert's still life paintings at the David Brooker Fine Art booth at The Palm Beach fair. She is an extremely talented British artist who specializes in still life paintings of shells, fruits & veggies, and other food subjects. I can't get enough of her work and while I was initially dazzled by the jewelry, I couldn't stop dreaming of these paintings. I have a special place in my heart for Old Master's and her art has an Old Master painting feel. Below are a few paintings I loved and will be dreaming of until further notice. 

ARS xx

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Artist Love: Mary Kirk Kelly

For awhile I've really loved lettuceware and ceramic vegetables. Dodie Thayer was the first official artist name I knew and is one of the most recognizable. This summer was when I discovered the artist Mary Kirk Kelly and pretty much immediately fell in love with her work. I don't know too much about her, as there isn't much written about her aside from small blurbs, but what little I did I learn was pretty fabulous.

Born in 1918, Mary Kirk Kelly was an Alabama artist who specialized in ceramic fruits and vegetables. Her career began later in life and it wasn't until a neighbor asked her to recreate a prized cabbage that her life as a ceramicist took off. From what I can find, she pretty much continued making her figures until her death in 2013. Because she was a southern artist and it seems like everyone cherishes their own collections, her work can be a bit hard to find up in New York (an additional challenge was that she didn't ship her work).

The piece that started my obsession was a turnip. I can't really describe the magic of her work eloquently, but trust my - it's real. I loved her work so much I included adding four pieces of her work to my collection to my 101 in 1001 list, assuming even that number would be a bit of a reach. It was a stroke of luck (and a sign) when I saw a local enough consignment store selling a few of her works on instagram. I rushed to acquire a few beloved pieces and am actually really excited that this was the first of my goals to finish. So far my collection includes a turnip, a green apple, a pea pod, a tomato, and a red potato, but I'm looking forward to grow my collection even more (pun intended). I hope you enjoy her work as much as I do and might consider sharing your own collecting stories with me!

Always on the hunt for more vegetables,

ARS xx
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Artist Love: Chelsea Fly

Last year, when I was dropping Henry off at college with our parents, I made sure we stopped by SB. Sarah Bartholomew's store in Nashville. While I pretty much wanted to buy everything (or move right on in) I could only bring one thing home and I chose a small painting by Chelsea Fly. Chelsea Fly is an artist based in Memphis and has moody landscapes that just draw viewers in. I love how she uses unconventional ways to paint her landscapes, which help create that ethereal feel. I would love to own one of her bigger paintings in the future, but currently have more art than my walls can handle. Below are a few works that caught my eye.

Any new to you artists that inspire you?

ARS xx 

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Artist Love: Laura Lacambra Shubert

It's no secret that I love collecting art and discovering new artists to love. One of my more recent discoveries is Laura Lacambra Shubert. I don't know too much about her, aside from her being a lifelong artist, but I know I like her style and am eager to learn more. Her paintings are dreamy and actually seen to be inspired by things I love (I spy an India Amory tablescape) and remind me of places I'd rather be.  Below are a few different paintings that I love and hope to one day own. (Putting it out there because it worked for me once, maybe it will work again!).

Happy Tuesday,

ARS xx
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Artist Love: Marine Edith Crosta

The other day I was making fun of my Mom for her outrageous outfits from her past - she worked at Bergdorfs in the 80s and has the collection to prove it. She was quick to remind me that I too have a problem when it comes to buying, but mine is art and antiques (and finding storage space for my collection). Frankly, I think this is way more practical and it something I can use for future homes, but what to I know? Needless to say, when I was scrolling through instagram and spotted these darling seascape miniatures I had to have one. Lucky for me, I discovered Marie Edith Crosta's fabulous instagram right around Christmas and my sister surprised me with one as my gift! When I began researching the artist, I didn't find too much about her, but what I learned made her even more interesting to me. You can read one of the interviews that I found here. She is a London based French artist that is extremely detail oriented and also has a passion for antiques and interior styling. She has quite the eye and I'm hoping to collect more of her works in the future. It's a new dream of mine to have a wall of her art in my home and maybe even own a larger work in the future!

What do you collect?

