2/28/11

Word for the Week:: Sacred


 Sacred space.  Sacred silence.  Sacred creating.
And I don't mean this to be as cheesy and new age woo woo as it sounds, but this is the very best word I could come up with to describe something so, well,  ineffable. 
This week will find me clearing through and fine tuning.  Last night, late late late, I got to the core of the artistry that I've been craving for a while now.  I was so blissed out, so in tune with the colors, the designs, the ideas, the,"Holy shazam, this is exactly exactly it."  It's been a long while since I've felt that connected to everything all at once and it is so awesome.
 So, yeah, sacred.  I consider times like this with feelings so otherworldly, something to be easily accessed and entirely cherished.
Bring on the woo woo 'cause I'm so ready...

(Photos by Diem Photography )

2/25/11

Into the weekend...

Rainy and chilly... but still so cozy.  This is a California winter and I'm loving it.  So much evolved over this past week and I'm happy to share that my word for the week, Align, was spot on.  After some slips and frustrations, I went with it all and everything rested in its place beautifully (more press this week!  Check out the Ciara Obscura Press page, which will have ongoing additions.)  I'm still preparing for the upcoming Spring collection photo shoot and I've been working with a film company who has shown interest in creating a sweet little documentary on me- a kind of behind the scenes with the designer.  I'm simultaneously terrified and giddy about this process and the final product.  It should be released in late March... will keep you posted.  For now, I continue to get wildly inspired...

Here are some fabulous finds to take you into the weekend:

* These cool books found on Svpply

 
* How genius are these blank slate globes from Blue Bell Bazaar?!  Defeats the purpose?  Hell, I say create your own world.
* You know how some people just stand at the crosswalk repeatedly pressing the walk button, over and over and over, when one press is all a person needs to tell the timer that you're there waiting to cross?  You know those people?  Well, I'd rather if they spend the annoying habit on something, it may as well be for the better good.  Like this from We Heart It.
 

I'm about to whip up some hot cocoa and nestle into this rainy day.  What are you up to this weekend?

2/24/11

* More Colors *

 
I maybe should have added this to the gasp worthy post from earlier this week because, my god, check out the wonderful detail in the textiles.  Those leggings need to be worn by me and the floral colors and forms need to be added to a hair adornment design.  No kidding.
Designer: Mary Katrantzou; photo from Miss Moss.

2/23/11

*Overcome*

 
( Print by Erin Jane )

Sometimes push comes to shove and we are forced to deal with things we'd just assume not.  The truly stinky behavior of others makes me want to reside in my happy place for a while longer.  But the strength comes in knowing that while that stinky behavior is really messed up, my own clarity and love keeps me connected to my happy place while still effectively dealing with all else.
So, here, a tribute to overcoming all the gunk and being able to, eventually, laugh hysterically at the silliness of it all.

2/22/11

Top Five Tuesday:: Gasp worthy findings

There are some things I come across in my daily *research* that makes me gasp... and, by gasp worthy, I mean it wakes me up, makes my heart burst, stills me.
Here are my picks from recent discoveries:

1. Perfect serenity from Pascal Shirley Photography


2. This cool before/after project from photographer Irina Werning: (click here to see more)

 

3. Oh my.  Something cute and so sexy from BHLDN :

4. The Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC is something special ( I want to sit in those cozy blue velvet window booths and sip port) and somewhat overwhelming (I can't help but freak out over those five zillion light bulbs hanging from the ceiling in the second photo below.  Here's hoping for no earthquakes.).  I'd totally take it all, though. (Initial link from DesignLoveFest)

 

5. And these extraordinary invitations from Royal Steamline...wow.


Off to discover more gasp worthy goodies...

2/21/11

Word for the Week:: Align

Yep.  Align.
My focus this week is on the greatness and the bold and the higher road.  I'd prefer to align with that than, say, with the despair and the fear and the inauthenticity (is that a word?  Spellcheck is telling me, "no", but I'm keeping it in).
Instead it's this for me as a gentle reminder of just how to align with this greatness... (a shout out to Tiffany for sharing this.)
"Most of the shadows in this life are caused by standing in one's own sunshine" Emerson 

(BomoBob)

So, I suppose it's all up to me.  Aligning with the sunshine will be pretty awesome. 
Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in one’s own sunshine
Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in one’s own sunshine
Adversity
Quotations by Ralph Waldo Emerson

2/18/11

Street Photography :: Paris ::

Something extra special to take with you into the weekend...


