Back on Track

Oh dear! It's been several weeks since my last blog post. But I believe I have some good excuses for that:

1. The Christmas holidays

2.A trip to Europe

3.My forthcoming BOOK

If you're a woman, then you were probably the number one person in your family household responsible for the holidays. That may include the baking, the shopping, wrapping, and sending gifts along with the tree and decorations. Don't forget the Christmas cards too. Most of all; the timetable: getting it all done and on time!

On my refrigerator was taped a dozen lists of "things to do". That included the Viking Cruise trip on the River Danube. There's so much to do before turning on the front porch light and locking the door behind as you head out tho the airport. (I'll write a post on this trip soon.)

My book, The Travel Writer's Wife, is finished. Well, at least my part of it is. It took me a year and three weeks to write it. Of course not all the days during that time were devoted to the writing. I had a lot of travel and family obligations that deterred me away from it.

Most of the time I wasn't able to do a "Hemingway-sit-down-and-type-for-several-hours". My usual routine was to go to the library and feel content that I was able to put in 2-3 hours of writing. Little by little, it finally got done.

It was a challenging project for me because I don't consider myself a writer; I'm more visually an artist. But reflecting back, I learned a few things. My spelling improved. Especially regarding the words: definitely and inevitably.

My typing sped up considerably and I learned how to research facts on the internet although looking up factual information held me back. At times I would get so caught up reading interesting material regarding a subject that time would fly by without any writing getting completed!

I drew 136 illustrations just to perk up the pages a bit. When the last sketch was drawn and the last word of the epilogue typed, I resounded a big "YES!" It was a satisfying feeling indeed! The cover has been designed and when the printed versions are available, I' let it be known how to purchase a copy.

In the meantime, I plan to go over my list of projects that I've been desiring to get to. The laptop will be pushed to the side of my long desk and I think a blank canvas will be propped up waiting to be covered with some colorful paint. I look forward to it!

Art Wear Fashion Show at Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO

Coat designed by Lee Anderson- ArtWear Fashion Show

For 16 years I've seen the Art Wear Fashion Show advertised annually in our local paper. On the 17th October of this year, I finally went. What took me so long?!!  I cringe to think about all the lovely creative garments I missed seeing all those years.  

Fifty-four artists from around the country participated in the 2015 presentation. The one-of-a-kind hand-made wearable garments and accessories proudly strutted down the catwalk at the Lincoln Center here in my own backyard of Fort Collins, Colorado.

Coat designed by Mary Hertert- ArtWear Fashion Show

It was refreshing to see the models were "everyday" women; giving the audience a visual view to easily imagine themselves wearing these exquisite creations.

The stage was carefully designed with over-sized sails of fabric that gently moved but did not distract from the elegant creations. Soft reflective colored lights, a gentle mist, and upbeat music added to the ambiance of the fashion event.

Shown were embellished coats, jackets, dresses, pants, along with flowing wraps, fluid shawls and neck scarves. Some were reversible, buttoned, or the hemlines swooped dramatically in the back.Various fabric and textile techniques were used such as embroidery, silk-screening, weaving, and even digital-printing. Pushing the potential of fabrics, silk, felt, cotton, wool and chiffons were the "canvases" for the textile artists.

I went back to the Lincoln Center the next afternoon to get a better close-up  of the hand-work on the garments. The sales boutique was neatly arranged with the clothing modeled the previous night and available for purchase. A young pretty CSU fashion student, Taylor, graciously pointed out some 

garments with unique details that I would have missed.

Jacket and dress designed by Kevin Kessel- ArtWear Fashion Show

I asked her what area of fashion she wanted to pursue.She said that she was interested in designing lingerie and among her dreams was to live in Paris. I had just finished reading, "My Paris Dream" by Kate Betts, a memoir about a student involved in the fashion world. (note: Taylor, save your school cash and borrow the book from the library!)

The Artistic Director, Gary Hixon, said,"Clothes should be fun and hopefully we added some color to Fort Collins!" Not only was there lots of color but this year's Art Wear fashion show was entertaining and could easily rival any Paris catwalk. I'm already anticipating next year's presentation!

Introduction to Iris Apfel

Imagine being such a fascinating person at the age of 90, that a documentary is made about your life! I recently watched Albert Maysles' film simple called, Iris, about the life of Iris Apfel. Actually it focused mainly on her life now because so much is happening for her at this time.

Iris Apfel, born in 1921,a true New Yorker, is known for her eccentric but very stylish sense of fashion. She wears over-sized bangles and necklaces, furry scarves, multi-colored clothes, and her trademark large round glasses.

