Film
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Sign Language
I’m a January baby and a proud Capricorn.
I can’t say that I’m an astrology advocate, but I do get a kick out of reading my horoscope this
time of year. Besides the fact that I often find my cosmic description to be dead-on accurate,
I love the idea of my life and character being written in the stars. A very anti-Capricorn concept
to say the least which is why this is a once a year indulgence. Luxe & Lucid is a platform for
celebrating what makes us unique as individuals – whatever the context. Sign me up!
Famous Capricorns … I’m in pretty good company.
This pair of ram’s head bookends from Sjae Alexandre is so good-looking, it almost makes me want to be an Aries.
A candle from Soular Therapy’s Astrological Aromatherapy collection.
Cancer’s keynotes are Jasmine and White Rose.
Astrology has even inspired a company as traditional as Wedgwood to produce a zodiac collection.
All 12 signs including Pisces shown here are available through replacements.com.
Russian Vogue’s take on Aries, Capricorn and Gemini respectively.
Silver Zodiac Cufflinks by artist Michele Delville.
A mid-century mirrored zodiac clock from Flessas Design in New York.
And a large-scale wall sculpture also from Sjae Alexandre in Los Angeles.
Asha by ADM’s gold and mother of pearl Sagittarius ring.
Kris Kristofferson would probably cringe knowing I've included him in a blog about horoscopes.
How could I resist when he has an album titled Jesus was a Capricorn? Mr. Kristofferson is one of
my heroes. And it's a short list. He is a true renaissance man with, in my opinion, the coolest resumé
of the 20th century: Rhodes Scholar, Oxford graduate, helicopter pilot, Nashville legend, movie star.
If you don't know anything about this über-brilliant and eternally cool Everyman, it's time to find out.
A feature on Capricorn from the blog Love Smacked & Starstruck. So accurate it’s scary!
Check out what’s in store for your sign in the months to come.
Happy birthday to all my fellow January babes!
Tricia xo
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Find Your Anthem
2009 dealt out a lot of heartbreak to a lot of people. And since the answers to our problems are often hazy at best,
sometimes the most we can hope for is a little enlightenment. Nothing moves me like music. A really great song
can raise your heartbeat and your spirits. So as we step into 2010, let’s lift our heads and turn up the music.
It’s time to turn this !@%$#% thing around!
– WHAT YOU WAITING FOR? –
Even a rock star like my girl Gwen can get held-up by her fears. This track from her
debut album spoke to me when I was nervous about taking the next step in my career.
It was the adrenalin push I needed to get on with it already!
– HUSTLE AND FLOW (IT AINT OVER) –
So you’re not a pimp from Memphis.
If you’re feeling stuck, lost or left behind, you’ll find meaning in this song’s hook.
– I WILL SURVIVE –
A classic shout-out to all the ladies who are moving out and moving on!
– PRAISE YOU –
There are only four real lines in this song, but the title and chorus of Fatboy Slim’s track are so
catchy, we don’t care. Who doesn’t want to hear the words “praise you” 25 times in a song?
– BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY –
Honest, aching lyrics strung into a beautiful melody by one of the coolest bands ever.
– YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE –
This song was released in the late 90s and directed at generation-Y, but would
be an appropriate wake-up call for adult America in the new millennium.
– DREAM ON –
I remember this song blowing my mind when I was in grammar school.
It still has meaning for me and Aerosmith still rocks 30 years later.
– LOSE YOURSELF –
The rhythm and momentum of this song raise your blood pressure and pull you into a specific moment.
Anxiety, fear and hope are so tightly woven in both the music and lyrics of this song, it’s palpable. Brilliant.
– THAT’S LIFE –
Sinatra’s smooth crooning and upbeat tempo bring elegance to an otherwise melancholy song.
Only the “chairman of the board” could pull the rug out from under you and leave you smiling.
* Favorite music sources: Pandora, itunes, Shazam and Metro Lyrics *
Happy new year from Luxe & Lucid!
Tricia xo
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Tip deLuxe
STEALING BEAUTY
We’re embarking on a new year (a new decade actually!) and you’re ready to make some changes
to chez vous. Where to start? Everyone, even professional interior designers, need a jumping off point,
a focus, a raison d’être. It’s called inspiration. And without it, you’ll spend the next six months going around
and around in circles trying to figure out “what’s my style???” So take a little time during this holiday break,
grab a stack of magazines (remember those?) and start tearing. Don’t think about it, just rip out what you like.
