Blast from the Past

I've been doing some internal research for a project which is almost complete. I will reveal details soon, but in the meantime, I came across another project in a Word Document that I started in 2006.

I called it 30 for 30.

Basically, this is a list of thirty things that I wanted to do when I turned thirty. As I look over it, I can see that this list is the impetus for this blog which began one year later in 2007. Almost three years later, I am still blogging on Skirt Project, not really revealing my "collections" but more like collecting experiences, and today I am doing it in black velvet pants. What can I say? Today's Belgian weather is too C O L D for a skirt!

Back to the list. It's interesting to see what my goals were four years ago. I wonder what my list would look like today at 34? Maybe, that's what I will work on after this project is complete. I can't take anymore detours as I am working with a deadline and I've stalled enough by watching all of Season One of Being Erica, which is a totally amazing Canadian show that my friend Maggie introduced me to.
Have you seen it?

Screen shot from the pilot of Being Erica.

TV tangent: It's about a beautiful, over educated, impulsive, sensitive 32 year old named Erica Strange. In the pilot, Erica has been forever single, working in a cubicle at a dead-end job waiting for a change to happen and envious of everyone who has what she doesn't have: a man and a career. Through the fate of a nut allergy and a hazlenut late, she comes in contact with a therapist who invites her to list and travel back in time to "fix" every regret she has in her life. Thus my friends, a tv show is born!

It's a really great show, one of the better tv dramas I have seen in a long time. It hits a lot of nerves and history with me personally. And, I especially love the trip down memory lane - Ah, the Nineties... the music, the fashion, the growing pangs...

Back to this post.

And, here is the list from 2006:

So the goal is to complete 30 experiences in year 30. I figure if I post them and keep it public, I'm more likely to do it. Heck, someone may even help me conceive my dreams. The truth is I turned 30 on the 15th of January. The way the rules go... it doesn't count if you complete an experience before the day you turn 30 and it doesn't count if you complete it after the day you turn 31. Are you ready?
I realize it's the 8th of March; I've been 30 for 52 days now.

1. Go to the rodeo -- done, January 27th, 2006. Lots of fun at the Fort Worth Stock Yards. Yee-haw! I am from Texas ya' know. Should have done this years ago. Inspired #2.

2. Ride a horse... again. This is a funny story, when I ride the horse in year 30; I'll reminisce about the last time I was on a horse... age 9.

3. Get my masters. I am writing my thesis. I think my deadline is on the 20th of July for December graduation, which would be my only shot to get my masters in year 30.

4. Get published... Thinking about writing a resource article for Art Education. Would be easy and look great on my resume.

5. Give a gallery talk. Done! I did that today. Murphy and the Machine. Honestly petrified of the entire experience, not confident at all, but it was a lot of fun!

6. Sing... I've always had this secret fantasy of being a rock star. I think I have a good voice. Karaoke will do. Yes I did it at the museum Christmas party, but will I ever do it again? Could I do it with a back up band?

7. Go to Chicago! Doing it on the 20th of March.

8. Go to Disney World. Also happening later this month with my four rambunctious nephews.

9. Go to the gun range and shoot pistols. I’ve dreamed of taking out my aggressions on a target. There is something kind of sexy about the thought of holding a loaded gun.

10. I would like to have a bird come and sit on my shoulder or finger. I like birds, especially parrots. Arrrrgh!

11. Run a 5K, never been athletic. I was the girl who would make herself vomit in gym class just so I could get out of running.

12. Join an intramural sports team. I hate bruises, never really played sports and I like boys…

13. Ride a mechanical bull… I am from Texas.

14. Spa Day, at a getaway spa… I deserve it!

15. Plant a garden… an herb garden

16. Learn to knit.

17. Paint a picture… I’ve yet to complete a painting.

18. Take a class in glass blowing.

19. Machu Pichu. I want to go to Peru.

20. Read 12 books (one each month) I’m 2 for 2 so far.

21. Almost forgot! Curling! Done – Feb. 25th, 2006 with my peeps! ShaNayNay, Kipu Kylie and Charlotte.

22. Sky dive or ride in a hot air balloon. I am deathly afraid of heights.

23. Apply for my dream job. Move for my dream job.

24. Attend a wine tasting, and learn how to select a bottle of wine that I like.

25. Road trip with my Mom. She’s a good lady and nice.

26. Camp in the great outdoors.

27. See the Rockies again! Hike.

28. Visit NYC.

29. Visit LA

30. Buy a bike and ride it like crazy!


It's fun to look at this list, and while I am tempted, I have not changed one single thing on this document. It is up here in all of it's glory. Obviously, I have crossed some things off the list and have not even thought about doing others... I'd love to come back and revisit this list sometime, but I have a deadline of February 1st.

