Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?--every, every minute? ~Thornton Wilder 

Serendipity...

We left the theater buzzing in discussion, wholly satisfied, exploring further the story we became part of for the last two and a half hours on stage. When was the last time I'd seen Our Town? The dim memory was just as well since this production brought it to life with dramatic simplicity, humor and deliberate insight, creating a fresh storehouse in mind. The three-act classic is a typical story about youth, adulthood and ultimately death, narrated by the stage manager in events linking people of a small town with an invisible thread. The profound depth beneath the charming surface is easily the undercurrent of our own lives. Thornton Wilder understandably received the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and this play has been produced all over the US, asserted there is at least one performance of Our Town somewhere each night. The execution is the same - no props, the actors carrying the audience through the daily lives of each character in a vivid pantomime. Viewers concentrate solely on emotion and magnitude, bringing to light art imitating life.

Just look at me one minute as though you really saw me... Emily begs her mother. How many times have we felt this in our own lives?

I mentioned serendipity because the concurrent book I just finished reading is the newest novel by another Pulitzer Prize winner, Alice McDermott, simply named Someone. Quietly paralleling with Our Town is the extraordinary ordinary life of Marie, a woman whose existence is chronicled with exquisite details, again weaving strings of family, time and place. This three-part book about her story, the essence, is not so different than yours or mine in its importance, no matter how paradigmatic. The inevitable tapestry woven is a tribute to who we are and how we travel, the ebb and flow so carefully achieved.

Every story - yours, mine and the world - is special. The details of the experience are richly different, but at the core, we are all someone important. Someone who is a valued being for the time spent on this great planet, someone connected to someone else by love, loss or legacy. There is value above all price for the smallest events in our life. I say serendipity because once again, I am reminded about the journey, not the destination.

I have always believed that everything happens for a reason. We are granted challenges to learn, and recurring themes in life as a reminder that we have not finished the lesson yet. People come into our lives, stay for a lifetime or hurry out for unknown reasons. We all are really finding our way in this life, making connections to help with the passage. Pay attention to the details - they really create the big production, the tapestry, the heart of the story.

Serendipity found in art... a mirror of life and the happenings in our own little town... xoxo-Sonya

In memory of someone special to so many of us, my dear friend, Margaret Boos 1966-2013. 

Bustling with their little costumed "critters", camera-in-tow parents meandered in front of us through the Haunted Pumpkin Garden. Like ourselves, a multitude of visitors were also there to catch the last day of the Kiku chrysanthemum exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden, and just out for a stroll taking in the autumn air. Towering above us in the conservatory courtyard, fifteen feet high, four sculptures by contemporary artist Philip Haas were a real treat. His recreations of  Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter were inspired by the 16th-century bust portraits of Italian Renaissance painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo. As in Arcimboldo's paintings, all the features of Haas's four sculpted figures are rendered in simulated seasonal plant materials to accentuate the original works' visual puzzle of natural forms.
These were a real feast for the eyes... Just had to share! Enjoy!

Anyone can simply wear diamonds - it's easy. But color? Color is for women with personality. 

~ Lucia Silvestri, creative director of Bulgari Jewelry 

Yes, this is true. Bright, lavish stones with a classy decadence need the right wearer to carry the bling. Take one of Hollywood's iconic celebrities, Elizabeth Taylor, who was often bejeweled with sapphires, rubies and emeralds from Italy's luxurious jeweler, Bvlgari. How exciting to experience the beauty surrounding the persona! Well, if you are as inspired by mixes of color and heritage as I am, there are two places to feast your eyes on holiday sparkle. And it's not  atop the Christmas trees already on display at the mall!

Currently running until February 2014 at the de Young Fine Art Museum of San Francisco is The Art of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita. The exhibit's 150 breathtaking pieces include not only Elizabeth Taylor's famous collection, but focus on unique styles inspired by Greco-Roman classics, Italian Renaissance and 19th Century Rome. Unlimited to finer jewelery, other showstoppers include encrusted clocks and watches. Time stands still in the midst of beauty and luxury combined.

From colorful jewels to jewels of the sea... Modern day society's fascination with adornments continues abroad at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. Their latest exhibit is simply titled Pearls running until January 2014. From their global exploratory beginnings to the celebrity of today, the opulence of the pearl is uncovered in this sequential display. Though pearl jewelry through the ages revealed power and rank, today the remarkable variety is making simple beauty a symbol of femininity and timelessness fashionable for any woman or occasion. The creativity exhibited shimmers in artistic interpretations with combined metals, textured surfaces and non-precious materials, offering visitors a dazzling repertoire of bling.

The influence of colorful gems and precious pearls can be seen in many fashionable places, including the current offering from Victoria's Secret 2013 Fantasy Bra and Vogue Netherlands September cover shot.

Fantasy, runway, reality - ba da bling! There you have it... xoxo-Sonya

Lovely Ladies really started over twenty years ago for me with a project from the heart. This fascination with interpreting a woman's persona was something I have always enjoyed. Illustrating trade publication ads and then rendering my t-shirt line continued to provide a reason to create different female images. She could be portrayed as sensible, tender, sometimes intense, sexy, or intuitive. It is all in her countenance. Stemming from this art, I have a deep appreciation for other artists, especially female, conquering the craft with beauty and grace.

