Le Voyage de Beatrice

2011-01-24T19:26:00.002-06:00

I am much more active on my Tumblr account, than I am here, it seems. Come and follow me there if you like.

I Thought of You

2010-07-07T09:39:00.001-05:00

I Thought of You

I thought of you and how you love this beauty,
And walking up the long beach all alone
I heard the waves breaking in measured thunder
As you and I once heard their monotone.

Around me were the echoing dunes, beyond me
The cold and sparkling silver of the sea,
We two will pass through death and ages lengthen
Before you hear that sound again with me.

--Sara Teasdale

Black Nab Saltwick Bay Whitby by ukawar at Flickr.

The Art of Vilhelm Hammershøi

2010-06-28T18:39:00.000-05:00

Today I discovered and instantly fell in love with the art of Danish artist Vilhelm Hammershøi. The sparse, softly lit interiors with the occassional lone dark figure sort of ties into everything I like at the moment - minimalism, muted colors, soft lighting...

Still Water

2010-06-12T20:15:00.000-05:00

Photo by Toni Frissell, and found via Silent Storyteller.

Still Water:Moving Water

You, who with your curious mind
and knowing sense,
watch me as if you watch still water,
wondering if my calm were some pretence,
not seeing the troubled depths,
the swift dark currents of my turbulence.

And yet a day can stretch its calm
wide open like water lilies,
and an hour or two be shared at ease.
My hands tell you nothing my eyes
do not know, and if at times we disagree
we can laugh, because human touch never lies.

You, who tell me with a smile
of your vulnerability,
catch me watching the play of sunlight
on waters that flow too fast, your alacrity
no easy match for silent deeps,
but something of what you are flows into me.

And if, I thought, we'd not divide
this living hour with compromise,
withhold a portion of our solitude,
perhaps we'd find in each other, if we're wise,
a moving stillness that yet moves to find
in a paradox of waters a truth we'd recognize.

--David Beatty

A Little Quiz

2010-06-09T22:15:00.003-05:00

Take the Quiz here!

You are Elinor Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! You are practical, circumspect, and discreet. Though you are tremendously sensible and allow your head to rule, you have a deep, emotional side that few people often see.

Deep. Quiet. Brilliant.

2010-02-26T21:33:00.000-06:00

The description by YouTube's ftape, pretty much sums it up:

"Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton stars in Pringle of Scotland's Spring/Summer 2010 short film by the iconic art photographer Ryan McGinley.

Shot on location in Scotland, the film features key Scottish landmarks, nature spots and modernistic architecture locations."

R.I.P. Alexander McQueen

2010-02-11T10:36:00.006-06:00

R.I.P. Alexander

This is a phenomenal loss for the fashion community. Alexander was a courageous designer, always unafraid to push the envelope and never willing to abandon his own creative vision. He will be greatly missed

All Photos: Style.com

All the Colours of the Rainbow!

2010-02-02T08:50:00.002-06:00

1. Rainbow close to the ground, 2. Rainbow swirls, 3. Rainbow Floor, 4. Rainbow of Knitting Needles, 5. Rainbow, 6. Of rainbows and prisms, 7. Rainbow Vortex Glass Marble, 8. Midnight Rainbow 1, 9. Crazy Rainbow Sunset, 10. Fresh Rainbow Water Refraction Unedited, 11. She's A Rainbow, 12. Marble Rainbow, 13. At the end of the rainbow there's happiness, And to find it how often I've tried, But my life is a race, just a wild goose chase, And my dreams have all been denied., 14. Over The Rainbow: Lemon Drop Rainbow Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting - IronCupcake:Earth Music, 15. Macromini Rainbow, 16. Girl Painting a Rainbow, 17. rainbow twister, 18. Glass Rainbow, 19. rainbow acorn color wheel, 20. 05.07.08 : Rainbow House On Clipper St., 21. Get Your Fruity Rainbow On!, 22. Rainbow Books, 23. Happy Girls Under a Rainbow, 24. Bacarat rainbow, 25. ~16/30 Gratitude~ Ice Crystal Rainbow

Mandarin, Saffron, Peach...

2010-01-31T18:04:00.002-06:00

1. Orange poppy and seedhead, 2. Orange Pixie Lily, 3. batanes - orange corn, 4. Leafing Orange, 5. Orange Juice Blues, 6. 244 / like an orange dream in a tall glass, 7. Orange Chocolate Tart, 8. Orange Waves, 9. The Orange Chapel, 10. orange glow, 11. Orange Rose Petals, 12. An Orange Delight, 13. oRaNGe°SuMMeR, 14. orange, 15. Orange, 16. Orange waffles with orange sauce, 17. Orange mood, 18. Orange flower, 19. Fire Lily, 20. Eau d'orange...!!!, 21. Orange Peace, 22. Wrapped in an Orange Veil, 23. Orange (365/340), 24. Orange is In..., 25. Orange flavour

Emerald, Sage, Jade...

