♥ Lil' V ♥

This is my new niece, Veronica. But I like to call her Lil' V. She's adorable and peaceful and sparkly and happy happy and sweet as pie and I love her so so much. The gifted photographer, Ana Severance, did a photo session with my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, Lil' V and their pup, Lola. I got a kick out of how they used Mama Maya's hair flower (The Olive Sparkle from my Ciara Obscura line) in babe's wee head of hair for a few of the shots. The photo above shows it placed on like a little teeny hat. Darn cute.
(*Disclaimer: Super cute for photo shoots like this one under adult supervision, but I don't suggest children under the age of three wear my hair adornments due to the potential choking hazard.)
Here's Mama Maya (wearing Olive Sparkle) and Lil' V. Uplifting, radiant and beautiful.

♥Love♥

Blogs I love...

Thought maybe I'd share with you some of the blogs I check in with on a daily or weekly basis. They reflect my rampantly random personality and will, typically, appease my mood if I'm not feeling quite settled. Like, for example, if I've been working on a bulk of orders and need a break or need a push in transitioning from, say, house or yard work back to business. Very helpful.

Here's a non-exhaustive list: (and feel free to suggest others in the comments section)

The Art of Non-Conformity: Unconventional Strategies for Life, Work and Travel
Though I am fairly new to this blog, I've been digging the conceptual approach and little snippets of encouragement... making this lifestyle far easier than you might think. It just further solidifies my appreciation for being able to (mostly) live this way myself. Good stuff.

A Softer World 'cause it's just really great. (Thank you, Brian and Jen, for letting me know about this one)

Anahata Katkin: The Papaya Studio Blog
I'm pretty sure I can exist solely on this woman's artwork. A few years back I came across her line of cards and flipped over them. Incredibly stunning. Now she's expanded into the most luscious stationary and wall art... I visit her blog and the Papaya website way too often.

Dlisted Seriously. This guy's out of control and I highly suggest you do not read this with your children, if you offend easily, or if you are one of the people he nails in this insanity unleashed. *Disclaimer: I'm usually vehemently opposed to such bashing, but this guy leaves me no choice.

Pacing the Panic Room It should be stated that I am NOT a fan of American Apparel... the owner and their ads are just plain creepy. I could write a few posts on this, but I'll save you from that train wreck of a rampage. HOWEVER, this fine fellow's blog (though it contains a series of photos of American Apparel clothing being modeled by his lovely wife) really has nothing to do, directly, with the company. I know I know... get to the point. So here it is: the guy who writes Pacing the Panic Room is damn extraordinary. I'm in love with his brand of humor and wit and incredible insight. I'd recommend maybe starting somewhere near the beginning and just strap yourself in for a big long read.

Anyhow. There are more, but this is good for now since I have to shower and meet up with my friend and enjoy this perfect summer day. Damn it's a beauty.

I heart ApartmentTherapy.com

Obsessively stalking other people's homes, as I am wont to do, on ApartmentTherapy.com this evening, I came across these simple goodies. Here... stalk with:

This really sweet ass kitchen (I can see myself hanging out there with some yummy coffee in hand, flipping through a magazine, chattin' it up with a few friends, and tearing into those pastries. Besides. That bunny is awesome...)

This impressively odd bedroom setup makes me feel the need to drop to my knees in thanks for not having had to share a room like this with my four (hairy, flatulent prone) brothers while growing up. Also I would have totally ate sh*t repeatedly after rolling off the top bunks night after night. But, darn it, these beds are adorable as heck...

We were thinking of using cinder blocks as planters for our patio/garden for a while now. Cheap. Accessible. Easy to build into interesting structures. But I just caught a glimpse of this photo on Apartment Therapy and am thinking we NEED to steal this particular idea. So fantastic...

A perfect time to go to bed and dream...

Moving along...

I don't think I'm ready for Summer to end. I don't think I ever am... which is sort of ironic seeing that I live in Santa Barbara, California where the climate varies only slightly from season to season. The New England girl in me will never ever go away. My wheels spin, my body acclimates, my creativity ebbs and flows to what should be the seasons, but really is just the biological rhythms of what my body has been used to for so many years growing up from a wee one to an adult in harsher, more extreme weather. After being in California for ten years, I've just become a wuss to the colder, damper days. It's embarrassing. Freezing when the temperature hits 63 degrees. Depressed after one and a half days of overcast weather. Really?! Shameful. I'm still okay with the rain though... but not for longer than a few days. I have The Cure's Disintegration there to help me through and a boat load of other walking cliche crutches.

