My Little Matryoshka

I've loved matryoshkas, also known as Russian nesting dolls, for as long as I can remember.  I don't know many children who are instantly infatuated with them. Most outgrow the fascination, I did not.  The funny thing is I don't own any nesting dolls.  But, Japan loves matryoshkas too and they're featured everywhere here: fabric, juice glasses, stationary, curtains, blankets.  

    A couple of years ago ModCloth had an Eva Franco dress with a nesting doll skirt.  It was absolutely gorgeous and at $295 it was absolutely out of my price range.  (That's where the fabric comes in handy and I hope to post pics soon of the dress I'm making.)  But while I was searching for this fabric last month, I came across this adorable purse and since there were only two left, I bought it without hesitation. The last one sold within a day, so I have no regrets.

I knew just the dress I'd use for my first outfit with this little babushka.  Something sweet and pastel to provide a little contrast to the black bag, but also match the cheeks and face.So, although this bag has sold out at the shop where I bought mine, if you do happen to come across one in you own searches, I recommend purchasing it.  For a novelty purse, it's quite spacious and seems to be very well made and of good quality.

I'm including a pic here that is just the outfit sans purse, because I really want to highlight in this post the effect an interesting purse can have on the overall look of an outfit.  A belt would help to give it a visual break up at the waist, but the purse really takes it beyond being just average or nice.  

    Novelty purses like this one may not be your thing and that's OK.  The idea is to choose an interesting purse to perk up your look.  What makes said purse interesting can be any number of things like its shape, color, print, pattern, or a combination of those.

Shop the Look:

Purse is from accessorize.com

Dress is Sunny Girl

Cardigan is Mak from ModCloth

Shoes are from Charlotte Russe
Necklace is handmade

That Lil Blue Dress: ootd

I reeeeeeeally liked this dress by Dear Creatures, but all the reviews were pretty negative about the unflattering fit.  So, even when I found it on sale, it was never low enough to justify the risk.  However, during my search I came across Anthropologie's Harissa dress by Lil. 

This is  the one that started it all; the dress that launched Blue November.  The dress was pre-owned, but in great condition.  It looked so much like the dress I'd been searching for, but with a much better cut and I think it's a lovelier print and color too.  I couldn't find photos from Anthropologie's site, most likely due to the fact that this dress came out in 2007, but it is even more lovely in person than photos could express.

This brilliant blue with the white flowers sort of remind me of something from Lord of the Rings.  Everything about this dress is perfect, and I especially love the attention to detail on the back as well as the front.

I've already had a chance to wear it on an unseasonably warm day last week and this dress  is without a doubt my new favorite.  I've seen it pop up on several resale sites, so if you're interested, do a search every now and then for "Lil Harissa Dress" and one is sure to turn up sooner or later.

Something I always take time to consider when buying a dress is how versatile it is.  Since this is a cotton peasant dress, I didn't think it would be more than a casual dress.  But, when I tried it on with heels, I thought it looked pretty sharp.  A dress that looks just as beautiful dressed up with heels as it does dressed down with casual walking flats is a wardrobe essential.

These cute Teva walking flats were a gift from mum and I highly recommend them.  My sunnies and this kawaii France theme wallet were both found during our October visit to Harajuku in Tokyo.  The wallet is by a brand called Paquet du Cadeau (a Japanese brand as far as I can tell) and I absolutely adore it.  I am hoping to add a few more items from them on my next visit to Harajuku whenever that may be.

Shop the Look:

Dress by Lil from Anthropologie

Black Heels by Qupid

Walking Flats by Teva

Wallet by Paquet du Cadeau

Jewelry is handmade

Artist Spotlight: Roxana with Illuminated Perfume

    For this Artist Spotlight I chose the work of Roxana from Illuminated Perfume.  I was first drawn to her lovely photos and then to the names of her elixirs like Gracing the Dawn, an herb, floral and spice arrangement, Page 47, a nectarous fragrance, and Green Witch, a bouquet of scents dedicated to the Greek sea goddess Tethys, I knew there was more to this lady and her shop than meets the eye or nose as the case may be.  

