TRAFFIC JAM: The Art of Living & Driving

There are few things that make me more upset...

furious, ticked off, annoyed, aggravated, cross, heated, vexed, irritable, wrathful, outraged, hot

and ROYALLY PISSED OFF,

than driving...

and traffic jams.

As we drive through life, we run into a lot more than just the average bump in the road. Challenges can get us into accidents. It's easy to feel like we are blocked in from every angle. 

Sometimes,

our life's flow of traffic,

feels more like drowning.

Playing with this analogy turned a long day, and an even longer drive home, into motivation to blog. I love when that happens :) Tonight's post is...

The Art of Mastering Life & Driving:

Rule #1: Yield to others.

This is as simple as, do unto others as you would have done to yourself. It's a lot easier to get ahead when you cut off everyone else to get there. Loose two seconds of your time and let someone else get ahead of you. You never know when you will be the one in line,

in desperate need to get by.

Rule #2: Pay attention to the signs.

When we are forced to choose between our impulses, and our better judgement, life sends us signs, with words of caution.  Life finds ways to answer you when you are plagued with questions. If you don't pay attention, you will pass them by.

Rule #3: Set limits for yourself.

There is a time and a place for everything. More often than not, we over look limitations that can be helpful, just because there is no one around to enforce them. Over indulgence in the individual creates a breeding ground for inadequacy in the spirit. Setting limits creates a balance in your life. There are times to speed up,

and times to slow it down.

There are so many ways to get to the same place. 

Life is your own personal road trip, so drive safely. 

When you make a wrong turn, there isn't always a detour. 

Sometimes, 

we have to backtrack,

and we get stuck in traffic. 

Remember that even the worst traffic dies down eventually. Red lights are temporary,

Wait for the green light,

and GO.

WARNING- FRAGILE: A Little Piece of Me, For You.

The Anatomy of A Stranger

by Daniella Mia Piantini

[Click to Enlarge]

There is a stranger in my midst,

I'm not sure what to do.

As for me, it's come to this,

to ask some things of you.

You have two hands,

I have them too.

If hands like these were made to touch,

Will you feel with me?

The way the grass feels the sun's caress

at the early break of day.

You have two feet,

and so do I.

If feet like these were made to step,

will you take a walk with me?

Down the street,

and past my house,

until the skies behind us melt to pink.

You have two eyes,

as do we both.

If eyes like these were made to see,

will you find yourself in mine?

and loose yourself in their affection...

You have two lips,

two like my own.

If lips like these were made to kiss, 

will yours escape to meet with mine,

and stay with me a while?

And,

If minds like these were made to discover,

will you explore with me,

to see what else we find along the way?

"To my stranger with the stuck B, I've loved you always."

-Daniella Mia

Spray It, But Don't Say It: Part Duex

What an incredible morning! I definitely snuck into the back of some abandoned buildings where I totally was NOT allowed :]

This...

is what I found.

I'm not sure of the artist, I didn't recognize their tag. Still, is this not great?!?

Do NOT fuck with the guy in the suit. He is really mean.

Going further in I saw this piece...

And then this one...

Below: A piece by MSG.

In another part of downtown, where I was a lot less likely to get bitten by a crackhead, 

I saw these:

Above: Piece by MSG.

Below: I'm not sure who did this one.

Below: A piece by TBD.

Then, on the next street over, with nothing else around worth photographing,

was this:

(Above: MSG Throw Up.)

Not too long ago, MSG lost a young crew member to a brutal, and tragic fight.

His tag, was Ynot.

I was so touched when I saw this. After reading the Miami New Times article on Ynot's passing, I knew this had to be the work of his crew. This tag was not there a month ago, although Ynot had already been killed. 

I don't know much about MSG, or the graffiti world for that matter. Neither do most people, which I think is probably the basis of its appeal. It is the fleeting nature of graffiti which sparks my curiosity, and triggers my intrigue. We pass pieces on abandoned buildings, and throw ups on highways, without giving them much thought. Now, on the walls where a young artist once laid his claim, we find his remembrance under the shadows. 

What I got most from seeing this was just how many ways individuals can express themselves. Art's potential is limited only by the artist, nothing more. So to those who have recently told me they have been inspired to try new things, and you know who you are, go for it. The only difference between yourself and, "talented" artists, is how you express your thoughts, and the ways you allow your creativity to manifest itself. 

When it comes down to letting it out, some people spray it, but don't say it.

For more on Ynot, visit: Miami New Times: Ynot.

For more on MSG, visit their blog at: http://www.msgcartel.blogspot.com/

This Week's Fashion Tip: Chunky, Clunky Heels.

Chunky,

Clunky

Heels.

They remind me of Clueless and Empire Records.

More specifically, of Gina's clogs!!

Shoes: Steven

Desperate Housewife.

(Click to enlarge)

One more swig of this, and I won't be able to see straight.

Working late? Please. You're probably with her right now. Do you think I'm stupid Bradley? They've seen you two running around Manhattan, flaunting yourselves. 

