Water.org, baby.
Cheers,
Whitney
Dec 19, 2011
Dec 16, 2011
The Nutcracker
The holiday season is benchmarked by many things to me.
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| The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center - image via Kelly-Mooney Photography |
But this classic ballet set to Tchaikovsky's exhilarating score is the most elegant of Christmastime traditions. Many people say it's slow and a bit schmaltzy, but I'm a sucker for 'The Nutcracker.' I've attended countless performances of the ballet by different dance companies in many different venues. No matter if they're local children or world-renowned ballerinas, the performers always tug at my holiday heartstrings through dainty dances and the wonderful plot of this classic story.
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| There is a holiday party at Clara's house. She and all the kids play and dance. image via Cho Photography |
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| Clara's mysterious godfather brings her a gift, a handsome wooden nutcracker. image via Peter Norvig Photography |
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| Clara is absolutely smitten with the gift. She falls asleep in the parlour under the Christmas tree with the nutcracker. image via Hong Kong Ballet |
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| Clara dreams that the Nutcracker comes to life to defend her against the invading mice army. image via Will Brenner Photography |
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| The Mouse King and his army are really scary, but Clara is saved by the Nutcracker's heroic bravery. image by Rosalie O'Connor via Faster Times |
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| The Nutcracker turns into a Prince, who whisks her away to a magic snow kingdom. image via Hong Kong Ballet |
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| They are greeted by dancing
snowflakes in the enchanted forest. image via Mazzaferro Photography |
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| The Prince escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. They tell the fairy about their daring
battle with the army of mice and she rewards them with a celebration of dances. image via Will Brenner Photography |
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| image by Carol Pratt for the Washington Ballet |
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| Mother Ginger, a gingerbread house-like apparition, opens her skirt to free dozens of dancing gingerbread cookies. image (and very cute backstory) via Dumping My Purse |
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| image via Brio Dance Company |
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| The Land of Sweets send Clara and the Prince off with a stunning parade farewell. image by Jim McFarlane via the Berkshire Review |
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| Clara awakens from her dream and finds herself by her Christmas tree with her
beloved Nutcracker. image via Carlos Echenique |
If you have a chance to see this classic Christmas performance (and there's probably one in your area), support the Arts and treat yourself to this magical tale with superb orchestral score.
Cheers,
Whitney
Dec 15, 2011
Oh Christmas Tree
Despite being a major Christmas person, I opted out of getting a tree this year. My husband was shocked that I didn't want one. I'm not completely sure why I'm not feelin' the tree this year, but perhaps this fantastic, award-winning little film nods to my apprehension.
How lovely are thy branches.....
Cheers,
Whitney
How lovely are thy branches.....
Cheers,
Whitney
Dec 14, 2011
An Open Truss
When I was in design school at the New York School, I took a terribly difficult lighting class that challenged my embarrassingly basic mathematics, physics and chemistry knowledge. Through the semester, I learned so much about the science of light, about color temperature, kelvins and electric wattage. But perhaps most importantly, I learned about the importance of lighting placement. Yes, we all know that lighting is more than the basic builder's-grade flushmount popped into the ceiling of a hallway or kitchen. It's about creating zones of light: Overhead, Task and Ambient.
In a project for that Lighting class, I designed a magnificent beam ceiling for a private club of a racetrack. The room was to resemble the interior of an equine barn, and so I used an open-truss ceiling, with the beams of the structure fully exposed in their structural glory. As it was a lighting class, I devised a system so that the room's overhead lighting would be built into the beams. Man, I love wood beams...
Of course I have emphasized my love of exposed beams on this blog, as well as the cozy cool look of the American lodge, but let's take yet another look at extraordinary ceilings. The exposed beam truss ceilings shown here give me goosebumps.
Cheers,
Whitney
In a project for that Lighting class, I designed a magnificent beam ceiling for a private club of a racetrack. The room was to resemble the interior of an equine barn, and so I used an open-truss ceiling, with the beams of the structure fully exposed in their structural glory. As it was a lighting class, I devised a system so that the room's overhead lighting would be built into the beams. Man, I love wood beams...
Of course I have emphasized my love of exposed beams on this blog, as well as the cozy cool look of the American lodge, but let's take yet another look at extraordinary ceilings. The exposed beam truss ceilings shown here give me goosebumps.
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| I've had this photo for years. Anyone know the source? |
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| Painted scissor trusses via Pacific Truss |
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| via Vermont Timber Works |
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| via My Home Ideas |
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| I've had this photo for years. Anyone know the source? |
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| via Southern Living |
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| by Tracery Interiors |
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| via Style Files |
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| via Home Away vacation rentals |
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| via Mi Casa Revista |
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| via Vermont Timber Works |
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| via Yossawat |
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| via Houzz |
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| by Gap Interiors |
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| via Timber Home Living |
Cheers,
Whitney
Dec 13, 2011
Up In The Season
I've been caught up in the Season of Christmas, hence my absence from the blog. Between nursing a three-and-a-half-week-long head cold (three and a half weeks, people!) and managing the shopping/wrapping/sending gift mission and, oh yeah, work, I've neglected CYAH for over a week. Shame on me.
But I come back bearing gifts... FREE printable gift tags for your holiday gifts. There are many artistic, crafty and downright adorable bloggers & artists on the web who have generously provided their art for free download this season. So why buy those tiny sticker tags or pricey cardstock options when you can print them out for free on your own paper at home? Any of these will add an extra crafty panache to your gifts this year.