2010-01-31T17:30:00.002-06:00

1. beauty in green, 2. green tea spoon adj 4145.jpg, 3. Green, 4. homemade matcha green tea icecream., 5. Green is my color for 2006, 6. Green Tea Ice Cream, 7. THe°STReNGTH°GReeN, 8. Green Tree Fae Scotland, 9. Little Green Bee-eater, 10. A Green Swallotail, 11. Winter Dress Landscape: green and blue., 12. The house with the moss green paint., 13. touching green ..., 14. Let's Get Green! Please take a moment to read..., 15. in Deep of Greens, 16. longing for green, 17. Some like it green, 18. Green is a crazy laughter inducing colour :P, 19. Life is a prism, 20. D2X_2359, 21. Morning call, 22. dornröschen, 23. Untitled, 24. Lone Tree, Palouse Hills, 25. The Green Dot!, 26. Green, 27. The Green Boat, 28. Green, Green, Green..., 29. **Queen of the Gorgeous Green Bokeh Wind**, 30. Blue & Green, 31. Green Gables Bedroom, 32. Moongarden, 33. ... With yellow the eye rejoices, the heart expands, the spirit is cheered

and we immediately feel warmed. ~Johann von Goethe, 34. Pastoral Switzerland-autumn landscape, 35. nag-aso, 36. Lovely green soap and dish

Lavender, Purple, Lilac...

2010-01-30T16:21:00.002-06:00

My favorite colours!

1. Sophie Gray, 2. lavender lemon cake, 3. Lavender Field, 4. "Lavender and Roses", 5. Three Lavender Hearts with Vintage 1950s Buttons, 6. vintage lilac, 7. last lilacs, 8. 365:10, 9. windowsill, 10. lavender, 11. Lovely Lavender, 12. Sophie and the Bastets, 13. Handmade lavender soap, 14. Diamonds and Pearls, 15. Summer Lavender, 16. Creamy Lavender 4 oz bath soap, 17. when i grew up & fell in love..., 18. macarons, 19. Remember Lavender?, 20. Green and Lavender Bouquet, 21. lavender, 22. Lavender, 23. sorry more lavenders by the window sill, 24. Lavender for Sunday, 25. Nose Engages Lavender

Amongst the Roses

2010-01-28T19:23:00.001-06:00

Amongst the Roses

__________________________________________________________

Copyright ©2009 *musabenedetta

Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

If you plan to share this image elsewhere, please note that there are some websites that I never, under any circumstances, allow my art to be shared at. Also, when sharing proper credit is required. Please see forbidden websites and rules for proper credit in the "Rules for Using My Art" box of my DeviantArt journal here: [link]
_________________________________________________________

Model stock from ~mrumstock here: [link]

Rose stock from ~Armathor-Stock here: [link]

Dolly Does Vegas

2010-01-28T17:43:00.002-06:00

Dolly Does Vegas

Can you tell I need a vacation?! ;-) Just something fun and new from me.
______________________________________________________

Copyright ©2009 *musabenedetta

Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

If you plan to share this image elsewhere, please note that there are some websites that I never, under any circumstances, allow my art to be shared at. Also, when sharing proper credit is required. Please see forbidden websites and rules for proper credit in the "Rules for Using My Art" box of my DeviantArt journal here: [link]
______________________________________________________

Model stock from ~mrumstock here: [link]

Texture from ~LastAutumnShade here: [link]

Canary, Sunshine, Daffodil...

2010-01-28T12:31:00.000-06:00

A little bit of sunshine, to brighten your day!

1. New from Dwell, 2. Shifting Sands Grows, 3. FO: twinkle best friend cardigan, 4. yellow house of music, 5. the mistery yellow woman at spitafield, 6. OH HAPPY DAYS!!! Yellow double tulips, 7. Yellow, 8. red and yellow., 9. Yellow Dreams for You... Happy Birthday Patricia !!! ♥ ♥ ♥, 10. Yellow Flower, Blue Field, 11. Princely Yellow. Prinsentuin, Groningen, The Netherlands, 12. Yellow. India, 13. The yellow tie, 14. a little bit of yellow among a whole lot of blue, 15. White and yellow bedroom: Domino magazine, 16. Yellow, 17. ...and it was called yellow, 18. Yellow leaves, 19. YELLOW IN THE FALL (1 of 3): "Stunning tree", 20. the yellow door, 21. Yellow Harvest Mittens, 22. Shaded yellow, 23. Yellow Tree, 24. They Call Me Mellow Yellow, 25. A quest for the most perfect yellow yarn...