ARS xx

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Designer Love: Amanda Lindroth

Years ago I was introduced to Amanda Lindroth in Palm Beach and have been a diehard fan since. I make regular trips to her Palm Beach Island store, I pre-ordered her book the second I could, and even owned one of her custom bags before it was a thing! Needless to say, I was beyond excited to receive the emails about her new product launches last month and may be ordering a quilt to use a summer alternative to my (forever favorite) Matouk bedding! Below is a roundup of products and projects of hers I love.

In a Palm Beach mood, 

ARS xx 

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Artist Love: Jamie Beck

I don't typically gravitate towards photography, but when my Dad sent me Jamie Beck's #IsolationCreation series I fell in love. Not only have I been longing to take a flower arrangement class, but Dutch Old Master Still Life paintings are some of my favorite works of art so I shouldn't have been too surprised I was drawn to this artist. The series feels so timely and falls in line with my dark sense of humor. I love how the artist captures each day's mood so accurately. To commemorate this really strange time in our life, I may allow myself one small purchase. Below are a few of my favorites.

Happy Tuesday,

ARS xx
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Small Business Highlight: Hayloft Auctions

I've shared a happy Hayloft Auctions story of mine recently, but I wanted to dedicate a post to one of my favorite Bronx located design resources - especially because Hayloft has an auction live right now! I'm a bargain shopper through and through. Oftentimes this means I'm waiting for things to go on sale (on sale...on sale...on sale), buying used, or even making trades/bartering to get what I want. That being said, Hayloft is one of my favorite places for bargain shopping when I need furniture, artwork, and the like. While I predominately buy artwork, my new desk is from Hayloft and I recently bought a tres chic side chair for a future apartment. If you have never bought at auction before, Hayloft is a great place to start out! The prices are right and there is something for everyone, no matter your style. I personally have been successful with both furniture and art, but there are so many silver pieces and decorative art options to search through, as well as the occasional jewelry or fashion piece. If you have a little bit of imagination and the willingness to make a few updates (think: paint and reupholstery) you are sure to snag something chic and unique for your apartment. Below is a roundup of lots I love, that I believe would work really well together.

Lot 109: 9 Exhibition Posters (current bid $45)

Lot 81: Pair of Acrylic and Brass Candlestick Lamps (current bid: $25)

Lot 7: Contemporary Etched Glass Mirror (current bid: $200)

Lot 175: George III Style Mahogany Console (current bid: $50)

Lot 62: Silver Plate Handled Tea Tray (current bid $45)

Happy hunting,

ARS xx

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Artist Love: Sevy Marie Art

As you can imagine, working for an auction house means I see a lot of art. From big name, blue chip artists to lesser known and anonymous artists, I've seen my fair share of paintings, prints, and more. My tastes definitely run towards a more classic look (my two favorite auctions are our Dogs in Art auction and the Impressionist & Modern Art auction), but I can certainly appreciate all of the Post-War & Contemporary art that comes through. That being said, imagine my surprise when I found myself moved by an abstract piece I saw in a magazine. The fact that I responded to an abstract piece alone was shocking to me, but when I looked further into the artist, Sevy Marie Eicher, my response wasn't as shocking and the work took on an additional meaning. Sevy Marie is a non-verbal artist with Downs Syndrome. When you look at her art, you can see the emotions expressed in the work and that each part of her painting is deliberate and thought out. If you aren't following her on instagram you should and, if you are able to, you should also donate to a nonprofit her family started, Sandal Gap Studio, a place where other disabled artists can create art. Below are a few works that I'm sure you will love as much as I do. I hope to one day own a piece of her work myself!

Feeling very inspired by this talented artist,

ARS xx
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Tiny Homes

Whenever I clean my apartment I like to have a tv show playing in the background - preferably Bravo. I find it makes my chores go a lot faster and livens up my routine a bit. A few frigid months ago I tuned into a different kind of Bravo show about tiny homes called Tiny House Nation. I don't know if it's because I live in what the show considers a "tiny home" already, but to me, this is my worst nightmare. However, to other people it's the dream and I wanted to know more. Two episodes later I had to turn it off, but I recently stumbled upon this chic tiny home by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design and remembered the show all over again. This is a tiny home I would love to live in and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

Still living in a tiny apartment, 

ARS xx 

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