Hello, Gorgeous!

If you’re a new reader, “Hello, Gorgeous!” posts are a round-up of beautiful, random links that are making me smile this week. Enjoy!

Jackson Pollock, Modern Art was CIA weapon

Why did the CIA support them? Because in the
propaganda war with the Soviet Union, this new artistic movement
could be held up as proof of the creativity, the intellectual freedom,
and the cultural power of the US.

Without getting terribly political (at least for the moment), let me just say that I alway knew art could be used to change the world. The Independent ran a great article on how the CIA did just that during the Cold War.

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Mica Hendricks

“If she gets bored, we’ll do something else.
Yesterday, she wanted to be a superhero…”

Earlier this week, I heard an interview with artist Mica Angela Hendricks. She’s the mom who has gained some recent popularity by collaborating with her 4-year-old daughter on some really funky portraits. As it turns out, she wrote about the experience for Huffington Post that is worth a read. I especially love the lessons she shares at the end.

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Dr. Seuss "Nerd"

Did you know that Shakespeare invented the word “swagger?” Or that “Wendy” wasn’t really a name until J.M. Barrie? If not, you’ll love this article on Hello Giggles: 8 Everyday Words Invented by Famous Authors.

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If you’ve ever attended Fashion Week, you know these people. In fact, you may have been these people. After my week’s commentary on the runways, it seems only appropriate to share…

Hello, Gorgeous!

Just a little random link guaranteed to totally brighten your day! Enjoy!

Eloise reimagined by writer-illustrator Joanna Avillez for New York Magazine

I cannot get enough of writer-illustrator Joanna Avillez’s interpretation of one of my favorite literary stars: Eloise, for New York Magazine’s Childhood in New York series. (The series is totally worth digging into when you get a chance with stories from legends like Mel Brooks, Joan Rivers, & Barbara Walters just to name a few.)

So what would happen if Eloise was currently growing up in Brooklyn’s famed Wythe Hotel? She’d tip with Adderall and run a killer instagram account… Naturally.

Click here to check out Joanna’s site or follow her on Twitter.

What Are You Reading?

The Duke of Devonshire Taking a Nap in the Library at Chatsworth, Shot by Christopher Sykes

This afternoon, over on English Muse, I shared some beautiful little reading rooms and posed the question “Where do you read?” I got several responses on the blog and on Twitter, which eventually (& I suppose inevitably) turned into a “What are you reading?” conversation. So I thought I’d share a few of the lovely books I’ve been delving into for the past few days.

1.) Oddfellow’s Orphanage by the lovely Miss Emily Winfield Martin

I prefer children’s books to just about anything else, and this one in particular is right up my alley. It’s the most magical book I’ve ever read, and when I finish it (right after I post this), I will probably just start at chapter 1 again. An added bonus? Delicate, beautiful illustrations by the author.

Visit the Oddfellow’s Orphanage site.

2.) Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of Country Life by Julia Rothman

When I heard Julia Rothman on Grace Bonney’s podcast “After the Jump” last month, I knew I had to get this book. It’s a beautiful illustrated guide to the farm–from the combs of the roosters to the layers of the soil–created by a Brooklyn artist who happened to marry a Nebraska farm boy. How sweet is that?

Visit Julia’s site.

*Please Note: If you are a lover of illustrations, you should add both of these books to your collection as soon as you can. You can thank me later!

3.) You Can’t Drink All Day If You Don’t Start in the Morning by Celia Rivenbark

This book is next on my list, but I haven’t started yet. It’s been recommended by multiple people so I’m very anxious to get started. From what I understand it is funny, has short enough chapters to keep me engaged, and has numerous tasty recipes throughout. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Visit Celia’s site.