Monday Muses: Linda McCartney

For round 2 of Monday Muses I thought I would go with another somewhat unsung hero of the 1960s and 70s, Linda McCartney.

The biggest problem facing muses is that they are, more often than not, overshadowed by the people they inspire.  Particularly true when they are in a couple (just take a look at Linda's current Wikipedia photo for a blatant example of this...wowza).  Having quite literally been a Beatles fan from birth, when I was younger I only vaguely knew of Linda McCartney as “Paul’s vegetarian wife”.  Now I am simply fascinated by the life she lead - including her life before getting together with Paul.  I find it very interesting to think they didn’t even start dating until 1968, in essence, the tail-end of the Beatles.

Linda, then known as Linda Eastman, first made a name for herself as music photographer and allegedly as a bit of a “groupie”.  Whatever the truth, in all honesty, that lore makes her far more interesting.  Over the years she photographed people like: Bob Dylan, Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, Simon and Garfunkel, the Doors, the Who, the Stones. She photographed Eric Clapton for Rolling Stone magazine, and became the first woman to have her work featured on the front cover.   She is a very underrated photographer...

She had one child from her first marriage (which ended shortly after it started) yet she managed to keep her career going and be a single mum.  Then she met Paul, of course, and they started a family and began making music (and embarking on a series of adventurous hair cuts) together.

Linda took a lot of criticism for her musical endeavors but some of the work she and Paul did is my favorite music (see: all of 'RAM').   I don't think she ever put on airs about being a serious / trained musician or vocalist and I've seen several self-deprecating quotes to prove my point. Last year one of my dear friends discovered that I had never heard of Linda McCartney's solo album, Wild Prairie and gave me a copy post haste.  While it was never meant to be officially released it's such a fun little record.  It's sounds like someone having a ridiculously great time making music for themselves.

                           


She has always been a hero to me for her dedication to animal welfare and as a key player in bringing vegetarianism to the mainstream and to people's refrigerators.  She is also responsible for co-raising some pretty incredible children not the least of which is Miss Stella McCartney.  Her daughter Mary is also a successful photographer.

I think the saddest part about her legacy is, of course, that it ended so tragically early. Linda passed away in 1998 after battling breast cancer at only 56 but she has left us with a hell of a lot of great music and hundreds of beautiful photos.

for more info on Linda visit: http://www.lindamccartney.com/

you won't see me

I am actually in NyC (which you may have already heard if you read Niotillfem or my twitter) having a marvelous time BUT before I left I took these in the garden. I should have posted them sooner but I haven't been around my computer much!

Recently, I've been branching out into the realm of longer skirts - this is one of two now in my closet. For some reason both are hues of green but this one has a small print. I've also been terrible at posting any of my bags lately so I figured I'd share this one I bought at Topshop last Summer! I tend to change bags only when I go out a night - other wise I stick to my trusty Marc by Marc Jacobs messenger.

(Sidenote: I miss my pets to death at the moment - and, of course, "the Brit" too!- this photo is not helping!)

outfit notes:
skirt: xxi
blouse: a gift
bag: topshop
lipstick: Kate Moss for Rimmel (No.1)
 
I always feel pretty lucky to have the LA weather on my side but, I have to say, New York has been absolutely gorgeous this week!
 
musical notes: in honor of being in John Lennon's adopted city a Beatles song felt apropos

 

all you need is...

"The Brit" and I just got back from a little mini-break to visit my family in Las Vegas.  As you may or may not know, I lived in Las Vegas from basically kindergarten until age 17 (ie: most of my childhood). And while it is, I suppose, a strange place to call home, my usual visits consist of normal family-time activities (catching up, eating, movie-watching, shopping, pool swimming, eating again). This trip we got a little surprise...my Mom had arranged tickets for us to go see the Beatles LOVE!   I have always been a huge Beatles fan, basically since the womb, and I was pretty excited to see what the show was all about.  So, on Friday night we put on our best Las Vegas-show-going outfits and skipped over to the Mirage hotel.

As we approached the theater the atmosphere became a bit more, ehem, multicolored!

With some time to kill before the show started, we headed for the gift shop where we had way too much fun playing around with Beatles swag and fun-house mirrors...

 

 I bought a couple of things for my fellow Beatle-loving-friends and we headed into the theater.

Sadly, there was a strict "no camera" policy inside the theater so the proper camera had to go away... 

BUT I did manage to snap a little of the theater (pre-show) with my trusty iphone camera...

And, as the show ended, I also caught some of the aftermath...

 

I wish I could have taken just a few photos during the show for you but trust me when I tell you... it was a magical experience.  My favorite parts mostly involved confetti, bubbles and, of course, the aerial performers swinging from the rafters because I secretly want to be a trapeze artist ;)

(*top image via  | the others by me and/or "the Brit")

Reckless Daughter NYC Part 2

Part 2 of my New York posts and I promise not to drag it on too much longer because I know there are a lot of NY posts going around the blogosphere -- At least the ones I've seen so far are all pretty unique!

 I was lucky enough to attend the Perry Ellis Menswear show at Lincoln Center but I suppose the "male model factor" didn't dawn on me until they actually took to the catwalk. Not a bad way to spend a morning...

 

 In particular, I didn't mind the finale when all of the boys came out in matching long-johns...

I think I take for granted the fact that "The Brit" requires no help in the dressing department and never has - but, in general, it seems men have far less sartorial options to choose from and many of them really don't dress thoughtfully. That said, I loved the chunky cable knit sweaters, scarves and bold plaid prints that I saw on this particular runway. It makes me want to pay more attention to what is happening in Menswear these days. Speaking of sartorial options, on my way out of Lincoln Center a couple of streetstyle photogs did snap shots of my whole outfit but I haven't been able to track them down yet so that will have to wait!

I was all the way Uptown so I figured I'd make my way towards Central Park and the Dakota building.

You may recall that I am a huge Beatles fan (and therefore John Lennon fan) and, basically, have been since birth but I also love Rosemary's Baby so the Dakota Building has a special place in my heart.  I have to admit it does give me an eerie sort of feeling because of it's history but I still love going there. Also, it is literally right across from Central Park...

It was chilly but quite sunny in the park so I walked around a while before I went to my next couple of events.  Unfortunately, my camera battery died and I didn't have time to charge it! A little bit of a blogger fail but life goes on.

That night I had made plans to meet the lovely Sandra of Niotillfem who recently became a New Yorker!

 We met at a very cute restaurant/bar in Nolita called Epistrophy and got some prosecco...

Then it was time to move on to another place to meet up with Sandra's friends...

*me taken by Sandra*

Such a fun little group of people squashed around a little bar table. We hung out for quite a while (there are also some great photos on Sandra's blog - she is a very talented photographer!)

*also by Sandra*
I had such fun with Sandra, she is a doll. We ended up moving on to a club and staying out really late dancing and chatting until it was time to go our separate ways.

PS: if you made it this far - Have a wonderful weekend everyone! back soon for round 3!