After marrying her husband, Carl, in 1948, they started a major textile firm and antiques business: Old World Weavers. Over the years they traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia. (After 68 years of marriage, sadly, Carl passed away in August, 2015.) All the while Iris kept busy with a interior designing which included work for nine presidents in the White House.

Following the 2005 exhibit of her massive collection of clothes and jewelry at the New York Metropolitan's Costume Institute, great interest in her personal style evolved. Unique opportunities presented themselves to Mrs. Apfel. She became a "face" of  MAC cosmetics at the age of 90, has a line of accessories with HSN, and a bright and bold jewelry line, RAVA ARIS, on the internet.

Iris likes timeless and traditional things, not so much trendy. She believes jewelry can be the fastest transformer for an outfit. This "geriatric" starlet has her own version of reality regarding her look, such as; "Getting old ain't for sissies. You have to push yourself when your'e older because its 's very easy to fall into the trap. Style is a personal thing, you have to be yourself." I just wanted to introduce this eclectic lady to you because we baby boomers need mentors and icons to keep us encouraged in our later years!

Zandra with a "Z'

She has a tiny tattoo of a lily flower on her thigh, occasionally sneaks a Mars candy bar, is thrilled being appointed a  Dame (DBE), and wouldn't be recognized without her pink hair. Zandra Rhodes, considers herself a "printer" but her immeasurable talents and artistic skills bring her quite further than that.

                   

                                                                                                              

Her colorful textile prints which evolved into floating fantasy clothes erased all the old fashion taboos regarding dress design. Her original creations have been seen at red carpet events, runways, and on celebrities throughout the world.  

Zandra Rhodes was born in 1940 in Chatham, Kent, U.K. She attended London's Royal College of Art and her first major area of study was Printed Textile design. When she discovered how beautiful the printed fabrics draped on the body, her artistic imagination began to really bloom. At first the fashion community considered her eccentric and extreme but in the late 1960's when "anything goes", her peers began to pay attention. 

Today Ms. Rhodes's original designs extend to handbags, bed linens, and five separate collections of jewelry. She finds inspiration everywhere she travels; India is a huge influence with it's bright lively colors. The name Zandra Rhodes is associated with color, though she has designed a line of black, white, and gray garments. Even the design of those creations vibrate with energy!  

When talking about her work, she is always saying, "We" instead of "I". She likes to surround 

herself with people who are as enthusiastic as she is. Ms. Rhodes likes working with a team of people and is generous with sharing her creative knowledge with young students.

The woman who walks confidently in high heels and never steps out the door without pink hair and full makeup, shares wise counsel to the novice: "Never give up ever, when people try to crush you." Along with, "No point in doing anything, unless you do it to the best of your ability."After five successful decades in the industry, Zandra Rhodes still loves fashion now more than ever!     

Zolo Grill

When it comes to some southwestern cuisine restaurants, the chefs are so proud of their red and green chile sauces, that the food is abundantly smothered in it. I usually scrape it aside with a spoon to see if there is a tamale or chicken thigh hiding beneath.

But this was not so at the Zolo Grill restaurant located in central Boulder,Colorado. Inside it felt like we were seated in a pueblo dwelling with long wooden branch poles hanging across the ceiling. The rustic contemporary art on the wall and the low cozy lighting made us feel comfortable in this southwestern ambience. Immediately we were able to determine that this was a friendly and casual place to be. Many of the employees have been there for quite some time; there definitely is a family feeling among them.

All the food, including the meats, ribs, dressings, chorizo sausages, sauces, and desserts, are made from scratch. The menu changes seasonally and many of the ingredients are sourced from local farms. Meats are brined and sometimes smoked for as long as three days.

The cuisine can be described as southwestern, upscale and gourmet but assessable to everyone. We tried the Queso Fundido appetizer, barbeque beef brisket, butternut squash poblano tamales, and the chicken enchiladas. The popular banana cream pie has been on the menu since their opening in 1994.
They sure are doing something right because after 21 years in business, the staff are now welcoming a second generation of loyal customers to Zolo Grill.  Not to mention, it was such a pleasant surprise to visually see the delicious food served before us!

Tour de Fat-- Too Much Fun

Just to further prove that our town of Fort Collins, Colorado, is a bicycle-friendly community, over 25,000 cyclists come together on one Saturday morning annually for the Tour de Fat  bicycle parade. This past weekend the free event occurred. I cleaned up my New Belgium  bike, ( that I had won in a contest three years ago) and checked the air in the tires for a smooth ride.

