art · luxury

Art Collector Conundrum: Affordability

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As part of this (informal) series, I want to explore some of the difficulties I see within the art world. These things aren’t obstacles, per se, but they can be challenging for people that are on the outside “looking in”. As I learn more and find myself exploring the business, historical, and aesthetic side of art, I can see the individual factors that make art collecting and the entire business of art frustrating and intimidating to the average person.

One of the biggest obstacles to pursuing either a career in or a collection of art is affordability. Prestigious disciplines and hobbies have always been cost prohibitive, and rightly so: this maintains the integrity, prestige and lucrative nature. But in these increasingly egalitarian times, the question remains: how can affordability be part of the art world while maintaining esteem?

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Le Jockey by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (uploaded by the Brooklyn Museum)

The best recommendation I can pose is this: start where you are. That applies no matter where you want to fit into within the art world. Instead of aiming to have a personal art collection on the level of the Louvre, new collectors that have less capital to invest should start where they are and purchase what they enjoy and can afford. People aspiring to be curators and consultants should start by educating themselves as affordably as possible: attend free or low-cost art courses (some of which can be done online), volunteer at a museum or gallery, or even purchase used art textbooks and read the material.

The key to avoiding overwhelm is to take it one step at a time.

There are some entities that are striving to make art more affordable. Educators like ALISON, Coursera and Saylor (especially the Saylor Legacy Courses) make art education affordable. Taking classes at local museums, galleries, art organizations, and community colleges is also another another way to obtain art knowledge at a low cost.

Entering the art collecting world need not be expensive. New collectors should seek out local artists that are talented but not yet famous. Being an “early adopter” often means securing wonderful artwork at an affordable price. Also, it’s important to support smaller artists that may one day become one of the big names in the art world.

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Tahitian Woman by Paul Gauguin (uploaded by the Brooklyn Museum)

There are also companies that will finance the purchase of high dollar art. One of these is ArtMoney, a company that offers financing options for people that want to buy art. ArtMoney is currently affiliated with 500 galleries nationwide to help art appreciators acquire works of art that would normally be out of their budgets. Also, there are innovative artists that offer lease and lease-to-own option for interested parties. This allows collectors to enjoy the art of their choice on the terms that best suit them.

So there are always ways to navigate around issues of affordability. Many times, this means setting aside preconceived limitations and approaching a solution with a fresh perspective. By exploring unorthodox and less popular strategies, it’s possible to make any part of the art world affordable.

beauty · luxury

Review: The Ordinary’s Niacinamide + Zinc Formula

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A few months ago, I reviewed some other products by The Ordinary, such as the squalane oil and the argireline solution. I was overwhelmingly satisfied with these products so I wanted to post my thoughts on another one of The Ordinary’s offerings.

The Niacinamide + Zinc solution is designed to treat and prevent skin blemishes, especially those associated with acne. According to the Deciem website,  “Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is indicated to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion. A high 10% concentration of this vitamin is supported in the formula by zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid to balance visible aspects of sebum activity. ”

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As an acne-prone girl with combination skin, any product designed to treat blemishes and redude the apperaance of oiliness is worth a try, in my opinion. So I started using the solution. The directions for use are as follows:

“Apply to entire face morning and evening before heavier creams.”

I followed the directions to the letter, using the solution before my heavier products. It’s lightweight and dries down without any sticky residue, but you must carefully rub it in, otherwise you will have traces of white product on your skin. Overall, the absorption is moderately good – it doesn’t soak in rapidly but retains moisture on the skin’s surface long enough for you to ensure that you’ve rubbed in the product before it dries completely.  The product has no odor and caused no reaction with any of my other products.

I noticed that my skin looks GREAT with this product included in my routine! It seems to really assist my benzoyl peroxide (BP) in preventing acne breakouts. Sometimes, I skip my BP completely and just use the solution as my acne fighter. I love the results!

As a full disclaimer, Deciem recommends that this product NOT be layered with vitamin C products (the niacinamide affects the integrity of vitamin C). But otherwise, this can be used with most other products.

After using this for months, I can confidently say that the Niacinamide + Zinc Solution is a permanent fixture in my routine! It’s available at both Sephora as well as Deciem. The product is extremely affordable, at less than $6 per bottle. If you get a chance to try it, let me know how it works for you!