Last Minute Lydia Writes Again!

Ok, and just for fun...

On this day in:

2009

2008

Changes

All around me. All the time. It's inevitable.

Changes from lydia Regalado on Vimeo.

It makes life interesting, don't you think?

Paris, Day 2, Part I

Day 2 in Paris... How could it ever top Day 1? Maybe some shopping? Maybe a museum? How about both? After a delicious breakfast that included coffee, chocolate cake, almond croissant, and a sweet pudding that consisted of cream and semolina, I was ready to go!

I had heard about the flea markets of Paris, and thought it might be fun to go to one. Coincidentally, the house we were staying at is in Saint-Ouen, home to the largest flea market in Paris!

To get to Les Puces (The Fleas) we had to walk through tight stalls on the sidewalks where merchants were selling inexpensive colthing, converse and cheap household goods. Finally we took a right and there we were in the middle of la jonque. There were so many beautiful things!

It was the Sunday afternoon just after Christmas, so it seemed as if half of the dealers were open for business. I learned right away that you can't take pictures. A mean look and a 'tsk, 'tsk, was all it took, but I clicked away when and where I could.

This painting is creepy, but it reminds me of Mr. Wonderful and me...

Un couple d'amoureux...

And this, well...

It reminds me of Stace and Steph in Connecticut,
and Curiosities in Dallas...

Macabre Mascarade:

Roll out the red carpet!

 This part of the market was like a fashion museum! There were beautiful evening gowns, wedding gowns and every day dresses from every decade of the last century.

Down the way at different stalls, I was able to touch, feel, and observe details up close. My favorite pieces of clothing to look over had to be the ladies undergarments from the turn of the century. I'm not a perv, but the delicacy of the cotton and gorgeous lace detail really made an impact on me. The way the light shined through these pieces: slips, tanks and shorts, was gorgeous, ethereal even. I wouldn't mind owning a few pieces just to hang up for inspiration.

Les Livres

(The books... ) Beautiful bound books

We only spent about an hour at the market, but I could have spent all day there. There were such artful displays, and I had to keep reminding myself that this was Paris! This is the place where buyers and visual merchandisers of my favorite stores come for their inspiration and next year's designs.

It's my Mecca.

It was a sin not to have any money to spend.

but maybe that is for the best.

Colorful Commute

From the morning ride, here we have:

Red Moleskine Pocket Journal

Black Moleskine Weekly Diary

Lime green 4 color pen, fun for Sudoku, and Made in France

Cappuccino in a dark green cup

Book with an orange spine: My Life With Picasso by Françoise Gilot.

A very colorful read!

La Maison de Paris

I have a few more pics of Paris to share and more from our excursion to Normandy. I'm just warning you, this may take all week by the time I am done with this trip!

Today I would like to share some photos of our hosts' home.

* Please note, these photos are from this post on Archinect.

This is the home and work studio of architect Nathalie Wolberg and artist Tim Stokes.

I know Tim from Texas, but got to know Nathalie during our visit. They are so gracious, talented and their home is incredibly amazing.

In this house I discovered how profusely my palms sweat when I am experiencing acrophobia.

Ever since that nightmare that had me running around the second floor of North Park Mall while being chased by the San Diego Chicken, I've been terrified of heights. Weird, I know, but that is literally how it happened. I just woke up terrified by heights.

It wasn't the net that scared me the most, though I did conquer my fears and get in. (I am too embarrassed to show those pics.) After all, YOU MUST TRUST THE ARCHITECT!

It was the stairs.

Just to be in their home was inspiring. To read more about la maison, go to Archinet, Apartment Therapy, and also Dwell. It's hilarious to read the comments. Some people are so ignorant. This may not be a universal aesthetic, but it is worth appreciating as an amazing space, and for its innovative engineering.

And now a few photos I took; I hope I don't get in trouble, but I wanted to show Tim's work. I think it is so playful and beautiful.

The couple's colorful workspace:

Isn't it wonderful?

