The Art of the Latte

{image of latte in melbourne via apixelforbreakfast.com by silvia susen}

Gracia Festival :: Barcelona

{image via visit-bcn}

In a search for creative and festive holiday decorations, I came across this image of a street festival in Barcelona, called Gracia Festival, which takes place in August. Even the recepticals are festive! {If you are ever in Barca in November, and missing American turkey on the 25th, you can find some Thanksgiving festivities happening, here.}

Zentangle: Sharing some Zen

{images of simple zentangles OR inspired art like this by annika sylte via the zentangle blog}

Zentangle, to me means the art of repetitive pattern and self exploration (my words). Everytime I sit to do one, I have a great experience with myself! Zentangle was developed by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and is now making waves all over the world. For good reason, their presentation and personal connection with pen and paper, understanding the principals of meditation and relaxation, and their great knowledge of art, nature and architecture bring new patterns continuously. The simplicity is amazing. They teach you how to break down each one, so simply. Even the novice and the curious can sit for 15 minutes and emerge with a beautiful piece of art!

This post by Annika Sylte caught my eye on the Zentangle blog recently. She has taken her realistic art and intertwined the familiar patterns taught with Zentangle. You may see these patterns everywhere you go, once you start noticing them, it's kind of amazing ALL the details you start to see. Look at the facade of the buildings you pass, the details in old woodwork, the carved frames in your house, the honeycomb of a bee, the bark of a tree...the list goes on. Traveling is incredible once you start noticing all the old world motifs that you don't see in this "new" land we live in. Patterns and motifs have been around for centuries, Zentangle reminds us of our surroundings, and the beautiful things we are lucky enough to notice.

Misty Romanian Morning

{images from romania 2010: crucea eroilor on carpathian mountains, a roadside fern}

Transylvanian adventures

{dr. gonzo's garlic mash kept the evil at bay at bran castle. thank you stu for the mash!}

{a trabant, seen often, this one in rasnov}

{a wall in sanpetru}

{sunshine at dusk in sanpetru}

Yesterday's trip to Bran was made more fun with a jar of Dr. Gonzo's Garlicmash. We took the jar from Worcester, Massachusetts where it was made to Brasov, Romania. One of the only gifty things we brought that were actually conceived in Worcester. Vlad's dad is very picky about where things are made and so we thought it would be a great idea to introduce some condiments from the city we are from. The Drunk Stunt Mustard went over well, but the Garlicmash pulled ahead, keeping the evil spirits away at Bran.

Spirits are alive and well all over. The moment we arrived, Vlad's Dad put a red string on our little one. The red string, a talisman is a tradition here for children that keeps the child safe from the evil thoughts and intentions of people that look at them. The tradition is probably derived from the Kaballah, where the seven knots in the red string when tied to the left hand can ward off the evil eye. Like Madonna, my little lady is sporting a red string that she will wear until it falls off, as she did on our last visit as well. I think it's especially important to a grandfather when he thinks his grandaughter is the cutest thing on earth and that people would want to harm her because of the cuteness. I am not sure if it's contemptuous to have the string on, but I do think its sweet that she wears the string and respects that her "Ticu" gave it to her. Usually bracelets don't last long on the wrist of this little spitfire.

Last evening I was invited to visit a tarot reader named Ovidiu. I was promised that he would only tell me the good things in my future. Gypsies, red strings and people staring at you in the eye, making your pulse flutter makes me a little unsettled about Tarot. Yesterday, outside of Bran as we went to the car, a woman sitting in the adjacent car stared at Soleil, blankly, without blinking or turning away when I looked at her. I turned and looked back again and she was still staring at my little red stringer inside the car! Romanian women are strikingly beautiful. In fact sometimes I can't believe there are so many really beautiful ones in one place. This woman had really light blue eyes and they pierced me to the core as she would not take here eyes away or blink for that matter. Many moments passed and I was really happy for the little red string, driving away feeling a little protected. I seriously believe in higher powers, intuition, and mumbo jumbo. I do. I do. Thank goodness for red strings and garlicmash.

