Into the Weekend... Peace within the chaos

 I'd like to reflect a bit on the people of Japan.  Their level of respect and connectedness and compassion for each other amidst the catastrophic events and chaos over there is honorable and noteworthy.  There has been a striking lack of vandalism, looting and violence... things that seem to happen at alarming rates in our own neck of the world during natural disasters.  It's quite a beautiful thing to witness Japanese culture in this way through photos and testimonials from tourists and citizens alike.  I'm blown away.  Seriously.  (Can you tell?)
So here are a few great images of goodness to take with you into your weekend...

* I feel silly overusing the word "darling".  But I think it's appropriate here.

 

(Charlotte Taylor - discovered through DesignLovefest)

* Cute.

* and happily peaceful.

 

(I can't lift my eyes from this painting.)

Behind the Designs:: Photo Shoot

You know what's neat?  This is my 200th blog post.  And I had no idea until I logged in.  I started this blog with so much hesitancy a couple of years ago and now, as it turns out, I can't imagine not having this space to share my rantings on a nearly daily basis.  So YaY for this the 200th entry!  And I think it's good timing... I've evolved right along with my business and seeing the difference between where I was then and where I've gotten to now makes me realize just how much everything has expanded.  I like that... a real lot.

Anyhow, here are a few behind the scene photos from the S/S 2011 collection shoot last week.  I'll post some better ones when I get them from the photographer in another week or so, but these will do, for now.

 I got Mama protective with Kiel standing on that ledge with a 100 foot drop on the other side.  I (jokingly, of course) asked him where he keeps the photos and cash, in the event he goes over.  I am happy to report that he avoided any mishaps.  Here he is photographing Erika wearing, I think, a hair adornment.

 Backed into a corner, photographing Jennifer wearing a necklace.  He was capturing a really stunning backdrop that you can't see from this angle, but will be able to see in the final photo.

Somehow I got wrangled into this group shot (I think it was the last one for the day).  That's me front and center, with Jennifer and Erika looking so cute to either side.

 

 Pal extraordinaire, Steph (far left), helping to style the shoot, with Kiel directing model Andrea wearing a necklace, with Erika looking on.

 Steph styling Erika with a cluster of hair adornments.  I love this shot.

It was so much fun, you guys.  Kiel Rucker, as usual, was just perfect. And the models were beautiful.  I cannot CANNOT wait to see the final photos.  You, dear readers, will see them all when I launch the collection on my website in another week and a half.

Oh!  And Happy Saint Paddy's Day!
P.S. Feel free to hop on over to the Giveaway post and enter to win a grab bag o' gifts.

Top Five Tuesday:: Blue

I've been a real freak for the color blue lately... in all it's hues and tones and shades and goodness.  Enjoy a selection of some fantastic beauties that happen to be in the blue family.

* A little while back, I received a hair adornment custom order based off the client's love for the blue in these Ball mason jars.  I just loved her reference starting point and I knew she'd be a fun customer to work with (she was!).  p.s. You can't get a sweeter vase than with these, either.  Don't you think?

( South Rose Window )

* Wicked cute vintage shoe morsels from Wearing the Past.

 

* Pretty darn adorable illustration of one of my favorite things ever...

 

( Royal Typewriter by Nan Lawson )

* And this 

* And then this

 

from Lola's Room

I think the name *blue* got itself a bum rap.

Word for the Week: Giveaway!

This week's word is all about you, dear reader.   It's giveaway time and one lucky duck will receive a surprise grab bag of Ciara Obscura goodies.
Maybe a little something from here...

 

and here...

 

and here...

 

and even here...

Want in?  Follow the rules below and I'll announce the winner come Saturday.

Ready?  Go!

GIVEAWAY RULES (Deadline Friday, March 18th at 11:59pm PST):

* In the comments below, share your happiest memory of Spring.

* Hop on over to a few other Ciara Obscura blog posts and leave your thoughts in the comments section below each (no need to alert me of this yourself, I am notified of every incoming comment automatically).

* Extra points: Become a Facebook fan and suggest it to friends, if you'd like.

* Extra extra points: Maybe make an effort to be nice to someone today.  Kindness matters, don't you think?  And as a former teacher, I still find myself encouraging this sort of thing!

Good luck!

Big hugs,

Cath

Meet Talula the Bicycle

I'm very excited to introduce my new bicycle (vintage Huffy!).  She's been a labor of love... tuned up (thanks to the kind peeps at Wheelhouse), shined up red wine paint with just a hint of a sparkle, white handlbar grips with pink stitching, a gold and silver vintage styled bell straight from Japan, and a crocheted-esque Scandinavian basket with an ivory and pink flower attached (I may change that out from time to time).

Anyway, I adore this bike.  She's the perfect size for my not-so-tall-self and rides like a dream.  A special thank you to my folks whose thoughtful gift helped to bring sweet Talula into this world.

Here are the two of us together on the first day I took her for a little cruise.

And here we are daydreaming in one of my very favorite places.  This photo was taken while filming a  documentary short on me as the subject (yikes!) on a behind the scenes look of my creative process as an artist.  While I'm soooo nervous about how I come across in front of the camera, I am thrilled to share that the film crew were so encouraging, professional and wonderful.  More to come on that.  Meantime, aren't me and Talula (Lula!) a pair?  We're like BFFs.

Tomorrow morning I'm back on the job with a photo shoot.  This time, thankfully, I will not be the subject.  The models wearing the new Spring/Summer designs will be.  And I bet those girls will be perfect.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend...

Into the weekend...

This will be a busy and eventful weekend over here.  Some cute street fashion to escort you into a lovely next few days... How great are these teal combos?!

