Loving

Love and kisses (and doughnuts) from the West Coast.
Thanks!

Smoothies, coffee and beach fare being prepared. Rockaway here we come.

Beba's been sick lately and this was the first day that she was feeling better - sassy as ever - thank God.

Welcome to the twelfth installment of the Ladies of Castor & Pollux.

Justine has been shopping at C&P for quite some time (the giri's got a thing for jewelry!), but it's only recently I've been getting to know her well.  I always admired her style and joie de vivre e.g. she mentioned riding one weekend–always intriguing to me–and the next she was going to shoot guns. Yes, guns... big-ass guns. After that you kind of just want to hang out.

Justine recently sent me this email: "Dinner was amazing. Too much sake. And then I went to a metal concert, rather last minute, in those friggin high heels. That was something else... Although it was fun to get carded. Amen to metal and sake. Hells to the yeah." Meet Justine - she's rad:

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The Ladies of Castor & Pollux - Lady No. 12 - Justine Birbil

Photo by John von Pamer

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Favorite recipe?
I bake far too much for my own good. Lately, cookies are king.
Bittersweet double-chocolate mesquite ones with chile ancho.

Last great book you read?
"The Places In Between". I'm fascinated with travel writing and whip-smart journalism.
Rory Stewart walked through Afghanistan immediately after the fall of the Taliban,
following the path of the 15th-century Emperor, Babur. His trip through devastated, unsafe
terrain in the companyof a toothless old Mastiff, relying on strangers, is just amazing.

Summer drink of choice?
Aperol Spritzer or my old stand-by, Basil Hayden. Neat.

Your animals - names and breeds?
Blue. An old Greek street mutt. We've determined that he's a miniature wooly herding dog.
We just haven't decided what he herds yet.

Do you exercise? What do you do, if so?
I am not good at sitting still. I just started ballet again after a 20-year hiatus.
Thankfully, tutus are no longer required attire, but being able to eat some humble pie still is.
I also exercise with a fantastic trainer who's a dancer. After an ankle break,
that focus - like meditation - makes an enormous difference in my sense of well-being.
Crucial in this mad town.

Salty or sweet?
SWEET! Those chocolate cookies, I tell you.

Who inspires you and why?
My Mom and Dad. 48 years of marriage and they continue to show me how to experience the world and love.
I want their strength and I wantto be holding someone's hand years from now, come what may.

Pool or ocean?
The Ocean. I'm a Greek. Horizon and blue waves.

Favorite city?
New York City. That's an easy call.

Last great vacation?
Peru. Remind me to tell you about the soup on Amantani Island and the hike on Huayna Picchu.

Favorite TV show?
While recovering from my busted ankle, Netflix was my best friend. Hours and hours of The Wire.
All in a row. Omar Little...Broke my heart.

Weirdest job you've ever had?
Not so much weird as classy. I had no car in college, so I'd walk along the side of I-35, three exits,
to a divey Mexican restaurant. Sometimes I'd hitch a ride a ways (don't tell my Mom).
Even in Texas, I wasn't old enough to take a bar order but everyone looked the other way (don't tell my Dad).
I made more friends with the happy hour frozen 'rita drinkers than I did on campus,
ate 1/2-priced chips, salsa and pralines and gained 10 pounds faster than any other freshman. Oh, and I
stole dented industrial-sized pots from the Casa Flamingo kitchen for my own tiny kitchen.
All in all, a stellar first job.

 Favorite restaurant?
Ushiwakamaru

Favorite object in your home?
A 16th-century Greek icon of St. Demetrios holding his shield and sword.

Favorite piece of clothing?
A sheer blue Acne dress from C&P. Does jewelry count? Please say yes.
If so, then my bracelet of barbed wire encased
in plexi and my brass "bones" necklace from C&P are at the very top of the list.

Favorite blog or website?
My Dad's. I just got him started. Fair warning: he has energy to spare and stories to share.

Something you're scared of?
Imagine no laughter, ever. Gives me the chills. That, and heights.

Favorite record?
Scatterlings of Africa by Juluka

Favorite popsong?
Would I date myself to the extreme if I said Adam Ant's "Ant Music"
or Blancmange's "Living on the Ceiling"? If yes,
then I'll switch and say MC Solaar's "La Belle et le Bad Boy".

Your ideal day?
A delicious combination of friends, family, a long meal, sunshine and some heart pounding.

Favorite gift you've ever received?
Blue. My little wooly herding dog. My sister found him and gave him to me.

Favorite flower?
The Peony.

Favorite scent?
Byredo's "Rose Noir"

Astrological sign?
Scorpio.

What do you do for a living?
I'm a gallery director.

Where do you live?
Overlooking Madison Square Park.

Your lucky number?
I have many superstitions, but a lucky number isn't one of them. Now, if you ask me what my lucky charm is,
I'd say the tiny Babylonian lion that accompanies me when I travel.

What piece of art would you buy if you had no budget?
A Sigmar Polke monumental transparent work. A true alchemist and genius.

We are heading here again this weekend. Already planning the weekend
on Tuesday is funny but that's where my head is this summer, though.
Have you all heard about our late summer hours on Wednesdays - we're
open from 3-9 so pop in to say hi on your way home.
Also, all Spring is on sale now so it will be worth your time.
And the dog adoption is in the planning stages for the 23rd of June.
Put it on your calendar and make a new canine friend.
Have a great week!

In keeping with the theme of enjoying summer to the max we will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12-7. Wednesdays
we will be open from 3 till 9 - stop by and visit us for a late night shopping fix - here's to you all having great summers!

Imagine this day at the beach: white bikini, cold Falanghina in one hand, historical thriller in the other and these new Etten Eller pieces around your neck - a lovely picture of summer. All while under an umbrella.
Come by and pick one up to complete your beach look.