Outdoor Sculpture Makes a Real Statement

My trip to Santa Fe was breathtaking! I took in art galleries and venues all over the city. My favorite, of course, is Canyon Road. You can easily stroll from one end to the other with the most stunning range of artistic talents on display at every turn. I was speechless with the breadth of inspiration and creativity. While it would be tough to get pictures inside the galleries (artists often fear plagiarism and unfortunately rightly so,) the works outdoors were so numerous and fun I couldn’t resist a last look and photo tour my final day in town. I can imagine nothing so wonderful as one day having a property with enough land for a true sculpture garden and being able to include such unique works as the giant ant or scorpion in bronze, the Amazonian rabbit straight out of Watership Down, or the rusted iron worked goats and sheep just waiting for a hillside with an incredible mountain view.

It’s Not How Good You Are…

It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be, Paul Arden

I love this book and recommend it to all I meet. It was only a 45 minute read and I will reread it many times over. Arden was Executive Creative Director for ad giant Saatchi & Saatchi for many years; he has a dry wit and even managed to include illustrations of a New Yorker brilliance. This is truly the pocket guide to making the most of who you are and what you want. He makes the unthinkable suddenly possible for those usually too timid to imagine. Filled with original and rational answers to ordinary questions, this book doesn’t show you your path, but it does inspire you to stay on it when you have it!

Real Decorating for Real People

Real Decorating for Real People, Shari Hiller and Matt Fox

This is a great book for an DIYer. Decorating is divvied up by the room and then each room by the “what’s right,” “what’s wrong,” “let’s get started” list making, “fixes,” and “projects.” Taken from their TV success this book is easy to follow and well laid out. The ideas are creative and fixes simple, generally speaking, with step by step instruction for more complex projects. Before and After photos are always a bonus.