Category: love love love

love love love

The Safety Pin

GOING NINETY MILES3 Comments

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock you know that Hillary Clinton lost the U.S. Presidential election. And the aftermath from this shock has hit the world hard. I truly believed when I woke up Wednesday morning that I would see an amazing headline on my computer of “Hillary Clinton Wins Presidential Election.” Sadly, that was not the case and it was “Trump Wins In Surprising Victory.” Not only was I stunned but also sad, appalled and completely confused. How did this happen? I saw for weeks when reading the NY Times that Hillary was predicted to win with around 85% chance.

But it happened.

And now here we are, trying to pick up the pieces, trying to find our way back to make sure that Trump cannot, will not, spew his bigot, racist, hateful self to our lives, our friends’ lives – those who are now very concerned and scared and worried that they will be deported or become victims of hate or more. And I have seen from so many people already saying that we got their backs. We will be there for them. Now, when they need it the most. And always.

But even more than that, we will show compassion and make people remember that love trumps hate. I am stepping up my game even more. I will open doors, smile at people even if they don’t smile back, give to the poor, help a neighbor in need, whatever it is that needs to be done to remind people that this is the right way to live.

Trump won. And I will give him the chance to lead. But never forget Mr. Trump, we are watching. And if you do things which are detrimental to people’s well-being, trust me, you will hear from us. We will fight, we will protest, we will protect the things that so vehemently need protecting. We will not back down from something that is right and good.

How can you show your support? It’s simple. It really is. Wear a safety pin on your jacket. This started after the Brexit and people wanted to show others who might be scared that they are there to help. A safety pin states – You are safe with me. It shows you believe in a better world and you will protect those who cannot protect themselves. It’s a small symbol with a big message. And one that the world truly needs right now. #safetypin

art · favorite things · love love love · spain

Happy Birthday Pablo!

GOING NINETY MILESLeave a comment

One of my favorite artists, Pablo Picasso (Spanish), would have been 135 years old today. Obviously not like anyone is reaching this age but 135, nonetheless. I remember going to the Picasso museum in Madrid when I was a young tyke just learning the world, venturing out on my own at age 20. And I loved it. I didn’t want to leave. His creations were so original and inspiring and beautiful I could have stared at them for weeks.

In his Blue Period my favorite was The Old Guitarist created in 1903.

In his Rose Period, my favorite is Garcon a la pipe, created in 1905.

His African influenced period was next and then Cubism. Both I know about but they are not my favorites. The most popular I would think from his Cubism period would be Three Musicians.

.And the last is his Classicism and Surrealism period. There are so many artworks from Picasso that I love dearly from this time frame. I guess I like the funky take on a human face or his love of the minotaur in a lot of his works. But my favorite is Girl before a Mirror (1932). This shows Picasso’s mistress Marie-Thérèse Walter, one of his favorite subjects in the early 1930s. Her white-haloed profile, rendered in a smooth lavender pink, appears serene. But it merges with a more roughly painted, frontal view of her face—a crescent, like the moon, yet intensely yellow, like the sun, and “made up” with a gilding of rouge, lipstick, and green eye-shadow. Perhaps the painting suggests both her day-self and her night-self, both her tranquillity and her vitality, but also the transition from an innocent girl to a worldly woman aware of her own sexuality.

.Well played Sir! You are deeply missed. Hope the heavens are throwing you one heck of a party.

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books · happy happy joy joy · love love love · music favorites

Books of the Summer

GOING NINETY MILESLeave a comment

I was able to read a lot of books this summer. I loooooove to read. All kinds of books – thrillers, crime, romance, biographies – whatever as long as it’s good. Here are my top five from the summer.

THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah – Set in France, 1939, it captures WWII and shows that the war isn’t fought by only the men. Women have a part too – usually behind the scenes or not discussed because it is always thought that men are the fighters of war. But it is more than war – there is a lovely but sad love story, a family torn apart through death, being frightened to be strong enough for each other and true friendships. A great read. Don’t miss this one but be prepared to grab a Kleenex for the end.

BE FRANK WITH ME by Julia Claiborne Johnson – An eccentric little boy, his reclusive literary legend mother and the assistant (Alice) sent by the publishing company try to work together living under one roof. Frank, the boy, is a bundle of knowledge with a true flair for 1930s fashion, but has rules that people need to follow or possible screaming or becoming a comatose statue on the floor will happen. Alice is Frank’s full-time companion and becomes consumed to find out who Frank’s father is, who is this “Xander” and if his mother will ever finish that book.

