The Diary of Toma Clark Haines
“This is my life. I built this life. You - and only You - have that power.”
Follow the Journey
This is my Republic. My diary. I journal my life. The day-to-day. Lessons learned. I love. I laugh, mostly at myself because laughter is the best medicine. I travel in my imagination, and in reality. I cook. I share recipes for food as well as practical magic. I believe in God, and I believe God hung the Moon and Stars. I believe you have the power to create your own reality — to make your dreams come true. My diary is Eat, Pray, Love (Yourself) meets Elle Decor + a dash of Goop and a pinch of Entrepreneur.
Featured Posts
The Dome of Florence
In my creative Strategy Sessions with clients I often say it takes a village. Brunelleschi led an army of masons and stonecutters, carpenters, blacksmiths, lead beaters, barrel makers, water carriers, and other craftsmen.
Boating Lessons
Learning to drive a boat with JP of @classic.boats.venice is like a lesson with Mr Miyagi meets the #badassbuda. Center yourself. You can even close your eyes. Just feel the water.
Nights in Burano
Burano. Just off the boat. End of the night. Coffee at midnight. Laughter. Talking. Old friends. New friends. Conversations in Italian. And better yet - I didn’t just speak Italian - they understood me.
The Line Between Realities
As I cross the bridge I see a gondolier standing shirtless. He’s standing in his boat and has removed his shirt from the mainland and is changing into his uniform for the day.
Venetian Breakfasts
I start the day with a cornetto - vouto - and a macchiato in the campo. I am happy. Sono felice. Sono contenta. It’s May 6 and the weather feels like October.
OMG…It’s a wrap!
OMG. Its a wrap... my week of Venetian design inspired posts for @ifdany have come to a close. For my last post I share a vignette in a palazzo my dear friend and colleague @clairettezed designed.
@ifdany Instagram Takeovers
For my last of the @ifdany Instagram Takeover I want to share the works of my favorite Venetian Interior Designers. My friend @alessandro_carli01 combines his insider knowledge of the hospitality industry with with flair for style in creating exquisite residential and hospitality design.
Oh So Gritti!
#OhSoGritti and witty and wise!! Today I begin my @ifdany Instagram take over and we are checking into @thegrittipalace.
I blame…
I blame @vivivivvy. And @gucci for making these 1977 Tennis shoes in the color pink. Now I’m on a quest to find my own perfect little pink foot stand. But I had to do it.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday grilling with friends. It was a turbulent weekend and friends soothed me. I told our host you should save the shells.
The Golden Hour
It heals what ails me. The grass. The sea view. Light dancing through the trees. I’m in Sant’Elena - the eastern most point of Venice, the last vaporetto before Lido.
Cleaning Clutter
For the last several weeks whenever I’ve found myself idle without thinking I’ve automatically went to a cabinet and began organizing it
Happy Birthday Venice
One does not choose to live in Venice. Venice is a Lady. And a lady always chooses who she lets in. And I am lucky she chose me. She is wise this lady. Elegant. Full of Surprises. She dances with her residents. Spinning them in twist and turns like a Salsa. She is timeless. This city. She just turned 16 again. 1600 years she’s been in existence.
Goodbye Rock LaFleur
Rocky LaFleur will know what I should do. We talked for hours over the coming week. We strategized. He made introductions. He gave me confidence. “You’re well liked. You know every one. You are a survivor. This will not be end of you. You will transform this temporary setback into your asset.”
I Have Become
Several years ago I made a vow to myself to always speak the truth, to always be direct, to say the hard things. To ask the hard questions. It doesn't always make me an easy friend. But it makes me a true friend. It makes me true to myself.
Roots
The roots of the trees in the courtyard at the @guggenheim_venice grow side ways instead of downwards into the earth. Venice was build on piles of wood driven into marshy land - a city build on water. It’s fluid. And flexible.
The Snow Moon
The moon. Shining between 2 buildings. At 4am she moves across the night sky shining on to the canal and wakes me, tapping on my bedroom window. What do you desire? Your wish is my command. Full moons reveal our inner potential. The Full Moon is here. Do you feel it? I feel it’s energy like the light is shining onto a part of myself. Intuition is heightened.
Tasting America
It’s been one year since I’ve been in America.
I’ve lived overseas 21 years and during this time I’ve always gone home to Oklahoma at least twice a year. Normally I spoke in the USA at trade fairs or conferences at least 4 times a year.
Meatballs
The smell of garlic.
My Italian boyfriend biting into it and telling me it tastes like his moms.
Feeling Satisfied.
Color me content.
Life during a pandemic may not be easy… but some days things feel just right.
The Kitchen Saint
I am officially Italian. I bought my olives for the year. They - and a years worth of olive oil - arrived straight from the olive farm. I’m stocked up for the year. 10 giant jars thats what I was told a single young woman of my standing should order for the year. Seeing these jars in my kitchen I think they might have pulled one over on me.
Balance and the Moon in Libra
I am not quite sure how I have done it in these days of the pandemic ... but I think I am achieving it. Balance. My Moon is in Libra - maybe that’s why this quest for Balance matters so much to me. The Moon represents creativity and emotions. For the last 3 years I’ve been obsessively pursuing getting my schedule right - The obsession? That’s the sun in Scorpio speaking.