Fashion layouts, jewelry ads, interiors, food features … whatever speaks to you. When you’re done, pull aside
the two or three that say “THIS IS ME!” and file the rest away. Yes, steal some beauty and allons-y!
Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall ‘09 campaign and a beautiful Payard feature from Town & Country Travel magazine.
Confectionary images to inspire the interiors of the girly-girls out there.
A room by designer Anne Coyle.
If you could live inside the Fall Gucci campaign or the latest Gorsuch catalog then you
respond to texture, layering and luxury and should book a trip to St. Moritz immediately.
Tom Scheerer’s Kip’s Bay Showhouse bedroom.
Maybe you’re a traditionalist with a saucy side. Like these ladies captured by Kate Spade and Slim Aarons.
Think vivid colors, floral prints and vintage accents with a little leather thrown in.
A Miles Redd bedroom from Domino.
Are you drawn to sleek, sexy, fashionable images?
Then let David Bowie and Marni’s 2008 collection be your inspiration.
A Chicago installation by Kara Mann.
Let the dark side of life be your muse. Like these images from 1992's Dracula and the blog Tedore.
The current vampire craze could inform a dark, dramatic space.
Anthony Gianacakos’ East Harlem bedroom from Lonny magazine.
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Mad About Macabre
Although it may not be very “PC”, the creepy, scary side of life can be pretty titillating at times.
CSI and Twilight have millions of fans for a reason – the macabre is fascinating. It's fun to
dive into the dark side of life, especially for the straight-laced among us. Sure, we like our
structured, polished lives. But something about the morbid and sinister gets the skin tingling.
So here’s to being a little naughty at least once a year. Go ahead, get your freak on!
Blackman Cruz is an L.A. based firm that specializes in eccentric objects and furniture.The Bronze Skull lamp is one of their original and most famous designs. It was the
frontrunner of what became the skull trend pandemic of the last several years.
Their bronze Bat Incense Burner below is even more unconventional.
Taxidermy - cute or creepy? This little fella is an antique rabbit from London.
He has a happy home at And Beige in Adams Morgan.
Baker furniture is currently reproducing several pieces from the collection of the
incomparable Tony Duquette. The Gold Toad was one of his most intriguing designs –
a cast skeletal sculpture plated in 24K gold. The 2009 version doesn't have emerald (!)
eyes like the original, but it's still just as coveted. In fact, Gold Toads have been
stolen from showrooms in both DC and New York. Tony would be shocked!
Yes, spooky and chic can go hand in hand.
Spider Cuffs by Jessica Kagan Cushman and Jet Drop Skull Earrings by Bettina Louise.
I discovered the work of Jim Fiscus because I'm a fan of Dexter (see more on that below). His photography
is both irreverent and flawless – an unusual combination that makes for gorgeous, intoxicating images.
I saw a powerful exhibit titled "Art, Genius and Madness" at the Santa Maria
della Scala museum in Siena this summer. It explored the connection
between artistic genius and insanity and featured a collection of paintings,
drawings and sculptures spanning 300 years. Beautiful, provocative and
often disturbing, the exhibit was like nothing I have ever seen.
A haunting painting by Enrico Colombotto Rosso.
"Concert in an Egg" (1550) by Hieronymus Bosch. The Dutch artist's
paintings are recognizable for their bizarre and disturbing subject matter.
Busts by Franz Xaver Messerschmidt from his "character heads"
series (1770) depicting contorted facial expresssions.
Not included in the Siena exhibit, but a painting that always frightens me.
"Saturn Devouring His Son" by the Spanish artist Francisco Goya (1819).
My favorite macabre activity is watching scary movies. I can't get enough. And when better to sit down,
dim the lights and curl up with a terrifying flick than Halloween? Below are ten of my favorite fright fests.
Psycho (1960)
The Birds (1963)
Excorcist (1973)
Jaws (1975)
Alien (1979)
Poltergeist (1982)
Aliens (1986)
The Ring (2002)
Hostel (2005)
The Strangers (2008)
And for those of us who like to get our regular fix of brilliant gore, there's Dexter.
The series is smart, humorous and completely addictive. If you don't subscribe to
Showtime, you can download episodes instantly through Netflix.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM LUXE & LUCID!
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