Yep. Em-freakin'-barrassing. But I've come to embrace this part of me since I've no plans on moving back anytime within the next several decades (blame Sebastian for being even worse at handling the cold weather... long underwear in May! Geez louise.)

I think what I miss most about saying goodbye to Summer are the sweet little sundresses. That's right. I said it. The sundresses. This year I've been dying for a soft petal pink dress (Pink? Me?!!)... but have fallen pathetically short in finding one that actually fits me in any thrift or vintage store I've scavenged through. Very sad. Maybe next summer... I hope.

Until then... I force myself to be okay with Autumn and Winter coming along. And, honestly, I love it- deep down. 'Cause I'm still that East Coast New England girl who dives into apple cider, jumps in a whole huge pile of beautiful leaves, loves hayrides into the night, glides down hills on slick sleighs in the snow, makes deranged looking snow angels- by default, decorates the house for the holidays, makes useless but pretty lil' gifts that no one actually wants for Christmas and dreams of Spring and Summer meeting me at the horizon.

Life is lovely.

August Giveaway...

August's giveaway, to honor the final days of Summer, is a design from my FALL/WINTER line. I was going to choose a specific pendant to offer up, but just right this second decided to let you pick any one from the designs in the photos below. After perusing through, follow the rules for the contest and you're on your way to potential Winnerdom (it should be a word.). Here ya go:

"CONTRAST"

"ASIAN BOLD"
"FLORID"
GIVEAWAY RULES: (Deadline August 27th at 11:59pm)

1. In the comment section below this post, tell us why you NEEEEEEEED one of these pendants (Please include your contact email in this comment so I can easily contact you if you are the winner.)
2. Peruse through a few posts in this blog and comment on two of 'em (no need to let me know which ones, I'll automatically be notified when one is left).
3. Make a wish, cross your fingers and do something kind for someone today: any human, any animal: . I'm working off the honor system here. I'll trust.
4. You get extra brownie points when you click on to follow this blog (is that bribery? is it illegal? is it just rude?)

Much luck... and love... and hugs...

A tribute to those who have passed before us...

I have to question why it is that, repeatedly, the shows that I most love are the ones that get canceled early on in the series. For those in the know with the Masi/Orth household, we don't have cable and need an antenna to get in PBS and that one local channel on our tiny little TV. So, we end up never watching television, but instead wait several months to a year to get to see on DVD whatever show tickles my fancy, but, inevitably, meets its fate on the proverbial cutting room floor. Though I am incredibly thankful that Mad Men has managed a fanatical following and is in no danger of expiring anytime soon, I'm cautious still about It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (INSANELY out of control hysterical) and am counting the episodes until it gets pulled due to a rampantly furious PC protest rally. But... Arrested Development, Wonderfalls, the British version of the original The Office and now Pushing Daisies... gone from the air but forced to usher in speedy and somewhat contrived endings to satisfy their lowly fans.
And I type this to share how very very sad I am that Pushing Daisies' life has been cut short- leaving me -and my 3.5 friends who shared the same adoration- without that juicy and radiant and vibrant and saturated with skittles of color all over the screen and with quick witted banter and touching and little kid giddiness that makes up this incredibly lovely and amusing show. Also, the set and costume design is the most fabulous thing ever and I weep just thinking about it.

R.I.P. Pushing Daisies (I suppose this is, if nothing else, appropriate.)


P.S. I had a velvet dress like this years ago that I've been trying to find again since I busted it open during one night of dancing at "80's Night" with a far too large glass of a Long Island Iced Tea in me. I need to find this dress for my very own again, if for no other reason, than to celebrate Charlotte "Chuck" Charles and life itself.

P.P.S. I'm still awaiting the final few episodes of the series to be delivered... so don't spoil the ending, please!

FALL ♥ WINTER Collection

After a few months of working on the designs, collecting materials, reworking the designs, drinking way too much coffee to fuel my mornings into afternoons into late late nights of putting it all together, and then drinking lots of tea to calm my nerves back down so I can finally get to bed... I've finally completed the Ciara Obscura Fall/Winter 2009/10 collection of jewelry and hair adornments. I'm super excited about this, most especially because of the fresh designs, but also because I've streamlined the line into, I hope, a really nonconventional but accessible aesthetic. See what you think.
I'm taking the day off today (or, at least that's my intention) so I can drive down to Ventura and hit those killer thrift stores and treat myself to a lil' sweet relief gift.
Just waiting for the sunshine to pour out so I can float in bliss.
That's the plan.
Contrast silver and fabric pendants


Traditional pendants... created by artist, Sebastian Orth, just for Ciara Obscura.

Lacy hair flower bobby pins



Catherine fascinator...