In Care Of

Do you watch Mad Men? This is one of the best shows on television and if you're not watching it, you're missing out. A not-so-great episode of Mad Men is generally still better than a pretty good episode of most other shows.

The season 6 finale was last night, and after a somewhat slow but significant season, it didn't disappoint. Don sank, Peggy won [then lost then won again], Ted fled, Stan ate a sandwich, Pete crashed, Joan relented, Roger tried, Bob carved, Megan stood her ground, Don came clean, Sally realized, and now, we wait.

The one-liners were particularly sharp, while there are many memorable moments (Ken dancing, Don wah-ing), nothing beats Pete's elevator mini-tantrum.

via Vulture

Bonus: the 36 most GIF-able moments of Mad Men season 6.

Bonus II: Matt Weiner Explains the Hershey Bar

NYC: Then vs. Now

You may have heard of Evan Joseph, or you may not; Joseph is one of New York's leading photographers of architecture, and he took these amazing "now" photos of New York landmarks. I was first introduced to his work via MyModernMet, which is where I borrowed the context for this post: 

Take a journey with us, if you will, back in time to see how one of the most important cities in the world has evolved. Evan Joseph, one of New York's leading photographers of architecture, had previously given as an incredible birds eye view of New York City at night by precariously dangling out of a tiny helicopter. He's now back with a new book called New York Then and Now. Not yet released to the public, this is your sneak peek. 

Out December 3, the book shows how Joseph is still pushing himself, creativity and technically, by meticulously setting up shots to match ones taken in the previous century. Every image in the book was shot from the exact same angle as the historic image it is being compared to. Also, Joseph would go so far as to wait several hours until he could match the lighting. 

Comparing the old and new photos is a wonderful way to experience the beauty of diversity of New York. Not only do we get to see how iconic places like Wall Street, Grand Central, and Union Square have changed, we're presented with a visual story that tells us that while New York's massive skyscrapers have come and gone, the dynamic and energetic feel of the city will live on forever.

Central Park, 1933 vs Now

Grand Central, 1941 vs Now



Union Square North, 1903 vs Now

Columbus Circle, 1912 vs Now

New York Stock Exchange, 1921 vs Now

The Highline, 1950 vs Now

Brooklyn Bridge, 1905 vs Now

East Midtown Skyline (Chrysler Building), 1930 vs Now

World Trade Center, 1976 vs Now

Tip of Manhattan, 1935 vs Now

Evan Joseph's website

The Red Tent

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For one of my book clubs (I'm now in two) we read The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant. The novel is historical fiction, based on the rape of Dinah from the Book of Genesis. I'll be honest, my Bible-knowledge is not what it should be. I was familiar with the story of Dinah, but about halfway through The Red Tent, I went back to my Bible to read the historical account. I appreciated the way Diamant took one page of text and filled an entire book, staying true to both the culture of the times and the original telling of the rape of Dinah.

That said, you don't have to be a Biblical scholar, or even a follower of the Judeo-Christian faith to enjoy this book. At its core, it's the story of a young girl as she comes of age and learns from her mothers and her sisters about the ways of the world and what it means to become a woman at a time when women were treated as a lower class. Initially, I thought the book may be a bit dry, but it was richly woven with anecdotes told from the first-person perspective of Dinah.

The Scream: Follow Up

Yesterday, I shared that one version of Edvard Munch's "The Scream" would be up for auction at Sotheby's, and that the final bid was estimated to be around $80 million.  

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Well, the winning bidder, who has chosen to remain anonymous, ended up shelling out almost $120 million for the infamous work of art ($119,922,500.00, to be exact).  Bidding started at $40 million, and the sale broke the record for the final bid on any work of art, ever.  The second highest bid was a mere $106.5 million for Picasso's "Nude, Green Leaves, and Bust" sold in 2010 at a Christie's auction.  

via

The other three versions of "The Scream" are in Norwegian museums.  This particular version is the most colorful of the four, and it is the only one that includes Munch's poem detailing the inspiration behind the artwork.  From an article detailing the auction:

Norwegian businessman Petter Olsen, whose father was a friend and patron of the artist, said he sold the piece through Sotheby's because he felt "the moment has come to offer the rest of the world the chance to own and appreciate this remarkable work." 

"I have lived with this work all my life, and its power and energy have only increased with time," Olsen said.  

Proceeds from the sale will go toward the establishment of a new museum, art center and hotel in Hvitsten, Norway, where Olsen's father and Munch were neighbors.  

