Over at The Millions this week, they compared the U.S. vs U.K. covers of recently published books. I always thought it interesting in principle to design different covers to reflect different cultures for the same book. What memory one design may spark in an American would certainly be different than in a Brit. And sometimes, I am far more in love with the British cover than the American one.

Above, on the left is the American cover design for The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes; on the right is the UK version. For Alfred A. Knopf, New York, long-standing art director Carol Devine Carson created the design. She has designed such other iconic (or at least well-recognized) covers such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, Heat by Bill Buford (a personal favorite), and Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking.

It’s amazing how your world just changes when a good book comes into your life. I’m currently reading The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. The words, so simple and pure, leave me finding whatever quiet moment I can to read a few more pages. And then a few more. Perhaps, after a particularly terrible or uninspiring novel, finding a good one is a surprising reminder of how satisfying and transformative a good book can be.

Also, I started making myself a few book plates/labels out of sheer boredom, today. I was feeling especially cheeky, and being somewhat (okay, a lot) possessive about my books, I thought these were a good fit! I am still playing around with colors, but I like these! I’m going to spend the night decorating the inside of a few of my favorite books.

I also wanted to share them with you: Just grab an Avery 5163 (2″ x 4″) sheet of labels, download them here, and print away! Feel free to share them if you’re so inclined, just please be sure to give proper credit thanks.

Holly Laurent parodies that Lana Del Rey song that I seem to be the last person on earth to hear, and set it to The Hunger Games. The fact that I caught myself singing this in the shower this morning means that it will soon become a daily fixture in my wake-up mix. Love it and I don’t care if that officially labels me as the hugest nerd EVER. (First seen here.)

Book  //  Park  //  Tiger Salad  //  Singapore Sling (supposed favorite of the author)  //  Dress  //  Sweater  //  Boots  // Necklace  //  Socks  //  Ring

I also want to make it known that I am not forgoing my reading duties. I have been able to make time five-six nights each week to read at least a few pages.

What kills me is that I don’t even like the book that much! It’s not that Bolano’s Infrarealist style is particularly boring, or even that the subject matter itself is not something I’m interested in. On paper, I should be really enjoying this book. Bolano writes in a style that usually appeals to me, where it’s concentrated on a character and the banality of daily life. (Yes, I actually like that.) Yet, for whatever reason, I feel myself begrudgingly lifting it’s cover each night, allowing my eyes to fly past words without really reading them, and skipping over sections that don’t appeal to me. Which means I should have finished it within days, right?! Right! But this book is like a space vacuum that just sucks you into a void and no matter how much you struggle to get out, there is no end to the void.

And yet, I can’t seem to abandon the book, either. Each time I decide to toss it aside and crack open something more interesting, I can’t seem to be able to do so. A voice in my head always talks me out of it.

Have you ever experienced this? It is perhaps the most bizarre relationship I’ve ever had with a book, and I just don’t know how to break up with it.

– Threw another successful opening at the Gallery! Over 200 attendees, wonderful Italian wines, and some really stunning art by Rex Prescott Walden.

– Got all gussied up in a fancy couture dress to attend a gala supporting a local art house cinema.

– Drove to the Berkshires to visit a very accomplished sculptor. Toured his amazing home- a converted dairy barn that includes his studio, his wife’s massage therapy room, and a fantastic collection of guitars- and ate fantastic food prepared by his lovely wife.

– Took a short hike through the woods with two giant dogs, which made for a perfectly peaceful Sunday afternoon.

– Visited a maple syrup making station. Was treated so some of the most delicious syrup I’ve ever tasted.

– Hung out with a bunch of Giants fans (though, who were remarkably respectful!)… and had to watch my boys falls apart, yet again.

Also, I have some comments I want to get back to and some of your blogs I want to check out! Today and tomorrow, however, are busy hanging our next show, so apologies for the radio silence. Will regroup over the weekend! Hope yours is wonderful!

Book  //  Space  //  Food  //  Drink  //  Shirt  //  Leggings  //  Boots  //  Bangle  //  Necklace

I instagram because I have no actual photographing talent

I love going to estate sales and antique shops. I think this all stems from my affinity for used bookstores; there’s something intrinsically exciting about having something someone else’s hands once possessed.  It’s an added layer of history and inspires a curiosity for the past.

In the last two years, I was introduced to the estate sale. Living in an area that has a very high concentration of wealth lends itself to some fantabulous sales. This weekend, we ventured to a house that belonged to “upscale hoarders.” Packed to the brim with various ephemera, art, chotchkes, and items of personal significance, and all priced to sell. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for my bank account), the house was entirely picked over the previous day. I leafed through a stack of vintage photographs of Venice, Italy, and selected one for a dollar.

Estate Sale Days tend to lend themselves to more adventure. You’re more apt to take the long way home and try to discover places you’d never been. You stop at old-looking delis and bakeries, asking to sample the house specialty. You sip tea while watching the sun set.

After a day full of adventure, we headed home where I concocted quite possibly the best pizza known to mankind. I’ve included the recipe below, in case anyone else would like to try their hand at it.

Broccoli, Onion, Anchovy, and Goat Cheese Pizza

As long as you’re both eating it, no one has to worry about their breath

• One pre-made ball of pizza dough (I used Trader Joe’s)
• Broccoli and cauliflower florets, chopped
• 1 can anchovies
• 1 ball goat cheese
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Prepared pesto sauce (once again, Trader Joe’s to the rescue for me!)
• Olive Oil
• Marinara sauce (I used Trader Joe’s Marinara)
• 2 heaping tablespoons of minced garlic
• Salt, garlic powder, and pepper to taste

1. Follow the package instructions to prepare the pizza dough.
2. Drizzle olive oil on a baking sheet and layout chopped broccoli and cauliflower. Dot with minced garlic and season with salt and pepper. Set the broiler on high and leave in until broccoli is crispy (keep a careful eye on it, though, to be sure it doesn’t burn!).
3. Take your dough and roll it out into whatever shape you want. Drizzle with olive oil and spread minced garlic. Sprinkle with garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Top with marinara sauce.
4. Layer anchovies, onions, and broccoli. Dot with clumps of goat cheese
5. Add as much shredded mozzarella as you’d like on top. Dot top with dollops of pesto sauce.
6. Cook in oven at 425 until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling (for me, it took about 28 minutes, even though the pizza dough bag said it would take only 6).

Marie Claire Maison, January 2012 (via Pinterest)

– Took a much-needed coffee-and-book break with one of my best friends.

– Went through a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but the ship’s been righted, happy to say.

– Watched Donnie Brasco for the first time and fell a little more in love with Johnny Depp.

– Estate-sale hopped with homemade egg sandwiches in hand and walked around Bedford, NY, which is truly one of the most charming towns.

– Visited a few artists’ studios, indulged in tea, chocolate, homemade jams, and a healthy dose of wisdom.

– Poked around a bizarre little antique shop in Scotts Corners, NY.

– Took a break from my spending hiatus and indulged by buying myself two grapefruit spoons!

– Made the most delicious pizza: Broccoli, Anchovy, Goat Cheese, and Onion (sure, our breath didn’t smell that great after, but it was worth it! Recipe to follow!)

– Also came up with a new concoction: Seared Tilapia with Grapefruit Vinaigrette (another recipe to share when I remember how I did it).

– Ate more Liz Sue Lox Job bagels.

– Checked a few things off the old, extended To-Do list.