    I am so delighted to present her shop, her story, and to get to know her better.  Roxana says of her work,  "I create organic perfumes with stories to remind us of our own essential nature and the connection with mother earth. These fragrances are mindfully crafted from the vitality of nature using whole essences from the plant world."

Bleu:  What would you most like for people to understand about your work?

Roxana:  The most important thing is that people understand that almost ALL scented products on the market, even those labeled as "natural" are made with synthetic fragrance molecules. These molecules are made with petroleum and were introduced to perfumes at the turn of the century during the industrial revolution. They are very toxic to humans, animals and the planet. 

B:  Roxana, was there a particular moment that you knew you wanted to enter the world of alchemy or was it part of a natural progression?

R:   My interest in alchemy became apparent during art school when I was introduced to alchemical imagery. The interest turned into a realization when I began to study aromatherapy and saw the connections between working with plant material to induce higher states of consciousness.

B:  The photos of your creations are very powerful.  It is a true testament to you skill as an artist to be able to visually represent scents.

R:   Thank you!

B:  What is your favorite scent or product that you've created and why?

R:  Hmm, I have many favorites, they are a bit like ones own children, I love them al! Some have a higher resonance with me personally. For example I have just released Fleurish and I am completely addicted to it, I adore the uplifting fresh jasmine notes and how it mixes with my chemistry. However, my favorite perfume I've created as a work of art is GreenWitch. The fragrance came about very auspiciously during a study group with other botanical perfumers. We had taken on the theme of "Chypre" and were each working on constructing a fragrance based on that family of perfumes which is are characterized by the contrast of bergamot in the top-notes with oakmoss in the base. I decided to do a "green" themed fragranced which progressed into including seaweed when I decided to create the scent based on the book "GreenWitch" by Susan Cooper. The perfume has gone on the win awards and is my biggest seller.

B:  As an alchemist, do you consider yourself an artist or a scientist?

R:  I am most definitely an artist although I do try to understand the world much like scientists do by deeply observing things, asking lots of questions, doing research and looking at different perspectives. I must say I am completely perplexed by how so many people take what they hear in the "news" as fact. Particularly when it makes absolutely no sense or is contradictory to the wellness of humanity. 

 

B:  What has been the most rewarding experience you've had from this endeavor?

R:  As I stop and look back on my life, I can see that this is what I was meant to be doing, there is no doubt and that quite profound feeling. I get great satisfaction from elevating peoples consciousness, even if it is something subtle like understanding the importance of native plants or the honey bee. Little realizations like that can have profound impact on civilization. I see it a bit like the concept of Chaos Theory how the flutter of one butterfly wings might affect weather patterns.

B:  That is a worthy calling and a wonderful feeling to know that you are where you are meant to be.  I look forward to what the future has in store for you.  Thank you so much for joining me today. 

You can find Roxana's creations at her Etsy.com shop  Illuminated Perfume

or visit her workshop in Agoura Hills, California
 

Emily & Fin Keener Postures: Dress Review

I love Emily & Fin.  Their quality is consistent and their designs are gorgeous.  This is my first dress in the Keener Postures style, but I'm fairly pleased.

The chest is a tad too big, but the waist is perfect and the cut is so flattering and comfortable.  It has pockets and the length is below the knee. 

The only negative thing I have to say about this dress is the criss-cross front is open.  While this would be a great feature for nursing mamas, I'll probably put a stitch or two in to keep this closed. 

Shop the Look:

Emily and Fin Keener Postures dress in leaves at ModCloth for $109.99 in sizes XS-XL. 
 Dress is from ModCloth
Heels are from Charlotte Russe
Jewelry and purse are handmade

Falling Up with the Bay Breeze Dress: ootd

The dress back has a special cut that made impractical to alter.

    I'm still finding ways to wear this dress and still loving all of them.  As I mentioned in my first post about this dress I took a chance on it since it was on sale.  It wasn't my size, but soooo close that I knew I could probably tailor it.
    The design of the dress made that a challenge; I normally take in the bodice at the back at the center or at the sides.  But this dress has a special cut to the back and the zipper is at the side. 

