Inspired by the Future Blooms

The #CFW saga continues…

Micah from PB&J PR invited me to “Inspired by Anne,” an exhibition honoring the work of fashion illustrator Anne Wainscott. Anne did a lot of work for Shillito’s Department Store (which became Lazarus before being purchased by Macy’s) back in the day, and many of her drawings look just as fresh today as they did then.

Micah was a sweetheart, and I would rock that suit from the illustration tomorrow if I could.

Anne was so cute and tiny (she’s 93 and claims she’s been shrinking since her 70’s!) and seemed really excited and humbled about all of the hullabaloo around her.

We chatted a bit and she gave me a tip that I’ve always thought was the cornerstone of realism: draw what you see. Not what you think you see or how your brain interprets what you see, but what’s right there in front of you. She may have inspired me to pull out my dusty collection of colored pencils and charcoals and give it a try.

While waiting for my glass of vino, I ran into the lovely ladies from Chicken Lays an Egg, whose site I’d discovered earlier that day. I also got a few photos of the window display, which were all creative interpretations inspired by P&G products. The entire event was extremely well put together and was obviously organized by creative professionals accustomed to making brands look good. Well played, Landor.

In full bloom

The same evening, I headed over to Future Blooms (I just learned what they do even though I’ve walked past their studio a skillion times) for the Cincinnati Fashion Week Merchant Fair and met some of the talented vendors there.

I fell in love with a pair of vintage mules–which are totally not my usual style–and a soft suede vintage-frame handbag.

I also met Catherine, who not only creates lovely jewelry, but runs the Future Blooms studio. She and her husband were really nice and just too cute for words.

While I was there, my spidey-sense started tingling and led me to the rear part of the studio, where lo and behold, there was food! Of course I stopped to check it out. You know, just to be polite.

This guy is a local Slow Food advocate and chef looking to open a restaurant in the area etc. That’s all great, but the real kicker?

He was making fresh mozzarella cheese.

Making it. Cheese. With his hands. Cheese, y’all! I didn’t even know you could do that.

I sampled a piece or eight and marveled at the taste and texture, which was especially yummy atop a slice of garlic-y, buttery Shadeau bread. Seriously, I could’ve eaten that all night. And today. Probably tomorrow, too…