Friday, January 29, 2010

Gwyneth Paltrow / Chris Martin Buy 3rd House on Same Street

There goes the neighborhood. London dwellers nearby are very distressed that this power couple has purchased yet another house on the same street. They now own three in a row and the neighbors aren't at all happy. Big fences, a large pool in the garden, trees taken down so cars can be parked, endless construction; it's too much. The latest one is for staff. I wonder if Coldplay has a recording studio in one? Read more.



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Diane Keaton | Great Eyeglasses

I love the horn-rimmed glasses that Diane Keaton is wearing. Try finding a pair with that classic D shape also known as Barrister glasses. It's impossible. I'm cleaning my office and now I can shred this page torn from some magazine. Scan and shred. My basket is filling up nicely for recycling tomorrow. Enjoy the upcoming weekend, Rosemary.

These are bookmarked for my consideration. How in the world do you order frames online? How do you measure? Where do you measure? Help.



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BONES | 100th Episode

Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz at the 100th episode of Bones celebration on January 27th. I love this program and hate to miss it. It has a great ensemble cast. via



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Black Forest Dog Carvings $30,500.

This is the dog group that sold for such a high price.

This carving with glass eyes is in my collection. Mine is only 9" long so he's much smaller. I love him even more since his larger relatives brought such a high price. He has lived with me for at least 25 years. The perfect pet. He doesn't eat and he's housebroken.

Rarer than any breed at Westminster, a circa-1900, 39-inch-wide Black Forest carved tableau of a St. Bernard dog and pups took the blue ribbon in Florida at Auctions Neapolitan and Gallery's Jan. 23 sale when it sold for $30,590 against an estimate of $6,000-$8,000.

Close-up of the mother dog's face attributed to Swiss artist Walter Mader who carved only dogs. How very beautiful. Have a great weekend. Rosemary



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Hermes Glycerine Soap For Gardeners

Finally, something affordable from Hermès.
Gardener's Glycerine Soap ~ $40.00 USD
I hope this price includes more than one round, but it probably doesn't.
I like the graphics, don't you?



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Thursday, January 28, 2010

J.D. Salinger Dies at Age 91

Author J.D. Salinger, who wrote the iconic "Catcher in the Rye," has died at age 91. The author's son, actor Matt Salinger, through Salinger's literary agent, said Salinger died at his home in New Hampshire of natural causes. "His body is gone but the family hopes that he is still with those he loves, whether they are religious or historical figures, personal friends or fictional characters." R.I.P. He had lived for decades in self-imposed isolation in a small, remote house in Cornish, N.H. Read more.

Images: Getty Images/Amazon/Time



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Pablo Picasso Philosophy


Picasso was great, wasn't he? Love this.



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Interview With An Unknown Dog


Anyone and everyone should read this before getting a dog. If your dog is having problems, read it again. It's all true. Webster wanted me to post this because he can't type. Rosemary
via



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Dogs in Photo Booth



I think someone's in love, don't you? This should make you smile and get your day off to a good start. Rosemary



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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Ammi Phillips Double Portrait Auctioned For $782,500

Two children, a dog, and a cat; what could be better? A 43" x 40" oil on canvas folk art portrait by Ammi Phillips (1788-1865) of Theron Simpson Ludington (1850-1922) and his older sister Virginia Ludington (1846-1865), circa 1852, sold for $782,500 (includes buyer's premium) at Christie's in New York City on January 22, 2010.

Rare Double Portrait by Ammi Phillips (1788-1865)
The lead highlight of the Americana Week sales is an exceedingly rare, full-length double portrait of Theron Simpson Ludington (1850-1922) and His Older Sister Virginia Ludington (1846-1865) by the prominent 19th century American portrait artist Ammi Phillips (pictured page one, center; estimate: $300,000-500,000).
Unknown among Phillips works until earlier this year, this dynamic, even humorous portrait of two young siblings has been passed down through generations of the Ludington family of Goshen, CT until the present day. Phillips was commissioned sometime around 1852 to paint the family’s members, which included formal portraits of the children’s parents, Theron Daniel Ludington (1826-1900) and Eleanor Bailey Ludington (1826-1863), also to be offered in the sale (estimate: $12,000-18,000).
The full-length double portrait of the children is unusual for its departure from the conventional poses Phillips typically employed in his formal single portraits. Here instead, in a moment of playfulness and insight into the sibling’s relationship, the artist depicted the younger boy leaning away from his older sister to hug the shaggy dog by his side, while a small grey cat bites at a single strawberry that has fallen from the bunch in Virginia’s hand. While hundreds of single portraits by Phillips survive today, only a small number of full-length double portraits of this type are known to exist – a measure of rarity that is sure to attract collectors.

The buyer was Atlanta, Georgia, dealer Deanne Levison. I remember when she worked at Israel Sack in New York. Christie's photo, listing information. The good things always command high prices. This would be lovely above my fireplace.

Take care of your antiques and they will take care of you."



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Do You Know Where Your Food Comes From?

Watch OPRAH today or record the show if you will not be home. Michael Pollan (Food 101) and Alicia Silverstein will be guests. Alicia will discuss her new vegan cookbook The Kind Diet.

Read more about the show, watch a video, and try 4 recipes from The Kind Diet. My DVR is set to record in case I'm not home. This should be good.



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Mind Games


The mind/body connection is amazing, isn't it? Try this. You really can't control your foot no matter how hard you try. Just a little useless information that might add a little fun to your day. Especially if you are trapped in a cubicle at work. Share it with your co-workers and friends. They'll like it too. Rosemary



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Perfect Day | Miriam Stockley | Rare Version





So hauntingly beautiful. This is the high quality, rare version. Here's hoping you have a Perfect Day today. This was the theme song for the BBC Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit and Friends Series from long ago. This wonderful version was found by: worryknot via Twitter. Thanks!

Enjoy any beauty you can find. Rosemary


The Beatrix Potter Collection

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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Ask THE BOOK SEER For Reading Recommendations



I filled in my most recently read book.


These birding books were recommended. Cool.
This is so wonderful and exciting. If you've ever read a book on a specific subject and want to read similar books, The Book Seer is your GO TO website. She (the man calls her Madam) did an excellent job of finding more general birding books for me as well as very specific target books about some of the characters in the book I just finished: The Big Year by Mark Obamascik. Good job. I love this site and so will you. It's like having your very own personal librarian. Rosemary


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