     I puzzled over it for a while and finally decided to take it in as usual under the right arm and to fond the fabric at either side of the zipper on the left side.  This turned out to camouflage the tailoring perfectly and give the bodice the right fit for my frame.
    I also took the straps in since even at the shortest, they were still about an inch too long.  I spent years practicing making adjustments to thrift store and throw away dresses to minimize my risk while learning.  Now I have a method which may still look a little primitive but works for me.

    For this outfit I really felt like mixing up my color palette and making this summer dress work for fall.  I chose faded green and bright orange since those are the colors all around me.
All these colors just seemed to work together and I can't exactly explain why.  Maybe it's because all the colors are the same intensity, or maybe because I have some neutrals with just a few pops of color.  Whatever the reason, I love this look. 

Shop the Look:

Bay Breezes Dress from ShopRuche.com

Charter School Cardigan in Sage at ModCloth.com

Heels at ModCloth.com

Necklace and Ring are Handmade

Purse is SecondHand

Glad Day, Plaid Day: How to Wear a Shirt Dress

    The shirt dress is the epitome of domestic elegance.  It is the love child of Practical and Beautiful.      It doesn't matter if I'm chopping up dinner or scrubbing dishes, I feel pretty polished.  And, if I need to transition from household duties to going out and running errands, I simply pair it with black flats and "diamond" earrings.  

    I have a two solid print shirt dresses, but I was hoping for one with great plaid print, three-quarter sleeves, and of course, pockets, like this Anthropologie Dress by Reed.

    Unfortunately, even though this dress hit the stores quite a while ago, it is still highly sought after and usually carries a $100 price tag.   It seemed like it wasn't meant to be until one day I saw a dress quite similar at my local thrift shop for about $5.  It has all the features I was hoping for at just the right price.  

    Lest you think that shirt dresses are just for around the house, I've styled this dress three ways to demonstrate the versatility of the style and a multi color print.  

Dress it up with heels, or dress it down with flats and of course a great purse and earrings improve any outfit.

To go a little bolder, choose the brightest color and then add a large accent piece in that color.  For this dress it is a very warm red.  This dress has a summer palette of red, white, and blue, but by making the main color this lovely warm red, it now seems perfect for autumn, or with some tights, this dress is now warms up a gray, winter day.  I choose a light brown for my purse and flats instead of black to add extra layer of warmth to the palette.  

The last look is a little more business with a belt around the cardigan and black peep toe heels.  Notice how switching to mostly black or navy accents really cools down the colors and brings more emphasis to the lavender blue shade in the print. 

 

I hope these looks have inspired you to try something new with your old shirt dress or to try a shirt dress if you've never had one.  Send me pics of your outfit ideas and I may use them in a future post!

When Absence Doesn't Make the Heart Grow Fonder....

     You love home.  You miss the faces.  You miss the sights and sounds.  What happens when all that goes away?  What does it mean when absence makes the heart grow colder or even hostile instead of fonder?

    For so long I held home and family in this tightly guarded place in my heart.  It felt safe to spread my wings, because they would always be there just as I left them, waiting for me.  And for a while that was true.  Gradually I noticed the changes.  On one homecoming, mom and dad seemed so much grayer than I remembered.  There were marriages and births and these new faces changed the family dynamics.  Then the sudden passing of a loved one and then another and another.  Little quarrels among this or that person that were so small two decades ago when my travels began, have grown and grown until they can no longer be overlooked and there is no hope of repairing the rift. 

    For the last few years each homecoming has been sadder and sadder as I face the empty places at the table and the dangling conversations with people who were once like sisters and now are strangers.  Children who used to run to hug me, now keep a shy distance.  Chatter ceases when I enter a room; I am not privy to the confidences of the inner circle.... but then again I am not burdened by the drama either.  So, it is a blessing and a curse. 

    My family and I have always dreamed of settling down in some rural haven where we know everyone and they know us.  But the longer we live in transition, the more we must contend with the very addictive nature of the gypsy lifestyle and all the promise of greener grass in the next city, new adventures always on the horizon.
    When friendships fizzle, no worries, we'll be leaving soon and meeting lots of new people.  And of course, there is that wonderful chance to reinvent who I am in each new place.  No one is holding on to the person any of us were before now.  They know only us as we are now.  

