Mid April Already?!

Spring has finally arrived on Wooster Square! I was truly beginning to think it would never happen. But, it's here! This is the line of Yashino cherry trees in front of our condominium complex which is right across the street from the Square. It's like walking under huge fluffy pink clouds.
It's been a long weekend ... busy, fun, and beautiful. Friday was the opening of our Cherry Blossom Festival here on Wooster Square. This year the festival included an outdoor art show, which I took part in. It was a terrific day - lots of people attending - four different bands - so much fabulous food from local restaurants - souvenirs - and some very nice art exhibits. There are a lot of super talented people here on the square!

We spent a couple hours clearing out a lot of the winter mess of leaves and assorted dead vegetation from our enormous front lawn. Just a couple more hours, and it will be looking spiffy!
How dapper and stylish was Duke Ellington, eh? The look on his face, however, does appear to represent the question that I seem to ask so often:
Does the end game of every fashion trend have to be nudity?

Don't get me wrong. I don't want to go to jail. But, somehow, this was never the way I pictured it when I thought of being in a prison cell. It kind of looks like a starving artist in a lonely and tiny Paris atelier. Well, a lonely and tiny Paris atelier with bars. But, still....know what I mean?
☂ "The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain" ☂

Here's another one of those items that just call out to me. I know most of you are aware that I'm fairly certain that I was royalty in a past life. Not only do I like crown, and thrones, and all thing splendid and extravagant, but I also really like people to do what I say. This is Empress Catherine the Greats' throne, which resides in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. It's just one of the fantastic and extravagant treasures to be seen on the "Russian Art Cruise to St. Petersburg" sponsored by Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. If you're free August 7 - 14 this summer, there are still ten rooms left! Click on the throne to get more information.
Is old age an excuse for not wearing underwear? ... or, is it just less effective?
Finally, the mothers of JockMahoney, JohnnyWeissmuller, RonEly, and JamesPierce let them all out to play together on the same Saturday afternoon. I wonder how many were screaming, "mommy, mommy! watch me swing so high!"


I hope this is a shot of Edith Head making a gown for Bette Davis ... or new bathroom curtains. Whichever, she - and the fabric! - look marvelous.
Don't these floral arrangments look straight from the Versailles court of Marie Antoinette?! They were posted on Donna's amazingly creative entertaining blog, Party Wishes, and I just couldn't resist them. Love those plumes!

"I just couldn't decide what to wear. My sloppy ugly muumuu, or my ugly, sloppy, lazy pajama bottoms. So I figured I'd just wear them both and make a really cute little outfit."

Ah. Does anything just scream "Entertainment!" like performing geese and musical donkeys?
I'm pretty sure that whatever you did with that plaid skirt and the mess going on underneath has just ruined picnics for people across the globe. And I bet every night, without understanding why, you cry to yourself ...

Ladies! Know your rights!

He represents the Lollipop Guild. The Lollypop Guild. The Lollypop guild. And in the name oooooooooof the Lollipop Guild. He wants to welcome you to Frozen Foods.

Ah! We haven't gone shopping in a while! Let's head out for some window gazing ...


This 18th century wedding armoire is from Normandy France. Decorated with turtle doves, grapes, branches and flowers, it was commissioned for a wealthy vineyard owner's daughter as a wedding gift. I want to fill it with lovely old leather first editions and all the beautiful vintage and antique inspired gifts and swaps and prizes I've won from bloggers! Or my underwear and socks - whichever.

How about a late 19th century hand cut Venetian glass chandelier? This Italian beauty is only six feet high, so I would only have to raise the roof four feet to accommodate it in the dining room.
Okay. Here's a treat I would really love to own! From early 20th century France, this J&P Horse Racing game is only 6" x 10" x10" ... I am totally enchanted with it!
This mid-20th-century sign is really dynamite! It's over six feet tall - has all the aged patina of a vintage sign and all newly restored neon. Trust me, you don't want to know how badly I would love to have this over my bathtub!
A gorgeous pair of late 19th century crystal and marble girandoles. These are so beautiful; they could even be fashion accessories - I mean, can't you see them as earrings on Joan Collins?
From 1740 England, we have this exquisite piece of Spitalfields brocaded silk. The silk floral design is brocaded in polychrome. The 39" x 21" strip of fabric (about 1/2 yard) can be yours for a mere $3,500. At approximately $7,000 a yard, this is the most expensive fabric I've ever seen - or heard of. You know what's really weird? I think it's worth every penny.I can't even say anthing...
I agree with this little fella - under threat of physical harm, get home and change your damn pants!

Ah oh - another royal treasure! Maybe if when I am crowned King of the World I will be able to use this Indian litter to be carried to my coronation. I hope I have very very strong slave/litter bearers.
Now I'm not saying this woman is a prostitute. I'm only saying that to be able to buy these pants and wear them in public, you have to be a prostitute.
Well, I must go get to the studio. I made a big bowl of ham salad. And you know what that means! More Day-of-the-Dead-Ham-Can shrines just around the corner. I'll post pics when I've finished them up.

Thanks for spending some time here with me today. I hope you've found something beautiful to see ...

via

... and found something to make you chuckle.


Before checking out for the day, be sure to click the image below to sign up for the free custom greeting cards being provided for one lucky winner from our sponsor UPrinting.com Be sure to see how to get multiple chances to win!

Now, go make something beautiful!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