Saddam hanged

This is a moment for the history books. I wish I felt more proud to be part of this piece in history. But all of this is so convoluted with the war still going on, it just makes me numb.

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writers 10 minutes ago
BAGHDAD, Iraq -
Saddam Hussein' name=c1> SEARCHNews News Photos Images Web' name=c3> Saddam Hussein, the shotgun-waving dictator who ruled
Iraq' name=c1> SEARCHNews News Photos Images Web' name=c3> Iraq with a remorseless brutality for a quarter-century and was driven from power by a U.S.-led war that left his country in shambles, was taken to the gallows clutching a Quran and hanged Saturday.
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In Baghdad's Shiite enclave of Sadr City, people danced in the streets while others fired guns in the air to celebrate the former dictator's death. The government did not impose a round-the-clock curfew as it did last month when Saddam was convicted to thwart any surge in retaliatory violence.
It was a grim end for the 69-year-old leader who had vexed three U.S. presidents. Despite his ouster, Washington, its allies and the new Iraqi leaders remain mired in a fight to quell a stubborn insurgency by Saddam loyalists and a vicious sectarian conflict.
President Bush' name=c1> SEARCHNews News Photos Images Web' name=c3> President Bush called Saddam's execution "the kind of justice he denied the victims of his brutal regime."
State-run Iraqiya television news reported that Saddam's half-brother Barzan Ibrahim and Awad Hamed al-Bandar, the former chief justice of the Revolutionary Court, also were hanged. However, three officials said only Saddam was executed.
"We wanted him to be executed on a special day," National Security adviser Mouwafak al-Rubaie told state-run Iraqiyah.
Al-Rubaie said Saddam "totally surrendered" and did not resist. He said a judge read the sentence to Saddam, who was taken in handcuffs to the execution room. When he stood in the execution room, photographs and video footage were taken, al-Rubaie said.
"He did not ask for anything. He was carrying a Quran and said: 'I want this Quran to be given to this person,' a man he called Bander," he said. Al-Rubaie said he did not know who Bander was.
"Saddam was treated with respect when he was alive and after his death," al-Rubaie said. "Saddam's execution was 100 percent Iraqi and the American side did not interfere."
Sami al-Askari, the political adviser of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said: "Saddam was taken by force to the gallows but he was composed when taken to execution."
He said the government had not decided what to do with Saddam's body.
Mariam al-Rayes, a legal expert and a former member of the Shiite bloc in parliament, told Iraqiya television that the execution "was filmed and God willing it will be shown. There was one camera present, and a doctor was also present there."
Al-Rayes, an al-Maliki ally, did not attend the execution. She said Al-Maliki did not attend but was represented by an aide.
The station earlier was airing national songs after the first announcement and had a tag on the screen that read "Saddam's execution marks the end of a dark period of Iraq's history."
The execution was carried out around the start of Eid al-Adha, the Islamic world's largest holiday, which marks the end of the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, the hajj. Many Muslims celebrate by sacrificing domestic animals, usually sheep.
Sunnis and Shiites throughout the world began observing the four-day holiday at dawn Saturday, but Iraq's Shiite community — the country's majority — was due to start celebrating on Sunday.
The execution came 56 days after a court convicted Saddam and sentenced him to death for his role in the killings of 148 Shiite Muslims from a town where assassins tried to kill the dictator in 1982. Iraq's highest court rejected Saddam's appeal Monday and ordered him executed within 30 days.
A U.S. judge on Friday refused to stop Saddam's execution, rejecting a last-minute court challenge.
Al-Maliki had rejected calls that Saddam be spared, telling families of people killed during the dictator's rule that would be an insult to the victims.
"Our respect for human rights requires us to execute him, and there will be no review or delay in carrying out the sentence," al-Maliki's office quoted him as saying during a meeting with relatives before the hanging.
Human Rights Watch criticized the execution, calling Saddam's trial "deeply flawed."
"Saddam Hussein was responsible for massive human rights violations, but that can't justify giving him the death penalty, which is a cruel and inhuman punishment," said Richard Dicker, director of Human Rights Watch's International Justice Program.
The hanging of Saddam, who was ruthless in ordering executions of his opponents, will keep other Iraqis from pursuing justice against the ousted leader.