Rose, Pink, Blush...

2010-01-27T13:30:00.000-06:00

Because I am craving Spring!

1. A dewy pink Hibiscus bud has its rosy stamens safely tucked inside. Ah, what could be more elegant!, 2. Pink Champagne, 3. Pompom, 4. Pink tree, 5. DSC_0171 - icicled pink! -- (Explored 10/12/09), 6. stinkin' pink, 7. ...by the seashore, 8. Pink Plumeria, 9. Pink Magic...., 10. Curving edges of a Pink Datura Lily, 11. the rescued pink chair, 12. Rose in the Bouquet, 13. raspberry and pink peppercorn macarons, 14. pretty in pink 1950s kitchen, 15. Spring Pastels, 16. Pink Tulip Field, 17. Pink Begonia, 18. A rose, 19. cupcake, 20. Memories lost in time, 21. One perfect bloom, 22. Kopp, 23. Macro Rose / Rose Flower - IMGP7771, 24. PINK ROOMS (bath), 25. Hallon copy

Aqua, Turquoise, Robin's Egg Blue...

2010-01-26T21:25:00.000-06:00

Aqua, turquoise, robin's egg blue - some of my favorite colours!

1. Aqua Pyrex, 2. Kua'au, the earrings - Aqua hydrothermal quartz and sterling dangles, 3. Untitled, 4. Spoke Cards and Streamers, 5. Abandoned Doorway, 6. Aqua, Green Wreath, 7. Closed, 8. wind poetry, 9. Jade fish and aqua chalcedony necklace, 10. Aqua door - Trinidad, Cuba, 11. Aqua Ball Perfect Mason Jars, 12. aqua lace buttons , 13. Nostalgic, 14. Vintage flowers, 15. Untitled, 16. Aqua&Brick, 17. a robin's egg for sewing, 18. Robin's Egg Blue cupboard in my bedroom, 19. robins egg blue4, 20. Untitled, 21. Modern wallpaper: Robin's egg blue + hydrangeas in Arts & Crafts floral Bloomsbury print, 22. Robins Eggs, 23. Aqua Paperweight, 24. Up is down, 25. something blue

Happy Birthday Virginia

2010-01-26T11:31:00.001-06:00

Today is Virginia Woolf's Birthday. The Errant Aesthete did a wonderful blog entry on the woman, and put it far nicer than I ever could, so go and read all about one of my favorite authors there. The one thing that stood out the most from the article, was the wonderful quote on writing, that she included from Viriginia's "A Room of One's Own":

“So long as you write
what you wish to write,
that is all that matters;
and whether it matters
for ages
or only for hours,
nobody can say.

But to sacrifice
a hair of the head
of your vision,
a shade of its colour,
in deference
to some Headmaster
with a silver pot in his hand
or to some professor
with a measuring-rod up his sleeve,
is the most abject treachery.”

~Virginia Woolf
A Room of One’s Own, 1929

So true!

For the Love of Couture

2010-01-25T20:51:00.001-06:00

Ah, the couture shows... This is what I love about fashion, the artistry, the theatricality, the sheer, unabashed audacity. And in all these respects John Galliano for Christian Dior never ceases to deliver.

I bow to your talent, John. I really do!

All photos care of style.com

My 365 Project

2010-01-19T14:47:00.000-06:00

One of my New Year's Resolutions for 2010, was to try and draw a little something everyday this year. The point, for me, is to shut off my inner critic and just draw whatever the spirit moves me to, without judging the result.

I know I've gotten a little bit of a late start, but family concerns have prevented me until now. Better late than never, I suppose ;-).

I have set up a folder in the main gallery of my musabenedetta account on DeviantArt to house my 365 pieces. So, if you are interested in my meager efforts at all, that is where they can be found.

Gone for Awhile

2010-01-04T16:03:00.002-06:00

I'm taking a small break. I'm not sure when I'll be back. I hope the New Year is treating you all well.

Happy Christmas and New Year!

2009-12-17T14:39:00.001-06:00

Well, I'm off home to Canada for the holidays! I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and I will see you all in the New Year.

Click picture for image credit

When the Coldness of Winter Sets In...

2009-12-13T21:35:00.001-06:00

It's nice to dream of sweeter, gentler days...

Video by nirrimi

The Photography of Wendy Bevan

2009-11-14T20:29:00.000-06:00

There is something haunting, something simultaneously modern and old-fashioned about Wendy Bevan's photography. Her pictures seem to hint at another time and place, or a face you might see in a vintage photograph, a painting by one of the masters, or maybe even a dream...

