NOT my red cowboy boots...Babas!

I make this hairy monster one-of-a-kind toys, feed her yummy snacks, and rub her belly, but apparently nothing satisfies her more than my favorite pair of cowboy boots. 

An innovative conference for women by women...

It seems that business conferences and creative workshops are incredibly popular nowadays, which is probably due to the fact that a lot of us are exhausted of being under-employed, under-payed and let's face it, uninspired as a result of this horrid economy.  I love that these PR gatherings exist, and I would gladly attend, if they didn't cost so much money. (Between Mark and I, we would easily need at least 10K!) But I get it, the phenomenal speakers need to get paid.  I'm especially tantalized by two forums in particular; the TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) conferences hosted in Long Beach, Palm Springs and Edinburgh, Scotland AND the Domaine de Boisbuchet workshops sponsored by vitra. and Centre Pompidou. But again, the $$$ is very much an obstacle...
So a few days ago, I was elated to discover that Montreal will be hosting a conference here (near ME), this coming May called, Commerce + Creativity, organized by no other than...Sid Lee (and prominent friends).  Its main focus is really to attract possible international collaborators to Montreal, which I love, but I was quickly dispirited by 2 main things, the price ($2,700+) and the line up of speakers. The only female speaker on the panel so far is Arianna Huffington.  I have nothing against Arianna Huffington, but is she the only successful woman available in May? Don't get me wrong, the men invited to speak are fantastic, but I do hope a few more affluent and motivational women are added to the list.  See complete list here. 

Which leads me to the photographs I have selected for this post.  It would be fascinating to attend a conference for women by women, right? Do they exist?  AND I don't mean craft fairs...not at all what I mean.  Does anybody know Oprah?, maybe she can help us get this going...

Here are a few women that come to mind. . .who would you add to the list?

Phyllis Lambert, Founding Director of The Canadian Centre for Architecture, located here in Montreal.  Image from Review/Tendances FW 2010.
Maira Kalman, Author, Illustrator, and frequent contributor to The New Yorker.  Image borrowed from here.
Leith Clark, Editor-in-chief of LULA magazine. (Great article here.) Photo by Maja Flink.
Kate and Laura Mulleavy (Rodarte).  Incredible recent news about them, here. Photo by Inez Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin.
Desirée Rogers, Former social secretary to the White House for the Obamas.  Informative article here. Photo borrowed from here.
Elizabeth Diller, Partner and founding member of Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Great article by DOMUS here.
Alice Waters, Chef, author, and the proprietor of Chez Panisse. Photo borrowed from here.
Grace Coddington, Former model and the creative director of American Vogue, read here.
Sofia Coppola, Screenwriter, film director/producer. Photo by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin.
Tilda Swinton, Model and peerless actress.  Photo by Tim Walker for W Magazine.

Topic No.1: Innovative Conferences, Cosmo THIS! 

What do you do when your own worst enemy is...you?

"We meet a Cold War negotiator who, in order to quit smoking, backs himself into a tactical corner, and we visit a clinic in Russia where patients turn to a radical treatment to help fight their demons. Plus, Elizabeth Gilbert lays out strategies for doing battle with your muse." RADIOLAB

I listened to this piece yesterday and afterwards, I felt relieved and smarter. Take an hour out of your busy Monday and listen. 


Topic No.1: Innovative Conferences, Cosmo THIS! 

apartamento...

I don't understand why it's impossible to get a copy of apartamento in Montreal...anyway, it's a fabulous periodical and the quote below from the magazine's website inspired me to take a snapshot of the mini library next to my side of the bed. . .What's next to yours?

A barbecued chicken emporium...

Mark and I dined at Laurier Gordon Ramsay for the second time this past weekend.  The Scottish born revered chef, Gordon Ramsay recently rescued what used to be Laurier Bar-B-Q and transformed it into a delicious hot spot with admirable service.  We had yummy chicken (I forgot to shoot it, sorry), the flavorful market salad accompanied by a gluttonous poutine (french fries with gravy and cheese curds), and for the grand finale we shared a reasonable portion of the butterscotch bread pudding.  Enjoy my snapshots...Oh and the bottomless pickles were delish!

These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray...

The most captivating scene (and personally...the ONLY absorbing scene) in Steve McQueen's, Shame is Carey Mulligan singing New York New York.  In my opinion, it would have been a more unique script, if Carey's character, Sissy had possessed the so called sex addiction instead of her angry brother Brandon, played by Michael Fassbender. The clip above is just a short teaser, but the actual scene in the film is longer and lovely. FYI, Sissy's complete version of the song is part of the film's soundtrack.  When she sings the words "these vagabond shoes" it's heartbreakingly masterful and the way she says New York...it's impossible not to feel that longing with her. . .

Sissy's version. . .

Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today. I wanna be a part of it New York, New York.

I wanna wake up in a city, That doesn't sleep, And find I'm king of the hill  Top of the heap.

These vagabond shoes  Are longing to stray, right through the very heart of it New York, New York.

If I can make it there,  I'll make it anywhere  It's up to you, New York, New York.

I wanna wake up in a city, That doesn't sleep, 

And find I'm king of the hill, Head of the list, Cream of the crop At the top of the heap

These little town blues  Are melting away  I'll make a brand new start of it   In old New York. 

If I can make it there,  I'll make it anywhere  It's up to you, New York, New York.

After Sissy concludes her doleful performance, she chats with her brother's (married) boss. . .see clip below.
NOTE: I love the conversation about living in Los Angeles. That used to be me. . .I was that cute artsy girl with a giant black leather portfolio case, waiting at the dilapidated L.A. bus stops (plural), on my way to those art & architecture classes...hmm, memories.

Happy Friday from my little Bohème and her giant new bird...

This two-foot long companion makes Babas Bohème extremely happy. I had to make her a giant bird because she completely destroyed the smaller (earlier) models.

Stumptown Girl...

PORTLANDIA's second season premieres today. Great article in the New Yorker this week about Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen, read here. I love the title of the article, possibly referencing my favorite coffee beans? Carrie is adorable, she lures you in with her awkwardly charming characters. It is difficult to define why I like this show, I just do.  It makes me laugh uncontrollably. 


FYI: If you don't have the IFC channel like me, itunes offers a Season Pass.

EAMES: The architect and the painter...

Their story is truly inspirational. They make it look so easy. The trailer alone makes me feel all tingly inside. . .have any of you seen this film? Official site. I love the ironical title.  
Image borrowed form here.

If ever there was a city designed to distract us from our troubles, it would be Paris...

...says Thomas Jefferson, played by Stephen Dillane, to John (Paul Giamatti) and Abigail (Laura Linney) Adams in the HBO series John Adams. 

This past weekend, I stumbled upon this HBO series while walking the aisles of my favorite movie rental spot here in Montreal (Boite Noire) and so far I'm enjoying it very much. Laura Linney's portrayal of Abigail Adams is brilliant. I don't know how historically accurate it is (can anything really be 100%?), but the acting is exceptional. The Paris scenes are delicious.


Image borrowed from here.