(I'm sharing the following because faithful MBFCF reader, George, was curious, and well, I'll pretty much shamelessly write about anything, but that's not important right now. But, please remember, Mr. Curious George, the blog reader, not the monkey, =D…. you asked for it…)
Hi, I'm Marta and I'm a Cuban Online Shopping Addict. That's right – C.O.S.A.** 😉
"Hi, Marta."
Okay, well, addict is kind of a harsh word. I like shopping online. A lot. (that softens it some, doesn't it? =D)
I just LOVE when packages appear on my doorstep. Is there anything better?? It's like Christmas!
When Lucy and Jonathan were toddlers I didn't get out to do much shopping. I am of that old-school of parenting that thinks that parks are much more fun for kids than the mall. (I could rant here, but I will exercise some self-control. Let's just say I have a definite opinion on this.)
Anyway, about 10 years ago, when we still lived in a too-small-for-the-six-of-us condo, I would dream of the home we would one day own and how I would decorate it in my own Caribbean Cottage style. And so I started trolling ebay for Cuban items.
All the things I have in my home are not just decorative, they are meaningful to us in some way.
This is my favorite find:
It's a souvenir tablecloth from Cuba from the 40's. I got it on eBay (in a dramatic bidding war!) and paid about $150 for it. My sister, Alina, had been given one by a friend and I had always loved the vibrant primary colors and the kitschy-ness of it, so I was deliriously delighted to find one. "Holiday Isle of the Tropics" – it really was. (sigh)
We had it framed in a bright red wood and used acrylic instead of glass so it isn't heavy or fragile, even though it measures about 5 feet across. It makes me totally happy every time I see it (which is every time I go up the stairs, which is why I'm happy most days). =D
Also on ebay were these vintage postcards from Cuba that I got for a couple of dollars. They are from the 1920's and actually have greetings on the back and are stamped and all that, so they are not pristine. But, I'm not that picky. I just think they're cool looking and they represent some key places in the Cuba of my childhood ( Varadero Beach, The Hotel Nacional, which I always thought was an AMAZING and romantic place, but that's not important right now, and the Malecón):
I stumbled upon this awesome L.A. based graphic designer who did vintage-looking travel posters with great attention to detail. His name is Kerne Erickson. Eric has a few of his Hawaiian posters hanging in his office. But these two are my favorites. I like everything about them: the bright colors, the clean design, the old Pan-Am logo, the vintage look. Everything. I got these from Art.com.
This one sits above the mantel in our living room. I found it at Z-Gallerie years ago and then searched for it online. It's a poster of a piece from Redstone Studios, who create one-of-a-kind maps for like a bizzilion dollars apiece, but these were available as posters for a while. The artist is Connie Brown and I found this link to her on Global Gallery.
At the top is a quote from the poem Hierro by Cuban Patriot and Saint Jose Martí:
¡Sólo las flores del paterno prado tienen olor!
¡Sólo las seibas patrias del sol amparan!
Our local frame shop has a service that involves permanent mounting on a plaque. It costs about a third of what it would to have the piece framed and put behind glass and it also gives it a UV coating that protects the artwork from fading. Needless to say, we have most of our stuff plaqued.
So what do my decorating choices tell you about me?
- I'm extremely proud of my Cuban heritage.
- I'm on a first-name basis with the owner of our local frame shop. =D
- I like lots of color.
- I like to have fun.
- I'm very sentimental.
- I don't take myself too seriously.
- I like receiving packages in the mail.
- I love my home.
- I married a really patient man. 😉
** "Mira que tiene cosas esta mujer!" 😉
~ Ricky Ricardo
For those that are wondering:The quote on the mantel, “Amor est Vitae Essentia,” is Latin for “Love is the Essence of Life.” Yes, she wrote on the mantel. She writes all over the walls. It’s her style.
I think she left that part out of this post because it was only about the pictures/art (i.e. stuff in frames) one the walls. One day, I will convince her to do another post devoted to the quotes on her walls . . . 😉
Thanks Kikita, I’d love to see what other quotes are scattered about Casa Darby! ;-)Marta, you have excellent taste! =)
You truly are the Cuban Martha Stewart. What wonderful finds!….and I still say you should have your own show.
Well, I better craft my questions more carefully next time!!!….I don’t want to open another pandora’s box!!!…..Nah, just kidding Marta!Thanks so much for the info. Yes, I really like the bright and cheery colors of the art, as well as its Cuban theme. I recently opened up an intellectual property law firm in Irvine, and although we have various art located throughout the office, I wanted something special for my own particular office, ergo, that’s the reason for my inquiry.
Gracias,
George
Just passing through and saw your blog, I found a Cuba tablecloth just like yours in a pile of old linens in an antique shop, it is in perfect shape and I paid $35.00 for it.I grew up in South Florida in the 60’s and 70’s so have a high regard for the Cubans who came over to Florida. Take care, Sharon
Oye amigo,Soy gringo, pero me encanta la cultura de ustedes. Mi padre era piloto de pan am y me encanta el advertencia que tienes de pan am a Cuba. Sabes donde puedo comprar uno.
Muchisimas gracias
Guy Savage
AKA Guillermo because the Spaniards kept calling me Gay.
Hola compre tu cuadro de la frace del pemas hierro de jose marti y tiene dos faltas de ortografia pusiste seibas y es ( ceibas ) tambien en el mapa dice golfo de mejico y es (golfo de mexico…que pena hechaste a perder tan bello dibujo…:( …upssss