JUST KIDS by Patti Smith – I LOVE Patti Smith. She can do no wrong. I have been meaning to read her books (she’s written at least ten books – mostly poetry) and I finally had a chance. In Just Kids she tells us a never seen before glimpse of her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe during the coolest days of New York City and the Chelsea Hotel during the sixties and seventies.

THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY by Erik Larson – This one was really good. I love non-fiction stories. It intertwines the true tale of the 1893 World’s Fair and a serial killer who lured victims during the same time. A combination of architecture, history and haunted stories.

GIRL IN A BAND by Kim Gordon – I guess I was into Rock n Roll this summer. Girl In A Band is a memoir by Kim Gordon, founding member of Sonic Youth, fashion icon, and role model for a generation of women. A fascinating chronicle of the band that helped pave the way for Nirvana, Hole, Smashing Pumpkins and others. All bands I still love. Read it and rock out.

Start reading up, yo! What books can you recommend? Would love to hear.

beauty · hotels · love love love · marrakesh · morocco · travel

Riad Dar Darma ~ Marrakech

GOING NINETY MILES1 Comment

For some reason time has really, REALLY gotten away from me. I went to Marrakech, Morocco last year and I have been wanting to write about my experiences but … time. You know. So, here we are! Let’s talk about Marrakech/Marrakesh. However you are wanting to write it or pronounce it for that matter. My next few posts will be dedicated to my travels there.

I would like my first post to be about the fantastic and gorgeous riad that Perla 🙂 and I stayed at during our trip. A riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. The word riad comes from the Arabian term for garden, “ryad”. The ancient Roman city of Volubilis provides a reference for the beginnings of riad architecture during the rule of the Idrisid Dynasty.

Our riad was Riad Dar Darma and it was so lovely. From the staff, to our room, the hospitality, the exquisiteness of the place – it became our home away from home. This was my first time in Morocco and I chose Marrakech because I had heard so many wonderful things about it. While I enjoyed it, it could often be a bit overwhelming in many situations. These I will speak to in my next blog. But Dar Darma was always a place we could come back to and relax. There were no worries here, everything was beautiful and calm. If we had questions, they would help us with the answer. If we wanted a book a reservation, they did it – and beyond!

We stayed in the Black Patio suite. It was three rooms – a sitting area with two chaise lounge chairs, a large mirror and a TV (which I don’t think we turned on even once), a bedroom was two poster beds that could be separated, a large armoire and two nightstands and a bathroom with a large marble tub and two sinks. This room overlooked a shady patio. For me, it was perfect. Here are a few pics from the room.

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I’m not sure my pictures do it justice but the room was just what I was wanting. And the staff was over-the-top helpful. Pretty much, whatever you want or need help with, they will do it. Perls and I weren’t too demanding, pretty much a bottle of wine and that was it. And you know at most hotels you have set breakfast hours, which I understand but how nice was it to hear “When you get up, come upstairs to the terrace for breakfast.” And I said, what if we get up at 11? Then come upstairs then. And at 12, I asked. Then come upstairs then! I could have kissed them. I get to sleep until I want and still get my breakfast! And breakfast was delicious. Fresh fruit, fresh orange juice, a hot pot of coffee and fresh breads, crepes with jam and butter. Heaven!

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We never had dinner at the riad but next time I will make sure I do. Their meals are all made using fresh ingredients and traditional Moroccan and international recipes.The classic dishes include: harira soup, meat or vegetable tajines, couscous, lemon chicken, freshly baked cakes, and fruit desserts.

They also have cooking classes with their cook Maria who can let you into the secrets of Moroccan recipes.

The terraces are so relaxing with lots of pillows and breathtaking views of the Koutoubia Mosque and the Atlas Mountains. They also have a hammam for you to use at your leisure.

The Dar Darma was a place that I truly needed for this first time experience in Marrakech. With a new and different and sometimes frustrating world that was the streets of Marrakech, Dar Darma was a comforting place to come back to. I so appreciated the happy faces and the courtesy and helpfulness I received there. I will definitely be back one day. Thank you Dar Darma! MWUAH.

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