All photography copyright Wendy Bevan 2009

Greeting Card Sale!

2009-11-13T09:23:00.003-06:00

GREETING CARD SALE!

DeviantArt is having a Greeting Card Sale: 30% off of all greeting cards. This is the biggest print product discount they've offered to date!

In honor of this momentous event I am offering my pieces "Tweet" and "Birdie Love" as 5x7 Greeting cards in boxes of 10 or 25. They are being offered for a limited time only, so snatch them up while you can!

Visit my print shop today to take advantage of these fantastic deals! [link]

A Room of One's Own

2009-11-05T11:32:00.000-06:00

Writer's Block is horrible, and you know you have reached an all new time low when it extends even to blogging. I've no excuse at all. I thought I was getting myself out of it a few days ago, but today it seems as mind numbing as ever. Sigh...

This entry was meant to be my thoughts on Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own", but instead you are getting just - a room - plain and simple. I would rather like to be sitting in this room, curled up with a nice cup of tea and a good read, nothing but the sound of the breeze through the leaves and the birds singing sweetly outside to interrupt my solitude...

For a Friend

2009-10-30T11:47:00.000-05:00

Illustration by: Gustave Dore

The Divine Comedy: The Vision of Hell, Puragtory, and Paradise

CANTO XVIII

Thus much
Yet may I speak; that, as I gaz'd on her,
Affection found no room for other wish.
While the everlasting pleasure, that did full
On Beatrice shine, with second view
From her fair countenance my gladden'd soul
Contented; vanquishing me with a beam
Of her soft smile, she spake: "Turn thee, and list.
These eyes are not thy only Paradise."

--Dante Alighieri

April Cornell Victorian Nightgowns

2009-10-29T21:44:00.002-05:00

When you are just in the mood for something unabashedly romantic, there is nothing like the soft seduction of a Victorian Nightgown.

April Cornell has long made the most beautiful versions, in my humble opinion. It is not just the gorgeous silhouettes, but the fine details that make them something special. These gowns can be purchased at her online shop, or if you happen to be in Canada and can still find a La Cache store in business, then you can try them on in person.

April Cornell is a wonderful women, and the recession has hit her hard, causing her La Cache stores to have to file bankruptcy last month and close most of their locations in Canada. Her U.S. locations were forced to close two years ago. She has been in business since 1975, so this is very sad. So if you are in the market for something pretty please check out her shop. You can also check out her absolutely beautiful blog HERE.

EDIT: April contacted me this morning and was good enough to let me know that they are hoping to reopen their Greene Avenue shop in Montreal (which was the original shop), and that there are plans to continue to expand the online shop as well! Yea!! I strongly urge anyone who gets the chance to browse her online shop, watch her blog, and when the Montreal shop reopens, if you are in that neck of the woods, drop in and pay her a visit. You won't be disappointed, I assure you!

Beatrice

2009-10-29T15:21:00.004-05:00

The Photography of Julia Margaret Cameron

2009-10-28T14:05:00.001-05:00

I have seen the photography of Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron floating around the blogosphere for awhile, and I am astounded at the look of her photographs. Simultaneously romantic and modern, they are a remarkable body of work for a woman who didn't even start her photographic career until she was 48 years old (her daughter gave her a camera as a gift). Take a look!

Personal Style

2009-10-26T10:45:00.002-05:00

I recieved the image below in my email this morning. I am subscribed to the Anthropologie mailing list, and it is my favorite store, ever! I can literally spend hours in there. Sadly most of the items are outside my price range, but there is always the sale room ;-).

Anyway, this image pretty much sums up my daily look to a tee. It is literally something I could pull together from my own closet, and do, regularly. Perhaps it was all those years in private school, but I am a daily uniform sort of person. My go-to outfit usually consists of dark rinse jeans, a tank top or fitted T-shirt, flats, a signature necklace, and a cardigan or blazer. The colors and textures change, but those key pieces seem fairly consistent.

The model's hair is extremely cute too. I have worn my hair in that style off and on throughout my life, and sort of consider it my go-to style. Right now, I'm growing it out, in one last flirtation with long hair before I am too old to pull it off anymore (and that day is swiftly approaching, I assure you ;-)).

Anyway, I thought I would share. If you ever meet me on the street, I'll probably be wearing some variation of this outfit ;-).

Serene Evenings

2009-10-23T15:44:00.002-05:00

I stumbled across these gorgeous photos by ImFreelyKeely on flickr today, and just had to share:

Gardens

2009-10-22T10:40:00.000-05:00

Work is getting stressful again, and I'm in the mood for a little serenity. These photos from Australia's Eckersley Garden Architecture, fit the bill perfectly.