At his death, he was in the midst of a second trial, charged with genocide and other crimes for a 1987-88 military crackdown that killed an estimated 180,000 Kurds in northern Iraq. Experts said the trial of his co-defendants was likely to continue despite his execution.
Many people in Iraq's Shiite majority were eager to see the execution of a man whose Sunni Arab-dominated regime oppressed them and Kurds.
Before the hanging, a mosque preacher in the Shiite holy city of Najaf on Friday called Saddam's execution "God's gift to Iraqis."
"Oh, God, you know what Saddam has done! He killed millions of Iraqis in prisons, in wars with neighboring countries and he is responsible for mass graves. Oh God, we ask you to take revenge on Saddam," said Sheik Sadralddin al-Qubanji, a member of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq.
On Thursday, two half brothers visited Saddam in his cell, a member of the former dictator's defense team, Badee Izzat Aref, told The Associated Press by telephone from the United Arab Emirates. He said the former dictator handed them his personal belongings.
A senior official at the Iraqi defense ministry said Saddam gave his will to one of his half brothers. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
In a farewell message to Iraqis posted Wednesday on the Internet, Saddam said he was giving his life for his country as part of the struggle against the U.S. "Here, I offer my soul to God as a sacrifice, and if he wants, he will send it to heaven with the martyrs," he said.
One of Saddam's lawyers, Issam Ghazzawi, said the letter was written by Saddam on Nov. 5, the day he was convicted by an Iraqi tribunal in the Dujail killings.
The message called on Iraqis to put aside the sectarian hatred that has bloodied their nation for a year and voiced support for the Sunni Arab-dominated insurgency against U.S.-led forces, saying: "Long live jihad and the mujahedeen."
Saddam urged Iraqis to rely on God's help in fighting "against the unjust nations" that ousted his regime.
Najeeb al-Nauimi, a member of Saddam's legal team, said U.S. authorities maintained physical custody of Saddam until the execution to prevent him being humiliated publicly or his corpse being mutilated, as has happened to previous Iraqi leaders deposed by force. He said they didn't want anything to happen to further inflame Sunni Arabs.
"This is the end of an era in Iraq," al-Nauimi said from Doha, Qatar. "The Baath regime ruled for 35 years. Saddam was vice president or president of Iraq during those years. For Iraqis, he will be very well remembered. Like a martyr, he died for the sake of his country."
Iraq's death penalty was suspended by the U.S. military after it toppled Saddam in 2003, but the new Iraqi government reinstated it two years later, saying executions would deter criminals.
Saddam's own regime used executions and extrajudicial killings as a tool of political repression, both to eliminate real or suspected political opponents and to maintain a reign of terror.
In the months after he seized power on July 16, 1979, he had hundreds of members of his own party and army officers slain. In 1996, he ordered the slaying of two sons-in-law who had defected to Jordan but returned to Baghdad after receiving guarantees of safety.
Saddam built Iraq into a one of the Arab world's most modern societies, but then plunged the country into an eight-year war with neighboring
Iran' name=c1> SEARCHNews News Photos Images Web' name=c3> Iran that killed hundreds of thousands of people on both sides and wrecked Iraq's economy.
During that war, as part of the wider campaign against Kurds, the Iraqi military used chemical weapons against the Kurdish town of Halabja in northern Iraq, killing an estimated 5,000 civilians.
The economic troubles from the Iran war led Saddam to invade Kuwait in the summer of 1990, seeking to grab its oil wealth, but a U.S.-led coalition inflicted a stinging defeat on the Iraq army and freed the Kuwaitis.
U.N. sanctions imposed over the Kuwait invasion remained in place when Saddam failed to cooperate fully in international efforts to ensure his programs for creating weapons of mass destruction had been dismantled. Iraqis, once among the region's most prosperous, were impoverished.
The final blow came when U.S.-led troops invaded in March 2003. Saddam's regime fell quickly, but political, sectarian and criminal violence have created chaos that has undermined efforts to rebuild Iraq's ruined economy.
While he wielded a heavy hand to maintain control, Saddam also sought to win public support with a personality cult that pervaded Iraqi society. Thousands of portraits, posters, statues and murals were erected in his honor all over Iraq. His face could be seen on the sides of office buildings, schools, airports and shops and on Iraq's currency.

