A Happy New Year to you all

Thank you for all your comments during the year, for all your good and bad wishes. Madame Arcati's visitor audience grew by nearly 15% in 2008 compared with 2007, and pageviews increased by just under 20%, to nearly 737,000. Absolutely Unique Visitors was up to nearly 253,000, up over 30% on 2007. Frankly, I have no idea how this was achieved but if you're reading this, chances are you had a hand in it.

Of Arcati's world audience, 318,217 people visited the site from 206 countries/territories, with the US at the No 1 spot, up over 14% on '07. The UK was at No 2, just over 3% up. Italy suddenly became a fan, up over 219% year-on-year. Liechtenstein excelled itself with one visitor in the whole of 2008, down 50% on '07. I hope it wasn't something I said.

Such figures suggest an internationally thin but robust interest in a blog that has no especial theme and is at the mercy of the whim and passing fancy of a funny fanny. God knows what keeps it going. But at least it's not part of a newspaper blogging herd with subjects initiated by some under-age cunt editor and nannied with legal notices telling you not to use bad language, or to deviate from the ordained topic, as in some sort of Miss Jean Brodie class.

So happy New Year. And remember: the UK Tories support bullying in the workplace. You know what I'm talking about if you're an Arcatiste.

New Years Firework Displays and Shows Worldwide

Cataloged here are some of the best New Years Fireworks display locations that were captured from the major cities and popular destinations across the world. It is a holiday that is celebrated by all cultures, and the Gregorian calender date of January 1st is synonymous with partying hard!




























2008 Taipei 101 New Year Fireworks Display


2008 New Year Fireworks, Sydney, Australia


New Year 2008 Bangkok Firework


Year 2008 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

big apple

Here is a sort of recap of my last few days, which I've been somewhat horrible at documenting even though I have this new kick ass camera. My family and I went to a farmer's market in Philadelphia and then yesterday my dad took my cousins and I into New York. Despite minor stomach problems I had a wonderful time. Some highlights were seeing Spring Awakening (please, please see this if you are in the city!) and going to MoMA. I was telling a friend how absolutely in love with the city I am, which I forget until I step out of the train and into the action. Hope everyone is having a great holiday!

This is my trademark face. And kissy face too. And tongue out. I guess I like making faces. :)

This was my dad's favorite of the day!

See Thru Soul black jeans, J.Crew black shirt, Urban shirt, fake Burberry scarf, Target jacket, Nine West Boots, thrift printed shirt. 

Smile for me, baby.

-Lo

Molly Parkin's New Year Resolutions for 2009

I asked the legendary Molly Parkin, 76 - who is my wife-to-be as well as painter, writer, style icon, soho club hostess - what she resolves to do in the next year. Her response:

1. Marry Arcati and have a cat together.
2. Ask my female doctor's advice on safe dosage of VIAGRA (for me).
3. Paint a canvas, write a page, read a book, every day of the year (without fail)
4. Continue to:
aa 'SPREAD JOY UNTO THE MAXIMUM
aaa BRING GLOOM DOWN TO THE MINIMUM'
by Johnny Mercer, singer, lyricist,and composer, 1909 - 1976
from his 40s swing-hit...
aa'AC-CENT-TCHU-ATE THE POSITIVE
aaaELIMINATE THE NEGATIVE
aaLATCH ON TO THE AFFIRMATIVE
aaaAND DON'T MESS WITH MISTER IN-BETWEEN.'

LOVE YOU ALWAYS
MOLLxx

Portrait by Tommy Candler [click here for more info on Tommy's work]

Fairytales in Dominoes: Snowwhite

Last week I spent hours and hours working on my first Fairytale.

This is the result, it includes over 12.000 dominoes and I didn't topple one domino too early.

Art on Guitars

Cool looking creative painting on guitars.