Love and Death

2009-10-20T15:37:00.000-05:00

Love and Death

Shall we, too, rise forgetful from our sleep,
And shall my soul that lies within your hand
Remember nothing, as the blowing sand
Forgets the palm where long blue shadows creep
When winds along the darkened desert sweep?

Or would it still remember, tho' it spanned
A thousand heavens, while the planets fanned
The vacant ether with their voices deep?
Soul of my soul, no word shall be forgot,
Nor yet alone, beloved, shall we see

The desolation of extinguished suns,
Nor fear the void wherethro' our planet runs,
For still together shall we go and not
Fare forth alone to front eternity.

-Sara Teasdale

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Original painted image from "Le Jour des Morts" [The Day of the Dead] (1859) from William Bouruereau. This piece is in the public domain and was downloaded from The Art Renewal Center here: [link]

Churchyard stock from pixel73 at sxc.hu here: [link]

Texture from ~SolStock here: [link] , and a texture called "Live Like You're Dying" from *Smoko-Stock, which is no longer at their gallery.

Some brushes by *redheadstock

The Orphans

2009-10-18T17:47:00.003-05:00

Copyright ©2009 *musabenedetta

Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

If you plan to share this image elsewhere, please note that there are some websites that I never, under any circumstances, allow my art to be shared at. Also, when sharing proper credit is required. Please see forbidden websites and rules for proper credit in the "Rules for Using My Art" box of my DeviantArt journal here: [link]
________________________________________

A digital mixed media image that is a mixture of painted and photographic elements.
________________________________________

________________________________________

Original painted image from "L'orage" [The Storm] (1874) from William Bouruereau. This piece is in the public domain and was downloaded from The Art Renewal Center here: [link]

Ocean stock from ~indeed-stock here: [link]

Beach stock from ~RiNymph-Stock here: [link]

Sky stock from *night-fate-stock here: [link]

Texture from ~SolStock here: [link]

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-10-12T14:57:00.000-05:00

I am so excited for this movie! I loved the book as the child, and it looks as though the movie adaptation is a fairly intelligent, though provoking and touching interpretation of the message behind the text. Click on the banners below for the trailer, movie clips, and other goodies.

All banner images and videos are copyright WarnerBrothers Pictures 2009

Worlds of Enchantment - The Art of Veronica Navarro

2009-10-09T22:20:00.001-05:00

I was so thrilled to stumble across the gorgeous art of Veronica Navarro at Behance, today (she also has her own website). There is something innocent, and yet also haunting about her work. Take a look!

Congratulations Barak Obama - 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Winner

2009-10-09T07:03:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Barak Obama, winner of the 2009 nobel peace prize:

Article on BBC News

Video of the annoucement

Obama by ~jcssic on deviant ART

Serenity by the Sea

2009-10-05T10:53:00.007-05:00

I was turned on to the lovely photo styling of Nygards Anna's Summer 2009 collection by Clever Nettle, who posted an entry on these photos she found over at Style Alchemy.

There is just something about the serenity of these greys and beiges, and the cool, overcast look of the day in these photos that is really playing into my current obsession with neutrals and grey in particular. Of course, the fact that the photo styling is utter perfection, only enhances the enjoyment.

Birdie Love

2009-10-04T19:30:00.001-05:00

My newest piece.

Copyright © MusaBenedetta 2009

Curious Expeditions and Library Love

2009-09-30T16:07:00.000-05:00

I cannot recommend the Curious Expeditions blog enough! In the blog authors' own words:

"We are D and M - Dylan Thuras and Michelle Enemark. We, your humble explorers, are devoted to unearthing and documenting the wondrous, the macabre, and the obscure from around the globe."

I found their Librophiliac Love Letter entry to be particularly enthralling. If you love libraries, like I do, then you will love this entry. Click the picture below to see all the beautiful libraries!

Blooming Art Teas

2009-09-26T22:24:00.001-05:00

After the entry on tea I posted a week or so a go, Lily La Sorciere and I got to discussing blooming art teas, and I was determined to track down a video of the lovely things blooming. I finally found an ad by Teaposy. Take a look:

Obsessed By Grey

2009-09-25T23:57:00.004-05:00

I am obsessed with grey lately, and I'm not sure why. Perhaps it is the serenity of it. It isn't as dramatic as black, and not as pristine as white. Grey is somewhere in the middle, and I just find the color, especially when it is used liberally in interiors, to be very calming.

I stumbled across the following fantastic grey interiors on British designer Emma D'Inverno's website, and thought I would share:

Sunflowers - My Newest Piece

2009-09-21T11:23:00.002-05:00

Here is my newest piece, inspired by Van Gogh. It took over 40 layers and many hours in Photoshop.