 Out came the box that stores my special Tour de Fat costume: black and white striped knee stockings, a black and white polka dot bicycle skirt, and a white t-shirt with "Tour de Fat" embroidered on the back. For a bit of  "bling", I wear long red feather earrings and my red helmet has strings of pearls hanging from the back.  Actually, it's a pretty conservative costume compared to the thousands of other participants. People come up with some very crazy outlandish outfits.

Even bicycles get decorated with crepe paper, colorful flags, streamers, plastic flowers, blaring music boxes and baskets holding dogs. Some very talented and skilled welders work on original home-made bikes all year just to ride and show off their new creations for this once-a-year festival.

Several streets along the route, in the downtown area of Fort Collins, are blocked off for the bike parade. Volunteers and police officers help safely guide the masses of cyclists along the right direction.  Everyone is in a party mood and lots of smiles can be seen. Even the folks watching on the sidelines  wear colorful costumes, pull out the barbeques, and cheer the riders on--even though this is not a bicycle race. In fact with so many bikes, the parade moves along quite slowly, which gives me a chance to observe all the creative costumes surrounding me.

At the end of the parade route, hundreds of rental bike racks are placed in a large empty lot but it's not enough to hold all the innumerable amount of bikes. Every available street light or pole will have several bikes locked up against it. Actually the whole downtown area becomes one big bike parking lot. Several music bands play rock music. Food vendors sell pizzas, hamburgers, veggie-wraps, and even Chinese dumplings. Long line of hungry cyclists start queuing up.

 At the end of the day prizes are given to the best costumes and unique bikes. It's just a really fun and unusual day, spent among thousands of bikes. I ride my bicycle home, take a well-deserved shower and pack away my costume into it's own special box until next year's Tour de Fat. Can't wait!

A Day in San Diego

We've all been there, done that, and some of us even "got the T-Shirt".....we helped a friend or family member to move their household to a new home. And when the work is all done, there is usually a celebration of sharing a large pizza, but in this case it was Mexican food.

I just returned from a trip in southern California to help my daughter, Erica, and her family, make a major move four hours away. There was a heat wave during the whole week that I was there. My packing of shorts and tank tops worked just fine.

I was raised south of the San Diego area and some of my family still live there. Over the years we took many trips to the usual tourist's spots such as Tijuana, Balboa Park and Sea World. My sister, Cory, asked me what I wanted to do with my one free day before the BIG MOVE.  " Oh, let's go to the beach, I haven't seen the Pacific Ocean for quite some time now," I replied. So along with my mother, we drove out to Ocean Beach. This was on the last weekend before school started. Seems like everyone had a desire for one last summer hurrah.

We could quickly see that there was not one single parking space available. Ditching that idea, Cory suggested Dog Beach, where "it's so entertaining to watch the dogs play in the waves." ( Dog Beach is the most popular canine hotspot in San Diego.)  Not only was there NO parking spaces , we got stuck in a line of cars trying to escape OUT of the parking lot.We then drove over to Shelter Island. After two minutes of gazing out at the San Diego Harbor, the heat wave forced us back into the air conditioned car.

One last effort was a short drive south to the Seaport Village area where The Headquarters is located. Yea! At last, we found a precious parking space! Presented in 2013, the open-air market offers a range of specialty shops and eateries. The buildings served as the headquarters for the San Diego Police Department from 1939-1987. Building began in 1937 and the architecture represents a  Spanish mission style along with a mixture of Ancient Greece and Rome Classical Revival. It is now on the National Registrar of Historic Places because of this eclectic gathering of architectual mode.

At one time the building housed a crime lab, five courtrooms, an emergency hospital, an indoor shooting range, and an extensive law library. Some of the original jail cells from the 1930's still exist. Of course, we couldn't resist playing jailbirds and had our photo taken. There is a Hall of History displaying original mug shots of men and women who also got their picture taken, but not happily. Adding to the historic value is the tower where the San Diego police officers watched the Pacific Ocean for enemy aircraft during World War II.  

Fortunately these lovely vintage buildings were not torn down but instead were refurbished into a center where art and music events take place all year long. We had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory and topped it by sharing a piece of Salted Caramel Cheesecake. Excellent decision.

We drove back to my sister's house and I sat on her back patio looking at the Pacific Ocean in the distance with a cool breeze brushing across my sweaty face. Holding my glass of minted iced water, I was reminded of what I use to tell my kids when traveling: "Go with the flow!"  We did that on this San Diego Day and it turned out to be quite  pleasant after all.