Loving
With Valentine's Day rapidly approaching I have found myself thinking about love - what it is, what it means and how everyone
has a different definition. I don't think that it is a coincidence that these thoughts are crossing my mind while reading the spectacular
book, The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk. A very literary minded friend lent it to me all the while saying "I just heard him speak on
NPR - he's fabulous - I had never heard of him before - but this book is all about love, loss and the desire to put things back together. Just read it, I have
a feeling that you will love it." Being that she is always one to recommend a great book I took her advice and went to the beach with my book in tow
and a couple days to read. That was last weekend. Now I'm at the beach again and I can't put it down. And when I do put it down I find myself thinking
about getting right back into it. In fact right now as I write this, I am looking forward to curling up in front of the fireplace and finding myself once again in
Istanbul in the early 70s. A quick summary (at least to the place that I am at): Istanbul society boy is engaged to society girl. Society boy goes into a boutique to buy
his fiance a gift and sees an old family relation to which he feels enormously drawn. Has to see her again and falls in love. Continues to see her and eventually invites
her to his engagement party where they discreetly dance and plan to meet the next day as always. All while this is happening he is still happy to be marrying his fiance
and can't believe his incredible luck that he can have both these women in his life. Problem: next day his lover doesn't show up and he finds out that she has gone
missing. He becomes physically ill with thoughts that he will never see her again and begins to do irrational things. All while their love affair is taking place he is collecting
objects and mementos to keep and eventually to put in a museum of his own creation in Istanbul. That is where I am now and it is incredible. It seems his way of loving
her is creating a memorial to her even before she is gone. He is collecting their whole story to show the world - it seems to be the only way that he can hold on to her
without having her. I know people who are collectors - but the collection of love seems strange and intriguing. Although, now that I say that I was just on the beach with
John collecting seashells as mementos of our trip to the beach. What I'll do with them I'm not sure, but they will forever remind me of this blustery weekend so I guess
I fall into that category as well.
I read a lot but haven't been reading much fiction these days as business books seem to cover my nightstand. That being said I am taking on the enjoyable task of
reading more fiction. I always forget what a magical experience it is to be taken away by someone elses experiences. If you have any great fiction reading suggestions
please let me know - I'd love to hear from you.
xoxo,
Kerrilynn
Welcome to the seventh installment of the Ladies of Castor & Pollux.
Sydney is New York by way of Texas which means she's loud and funny yet sophisticated and subdued. Upon first meeting we
realized that we had worked at the same interior design firm years ago and also have a close mutual friend in common making me
feel like I've known her much longer than I actually have. I always think of her as someone who has a beautiful love affair
with New York - she takes in this city like a long drink and is always celebrating what it has to offer. I think you'll see that in her answers
below; so go ahead - fall in love with New York and Sydney.
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The Ladies of Castor & Pollux - Lady No. 7 - Sydney Maag
Photo by John von Pamer
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Favorite recipe?
Crostini With Chicken Livers and Crisp Fried Sage
8 oz chicken livers
2 T white flour
4 T olive oil
Handful of fresh sage leaves
1/2 onion - peeled and crushed
2 garlic cloves - peeled
3 T Vin Santo or Marsala Wine
1 T Brandy
2 T capers - drained and rinsed
4 pickled gherkins - finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 thin slices of Ciabatta bread
Rinse the chicken livers and pat dry on kitchen paper. Dust lightly with the flour. Heat olive oil in a deep frying pan. When very hot, add
the sage leaves and let them frazzle for a few seconds only before transferring to a plate with a slotted spoon. Add the onion and garlic to the
pan, lower the heat and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the chicken livers and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes to seal. Pour
in the wine and brandy, if using, and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the chicken livers are tender; they should still be slightly pink on the
outside. Add the capers and the gherkins to the pan and remove from the heat. Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on a baking
sheet and toast in a 400 degree oven for a few minutes, until golden. Meanwhile, transfer the chicken liver mixture to a food processor
and blend to a coarse paste. Spread on the hot crostini and serve at once, scattered with the fried sage leaves.
Last great book you read?
Rogues Gallery by Michael Gross.
Summer drink of choice?
Champagne.
Animals-names and breeds?
Luna, a Parson Russell.
Do you exercise? What do you do, if so?
I take a myriad of different sculpting, stretching and core classes at Clay. Elsewhere, I like to hike, swim, play tennis
or take a leisurely bike ride.
Salty or sweet?
Both, but definitely love salty more if I had to pick one on the spot.
Who inspires you and why?
My Grandmothers inspire me because of their long lived lives. The wisdom, knowledge, acceptance and forgiveness
they possess can only come from a life well lived. They inspire me to live and love and be the best I can be.
Pool or ocean?
Ocean!
Favorite city?
New York City. So nice, they named it twice.
