Travel, Uncategorized

My Best Sunsets of 2017

December 31, 2017 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Sunset at The Pearl Resort, Fiji, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier

Sunset at Catalina Island, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier

Sunset in the Pacific Northwest, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier

Sunset at Laguna Beach, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier

Malibu 2017, Photo Skyler Campbell — Sunset over Malibu, 2017, Photo Skyler Campbell

Sunset over Malibu, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier

Moon Festival, Chinatown, LA, Photo Romi Cortier — Sunset at the Moon Festival, Chinatown, LA, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier

My best sunsets of 2017 takes a look back at some of my favorite moments throughout the year. Any sunset that makes you stop and take notice is a great day in my book, and if it happens to take place on a special occasion, then it’s a an added bonus. With a year full of Breaking News alerts 24/7, it’s nice to take a moment and focus on what was beautiful and right in the world.

The Fiji sunset on January 2nd, was one of the most serenely colorful sunsets I’ve ever seen. There was the finest mist of rain coming down on that 80 degree evening, adding a little extra moisture and magic to the reflected light of the sunset. I’d forgotten that I’d started 2017 in Fiji, so this image is a beautiful reminder of one of the best vacations I’ve ever had.

Sunset on Catalina Island was an amazing day for two reasons. I’d surprised my fiancé with a Helicopter ride to the island, which was fantastic because he’d made friends with the pilot while taking this photo below, who then invited him to sit up front on our trek across the channel. This made his first chopper ride an experience that kept him grinning for hours afterwards. The chopper flew at about 300 feet above the ocean, making the 11 minute journey both quick and thrilling.

Recio and Romi, Helicopter transport from Catalina Express, Longbeach, Ca. 2017

Part two of July 4th in Catalina was getting the news about the surprise early birth of my great nephew Cannon, as the fireworks began over the bay. Someone randomly played the Dynasty theme song on the beach as the fireworks exploded overhead…. magic!! Who could’ve ask for a better day.

Sunset in the Pacific Northwest was taken a few weeks later when I went to visit Cannon, the newly born little nugget. It’s hard to believe that I have three great nieces and nephews at my age…. who knows, at this rate I might get to see some great great nieces and nephews before my days are done here on planet earth. What makes me most happy about this news, is that both of my sisters are now enjoying being grandmothers at such early age.

Sunset at Laguna Beach was a day set aside to celebrate my fiances birthday by doing what he loves most, hanging out on the beach. This was his first time visiting Laguna, which has always been a special place for me because of its fantastic art gallery scene. Sue Greenwood Fine Art at 330 N. Coast Highway is worth the drive down from L.A., and is a must see.

Sunset over Malibu Beach was a very special day, as it included one of the most beautiful beach parties I’ve ever attended, with a very small and special group of people.

Sunset at the Moon Festival in Chinatown was a happy accident. I went there to capture a few beautiful Chinoiserie buildings for my Artful Living archives and voila… celebration! It was magical, fun, and incredibly colorful. I felt like I’d opened a beautiful fortune cookie giving me an unexpected gift.

I thank you for reading Where Art Inspires Beauty, and I hope you’re able to make some of your own magic in the coming year. May 2018 bring you riches beyond your wildest dreams, and most importantly, beautiful sunsets.

Window Display

The Magic of Tiffany & Co. on Rodeo Drive

December 22, 2017 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Tiffany & Co., Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier — Tiffany & Co., 2017, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

The magic of Tiffany & Co. window displays burst on the scene in 1961 when the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s debuted with Audrey Hepburn. It solidified the idea of romance with all of it’s endless possibilities… so there’s absolutely no pressure to create holiday windows that will still captivate nearly 60 years later, right?

The delicate details that go into each and every window display are still pure magic. Those beautiful blue-green boxes wrapped in white ribbon keep your minds eye wondering what beautiful treasure might be hidden inside. By the way, did you know that Tiffany Blue has its own Pantone number – PMS1837, however, it can’t be seen in the Pantone swatch book. It’s also copyrighted in some American states… just a few more ways to keep that magic a little more elusive.

Established in 1853, Tiffany & Co. was one of the first stores to clearly mark the price on their goods to prevent any haggling over prices. In addition, against the norm of the time, Tiffany only accepted cash payments and did not accept payments on credit. My how times have changed. The famous flagship store on 5th Avenue and 57th Street in Manhattan opened in 1940, and one of my favorite things about the store is its Art Deco details. If you happen to see newer locations, such as those built inside a mall, their front doors still feature those iconic stainless steel deco details.

Tiffany & Co., Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

Even after having been in business for over 160 years, they’ve managed to keep the magic alive. On my sisters recent 50th birthday, we traveled to Manhattan to celebrate… and stop number one, Tiffany’s! If you’re still looking for that last minute holiday gift, you know where to go.

