It's not terribly auspicious to begin anything on the last day of the year - you'd be crazy to launch a boat today. But what the hell, I'm new to writing a blog - so if it tanks so be it

When I thought of an end of year post,  I thought I would want to read about the cool things that arrived this year - inventions, improvements, inspiration...and I have to say I had a tough time thinking of ANYTHING. Ok, that didn't last forever, but number one invention on my list was the new apple STYLUS. And let's admit that I don't have one - because it only works with the new iPad Pro, and I wasn't ready to throw down the cash when there is nothing wrong with my iPad. (It might also be that when I exclaimed to a friend about the stylus after I used it in the store he silenced me with "That's great Martha, you and the other five people that draw by hand should be thrilled.")

So much for my #1 2015 creation.

2. The Buff and Hensmen house in the television show Transparent. The television show set in Los Angeles has created an additional character in this house - every human character has a strong relationship with it. It's a fine mid-century house - but it bears little resemblance to the bland interpretations presented every month in DWELL magazine. For one, like the inhabitants, it's messy. The styling is modest - and it transforms with whomever is in residence. It's not enough to be a great set, of course it's a well written show...but if you thought the bar cart in Madmen was important like I did, you'll appreciate the thoughtfulness of the art direction of Transparent. (And if you don't care about the art direction watch it anyway...)

 

 

 

3. I asked all my yachty friends about their favorite innovation this year and they were all as silent as I...at the Ft Lauderdale boat show I was completely underwhelmed...but Luca Brenta's new Logica was there and there is nothing he does that I don't find interesting. Below is an older boat Ghost - certainly in my top 10 of all time.

4. Combining the world of fashion and yachting is the Fondazione Prada, and they have a new headquarters in Milan, designed by OMA and Rem Koolhaas. I sailed on the first Prada 12 meter - painted Prada green of course - in the Med 20 years ago. I'll never forget the inappropriateness of their all black sailing attire. But they were so COOL! Keep it up Muiccia, you are an inspiration to us all. (By the way, I am fascinated by the fact that she doesn't draw at all.) From their Mission Statement:

Our main interest is ideas, and the ways in which mankind has transformed ideas into specific disciplines and cultural products: literature, cinema, music, philosophy, art and science. With the new venue, the Fondazione’s range of knowledge will be expanded. Each field will be afforded its autonomy but have the same overall aim. They will co-exist with one another, leading to unpredictable resonances and cultural intersections.

One thing we seem to be losing with alacrity is the village center where ideas are discussed and exchanged - the design of this foundation looks like intersecting paths, so if those inside can just put their smartphone down as they walk from one discipline to another...

5. "REPAIR IS A RADICAL ACT" I was so excited when I sent a Patagonia a jacket with a rip and I opened an email with this confirmation that they received it. However, after another week I got another email with a gift card - turns out that repair really is radical. But in 2015, my sewing machine has been out often as I have repaired favorite jeans, turned dresses into shirts, reworked beautiful, old jackets that had REALLY BIG shoulder pads...

6. In 2015 I lost my cat Starr and gained a big mouse problem. Hats off to an invention and manufacture over a hundred years old. My kitchen is safe again. Sorry mice... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Newest Launch at Bath Iron Works...and I thought for all theses years that it was just a mold. I have always loved Bath Iron Works - it's American history, it's Naval history and of course its history with Olin Stephens and the America's cup. I have literally driven by this destroyer under construction hundreds of times. Our most stealth and advanced destroyer...The USS Zumwalt was named after Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, the youngest man to serve as Chief of the Navy's Naval Operations. Coincidentally, the ship's commanding officer's title and name is Captain James Kirk. (Nice!)

  

Best wishes to all for 2016...bring it on.

(I've decided in 2016 that I won't be wearing dark lipstick...that was so 2015)