Black Christmas: 2008 Holiday Gift Guide

Perhaps I was in a dark mood...or maybe it was the conversation I had with my boyfriend about his favorite Christmas movie, "Black Christmas" [a Christmas horror movie!?]... either way, as I began compiling my holiday gift guide, I quickly began to see a pattern -- you guessed it: black! Despite the slightly dark tone of the list, the gifts are actually all quite lovely, practical, and well-priced [all under $50!]:

Write a note for your sweetie or create a design of your own: Chalkboard Candle, $19.50. Delight.com.


So simple and versatile, but with an edge: Giles & Brother. 3mm Spike Bangle in matte hematite. $45. Gargyle.com.

If your loved one must have a vice, you can at least be sure they are warm and cozy while they indulge: Smoking Mittens, $25. Spoonsisters.com.

Slightly dark, but with a wink: Gothic Black Pom Pom Scarf, $36. Fredflare.com.

Gorgeous notebooks, almost too pretty to write in: Set of three Black Dahlia Notebooks, $18.95. Momastore.com.

A bit gothic Lolita, no?: Black Hard Candy Heart Sunnies, $11. Fredflare.com.

A great gift for guys or girls -- practical and stylish: Large charcoal natural deoderizer ball. $45. Fitzsu.com.

Sweet...but not too sweet: Forget-Me-Knot enamel bow ring. $48.50. Delight.com

A Strange Place for a Woman's Face: Fornasetti Rugs

Piero Fornasetti (November 10, 1913-1988) was an Italian painter, sculptor, interior decorator and engraver. He created more than 11,000 items, many featuring the face of one woman, operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri, as a motif. Fornasetti found her face in a 19th century magazine. “What inspired me to create more than 500 variations on the face of a woman?” asks Italian designer, Piero Fornasetti of himself. “I don’t know,” he admits, “I began to make them and I never stopped” [Wikipedia]. His works have regained popularity with interior designers over the past few years, and the line of rugs featuring Cavalieri's face are the newest addition to the Fornasetti trend. There is definitely something slightly creepy, yet alluring, about the notion of trampling on disembodied faces, lips, eyes, and arms...

[Update]: I almost forgot to mention, I have been given an award (another one?!?! Must be my lucky month!) from the creative and inspiring Christie at Serenity Now. I am uber-honored ;)
Here are the rules:
*Put the logo on your blog or post.
* Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that for you are Uber Amazing!
* Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.
*Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.

Thanks so much Christie!!

Here are my uber-amazing nominees:

1. Wendy Brandes Jewelry

2. The Glamourai

3. Not from Paris

4. Alice Point

5. Phantasmaphile

Have a Provocative Weekend...

These gorgeous photos, based on Ingmar Bergman's film "Persona," are so sexy and mysterious...they seem to be evoking the idea of a private weekend tryst...a secret romance?
Have a provocative weekend my dears!!

[Photos by Steven Meisel. Vogue Italia, 2008]

The Death of the Coiffure

Although I adore vintage and antique goodies, I am very "modern" in the sense that I have no romantic or idealized notions about living/wanting to live in the past. Life [particularly for women] was pretty awful up until the last half of the 20th century, and I have no desire to relive the difficulty and complications of the female world of bygone eras.

That said, I do have an affinity for fashion, jewelry, and hairstyles of the past. I often imagine being the acquaintance of some eccentric, wealthy figure who throws an annual masquerade ball -- I would then have the excuse to hire a master coiffurist to spend half a day turning my hair into a bejeweled hair sculpture, so intricate and voluminous that I would have stoop down to fit through doorways. Here are some delightful possibilities:

Does anyone else have these bizarre imaginings? I suppose I should be grateful it is just a fantasy and not a prerequisite for proper womanhood anymore. Really, thank goodness the coiffure is dead...but the occasional masquerade seems fun [and might remind us how far we've come?].
[All images from the NYPL Digital Archives]

Thank Goodness for Goodwill

I have been trying to reign in my clothes/shoes spending over the past few months, although it seems I still find ways to spend money elsewhere [i.e. cosmetics, Christmas gifts, etc]. I have a Goodwill thrift store the size of a Super-Walmart right down the street from my apartment, and every few weeks it seems to call my name on my drive home from work... I have not been too tempted by anything on the racks for a while, but they put out the winter items last week, and I went a bit crazy. Just thought I would share a few of my new, "guiltless" goodies:

Glamorous/slightly wacky faux fur vest, $12.

Awesome cropped leather jacket with lots of zippers that makes me feel far more bad-ass than I really am, $25.

This is me coyly posing in the mirror in my bad-ass jacket and my lumberjacket flannel (as my boyfriend calls it)...my photographer (i.e. the boyfriend) was on hiatus...

A Margot [from The Royal Tenenbaums]-inspired Vintage faux-fur coat, $15.

And, some things that passed me by...

I really loved this 80's sequin gown [the sequins and geometric shapes felt a bit art deco], but it was so unflattering, unfortunately...

I was also sad to find these two adorable pair of leather oxfords were not even close to my size...wish I knew someone who wore a size 5 to buy these for...

I would like to thank the academy...

Holy-Bloggers Batman!! This week's posts seem to be turning out to be all-about-me...I've been given a Kreativ Blogger award by the talented and witty Grace over at High Fashion Girl. I am truly happy and honored, Grace [particularly since your blog rocks!]. I was told to list 6 things that make me happy, and then to tag 6 others -- here they are folks:

1. My sister coming to visit from NYC [Hi Lindsay, can't wait to see you!!]
2. My pug Gidget and her snorty little noises.
3. Fage Greek yogurt with honey...yum!!!
4. A new bottle of fabulous perfume.
5. Naps [without any guilt].
6. Dancing to 80's music until my feet hurt and my makeup runs.

Here are my six choices of blogs to tag. These blogs inspire, entertain, and educate me every time I visit them:

1. Behind the Curtain
2. Oh Joy!
3. Mothersvea
4. Child of the Moon
5. The Girl Who Married a Bear
6. Hollister