Sunday, June 26, 2016

An Abundant Life - A Change Of Scene

Modern Montecito is a new name for a very classic house of style. I had the opportunity to spend time with the founder this past week, discussing lifestyle concepts and vision for every day living. Sustainability mixes with luxury, mid century design mingles with antiques and contemporary art work to create a space that encourages harmony with nature and the surrounding community. The beauty of  what Modern Montecito does can't truly be described in words, so let me show you a glimpse into this gorgeous and inspiration filled world.

Modern Montecito











The Founder's Art And Design Grace The Spaces




Delicious Meals Made With Herbs From The Garden




Blessings,

Jannie Susan


Sunday, June 19, 2016

An Abundant Life - The Inheritance Of Our Father

I am writing much later than I usually do. I had planned a completely different topic for today, but as the saying goes, "Uno propone y Dios dispone" - or in a rough translation, "A person makes plans and God puts his or her steps in order" - and at some point last night, I started to get the message loud and clear that I needed to talk about Father's Day today. Because so many people have so many different experiences of what their relationships with their fathers are, I will not talk about an individual's experience of their father except to talk a bit about my own. Each one of us has our own understanding of what a father is, based on our life experience, and sometimes what we wish were different or more or better. Some people grow up with absent fathers, some people have fathers who pass away when they are young. Some people know their fathers, some people don't. If you have an ideal relationship with your father, then God bless you both on this day. For those who may be wishing that this day would go away or who wish that they had that ideal relationship, God has a special blessing for you. God's promise is to be the father to the fatherless, and I have found that all of God's promises are true. My own father died unexpectedly in 1998, far too young for a man of his health and strength, but after I was born again I started to understand that even when he was alive, it was God who was helping him to be the good things that he was in my life, and helping me with everything else that my own father was unable to do. After I was born again, I began to understand the care of our Father in Heaven, and to know in a very deep way that all along, no matter who it seemed was providing for me, it was God who was my Provider, and that I could truly trust the words of the Apostle Peter when he said, "Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you" - 1 Peter 5:7.

My father taught me many things, and I find that every day there is something that I am learning or unlearning that he taught me. I'm learning to keep the best and let go of the rest, and to love those things that are lovable, and forgive and release those that are not. I'm learning to celebrate the greatness of my father, and appreciate the gifts that I inherited from him. And I'm learning to take hold of the inheritance that our Father in Heaven has given to all of us, to walk in truth and love, in peace and in joy, and to know that no matter what comes I will be provided for.

Here are some photographs of my father at different times in his life. Today when I put them together, I saw myself in him so strongly. It was a wonderful feeling to know that the good things that he was can live on in me.






Happy Father's Day!

Blessings,

Jannie Susan


Sunday, June 12, 2016

An Abundant Life - Spring Into Summer

The weather has been sometimes summery for the past few weeks, and mixed in with cold and rainy days we've had sun and higher temperatures that have me yearning for the beach. I'm blessed to live in an area that has water all around, so even if I can't have the beach filled days I'm longing for, I can still enjoy the summery weather. This past week I was invited to two events that made me so grateful once again that God chose to move me where He did - as I've written in these pages before, I am always finding new people and places and things right in my own back yard to fall in love with.

Tuesday was the opening of a gallery show of artist Jodie Fink's recent work. Held at The Gallery at Garden Street Lofts with wine provided by Cork and Hors d'oeuvres provided by Dino & Harry's Steak House, it was a feast for the eyes as well as a treat for food and wine lovers. Cork provided wines from several amazing vineyards and cellars, in a wine tasting format that I thought was simply delightful. With representatives from Jean Edwards Cellars, Metropolis Wine Merchants, and SolStars Fine Wines, there were delightful and delicious flavors abounding. And along with discovering the lovely gallery space and Jodie Fink's beautiful art, I had the opportunity to discover Cork Wine & Spirits. My tablet wasn't working well that night so I made an appointment to go back on another day for artist photos and a visit to Cork. I've heard that there are wonderful shows and tastings like this every few months - how wonderful to have it so close to home!

Jodie Fink - Recent Works
June 7th - September 30th, 2016
The Gallery At Garden Street Lofts
1425 Garden Street
Hoboken, NJ
Wine Provided By Cork & Hors d'oeuvres Provided By Dino & Harry's Steakhouse



















Waterside Celebration

On Thursday I had the honor to attend the 50th Anniversary Celebration for St. Mary Advocates. I've written in these pages before about the wonderful women who give so generously of their time to volunteer for this valuable local charitable organization, and have shown some of the amazing things I have found in their thrift store. It was so lovely to see everyone together and having the time to enjoy being fĂȘted as they have so often given blessings to so many. The event was held in one of the most sumptuous restaurants and catering halls I have ever seen, with a wonderful duo providing dancing and cocktail music - a truly memorable night and a blessing to spend it with such a delightful group of powerhouse women and their families who have made a difference in so many lives in the community.

St. Mary Advovates 50th Anniversary Celebration
At Waterside Restaurant And Catering
7800 B River Road
North Bergen, NJ
(201) 861-7767








Blessings,

Jannie Susan





Sunday, June 5, 2016

An Abundant Life - Forma Livre

I am honored to call the amazing interior designer and photographer Eugene Gallegos my friend. A few weeks ago he forwarded an invitation to me for the opening of the Exhibition "Forma Livre - The Jewelry of Brazil's Burle Marx Brothers" from the Mahnaz Collection that is being shown at Wright. Eugene Gallegos has been a fan and aficionado of mid century design since before it became the hottest thing it is today, and as I had written in this blog a few months ago, he has given me some astonishing pieces to start my housekeeping in my new home. As I wrote in these pages, at the time when he gave them to me, I did not have much knowledge at all about mid century art and design, but with the help of that gift and friendship and a new relationship that was developed with Rolando Iglesias, the owner of Modern Retro Finds, I've been learning about and falling in love with the gorgeous designs of that period.

Attending the exhibit at Wright was a pure delight. Being able to see the amazingly gorgeous designs would have been a joy in itself, but the owner of the Mahnaz Collection, Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos, her staff and the staff of Wright are so knowledgeable and passionate about the work that they do that they help bring the lives and art alive of the artists' work they curate. It was inspiring to see the pieces and read the history about the Burle Marx Brothers, and it was with wonder and amazement that I recognized so many inspirations for other artists and designers that had been brought to life through their work. As part of my ongoing love affair with mid century art and design, my evening at Wright began a new chapter in passion.

Forma Livre - The Jewelry of Brazil's Burle Marx Brothers
Mahnaz Collection
Exhibition 2-25 June 2016
Wright
980 Madison Avenue
New York, NY
(212) 585-0200
wright20.com

Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos
Mahnaz Collection











Sublime Furniture Designs Provided By R.20 & Company
Hugo Franca - Marare Coffee Table
Brazil, 2007
Gameleira

Roberto Burle Marx
Totem
Brazil, 1970's
Painted Wood

Roberto Burle Marx
Totem
Brazil, 1970's
Painted Wood

Sergio Rodrigues
Mirror
Brazil, c.1965
Mirrored Glass, Jacaranda
Set Of Six Chairs
Brazil, 1970's
Jacaranda, Leather Upholstery

Hugo Franca
Cabriuna
Brazil, 2013
Pequi




Roberto Burle Marx
Untitled
1960's
Tempera On Paper





Blessings,

Jannie Susan