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What was on your summer reading list?

Kevin Calica · August 27, 2020 · Leave a Comment

It’s already August! How did that happen? Even in quarantine/self-isolation the summer days and nights seem to roll by so quickly. Maybe that’s because the heat speeds things up? Who knows, but between online work and its related phone calls, grocery shopping, laundry, and disinfecting everything around me I’ve managed to carve out some free time to allow myself the pleasure of slipping onto the sofa or sitting on the beach and diving into a book.

So far I’ve read a couple of American classics, two different poignant tales of loss (one sent by a sweet pal in NYC), a very good contemporary novel that my friend Roger sent me from the UK and a fun guidebook to the Hamptons that features my husband Frank’s textile archive written by a close family friend.

Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway

Now I finally understand the allure of this tale and this author. Each page was more compelling than the one before. Even reading the title I feel the grit and smell the saltwater.

The Pearl, by John Steinbeck

I thought a novella was something on daytime Telemundo! I LOVED this parable and it was packaged in such a loving way. The perfect sized “pocket” book and I’m still savoring and reflecting on the meaning of values in my own life.

The Secret History, by Donna Tart

I keep getting lost and thinking that I’m in a Brett Easton Ellis film- or maybe that’s the point, but I trust Roger and I know I’ll finish this book sometime this summer.

The Final Gift of the Beloved, by Barron Steffan

A very personal account of a man’s loss and his touching story of love. I learned a lot about the importance of the 13 days following a soul’s departure from this earth.

Graceful Exits by Sushila Blackman

If there ever was a moment to study death it would be now. This book is a rare gem and the way it’s written makes it very easy and manageable to take in the accounts of the deaths of great beings in a way that is completely uplifting and inspirational.

111 Places Not to Miss in the Hamptons, by Wendy Lubovich

Wendy is a friend, a neighbor, a talented writer and a true art buff and did I mention that she was one of the MCs at our wedding ceremony? This guidebook is sure to surprise event the most local of locals in New York’s East End of Long Island.

Now or Never

Kevin Calica · August 19, 2020 · Leave a Comment

In the early 1990’s I was drawn to Thieves® essential oil blend (15ml $57.95) for the strong and clean scent of cloves and rosemary, but I never quite believed the urban myth that these oils were worn by real thieves as protection from infections as they pilfered homes of the dying during the plagues of the 15^th century.

Fast forward to 2020 what do you think I dab on my own mask before leaving my home? The good thing is I haven’t resorted to stealing. If you’re interested, I also recommend their room spray-( 1 oz., $12.75) — I wouldn’t sleep one wink one night in a hotel without this product. Spritz happens.

Thieves products sold by Young Living Essential Oils were at one time only available through a distributor, but now can arrive to your home the next day through Amazon.

As you already know, you get what you pay for perhaps this is evident in the cost of Thieves waterless hand purifier. Purifier. Don’t you love how that sounds? More elevated and less scary than sanitizer. Speaking of elevated, yes, this product is elevated at almost $12 per oz but how many times have you heard someone complain that they don’t like to use hand sanitizer because it dries their hands? Give it a try and when someone asks you if you’ve washed your hands you can reply- “they’re purified!”

Buy it now on Amazon.

Seeing Double!

Kevin Calica · August 14, 2020 · Leave a Comment

I always appreciated the work of American artist Soloman “Sol” Lewitt (September 9, 1928- April 8, 2007). The cool focus and whimsical yet intentional movement created from simple lines makes for a really strong statement so it’s no accident that I fell so hard for this carpet from Anthropologie. (Tufted Stripe Illusion Rug $78.00-$1,298.00)

The room the carpet will lay in has white walls and furniture and three upholstered chairs each in a stunning different jewel toned velvet. Dark amethyst, raw blue topaz and goldstone.

Pulling a room together is like making a delicious meal. It takes careful planning, thoughtful shopping and right timing on adding spice.

My appreciation for artists has been life long and at one point in my career I had the opportunity to find and develop relationships with well known artists from around the world and then invite them to display their work in Calvin Klein’s flagship retail store on New York’s Madison Avenue. Fabrissio Plessi, Tim Prentice, The Shindler Foundation, Dan Flavin and Andy Warhol protégé Christopher Makos.

I do believe that life is much more interesting than fiction and my work has always had me seeing double. Whether it’s an area rug and a painting or a light fixture and a sculpture, this wonderful and glorious world endlessly presents opportunities to see art everywhere and even more so now that most of us are sheltered in and viewing the world through our screens.