L'art, Musique et Cinema-Art, Music, Film

In my humble opinion, the best gifts are original, thoughtful experiences like the kayak lesson my husband gave me for my birthday this year or the flying lesson we gave my Mom on her 55th birthday. So naturally, I was thrilled when my brother and sister-in-law gave me a most unique birthday gift: two one-hour glass-blowing lessons. The gift came as a big surprise; I had never expressed an interest in glass-blowing. Truth be told, I had never even given the art much thought aside from touring a Murano glass factory near Venice a few years ago. But, I'm always up for a new adventure, so I booked my first lesson with great anticipation.

In high school, my brother took a pottery class and gave me the final masterpiece that he created. He called it "The Ketchup Bowl". It is a deep jagged-edged bowl with red, navy and teal blue streaks running down the sides. I treasure this eclectic bowl because he made it. "How fun it will be to create a similar piece of artwork that he can now love and cherish", I thought, visions of vases like the ones pictured here dancing in my head. By the time I called up RDG Designs and Glass Blowing Center on Castle Street to make my first appointment, I had downgraded my ambitions to making a colorful paperweight. How hard could that be, right? Apparently much more difficult than I imagined. My teacher, owner Jane Greer, suggested that I start with a clear glass ornament. Adding color to glass is a whole other skill that would be introduced in Lesson Two. The first thing I learned to do was light the torch. Even this proved difficult for me; I can't even start a simple cigarette lighter without burning my fingers! But under Jane's deft guidance, in no time at all I was melting glass rods, pressing them, rotating them, and twisting them into shapes. I started to learn the rich vocabulary of the trade: acronyms like "POOP" and descriptors like "the snake that ate the mouse" - something you don't want to happen to your glass. Guess what? It happened to mine.

Here's what I love about glass-blowing (which at the beginner level does not involve any actual blowing): it's fun, but it requires focused concentration. I was so intent on learning the techniques (they look deceptively simple when Jane demonstrates them but prove to be incredibly challenging when you try them), that everything else just melted away. It was a great form of relaxation. At the end of my first lesson, I had made a misshapen icicle Christmas tree ornament that made me immensely proud. By the second lesson, I had graduated to a green and blue pendant shaped like an amoeba. I can't wait to go back and practice some more. In fact, I loved it so much, that I immediately gifted my little brother (nothing like giving him the same gift he gave me!) and my friend Matt with lessons for their birthdays. Of course, I intend to tag along. It's a great gift idea that I highly recommend. And at $50 for two lessons, including materials, the price can’t be beat!   

Speaking of Wonderland, check out this fabulous armoire by Judson Beaumont of Straight Line Designs. The curvaceous (totally functional) dresser, the Airstream dog house and the table (called "Bad Table") are also part of Beaumont's incredible portfolio.

I've always loved color, whimsy, originality and folk art. For years, I dreamed of driving an old pickup truck painted hot pink with multi-colored Gerber daisy accents. The very thought still sends Pascal into spasms. So, while I was trying to get him adjusted to the idea of moving to our pink house in the South, I decided to use a little shock therapy. My friend Vanessa took me to visit Luna Parc.


Artist Ricky Boscarino, the creator and owner of Luna Parc, is a friend of her family, and he gave us permission to tour his private residence (normally closed to the public). It's hidden in the woods of rural Sussex County, New Jersey. Only the funky lavender mailbox at the road gives it away. For me, it was love at first sight. I adore the incredible kitchen (check out that sink!), the magnificent mosaic bathroom with its gravy-boat-fountain, the exterior color palette and gingerbread trim, and the funky sculpture garden. Even the lime green walls in Ricky's work studio make my heart sing for joy.

Author Karen Quinn's visit to Wilmington is just one week away! In preparation for her reading from Holly Would Dream at the Mayfaire Barnes & Noble (Thursday, July 10th), I've been doing a little research on the actress who inspired the novel, Audrey Hepburn.

