The Hit List - Big Eyed and Brave

When I was a little girl, my bedroom walls were covered with pictures of big eyed moppets in Harlequin outfits. The girls in the prints were far from cutesy. In fact, they seemed somber and world weary. Their postures were stiff and their faces haunted and suspicious.

And of course, I identified with those girls because I was a dark little thing. When I hit puberty, I discovered a new source of delight for my angst: punk rock music. The Harlequins were down and Sid Vicious posters were plastered over the 70’s paneling.

I wish I would have kept those pictures because…you guessed it…..I began collecting those suckers years later.

Those prints are known as “Big Eye Art” and are now in demand from geeks like me who remember them fondly from our childhood (isn’t it funny how that old stuff that we discard suddenly brings back so much nostalgia?).

I’m actually a picky Big Eye collector as I’m only interested in works by Eden and Goji. I have a complete Goji collection and there are only a few more Edens I am searching for and then I’m done. (The Edens I want are the skater and the genie girl. If you have a copy, get in touch with me. Edited to add: JUST got the Skater girl on Ebay! Woot!) More info about Big Eye art: http://www.bigeyesart.com

It’s no surprise then that I am freaking out to learn that there is a movie coming out called Big Eye. Directed by Tim Burton, this tells the real life tale of Margaret Keane, (one of the most successful of the Big Eye genre) and the legal issues she had to endure with her husband when they divorced. Although he also painted, he tried to take credit for her work and she wasn’t having any of that. She even challenged him to a “paint off” in front of the judge to prove that she was the artist (he refused and claimed to have a sore shoulder). You gotta love that moxie!

I’m going to be interested to see how Burton treats this material (will he cast Helena Bonham Carter….again?). I’m not a fan of his work so we’ll see if he delivers without the gag factor this time.

Speaking of big eyes, check out my cat TaoZen, the king of snarky green eyed cats:

Other stuff:

Even since I saw “Behind the Candelabra”, I’ve been obsessed with Liberace. I heard that he loved to cook so I went online and found this recipe over at Steph Infection for “Liberace Sticky Buns” (LOL great name). According to Steph, he had a cookbook back in the day. I didn’t get a copy of that book yet, but I did get my paws on Joy of Liberace: Retro Recipes from America’s Kitschiest Kitchen . I’m now busy planning a Liberace themed dinner party complete with spectacular caftans, candelabras and fancy food straight outta that cookbook. Invite only so don’t ask.

Although I love to cook, I am far from a domestic goddess. I’ve never been the best housekeeper nor was I much interested in doing any of that typical home making stuff. I’d rather work or plan Liberace themed parties. So I was very interested in this post by the New York Times: The Opt Out Generation Wants Back In. This is a follow up to a previous article from a few years back about highly educated women who left their killer careers to stay home and raise babies while their rich hubbies brought home the bacon. I remember reading that back in the day and thought how smug these women seemed. Well, a few years later and a recession changes a lot. The smugness has been replaced by a whole new reality. Funny how life works.

I love this: Breastfeeding Mom Takes No Shit From Lady Who Tells Her To Cover Up

And OMG – this “Breaking Bad The Middle School Musical” is the funniest thing ever (can’t wait for the show to start this weekend):

Every night my husband and I take a walk (weather permitting, of course). This is not only good exercise but it gives us a chance to chit chat about our day and philosophize about life. Last night our discussion was about how fear plays a role in people’s decisions (or lack thereof). For the record, we’re pretty anti-fear around here. We like to take risks. Wouldn’t have a career if I didn’t.

Lo and behold, we came across two guys getting out of a car and one of them was wearing a supafly shirt that said: “Fortune favors the brave”. Number one, it was like the Universe gave me a high five (I am always looking for signs) and number two, I wish I had my camera with me to grab a picture of that damn shirt. I’m kicking myself.

I did make a fuss though and they told us that they made these shirts in their basement (yay for small biz!). Their company is called Arbor but so far I have not been able to find them online. Mark my words, I’m going to be stalking those guys until I get their info and then I’m going to be getting them on this blog (and get me a copy of that shirt). I’m now considering them my secret good luck charms! (Arbor, if you see this post, holla back at me!)

What I’m Grateful For:

Being well

The colors green and purple, preferably in Harlequin outfits

Miniature chocolate covered cream puffs

Ambitious people

Cooler weather

Allergy meds

Soundtrack for August 10th, 2013: a little punky poppy goodness with The Bravery – Fearless