Okay, I Know I'm Being Judged ...

I know, I know, I've been a very bad blogger and communicator.
Has it really been since March that I've written?! Where does the time go?
Of course, I have to admit, that between school classes, directing a play, taking on a short role in an indie movie, redesigning my studio, trying to make art, going to plays, and dealing with pre-knee replacement getting-about aggravations, I've been fairly well tied down.

But, enough with the pathetic and lame excuses! Today I'm feeling tip-top and particularly celebratory (which I'll explain a bit more about later). Meanwhile, grab a cuppa and sit and visit for a while! I'll just stay here on my tip-toes and balance all things good-and-sometimes-bizarre.

Glamour, anyone?

Is there anything as chic as an understated and sedate cocktail frock?

Ooooh! I want need one in every single color!

What is so fascinating up there on the ledge?!

oh. It's just the toddler, Ms. Minnelli herself, making her grand entrance.

Got hair?

Any theatre this exquisite in the midst of being destroyed must have been magically enchanting when it was up and running and filled with tuxedos and perfumed gowns.

" ♫ Devil or angel, I can't make up my mind. ♫ "

Don't these women look like they'd rather be anywhere else than standing next to each other? I think the grumpy one in the middle just lost the election of Junior League President.

Does this dress make my butt look big?


I don't even use any toiletries - but I'm in awe at this Wicked Queen merchandising!

...speaking of Wicked Queens...

OKAY!
Are you ready to frolic and revel?
Put on your best velour harem pants and favorite gold lame chest harness...

Hear ye! Hear ye!
Jon's latest book was just published!

It's my favorite of all his books so far. Intriguing and interesting and thrilling and filled with non-stop twists and turns. I got so angry when my Nook lost batter power and I had to put it on
the charger for a couple hours before I could finish it!

I hope you'll check it out - especially if you like literate mystery/thriller/crime/psychological drama - I know you'll love it! It's only available to e-readers (i.e. Kindle, Nooks, etc.) So far, all the reviews have been 5-star! I'm very very proud of him - and I thank him for a really good several hours of reading! You can pick it up (only 3.99!) for Kindles at Amazon.com and for Nooks at Barnes and Noble.

Thursday, August 18th was a big day for us! Jon's book was released - and that night was the premier of the movie "Digits" that I had a small role in. What fun! My on-screen rap debut. Nothing like being the butt of a joke in front of a full cinema audience to really boost your ego!

It's a small indie film, being shown at quite a few indie festivals - including Sundance. Hopefully, it will get picked up by a big distributor so you can go to your local cinema and point your finger at me and laugh, too!

Thank Tony Duquette for the brilliant concept of having a stage installed in your foyer so that you can greet your guests like the star we all know you are - or deserve to be anyway!

From the days when tussy mussy really meant something.

Okay, I'm sure I've worn you out ... as usual.

Thank you so much for following me all this time, even though my blogging has been non-existent for a few months. I officially promise to do better, and to try and blog at least once a week from now on!


Hope you're having a swell summer! ... and gearing up for a fabulous autumn!

Now, Go make something beautiful!

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

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?!