Copyright © MusaBenedetta 2009

MusaBenedetta is Now at CafePress

2009-09-19T23:59:00.000-05:00

I am now at CafePress, selling many items printed with my piece "Tweet".

These include:

* T-shirts
* Hoodies
* Baby Items
* Mouse Pads
* Mugs
* Travel Mugs
* Water Bottles
* Postcards
* Notecards
* Framed Prints
and more...

Many of these items make wonderful birthday or baby shower gifts, and if you are the type to do your Holiday shopping early, then please check out the wonderful selection of items. There is a little something for everyone.

I will be adding more design options in the coming weeks.

Please click the image below to go to the shop:

Tweet!

2009-09-17T13:22:00.002-05:00

I am trying my hand at something different artistically and I thought I would share.

Copyright © MusaBenedetta 2009

Chocolate Anyone?

2009-09-15T13:36:00.000-05:00

Stressed, like me? Perhaps some chocolate from Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates will help.

Tea Time

2009-09-14T11:00:00.002-05:00

Life's been a little stressful lately, and for some reason, whenever things get hectic, all I can think of is settling into a comfortable chair on a soft, rainy afternoon, with a steaming cup of tea and a good book. Sadly, there is little to no rain here in South Texas, and there never seems to be time to enjoy a book, so all I can do is share the joys of a nice cup of tea with you here:

I found a really fantastic set of brewing instructions over at Harney & Sons tea company, a personal favorite of mine:

Brewing Basics
Bring fresh filtered water to a full boil for black teas, herbals and some oolongs. Use less than boiling water for whites, greens, and some oolongs. Using a teaspoon, (the perfect tool for measuring tea) measure one level teaspoon of loose tea for each cup desired. Pour prepared water over tea, steep according to the brewing instructions below, and enjoy!

Bring fresh filtered water to a full boil for black teas, herbals and some oolongs. Use less than boiling water for whites, greens, and some oolongs. Using a teaspoon, (the perfect tool for measuring tea) measure one level teaspoon of loose tea for each cup desired. Pour prepared water over tea, steep according to the brewing instructions below, and enjoy!

	Water Temp	Steep Time
White Teas	180F	3-8 minutes
Green Teas	180F	1-3 minutes
Oolong Teas	180F-212F**	1-5 minutes**
Black Teas	212F	5 minutes
Herbals	212F	5 minutes

There are quite a few teas I want to try, if I ever get the time. My favorite tea companies are Harney & Sons, Mighty Leaf and Zhena's Gypsy Fair Trade Organic.

From the afore mentioned Harney & Sons I would very much like to try the following teas:

Chinese Flower:

Green Tea with Flowers and Lemon A reinvigoration of the senses. Chinese Flower, flawlessly blended of hand plucked Chinese green tea, three types of flowers, and citrus flavors, yields the most high-caliber tea experience. A synergy between tea, flower, and fruit, every part gorgeously synchronized - crisp citrus aroma that bursts and floral notes that woo, Chinese Flower grasps the sensations. It is a rare jewel in the teascape, its bold vitality spellbinding.

Florence
Since we can't always be sipping hot cocoa while sitting in the Palazzo della Signoria, we can sip this decadent blend of chocolate and hazelnut and dream we are there.

Top Ti Quan Yin
This tea is from the birthplace of Ti Quan Yins. It is an intense mixture of butter and honey, reminiscent of great Burgundy white wine.

White Christmas
Recline in front of a glowing fire while the snow drifts, and the tree lights twinkle. A sip from this warm and nutty blend completes the perfect winter wonderland. Hand-picked white tea blended with almonds, vanilla and cardamom, accented by white chamomile flowers.

Sally's Secret

Sally's Secret is our celebration of life, love and fine tea. We present this aromatic blend in memory of our co-worker Sally, whose expert blending, steady friendship and love of all things pink we miss each day. Enjoy a cup of this lovely blend of our Earl Grey and pink rosebuds with a friend.

Rose Scented

This beautiful blend of large leaf Ceylon and Keemun is scented with rose oil and rosebuds. The scent alone makes a tin of this tea memorable. The addition of pink rosebuds lends a romantic touch to this fine tea.

Dragon Pearl Jasmine
This is a masterpiece from Fuan, China. Beautiful little hand rolled pearls are gently infused with the floral essences from Jasmine flowers. The tea is a delight to look at and its brew also delivers. The light colored brew is full of floral and sweet aromas. Always a delight.