you CAN hike in NY

It's mid-December and over 50 degrees in NY. Global warming is the topic of so many conversations. I am just happy I have been able to outside so much. Knowing that winter will come dump on us soon I took the opportunity to head up to the upper west side to walk over the George Washington Bridge and hike a few miles up the Palisades, hugging the river.

It's relieving how easy it was to get into the woods. It's not quite what I'm used to - litter, sounds of traffic, a scary woods that I'm in alone... BUT it was a gorgeous and clear day and there is nothing quite like the view of Manhattan from across the river.

more cross-country photos

not sure if you can see these, but here are many more from my road trip. they're pretty great!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=80hrciv.89lyjzvv&Uy=5f7g1n&Ux=1

Union Sq

so. living so close to union square --((but not THAT close))-- is great. yeah it's busy and touristy but really - it's on the mellow side. i never feel like running when i'm around it. and i like the shopping, bars and all that that stems out from it. you know, there's 5th ave. but it's nothing like 5th ave uptown. yes many randoms flock to it. but i still don't feel like i'm claustrophobic when i'm there. and there is the perfect mix of funky business chicks, chelsea hottie couples and proud apple butts.

Today out of nowhere I discovered the Union Sq Holiday Market. Coming in clueless and just ready to walk through the park I was totally amazed by this holiday establishment that I guess is set up for the next month. I found myself wandering through these tent aisles and gleaming at the hard workers/artists in their booths, proud of their stuff and excited for customers. I want to support all of them. I'm such a nerd like that. They smile at me, I see their hard work behind them, I see them bunded up in small open tents in the cold, with tiny space heaters giving them the smallest bellow of life on their ankles. And I just want to support them.

i don't agree with this conviction.
http://nyc.metblogs.com/archives/2005/12/union_square_ho.phtml

Gobo, West Village(ish)

http://www.goborestaurant.com/

So far this is my favorite vegi restaurant and by FAR my favorite delivery place. Everything is vegitarian and they have amazing MEALS, not dishes. And organic smoothies, juices, etc. And cheap for an amazing gourmet, vegitarian place. Love Gobo.

i just turned 30!

5 minutes ago!

OH. the pure ecstasy of this moment is beyond the means of speech. or writing. 30 is not a goal. it's not a fearful ending. it's not something i've even thought, worried, feared or theorized about at all. to me, it's within the blurr of ages that you are when your life is all coming to a point. when you get who you are, way more than you got who you were in all those other years that you did (get...). you're just you. and for me, and i hope most people are at this place in their lives, it's beautiful. it's lovely.

i have a lovely world. i play a lovely role in it. it never ceases to amaze me... shock me... kick me... make me feel like the best person on it... confuse me... rain on me... challenge me... bliss me out... make me really busy...

it shares it's beauty with me in so many forms. it serenades me. it makes me smile. it keeps me company when i am alone and smiles back at me... it makes me laugh. all the time. ALL the time! yayyyyy for that~!

ok a lot of the time. my birthday wish for myself is:

(WOW, this is challenging)

be strong
smile
allow your heart to open constantly. a friend and a stranger will appreciate it.
just love. love. love.
keep learning. you are not a retainer. don't feel like you are close-minded when you can't remember all the worldliness you've been exposed to.
work hard, because you love how you feel when you do.
don't let yourself stay in bed because it's so cozy. wake up. go into the world.
remember... today could be your last day. if you were gone tomorrow, would you regret anything about today?
do every little thing you feel a spark to, unless your real ethics tell you it's not ethically right. don't hurt anyone or anything. but if you want to try something... experience something... prove something to yourself or someone else... do it with all your heart. your big, big heart.

happy birthday to me :)
i'm blushing!