Noted as "the perfect convergence of literature and art", New-York-based painter and fashion illustrator, Samantha Hahn's first solo book, Well-Read Women: Portraits of Fiction's Most Beloved Heroines, is becoming an instant classic for the book lover's library. With expressive watercolor renditions of iconic literary heroines like Jane Eyre, Anna Karenina, Holly Golightly, and Nancy Drew, the pages turn with importance in textured watercolor paper as you read the adjacent dialog by each character. The Kindle version cannot compare to the actual book itself - the cloth spine silk-screened in a graphic pattern is vintage grace re-imagined for contemporary taste. 

Hanukkah is very early this year, and Christmas is not too far after... Can anyone say "Wish List"? 

Feast your eyes on some exquisite excerpts from Hahn's book. How many heroines do you recognize?

No matter how many of these beautiful, powerful, and compelling women you are familiar with, to know their origins and relate to characteristics of each can empower the lovely lady in each of us. Read, reflect and most of all, recognize the virtue of literature's universal bond and the art to behold in each of our personal stories. 

Such a revered gift for all the well-read women in the world... xoxo-Sonya

Whether you’ve read some or all of these stories, I hope you enjoy gazing into the eyes of all of the powerful, damaged, beautiful, and incandescent women in my book. I hope you follow them back to their original stories and come to see them in your own way, too. - See more at: http://www.samanthahahn.com/blog/2013/05/29/well-read-women-portraits-of-fictions-most-beloved-heroines-available-for-pre-order/#sthash.7SuutWTX.dpuf

Whether you’ve read some or all of these stories, I hope you enjoy gazing into the eyes of all of the powerful, damaged, beautiful, and incandescent women in my book. I hope you follow them back to their original stories and come to see them in your own way, too. - See more at: http://www.samanthahahn.com/blog/2013/05/29/well-read-women-portraits-of-fictions-most-beloved-heroines-available-for-pre-order/#sthash.7SuutWTX.dpuf

Yeah, if you are like me, you are beginning to get a bit pumpkin-ed out with all the desserts... Cronuts, cakes, cookies, lattes, pancakes... Are the possibilities for pumpkin endless? We have certainly come a long way from roasting the seeds and making pie if you follow the numerous Pinterest boards overflowing with sweets and treats. But there is one dessert I discovered many years ago and have since adapted in different versions for any season. This one I will contribute to the fall repertoire of sweetness is not pumpkin.

Autumn Bombe

1 (21-ounce) package brownie mix, batter prepared according to package directions

1/2 gallon vanilla fudge swirl ice cream, softened

1 (16-ounce) container chocolate frosting

Read more at http://www.mrfood.com/Frozen-Dessert-Recipes/Triple-Chocolate-Bombe#XZAgOLTYlHsxfXdj.99

1 (21-ounce) package brownie mix, batter prepared according to package directions

1/2 gallon vanilla fudge swirl ice cream, softened

1 (16-ounce) container chocolate frosting

Read more at http://www.mrfood.com/Frozen-Dessert-Recipes/Triple-Chocolate-Bombe#XZAgOLTYlHsxfXdj.99

1 (21-ounce) package brownie mix, batter prepared according to package directions

1/2 gallon vanilla fudge swirl ice cream, softened

1 (16-ounce) container chocolate frosting

Read more at http://www.mrfood.com/Frozen-Dessert-Recipes/Triple-Chocolate-Bombe/ct/1#W2rKP8k43dZyUlZu.99

1 - 15.25 oz Betty Crocker Super Moist Spice cake mix  prepared to package directions

1 - Half gallon Turkey Hill All Natural Salted Caramel ice cream

1/2 cup Stonewall Kitchen Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Sauce

1) Bake cake mix according to the package directions in a 9"cake pan. Since I had leftover mix, I filled a leaf-shaped muffin tin (from William Sonoma) to use it up allowing me to create the pretty trimmings for the finished bombe. Cool completely and quarter-cut the cake round. Set aside any additional cake trimmings and cool as well.

2) Meanwhile, take the ice cream out of the freezer and let it soften at room temperature so it will be easy to handle.

3) Line a 2 1/2 quart stainless bowl with plastic wrap. Press the quarters of spice cake into the bowl forming a cake bowl, evening it all around as best you can toward the top. You can piece together as much extra cake as needed to keep the spice cake bowl evenly pressed without any crumbling.

4) Spoon the softened ice cream into the spice cake bowl keeping it level at the top with the cake. Cover with plastic wrap and put into the freezer for at least six hours (or I did it overnight) so it is firm.

5) Invert the ice cream bombe onto a serving plate and remove the layer of plastic wrap. In a microwave safe cup, soften the chocolate sea salt caramel sauce 20 seconds (or until pourable, microwave strengths vary) and pour the sauce atop the bombe evenly, allowing it to naturally flow down the sides. I then added my "leaves" to garnish. At this point, you can either serve it immediately or put it back into the freezer until the coffee is served...

