I Want to Go...

to Bahia.

Bottom photo: Emilio Navarino

Spell Caster

I have long been captivated by the work of
Renee Stout.  Her gloriously creepy sculptures
and installations reference all my favorite things:
Vodou queen Marie Laveau, spells, amulets, and
charged objects.

Wandering Souls

Snake charmers, acrobats, and magic hats 

laden with coins, shells, and buttons. 

From National Geographic.

Power Trip

Started gathering inspiration for the new collection.  Forget sweet pixies and fairies; love that these witchy women look like they'd have no qualms about castings some seriously powerful spells. In 2010, I predict pieces that combine natural elements, amulets, and a pinch of magic to create totally unapologetic designs.

Shimmying Sisters

Hailing from a shetl in the Old Country, these enterprising sisters sailed to the United States in the 1920s for a better life. They took their burlesque act as far as Shanghai with a trunk full of glittering handmade costumes in tow. Later they settled in the New Orleans Marigny where they continued their storied existence.  Read more about these ladies here.

Oh, Paolo

I've been tearing his pictures out of magazines before I even knew who he was...

Paolo Roversi's photos always have the most beautiful, haunting quality to them.

A Certain Lilt

There's always gotta be some sort of music playing in the studio and lately it's been all about WXPN.

My best friend burned me an Andrew Bird CD forever ago, but it didn't work, so I tossed it. When I heard his live show on the radio the other day, I became an instant disciple.

His whistling gives his songs a hushed, hymnal sound. The last song, Happy Birthday, is especially lovely.

Sweet Thing

Ah, a new blog, a new beginning.

But wanna know where it really all started?

Finding Van Morrison's Astral Weeks tape in the bedroom

of a best friend's older sister. Amongst a clutter of Sassy

magazines and weathered journals was this little masterpiece.

With mentions of rainbow-colored hair ribbons, Shalimar

perfume, and wanton ballerinas, it was love at first listen.

Umpteen years later, I can still hear the twinkling

melodies and gem-like lyrics and they never fail to inspire.