Apricot Lace

I found this pretty cotton dress at a thrift store, originally from Forever 21. Though it is contemporary, it has the perfect structure to be transformed into a gloriously Edwardian gown that would fit right into a Downton scene. I love the pale apricot fabric, mesh neckline, low square back, and lace details. It is a costume project in the works for whenever I next discover an outdoor tea or the like to attend! It shall be lengthened and embellished. 

Gatsby Glasses

Now I'm all set for any costuming event from the 1800s through the 1930s with these glasses! They are so fine and dainty. The ingenious local optician happily ripped the black tubing off this vintage pair that he had sitting on his shelf in order to polish them up to their round golden glory for me. Gotta love small town service!

Multifaceted Lady

I have a growing collection of intriguing lady portraits, and just acquired this print for $8 from Value Village. I adore the 1900 to 1930s styling of it, the beauty of the woman, the rich colours, and the faceted gold frame splashed with the colours of her dress.

The Pretty Lady

I found this edition of 1918 novel The Pretty Lady by Arnold Bennett (1867-1931) at a book sale for a song. I admit...I bought it purely for the title and the glamorous gilded pattern on the black cover!

L.M. Montgomery Journals

I found these delightful diaries at a used book store for a total of $15. The first volume begins with entries from Mongomery at age 15, and chronicles her friendships, school adventures, career development, and maturing introspection. She certainly had plenty of men falling head over heels for her! The journal entries are charming, witty, honest, and absolutely enthralling, and I can't get my hands on the next 3 volumes fast enough!

Carbide Willson Ruins

 This 1911 mill is an enthralling structure of abandoned ingenuity!

Its massive, warped window frames have an elegant industrial feel.

Salt patterns on the stone

Contemporary cave drawings

So much rough texture

A grand spot for photoshoots

A Venetian Doorway

A beautiful painting by Wilfrid Gabriel de Glehn from 1913.

Impressive Impressionist

I love impressionist paintings for their color, texture, lighting, and frequently natural settings. Recently (while browsing through Google images) I stumbled upon the art of Edward Cucuel. He was born in San Francisco in 1875 and died in Pasadena in 1954. Throughout his life he studied and worked in San Francisco, Paris, Berlin, Munich, and New York. In 1913 he married Clara Lotte von Marcard. He often used his family members and friends as the figures in his paintings instead of models. Here is some of his dreamy art:

I think the color of this bathing suit is lovely!

This looks like quite the relaxing picnic.

Alfresco perfection.

This looks like Mary from Downton Abbey.

The lighting in these two paintings is so golden.

I'm currently working on a version of this painting...stay tuned!