We never made it up to the lake yesterday, as Soleil got sick with a stomach bug. This of course was because prior to the red string, people looked at her at the airport. This deduction was translated to me by Vlad from his father, who is a doctor, in fact. I love the absolute belief that people have so much power to affect the world. I think I will use this for good. As of this morning, both of Vlad's parents are also in a bad way, and so with three down, we have decided to stay around the house while everyone is sleeping. We have brought the spell into the house and I kind of feel bad. Two espressos down and I feel like I could type all afternoon. With the soupa on the stove, the apa minerala and the extract of fig flower, anise broth and a little camomile chai...the family will be well soon. "Red strings for all," I say. I am happy to be blogging a little, but feel like I am missing an adventure.

By the way, as a side note, Romanian radio is much like home, they play the same 20 songs over and over. If I hear Shakira's Gypsy one more time...Doamne, Doamne capu meu! It will be the song that reminds me of this trip, I know. Looking forward to a better evening for those of us that have been up all night fighting the belly beast.

Oh, I scored a sweet pair of shoes yesterday on Republicii in Brasov. The dollar is up so shopping is more fun that it was in 2008! 148 lei is not so bad.

Rediscovering Brasov

{the circular flusher makes a wonderland image in my favorite place in brasov, the all new festival 39, the initial inspiration for my blog...even better now! you must come visit brasov}

{images of brasov, romania 2010}

So much has changed in Brasov since my first trip in 2004, prior to Romania joining the EU. The economy has prospered so much, evident in all the new homes, cars and infrastructure. New more efficient roads have been built, diverting most commercial traffic outside the downtown area and keeping the city free of congestion and pollution. Emissions are way down and the mountain air is clear and fresh, and free of litter, which used to be a huge problem. The town itself is popular among tourist groups. Just sitting at the plaza, you see so many who travel the three hours on small roads from Bucharest to see the town once known as Kronstadt, when occupied and built by the Germans. This medieval town is filled with elements of it's former self, most reflected in the city's coat of arms, Brasov is also known as the "crown city", populated now by a large amount of Moldovians as well.

Being from the States, you do not see old buildings like you do in Europe. I think this is the most evident thing I feel when I am here. The history is all over. Walking around town and seeing history reminds me how young our United States are. I feel overwhelmed when I see the dates on buildings and stop to think of the people that would have built them with their hands, much like I do walking in the woods near my home in Worcester, MA when I see old stone walls separating land.

Today we are off to Bran to take our little one to see Bran Castle. A very touristy place to go, but it's close and she is into princesses these days. Little does she know what Bran represents for the world, thanks to Bram Stoker. I am wondering if all the hoopla with the vampire shows in the US have casued an influx of sightseers to Transylvania. We will go from there to Transfagarasan, a long mountain road that leads up to a lake.

Oh the Wondrous Places...

{iphone image of "oh the wonderous places" by dr. seuss and published and created by forrest-pruzan creative and icandothatgames.com}

Last holiday season, I made a purchase at Barnes and Noble of a set of Dr. Suess travel cards. A set of "51 1/2 beautiful cards" for my daughter who is 2. Well, everyone loves the good doctor, especially me. Amazed and surprised was I to open the package and find incredible adventures in store. Of all the amazing places in the world, like Petra and Machu Picchu, I did not expect to find Burning Man in the mix. The game was created by Forrest-Pruzan Creative and published under icandothatgames.com. Thank you folks for this inspiring game, in the very spirit of Dr. Suess. I will look for more games created by you!

Brasov, Romania

{brasov, romania 2004}

Travel makes me so inspired. I can't wait for this year's trip to Brasov, so my little Sosi can see her Tiku! We have not been since 2008. That trip was so much fun, meeting our friends at the Black Sea. I just can't wait to hop on the plane.

Sunshine, please

{image of bike at sunset, constanta, ro 2008}

I would like to go for a bikeride in the sunshine, buy some bread and strap it to my bike.

Ruffles in Paris

{image via ffffound}

Have an adventurous and wonderful weekend. Do something crazy.

