Oh Frank!

I had such warm and fuzzy feelings about Frank Lloyd Wright, having visited his family home in Oak Park where he lived with his first wife and six children in the late 1890's and early 1900's.  There was the wonderful, over sized playroom with the grand piano placed strategically in the wall which then hung by a hook over the back staircase; the choir loft with three rows to accomodate a growing brood; the raised ceiling and warm lighting.  He seemed like a real family man.

But then I became curious about Frank.  Seems he sort of "abandoned" his family to take up with a few other women, one of whom he eventually married after cavorting in Europe.

Architectural genius?  Absolutely.  Winner of the Father of the Year award?  Definitely not.

But if you get a chance to stroll through Oak Park, put it on your Chicago To Do List.

Chicago weekend

Chicago.  What a wonderful city.  I really have to admit I was quite impressed. 

Most of you know me. I like nice hotels.  It sounds like a bit of a confession and I guess it is.  I would prefer the Four Seasons to the Holiday Inn.  A nice marble tub to a plastic shower.  500-count Egyptian sheets to scratchy, nasty blankets.  Room service over a vending machine. 

Is that so wrong?

So, is it any wonder that we spent a night at The Drake?  It is one of those historic, iconic hotels that makes you feel good just to pass through the front door (where you are greeted by a monstrous bouquet and an expansive lobby).  

We only had time for the girls to order 11 pm room service while we grabbed a drink at Coq D'Or.  But that bed was oh so nice.  And the lobby.  And the friendly concierge.  And the flowers.  Did I mention the sheets?

Packing, Repacking....

Seems like I am always packing, unpacking, repacking, packing, unpacking.  So, now I'm going to write down a list of all of my must have items, as a checklist for me to have next time I get ready to embark.  I really should do the same thing for the kids, but it's just too darn exhausting:

My IPOD: Definitely need some new tunes but it's a keeper.

My Bose headphones:  When Brad bought these for me a few years ago, I thought they were tremendously overpriced.  Worth every last darn penny. Love 'em.

Eye mask: Yep..I put it on a few minutes after take off on the long hauls.

My pashmina: Love my big purple one which I can wrap around me like a blanket.

My small Acer: I can fit it in my purse....wonderful. 

Accessories galore: I'll admit it.  I'm an accessories whore.  I have about 20 necklaces from different countries, am amassing an equal in number ring collection and oh yes, then there are my large bangles.  I  am one of those girls who believes strongly in accessorizing.

At least 2 cotton shawls:  One from Egypt and one from Mexico are my current faves.

My favorite t-shirt:  Magnolia Bakery from NYC. 

Oodles of small bottles and perfume samples: Thanks to the Jo Malone counter at Nordstrom and my endless quest for the perfect travel lotions from Duty Free, I'm all stocked up in that department, thank you very much.

One groovy dress or tunic:  Always comes in handy.

From Burqas to the beach

Thanks to all of you last week for your comments on- and off-line about the burqa column in the Washington Post.  As one of you put it, it is affecting 2,000 women in France -- but the implications are much larger than that.  To be continued...

But for the weekend, we ran away to Fire Island. This is what life there is all about. 

"Burqa Rage"

Michael Gerson has an opinion piece in today's Washington Post about the controversy swirling in Europe over the banning of head coverings.  I've never lived or worked in Afghanistan but know many women who have -- and they pretty universally see it as a symbol of oppression and subservience.

Is the burqa really a reasonable expression of religious freedom, particularly when it serves to subjugate women?

I'd love to hear from some of my friends who live in Europe and can shed further light on this.  As well as those who can fill me in on the benefits of the burqa.

Amman Fashion

I went to the souk on my last day in Amman, not so much to buy anything but to wonder past its limitless items -- shoes, socks, gold chains and rings, dresses, blankets, dried spices and herbs, plastic tubs.  And some interesting women's fashions.  I find places like Jordan a bit confusing.  

It's not all one way or the other -- extremely conservative or extremely liberal, which would make the study of women's choices and decisions about covering their heads and/or faces so much easier.

Some of these ladies, particularly in the drab, featureless "coats," looked particularly stoic.  I wonder if they felt what many women in Amman felt, who were at home and not out amongst the souk where I walked in my western dress.

As for me, I was mostly interested in those gowns with lots of jangling coins and bright colors.

If not Amman, then Bangkok

I almost didn't come to Amman. I was almost in Bangkok.

Well, it would never have happened given the violent events there these last few weeks.  A colleague and his wife came from the traumatized city; evacuated from their home in the "red zone" a few days before he left.  He's not sure what awaits him when he gets back.