I remember when that was us. I remember you loved me then. You thought I was beautiful then. I guess that was before I turned forty, and before you hired a secretary whose tits hadn't been hijacked by gravity yet.

17 years of marriage and this is the shit I get? After everything I've done for you. Slaving away day after day so you can build up your career. Don't give me that "But I buy you whatever you want" rhetoric.

I hate it.

I hate this Park Avenue penthouse.

I hate my red Maserati.

I hate my catalogued jewelry.

I'll be gone by the time you read this, not that you'll even notice. Not after all the times you told me how you wished I'd just leave already. I left dinner in the microwave, and your dry cleaning is on your side of the bed. 

If you're still reading this, you gotten to the bathtub yet. 

You know where the mop is. Clean up your own mess this time.

-Your Desperate Housewife.

"What do I love most about Fashion...

the stories it tells."

Jacket: 1980's Vintage Fur

Shoes: Rebecca Taylor

The little things.

As I was walking to my car tonight, I noticed they were putting up the Christmas lights in my mall. Entering the parking garage, I looked up and saw these twinkling stars. It was one of those work days, and I never would have expected such a minor detail to cheer me up. It reminded me of little days. I remembered how much I've always loved the first cold day of the season. I remembered this time of the year when I was in high school. So before I left, I took a picture of the sparkling lights. 

[click to enlarge]

I got in my car and drove away smiling.

Sometimes, you gotta love the little things that brighten up your mood.

HANDMADES: One of a kind scarves designed by Patty Serna.

A handmade, one of a kind scarf by Patty Serna.

For pricing and information, visit her at http://simplyscarves.blogspot.com/

Magic Lamps and Pillow Talk.

I'm in the process of redecorating my bedroom, so today I went looking for a new lamp. I didn't find anything that satisfied what I was looking for, but check these out for some great decorating ideas!

 This one had writing all throughout the interior of the lamp shade and a wooden base.

I think these were supposed to be cherry blossoms painted on the lamps. The loved the texture of the lamp shades. When it comes to lamps, I think the shade is the most important part.

Below: More funky lamp shades. These are a little more modern than the last two. 

Not my style, but still very pretty.

Pffffft.... why I did not spin the lamp shade to avoid the seam is beyond me at this point, lol.

 Above: This one had a ridiculous lamp shade which I refused to photograph, 

but the base speaks for itself.

Above: Love it!!!

Now....

These pillows,

are a different story.

As I have been creating the look for my new room, I have decided that I love the distinction of contrasting rather than matching. Most things will be white, but the accents will have a variety of colors. Most of them will incorporate white, and they will be filled with patterns and colors that play off each other, rather than looking like a set.

 Above & Below: The front pillows both have either white or cream, and these lovely shades of light greens.

This is the perfect example of what I want to do. Look how great these two completely different pillows look together!!!!...... Okay yea, I bought the green one.

Bedtime Story.

Nyctophobia is an acute fear, 

prompted by the mind's disfigured perception of what would or could happen when in the dark. 

I know this because I just googled it.

Someone close to me always says, that most of our fears never even come into fruition. Still, fear is such an interesting creature. Our fears can be quite the opponents. Cunning and experienced, how strategically our fears map out our geographical disadvantages, then forge ahead to conquer us. They don't bind, but rather they consume us, from the inside out. I wonder if the Nychtophobic is really scared of what's hidden behind the black, or just intimidated by what they don't know. Once the switch gets flipped, would their fears just... disappear?

When dark times evoke the cowardice within us, does shedding light on them reveal a monster, 

or sometimes,

 are we just afraid of the dark?

Spray it, don't say it.

Tag up on a construction barricade by one of the most notorious graffiti crews in the city.

Miami Style Graffiti.

I have been jones-ing to take this picture, and today I finally remembered to bring my camera with me to class. Of all of the art forms I enjoy, I have become fascinated by graffiti. This rebel of the art world will escape to find validation on this blog frequently from here on out. 

Oh... and I totally almost got run over taking this picture :-/

The rest of today's outfit.

Lovin Lanvin

I have an affinity for sunglasses. I just got these yesterday and I loooove them! They are mini-avi's (aviators).

Glasses: Lanvin

Necklace: Cartier

   Bra: Ella Macphereson

Belt: Vintage YSL

Extra flavor with my coffee: Enter Kristen.

I was getting my coffee this morning at the local Starbucks and thank goodness I had my camera with me! Kristen was in line ahead of me and I went bananas over her outfit. She looked amazing, and her glowing personality was her best accessory. The print of her skirt was beautiful. Not to mention these great, chunky bangles just above her Quasi-Chanel chain bag. I told her I had started a blog and asked her if I could take her picture. Clearly she smiled and obliged my request. Kristen, you totally made my day!

The Feminist Frontier: Neo-Edwardian Booties!!

Shout out to Momma Dukes who totally treated me to these! I fell in love with them instantly, (and who wouldn't?!). They remind me of early America, almost like a Neo-Edwardian style. I think they're romantic :) 

Big ups to sunny afternoons :)

Shoes BCBG.