Work of Art

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Art In Bloom After Dark, a stunning event where art and florals make magic. Art In Bloom at The Cincinnati Art Museum allows the city to experience artwork in a fresh, vibrant way.

The concept was as lovely as it was creative, local florists selected pieces of art as their inspiration and then crafted floral arrangements to reflect their chosen works. Walking through the gallery, you could feel the dialogue between the paintings and their artists and the blooms and their artists.

One of my favorite moments was standing in front of Two Sisters, a painting by Kehinde Wiley, also known for her amazing portrait of President Barak Obama. The riot of color and textures of the tulips, snapdragons, and proteas bring the drama of the piece to life.

I couldn’t resist dressing up for the occasion. This skirt is one of the things I chose from my mom’s closet to remember her after her death in January 2020. I couldn’t think of a more perfect occasion to wear it. My love of flowers, fashion, and big, bold prints were inherited from her. I paired it with bright fuchsia heels that I know she would have loved!

Art In Bloom reminded me how powerfully art in all its forms — painting, sculpture, floristry, fashion — wakes you up and feeds your soul. It is one of my favorite spring events in the city. I’m already looking forward to it next year!

With Joy and Whimsy-

xo

Courtnee

the weekly{vol. 3}

this post about raising kids both black and white in a "post racial" america is an excellent and gut wrenching read.

the utterly fabulous bette middler tweeted this in support of carrie fischer when twitter trolls attempted to come for ms. fischer for having the nerve to age! i think i need this cross stitched on a pillow!

i love all things true crime. like, LOVE. a friday night with a dateline mystery, keith morrison and a glass of wine is my jam. i'd actually seen the story of steven avery on an episode of dateline years ago. this netflix documentary about a man that spent 18 years in prison for he crime he was later exonerated of by dna only to convicted shortly after his release of murder is compelling. it's also an infuriating look into the so-called criminal justice system. if you haven't watched go and watch it already! 

this is an interesting read about the small things that can ultimately destroy your relationship.

   what's engaging you this week? 

the weekly{vol 2.}

the podcast that ignited a frenzy is back for season 2. to listen week by week or to save a few episodes and binge listen. decisions. decisions. 

another week, another mass shooting(or two). sunday is the anniversary of sandy hook. moms demand action for gun safety in america are hosting orange walks across the country. we'll be at the cincinnati walk. you can find one in your community here

binge watching jessica jones and master of none (netflix is killing it this year!)

like every other person on the planet listening to adele

reading the heart-breaking, brutal and very necessary the new jim crow:mass incarceration in age of colorblindness

this viral video that every instagrammer/blogger husband can relate to gave me much needed LOLZ 

the weekly{vol. 1}

obsessed with missy elliot's new video! it's so good!!! 

i've been watching a lot of hulu especially british crime shows. lately i've been sucked into nordic noir. the sandhamm murders is a swedish drama. the scenery is gorgeous, the characters are compelling and the subtitles force me to actually watch rather than have it on as background noise while i tend to other things.

one major difference between parenting now versus the early 90s is access to information about parenting. there weren't blogs and websites and online journals with headlines terrifying you into clicking.  these two articles(here and here) gave me more insight and a little confidence into the choices we are making to raise rowan in an environment that has changed drastically in the twenty odd years that i've had this mom gig.  

i've always been a pretty  political person although i've been hesitant to discuss my own politics in this space. however, we are living in serious times. times that require reflection and thoughtful discourse and conversation. i'm trying to figure out a way to do this regularly that is complementary to the rest of the blog.  

this interview with young woman that made headlines with her act of silent protest was an insightful window behind the scenes.  

i've also become really interested in feminism and intersectionality. Specifically issues and challenges that women of color often deal with on a daily basis. this article about our pain that is often deeply hidden resonated with me. i have been thinking of all the amazing and wonderful woman i know and love who silently carry this pain. these struggles. and it is literally killing them.