Just a quick pic for Pink Saturday ...

Isn't it nice that Helena Rubenstein could still fit into her quinceañera dress?

Go make something beautiful!

♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

Quick Shameless Plug!

I just listed a quilt on eBay ... you can find the particulars by clicking here.

After you check it out, go make something beautiful!

♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

Hot News Alert!!!

Ever dreamed of sleeping in the Palace of Versailles?

It looks like you'll get your chance in about a year. Officials announced a plan to convert a building at one of Europe's most popular tourist attractions into 23-bedroom luxury hotel earlier this week, Agence France Presse reports.

"It's a pioneering initiative," Jean-Jacques Aillagon, president of the Chateau de Versailles, said.

The hotel will be built inside the Hotel du Grand Controle, an outlying building that has been the traditional home of the chateau's treasurers.

Some of the rooms will look out on to the "Orangerie" - the chateau's elaborate greenhouse - or the Swiss ornamental lake, the story says. It's expected to open in late 2011.

The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site that's deemed one of the crowning achievements of 18th-century French art, the story notes

The hotel will be turned over to a private, Belgian company, which will operate the hotel and pay a portion of its profits to the site as rent, the story says. The building will first undergo a $7.3 million renovation, led by historic monuments architect-in-chief Frederic Didier.

In November 2009, France's culture and tourism ministers agreed to encourage the economic and touristic development of French heritage sites. See the article for more information.

Given the role of a private company, however, the plan is not universally embraced in France.

According to France24, the motive to make money isn't a good enough reason to turn over one of France's most prized cultural possessions to a company.

Philippe Revault, a professor at the Paris School of Architecture, told France24:

"Once again, it's economic logic that wins out. In the name of profitability and lack of finances, they're gambling with a public possession, which by definition is inalienable and must remain accessible to all citizens."

I leave you with dreams of Versailles - what better way to go make something beautiful?

♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

... and another year glistens ahead with promises

The New Year's Eve celebrations are over ...
... the last of the champagne was toasted with and the last of the confetti tossed


... the last dance is but an echo
...and we've taken off our white ties and packed away our top hats until next year.

Now it's time to sit down and write a blog post - the first of 2011! Please forgive me if I get long-winded or you go on photo overload. But, as it's the first blog post of the year, I don't want to shortchange any of my favorite categories...
Here is a lovely photograph taken by - ah, geesh, I forget his name...and I just facebooked him about this picture! Anyway. It's the first snow - right in time for Christmas! - here on Wooster Square. All homes courtesy of Victorian masters, snow courtesy of God, the other-worldly golden light by the artist.
Sadly, today is grey, rainy, gloomy and slushy. Ych. But, we still try to keep our chins up and style in check!

Before I completely forget about Christmas treasures, don't you just love these little papier maché hot air balloons?! These charming pieces are by Iva Wilcox of Iva's Creations. Pay her blog a visit and check out all her lovely things - and tell her Tristan sent you!


I've made my New Year's Resolution:

I thought I would redecorate the upstairs landing. Do you like the hand-painted silk wallcovering? Also notice the chandelier reflected in the gynormous pier glass. Just a trifle.

Now, we all know I don't like to be catty ...But. I will be. I, for one, have never been a huge fan of Donatella Versace. Between the extensive plastic surgery, and the troweled on make up, I'm never sure if it's really Donatella, the fashion designer, or Janet, the lead guitarist for The Electric Mayhem on The Muppet Show. Come to think of it - have they ever been seen in public together? hmmmmmm ....
Anyway. Finding her aesthetic to be on a somewhat different level (stratosphere?) than my own, I was shocked to discover that one of the living rooms I most admired in the latest Elle Decor was actually Ms. Versace's. Yes, that paragon of conspicuous consumption (and Botox) actually has a room that I would give a small toe to have! Who'd've thunk it? This one goes right into the scrapbook of Rooms I Would Move Right Into.


...just a small enchantment from Ulla. I always find so many delights to ooh and aah over on her pages. Be sure to pay her a visit if you aren't a follower already!

Do you have your New Years project already planned? If not, how about re-creating the Disney puppet Pinocchio? If you click on each image (like all the images on Enchanted Revelries) it will lead you to a larger image. Then click on THAT image, and it will grow to life-size templates! I don't have the skills to do this one - but I think it would be such fun to have the real Pinocchio living with me, don't you?!

If that's too much trouble, here's an easier project: a do-it-yourself teen-age boy paper doll.
Is there a better place (or outfit?!) to pick up chicks than the Walmart snack department? "What's your sign, sweet thing?" "Yield"

We're having the gardens groomed soon. Do you approve?