Bake brownies according to package directions, using a 9- x 13-inch baking pan. Let cool then cut into squares.
Read more at http://www.mrfood.com/Frozen-Dessert-Recipes/Triple-Chocolate-Bombe/ct/1#W2rKP8k43dZyUlZu.99

This is always the hit of the dessert table! Some other variations I have made are strawberry cake with vanilla ice cream, devil's food cake with rocky road ice cream, and red velvet cake with chocolate chip ice cream. Just use your imagination and your favorite flavors to come up your own signature creation.

This dessert filled with autumn flavor will disappear quicker than you can say pumpkin! In my book, this is certainly the bombe of all desserts to serve after a cozy fall dinner with great company... Enjoy! xoxo-Sonya

1 (21-ounce) package brownie mix, batter prepared according to package directions

1/2 gallon vanilla fudge swirl ice cream, softened

1 (16-ounce) container chocolate frosting

Read more at http://www.mrfood.com/Frozen-Dessert-Recipes/Triple-Chocolate-Bombe#XZAgOLTYlHsxfXdj.99

While you're sipping your pumpkin lattes and snacking on crisp hand picked apples from the weekend's excursion, there are some wardrobe necessities to behold.
This fall is all about making a personal statement - in bold accessories or quiet details reflecting a keen eye for current fashion tides. One thing is certain - no matter what trends you want to follow, and there are many, it's all in the details. There is still time to add my Top Ten Picks for Fall 2013-14 style, keeping you in the big league with top trendsetters.

1) Clutching companions... The hottest bag you can grab and go with this Fall 2013 is a clutch purse. Whether it is big, small or somewhere in between, the variety available from designer to vintage present choices to fit just about every need. If you are like me, I need a fairly large purse, one to house neatly my wallet, phone, appointment book (yes, I still carry one, for handwritten notes), make-up bag, sunglasses and more. Go for color rich or clean black and white to add currency to your look with distinction, commanding significant style.

2) Furry friends... If you haven't seen the colorful menagerie of fur accessories and garments from Fendi, you really need to check the runway shots out now on Style.com. While the funky combinations may be a bit too much for your taste, it doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the fun. Anything faux / fur trimmed will do from outerwear to sweaters, scarves and even hats...

3) Cap it off... Yes, hats crown the list of accessories, especially if they are chauffeur caps or post-boy styles. Plaids, menswear fabrics, leather, and even as mentioned before in fur have topped the street fashion and add a playful touch to the more serious menswear androgynous out-fittings.

4) Lengthy matters... Sporting a statement coat or longer jacket will provide the perfect edge in your fashion conscious wardrobe. The long list of options include knits with distinct details, such as besom pockets, leather trimming, studs, and dusters are making a very strong comeback. So get that serious showcase piece to throw over all of your sexy fall looks - especially the knee-high boots...
 
5) New heights... Number one shoe for winter? Go out and get a pair of high boots. Whether they are over the knee or at the knee, a great leather boot is in tall order, preferably studded or with grommets, buckled, top-stitched or even strapped. The details are key. And black is the number one color in lambskin, polyvinyl, or stretch fabric and once again, fur-trimmed.

6) Split level... The modern twists on the runway reflect a variety of lengths - preferably all mixed in one ensemble to create a split level look. A shorter jacket over a longer layered knit with a cropped menswear pant revealing a high boot cuts to the chase with viable trends easily achieved by mixing elements. The sky is the limit with this so cut and splice the pieces to fit your body shape and proportion for the maximum style benefit.

7) Pucker up rosy... The rose trend can be worn as a photographic print, the motif in color knit and embroidery, or simply the shade on your lips. From luscious wines to hot poppy ruby, there are many shades of rose that will set fire to your fall looks and lighten the more serious styles with a classic flair for the season.

8) Roomy with the new... Wait a minute, prepare to get out those oversize sweaters you have kept in storage and slip them over some skinny jeans. You can add those high boots with that too! Intarsia sweaters and fisherman cables are the hottest (and coziest) tickets to winter wear. In bold colors or simple winter white to show off the beauty of the stitching, your favorite mate's knit will become your best friend this season.

9)Texture territory... Quilting is padding the outerwear scene in leather, suede and lots of novelty synthetics. Pick up a "cushion" piece to contribute to the classic looks you sport with fall finesse. Select with care - this could be a curated wardrobe purchase. 

10) Persnickety plaid... Tartans and multi-color plaids will spice it up contributing culture to the mixture. With the menswear thread running through your closet additions, mini hounds-tooth patterns, chevrons, tattersall, and border tartans add bold or quiet distinction to style masters. Find the patterns in jackets, accessory scarves, and even shoes. How about a tartan ballet flat?

So there you have it. And this list can go on and be interpreted unlimited number of ways. Just use your imagination and watch your budget. If you pick up a pricey piece, make it a wardrobe investment classic. If you pick up an inexpensive flash-in-the-pan perk, wear it and work it, then give it away at the end of the season. Plan your wardrobe and fall fashionably into modern day style via 2013-14. Enjoy and dress responsibly... xoxo-Sonya