 

 

life curation

My Favorite Organization Tools

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Happy Tuesday, friends! This is a post that I meant to do before the beginning of the new year, but life got in the way . . . And I forgot about it. But better late than never, right? And let’s look on the bright side – it *did* arrive before the end of January. That’s a good thing, no?

Look, staying organized is HARD. It’s hard to stay on top of everything that we have to do daily, to accurately project how much time we’ll have for upcoming obligations, and to remain cool and calm while we knock out everything that needs to be done. It’s a lot for one person, much less those that have to manage the calendar of others (administrative staff, parents, and event coordinators come to mind).

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(image courtesy of MariaFresa.net)

Organization tools have been so important for me, because managing my life isn’t easy. Here are some of my favorite tools for staying organized and efficient:

A desk calendar/blotter : I love being able to see my entire month at a glance. Regardless of how much I have going on, being able to see my plans in large, clearly defined squares helps me visually comprehend whether I need to lighten my load or decline additional activities/plans. I’m a fan of colorful calendars, so this one by Amazon perfectly suits me.

A personal planner : I rely on these heavily, especially since I don’t put every little task on my calendar. Personal planners hold my daily to-do lists and reminders for things to be done on future dates. The prettier the planner, the better I like it, with one stipulation: it must be small enough to fit into my purse, but large enough to capture my thoughts. I always have it with me, so portability is a big thing. My current planner is by Eccolo, and I’m including a link to one of their beautiful options below:

A refillable day planner : So it seems that a desk calendar and a personal planner would be enough, right? Well, not for me LOL! Some days require even more time management, and I’m a huge fan of fillable day planners to help me get through everything that needs to be done. These allow you to measure your time in 30 minute increments and has space for jotting down the most important items to handle through the day. Since these are undated, you only use pages as you need them (allowing you to have this planner for much longer than a year or two). The planner is also refillable, so you can add more pages as needed. I prefer this one by Blueline:


My phone apps : Who doesn’t love a cell phone? These are the best way for me to keep up with my repeated to-dos, especially since I can set how frequent I would like my reminders to be. I love my phone apps for those reminders that are time-sensitive (for example, having my alarm go off 5 minutes before I’m able to reserve tickets for an in-demand event). I’m #TeamiPhone, but every brand of smart phone has apps that can help you manage your time.

hollywood glamour · style

How to Dress Like Audrey Hepburn

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A few months ago, Christie’s had an enormous Audrey Hepburn memorabilia auction. In fact, I wrote about it during the early days of this blog. The auction featured over 300 items personally owned by Audrey. Given Audrey’s immense popularity, it should be no surprise that the auction generated nearly $6.5 million in sales (4.6 million GBP).

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Photo as shown on Christie’s

If you, like me, weren’t one of the lucky auction winners, take heart. Audrey was a woman of classic taste and many of clothing items sold can be easily duplicated. Here, I’ll share some of the items featured in the auction, as well as my recommendations for recreating the look.

By the way, you may notice that the items aren’t the signature pieces from her films but, rather, her own personal, off-screen wardrobe (with lots of pieces from her later years). I actually like the fact that the pieces are “everyday” chic, because they don’t come across as “costume-y”. But remember, these are Audrey’s clothes: even her “everyday” items are much more stylish than what most people wear.

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite items from the auction as well as items to recreate the look. I found pieces on Boohoo and Amazon, which aren’t expensive but allows you to try a look at a low price. Enjoy!

A Black Silk Crepe Tuxedo and Associated Ivory Wool Crepe Trousers

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Get the look:

Rhea Boutique Double Breasted Tailored Tux Blazer

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This double breasted tux has the same satin lapels but it’s a fraction of the cost of the original jacket. The hem is a little below the hip bone, so it feels more relaxed than formal.

Adana Tie Waist Tailored Slim Fit Trouser

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While the trousers owned by Audrey probably had a less ornate waist, I prefer the less-expensive option. The tie waist adds visual interest when the tuxedo jacket is open or removed. The design of the legs of both trousers are very similar.

 

An Ivory Silk Shirt and Black Silk Skirt

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Get the look:

Molly Tailored Shirt

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This fitted blouse looks great with skirts and pants, and easily goes from the workplace to after hours events. To maximize the Audrey look, wear this with as few accessories as possible.