Audrey spoke 5 languages (English, French, Italian, Dutch, and Spanish), had size 10 feet that made her very self-conscious, and she was trained as a dental assistant before making it big. She loved chocolate (I'm sure she would have adored our gourmet chocolate bon bons), and it is said that each day following her afternoon nap Audrey would have one piece of chocolate to "chase away the blues".

Karen Quinn likes chocolate too, but right now she doesn't need to chase away the blues! Fair ladies everywhere are hailing her comic genius. Actress Heather Graham (of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me fame) said this about Holly Would Dream: "Funny, romantic, and absolutely charming like the classic Audrey Hepburn movies of the 1950s." And, the rumor in Hollywood is that Sarah Jessica Parker is now eyeing the lead role in the screen version of Karen's first novel, The Ivy Chronicles. 

What do all of these women (Karen, Heather, Sarah Jessica) have in common? Just as Audrey was in her day, they are smart, funny, gorgeous, stylish, modern women. And I'm sure that you are too (unless of course, you are a smart, funny, gorgeous, stylish man reading this blog - George Clooney, I know you're out there...). So what are you waiting for? Dust off your little black dress (suit or tuxedo), polish up those pearls, and join us next week for a celebration of all things Audrey. Meanwhile, for inspiration, remember to do as Audrey did. Take a break this afternoon and eat a piece of chocolate while enjoying some of her timeless wit and wisdom in the following quotes:

I am by nature neat, rather particular about my person. I like to look my best, not only for those around me, but for myself. I'm more casual at home than the public might think, but part of being a working movie star is maintaining a glamour and polish that set one apart.

I have to be alone very often. I'd be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That's how I refuel.

I don't think a woman's measurements are what make her sexy. For example, sex alone won't make for a good marriage. It's important to keep excitement in marriage, to have happiness born of the wish to please each other.

My mother is Dutch, my father is Irish and I was born in Belgium, if I was a dog I'd be in a right mess.

Success is like reaching an important birthday and finding you're exactly the same.

People associate me with a time when movies were pleasant, when women wore pretty dresses in films and you heard beautiful music. I always love it when people write me and say "I was having a rotten time, and I walked into a cinema and saw one of your movies, and it made such a difference."

My own life has been much more than a fairy tale. I've had my share of difficult moments, but whatever difficulties I've gone through, I've always gotten the prize at the end.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

In his incredible article, Pearls Before Breakfast, Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post teams up with virtuoso Joshua Bell for an amazing experiment that questions how we define beauty and how context influences our judgment. Learn what happens when he plays for over 1,000 commuters in a busy D.C. metro station.



For me, the article was like one of the haunting melodies that Bell plays on the soundtrack of The Red Violin, something I won't soon forget. Thank you to Shawn Stucker for recommending this article in one of her recent (always inspiring!) posts.

While I'm on the subject of clichés and proverbs (see yesterday’s blog post, Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder), I thought I'd share another. I love that scene in Amélie where Gina, the waitress, quizzes Nino (Amélie's crush) on proverbs to determine if he is a "good guy". She says: "My mother always told me that a man who knows his proverbs can't be that bad".

It's true that there is truth and goodness in these time-tested nuggets of wisdom. Here's one of the most beautiful examples I know of that illustrates the classic "Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover". This operatic performance by Paul Potts moves me every time. His biography on Wikipedia also proves that "All Your Dreams Can Come True, If You Have the Courage to Pursue Them"...

Our special South 'n France Dinner and a Movie series starts tonight. We're busy setting the tables, printing the menus, and prepping the food. Since we've got movies on the brain, we thought we'd share a few of our favorite documentaries - a genre that Pascal and I can always agree on. P.S. We still have a few spots left on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday...come join us!

Well, I was so excited by this honor, that I called up author Karen Quinn (who by the way, is as sweet, petite, kind, and funny as both Audrey and her character Holly) and begged her to come down to Wilmington for a reading and a book signing. Guess what? She agreed! So, save the date for July 10th. You'll get to meet Karen, have a copy of her book signed, and perhaps even win your own bon bons at the Mayfaire Barnes & Noble at 7 p.m. Don't forget to wear your favorite little black dress; Audrey-inspired outfits are sure to be rewarded...