Culture, Window Display

Louis Vuitton pairs with Jeff Koons for the Masters Collection

November 30, 2017 romicortier@yahoo.com 3 Comments

Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

Louis Vuitton has paired up with world renowned artist Jeff Koons to create a line of handbags focusing on old world art masters such as Monet, Gauguin, Manet, Turner and Boucher. I only discovered this a couple of nights ago while strolling down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. I’m not trying to be bougie… it’s just that I live a few blocks away and it’s so much fun to take in the holiday decorations. It’s free, fun, fantastic and often inspiring to see the holiday window displays. Plus this year they’ve brought back the Baccarat Chandeliers that are only hung above the street during some Christmas seasons, not all. There’s also a little piped in holiday music, and plenty of areas for photo ops with the hashtag #OnlyOnRodeo. It’s all about branding, plus I think that retailers are having a tough time getting shoppers into stores since online shopping has become everyones ‘easy out’.

As I was walking by Louis Vuitton’s windows I was initially drawn in by the new color combinations of some of the handbags, particularly the ones inspired by the paintings of Turner. The strong lavender-blue tone mixed with the hazy orange tones of Ancient Rome, really did it for me. As I continued to study the windows, I realized that the large white bunny in the entrance, as well as the handbag tags, were an homage to Jeff Koons balloon animals that he’s so famous for.

Jeff Koons Ballon Rabbit, Eli Broad Collection

And then… there are the LV’s and the JK’s on the handbags, as well as in the windows, another reference to the collaboration between these two iconic companies. And lastly, there’s that big blue Christmas ball that isn’t a Christmas decoration at all, but rather an homage to his Gazing Ball Paintings.

Jeff Koons Gazing Ball Paintings, Gagosian Gallery

Whether you love or hate the new handbags, the holiday windows on Rodeo Drive are a perfect exercise in restraint. They tell the story of the new collection and joint collaboration, while still looking festive from an uniformed point of view. Bravo!

Culture

Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic feels like an Impressionist Painting

November 6, 2017 romicortier@yahoo.com 4 Comments

Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Fan, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier

'Contemplation' by Mary Cassatt, 1891 -92 — ‘Contemplation’ by Mary Cassatt, 1891 -92

Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, 2017, Will Rogers State Park, Photo Romi Cortier

Woman with a Parasol, Claude Monet, 1875

'Racehorses' Edgar Degas, 1895, National Gallery of Canada — ‘Racehorses’ Edgar Degas, 1895, National Gallery of Canada

Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte, Georges Seurat, 1884-86, Art Institute of Chicago

I recently attended the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in Los Angeles. It was my first time attending this event, and my first time watching a polo match. The temperatures were pushing 90 on this very hot October day. In an attempt to stay cool, attendees were huddled under a sea of orange Veuve Clicquot umbrella’s as far as the eye could see. We tried our best to purchase one, but they’d quickly sold out. Thank goodness for the complimentary orange fans and the faintest summer breeze.

As the day unfolded, I began to glimpse familiar visions of moments I’d seen before in museums, namely impressionist paintings. It’s so odd to feel as if you’re living inside a painting, experiencing some sort of art deja vu. Impressionist paintings were inspired by everyday life, so why not this day? It was beautiful in every direction: polo ponies, orange umbrella’s, beautifully dressed people wearing the latest trends. To be honest, it was more fun watching the guests jockeying for photos ops at the branded photo stations, then it was actually watching the polo match.

However, as everyone stood for the National Anthem, I was both proud and humbled. I was also reminded of George Seurat’s Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte. The beautifully groomed jockeys on manicured polo ponies reminded me of Edgar Degas’s Racehorses. And when a sea of women took to the field at half time to stomp the divots… and of course take a few selfies, I was reminded of Claude Monet’s Woman with a Parasol. It’s amazing how much life changes, and yet stays the same. Maybe we all dream the same dream. To see. To be seen. To make a difference. And to look absolutely fantastic while we do it.

Architecture, Fun

A Hancock Park Halloween

October 29, 2017 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Hancock Park Halloween, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier — Halloween in Hancock Park, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier

Halloween in Hancock Park, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier

A Hancock Park Halloween, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier — Halloween in Hancock Park, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier

Halloween in Hancock Park is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. If you’re not familiar with Hancock Park, and neighboring Windsor Square, it’s because it’s one of LA’s best kept secrets.

The affluent neighborhood was founded in the early 1920’s by developer – philanthropist George Allan Hancock, and includes roughly 1200 homes. The homes tend to be architecturally significant, sitting on palatial lots, frequently with guest homes and pools tucked behind them. And when it comes to Halloween, these magnificent homes are frequently decorated to the nines. Why? Because trick or treaters come flocking to these homes by the thousands… and I’m not exaggerating. I’ve seen it first hand year after year.

The magic starts at sundown, with the youngest goblins strolling in. As the moon rises in the night sky, the streets get more and more crowded. The lines outside each home can be 50 to 100 deep, with zombie cheerleaders, biker babies and little mermaids filling their bags with some of the best candy south of Melrose avenue. One of my clients who lives in the neighborhood told me he spends on average of $500 a year, or more, on candy. With numbers like that, maybe I should be donning a mask and making the rounds too… kidding. Seriously tho, It’s so much fun to see so many happy faces making the rounds, awed by the Disney-esk mansions. Maybe someday when they’re older, they’ll come to truly appreciate theses grand Mediterranean and Spanish Revival homes for their architecture… but for now, it’s all about the Candy.

Happy Halloween!!

A Design Diary by Romi Cortier