spring is a state of mind, for some, it’s a gentle reminder to stop, observe change, seize the moment and start something new. my m.o. is always to try and pack as much stuff into a day as possible, sometimes i don’t really stop to observe what i am missing—today i worked on some positive affirmations (a little what will my key open to coin my own line) to make everything just a little more streamline, more effective and simpler, and to slow down even if it’s just a little bit (which is a huge challenge for me). of course i woke up, had a shoot, did this what am i wearing today with Robert Feliciano, had 4 meetings, 6 conference calls and strategy meetings, checked in with everyone, planned easter with a lamb (but I’m a vegetarian) and my day isn’t over yet. maybe i’ll start tomorrow when i arrive in montauk…here i am wearing…a peri allen white vintage dress with black ribbon (she’s back from eleuthera and i can’t wait to hang out with her), a black button down betsey johnson dress, circa late 90’s, cut off leggings with pour la victoire black boots, laura michaels vintage key 19, vintage key #108, and a black leather key hole cuff.

kassandra and i drove out to montauk (my favorite place on the east coast) friday during the snow storm in manhattan. as we continued to drive east the snow disappeared.—when we arrived in montauk @ 11:30pm there was none. we got up super early saturday morning (8am) and went to gurneys to take an ashtanga yoga class with tracey gardell—so sore after! then we went to joni’s grabbed some breakfast and headed to ditch with sonné in the landcruiser (i love that truck but it has no power steering and after yoga it was a bitch to steer)—she had a blast—i can’t wait till spring! there were a few surfers braving the cold. at 6pm we headed to east hampton to have a yummy dinner at della femina’s, then to guild hall for the screening of mean streets with a post talk with alec baldwin, you gotta love him—super funny! then to the talkhouse to see dalton and the bastards of boom. it was such a surprise to see pico playing with dalton (he’s kassandra’s friend milo’s dad!) we had a great relaxing weekend!

hear i am wearing…7 jeans, black frye boots, barneys shearling jacket (warehouse sale),smith optics, dolce and gabanna black leather gloves and tory burch stripped hat.

elizabeth strebs birthday party was one of those new york moments that you want to freeze in time. jim lewis, philipe petit, trisha brown, kate clinton, anna deavere smith, craig dykers, cynthia mayeda, ted berger, burt barr, ralph lemon, and host of other fabulous new yorkers gathered together to celebrate with the queen of extreme action. the party was hosted at the loft she shares with her partner laura flanders. i am honored to be part of streb and to serve on her board—supporting extreme action heros all over the world, this is truly a great organization. i have my best friend kim cullen to thank for this experience—you go kim! here i am with elizabeth wearing an urban outfitters dress, black prada boots, assorted sterling silver vintage keys. elizabeth is wearing one of my vintage key hole cuffs.

fabulous birthday in mexico then back to manhattan. a short week of work, then to an art opening for my friend gary simmons, go see his show @ metro pictures gallery “midnight matinee”—do not miss it, it’s amazing and running through march 20th—super fun night. tonight kim and I had a martini @ Bar 6 (always a great place to have a cocktail) before heading to PS122 (performance space 122) to see radiopole “whatever, heaven allows” winner of the 2009 spalding gray award for avante garde theatre—completely out there! then walked down a few blocks to pylos on 7th street for yummy greek food—thanks kim for planning the entire night—the only thing left to do is to go to sullivan room and dance… frankie knuckles and Scott are spinning—it’s 1:30am—ready? LOL…

here i am wearing…miss sixty jeans, james pearse white t, black dolce and gabanna silk jacket, black leather jacket, pinkyotto rabbit fur vest, miss sixty gloves, gianni barbato boots, sigerson morrison bag, smith glasses, hair cut by lisa cullen and laura michaels sterling silver vintage key necklaces and belt buckle.

Tuesday night, my loft served as the venue for a small, private dinner party to benefit More Art, a not-for-profit organization that connects groundbreaking artists with local communities by bringing dynamic works to the public. Hosted by artist Marina Abramovic, whose highly anticipated retrospective at MOMA opens 3/14—a must see. The event was the first in a series of private fundraisers that reflect More ART’s desire to create intimate art experiences as a means of promoting creative efforts.

Guests (who consisted of curators, collectors, writers and artists) were asked to wear white lab coats and feasted on a sumptuous menu of food (pork specifically and fish for the vegetarians) and wines prepared by Chef and Artist Keil Borrman who is pictured in the painting behind the cutting board is in a pretty compromising position (LOL). The painting served as the menu and Keil would appear as each course was served to talk about energy transformation as it related to each course which was the theme for the evening.

Before dessert, Marina had us drink 24 carat gold water from beautiful glassware and meditate for 3 minutes, which was a wonderful experience.