Last great vacation?
Trip to Texas with my son to see my Grandmother and the rodeo.
Favorite tv show?
I Love Lucy.
Weirdest job you've ever had?
Wow. That was definitely in the OR as a glorified scrub when I was in high school.
Favorite restaurant?
Minetta Tavern.
Favorite object in your home
My Great-Grandmothers bed in which my son now sleeps.
Favorite piece of clothing?
Most of my vintage peasant blouses and a very cool floor-length velvet leopard print dress from Castor & Pollux!
Favorite blog or website?
There are way too many - an obsession of mine! I have many linked on my blog.
Something you're scared of?
Bad manners, bad drivers, saying goodbye and Sarah Palin.
Favorite record?
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On.
Favorite popsong?
Frankie Valli - Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You.
Your Ideal day?
My ideal day is waking up early while it is still and quiet outside and having a delicious and very strong cup of coffee. Morning
reading/writing meditation to center and focus. A movie, a drive or an endless walk exploring the sites, sounds, smells and textures.
An exercise class followed by a spa treatment with an amazing meal to after either made by me or by friends or at one of my favorite
restaurants. Maybe another movie or the theater or some music followed by another nice walk home and then a nice hot bath and off to bed.
Sweet Dreams.
Favorite gift you've ever received?
My gorgeous son - Wylie!
Favorite flower?
Magnolias, Gardenias, and Orchids.
Astrological sign?
Virgo.
What do you do for a living?
Interior Design & Lifestyle.
Where do you live?
NYC - Lexington Avenue between 26 & 27. The Middle East Side.
Your lucky number?
9 and/or 3.
What piece of art would you buy if you had no budget?
Marden, Twombly, Basquiat, Richard Serra Sculpture.
KATIE FINN IS IN THE HOUSE!
Black Diamond Rings
An assortment of tourmaline rings
As a lot of you know, Katie Finn, is an enormously talented jewelry designer that we've been showcasing for the past year. Many customers have
already started their collections and many more collections will be born this Friday. She sources all her stones from India and then sets them
herself in combinations of 14K and 24K gold referencing her Grandmother's jewelry box. I think she's great, and I love what she does with
these stones. I'm really looking forward to seeing these new pieces. It should be a fun evening so come by, take a look, meet Katie and have
some wine and cheese with us. We look forward to seeing you all!
xoxo,
Kerrilynn
PS. Don't forget that Valentine's is very rapidly approaching - so make your lists and check them off!
The New Totes!
I just had to share these new tote bag designs submitted to me by Lili, my ten year old niece. I so wish that I had
half the creativity of her. She's amazing in so many ways - this is only one of them. If you have a
favorite, let me know. I think this should be the next edition of the current tote that we have, don't you?
Have a great weekend and don't forget that our bi-annual sample sale starts tomorrow at noon. See you with
coffee in hand!
xoxo,
Kerrilynn
I'm so lucky to have Seagull hair salon next door to C&P. Shaun gives good cuts, Johanna gives good fun and everyone else
is just givin' it up! Go check them out, they're all a pleasure and I always leave feeling infinitely better than when I walk in.
The Women of Edward Curtis
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Mosa - Mohave, 1903
There is such beauty, longing and uncertainty in these photos. I was given this book for Christmas by a dear friend
and can’t stop gazing into these women’s eyes and imagining their lives. I myself have some Native American by way
of the Cherokees in my makeup but unfortunately don’t know nearly enough about the history and ways of these people.
The photographer, Edward Curtis, was twenty-seven years old when he began documenting and photographing the
women. One of his main subjects, Princess Angeline, daughter of the Chief of Seattle, became one of his most famous
subjects and was known for her temper and refusal to leave her homeland. After she passed away Edward states the
following: “The passing of every old man or woman means the passing of some tradition, some knowledge of sacred
rites possessed by no other; consequently the information that is to be gathered for the benefit of future generations,
respecting the mode of life of one of the great races of mankind, must be collected at once or the opportunity will be
lost for all time.”
Princess Angeline, 1899
I think his statement is what draws me so strongly to these images; the idea that had these never been
documented, all traces of history and culture would fade away without us even realizing the beauty that we would never
see. The pictures in the book show women working; making pots, harvesting rice, digging for clams; everyday rituals that
make up their culture. It all speaks to my interest in traditions and heirlooms and rites of passage. What they were facing
in the months and years to come was unknown, but they did realize that their history was changing and they were moving
away from life as they knew it.
A Hopi Girl - 1905
It makes me realize the value of photography and it’s ability to translate history for future
generations. Please take a look and let me know your thoughts. And if you happen to run across this book, you should
definitely pick it up, it’s a great addition to any art library. Enjoy!
Untitled (Girl with Jar) - Hopi, 1900
