Unconquerable Soul

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

- William Ernest Helney -

Photography from Leeta Harding

Mom love

I know this is a few days late - but that doesn't mean I don't want to send a little love out into the universe to all the wonderful women and mother's I know and love out there. Especially the woman who is so supportive and understanding of me and my sisters' dreams. Our family is so close and I always feel so loved - here's to you Mrs. Penny Clark.- Happy {a little belated} Mother's Day. xoxo

Beautiful Mother's Day cards from Rifle Paper Co.

Before I Die

The Before I Die project took a sad building, set in New Orleans, with nearly no life left and transformed it into a temporary work of art to help bring its surrounding community together - at least in making each and every person who passes by to ask themselves the same single question: "What do I ultimately want to do with my life - what do I want to do before I die?"

Once the wall is filled, the artist washes the board with water and start with a clean slate again. All responses are documented in a book before they are wiped away.

The artist, public installation artist and urban planner Candy Chang, is making stencils that can be shipped across the US so that the Before I Die project can temporarliy be placed on any building, in any neighborhood, anywhere. What an amazing project.

My personal favorite... "evaporate into the light".

New Kid on the Block

For Austin locals I am excited to say that we have a new movie theater that just opened up on downtown's second street district. The Violet Crown is a locally owned and operated cinema devoted to art, independent, documentary and international films. I love the Alamo Drafthouse as much as the next guy (or gal), but having a new venue to satisfy my film cravings can't be a bad thing.

Violet Crown tid bit: "The City of the Violet Crown" is one of Austin's oldest nicknames.  Famed Austin resident and local author William Sydney Porter - also know by his pen name as O. Henry - has long been credited with using the name in his short story “Tictoq,” published in 1894.

Map Love

I just stumbled across these quilted map systems from Leah Evans Textiles. They are so beautiful and magnificently crafted - I would love to add these to my collection of vintage maps!

Happy Humpday

This Wednesday I'm feeling relaxed with a little glam-western flare...

Who's up for a mid-afternoon cocktail? I sure am.

Jcrew Medina platform $275; Anthropologie Poise & Repose Romper $98; Need Supply Co. Number One Crazy sunglasses $180; Need Supply Co. Arrowhead Amulet $135; Madewell Bamboula ltd. market tote $58.

Muse in Black & White

Recently I have been stepping out of my realm of known movies, films, directors and designers and have landed myself with a whole new point of view on the powerful woman and appreciation of the muse. Though, I'm feeling good about where I am in my life, it's always nice to have these remodels around to look up to when you're down - or to help you stay motivated to be a strong woman when you're ready to become a muse yourself.

 Audrey Hepburn.

 Brigitte Bardot.

 Grace Kelly.

Françoise Dorléac.

Monica Vitti.

 Jean Seberg.

Catherine Deneuve.

Minoux Jewelry :: Love

Lately I have been focusing on adding wonderful pieces to my necklace collection and, just in time for summer, these indeed fit the bill...I'm love.

Slice Enamel necklace $54; Center of Gravity necklace $78; Harmonic Mean necklace $74 - All of the above can be found on Minoux, click here.