Mother's Bouquet

A blend created in honor of all Mothers. A great gift for Mother's Day or any time you think of Mom. Or perhaps you are hosting a Mother's Day Tea? This is the perfect choice. A beautiful blend of chamomile flowers, rosebuds, cornflowers and orange peel, infused with citrus flavor, which creates a surprisingly refreshing caffeine-free cup.

More from New York Fashion Week

2009-09-12T15:41:00.001-05:00

I found a few collections that last couple of days that really appealed to me, and had to share. I love the romantic layers and textures, and the slightly vintage feel. Be prepared for frequent fashion posts over the next four weeks until Fashion weeks are also over in London, Milan and Paris. I tend to get inordinately excited about these sorts of things!

Rachel Comey:

Alabama Chanin:

Gary Graham:

All photos from Style.com

Nomenus Quarterly

2009-09-11T15:57:00.006-05:00

This is a gorgeous monthly publication:

And the Dries Van Noten editorial was particularly beautiful this month:

All photos by Erik Madigan Heck for Dries Van Noten inNomenus Quarterly

In the Artist's Studio

2009-09-11T00:53:00.001-05:00

Photo care of LIFE Magazine

In the Artist's Studio

One face looks out from all his canvases,

One selfsame figure sits or walks or leans:

We found her hidden just behind those screens,

That mirror gave back all her loveliness.

A queen in opal or in ruby dress,

A nameless girl in freshest summer-greens,

A saint, an angel -- every canvas means

The same one meaning, neither more nor less.

He feeds upon her face by day and night,

And she with true kind eyes looks back on him,

Fair as the moon and joyful as the light:

Not wan with waiting, not with sorrow dim;

Not as she is, but was when hope shone bright;

Not as she is, but as she fills his dream.

--Christina Rossetti

I've just been musing on poor Lizzie Siddal the last few days. A fine example, if ever there was one, of the emotional torment and strain of being a Muse.

NY Fashion Week - The Early Shows

2009-09-10T22:40:00.000-05:00

Well, Spring 2010 fashion week has started off in New York, and as is usual with the early shows there wasn't a great deal that caught my eye, but there were a few things that felt right. I'm hoping that the flowy chiffon, light khaki, denim, and flowing styles I've seen in some of the early shows is a theme that is picked up and expanded upon by some of the bigger designers later on. The Elie Tahari show was especially nice.

All Photo by Style.com from the Spring 2010 Elie Tahari show

It's Raining!

2009-09-10T11:42:00.000-05:00

After almost a year of drought here in South Texas, it is raining! And not little sprinkles, but one of those wonderful, full-out, all day rains.

Photography by dienuca on DeviantArt

Cecile Corbel - Songbook II

2009-09-09T15:23:00.002-05:00

Thanks goes to mybreathingselfagain over at DeviantArt, for turning me on to the the wonderful Cecile Corbel. In a strange synchronicity, I also found out today that photographer Malgorzata Maj, also known as Sarachmet on DeviantArt did the photography for the cover of Cecile's newest album, "Songbook II".

I also just love the atmosphere of Cecile's video for the song "La Fille Damnee". Sort of creepy, but undeniably gorgeous. Wonderful stuff!

The Mnemosyne Project - Daphne Guiness

2009-09-07T23:59:00.002-05:00

Zooey

2009-09-07T19:34:00.000-05:00

I just love Zooey Deschanel's quirky sense of vintage style, and she just seems to be everywhere right now. The recent editorial by Susanna Howe for InStyle magazine captured both her beauty and her wonderful sense of style.

The film shorts of Jean-Sebastien Monzani

2009-09-07T16:37:00.000-05:00

I have been following this photographer/film maker at DeviantArt for awhile. Check out his work. His photostories and short art films are amazing, and he seems to only get better with each new thing he produces.

Seatopia from Jean-Sebastien Monzani on Vimeo.

Dry Sodas from Dean & Deluca

2009-09-05T20:16:00.000-05:00

I am dying to try these! So much so that I am actually considering paying $48 for 24 bottles of soda... Will my food obsession never end?!

Dry Soda Assortment
Soda lightly sweetened with pure cane sugar; naturally flavored with fruit-, flower-, and herb-extracts. The ideal meal accompaniment, mixer, or thirst quencher. Vanilla Bean, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Lemongrass, Kumquat, and Rhubarb.

Go here to read the Dean & Deluca gourmet food blog entry on the item.

Some New Pretties for Autumn

2009-09-05T18:24:00.001-05:00

Thank-you Urban Outfitter's sale rack. I found this lovely little dress today; last one in my size. The necklace is from Tiffany's 'Tiffany Key' collection, and was a fifth anniversary from my lovely husband Chris Raymer, who was also the photographer of the following photos:

Cool Breezes

2009-09-05T09:44:00.000-05:00

I woke up this morning, and stepped outside, sure that I was about to be accosted by more unbearable heat, and low and behold, if I wasn't instead met with a lovely cool breeze. Perhaps autumn is actually on its way...

