ULLABENULLA

Birdcage Ballgowns!

I adore these printed paper gowns by Simone Pfister of Tasmania! Images from the Handmark Gallery.

Fashion As Art!

These stunning photos are from a spread in Stiletto Magazine by Raphael Dallaporta. Truly a woman could become a flower and visa versa...! Link from Fashionation.

BUTTONS, BUTTONS, BUTTONS...

This morning I discovered that Juju blogged about Laura Walker's handmade buttons, and I decided to do a Button Theme Post! Laura's Buttons, made of porcelain, are available on ETSY!


I am a huge fan of Elsita's artwork, and she also recently did a post on her own handmade buttons made of 'Shrink Plastic'! Her whimsical drawings and designs translate beautifully in this medium!
I found these handpainted buttons on re:make, hard to resist names like 'The Enchanted Forest' and 'A Clover And Two Ladybugs'!
Melissa Becker has a wonderful line of buttons that remind me of old pewter buttons from yesterday...
KupKup has delightful 'Petit Patisserie' felt buttons for sale! They look so delicious, how could you resist?
Mudcakes presses lace and other textures into her buttons - making them feel airy and romantic!

I'm in love with these OctopusMe Buttons! Who couldn't use a few extra appendages on their shirt???

Want to make your own beaded buttons? Here is a link to a Workshop where you can make your own...! Anyone else care to jump on the Button BandWagon with me???

Polaroid Fairy Tales...

There is something otherworldly and moody about good polaroid photography. Sarah Moon is truly an “Impressionist photographer” of the highest caliber! Her photos invite us to look within ourselves and discover what she shows us... a phantasmagoric vision of the world that makes me think of fairy tales...! (suggested via Dans le grenier de ma vie...)

LACE BALLOONS...

(Window by Isabel Marant found on Flickr, via Paper-Flower-Girl)

What Every Gothic Romantic Should Have...

(Chair by Douglas Little for Barneys)

Fanny and Odette

Sometimes I discover an artist whose work takes my breath away... Fanny Crenn - muse, artist and creater of Les Bijoux D'Odette has me swooning in desire and admiration! Fanny lives in West Brittany, France, and Odette, the central character in her work, lives in her heart! In Fanny's dexterous hands, old photos and ephemera, antique clothing and textiles, leather gloves, and other small objects are transformed into beautiful 'reliquaries' filled with memories and romance. Her small wearable pieces are like tiny textural nostalgic scrap-books... Her sublime clothing reminds me a little of the princess in the fairytale Furball (a very refined version of couse!)- wearing bits of this and that and looking absolutely wonderful! We are Lucky indeed that Odette inspires so much!!!

Millinery Fiesta

Sunday afternoon, Lucille and I visited Phyllis Beals in her amazing home, where she was having a Trunk show, with her friends Deborah Starks and Joan Vilms. Some of you may remember my post from last year's visit filled with color and creativity! Well, this year was even better!!! Phyllis met us at the door, wearing an amazing corkscrew like felted hat (that I quickly purchased right off her head!) and offered us the most divine EggNogs we have ever tasted!

Lucille and I spent quite a bit of time trying on each and every hat we could find. Doesn't Lucille look like one of her dolls in this hat?

Along with numerous Felt hats, was a selection of fairytale like Straw hats and beautiful head bands all displayed with magic in mind!

Even Marie Antoinette made an appearance, sitting on Deborah's table, wearing beautiful jewels any Queen would adore! Surely if Marie's hair were red, she'd look like Deborah!

Like any true artist, Phyllis has a gift for collecting and display! Her twice yearly trips to Mexico inspire and fill her home with joyful color, playful light and amazing Latin energy! She is truly a Pixie Crowned Queen living a Fiesta life!!!
Please don't miss the fabulous jewelry of Joan Vilms as well! Somehow I neglected to get photos of her wonderful work, but her charming presence was heartfelt and true! ENJOY!!!

Have You Made Your Dress Yet For The Bloglandia BALL???

Many of you may have heard of the upcoming 'BLOGLANDIA BALL', hosted by the ever effervescent Elizabeth Bunsen! (If not, do visit E.B.'s Blog and find out all the details!) Yesterday afternoon, my dear friend and neighbor LEA invited my daughter and I to a 'Ball Gown Design Party' on her back porch. Fellow neighbor Lynnette (she's the one peeking behind her 'gown in progress' above!) and her two daughters also came along for the fun! Using a joyful profusion of papers, ribbons, trims and glue - Glorious Dresses were created that would make any Couture Loving Girl envious!!! Gown unvailing will have to wait till the BALL opens it's doors on the September 26th Full Moon, but here is a peek at the fun we had yesterday!!!

Recipe for a Perfect Party or Blushing Brides Party - Continued!

The advantage of not having my camera for a few days, is that I have been able to see all the fabulous photos taken by Corey, Lea, Nicol, and Annie of our 'Blushing Brides Party', and re-live the day over and over again. What a treat!!!

For my post, I thought I'd share with you the 'Recipe' for a FABULOUS FETE, in hopes that it may inspire some of you to create your own wonderful party of friends...
Imagine the frenzy created, when the invitation arrived. "TO THE DARLING BRIDES THAT ARE" it said... my first question was "Who is getting married???" to which the response was "We are!". Nine women, full of life, experience, creativity and magic - dug deep in their wardrobes for appropriate attire - playing dress-up like beautiful dolls in need of playmates...

With Lace, Ribbons, Flowers, and a sprinkling of fairy dust, they arrived giggling, smiling and chasing shadows.

Rice flew high in the air, and laughter soared... neighbors wondered what all the festivity was... We each signed in at the guest book, and strolled up the 'wedding walk', decorated in tulle and flowers...

Inside, the lights were lit, the table was set and the wedding cake stood tall...

But, no wedding is complete without a ring... a ring with a sparkling diamond crown, diamonds are Forever you know - queens that we all are!

And true to form, what do queens do??? They PARTY, and laugh, and giggle and party some more!!!

They relax, feeling nurtured and relieved that all went well...

They spend time chatting, gossiping, gazing and SHARING... HUGS TO YOU SHELLEY!!!

Truly it was as if I were 5 again, and transported to my ultimate fantasy of what a party could and should be like!!! A day when friends gathered and dolls came to life, singing songs of joy and making memories for a lifetime! May we inspire you to do the same!!!!

THANK YOU MARY, ALMA, DENISE, RENEE AND COREY FOR A DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET and THANK YOU SHELLEY, LEA, ANNIE, and NICOL FOR SHARING IT WITH ME!!!!

Fantasy Fashion Film

This delightful Short Film by Marie Kristiansen is part of "You Wear it Well/Got a Minute?" with Diane Pernet and Dino Dinco!

(link via my favorite look at fashion - Style Bubble!)

Spring Romance

I really like the wearable romantic details of the clothing of Japanese designer Junya Tashiro. And just look at those 'bird-cage-y hats'!!! She makes me want to dig out all of my old laces and create a new outfit that sings of Spring!!!

THE SECRET IS OUT!

Late last year I created a couple of crowns which will be included in the new book "Crowns and Tiaras" which you can now pre-order on Amazon!!! Dear PAM (whose crown graces the cover!) let me in on the news!!! My 'Apple Blossom' crown (seen below) and 'Pagent Children' crown (see my banner!) will be included too. The best part of the book is that it is a 'How To Book'! - I can barely wait!!!