  There was a time when I desperately tried to stay connected with everyone back home.  But, after a while the e-mails responses grew fewer and the cards and gifts stopped coming on the holidays, and people moved on.  That's what people do; it's normal.  But, we hadn't moved on yet and it was especially painful to see my children, so desperate for reminders of home, finding they had been forgotten.   My heart ached for them.  It ached for me.  I wanted to hold on to what we used to have and I found myself unable to enjoy the present for clinging to the past.

  
    And then it happened.  I made a decision to let go.....

        For the first time in my life I opted to care less.  I realized that I no longer had to intervene when auntie Jay was fighting with auntie Kay.  It didn't hurt that grandma Elle didn't send the girls birthday cards again this year, but posted lots of pics of her special birthday dinners with the other grand kids.  Cousin Em is having marriage drama? No one is burdening me with all the sordid details.  My life became less complicated and more enjoyable, so I decided to share my newfound appreciation for our strange and simple life with the rest of my little family.

    It began with the affirmation that "home" was no longer that faraway place, it was right here, wherever here happened to be at the moment.  As long as we are together, we are home.  We stopped writing letters we knew would not be answered.  We stopped pouring over special gifts to send to people who would never acknowledge receiving them let alone reciprocate.  I stopped posting photos of our adventures and updates about our lives on Facebook.   The people that truly love us already know all those things, because they make a point to keep in touch.  We extinguished the torch we'd carried for those holiday traditions and delicacies found at big family gatherings and decided to make our own.  We chose our favorites from the past and added a few new dishes and activities we'd always wanted to try to make something uniquely ours.

    The absence from our old friends and extended family brought a lot of heart ache with it.  But, wounds heal and hearts adapt.  Rather than shrink, we chose to grow.  Building our own life and our own sense of home, letting go of what once was, and releasing those we'd tried to hold in that place in our hearts, it liberated us too.   Do I still miss "home"?  In a sense, yes.  I miss that place that used to be and the people that lived there, but that's all just a memory, and I can't live in memories.  I've chosen to be present in this life as it is and where it is.  Letting go of the past has opened so many possibilities.  Now there is something so much better in its place and this home belongs just to us.

Hook, Line, and Synchro: ootd

I'm not a swimmer, but I always wanted to be.  The trouble was just that I didn't like water that was deeper than waist high.  

    Still, I love that classic diver look which is probably why this dress and these cute earrings caught my eye.  I've never lived anywhere in the world that didn't have a Claire's and it's all the same stuff so it's like a little piece of America where ever we go.  

    Anyway, on a recent trip, I found these front and back earrings in diver motif and I couldn't resist. I probably won't wear them with my swimmer dress.  Going head to toe with one theme can get a little tacky or cartoonish.  But, I will find something to pair them with and post pics soon.  
 

    This gorgeous dress is my first purchase from the Blutsgeschwister brand, and I couldn't be happier with it.  I loved this dress not only for the cute print, but mostly for the great cut.  The details on the bodice make for some great visual interest and add this touch of femininity in the suggested bustier of the seams and the faux belted waist, and yet the material is a soft jersey cotton.  It's maybe the most comfortable dress I own, and I love the fact that the print is beautiful from a distance and only gets more interesting close up.

Shop the Look:
Front and Back Diver Earrings from Claire's
Dress by blutsgeschwister
Jewelry from Walmart
Purse from Early American Club
Flats from Express

The Blank Designs: Beautiful Glass Homeware

    A quick artist spotlight of The Blank Designs
Their beautiful glass lanterns and kitchen ware have a very Moroccan feel while their place mats, bottle openers and miniature vanity speak more of rustic settings.  I love their work and hope to someday have some of their gorgeous lanterns hanging in my home.

Moroccan Hanging Glass Lanterns

Moroccan Star Glass Lantern

Seven Point Star Light Shade

Wooden Lace Heart Photo Frame

Antique Brass Moroccan Lantern

Indian Handpainted Bedcover

Cast Iron Key Door Knockers

Handpainted Ceramic Mini Bowls

Fair Trade Leather Elephant Journal