Edith. Just because ... she's Edith!
Those Minnelli kids took playing dress up seriously!
... as does little Tommy
If somebody gave me this eggshell porcelain teapot, I might even think about drinking the filthy stuff and give up coffee.

Those Victorian darlins sure knew how to wear hosiery, didn't they! All that embroidery! I wonder what kind of Victorian cussing was used when they got a run.

Too many holiday cookies and egg nog, eh?

Whenever I see a fantastic and stunningly chic ensemble - with Paris in the background - I always think of my friend, artist Ingrid Mida. This one's for her ...

Okay. Who are they?

The Clarke Theatre - isn't this just a jewel-box of a theatre! I just love the private boxes (the third photo) which allows you to curtain off the rabble and rif raf below until the performance begins!

Update! Artist William Bezek has corrected me! This is NOT Clarke Theatre. It is Cleveland's Severance Hall. And he told us a wonderful interior design tidbit: The filigree on the ceiling of the auditorium is taken from the lace on Mrs. Severance's wedding dress. Thank you, William!
Everybody else be sure to check out his blog -today is a wonderful examination of ... eyebrow plucking!

While on the subject of theatres, I was browsing through production photos of one of my favorite set designers, Clarke Dunham, and discovered this marvelous shot of his production of Madama Butterfly. Of course, it's easy to tell that this is from Butterfly.

What I found interesting was this set from

Oscar Wilde's Importance of Being Ernest! I just love the idea that Ernest's London bachelor digs were done up in grand Victorian Chinoiserie! Of course, his country estate was more suitably traditional. It's so much fun to see a truly gifted designer at work!

Now don't make fun - you know you've received an ugly Christmas sweater, too, at one time or another.
Just one last Christmas Polaroid from this holiday at our house ...
Now, I'm off - you should definitely start the new year by making something beautiful!

♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

...are you a smart girl?!

Have an Enchanted Christmas, Dear Friends and Readers

Please click on image to see my holiday card to you...

Remember ~ Sparkle! Shimmer! Glimmer! Gleam! Make it a beautiful weekend!

♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

Let's take a break from the holiday rush ...

... have a cup of coffee and chat about beautiful and absurd and fun and outrageous things.

In the holiday frame of mind, I've been curious why I am dreaming about taking these revolving seven-foot high crystal and gold pillar lamps and wrapping them with spirals of ivy and mistletoe and placing them beside the front entrance. Did I mention: they revolve?

Now some might find these a little over the top (as such a thing exists), but I believe I've figured out why I am so attracted to all that glitters and shines.

I had a deprived childhood.

No. It's true. All through my childhood, I begged (by which I mean screamed and cried and kicked my heels on the floor of the grocery) my mother to let us put Glass Wax stenciled pictures on the windows at Christmas time.She always refused. She always had some argument or other: they weren 't pretty; they wouldn't look nice with the other decorations; they would make too much mess; they were too expensive (yes! she even tried THAT, knowing full well that the person kicking the floor of the grocery was 15 years old and knew how much money 39¢ was!).

So is it any wonder that I am so warped and in need of extreme at the holiday time? It's my mother's fault. As is everything, of course.


Don't you just LOVE this photo of Yves Montand, lifting Edith Piaf for a kiss?! How short was she? Well, to begin with, he's not very tall - plus, notice her shoes? She's not even as tall as she appears to be! I do wish whoever Magic Marker'ed (is that a proper verb?) all over this photo hadn't done so.

Doesn't this look like a fun place to shop?! It's called Gypsy Honeymoon. I first ran across it online - but then they did an article about it in Bliss Victoria. If I'm ever in San Francisco - and I haven't been for ten years - but you never know! - I'm heading there directly from the airport!

How ticked off would you be if you had to be one of the damned swans? That really goes past being a mere runner up. That's like saying you had some cheek to even enter in the first place.

Ann Wood, one of my absolute favorite fanciful artists, has created a new series of charming papier maché and fabric boats. Isn't it gorgeous! I so want to have it soaring over the dining room table! See more of her work at Ann Wood Handmade.

Do you do special holiday baking? I'm not much of a baker - and living in a city (and a mere two blocks from the fabulous bakeries in Little Italy!) there's really no need to mess up one's own kitchen with flour in the air. But at Christmas time, I really do like to make some cookies. Nothing extravagant mind you. Just plain old down home cookies. Usually, after the holidays, I can always find a part-time job...

anyway. I always make chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal raisin cookies and chocolate cheesecake brownies and a few ice box "bar" cookies. I'm a regular baking crew all on my own!
My favorite of the cookies is the plain old everyday crisp-but-moist sugar cookies cut from big Christmas cookie cutters and all decorated with frosting and little candied - well - things. For the first time in the history of my blog, I'm going to share a recipe. (Geesh, the holidays have really gotten to me, haven't they?!) This is the never fail sour cream sugar cookie recipe that everybody loves. Give it a try!