Westside Market

Massive organic and gourmet food market less than 1 block away? Check.

www.wsmarketnyc.com

All I have to say is 10 different kids of fresh, prepared tofu salad. Ya hear that? Brilliant.

Union Sq Greenmarket

Farmers market 2 blocks from apt? Check.

http://www.edinformatics.com/culinaryarts/food_markets/union_square_greenmarket.htm

Union Square Farmer's Market operates year-round and is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

emotions of color

(from creativebehavior.com. thanks bok bok!)

Applying color principles fosters desired audience response. Warm colors tend to "move toward you" while cool colors tend to "move away from you." So a designer can use warm colors for emphasis and cool colors to minimize emphasis. Brighter colors attract our eyes first, and if overused, can cause visual confusion. Overusing a bright color as an accent reduces its effectiveness.

Emotional responses influence color considerations, and differences in color value and intensity can evoke very different emotional reactions. Light red is associated with cheerfulness, but bright or dark red can induce irritability. Light yellow-green is associated with freshness and youth, but the darker shade olive is associated with drabness and decay. Light sky blue is associated with tranquility, but the deeper value indigo is associated with depression.

Basically, in North American mainstream culture, the following meanings are signaled by color:
Red: urgency, passion, heat, love, blood, excitement, strength, sex, passion, speed, danger
Yellow: warmth, sunshine, cheer, happiness, cowardice, brightness
Blue: truth, dignity, power, coolness, melancholy, heaviness, trust, reliability, belonging, coolness
Orange: playfulness, warmth, vibrant
Green: nature, health, cheerfulness, environment, money, vegetation, nature, fresh, cool, growth, abundance
Purple: wealth, royalty, sophistication, intelligence, royal, spirituality, dignity
Pink: soft, sweet, nurture, security
Black: sophistication, elegant, seductive, mystery, death, rebellion, strength, evil
White: purity, cleanliness, lightness, emptiness, pure, virginal, clean, youthful, mild
Gold: prestige, expensive
Silver: prestige, cold, scientific

List above compiled from www.ergogero.com/FAQ/Part5/2Meaning.html and www.keysteps.com/Tips&Articles/feature3.htm

Notice how a particular color may have both a positive and negative connotation? This emphasizes the importance of careful color selection and coordination.

Different cultures interpret colors differently, and a savvy Web designer can avoid disappointing results and costly re-works by some upfront cultural research. "White is the color of death in Chinese culture, but purple represents death in Brazil. Yellow is sacred to the Chinese, but signified sadness in Greece and jealousy in France. In North America, green is typically associated with jealousy. People from tropical countries respond most favorably to warm colors, people from northern climate prefer the cooler colors" according to Keysteps. [www.keysteps.com/Tips&Articles/feature3.htm]
Imagine the negative first impressions made by selecting a culturally offensive site color scheme. That's only one example of why it's time well-spent considering how color choices support a site's message, its target audience preferences and demographics.
Written by Maura "Chip" Yost'sThis article originally appeared in WebReference.com

i want blue walls

and i found the most amazing paints on the ralph lauren site... and i can go here for them... (must remember, must remember)

RRL Bleecker
390 Bleecker Street
New York, NY
10014212-462-4390

and if it will work, this is what you NEED to see. right now. http://rlhome.polo.com/rlhome/products/paint/items.asp?haid=48&f=lp&start=0

if you go there you can scroll to the bottom and from the hint of red, through the purples, and into the deep blues... you see what i have been seeing in my head. i love this pallet. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

