Capricorn & Leo | Blog | Olympia, WABloghttp://www.capricornandleo.com/blog/2012-05-30T18:01:07ZSquarespacePapier-mâchéhttp://www.capricornandleo.com/blog/2012/5/22/papier-mache.htmlCapricorn & Leo2012-05-22T20:44:33Z2012-05-22T20:44:33ZIt doesn't matter what you create. It's that you're living with principle, you're living with passion, with honor, and you have a visual statement of your bravery.
Gemma Taccogna

Born in Bari, Italy, in 1923, Gemma Taccogna was an artist who has become best know for papier-mâché work (but she also designed ceramic tiles and jewelry). She really shaped the look of the craft in 1960s California. Beginning in the late 40s and early 50s, she sold her creations to Nina Ricci, Schiaparelli and other notable collectors including Peggy Guggenheim as well as to stores like Neiman Marcus. The hat designer Mr. John used her doll heads to display his hats in his NY boutique as does designer Anna Sui. They belied their paper origins, with smooth porcelain-like surfaces and a folky allure in their expressions.

Gemma Tacconga was also a teacher, her small Malaga Cove studio doubling as an oasis for hundreds of troubled youths she counseled who dubbed her "the listener". That will remain her most enduring legacy.

 

Gemma with some of her creations.

]]>Listenhttp://www.capricornandleo.com/blog/2012/5/22/listen.htmlCapricorn & Leo2012-05-22T19:47:15Z2012-05-22T19:47:15ZKimbra's album Vows was released stateside on iTunes today. We pre-ordered ours, as you know that we've been fans for awhile now and have been sharing all of her great videos in previous posts. Go give the album a listen.

]]>Fashion friends or foes?http://www.capricornandleo.com/blog/2012/5/14/fashion-friends-or-foes.htmlCapricorn & Leo2012-05-14T22:18:44Z2012-05-14T22:18:44ZWho doesn't love a good 80s flashback... from exercise videos to dance movies with a soundtrack to go along with the times? From Olivia Newton John's hit Let's Get Physical, Irene Carr's What A Feeling to the Bee Gee's Stayin' Alive. Kitschy, sure but still cool. I have fond memories of working out along with Jane Fonda in the 80's aerobics-craze days. Leg warmers, headbands & leotards... oh yeah.

John McEnroe & Bjorn Borg.

Welder by day, flash-dancer by night.

Travolta in Staying Alive.

Olivia gets physical.

Jazzercise Jane.

Capricorn

]]>Mmmhttp://www.capricornandleo.com/blog/2012/5/5/mmm.htmlCapricorn & Leo2012-05-05T19:41:35Z2012-05-05T19:41:35ZLong gone are our tequila shot days. Savor this. In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, here's Melissa's marvelous margarita recipe, better know as: Mmm.

1 1/2 oz. tequila. We like Amigo, Espolon and Hussongs reposado.

1 oz. lime juice. We buy bottles of Santa Cruz organic lemon and lime juices.

A squeeze of agave.

Put in a shaker with ice, strain and serve in a martini glass rimmed with this concoction: organic sugar, sea salt and a pinch of cayenne or of course, just go classic with salt on the rocks. If you like a little more sweetness, substitute 1/2 of the lime juice with some pomegrante, cranberry, tangerine or acai juice and 1/2 oz. Cointreau.

]]>Iconhttp://www.capricornandleo.com/blog/2012/5/3/icon.htmlCapricorn & Leo2012-05-03T21:30:04Z2012-05-03T21:30:04ZImperfection is beauty. Madness is genius. And it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.

Marilyn Monroe

Our guilty pleasure recently has been the TV show SMASH. Everybody loves an icon and many have tried to imitate Marilyn, not very successfully. This show appeals to us because the original music is great and the cast (Anjelica Huston, Debra Messing and Katherine McPhee) grows on you... busting out into Bollywood tunes, dancing and oh, the drama.

 

]]>Mad for macramehttp://www.capricornandleo.com/blog/2012/5/1/mad-for-macrame.htmlCapricorn & Leo2012-05-01T21:05:05Z2012-05-01T21:05:05ZWe admit it. We love ourselves a knotted jute, wood beaded, hanging, potted plant holder from the 70s. Here's a DIY tutorial for one. Experiment with different ropes, pots and plants to create your own hanging garden. Macrame can also lend itself to a more modern, less rustic look too. More haute, less hippie. Observe...

Modern egg lamp from Smalltown.

Sally England room screen/ wall hanging.

Developed for Dutch group, Droog Design, the Cappellini Knotted Chair by Marcel Wanders is in MoMA's permanent collection and available for purchase at Unica Home.

]]>Walk This Wayhttp://www.capricornandleo.com/blog/2012/4/30/walk-this-way.htmlCapricorn & Leo2012-05-01T00:52:14Z2012-05-01T00:52:14ZWe love the Monty Python skit where John Cleese resides over the Ministry of Silly Walks. Here's a great diagram of his silly walk. Brilliant!

 

]]>There is nothing...http://www.capricornandleo.com/blog/2012/4/25/there-is-nothing.htmlCapricorn & Leo2012-04-25T23:28:44Z2012-04-25T23:28:44Z

There is nothing you can see that is not a flower.

There is nothing you can think that is not the moon.

Matsuo Basho

]]>A little birdy told mehttp://www.capricornandleo.com/blog/2012/4/24/a-little-birdy-told-me.htmlCapricorn & Leo2012-04-24T23:50:00Z2012-04-24T23:50:00ZHave you heard Birdy? On her self-titled album, this talented teen does mostly moody covers of great songs (or would that be great covers of moody songs...?) like Skinny Love from Bon Iver, Shelter by The xx and People Help the People from Cherry Ghost. Definitely one to watch.

]]>Dive in!http://www.capricornandleo.com/blog/2012/4/20/dive-in.htmlCapricorn & Leo2012-04-21T00:23:47Z2012-04-21T00:23:47ZOur friend Mallory of Curlee Bikini has just launched her online Bikini Shop. Now you can build your own customized swimsuit from eco friendly materials: remnant, vintage, and organic fabrics. Read more about her 360.Degree Mindfulness Program and view the suit styles & fabric options on her website. To celebrate Earth Day, she's currently at the Charleston Eco Fashion Event. You can also follow Curlee Bikini on twitter, facebook & Pinterest.

I particularly like the fashion wrap plunge monokini. Images via Mallory at Curlee Bikini.

]]>