A Walk on the Dark Side

I've had so much fun creating pendant necklaces for my new jewelry line, Ophelia's After Dark!  Here are two new goth girls and my fallen angel necklace. View them here

Schachlo - Russian Gypsy Dance

Don Juan DeMarco - Movie Trailer

Encouragement

Your identity is not equivalent to your biography. There is a place in you where you have never been wounded, where there's a seamlessness in you, and where there is a confidence and tranquility.

- John O'Donohue -

 

Musings...

“I must down to the seas again to the vagrant gypsy life,To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.”

~John Masefield 

Rep Theatre Project Part Two

This Saturday August 27 the Rep Theatre Project apartments will be open as a show house. Here is a sneak peek at the apartment I designed.

 The dining area is small  but Scalamandre's zebras give it a lot of style and impact.

 Hydrangeas make everything better.

 The art wall was made with the help of Sherrie Whitehead.

This is going to be a great show house. The information is here.

For Strange Women

Combining my love of fragrance with a neo-Victorian aesthetic, For Strange Women offers naturally scented products that not only smell amazing, but are beautifully packaged.  The brainchild of the talented Jill McKeever, she has succeeded in creating a line of artisan perfumes for...well...strange women. :)  Check out her shop here and her blog here.

Sale at Ophelia's Adornments!

Offering an end of summer sale on select jewelry on my website through August 26th!  New customers also receive a free gift!  Click on the link below:

Sara Bareilles-Many The Miles (Acoustic)

Refreshing Creativity

Sooner or later, it hits all of us creative folks...the dreaded slump.  During that time, we're either tired and stressed from every day "stuff", or we're just not feeling very inspired.  I'm not there right now, but have been in the past (and know I will be again!), so I was wondering...what do you do to refresh your creative spirit?  Whether simple of elaborate, I'd like to hear what speaks to your soul and allows you to reawaken that spark of inspiration....thanks for sharing!

Girl With A Pearl Earring

One of my favorite fine art paintings - Vermeer's Girl With A Pearl Earring - is featured in my latest art pendant necklace.  I also just listed some really pretty vintage baroque glass pearl earrings...yes, there's a theme going. :)  Click on the images for the link to my shop.  Hope you had a wonderful weekend!  xx

Adele - Set Fire To The Rain (Live On The Graham Norton Show) 29/04/11

Gypsy Parties!

There are two great gypsy blog parties happening in September!  Click on the links and join the fun!

Birthday Cake!

My birthday was last month, and I had to share with you this fabulous cake my mom made me!  The way she decorated it is just so fun, and the cake itself was chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate...and chocolate ganache!  Yummo.

I love to bake (though I don't have much time for it any more!), and I think baking for someone is such a special gesture.  Any of you have any special dessert/birthday cake memories?

Let them eat cake!

The Art of Mae Chevrette

Boston-based mixed media artist Mae Chevrette's work is, to me, inspirational.  I can really see and feel her heart and soul in her pieces.  At only 25, she's one to watch!  Purchase her work at her Etsy shop (you can buy both prints and originals - she's also running a sale until Aug. 14!), and check out her blog. 

Rep Theatre Project

Through this hot, hot summer I have been part of  a local community project sponsored by St Louis At Home Magazine. A group of twenty designers are working to renovate and update fourteen apartments for The Repertory Theatre of St Louis. These are the apartments used to house the actors and directors for the Reps productions.

Each apartment has been assigned a designer to complete the transformation. The update includes new kitchen, bath, furnishings, window treatments,  the whole nine yards.

My apartment is on the second floor of the mid century structure overlooking the garden area. As you can see work is well underway.

The bathroom was taken down to the studs. As of today the sub floor, dry wall and tub are in. By the end of the week the floor and wall tile as well as the vanity will be installed.
The kitchen is close to being completed. I'll  have photos of that soon.

I have chosen to have carpet installed throughout the space. The bedroom window will be covered in a functional treatment made from a camel colored glazed cotton. I'll be ready for the window treatments in about two weeks.

One of the elements I'll be using in my design is the wonderful zebra wallcovering from Scalamandre. It will be on the wall of the dining area.

The chrysanthemum pattern from Osborne & Little will be an accent fabric in the living room.

This zebra patterned outdoor fabric from Scalanmandre will make a bold statement as the bath's shower curtain.
I'll have another update soon.
For information on the show house click here.

Ophelia's After Dark ~ coming soon!

I'm very excited to announce my new jewelry line ~ Ophelia's After Dark.  With a more sensuous, darkly romantic edge than my current line, I'm having so much fun sinking my teeth into these new designs.  Of course, I'll continue to develop my current vintage brass pieces, but this gives me an opportunity to explore...well...my inner vixen!  Available on my current website, pieces will be up for sale by late August.  Visit the preliminary link here.

 

 xx,

Barbara

Childhood Memories ~ Tasha Tudor

My passion for books began at a very young age.  My mother said I would follow her around the house with an armful of books as soon as I could walk, begging her to read to me (and she did - tirelessly!).  My favorite stories featured animals and had beautiful illustrations, and I especially adored the work of fellow New Englander, Tasha Tudor.  Her gentle world never failed to soothe my soul.  She also inspired my love of corgis; I've had two (very much missed!) of the little darlings.  She was an interesting woman, choosing to live a simple, often solitary life in the country with her beloved animals and gardens.  Though Tasha is no longer with us, her spirit will always live on in my heart.  Thank you, Tasha!

Which children's books or authors still hold a place in your heart?