Finally! I feel as if I've hit the jackpot!

Finally! I feel as if I've hit the jackpot! ... and I didn't even go to Vegas!

I'm not terrific at html code and building web pages. My mind just doesn't work that way. So, when I realized I really had to update my website, as it was getting particularly tired and dowdy, a friend told me the only way to do it without having a monster of a time, was to get Dreamweaver and just "follow the directions." Harrumph. Follow the directions, indeed. After the entire weekend and almost all of the last three days, I finally got the new site up and running. I'm not exactly sure what constitutes a job being a "monster;" but, if it takes five days, in MY book, that's a monster! Now that I've actually completed it ... please take a look around! I think I have, at long last, linked all the dozens of pages and thumbnails and have it working pretty well - even though it doesn't view well in Explorer, for some reason.

http://tristanrobinblakeman.com

I decided this photo by David Sherry for Paris Vogue was an excellent example of exuberance and happiness to commemorate the day that Vermont joins the rarified - but growing! - group of states that allows marriage equality beginning today!



If I had a hotel - actually, I hope to never have a hotel - but, if I had one, I would definitely want the reception lobby to have this knock-out French art deco sofa that was in the Paris Grand Hotel. Isn't it lush and wonderful?! The literature from the auction stated that it seats 6. Now that's some big sofa! I love that peacock blue color (remember writing in peacock blue fountain pen ink in junior high?), and is anything better than buillion fringe?
At the same auction was this lovely, lovely hand painted 18th century Swiss commode with serpentine front and bun feet. It's not really my style - a bit too country cute for me - but this one is nice that I would very much like to have it. As the price rose to five figures, I decided it was just as well that I'm not really into country hand painted furniture, as I could never buy it anyway!
A friend sent me this wonderful old photograph of two very spiffy gentlemen posing with their beloved Pomeranian. I suppose there was supposed to be a correlation between the photograph and the many photos taken of Jon and I with our devilish beloved Pom, Dusty.In searching and surfing for vintage circus images to use in a current project, I came across this rather remarkable solid perfume container/compact by Estee Lauder. Though not terribly familiar with make-up and toiletries packaging, I'm fairly certain I've ever seen anything like this on my mother's dressing table.

I have absolutely fallen in love with this antique French iron gazebo. Of course, as it's 14' square, and we only have small front-and-back-of-the-condo decks, I'd have to move it indoor and turn it into a bathroom. But the lack of privacy might be worth it to have such a delicious piece of architecture! I don't believe they carry this at our local Home Depot Plant and Garden Center.
One of my new favorite artists! Though these have the look of assemblage altered art, they're actually bronze sculptures by Ron Rogers. I find these absolutely gorgeous - and provocative.



You can see more of his work by clicking here.

Speaking of gorgeous and provocative! The long awaited "The Private World of Yves Saint Laurent & Pierre Berge" by Robert Murphy and Ivan Terestchenko was released yesterday! I've been hearing about this volume for almost a year - and I've been anxious to see it. I've pre-ordered it from Amazon, but it's not here yet - darn it! I can't wait to take a photographed tour of the famous (fabled!) homes of the renowned designer and his partner.


This excerpt from a review of the book has me even more anxious to read (well, look at the pictures!): One of the most talented and influential couturiers of his time, Yves Saint Laurent began his career as Christian Dior’s protégé and went on to become a legendary arbiter of twentieth-century style. Saint Laurent’s extraordinary taste went well beyond the world of fashion, and in this lavish volume, the eight splendid homes he shared with friend and lifelong business partner Pierre Bergé are presented in immaculate detail. Notoriously shy, the designer and Bergé lived in luxury, surrounded by incomparable collections of furniture and art. From the serene interiors of their apartment on the Rue Babylone to the incandescent beauty of the Villa Majorelle in Marrakech, Bergé and Saint Laurent’s sensibilities come alive. Taken after Saint Laurent’s death in 2008, Ivan Terestchenko’s photographs capture these exquisite surroundings in full, showcasing nineteenth-century French décor, important paintings by modern and Romantic artists, and masterpieces of furniture, sculpture, and silver ranging from the Renaissance to the Art Deco era. Though the homes presented here are now empty, The Private World of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé is a testament to a rare union of passion, elegance, and supreme connoisseurship.
I have a few friends who I think would look spectacular in this Louise Black charmer! Not only is the general silhouette pretty amazing, but that skeleton image on the corset definitely takes this out of the proverbial design box! To see more of her work (or get the link to her Etsy shop) just click on the photo and it will whisk you to the exotic and humorous world of Ms. Black!


This 19th century French jardiniere would look amazing with a glass insert and used as as champagne bucket, wouldn't it! It would be the first time I would be compelled to toast the ice bucket!
I know I should wait until Pink Saturday to post this, but I haven't signed up for Pink Saturday yet - probably I'll get started again next week. But I can't resist sharing this. We used to be so easy to please, weren't we?!

I believe I'm going to take the rest of the day off and shake the html code out of my head. I don't want it there! I have limited space and ability to remember things at this age, and I do not want the space being taken up with computer jargon! I'm rereading "Elmer Gantry" and rewatching "The Reader." Sounds like a nice afternoon for me - while basking in the cool, cool (at last) autumnal breezes!

But, you shouldn't be as lazy as I am! Get in that studio - or kitchen - or garage - or basement - or corner of your bedroom - and make something beautiful!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