It's one of the most primal art forms that inspires with a wild, passionate intensity.

Sex remains a source of endless fascination. Chemistry can come in many forms and when you least expect it, you can indulge the romantic or the erotic, either way, it is always intoxicating.

One woman who pioneered her world and her writing in this direction was Anais Nin. Considered a leader of the Feminist movement, her diaries of sensual situations and unconventional sexual relationships captured the imagination of women everywhere, and she has stood the test of time as a culture figure of a glamorous, sexually empowered woman.

Her most famous partner was the writer Henry Miller. known for his erotic, controversial novels as well. Together they published a book "A Literary Passion" which contained intimate details from love letters exchanged between the two.

She became a style icon as well as a literary icon, one of the first to embrace boho chic, with gypsy-like skirts, veils and scarves with peasant blouses, along with lacey flowing dresses and ballerina chic, with fitted neck lines and flats.

              happy 90th birthday to my red-headed grandmother who dreamt of being an actress onscreen with the likes of dick powell and tyrone power. she became a wife and worked as a beautician, had three girls in a two-family home she shared with her sister, lillian, who had a son in the bronx in the 1940's. she embodied the style of her times, with feminine outfits and white gloves in the 50's and beehives, plaid pants and big earrings throughout the 60's and 70's. she vacationed in maine, florida, virginia and spain, mostly the canary islands, and got to see blaze starr striptease.

              she lived the rest of her life near her growing family in yorktown heights, new york then later on in boynton beach, florida. there is nothing like the objects and memories one has that has been passed on by a grandmother.

              we all love and miss you xo

 getting eyelash extentions done again. taking the train to soho and preparing to lie down with my eyes taped shut for two hours, a process that feels very egyptian-like. the way they lasted and the effect of thicker lashes that i just had to brush out in the morning made for an easy and simple beauty routine. 

the difference little tricks and enhancements can do- recently discovered this method of painting a line along the crease- creating a hooded look for the eye- a style popularized by greta garbo then used by 60's icon sharon tate, or exaggerated as a cat eye-line for pop models edie sedgwick and twiggy.

the neiman marcus christmas catalog has arrived! once or twice a year i invest in a few pieces- usually something by designer eileen fisher. her colors are so simple and earthy, and the cuts are classic and can be dolled up or kept simple. ordered a  three quarter-sleeve jersey like dress in two colors, black and scarlet, and a tunic with a ballet neckline in fig. she also sponsors programs for young girls and is environmentally-conscious, always a plus!

living in a small town has it's finer points, one of which is all the mom and pop owned shops- especially those that exist within an artistic community. there was this gallery/gift shop, gallifmaufry, down in town near the railroad station- in a split-level ranch style building that was very 1970's, which also had a health food store and cafe and a toy store of wooden objects. i remember the soothing sound of the waterfalls they ran in the store, the smell of burning candles and incense, and the excitement of  going thru the new stuff on display. it was a real artisan shop, an authentic toy store of wonders- so fun to grow up with.

http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/16/nyregion/crafts-store-featuring-top-artisans-is-closing.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm

ah- the basement of a new york city building! so much can be discovered- this lovely parasol was part of a collection that was being discarded by a woman who was moving to brazil and cleaning out her locker. there were those colored little buttons from the metropolitan museum of art which are now discontinued, many rugs, took a small one with butterflies for my hall, and a lovely red glass-blown vase that was perfect for my peacocks feathers that was placed on the windowsill. the oriental rug was also found.

goodbye fall

                        

was making my way uptown for my sunday route of visiting the farmers market near the planetarium. there i get a dozen cage-free farm eggs with no additives and packed with omegas, as well as a honey goat cheese with lavendar. the temperature dip was noticeable, and walking thru the 30 below weather i made a mental note to stock up.

recently got into the habit of having a cup of hot water with lemon first thing in the morning. the fruit is liver-supporting, packed with vitamin c and helps the cleansing process through the body. meyer lemons are back in season and have a sweet, delicious taste.

there is nothing like entering a shop and being transported to another world. have so many memories as a kid from the 70's when there was so much mysticism going on and all the silver and feathers and gem stones. love going to namaste on 14th street and lingering for a while. very peaceful atmosphere where the answers can be found.

had just returned from the last of a 3-day shoot on a tv show out in long beach, long island. it was so nice to be near the ocean! got back and found this lovely item lingering in the basement of my apartment building and feel in love. just a few imperfections and chips but got rid of this dark wooded clunky piece and replaced it with light and reflection. the sculpture of a lady and the mirror on top were found as well.

 found myself writing a description of my apartment to a local photographer and really started noticing the bohemian feel of the place, pulled together by a collection of found objects. I've always thought finding things that way was being in line with a cosmic order, and some of my most prized possessions were found. 

this chair I nabbed as soon as this guy put it out on the street near my place, and the rich red velvety texture works so well with the mahogany wood-carved frame. the mirror to the left was found down the hall, and the two posters behind were purchased at a frame/art store that i worked at in ossining, new york. 

the boa is authentic ostrich and was found at the elephant's trunk, a women's clothing and bridal shop on main street that was known for it's collection of antique gowns, costumes, evening wear and jewelry in mount kisco. founded by hippies it started out in 1970 with items of the times-funky clothes like tied-dyed shirts and faded jeans, indian jewelry with lava lamps and incense sticks. it had an attic full of halloween stuff all year long, and carried the most gorgeous lace items and dresses. it was in a turn of the century white building that was a hotel space and a barn for carriage horses. it burnt down in 2000.