Waterfire Providence

{images of waterfire in providence}

Burning Man 2009

{image via flickr by timmmip}

For those wondering, and wishing from afar, flickr has recent uploads of Burning Man 2009, now in full swing at Black Rock City. The art theme of 2009 is Evolution, which is fitting since it is 200 years since Darwin's birth, and 150 years since the publication of the Origin of the Species. To learn more and share insight with creative minds, be sure to look into Reading Odyssey, hosting amazing lectures right here in Boston.

Falmouth Road Race

{Franklin Crew taken by unknown Franklinite or some friendly bystander? Lifted from Andreea Water's FB}

Images from this weekend during the 37th Annual Falmouth Road Race, with historical contenders runners like Joan Benoit Samuelson and Bill Rodgers among the 8,950 runners crossed the finish line. The Ethiopians swept in both men/women's wins. Check out the website for more on this historical and inspirational race.

Congrats Franklinites for a good race and some Bristol Beach fun!

East and West

{image When East meets West by CiaoChessa via flickr}

“Today we all speak, if not the same tongue, the same universal language. There is no one center, and time has lost its former coherence: East and West, yesterday and tomorrow exist as a confused jumble in each one of us. Different times and different spaces are combined in a here and now that is everywhere at once.”

Octavio Paz

Have a great weekend

{image via them things via ffffound}
It must be warm somewhere in the states.

NYC

I swung on to my old guitar

Grabbed hold of a subway car

And after a rocking, reeling, rolling ride

I landed up on the downtown side: Greenwich Village.

~Bob Dylan

New York City

{image via ffffound}

The National Stationery Show is fast approaching and with the summer-like weather and raging sunshine this weekend, my jealousy is peaking that I can't be in the city this weekend. It seems to always rain for the show and getting a cab in Manhattan in the rain is not fun. My friend, Andreea (aka PR partner) is in the city until Tuesday for the International Beauty Show...........hairdresser haven. She is there making sure the big huge screen doesn't fall down and break the blow dryers for Expert Satellite. Have some Soho fun for me, Dre. I am there with you in spirit.

Ireland on my mind...

With St. Patrick's Day soon approaching, there has been a bit of Irish music being played in my house. I have been thinking about a few different and unrelated Irish things...the trip my parents have yet to take. 911 took their trip away. It was planned for a few weeks after and Mom just did not want to fly after. She will get there someday...I will see to it. Some very Irish childhood friends from elementary school shared a trip to Ireland a few years ago to celebrate their 40th birthdays. Lastly, my favorite story of all...

To the best of my memory...Two friends, Kathleen and Matthew snuck away to Ireland for a little vacation. Kath did not know what Matthew had in store for her. They met at college, Williams College in western Massachusetts. He from upstate NY and she from Worcester. The two love birds found themselves in a pub one afternoon, soon after Matthew popped the question to his love.

In celebratory spirit, they shared Guinness (after Guinness) and noticed a man in the corner with a "Maine" sweatshirt on. The two introduced themselves as they were neighbors, essentially. So they drank and shared stories and the two shared their news with the new friend. They talked and celebrated the afternoon and into the night with their new friend. There was a dilemma on their minds as they thought about the wedding day. Where were they to have the ceremony? They decided to meet the families in the middle...at Williams where they met. But who at Williams would they have perform the ceremony? They new no one and wanted it to be someone they both knew. As they talked, the new friend said that he would do it, as he lived right in North Adams, Massachusetts! He turned out to be a priest as well. So Kath and Matt wrote down their contact information on a Guinness coaster and gave it to him. He married the two.

Turquoise Chic!

Here she is!
By becoming a friend of Festival Creative,
you are entered to win this turquoise and sandstone necklace
with onyx accents and a Midori Ribbon closure.

There is still time to win.
The drawing will be held March 15.

Boys can enter too!
Think of all the love coming your way after surprising her with a big hunky turquoise stunner!

{By entering, you will be helping me grow readership,
make me look like I am not talking to myself, which I may do occasionally...
and hopefully find yourself at home here and spread the word.}