Snow Bound

It's supposed to snow today... and I'm not excited. I know it's been a rather tame season weather-wise, but I think I have winter fatigue! I keeping longing for bright colors, leafy plants, and warmth - warmth from the sun, not from my little floor heaters. This is probably not the best state of mind as there is at least a month and a half left of cold weather up here. So what to do? Other than stare at entirely therapeutic photographs of cute animals. :) I'm going to take the rest of the week off here and clear my head, go for a walk, work on an embroidery sampler, and take some vitamin D. I'll see you all next week, hopefully better rested and without the winter blues. Be well, my friends!

Photograph by nikolinelr II.

The Sum Of Its Parts

The Modern Woman Wears Knowledge by Alicia Kovalcheck.

“The Modern Woman Wears Knowledge” is a wearable sculpture made out of newspaper pages and book pages that replicates the style of Victorian era women’s hats to reference the Women’s Suffrage Movement and the changing societal standards. Both a critique of the expectations and influence that originally placed women in a role of meek and beautiful obedience, and a hopeful portrayal of the evolution of beauty standards that have begun to focus less on appearance and more on intellectual thinking, this piece seeks to communicate that while great strides have been made, there is still much work to be done to achieve gender equality.

A Little Break: Maddie On Things

Maddie the Coonhound has really good balance.

Photographs by Theron Humphrey.

Ulyana Sergeenko Spring/Summer 2012

Now that you've seen backstage, what do you think about what's going on front and center? Sergeenko calls it Brigitte Bardot goes to Russia. To me, it's perfection.

Images from Vogue Russia, spotted on where is my crown?

Behind the Scenes: Ulyana Sergeenko Spring-Summer 2012

Scenes from backstage at Ulyana Sergeenko's Spring-Summer 2012 show. I adored her 2011 fall/winter lookbook from top to bottom (I still go back and look at it), and before I share her newest collection, I wanted to post these more candid shots. It's nice to see the details in these photographs that might normally get lost in the final, stylized vision: a head of pin curls, a rose earring, expertly applied eye liner, the delicate chain that holds up a heavy beaded necklace. Consider it a preview of things to come...

First spotted on Butter + Brass.

Beads and Threads

Anna Jane Searle does extraordinary needle work, incorporating all manner of beads and sequins amongst her smooth, dense threads. These pieces remind me of fanciful anemones. Don't they look as though they could undulate across the cloth?

Floor Treatments

Somehow I can't imagine my landlord giving the okay for this, but I am loving these painted floors anyway.

Sources: Alvhem; Magnus Reed; Elle Decor.

Recent Acquisitions

Some prints that are soon to be hanging in the home of yours truly. New art makes me so giddy! I can't wait to see them in person (and figure out where to put them!).

White Bison by Sandra Dieckmann

Oneonta Gorge and Massive Ice Wall by Jeremy Miranda

Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm going to a ballet class (my first in probably 20 years!), so I'm making up for my lack of schmaltz with these insane Victorian and Edwardian cards from The Beamish Museum. Aren't they over the top?

Arrangements

Happy Monday - I brought you some flowers! Well, pictures of flowers anyway. I can't stop staring at these sumptuous bouquets by Honey of a Thousand Flowers. They look so heavy, which is a strange compliment for floral arrangements, but I love how weighty they look with those luscious blooms and thick greenery. These are some serious flowers.

Artisan Candy

What better way to welcome Friday than with some pretty pretty cake decor by Andie's Specialty Sweets? I pine for mushroom cake.

Fashionable Illustrations

Gorgeous work by Ekaterina Koroleva. I'd love to have a giant print of that first one hanging in my living room.