Everyone received a special, pre-edition copy of Marina Abramovic’s Energy Blanket. Made in collaboration with More Art, the Energy Blanket is a unique art object that depicts the artist’s body and energy lines and contains magnets carefully situated to improve circulation. It is designed to instill a profound feeling of wellness, and judging from how well I slept last night, it succeeds in doing just that. It will be available for sale at the MOMA next month.

As a board member I was honored to host this event. Here I am with Marina wearing…pinkyotto black dress, pour la victorie black boots, assorted laura michaels vintage sterling silver key necklaces

]]> http://www.lmichaels.com/2010/02/11/dinner-with-marina-abramovic-more-art/feed/ 0 http://www.lmichaels.com/2010/02/05/what-does-that-key-open/ http://www.lmichaels.com/2010/02/05/what-does-that-key-open/#comments Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:37:42 +0000 Laura Michaels http://localhost/lmd/?p=2248

Valentine’s Day is barely a blink away. Whether you’re all about sweet love or, well… just some lovin’…  you need a plan.

Perrier-Jouet? Strawberries in Godiva? La Perla? You, in nada with a big red bow?…It’s been done.

When the world is candy hearts and flowers and hot pink all over, is there really any way to stand out?

Oh, yes. In fact, it’s simple — if you want to unlock a heart, you need a key. Or two. Or three. Or more. Lucky for you…I’ve got a few to spare.

No matter who’s on your list, my range of unique hand-crafted, vintage keys — in gorgeous sterling, brass and gold with semi-precious stones — will get you exactly the response you’re looking for, whether you’re headed out on the town… or behind closed doors.

I’ve got something in every style, for every person, from the ingenues to the badasses to the bombshells to the rock stars… or maybe even the love of your life.

Head to lmichaels.com or Chelsea Girl Couture on Spring St. in NYC to get yours now.

And find out for certain this Valentine’s Day… what will your key open?

i shot “what am i wearing today” at 4:30pm today before i knew that my friend louise (who was more like my grandmother) had passed away. i thought about not posting these photos tonight, but she loved animals so much (she met sonné when she was just a few weeks old) and she loved me so i thought i would post them in her honor. this shoot was me showing you, louise had bad Sonné needs training!

i met louise when kassandra was 7. i answered an ad in the hampton star advertising her beautiful little waterfront cottage in montauk after staying in amagansett for only a season. when i met her and saw the cottage, i knew this was a magical place. kassandra, bryan and i along with our entourage of friends, family and pets spent 8 wonderful years there and my brother steve continues in the tradition. louise is the reason I found montauk again, and for that I am so very grateful to her. She was a wonderful, caring, passionate person who was always there for me and I will profoundly miss her.

here I am wearing…urban outfitter leggings, lauri b sweater, rocco p boots, millau shirt, vintage lace slip, coal cashmere hat and gloves and assorted laura michaels key necklaces.

i love you louise…goodbye. ox

i’m really into six word stories for my titles…super busy day today. sonne in the am (i really need a dog trainer, i can’t run around the roof anymore!, dalton where are u!!!!) biz dev lunch, jewelry district for a custom order, banking, more biz dev, shoot for marina abramovic (exclusive invitation only fundraiser private dinner at my loft on Feb 9th, her retrospect is at the MOMA next month) dinner with K at da umberto—my daughter is truly amazing…what am i wearing today…theory black satin dress (a little chilly for today), jcrew black tights, harley davison motorcycle boots, free people washed wool jacket with hood (my favorite), assorted vintage sterling silver laura michaels key necklaces with stones, vintage jewel box key 4, vintage jewel box key 7, vintage skeleton key. clock key, … today rocked…

here i am with kassandra (my beautiful daughter) and hannah (her beautiful friend), kim’s taking the photo wearing.  7 suede jeans, harley davision motorcycle boots, miss sixty leather gloves, handmade leather bag, act natural t-shirt, laura michaels sterling silver clock key necklace and ‘K” belt buckle and white fedora

the pre-show semi precious weapons had a shirt i loved “I can’t pay the rent, but I’m gorgeous”

i’ll post the photos from the show to flickr soon and add some here!

this post is dedicated to Peri, one of my best friends!

today was pilates, brunch, errands, dog training, work and photo shoot planning, organizing and testing. a very rainy productive day. dog training was the hardest and i have to say i am going to hire someone next week. it takes me 45 minutes to walk her because everyone stops me—they just love her. if you’re looking to meet people, i strongly suggest getting a dog—even the nycpd went out of their way to talk to me.

they say dogs look like their owners, i am not sure i buy into that, but for some reason everyone things i look like sonne or visa versa. what do you think? i definitely don’t look like licorice! here i am wearing an anna sui crazy lace/poly top, leather leggings, harley davision boots, laura michaels sterling silver vintage key necklaces, key 107, key 109 and new key hole bracelet.