Photo by: Sylvialovesyou

Photo by: moonchild1111

Photo by: anna_kolye

Photo by: nappkin

Photo by: bordons

God's World

2009-09-03T12:19:00.002-05:00

Digital Art by Samantha Raymer from a colored lithograph by Arnold Genthe

God's World

O world, I cannot hold thee close enough!
Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!
Thy mists that roll and rise!
Thy woods this autumn day, that ache and sag
And all but cry with colour! That gaunt crag
To crush! To lift the lean of that black bluff!
World, World, I cannot get thee close enough!

Long have I known a glory in it all,
But never knew I this;
Here such a passion is
As stretcheth me apart, -- Lord, I do fear
Thou'st made the world too beautiful this year;
My soul is all but out of me, -- let fall
No burning leaf; prithee, let no bird call.

-Edna St. Vincent Millay

Good-bye Summer

2009-09-03T10:59:00.000-05:00

I am loving the work of UnaObsesion at DeviantArt, right now, especially the piece below. It is the epitome of everything I love about late summer atmosphere!

End of Summer Serenity

2009-09-02T12:46:00.000-05:00

Lifetime Spring/Summer 2010 from Trevor Fleming on Vimeo.

Highly Recommended

2009-09-02T11:06:00.001-05:00

If you have an interesting in art & design, music, and fashion, may I humbly recommend the following online publication:

Fresh Air and Light

2009-09-02T10:16:00.002-05:00

Well, I am in the midst of planning a move; a move from the scorching heat of San Antonio, TX, to the cool summers and frosty winters of Denver, CO. That being said, I need a change of pace when it comes to decorating the flat. Our current tiny flat is decorated in warm earth tones complimented by shots of black and claret, but I really want a lighter, airier feeling when we move to Colorado, so I was thinking of decorating with some seaside type colors, specifically pale grays, greens and blues, and perhaps a little pale buttery yellow in a bathroom or the kitchen.

Seeing as we will be in a flat or condo, and the place will be a rental, we are slightly limited in what we can do (painting the walls is alright, but painting cabinetry is probably not), but I still want to brighten things up.

See below for some things that appealed to me. What do you think?

Blues:

Greens:

Grays:

Yellows:

all photos courtesy of: MarthaStewart.com

A Must See

2009-09-01T19:09:00.002-05:00

Written and directed by Academy Award winner Jane Campion, Bright Star is a riveting drama based on the three-year romance between 19th century poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, which was cut short by Keats’ untimely death at age 25. Ben Whishaw (The International, I’m Not There) and Abbie Cornish (Stop-Loss, Elizabeth: The Golden Age) star as Keats and Brawne, respectively. The film is co-produced by Jan Chapman and Caroline Hewitt.

Apples Mean Autumn

2009-09-01T14:21:00.003-05:00

I might have to try and bake this:

Savory Apple Strudel

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

4 Fuji apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup brandy

3 tablespoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons fresh sage leaves, torn into small pieces

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup grated Gruyère cheese

1/2 (17.3-ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 tablespoon water

1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400˚. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes; transfer onion to large bowl, and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apple, brown sugar, brandy, lemon juice, sage, and salt; toss to combine. Place the mixture into the medium saucepan over medium heat; cook until apples are tender, about 15 minutes. Add apples and the Gruyère to the bowl with the onion.
4. On a floured surface, roll the puff pastry dough into a 12x10-inch rectangle. Starting 2 inches from one long side and 2 inches from each short side, fold short edges over filling. Beginning at the edge close to filling, roll up strudel jellyroll style. Place strudel, seam side down, on prepared baking sheet.
5. In a small bowl, whisk to combine water and egg white. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat top of strudel. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow strudel to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe Notes Click here to learn how to assemble the braided strudel seen in the photo. Strudel can be assembled through step 4, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and frozen for up to 3 months. If frozen, add 20 additional minutes to baking time, or thaw in refrigerator 1 day prior to baking.

Some Pretty Finds for Autumn

2009-09-01T13:45:00.002-05:00

From Banana Republic:

From J. Crew:

Is there any finer place on earth?

2009-09-01T12:27:00.000-05:00

I am longing to visit the sea - Tofino, British Columbia in Canada to be exact. There is no more magnificent place on earth, in my humble opinion.

And I want to stay here:

Pacific Sands Beach Resort

All Photos care of Bob Herger Fine Photography

Favorite Things

2009-08-31T23:32:00.001-05:00

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad

-- Oscar Hammerstein II