Savannah Chiffon Pleated Midi Skirt

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Unless you’re extremely thin and a little bit tall (like Audrey), a midi length is more flattering. The flowing design of this pleated dress echoes the movement of the original skirt. However, the texture created by the pleats keeps this skirt from feeling too visually “heavy”.

 

An Oatmeal Wool Trench Coat

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Get the look (click on the image to link to the coat):

This coat has a beautifully detailed shoulder and a charming collar. This could easily mimic the original by replacing the fasteners with oatmeal-colored buttons.

 

A White Cotton Blouse and Matching Skirt

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Get the look:

Elizabeth Boutique Ruffle Tuxedo Shirt

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The detailing along the button placket makes this a good choice for replicating Audrey’s white top. The additional ruffles on the top echo the subtle ruffles on the skirt of the original ensemble. Just remove the black tie and you’re set!

Tall Emily Boutique Tulle Mesh Midi Skirt

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This midi skirt is made for tall girls, which makes it long enough to be an almost-maxi on women of average height. Audrey’s skirt isn’t tulle but it is flowy and a touch longer than midi-length. The simplicity of the skirt works well with the textured top.

food

Easy Faux Beef Tips Recipe

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It’s been a while since I did a recipe post. To be truthful with you all, my winter cuisine tends to be boring and predictable. I order a lot more food (mostly Indian, Ethiopian and Thai dishes) and, when I do prepare my food at home, it’s a simple situation (soups, sandwiches, and casseroles).

But today, I’m sharing one of my favorite recipes. I cook it at least once every couple of weeks during the cold months, but I almost never use precise measurements. That is, until today! I made this and took my time writing down the amounts of everything that I included. At the end, this is what the finished dish looks like:

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My easy faux beef (beef-less) tips

My father tried this and he couldn’t believe that it is vegan! Since I make enough of this to last a few days (or to share), my portions are generally large, But don’t worry: this recipe is for 4 people (cut in half for a smaller amount). Enjoy!

Easy Beef(less) Tips (serves 2)

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1.5 tbsp oil (you can use butter substitute, olive oil or vegetable oil)
  • 1/2 bag Gardein Beefless Tips
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup carrots
  • 1 large potato, cubed into bite-size pieces
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp Sicilian bread dipping mix (more info after the instructions)

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat for about 1 minute. Add onions and cook until translucent, stirring occasionally (this takes anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes). Make sure to stir to prevent the onions from sticking to the pot.

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Gardein’s Beefless Tips are great for this recipe

Next, add broth, water, carrots and potatoes to the pot. Stir until well combined. Reduce heat to low-to-medium heat. Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Add beefless tips and all seasonings. Stir well until seasoning is well distributed. Cover and allow to cook until all vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally (totaling 15 to 20 minutes). Serve hot.

I usually enjoy this with a glass of red wine (preferably a Malbec, my favorite).

As far as the bread dipping seasoning, I use one that I got from a discount store (I can’t remember which – probably the Dollar Tree – but I can’t guarantee that it is readily available everywhere). The closest thing I found is an organic Sicilian Bread Dipping Mix on Amazon. You can easily whip up your own version by using a standard Italian seasoning and adding a little salt and a few red pepper flakes.

Do you have any beefless tip recipes to share? Please share them in the comments below!

food · relaxation

A Brief Guide to Hot Tea

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As National Hot Tea Month draws to a close, I’m a little sad. I’ve shared all of my hot tea pics with you all on Instagram, I’ve made a post about tea on this blog, and now I need to find some new content for February! However, given the big trip I’m taking in a couple of weeks (more about that coming soon!), I’m sure that I’ll have plenty of writing fodder.

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My tea and coffee-inspired painting that I did when I went to a Creativity Workshop at Blue Bee Cider a couple of weeks ago

 To close out the month, I want to share some of my tea drinking tips with you all. These are just a few of my observations, but I’d love for you all to weigh in with any tea tips that you may have!

 –          Have a dedicated tea cup. There’s something so soothing about the ceremony of using a dedicated tea cup (or, in my case, a tea mug) to drink your beverage. If you associate tea drinking with relaxation, then the very sight of your tea cup will put you at ease. Since I drink lots of tea, I have three cups that I use. I enjoy each of them.