The director of the National Museum in Oslo, Audun Eckhoff, says Norwegian authorities approved the Munch sale since the other versions of the composition are in Norwegian museums. One version is owned by the National Museum and two others by the Munch Museum, also in Oslo.

The Scream

Today, Sotheby's will be auctioning one version of Edvard Munch's notorious series, The Scream, with some experts estimating a final bid of more than $80 million, the highest presale amount Sotheby's has ever set.  Many people are familiar with "The Scream," but what many people don't know is that the artist actually created four versions of the "face that launched 1,000 therapists."

"The Scream" has an intriguing history that includes mental illness, theft, and too-many-to-count pop culture references. Munch suffered from severe anxiety, and himself described his inspiration for the painting:

"I was walking along a path with two friends — the sun was setting — suddenly the sky turned blood red — I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence — there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city — my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety — and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature "

It will be interesting to see who places the winning bid.

The Chelsea Hotel

Sometimes you read a story that enthralls you so that you simply want to share it.  Other times, you read a quick history lesson and want to share that, too.  Thanks to my friend Tara, I have been introduced to the legend that is The Chelsea Hotel in New York's Chelsea neighborhood, stomping grounds to everyone from Bob Dylan to Mark Twain to Joni Mitchell.  As someone who has only been to Manhattan once (I know...), I was not familiar with the hotel or its history--and a history it has.  Take a look at the hotel's blog and at some of the changes that the hotel is undergoing; seems a shame that the future of such a venerable building and incubator of some of America's great artists is so uncertain.

Want

As High Point Market recently concluded, lots of bloggers have been posting their favorite showrooms and design trends featuring at the annual marketplace.  While I'm not currently decorating my home (or anyone else's), and since I haven't yet figured out how to cultivate a money tree (mine keeps dying from over-watering), I still have fun looking at the pictures and pretending.  And then I saw this table (bar?) and realized that I must have it (in my pretend house).  I love the rustic lines and texture of the table with the simple addition of a metal basin, perfect for planting or chilling.

This piece is from Century, and overall I really enjoyed the rest of their showroom(s).  Pictures above and below from Coco + Kelly.

Industrial Pink

I really appreciate a space that combines different aesthetics for an eclectic look that still makes sense.  If you were a fan of the now-defunct Domino, or if you currently read Lonny or Rue, then you know what I mean.  I love this industrial loft (via) that is outfitted with some decidedly feminine touches without going over-the-top-girly.  The contemporary touches like the stainless steel dining table and the neutral wall color keeps the bright pink (honeysuckle, perhaps?) grounded and in proportion with the other design elements. 

Book Love

Unless you've been living on Venus (I've always wanted to visit) for the past several months, you have seen the clothbound editions of Penguin Classics.  Being a book-lover and an admirer of great design, I immediately fell in love.  I refrained from posting about these new versions because they were literally everywhere--newspapers, blogs, magazines, and retailers (like my beloved Anthropologie) all gushed over the modern designs.  I'm a classicist; I don't give in much to trends (I am finally, finally, embracing animal print), and my favorite color palette for almost anything is black and white, with gray thrown in for variety; however, I can no longer abstain from showcasing these beauties on this here blog because I think they are really, really pretty.  (Not that I had any averse feelings toward the vintage-y orange-and-black covers!)  PLUS, OneKingsLane is having a sale on some aesthetically-similar-but-completely-different hard-cover books from Random House, and I just couldn't resist sharing.

DC 2010 Tweed Ride

The second annual D.C. Tweed Ride is Sunday, November 14 this year, only a few days away.  If you're asking yourself, "What exactly is a tweed ride?", look no further than the official website of the Dandies and Quaintrelles, organizers of the event.

Dandies & Quaintrelles (est. 2009), a Washington, DC based social group, organizes and hosts vintage-inspired, stylish events in partnership with and in support of noble causes. D&Q is founded on the ideals of refined style and purposeful living. For more information, contact us.

Tweed rides have been gaining popularity in recent years, and while it's no high-heeled drag queen race, it's sure to be a fun time for those participating.  A Washington Post article from last year states, "This costumed lark may be a thread in a broader trend--a cyclical return to old-fashioned cocktails and chandelier lighting and waistcoats--that is nurturing a new brand of masculinity (rugged but elegant and old-world American) from the slick ashes of the European metrosexual."

Click here to see pictures from last year's ride, and here's to hoping that the weather holds up for these stylish cyclists!