Eide Shoma Mobarak!

We rang in Nowruz - Persian New Year - a celebration marking the first day of spring, with SK's family last week. We feasted on dishes traditionally prepared for the day (sabzi poli mahi, reshteh polo and kookoo sabzi), and family memories were shared from celebrations passed.

I was particularly struck by the Haft Sîn (or, seven S's), the table setting of Nowruz, which has evolved over time but carries significant symbolism and spiritual value. The sabzeh (sprouts) symbolize rebirth, the senjed (dried fruit of the oleaster tree) symbolizes love, the sīb (apples) symbolize beauty and health, the sīr (garlic) symbolizes medicine, the somaq symbolizes the color of sunrise, and the serkeh (vinegar) symbolizes age and patience. Additionally, the sekkeh (coins) represent wealth, the candles symbolize enlightenment and happiness, the mirror symbolizes cleanness and honesty, the decorated eggs symbolize fertility and the goldfish in water symbolize life within life, and the sign of pisces which is the sun leaving. What a wonderful way to welcome the new year.

Eide shoma mobarak, friends!

Tilt Shift Rio: Carnival.

The City of Samba from Jarbas Agnelli on Vimeo.

Amazing. “The City of Samba,” is made up of 169,000 photos from 416 time-lapse sequences, shot in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by Jarbas Agnelli and Keith Loutit.

Make sure to watch through the carnival (at minute two)! What's your favorite float? I think mine passes four and a half minutes in...

Via Fast Co.

A Green Christmas.

Get ready.

Colossal reports:  "For a third consecutive year the city of Kaunas, Lithuania approached artist Jolanta Šmidtienė to assist with their annual holiday decorating. Recognizing the city’s somewhat dire financial state the artist challenged herself to build something that wouldn’t rely on any administrative funds set aside for the event. The result: an enormous 13-meter tall Christmas tree made from nearly 40,000 recycled green bottles and zip ties. At night the tree is lit from the inside resulting in a glowing, translucent, emerald green spruce that’s making headlines across the country."

Yes, please. Municipalities of the world, pay attention.

I love up-cycled art!  Remember the massimal from the Beaux Arts Ball?

Twelve Nights of Christmas.

And thus begins the twelve nights of Christmas on Witty Designs!!  Ok, I suppose it is technically the twelve nights leading up to the holiday, instead of after... but it was a little more catchy than a Witty advent calendar. (Hmm. Actually, that isn't half bad either!) I digress  -  I have some fun holiday designs to share!

Despite a pressing need to work on my applications last week, I spent a few days in bed incapacitated by the flu. Upside: I (was able to zone out and) caught up on my favorite programs, and even a few new ones, including Emily Henderson putting a modern mod twist on the holiday season on HGTV (geek alert, I know).

If you check out that link you will quickly find one of my two favorite elements of her design, without a doubt (hint: both are global!)  I instantly fell in love, and thus commenced DIY daydreaming. Luckily, since there are not enough hours in the day this month for such crafts, I happened to come across Angela Hardison's blog over the weekend where she has recreated the Joy to the World print (and a Peace on Earth print!) to share with all of us! You can print these bad boys up and enjoy at home, or the office, just in time for the holiday season. I am a huge fan. Thanks Angela! 

Scenes from the Weekend: Oenotri.

Had a fabulous dinner in Napa at Oenotri to celebrate the birthday of a friend...

Autumn Moon Festival.

This week marks the yearly Chinese celebration of the autumn full moon and the moon goddess. The 1,000 year old tradition honors the mystery of the moon, which Asian mythology links to water and the fertility of the summer harvest.

In honor of the autumn moon....

(If anyone knows whom to credit these to, I would love to know!  I received them via email and have been unable to source them. Thanks!)

Scenes from the Weekend: Lovers.

Happy anniversary to my adorable, loving parents and happiest of (Shhhh! First of many 59th) birthdays to my dear mother!

These two love birds were out in the city til the wee hours of the morning (while I was already in bed, mind you! Not going to lie... I love it.) celebrating their union, before our afternoon of Picasso and reveling in brews by the sea with my mom.

100 Snippets of Wit!

Today Witty Designs reached its 100th post! 

Hope you are all enjoying this little venture, as much as I am!

Photograph via Parisian Apartment.

L & E.

Happy first anniversary Lauren & Evan!
Love you.

Meet You at the Alter!

Check out these fabulous alters that were erected in Central Park, on the heels of Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing historic legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.

The contemporary structures resulted from a design competition launched by Architizer (and sponsored by The Knot). Together, they presided over 24 weddings. Swoon.

Meet the Newlyweds.

New York, I applaud you!!!  New York has become the sixth - and largest state - to legalize gay marriage. I'm a little late on posting, I apologize, but so many fabulous images have emerged since, so I'm excited to do so now!

This BBC video, and the love and joy which it illuminates, brought me to tears the morning of July 24th, and I would highly recommend it:  http://t.co/M3MryiL

The fabulous photographs below were taken at City Hall where 300 couples were married, by New York Times Magazine.  (The first couple in these series were featured in the BBC piece.)

It's official: Bravo, New York.
Stay tuned for more!

Behold.

BHLDN, Anthropologie's gorgeous wedding boutique launched their decor collection today. These fabulous garlands, poms and fans make me want to throw my sister's bridal shower all over again! Or at least put together a fabulously festive party some time very soon.

27.

Birthday bash in San Francisco. 

My inaugural post for Witty Designs to mark the beginning of a new year!