–          Know that there is a tea for everyone. Even if you aren’t a fan of black tea, there are so many varieties, with so many flavors, that it’s pretty impossible to conclude that there is NO tea that you enjoy. Keep trying, and don’t be afraid to reach out to tea professionals to learn more about the available tea options.

–          Carefully follow the instructions on your tea packaging. This is especially crucial for expensive teas. If the instructions say to steep for 3 – 5 minutes, don’t cut that time short (you’ll end up with a weak tea) nor exceed it (you’ll have an overpowering and likely bitter beverage at the end). Certain teas are best enjoyed when using very hot water, as opposed to boiling water. So pay attention to the instructions and follow them!

–          Feel free to dress up your teas. Honey, lemon, cream, sugar: add whatever you like. However, NEVER mix cream and lemon – the combination will curdle in your cup (yuck!)

–          Listen to your body and only drink teas that make you feel good. I used to like a tea that was designed as a detox (more about that in the next tip). However, it’d leave me feeling faint when I drank it. I had to cut it out, even though I enjoyed it. Likewise, some of my favorite teas can only be enjoyed before 12 PM, because I’m very caffeine-sensitive and drinking caffeinated tea at a later hour will keep me awake all night. Listening to my body and adjusting accordingly was a wise move for me, and I advise that you all do it, too.

–          Drop any notion that a tea will help you lose fat or “detox” your body. I know celebrities are constantly selling tea and other beverages designed to help people shed weight quickly. Don’t fall for the hype. You may temporarily lose water weight or even speed up your metabolism a bit, but the best way to lose weight or detox is a healthy diet full of high quality, well-prepared foods and exercise that both safely increases your heart rate and effectively strengthens the muscles.

–          Visit a tea room. This is on my to-do list for the year. Every friend of mine that has done it highly recommends it. The owners of these tea rooms are genteel, knowledgeable and friendly. They are a great resource for learning about tea and how to pair tea with foods. A visit to a tea room is also a great reason to get dressed up and spend time with friends!

That’s it for me, beloveds! I look forward to chatting with you all soon!

art · life curation

The Next Art Class(es) On My List . . .

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Happy Friday, beloveds! The weekend is here and, I must admit, I’ve been feeling pretty fired up for the past few weeks. I was determined to have a strong start to my year, and so far, I’ve kept my word. I’ve been focusing on everything that I want and need to get done so that I can accomplish the goals I’ve set for the year.

If you all recall, in my New Years goals post, I mentioned that I wanted to eventually transition into a career in the art world (hence this blog’s gentle but steady turning toward more art-related content). I intend to take some in-person courses through Christie’s but I am also supplementing those courses with some online education.

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Women’s Art Class by Louis Lang (1814 – 1893), at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

I’m an autodidact, so I’m very comfortable with teaching myself. You all will probably recall the art course on Alison that I’m currently taking (I’m doing this one very leisurely, though I’m already about 50% done with the material). However, I occasionally enjoy having a structure to lean on while I’m learning. That’s why I was excited to see that Coursera is offering several arts courses this year, that can either be completed without a certificate (the no-cost option) or with a certificate of completion offered (has a small fee). Since I’m doing these courses for personal development and I don’t intend to provide certification to anyone in the future, I’m doing the no-cost option.

The two classes I’m taking are Modern Art & Ideas and Fashion as Design. Both classes are taught by Museum of Modern Art curators, researchers and directors. If you find that you benefit from interaction with other students and a more structured format, then Coursera’s offerings may be a good fit for you.

I’m looking forward to learning more about modern art and fashion. I can’t wait to share what I learned with you all!

life curation · reading list

Reading List: February’s Book

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Are you all enjoying The Four Hour Work Week? I know that I am! In fact, I’m really glad for the snow days I had a couple of weeks ago, because it helped me to manage all of the reading I had to do this month.

February’s reading selection should be a great read, though I already know that it’ll be nearly impossible to complete all of the exercises during the month. Ok, I’ll admit it: I’m cheating a bit. You see, I’m already reading this book, along with January’s selection, and another book that was recommended by a mentor. So I’m reading THREE books this month (not an outrageous number for me, but I’m avidly taking notes and plan on discussing each of them, so this is far more tedious than my normal leisurely reading).

