Marfa, TX | Camp Bosworth

So, you may have heard of Marfa, TX because of this little gem...

Yep, it's the little town with the Prada store art installation (the store is actually never open). In addition to this quirky foray into Land Art, the town of Marfa, TX has become quite the artist enclave. You can watch a recent 60 Minutes piece on the town here.

One of the art galleries featured in the 60 Minutes vignette was the artwork of Camp Bosworth - I was told to watch out for them, since he used to be roommates with my cousin back in his Dallas days. Well, excuse my language - but his shit is dyn-o-mite!  Check out these gun carvings that double as bars...

I also found his online shop of great little art pieces here. There are a few I might be able to afford!  Here are some of my faves:

 

Adding Marfa, TX to the travel list pronto!

Gift Guide: The Animal Lover

I'm sure everyone is smack-dab in the middle of their Holiday shopping!  I know I am.  I'm currently in the middle of reading this amazing non-fiction book about the history of the Ostrich, and it is fascinating!  This book gave me the idea of pulling together a few great gift ideas for the animal lover in your life.

 

First, I'll start with the book I'm reading - Dreambirds by Rob Nixon.  This book was really popular back in the late nineties/early 2000s.  You can tell by how many cheap used copies you can find on Amazon : ). Dreambirds chronicles the effect ostriches have had on fashion and culture throughout the centuries, along with stories of the "Plume Boom" and "Feather Mansions" in South Africa. Nixon also uses the history of ostriches to share some of his autobiography about growing up with an immigrant family in South Africa. This really is one of the best books I've read in quite a while!

Also, I am loving these photographs from The Animal Print Shop!  I'm usually adoring the baby animal prints for the nursery of the kid we will probably have some day, but this buffalo print just blows me away.  I think it would look so stunning above a bed or couch.  Also, they have a nice little Holiday Sale going on!

And next on the reading list, which I also think would make a great gift, is a book called The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild by Lawrence Anthony.  Lawrence Anthony rescued and rehabilitated elephants on his wildlife preserve in South Africa.  He and the animals were so in tune.  When he passed away this year, multiple herds of elephants could sense the loss and they traveled miles across the preserve to Anthony's home where they remained for days to mourn. Aren't animals amazing?

Another great gift would be a donation to Heifer International.  Buying a goat or heifer for a family in need helps a family be more self-reliant by providing food and milk for years. I wholeheartedly agree this company's view on sustainability and charity.  I'm sure any animal lover would appreciate this gift of giving!

I believe I can fly.

While this song title is near and dear to my heart, this movie trailer is giving it a run for its money!   

I Believe I Can Fly (Flight of the Frenchies) is an upcoming documentary showcasing a new fad that combines tight rope walking and base jumping!  This trailer is insane, y'all...absolutely awesome and terrifying at the same time.  I was definitely short of breath by the end of it.

Happy Friday!  Hope this gives you an adventurous attitude for the weekend ahead :).


I Believe I can Fly ( flight of the frenchies). Trailer from sebastien montaz-rosset on Vimeo.

Shufflin'

Ok, now I really can't get this silly song out of my head...

Happy Birthday, Freddie!

Love today's Google Doodle!  If you press play, it comes alive with the song "Don't Stop." What a wonderful tribute to the Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury!

"Bohemian Rhapsody" is one of my favorite karaoke songs to do with friends.  What's your favorite Queen song??

Ombre Hair Trend

I have an appointment at the end of this month to have my hair color blocked in an ombre effect.  Here's how it usually looks when people do this type of dye job:

But of course, I want to do my ombre hair in RED!  Here are some fun examples...

I don't think i could pull off the red to blonde one, but it looks awesome.  Maybe I'll get the guts to do that next Summer... might be a little to light for Fall, anyways.  I've dyed my hair many colors, but this is something completely new and different.  I'm sure it will only trend a year or two more, so I need to hop to it!

NYC on a Wednesday night...

This little event was kind of a ritual when I lived in NYC.  So, if you are living in NYC or visiting on a Wednesday, you need to experience the bluegrass jam at the Grisly Pear.  Basically, every Wednesday night around 9:30, you can grab a drink at this little bar in the village and listen to an acoustic jam of anywhere from 15 - 30 bluegrass musicians.  They play all the bluegrass standards - some you probably know and some you don't.

Being from Texas, these Wednesday nights would transport me to some back room in Gruene, TX where I was sure the lightning bugs were twinkling outside along the river. Here's a little article the New York Times published in February on jam seshies in NYC, with a notable mention of the "Sherriff of Good Times."

I promise this will be one of your most memorable NYC experiences!  Oh, and it's totally free, btw.  Plus, once your done taking in all of the bluegrass, you can jump across the street to the Old Rabbit Club for a lovely import brew or wine.

Peeeeeeeeeeeeps!

With Easter almost here, I thought I'd share a fun way to eat an easter classic, the peep...S'MORES IT.



via Poppytalk

 If I were a peep, I think I would want to be shoved between chocolate and a graham cracker too...

Later, jellybeans!

Norwegian Wood

Yesterday, I bought a great new necklace by Norwegian Wood to wear on my trip to New Orleans next weekend! It's made of leather and coconut pieces. I think it looks very voodoo-esque, don't you?

If you're in Kansas City, some Norwegian Wood pieces are available at Birdie's.  You can also find this necklace and other clothes and jewelry on NW's etsy shop.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

You saucy minx...

I've been loving Minx Nails for a while!  Now that Spring is on it's way and I can finally show off my toesy-wosies, I'm excited to think about the pedicure in my near future.  Minx nails are different from any polish.  The way I understand it, it's more of a foil they apply to your nail.  But the end result ends up giving you this mirror-like metal look.  So HOT.  Hopefully, my toes will end up looking similar to this...

If you're interested in Minx Nails, find a salon near you here.

Make a statement.

I always talk about how I love statement jewelry - especially a good necklace.  A little secret that I've been keeping for a while now is Erica Weiner Jewelry.  She has such a wide range of new and vintage pieces at a variety of price points; you are bound to find your new favorite everyday accessory.

Here are a few of my current favorites. Ready. Set. Want.

Downward Facing Chevron Necklace $45

Twig Necklace $30

Victorian Enameled Earrings $245

Name Bracelets 5-pack $20

(Note: These bracelets are not personalized, but they are still awesome no matter what your name is.)

Your daily dose of British humor...

The last few nights, Garrett and I have been watching a great UK show called "An Idiot Abroad."  The basic premise is these guys...

(Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant)

make this guy....

(Karl Pilkington... the "idiot")

travel the world to see the Seven Wonders, while putting him in numerous uncomfortable situations.  Karl understands that traveling the world and being exposed to new cultures should broaden his thinking, but he sometimes just doesn't understand the big deal. Hilarity ensues...

Check out the clip below...

I want.

iwantiwantiwantiwantiwant.

This iRetrofone from Scott Freeland might be the coolest thing on Etsy.  I would love the feel of having a land line at home without having to pay for one.  Check out the photos...

For the traveler like me...

If you're like me, when you go someplace new, you don't necessarily need to see every monument.  And one or two art museums will satisfy you.  So, when you are looking for that good story and/or photo, here is a great resource for just plain weird and (most of the time) very cool attractions: Atlas Obscura.

 You can use this source to find the hidden gem of a new city or something you've never known about in your own area!  I made my boyfriend drive me around our neighborhood until we found the Broken Angel mansion:

You can also add your own obscure stores, museums, and sights to the atlas. I just love the adventure and mystery of it all!