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