The book for February is “How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci” by Michael Gelb. This book is supposed to help us uplevel to the status of genius, through seven simple steps that we can incorporate daily. I’m currently reading for comprehension, but during the month of February, I’ll be reading for implementation and integration into my life.

 

Have any of you already read “How to Think”? Let me know in the comments, and (without spoilers, please!) let us know what you thought of the book!

art · luxury

Art Collector Conundrum: Accessibility

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As I learn more about the art world, I see, not only the beauty and complexity of it, but the problems surrounding it.

Here’s the thing: every industry is plagued with its own problems. As a result, the professionals within each industry are tasked with serving current needs as well as creatively attempting to solve existing and potential problems. This presents a bit of a conundrum for both the problem solvers (who are trying their best but may be limited in what they can do) and those awaiting a solution (that feel excluded and frustrated).

There are several big issues within the art industry, which I’ll attempt to explore over several posts. I’m no art expert, but I love the thought of toying around with solutions to existing issues, because, at the heart of it, I’m a problem solver.View of Children placing poppies on the grave stone of the Unknown soldier

(Courtesy of the War Museum in Ottawa)

One of the biggest issues I see within the art world is the issue of accessibility. Like many subjects and areas associated with the elite/wealthy/exclusive groups, there is no definitive path for entry. Those that want to make sense of this world are overwhelmed by the options but really don’t have any clear directions on how they can make art and the art world a part of their lives.

That’s both great and confusing.

The upside to lacking a defined path of “entry” is that the barriers aren’t clearly defined, either. If those desiring entry want to find a way “in”, they can probably ease in through many different paths and still eventually “arrive” at their desired destination. Let’s be clear: there are ALWAYS barriers in every realm. But these can often be navigated in unconventional ways so long as the person desiring entry is willing to explore the options available and be creative.

The confusing part is figuring out where to start. Unlike college or the corporate world, there is no simple, straightforward way to enter the world of art collecting/patronage.

This undefined path presents an amazing opportunity for art galleries, auction houses and museums. For the huge names in the art world, there may not be an urgent need to reach out to novice or aspiring collectors: after all, these entities aren’t hurting for sales! But for the entities that are interested in undertaking the challenge of opening the art world to a new kind of patron and clientele, there are several ways to accomplish this. The Guggenheim Museum is leading the way with their Young Collectors Council, a subgroup of museum membership that allows millenials and other inexperienced collectors under the age of 40 to have a more active role in museum acquisitions.

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Young visitor touring Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1969

Other museums, art galleries and auction houses can modify the structure pioneered by the Guggenheim and create their own Collectors Councils to help nurture and develop interest in the art world among those that are inexperienced. Setting aside two or three annual events to be organized by councils and offering mentoring opportunities from senior individuals involved in the organization would be great for collectors that are trying to find their way on the art scene.

Do you all think there are some other ways to increase accessibility in the art world? Let me know in the comments below!

art

Perfect Art for a Butterfly

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Happy Tuesday, loves! Over here on the Bronze Butterfly blog, it goes without saying that I identify with the butterfly, both the insect itself as well as the metamorphosis it undergoes in order to become a beautiful winged creature.

While looking at the Christie’s Paris Instagram account, I think I found a perfect piece to adorn my walls. It’s collectible, it’s antique, and it has butterflies!

The translation of the caption is, “The Dutch Golden Age (1587 – 1702)  was a period of economic prosperity and artistic “outpouring” [I think this means artistic expression] in the Netherlands. Pieter Withoos (1655-1692) was an illustrator that represented [drew/sketched/captured] nature, particularly for albums. Here, the painted uses charcoal, ink and watercolor to realize [recreate] these butterflies and insects that will be on sale on January 30, 2018 in New York.”

If you want to see more about this drawing/painting, you can view the lot here. This sale is accepting online bids, so if you want to gift this to your favorite Bronze Butterfly (hint, hint), you have until January 30th to make it happen LOL! While you’re viewing this lot, go ahead and check out a few of the other items being offered through this huge sale. For those interested in learning more about the Dutch Golden Age, I found a free online course on Open. edu. The course, titled “Dutch Painting of the Golden Age“, even offers a statement of participation when you complete it, as proof of your knowledge. It’s a great opportunity to learn something new!