more ideas for apartment decor

The beautiful rooms featured here were the result of a joint project undertaken by the National Paint and Coatings Association and Woman's Day magazine for an article in the May 1981 issue of the magazine. Themed, Paint Tricks, Techniques and Treatments, the idea of the project was to actually transform a new, unadorned home with interesting uses of paint. The association hired an interior designer to create a houseful of fresh and exciting paint uses for the Virginia home chosen for the project. The result was a house with paint that looks like paneling and paint that looks like a satin wallcovering — rooms that were architecturally bland became stunning with rich new color combinations and clever paint tricks. The house became a showcase for the special versatility and beauty that only paint can offer in home decorating.
Perhaps the best aspect of the paint treatments used in the house is that they can all be done by the do-it-yourselfer with this explanation of how the techniques were done — a helpful guide whether you plan to do the painting yourself or oversee a contractor's work.
Living RoomThe living room in the house selected for the project was long and narrow. It had only two small windows at the front of the room, and no architecturally redeeming features.
Color and unique paint treatments were used to change the room from average-looking to something special. The walls were painted peach and the ceiling became sky blue — to brighten the dark room. A deeper peach was used to paint a ceiling border, since no decorative molding had been built into the room. The final distinction was made by outlining each window with a floral stencil to accentuate the floral fabric of the draperies. The back wall of the room was painted a shade lighter than the other walls. This helped to offset the problem of limited natural light
StencilingThe stencil pattern used in the living room is versatile — designed to work well with many different floral prints simply by changing the colors. Other stencil designs may be purchased at decorating centers and craft stores. Or, if you aren't satisfied with what is available in stores, you can make your own stencil using materials available in most office or art supply stores.
Here's how:
Find a design that you like or use your creativity to design your own. A simple pattern is best — one that will be easy to trace, cut out, and paint.
Transfer the design onto a piece of clear acetate by tracing it with a wax pencil.
Using an artist's knife with a #11 blade, carefully cut out the design.
To apply the stencil design to a wall:
Measure the stencil as well as the distance of the area you will apply it to.
Compute how many times the design will be repeated, allowing for a neat arrangement at corners.
Hold the stencil in place and lightly mark the wall where the design should appear. You might want to reverse the design by flipping the stencil over each time it is painted, creating a more interesting pattern.
Before painting, tape the stencil to the wall to keep it in place.
Using fine artist's brushes, a sponge brush, a regular bristle brush, or even your finger, outline or completely fill in the design with either a latex or oil-based interior paint in your choice of colors.
Work slowly and use a small amount of paint on the applicator.
Wipe off the stencil each time it is moved to prevent paint smears.
Painting a Ceiling BorderBuilders rarely include crown molding in a new home these days. Homeowners can install it themselves as a decorative accent, or they can paint a border at the ceiling line as the designer chose to do in the living room, master bedroom and study of the house. To paint a ceiling border in a room of your house:
Prime the ceiling and walls.
Measure the border using a wooden yardstick to ensure a straight line. Mark the outer edges with a pencil or chalk. (Our living room border extended two inches onto the ceiling and three inches down onto the wall. In the master bedroom and study, the border extended two inches onto the ceiling and four inches onto the wall.)
Cover the sections of the ceiling and wall adjacent to the border with plastic tape. (We suggest using a plastic tape designed for painting racing stripes on automobiles. Unlike paper masking tape, the special tape will not allow paint to seep beneath its edges. It can be purchased at well-stocked paint stores or auto supply stores.)
Paint the border in your choice of interior wall paints.
Allow the border to dry, then remove the tape from the ceiling and walls.
Tape the border for protection while painting the walls and ceiling. Remove the tape when all walls have dried.
Dining RoomThe dining room in the home had similar beginnings to the living room — it was a bland room with no architectural details. The designer decided to remedy that situation by continuing the tudor theme found on the home's exterior. She had the ceiling painted mauve for a flattering dining atmosphere and she suggested a sand finish textured paint on the main part of the walls for a stucco effect.
A special paint treatment which simulates fine wood paneling was used for trimwork and the lower third of the walls and became the room's best feature. Without fail, first-time visitors to the house thought the dining room had been paneled and had difficulty believing that it was a creative paint treatment instead!
