Miles and Miles

Please don't get me this for Christmas. I'm being serious. I know I am a big Miles Davis fan, but I really don't think I can make it through SEVENTY CDs!! (Although, it's fun to look at the mini-LP replica jackets).

Miles Davis: The Complete Columbia Album Collection available November 24, 2009.

Lush Life

"I'll live a lush life in some small dive" - Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967)

I am not sure if the owner of Atlanta's Lush Life Home and Garden had the lyrics to this jazz standard in mind when naming his store, but it is always what I am reminded of when visiting.

Lush Life is the type of shop Jeff Lewis would patronize (in the supportive definition) if he was a local. The aesthetic is masculine and modern, yet as lush and lively as the sign on the door suggests.

And it is the only house in Atlanta with two live palms in front--not an easy feat in our winter climate.

I look forward to seeing what Lush Life's Bill Hudgins plan is for the front porch and terrace of Atlanta's upcoming Christmas House. Above is an example of one of his simple and chic arrangements photographed for Christmas House sponsor, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.

And in case you are unfamiliar with the aforementioned tune, I suggest picking up a copy of John Coltrane's version, recorded in 1957. It would make a great stocking stuffer!

Unspectacular Details

Ronda from All The Best just tagged me with instructions to list six "unspectacular details" about myself, so here it goes...

Unspectacular Detail #1
My 15 year high school reunion is next weekend.

Unspectacular Detail #2
I was asked to make CD mixes as favors for the party. Having to condense four years of music from the early 90's into 20 songs is proving more difficult than I anticipated. However, Ice Cube and 10,000 Maniacs go together surprisingly well.

Unspectacular Detail #3
I have listened to Drown by Smashing Pumpkins 15 times today as it has become my new favorite old song.

Unspectacular Detail #4
I graduated the same year as the fictional characters in "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Saved by the Bell".

Unspectacular Detail #5
I am wearing a dress from the Kathie Lee Collection in the top photo--not even kidding. Apparently Kathie Lee had the white, conservative dress market cornered in 1993 as it was difficult to find one by any other "designer". I am also wearing sheer white panty hose with my white pumps. Cute.

Unspectacular Detail #6
I am really excited to see my old friends next weekend!

I am also tagging:
Laura Loves
The Sweet Life With Olives
Jennifer Jane's Style Journal

Please visit All The Best for the rules. Thanks for tagging me, Ronda.

Camelot

In other Show House news...

The 38th Annual Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Associates 2008 Decorators' Show house and Gardens is in full swing. As one of the oldest show houses in the United States, this event is always a respected, Atlanta favorite. I have not yet taken the tour, so I have no idea how many rooms are inspiring and how many are flat-out atrocious, but either way it is always fun to see what the professionals are up to.

If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by this Thursday night for music, drinks and poking around prime Buckhead real estate during the Cocktails at Camelot event. I should also mention that the main purpose of all this martini-swilling frivolity is to support the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Check out the über talented kiddos in concert below.



Hope to see you Thursday night!

My Jazzy Valentine

I just learned that the legendary Dave Brubeck Quartet will be visiting the "Classic City" of Athens, Georgia this week. While tomrrow's Valentine's Day concert is sold out, there are still tickets for tonight's show.

In case you are looking for a last minute Valentine's gift, I suggest the remastered version of Brubeck's classic 1959 album Time Out. While this may be considered Jazz 101 for some, it remains one of my favorites. Below is a 1961 performance of "Take Five" off of Time Out.

For more hardcore jazz aficionados Ken Burns Jazz is a must add to the DVD collection. With almost 19 hours of documentary footage, you will become a veritable expert on the subject of jazz history. I watched the original 2002 broadcast on PBS and was the lucky recipient of the box set for Christmas this year.

Lust, Caution

Director Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) has a new film opening this weekend. Winner of Best Picture at the Venice Film Festival, Lust, Caution is an espionage story set in 1940's Shanghai, and curiously rated NC-17.

Click here to view the (PG) trailer.

Update: I loved the music so much from the trailer, I decided to investigate further. The Lust, Caution is composed by Alexandre Desplat, who also did the original score for The Painted Veil.