Tristan's Sugar Cookies

• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar

1. Cream together 1 1/2 cups white sugar, butter or margarine, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and eggs. Add sour cream.
2. Mix together 5 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, baking powder and baking soda. Gradually add to the egg-sugar mixture.
3. Cover and chill dough for 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
5. Roll out on lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out cookies. Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet for 10 - 12 minutes.
6. To Make Frosting: In small bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat together the softened cream cheese and evaporated milk until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/8 teaspoon salt and confectioners' sugar. Beat until well blended. Color as desired and frost cooled cookies.

Take care not to overwork the dough. Just mix it, chill it and roll it. Don't torture it. Make sure to cool on a rack. Be sure to wait until they're cooled completely before frosting.
Get ready for a host of Christmas hallelujah's after you've served them!


Doesn't this dear child look like she's going to be serious trouble?! She's just a mug shot waiting to happen.
Actually, it's a boy. I have no idea why he's dressed like that. He's just a mug shot waiting to happen.
What do you want to find in your stocking Christmas morning?

I really think I should have this 24k gold sleigh which once belonged to Ludwig, the mad king of Bavaria. And it would add to the holiday decor while it was waiting to be given to me!

Oh - this little swan pedestal flower pedestal would be nice, too. And not quite so much a commitment to the insurance company.
Who am I kidding. I'd be glad to have just the floral arrangement - even in a margarine tub.
Now that we've discovered the joy of Blu-Ray on a big plasma HD screen, I'm sure the very next step will be a small little unpretentious home theatre, much like this one. Nothing fancy, mind you. Simplicity is the mantra of my life.

Aren't these charming. I think they look so smart and modern in this photo. Of course, in my house, I think they would look like I hadn't cleaned up after a craft project. Still, they're pretty cool. You can see more such simple designs at Spidatter.

I'm such a huge fan of color, I can't imagine having an all-white house. But, if I did, I would hope it would look just like this. I would like it even more if it had a view of the Eiffel Tower - but I'd settle for just the design.

Hi-diddle-dee-dee
An actor's life for me
A high silk hat and a silver cane
A watch of gold with a diamond chain

Hi-diddle-dee-day
An actor's life is gay
It's great to be a celebrity
An actor's life for me

Hi-diddle-dee-dum
An actor's life is fun

Hi-diddle-dee-dee
An actor's life for me
A wax mustache and a beaver coat
A pony cart and a billy goat

Hi-diddle-dee-dum
An actor's life is fun
You wear your hair in a pompadour
You ride around in a coach and four
You stop and buy out a candy store
An actor's life for me!

Björk thought she was so original. Anna Pavlova wore her swan (Jack) long ago!

Some things are just too chic to be real, aren't they?! A Dior fantasy gown ...

I'm going to leave you with this poem which perfectly expresses my feelings about being a dog!

18 REASONS I WANT TO BE A DOG

1. I’d be fuzzy, like the essence of love.

2. I’d wag my tail and be at one with the universe. I’ve always wanted a tail.

3. My nose would be like a button on a sock puppet.

4. I’d know what I wanted, when I wanted it. I ‘d bark until I got it.

5. I wouldn’t have germ phobias. I’d welcome touch.

6. My tongue would be glorious.

7. I’d snarl and let the world know it.

8. I’d be enraptured much of the time.

9. I’d sleep whenever I wanted, as much as I wanted.

10. I’d keep strangers away. I’d be permitted to hate.

11. I wouldn’t have to know table manners.

12. I wouldn’t care what was on TV.

13. My hands and feet would be more alike. I’d crawl again

like I did before everything happened.

14. I’d amaze humans for my differences and similarities.

15. I’d love the thrill of the chase.

16. My dreams would not be overpopulated with strange cities

and people who like me though they do not exist

and I wouldn’t miss my bus stop, pulling and pulling the chord in fear,

or care if I were naked on 5^th Avenue.

17. I’d belong to the earth. I’d roll in it,

luxuriate in it, eat its bitter wood,

offer it my piss and shit and puke up its grass

and the earth would give back, give back,

it would know me as no clothed human could.

18. I’d ride in the car with my head out the window

and the wind would lick my face.

Copyright 2010 by Jon P. Bloch

Thanks for stopping by for coffee and a chat! Now - go make something beautiful!

♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