Simulating Wood PanelingThe simulated wood paneling effect was achieved with wood molding and tinted glaze. Glaze, a versatile coating used for many special paint techniques, can be purchased in ready-mix form at good paint stores. To get a certain color, the clear gaze is tinted with universal tinting colors — also available at well-stocked paint stores. Here's how you can use wood molding, paint and glaze to achieve the same wood paneling effect in your home:
Install crown molding along the ceiling line and chair rail molding about one-third of the way up the wall. Between the chair rail molding and baseboard, install strips of panel molding in evenly spaced rectangles.
Prime the molding with an alkyd enamel undercoat tinted slightly with universal tinting colors to match the color of the base coat of paint.
Lightly sand over the primer coat.
Caulk the molding at the joints.
Fill all nail head holes with putty.
Apply the base coat of paint to the crown molding, window trim, chair rail molding, baseboard, and the wall section below the chair rail. To determine what color base coat to use, select a sample piece of real wood paneling you would like to copy. Match the base coat to the lightest shade in the sample. A paint retailer will match and mix it for you.
Next, tint your glaze with universal tinting colors. Match the glaze coat to the darkest shade in the sample piece of paneling. Use a ratio of between 5 and 10 percent tinting color to the amount of paint -- or, less than one pint of tinting color per gallon of paint. We recommend adding a small amount of tinting color and then testing the mixture on sample wallboard. Keep adding the tint and testing the glaze until you get the exact color you want.
After the paint base is completely dry, brush a coat of the tinted glaze over it.
Allow the glaze to set about 10 minutes so that the solvents it contains may evaporate. Timing is important the glaze should set (it will begin to look dull), not dry.
Using coarse, dry brushes brush the surface in the order and directions shown in figure 2. You will probably need both a two-inch and a four-inch brush. The brushing directions are important in achieving the wood grain effect, so work carefully. If a section of the wall is too long for one smooth brush stroke, brush in from each end and blend the strokes by overlapping them near the middle of the panel.
Next, splatter a small amount of glaze lightly onto the wall and molding with a stiff-bristle brush. This prevents a too-perfect look by creating slight variations in the depth of color and by subtly adding texture to the finish.
Let the glaze dry for 24 hours and protect the finish with a low lustre/satin varnish.
Master BedroomA shimmering deep blue wall created with a special paint combing technique — lent luxury to the master bedroom. A putty color paint used for trimwork and the adjoining dressing room worked well with the blue to add a warm, welcoming feeling.
Combing A WallThe bedroom wall looked as if it were covered in moire -- an expensive, satin-like fabric — but it was actually combed paint. The technique of paint combing is done by first covering a wall with one or two coats of regular paint. Next, a coat of glaze is applied over the paint base. Then a toothed instrument is used to comb through the glaze. The result of this special paint technique is so beautiful that it may seem difficult to achieve, but you'll be surprised how easily you can create the same effect:
First, apply a primer-sealer to the walls, tinted to match the color you plan to paint the walls.
If you are combing only one wall as an accent, paint the other walls first.
For the paint base on the wall to be combed, mix the color you used on the other walls with white paint. (Combing will darken the color of a wall.) A 50/50 ratio is recommended. However, if you choose to make your accent wall darker than the others, don't lighten your wall paint.
Tint a ready-mix glaze with universal tinting colors to match the color of the wall (see glaze tinting instructions).
After the paint has dried, brush the glaze over the entire wall.
Allow the glaze to set about 10 minutes — until the surface begins to look dull. Be careful to let the glaze set not dry — or it will be impossible to comb.
Combing, or striating is done with a metal paint comb made specifically for this type of work, and available at well-stocked paint stores. (Although the bedroom wall was combed straight down, combing can be done in any direction. Another popular version is cross-hatching — combing the wall once straight down and once across the wall horizontally. Or, comb the wall diagonally — starting at the upper left hand corner and working toward the lower right hand corner. If you are really adventurous, comb in wavy lines instead of straight ones!)
Comb the wall twice, overlapping the second line between adjacent comb strokes
Wipe the glaze off the comb after each stroke to prevent glaze from building up. Don't worry about keeping a steady hand or applying consistent pressure — these inevitable irregularities help create the satiny appearance you want.
Allow the glaze to dry for 24 hours, then apply a low lustre/satin varnish for protection.