 

Photos from The Sartorialist

Behind the Design :: Sneak Peek

The Spring/Summer 2011 collection is almost ready to launch!  Up next is a film shoot and then a photo shoot complete with three really lovely models and one really wonderful photographer, Kiel Rucker.  So, in the meantime, I'll give you a sneak peek of some of, but not all, the colors and materials you will see in this upcoming batch of pretties...

 

 

  

  

  

Plus some more earrings and pendants, pops of romantic color, and all around day-dreamy goodness...

Top Five Tuesday:: Skirts

How much do you love skirts?  I'm a pretty big fan over here and so figured this particular post would be a nice one for today.

1. From Dolce and Gabbana:

2. Bustley Skirt from Free People:

3. Silver tailored silk skirt by Bruna Romeo:

4. Vena Cava goodness (in Styleite)

5. Anthropologie's Sunday Shopping Skirt (looks a little like an old apron I have):

 

So many different styles, but I am an appreciator of them all...

Word for the Week: Moxie

 

(Follow Your Heart by Farouche)

This week I'll be digging into my reserves and mustering up some extra moxie to move along through pesky happenings.  I figure, the very fact that I choose to reside in a more pleasant world, free from being bothered by ...er... unpleasant people, might really be the ticket I need in combination with some extra spunk.

So here's to standing up for loyalty, devotion, respect, and love.

And that said, I'd like to wish my husband (who expresses all of the above beautifully) a very happy birthday.
And to thank him for, more often than not, supporting this moxie in me.

Enjoy a week filled with truth and a heaping dose of peace.

Into the Weekend...

This week was rather nutty.  A series of rescheduled everything. But you know what?  It worked out better that way and I'm so grateful for the universe, or whathaveyou, that has thrust this change upon me.  Such nuttiness that I will totally embrace... with a side of grilled cheese on sourdough and chocolate cake for lunch, on this finally sunny day.

Some scooped up tid bits that I came across this week... Enjoy:

* So in love with the styling of Twig Hutchinson (Above photo. More yellow!)  I came across her work through Decor8 and, wow, how beautifully orchestrated are these?!

* This gorgeous post from Leonie Allan on Superhero Journal:
The last part, in particular, is a stunning expression of what it means to really be alive.

* Um... yum.  Coffee Shampoo bar soap from Rocky Top Soap Shop

 

* and yum again.  Cookies from Tookies!

Maybe I'm hungry.

Have a lovely weekend...

Day Switch:: Yellow

My internet has been sometimes connected , but mostly not connected over the past 48 hours and so I wasn't able to get yesterday's post out for Top Five Tuesday.  Today?  Yes, just for this day, today, I'm shakin' things up for Top Five Wednesday.
This week... my favorite finds of the color yellow (which is a welcome treat on this dreary and chilly day).
 
Adorable yellow shoe clips from No144:

This organic chamomile soap from Ultimate Organic:

 

Makes me want to curl up and take a nap right there in the woods under the glow in this photograph.  Print by Irene Suchock:

Cute cute sundress designed by Elisha Sewell:

Lemon Butterfly Lili clutch by Bagatelles and Co:

That was fun.

Word for the Week:: Sacred

 Sacred space.  Sacred silence.  Sacred creating.
And I don't mean this to be as cheesy and new age woo woo as it sounds, but this is the very best word I could come up with to describe something so, well,  ineffable. 
This week will find me clearing through and fine tuning.  Last night, late late late, I got to the core of the artistry that I've been craving for a while now.  I was so blissed out, so in tune with the colors, the designs, the ideas, the,"Holy shazam, this is exactly exactly it."  It's been a long while since I've felt that connected to everything all at once and it is so awesome.

 So, yeah, sacred.  I consider times like this with feelings so otherworldly, something to be easily accessed and entirely cherished.
Bring on the woo woo 'cause I'm so ready...

(Photos by Diem Photography )

Into the weekend...

Rainy and chilly... but still so cozy.  This is a California winter and I'm loving it.  So much evolved over this past week and I'm happy to share that my word for the week, Align, was spot on.  After some slips and frustrations, I went with it all and everything rested in its place beautifully (more press this week!  Check out the Ciara Obscura Press page, which will have ongoing additions.)  I'm still preparing for the upcoming Spring collection photo shoot and I've been working with a film company who has shown interest in creating a sweet little documentary on me- a kind of behind the scenes with the designer.  I'm simultaneously terrified and giddy about this process and the final product.  It should be released in late March... will keep you posted.  For now, I continue to get wildly inspired...

Here are some fabulous finds to take you into the weekend:

* These cool books found on Svpply

 

* How genius are these blank slate globes from Blue Bell Bazaar?!  Defeats the purpose?  Hell, I say create your own world.

* You know how some people just stand at the crosswalk repeatedly pressing the walk button, over and over and over, when one press is all a person needs to tell the timer that you're there waiting to cross?  You know those people?  Well, I'd rather if they spend the annoying habit on something, it may as well be for the better good.  Like this from We Heart It.

 

I'm about to whip up some hot cocoa and nestle into this rainy day.  What are you up to this weekend?

* More Colors *

 

I maybe should have added this to the gasp worthy post from earlier this week because, my god, check out the wonderful detail in the textiles.  Those leggings need to be worn by me and the floral colors and forms need to be added to a hair adornment design.  No kidding.

Designer: Mary Katrantzou; photo from Miss Moss.

*Overcome*

 

( Print by Erin Jane )

Sometimes push comes to shove and we are forced to deal with things we'd just assume not.  The truly stinky behavior of others makes me want to reside in my happy place for a while longer.  But the strength comes in knowing that while that stinky behavior is really messed up, my own clarity and love keeps me connected to my happy place while still effectively dealing with all else.
So, here, a tribute to overcoming all the gunk and being able to, eventually, laugh hysterically at the silliness of it all.