Things I Love....combined!

It's almost like Design*Sponge felt my love from South Beach and responded in kind....check out part 1 of their design guide to Miami:

Not only does the author (I almost wrote "other" which makes me feel like I'm back in an undergrad critical reading course....) point out some great places, but she also has some smart observations about Miami.  Even in my short time here I've found it to be a fascinating and complex city that goes far beyond the rampant stereotypes about beaches, fake boobs, and men in white suits.

Things I Love: Miami

After two weeks here, I think I can finally say I am starting to love Miami.  I know it's still the honeymoon period, but I HAVE been visiting sporadically for the last few years, so it's not totally out of the blue...Why?  Well, I guess it's a combination of things - could be the good food, the amazing weather, the multicultural/global presence, and especially the fact that there is SO much going on.  It's like a combination of the last two places I've lived in that it's a major city (Boston) but also people are outside and social (Old San Juan).  Unfortunately I left my digital camera in Boston and so I'm stranded down here with just my cell!

[Art Basel, South Beach, Miami, 2008]  Last night, thanks to the lovely Roxy, I went to a few Art Basel events - the people watching (one of my all time favorite activities) was incredible. Maybe the best people watching ever, seriously.  Models with old men, amazingly posh art scene people that looked like caricatures of themselves, wanna be rock stars, overly Botoxed socialites....it was great.  Today is the start of the actual festival so I think this weekend will be packed - but entertaining - on Miami Beach.

[Miami Art Museum Book Fair, Downtown Miami, 2008]  Today after work we went over to the Miami Art Museum (only a few blocks away from our offices) where they were having a huge book fair.  Because it's Miami (and Art Basel weekend) of course they had to combine the book fair with a bar, live music, and this amazing, huge Jeff Koons rabbit!   It's just there for Art Basel and apparently tomorrow they are doing a light installation on the side of my office building!

Don't get me wrong, there are things about Miami that drive me crazy (the conservative political climate, the car culture, the urban sprawl....) but for now, I'm just gonna enjoy the honeymoon.

Finally, Proof That I Live In Miami!

So, under the heading Things I [Hope To] Love is ART BASEL! The annual event is routinely described (in Miami at least...) as "the most important art show in the United States":

As the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 39 years, Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the city's beautiful Art Deco District, within walking distance of the beach and many hotels.

The week long party kicks off tonight...and yours truly (thanks to the kindness of friends) will be attending the event at the Miami Convention Center! As some have noted, this years craptastical (I believe that is a real business term) economy may lead the party to be slightly more subdued than in previous years, but if there is one thing I have learned so far in Miami, you should never count on subdued. I'll even try to take photos tonight, like a good blogger....

Hello from Miami!  Here's my web-surfing roundup for the day....

The AP reports "Miami judge rules against Fla. gay adoption ban." Finally, some good news out of Florida! In her ruling Miami Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman ruled Tuesday there was "no rational basis" for prohibiting gays from adopting children. Yay!

From the Washington Post, "A Hard Choice: A young medical student tries to decide if she has what it takes to join the diminishing ranks of abortion providers." As Jezebel highlights from the article, "'Abortion is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on women, yet nobody in medical school even talks about it.' — medical student Lesley Wojick, in a fascinating feature in the WaPo on the education of Ob/Gyns, and the issue of abortion providers, abortions, and the women who have them."

Just ordered some stocking stuffers from Black Ink, a great store in Cambridge.

This has been popping up on a lot of year end gift guides - and I can see why! The Bubble 2009 Calendar!

At left: from Oh Joy, a beautiful blend of wood and gold. I love the combination of natural and shiny....

Jaunted: The Pop Culture Travel Guide.

I like how colorful these pieces from Chromalab are - my goal is to refurbish some old pieces to look like this in the coming months, but we'll see if I'm up to the challenge!

Miami!

As of Monday I am moving to Miami for three months - specifically, South Beach!  To get in the mood I was looking at vintage images of Miami and found this great collection of promotional materials from this past century.  Beautiful!

Consumerist: Vanities

I love vanities and desks, so when I saw this desk on CasaSugar and I was totally in love.  From Pottery Barn for $469.  Sigh, maybe I'll find one on sale someday....

In the meantime, I'm on the look out for an old vanity to fix up...hopefully with enough scouring, the antique markets of South Beach will turn up something good.  This weekend we went to the monthly market on Lincoln Beach and there were some great finds - jewelry, dresses, art, and furniture.  Along with, as always, the best people watching every.  South Beach holds the title on that one!  If patience and funds permit, I hope to outfit our apartment with some unique finds from the markets.  I never thought Lucite lamps would be up my alley, but in the idea of a few transparent lamps on my heavy work desk is sounding perfect.

With arms outstretched

Two Law Profs In The White House (first time ever!  Plus, a darned smart Ms. JD as first lady).

The Onion: Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters to Realize How Empty Their Lives Are.

Oh, I am coveting these Penguin Classics (spines to the left) (h/t Design*Sponge).  Not only do I love the design, and the books they chose, but I'm so thrilled that they don't have book jackets - I hate book jackets!  I can't seem to find the complete list of titles - I am crossing my fingers that they included The Portrait of a Lady.....

Listening to Furnace Room Lullaby right now.  Definitely one of my top 25 albums ever.

The Magic of the Modern World.  Totally mesmerizing.

I'm in Miami for the weekend (a vacation, interrupted only by the MPRE tomorrow....stupid ethics!).  It's taken me almost a dozen visits but I think I'm finally loving this city.  I'll be living here soon enough, so I'll know for sure one way or another, but today the things I'm loving about Miami are (1) the variety (I've heard Spanish, of course, but also Portuguese, French, and Russian - just this morning); (2) the ridiculous number of happenings (I swear, there is an outdoor festival for everything!); (3) the food; (4) the weather; (5) the weather; and (6) oh yes, the weather!  I cannot overstate how amazed I am by the effect of sun on my mood.  I may have been born in Alaska, but I might just be a sun baby at heart...

Mad bright but you ain't no star

Dreamy! (Thanks, ADM)

For various reasons, I have a fascination with Miami, especially South Beach. Because South Beach has such a distinct style and character, and because it's relatively small, any updates are noticed - especially the revamping of any one of South Beach's historic hotels. The Fontainebleau is perhaps the most iconic of these hotels and has been going through changes for years and on November 14th, the final product will be revealed...and I'll be in Miami for it!

Design*Sponge's Modern Flatware Guide = purty.

In honor of all the bearded men in my life. 10 Very Good Reasons Why You Should Grow A Giant Beard.

This is totally me - why do I hate talking on the phone so much?

Top 10 Wired.com Motion Photos.