Walls, Windows and Floors

advice from move:

The designer's motto is: If your walls, windows and floors are well taken care of, all else will fall into place. You'll be surprised how attractive curtains, a tasteful arrangement of artwork and thick, quality rugs on your floors really make your room feel warm and complete.

Put these on your shopping list:
Collection of a series of old botanical prints, maps, paintings of animals or ceramic plates
Curtains or shades in colorful, quality fabrics
Architectural salvage to create a "built-in" dimensional feeling
Paint on the walls, if your landlord agrees
Large area rugs in living room and bedroom, even placing on top of wall-to-wall

Create a custom look with highly-styled designer curtain rods and finials.

Make good use of unique scatter rugs for kitchen, hallways, bathroom.

Whether braided ovals, flat dhurries or bound Wilton remnants from your local carpet shop, rugs add warmth and color while absorbing noise. Be sure to use a quality pad.

Curtains are apartment essentials for privacy in living room, bedroom, kitchen and bath. Make yours full and dramatic in olive velvet, shapely and natural in burlap or muslin, romantic and ruffled in chintz. Curtains let your personality shine through and suggest a polished finish. Create a custom look with highly-styled designer curtain rods and finials. Look for elegant gold-brushed artichokes, acorns, lions' heads and abstract geometrics.

Tricks of the TradeSearch for four tall, old shutters at a garage sale or flea market. Prop them up on the windowsill, gently leaning their tops against the window frame to create a fitted wooden "curtain."

Instead of hanging one lonely picture, cover your walls with a collection of photos.
Create a "wallscape." Instead of hanging one lonely picture, cover your walls with six botanical prints arranged in rows, a collection of rich green majolica plates, 12 black-and-white art photographs framed with extra-large matting. A collection is better for filling the big expanse of walls often found in newer apartments.

Use old architectural salvage crafted from wood or iron. Find an interesting piece the width of your door and hang directly above it to fake a molding or door surround. Seek out interesting, carved pieces featuring fruit, eagles, cherubs or iron grillwork.

Not enough can be said about the power of color. In many states, a landlord is required by law to paint an apartment before any new tenant moves in. Ask him if a pale shade of blue, salmon, yellow or cream could replace the stark "apartment white" (paler colors are easier to paint over later). Painting even one wall gives a room an immense lift and acts as a mood enhancer—it's worth asking your landlord.

Use storage solutions that do double duty as display. Hang eight attractive hat hooks in your tiny entryway to show off your straw and woolen hats. An iron pot rack hung from the kitchen ceiling displays your basket collection. A coat rack in the boudoir turns into an elegant display of lacy lingerie and silk robes. Use tables that have shelves beneath for holding books, magazines and pottery.

Wednesdays - Flamenco at enyay (N)

Last night I went to see Alex's cousin, Laura, and her boyfriend, David, perform Flamenco at an awesome tapas restaurant called N (but the spanish N - with the accent on top). They perform there every Wednesday from 8-10. It's at 33 Crosby between Broom and Grand in Soho. Must keep this in mind - I'd love to go back! The shrimp tapas were excellent. The cod-filled peppers were awesome. the gazpacho had chunks of watermellon... YUM. the sangria was so good but I don't think it had any alcohol in it.

The FLAMENCO performance was even better than the one I saw in Barcelona this summer!

quantum leap natural foods

thompson between w 4th and bleeker?

vegitarian with fish. low dairy content in food. YUMMY. this was a great, mellow place that was laid-back with very chill and attentive staff. i had curry vegi stew and on that cold, gray day it was PERFECT and amazing. and the brown rice had lentils in it. i give it 3 1/2 stars (out of 4). also known for the brunch, vegi burgers and sandwiches.

