Re: Threads of Feeling

"From 1741 to 1756, women leaving their babies at the Foundling Hospital were invited to leave a token with the child as means of identification should they ever be in the unlikely position to return and reclaim them [...] These textile fragments, held at present in billet books at the London Metropolitan Archives, are too fragile to be put on permanent display. They have been touched by few and still bear the experience of the maker and the wearer. Close inspection reveals the hand-stitching that seals a hem or finished a cuff - a link to the individual who wore them more than 250 years ago and a reminder of their desperate plight and awful decision." (Selvedge Magazine, n.36 Sept/Oct 2010)

I find this to be an extraordinary redefining of fashion's ability to create identity. Fabric is an amazing medium in terms of its ability to retain memory, and this just reminds me how seriously undervalued it is in the art world.

San Carlos Institute

I was so excited to find this place tucked away in Key West. It is called the San Carlos Institute and was founded in 1871 by Cuban exiles as an educational, civic and patriotic center. Besides the interesting and quirky artifacts it houses, this building has some really incredible tile work built right into it.

KEY WEST

I will come here again some day. My idea of heaven is described in the first picture, a colorful bar on a hot day sipping fun punch and eating empanadas. Seriously delightful!

Extra Goodness

That's right, we stayed in a No-Tell Hotel.
This was the airport shuttle. I know, right? Classy.

M I A M I

I found myself a brand new love of art deco. It had never really struck a chord with me, but seeing it in the context of Miami with the palm trees, the blazing sun and Latin influence, the shapes and colors make perfect sense.

Miami, I Heart You.