Smurf Love on the B

Did you know that the creator of the Smurfs is Belgian?

Haiti

I can't stop reading the headlines in The New York Times. I am truly saddened by what is happening. My heart aches for those that have lost loved ones, can't find their loved ones, and are just trying to survive.


Even from so far, I know that there is something I can do. It's not much, but it will help.

I encourage you to do the same.

Oxfam
Doctors Without Borders
Red Cross

You Say It's My Birthday!

That's the Beatles song Mr. Wonderful played when I woke up yesterday.

Usually, my mom calls me at 6:30 in the morning and plays the traditional Mexican birthday song, Las Mañanitas. Since I am 7 hours ahead and Skype wasn't turned on, it was all up in the air. But she did manage to send me an e-mail at 6:27 a.m., just 3 minutes shy of my real birth time 6:24. She also sent me a package full of goodies!
She had carefully packed my mini food chopper, tons of Ziplock baggies, Martha Stewart magazines, warm socks for me and Mr. Wonderful, Post-Its, gum, and clothes I already had! Because I hadn't seen some of these clothes in a while, it was just like seeing them for the first time and I was equally thrilled to discover that they still fit! Hooray!

She also sent me these great chalkboard stickers that can stick on virtually any surface. Aren't these so awesome?!
I immediately hung one in my tiny kitchen. Now we have a place to write menus, shopping lists and notes. My tiny corner of the world is complete and organized!

I've neglected to mention on this blog that I've been helping out at a school here in Belgium. Most of my time is spent in a 5th grade class, not really my favorite grade in the past, but this has been such a fun group to work with, not to mention a unique experience.

Yesterday, when I walked into the classroom the kids had "tagged" the white board.
And the girls went all out folded and colored every surface of paper they could get their hands on:

My favorite was this handmade journal:

Inside is a pocket full of folded origami hearts:

I ♥ it!

They are sweet kids, so I brought us an equally sweet treat from the bakery.

This delicious berry cream pie with a meringue top cost 7 €!

What a deal!

It was berry good!

When I came home, I opened the door and saw this!

Pink balloons and Post-It hearts everywhere! It was the best surprise EVER! I tell you, he is wonderful!

Let her eat cake!

And don't forget to make a wish!

We went out for a fancy meal at this place:

A place we happened upon, and definitely the best meal we have eaten in Leuven.

Black truffle ravioli, lamb chops in a cream of garlic sauce and mashed potatoes:

It was divine.

Melt in your mouth divine.

Never want it to end divine.

So freaking good.

Smakelijk!

But the night wasn't over yet, we still had to party! And this was done at this fine establishment in Leuven:

Only six lanes in this place, and 14 of us took up two! I love bowling on my birthday. It's the second year in a row that I have done this and I think I will keep up the tradition.

Birthday Skirt (Skirt 25), in Action:

My feet in bowling shoes.


Mr. Wonderful's feet in bowling shoes:

These photos appeared on separate cameras. Great minds think alike!

So, that's it!

34.

Mid-thirties.

It's different than 33. Somehow I feel much older, and honestly don't like saying it: 34.

But, I can't deny

I feel

Happy Birthday!

to me!

Paris, Day 1, Part III, ET

It doesn't really look like that, but it is the first sketch/page in my red Moleskine that Mr. Wonderful bought me.

The first impression of the Eiffel Tower, besides looking like a skrim on a Hollywood movies set, is that it is extremely TALL. I was not prepared for the height that towered over me.

There's one foot:

This is what I am looking at:

I took three photos and then, with the help of Mr. Wonderful, stitched them together for the full effect:

He's a good teacher, patient and kind.

Positive and Negative Space

Line

The Man Himself:

For some reason The Pixies, come to mind:

"Little Eiffel stands in the archway,

Oh Alexander, I see you beneath

the arch over areodynamics."

A Sheeler inspired shot, taken by Mr. Wonderful.
It's just beautiful.

The view from afar:

ET kitch:

Of course I got one!

Shot in the night:
It reminds me of this.

Blurry blue ET

ET at night

I went a little picture crazy

Subway tiles Concord station:
A GIANT WORD SEARCH!

The Concorde Metro stop had to be my favorite one that I saw on my trip. I am a sucker for type and ceramic tile. The letters are actually the words from the Declaration of the Rights of Man from the French Revolution of 1789. Get the full effect here.

Blue Suede Shoes:

Parisian's have the best style!