1 week down

Well... 1 week down and I've scored an apartment in Chelsea that I officially move myself (and necessarily my stuff) into 11/17. so fast, so sweet, love it. i'm living in a studio apartment in a really quiet yet central location and i am so excited about it. my mind is overly occupied with thoughts of separation. physical separation, that is... my 'main room' from my 'bedroom' in my 'one room.' thoughts of plants and asian screens and curtains and hanging windows and connected old doors. none of which strike me as the product of the creativity in my mind and within my mentor friends. so i keep thinking.

loft sites

i have no idea how to live in a studio so i'm thinking i need to have a loft build. the new zealand guy named mike (?) will build it, so i'm brainstorming. suggestions welcome. it really can't be looking like a dorm bunk bed and for some reason that's all i can picture...

http://www.loft-beds.net/

http://www99.shopping.com/xGS-Dorm_Loft~NS-1~linkin_id-8002381~r-1~CLT-INTR~RFR-search.yahoo.com

Adding more pix as I can - posted by Rebecca

friends... we have lift-off

today i signed my lease! uhhhh-HUH. and it's become clear to me that i move faster than anyone. i took the second place i saw and it's a super cute place and amazing location. as the days have past i have thought long and hard about my decision to live there and i have only had positive and exciting thoughts and emotions. this place has good energy. i can feel the universe and its forces encouraging, nodding and embracing this decision.

here is one listing for my apt that i found online...
Large loft like studio! Big, open space with high ceilings and two closets, one being a walk in. Open kitchen with two large windows. Dressing area leads directly to full windowed bathroom. Beautiful grounds with open air garden, elevator and laundry on site.

i'm sure this will be disabled soon, but here are photos of the plce today: http://www.citi-habitats.com/popfiles/show_pictures.php?adID=714310

AND the best part is... when i saw it the kitchen was demolished and ripped out of the wall. when i was signing the lease today they told me they were renevating it and putting in marble countertops and a dishwasher :).

and in the meantime i'm staying at kara's with her roommate chris and they are both so amazing and welcoming and i feel so comfortable here. i feel so lucky. kara is so generous for giving me her room. chris is so chill and easy and great to 'live' with. coincidence, faith and destiny. mmhmm.

GREAT listing of vegi/vegan restaurants in NYC

http://www.vrg.org/travel/manhattan.htm

more and more...

More pix from Rebecca...definitely will be out of order but so what!

this state has too much traffic. really.

cincinnatti

nashville photos

memphis photos

The Workout Room.

We had a ridiculous day yesterday. We went from loving to hating and back to loving Kentucky about a million times. The weather was shit, and in the 2,000+ miles this little jeep has traveled, Kentucy was the first place we hit traffic. And we hit traffic over and over again. We didn't get too far, but we were so happy to end the day of driving with the workout room in the Westin in downtwon Cincinnati, which Suzi likes because it has the word Sin in it.

We had heavenly beds, combined with a living room, tradmill, free weights, yoga mat, excercise ball and tv. After playing around and pretending we'd work out we walked around the block in search of dinner and drinks and ended up directly in front of our hotel at a little bustling French bistro. We sat at the bar, drank spanish wine, were talked to by overly friendly and somewhat annoying Cinncinatians men (not all born & raised locals). It was fun and entertaining, but beyond that the food was amazzzzing. We needed real food (meaning fruits & vegetables and clean fresh meat) and we got it...endive, apple, walnut salad - french onion soup - a salad of beets and goat cheese (it was all chopped up and mixed together - it was so bright and colorful and as we already said YUM! Rebecca didn't even know she likes beets!) - then on to the main course of halibut, some yam or carrot pureee, potatoes, cinderella squash. To top it off we had an apple and ice cream tartin.

Then the night went on...in the hotel room. We turned on a movie we didn't watch. We drank a bit more wine. We ordered more dessert while Rebecca played with the exercise equipment, while Suzi posted photos for you to see. Then Rebecca passed out. Next Suzi passed out. We woke up at 8:30 after saying we were leaving at 8 (we forgot to set alarms). It's all good though - we left Sin-city with good food and we're making amazing time on our way to Pennsylvania...trying to power through to NY today. It's sunny for the first time in days and we feel great!

photos

graceland! right outside of memphis.



welcome to tennessee!



welcome to arkansas





everyone loves cotton




down by the rivaaaaaaaaar



rebecca on the mississippi river out of cape retardo in southern missouri.



reb eats the grilled flesh off pork ribs.