WHATTTTTTT!?????

I am beyond excited to share that my illustration, “Dream BIG!” has been selected for the cover of this year’s Hampton Classic Exhibitor Index! 
My inner child is squealing—“WHATTTTTTTTTTTT??!!!!” 
Since I was 12, hanging out at Pony Express Saddlery in Saddle River, staring at James McMullan Posters, reading all the horse books with Sam Savitt’s drawings on the covers and wearing Sue’s painted horse sweatshirts, I thought that The Classic was pure magic. And I still have that feeling…that ‘butterflies’ feeling, as if Im going in the ring!
I wanted to show the ingredients of what it takes to be a high level horse and rider duo, and that the win is sweet and well earned, but enjoying the process, the passion and love that goes into it along the way is the sweetest. 
Horses and riding were this larger than life experience for me. And then there were the horse shows. They were like the cherry on top! Show days were all excitement and fun…and anticipation. For me horse shows also triggered fear and extreme anxiety. And I didn’t really understand that at the time. I’ve never shown in The Classic but If I were showing there now, this would be my vision board. I hope it inspires you to breathe in the present moment of “WOW here we are…we’re doing it!” And that this experience is going to be amazing! :) 
Sunday is opening day! 

Farmy things

Two Gems of New York…
One super duper close…and one just a short day trip away…

Slow Food NY led a Union Square Farmers Market Tour of The Marshal’s favorite vendors. The Marshal is another NY gem, one of MY favorites. It is located in Hell’s Kitchen and Chef, owner and Slow Food board member, Charlie Marshal is dedicated to sustainability and cooking up amazing Farm to Table magic with locally sourced produce. He highlights NY wine too—It’s how I found this amazing restaurant during a quest for tasting as many wines as I could from Long Island and The Fingerlakes. As far as I know, it’s one of the first places in the city to do this!

Open House at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown, NY. Every visit makes a lasting impression on my perspective and connection to food and the art and nuance of what’s involved in creating impactful and special experiences the way that they do.

Farm to Table Fab!

I could spend every season at Valley Rock—It’s magical and most importantly they have amazing food!
There’s so much more to the property than The Cantina, which I had to draw about because it’s the spot that I know best from dining there even on wintery evenings over the years, thanks to their incredible outdoor heating.
I think you should investigate for yourself and see what events and activities resonate! If you go I hope that you let me know how it was! :)

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Fun Sundays at Farra

That jolt of wind every now and then over the weekend reminded me that I would wear my scarf until…..mid May??! We were seated at the best spot for observing Tribeca locals and their very chic dogs.

Couldn’t resist drawing something to convey this delightful Sunday “Spring-Ish” (it was actually kind of blustery out that day) Supper.

When you go…here are some suggestions:)
A pretty and delicious Sunday supper that paired well with the weather.
The Vino
A wbtg—2023 Cogno, Anas-Cëtta, Nascetta del Comune di Novello, Piedmont, Italy.
Etc….

  • Sourdough, Everything Profiterole, Lavash, Garlic Bread

  • Burrata, Golden Beet, Pineapple, Pistachio

  • Hamachi Crudo, Cranberry, Almond Butter 

  • Rice, Scallop, Egg Yolk, Trout Roe 

  • Shrimp Ravioli, Miso Bonito Bouillon, Ricotta, Olive Oil

A moment...

A quiet moment for what I now realize is a VERY animated and energized Jack Russell. Her gleeful shenannigans are such a treat to watch, however, this also happened—a moment where we sat at our gorgeous mid day nosh at La Mercerie and her sweet little face was watching and waiting fairly patiently from below….I added in elements - LOL the paw …and she’s A LOT closer to that yummy plate of anchovies than she was that day. I now know the potential of what she’s really capable of if given the opportunity!

She certainly had her eye on the prize;)!

Winespiration & a delicious dinner at Borgo

I don’t feel compelled to drink unless it’s going to add something remarkable to the experience. If you’re reading this you may already know about Borgo and if not then hopefully I can convince you to go because I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s now number 1 on a list that Im creating in my mind of where to go next time I need wine-spiration.
Considering who their wine director is, my epiphany is not a shocker. In reading about Lee Cambpell, perhaps I should ask chat gpt for assistance in finding all of her past wine selections….LOL that would be an amazing learning experience if I could taste through that list!

And OMG the food is awesome!

En was part of my intro to Manhattan many years ago when it first opened, and it has been a “go to” ever since. Sad to say goodbye after so many clam misos, my introduction to ikura and beautiful presentation in everything we ordered. It was the perfect setting for long conversations and the yummiest tuna avocado salad!

It is almost 5pm: Will I stick to the plan? Happy TG weekend!
• Original book cover for One Thousand Vines Illustrated by Loan Nguyen Thanh Lan
• Original book cover for Wine Confident designed by James Pople

Northern Italian Nibbles

This little piggy knows how to have FUN!
Note: In moderation as she’s capable of balancing herself on a corkscrew while she indulges in her Nebbiolo and a specialty of the Piemonte region: the white truffle. Fun fact: Boars/Pigs are not used for truffle hunting because they will gobble up these precious delights. Instead ‘tartufaio’ choose specially trained dogs who aren’t into nibbling on “The Diamonds of The Langhe.” 
Here are some nibbles for you, from my latest project with a fabulous group of fine wine specialists from Winebow Imports Heritage Division. 

Sketch Night at the Regency

A random thought about nursery school. Prompted by what? Maybe it was the flowers he held, but they were white and he was wearing a tartan suit. Maybe it was the champagne I sipped? A recent sketch night at The Regency Bar & Grill, through Society of Illustrators. I can’t say that I love rust or brown. She did have the sweetest poodle:).

"It's time to repot."

I just received my copy today! I’m so proud to have worked with Harvey on his meaningful and inspirational project.
It’s one of the best feelings to collaborate with friends and help them develop their concept, or with clients who become friends during the process, and in this case I had the privilege of working with one of my favorite people.
I met Harvey through my very special teacher, mentor and friend, Charlie Rosner. Harvey and I immediately clicked and he hired me to design his first book, Wings & Roots. I learned so much about myself through that project and our time together, and got to know Harvey and his wife, Elaine.
Harvey has become a mentor, dear friend, and a major motivator and inspiration to me. Especially now, after working with him on his second book, a 400 page memoir that he wrote in THREE months! This is just one of the several goals he’s created and accomplished and he continues to create as a prolific artist, writer and more.
One of my favorite stories is one of his more intimate pieces, about how he met his wife, Elaine. I’m partial to it because it’s so whimsical and describes this one moment in time that contributed to the creation of their lives together, oh and it also involves horses:-).
If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of this book, it’s available on Amazon at Itstimetorepot
Harvey is donating all profits to The Trevor Project.

Draw - design - drink (a little) wine

A recent project for the Women in Wine Leadership Symposium held in NYC. So many wonderful parts to the process of learning about these inspiring female winemakers and pioneers in the wine industry from around the world and then tasting their phenomenal wines at the event!
Gifted to each speaker as 11x14 prints, displayed at the event both digitally and in print, the main poster highlighted the day’s agenda and was handed out to attendees as a takeaway.
Postcards were offered to the attendees to mail out during the event. A nice detail…
Enjoy!