artprize, oktoberfest, and some outfits

Between ArtPrize and Oktoberfest, the last couple of weeks in Grand Rapids were pretty happening.  We forced ourselves to take a little time off work and enjoy the beautiful early autumn weather, checking out ArtPrize and seeing downtown GRR buzzing with people.  I don't have much to say about the results, except that I'm really glad that SiTE: LAB won a much deserved prize for Outstanding Venue!  (Also, I loved this comment from critic and ArtPrize judge Jerry Saltz about SiTE: LAB.  I could not agree more.)

This beautiful work, titled Flora Metamorphicae, is by a Norwegian group of ceramics artists.

This is on the outdoor terrace of the UICA, which has lovely views of the city.  I'm not sure it's been open to the public before.

The weather was nice enough to enjoy beers on Hopcat's Lucy-friendly outdoor patio.

Poser.

These two shots were taken outside the GRAM (Grand Rapids Art Museum).  Food trucks!  I'm not sure they show the out of the ordinary concentration of people downtown.  Every day we were outside the GRAM, there was a line of people to get inside.

Sisters by Shie Moreno.

Short Oktoberfest break.  I'm sure Andy's shirt has been on this blog before, but I don't care.  It's too cool not to have a rerun.

The only hat that seems to fit my big ole head.  Looks like I'll be collecting berets!

Prost!

xo

k

minimal bling

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend...a long weekend for those of us in the US.  Andy and I started it out with pinball, cocktails, and dinner out on Friday.  I wore this cute, new-to-me thrifted 1950s dress. 

I love this old doorway I posed in front of. 

The only flaw on this dress?  One of the little rhinestones is missing.  I love how in the 1950s just a few rhinestones were bling enough.

No bling for Andy--just the cool novelty print on this shirt.  (He has a pretty great revolving collection of men's 1940s and 1950s shirts.  I say "revolving" because he keeps selling them.  But then he finds more.)

At first glance, I always think this print has an Irish theme.  It's the green, and those little floral bits that look a little like clover.

But if you look closely, you can see they're rickshaws.  And the shirt is silk, too--I guess that's kind of blingy.

xo

K

finally spring

It's not really spring here, in my opinion, until it's comfortable enough to drink beer outside. Saturday--at last! I mean, it's freaking May, already--was nice enough for us to do just that. We ventured with Lucy to the dog-friendly patio at Hopcat and enjoyed a couple delicious brews while we watched the local cowboys and cowgirls headed to the Kenny Chesney concert. (Trust me, it was pretty good people-watching.)

Perfect weather. Warm enough to go bare-legged, but cool enough to require a cardigan.

While we were downtown this amazing old doorway caught my eye. It's in a spot I've walked by hundreds of times--I've no idea how it escaped my notice before now. It looks like the entry to a jazz age speakeasy. I particularly love the vines creeping across the bricks near it.

I've always loved the Noble Wood Products sign. I captured the building here in the evening sun, with the shadows of streetlights cast on it.

A crescent moon!

xo

K