Happy wrapping and happy gift-giving!
Cheers,
Whitney
But I come back bearing gifts... FREE printable gift tags for your holiday gifts. There are many artistic, crafty and downright adorable bloggers & artists on the web who have generously provided their art for free download this season. So why buy those tiny sticker tags or pricey cardstock options when you can print them out for free on your own paper at home? Any of these will add an extra crafty panache to your gifts this year.
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| Baking Labels and Gift Tags from Crafty Carnival |
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| Free printable tags from Insightful Nana |
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| Christmas Tags from Yoonie At Home |
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| Holiday Gift Tags from Nina Seven |
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| Gift Tags & Wine Bottle Tags from Alpha Mom |
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| Gift Tags from Brunte Productions |
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| from the delightful Sarah Hearts, Free DIY Gift Tag Template |
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| Holiday Labels from Orange You Lucky |
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| Blue Gift Tags from Totally Severe |
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| Holiday Tags from Blush Printables |
Happy wrapping and happy gift-giving!
Whitney
Dec 1, 2011
Sleep Much?
I've been experiencing some bizarre sleep patterns of late. Some nights brutal insomnia, but some nights college-student sleepiness. Oh well, perhaps thinking about dreamy beds, like the one below, will send me back to the land of usual sleepers.
Sleep tight!
Cheers,
Whitney
Oddly, I don't even know the source for this bed.
The tearsheet is in an inspiration folder without a manufacturer tag. Anyone know it?
Sleep tight!
Cheers,
Whitney
Nov 30, 2011
Historic Kykuit
In the early 1900s, the John D. Rockefeller family commissioned society architects Delano & Aldrich to complete a country retreat in New York's Hudson Valley. The result is Kykuit in Pocantico Hills, a traditionally designed Beaux-Arts manse in Classical Revival Georgian style. I love this house; you might be able to imagine why...
A study in symmetry, the 6 storey structure draws inspiration from Italian Renaissance and French Norman houses. Kykuit, pronounced ky-cut and meaning ‘lookout’ in Dutch, was a shining example of Delano & Aldrich's dedication to grandiose scale & form. The structure took six years to complete, then almost immediately underwent a series of renovations for the family to move in during the spring of 1913 The intricate and immaculate gardens were designed by the landscape architect William Welles Bosworth with input from designer Ogden Codman (who also decorated the interiors).
One of John D. Rockefeller's personal mantras was "Order and Balance." He was an incredibly gifted businessman who thrived in organized and disciplined environments. Perhaps this country home served as a balance between the order he so craved and the natural beauty of riverfront nature.
The last family occupant, Nelson Rockefeller,* bequeathed his one-third interest in the estate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation upon his death in 1979. Tours are available through the Hudson Valley Historic group.
If you have a chance to visit this gem, do so while the Westchester foliage is still hanging in there!
Cheers,
Whitney
* Interesting side note via Wiki: "In late 1946, a portion of the estate was proposed as the site of the UN Headquarters, when New York City was trying to beat off strong opposition from Philadelphia and San Francisco and secure the organization. Two of Junior's sons, John D. 3rd and Laurance both offered their estate residences, Rockwood Hall and Fieldwood Farm, respectively, for the site of the building. Junior -- who was living in Kykuit at the time -- although appreciating the generous gesture, vetoed it on the grounds that the estate was simply too isolated from Manhattan. He subsequently sent his second eldest son, Nelson, to buy a proposed 6.9-hectare (17-acre) development site along the East River which he then donated for the headquarters." Huh.
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| The impressive Eastern-facing facade is covered in Wisteria vines. image via Flickr |
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| Entry gate is both stately and imposing. Note the 1913 demarcation. image via Hortus2 blog |
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| The back of the house, facing west, with a view of the majestic Hudson River. image via Flickr |
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| The gardens features some stunning bronze sculptures. image via Westchester Magazine |
One of John D. Rockefeller's personal mantras was "Order and Balance." He was an incredibly gifted businessman who thrived in organized and disciplined environments. Perhaps this country home served as a balance between the order he so craved and the natural beauty of riverfront nature.
The last family occupant, Nelson Rockefeller,* bequeathed his one-third interest in the estate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation upon his death in 1979. Tours are available through the Hudson Valley Historic group.
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| image via HudsonValley.org |
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| image via HudsonValley.org |
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| image via Erbology |
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| Aerial view of the western edge of the property abutting the Hudson. You can spot the Tappan Zee bridge crossing over to Rockland County. image via HudsonValley.org |
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| image via Victoria Gardens blog |
Cheers,
Whitney
* Interesting side note via Wiki: "In late 1946, a portion of the estate was proposed as the site of the UN Headquarters, when New York City was trying to beat off strong opposition from Philadelphia and San Francisco and secure the organization. Two of Junior's sons, John D. 3rd and Laurance both offered their estate residences, Rockwood Hall and Fieldwood Farm, respectively, for the site of the building. Junior -- who was living in Kykuit at the time -- although appreciating the generous gesture, vetoed it on the grounds that the estate was simply too isolated from Manhattan. He subsequently sent his second eldest son, Nelson, to buy a proposed 6.9-hectare (17-acre) development site along the East River which he then donated for the headquarters." Huh.
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