These photos were taken just steps from his apartment before government forces moved in.

A much different city awaits him upon his return; and any of us going back.

Day 2, Amman

My colleague, Steve, went out today to do what I love to do -- visit a local village, eat a homecooked meal and interact with the "real" people. Unfortunately, I was stuck in a hotel conference room.

He is filming a short video about a community water project in Jordan.  Jordan has severe water constraints -- it is the 4th dryest country in the world.  What does that mean? Rivers are drying up.  Crops are dying.  People don't have drinking water.  Many have traditionally felt that it was in "Allah's hands."

But one project funded by USAID is allowing commuities to make their own decisions about rain collection points -- to feed livestock, to provide fresh drinking water and to water crops.

Last night, we sat with 2 Jordanians who work on the project -- it was inspiring.  This is exactly the type of project we should be investing in as tax payers.

Wanderlusting in Jordan

Jordan snuck up on me on the calendar.  And then I was off.  On the plane...over to London...a nice stop at Terminal 1...and then on another plane to Amman which would leave me in a sleep-induced haze as I arrived to the throngs of European tourists and WANA conference attendees. 

But there awaits the beautiful city of Amman. Its white washed facades. Its dry heat.  Its desert feel.  Its warm people and wonderful food.

My time here is short.  My free time even shorter. How will I fill it in between training at this conference?

Perhaps looking for more of this simple beauty.

Happy Mother's Day

To all my fellow mothers out there far and wide.  Young and old.  About-to-be and about-to-be empty nesters.  To my sisters  and sisters-in-law. To my best friends.  To my mother.  To Grandma Henny.  To those who are in my heart forever, Ruth June. 

You inspire, nurture, cajole, direct, soothe, mentor, tutor, hug, soothe, heal and motivate.

You are simply wonderful.  Happy Mother's Day! 

And, of course, to my little ones.  Thank you for giving me the chance to celebrate today!

1930s beach house...renovation

I am so excited. We are finally going to do a bit of renovation on our beach house kitchen.  The house was built in the late 1930s and has a beach house, vintage feel to it -- with lots of bright colors thrown into the mix. 

I've been surfing the web for some design ideas -- open shelving, a pass thru to the dining room and definitely some new retro appliances. Here are a few of my ideas. Send me more if you come across anything.





(P.S. One of these is from Fire Island!)

A Mexican Wedding

The sun was setting on the Tulum beach when the lively Mexican wedding party descended in their finest.  There was a slight breeze as Abby and I rushed to see the bride say her vows.

But then I heard their giggles as the surf lapped at their barefeet.

They stole the show that day as the weeping bride and happy groom said "si." 

 

A Place I'd Like to Wander....

There are some places I'd like to go.  Many of them, in fact.  There are big countries and small countries.  Very hot (India) and very cold (Russia).  Very remote (Bhutan) and mysterious (Libya).  And then just fascinating politically and culturally (Iran). 

And then there are some hotels, spas and resorts I just lust after. This is one of them.  Lebombo Singita. 

Once you look at the pictures, need I say more?

Sipping Espresso....anywhere in Europe, please

It's spring, thank goodness.  While the cherry blossoms have peaked in D.C., I'm always reminded this time of year of the wonders of cafes in Europe.  I spent my fair amount of time pondering the political situation in Serbia and Croatia, discussing boyfriend woes and generally kvetching with friends over many a machiatto in the cafes of Zagreb and Belgrade. It always amazed me how long Europeans can linger over a single cup of coffee. Ahhhh.

Thought you would enjoy this photo of Abby sipping her first espresso at a sidewalk cafe in Budapest a few years back.  Like mother, like daughter -- thank heavens.

Colorful Mexico

On our perfect days in Mexico, there were perfect colors. Perfect mango and salmon hues.

Tasty yellows and reds.

Brilliant blues of sea and sky.

And a mixture of all those primary colors.

Not to forget the greens.

Or the simple crisp whites.

Frida Here, Frida There and then some more to buy

She gazes at you from high above. Sometimes from down below.  From a wooden box. From a matchbox. From a mirror.  From a frame.  Frida is everywhere in Tulum and you can't help but feel a certain affection, bordering on pity,  for this poor woman whose face graces so many commercial items here in Mexico. 

Frida suffers from commercial exploitation.   But there are other faces which keep her company.  Aside from Frida, there are the revolutionaries, of course. 

And then the ubiquitous masks and skulls.

All faces of Mexico in some form or another.