*have been hearing a lot of talk about collagen lately. picked up the St.Ives "Timeless Skin" Collagen Elastin Moisturizer- which promises to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

then there is the M.E.L.T. Method classes I've been taking at my gym, created by Sue Hitzman which, through massaging certain key points on the body, hydrates the connective tissue. there are so many benefits to this- relief from pain, better posture, a sense of well-being, reduction of wrinkles and cellulite (!) and stimulates collagen production. this is definitely worth checking out.

last but not least is the silky Illuminage Skin Rejuvenating Pillowcase, available at Bergdorf Goodman, which is woven with copper oxide fibers that claim to boost collagen and elastin production while you sleep.

try all three to stop the aging process in it's tracks!

from a show a few years ago

so today is the sunday that I drive up the saw mill river highway, along the hudson, and go visit a property in yorktown heights that hosts an annual art show. there are always seasonal food offerings amidst the displayed items and a beautiful home with gorgeous sweeping views of the hudson valley that are especially lovely now with the bright autumn colors.

heading downtown to fifth avenue for a blow-dry with a student at the sunny

 butterfly salon. they always make my hair long and glossy, perfect for all the window shopping afterwards.

                                             tim walker vogue italia


lovely autumn is back! the cool, crisp weather, the harvest holidays, dressing-up for halloween....the candy rush and the pumpkins and apples! one of my favorite activities is going to one of the last remaining cider mills in my hometown of croton-on-hudson, new york. out here in the vast wooded area behind the croton dam is an orchard on a sloping property with a home and a small cottage in back where they sell the cider and pastries.http://www.thompsonscidermill.com/

did some research into this grand lady and it is said that she was "ambitiously" mistressed to the likes of julius caesar and mark anthony- two of the most powerful men of rome.

                                  Cleopatra's Needle, Central Park, NYC


 was in the namaste bookshop down on 14th street when the metropolitian museum of art liked my cleopatra pin on pinterest. i was flattered at being noticed by them (maybe they did notice me, maybe they did not) and told the guy who was helping me explore and look for answers. then he mentioned this obelisk, the first time i had heard of this version, and that standing in front of it was mystically cleansing and gave you good vibes.

the courtney akai eyelash salon

 followed my instincts that this was really a top place and made an appointment with vivian. the salon was in an apartment building downtown, a cute little space with pink walls and chandeliers and an all-over girly feel. vivian was great and i sat on a comfy table while she applied the extensions. for weeks i felt gorgeous and needed no mascara. my new beauty-go-to.

Lashes at Chanel

have always wanted to play around with fake eyelashes- they were such a beauty enchancer and very sixties chic- had bought myself a pair of "andrea" ones at the pharmacy but never tried it. then the day came that i was called out to jones beach for the film "men in black" and for my role as an astronaut's wife circa 1969 I wore a gridle beneath an orange fitted dress, had my hair teased halfway up into a beehive, and big, heavy black lashes on my eyelids. was so happy to be that dressed up, and got some nice headshots afterwards. 

next came my photoshoot with a local photographer for my portfolio- i brought little ones that extended the last lashes by shu uermura. 

around christmas i felt like treating myself and searched for the deal that gave you a sleek black case with a mirror compartment along with two refills of the mascara by guerlain, eventually finding it at saks fifth avenue.

but by far the best experience was getting extensions. i had received many groupon deals for places in the city so did some research and found the reviews  were shaky at best. then i came across a place and had great recommendations across the board.

Dry-Bar: a must-go

so was stretching in yoga when I got an email, could I come for in a wash, style and curl at 3:30 pm? had been in communication with different salons since using salonapprentice.com and sometimes would receive messages like this to be a model. had a day off and went for a stroll in central park, making it through the last humidity of the season across town to 76th street on the east side. 

the salon was a like little buttercup- with colors of white and yellow and little sweets and candies everywhere. it got more lush as you made your way back amongst the bunches of yellow roses, gilded mirrors and black and white photos of classic movie stars like grace kelly, catherine deneuve and marilyn monroe the hung, framed on he walls. diamonds are a girls best friend and alicia silverstone's clueless playing on the big flat tv screen. 

jachelle was practicing her technique and blew my hair then curled it with a curling iron, all the while my ipod was charging in a socket. was offered water with lemon and chamomile and then given a yellow umbrella when I left to preserve my movie-star styled hair. for a hour i was in high hair heaven.