 
 (unknown photographer)


( Robert Doisneau- here and below )


Oh, Paris, you little vixen, you...

2/17/11

Behind the Design :: Sneak Peek

As I'm hard at work piecing everything together in preparation for the upcoming photo shoot, I came across these awesome images of Spring '11 runway shots from fashion week.  The colors, the lace, the overall materials mirror key elements for my next collection.  So exciting...


2/16/11

*This*

Lou Mora is a pretty wonderful photographer.  And since a short post is all I have time for today, I'll leave you with one of his portraits...

Wishing you a day like this.

2/15/11

Top Five Tuesday:: Colors

Used to be that the base AND the extension of my wardrobe was black.  Once in a while I might have worn a teeny bit of red or purple or, if I was daring, white sort of mixed in with the black.  But I mostly liked black because I'm clumsy and you can't see coffee or tea or paint or food stains on black... usually.  Also it all started in high school (shocker) when I started to think I could best identify with the music I was listening to if I wore a good coordinating color (The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshee, Joy Division, The Smiths.  I was very predictable.).  But lately, in a very very peculiar twist of events, I've been drawn to wearing great big bursts of other colors (with black mixed in).
These are my favs...

1. Soft Pink.



2. Turquoise.
 
( T Capone Photo)
( Jen C Photography )

3. Red.
(Heather Stevenson)

4. Ivory and Gold (tie).

 
( dress from PrizySebastian)

5. Navy Blue.
( Ara 133 )

( The Fancy Lamb )
What color do you love to wear?



2/14/11

Word for the Week:: Open


There is so much possibility for love.  I hope that you, my sweet friends, will open yourselves up to the vastness of these possibilities.  Because, heck, there's nothing much better than feeling like your whole body is smiling...
Also... these prints by Holli are every bit of perfect that is wonderful.  Their simplicity makes my heart burst...

2/10/11

Into the weekend... Love

(Evolve Studio's *Love is in the Air*)

Here's to love every day of your life.

Here's to slobbery kisses from your dog.
To a great warm hug and holding hands with a toddler.
To a door held by a stranger.
To a smile from an elderly couple walking hand in hand.
Here's to art that makes your heart flip and eye contact from a handsome stranger that makes your belly flip.
To red skirts and turquoise stockings.
To the freedom to marry the person you love.
To kisses on the forehead and behind the ear and on the lips.
To lounging in your favorite spot, drenched in full sunshine.

Here's to love, in its many appearances, every single day of your life...

Love,
Cath


p.s. If you're "one of those" people who will be scrambling for a last minute Valentine's gift at CVS at 9:02pm on Sunday night, consider opting, instead, for a Ciara Obscura gift certificate.  I suspect that might win her over a tiny bit more than would, say, that stiff teddy bear holding a little balloon and a heart shaped box of Russel Stover chocolates. Though I can certainly appreciate the cheesy class of such a gift.


Enjoy a beautiful and love filled weekend and always...

2/9/11

Voila!

I so want to share some photos of this custom bouquet that I recently completed.  And there are a few reasons why I'm sharing...

1. I got to use vintage lace (really truly vintage... like from the bride-to-be's mother's own wedding veil circa 1960) and great great great vintage brooches AND wonderful buttons.  Gasp!!!

2. I also had the chance to use various parts of my brain that I wasn't aware even existed in the process of designing and then constructing it.  My gosh... intense... but a total blast. 

3. SUCH a lovely bride-to-be.  She made this process a total pleasure.

I'm a bit bummed though,  and only because I wasn't especially skilled at taking a good full scope shot of the bouquet.  But here are some angles to give you an idea...


 


and here are the bridesmaids hair adornments that were a part of the order, as well...
Will, hopefully, have some wedding photos to share of these pieces in action in another month or two.

Do I love my job?  Yes.  Yes, I do.

Today I'd like to feel like this...


 
 and this...
(both lovely photos are from This Year's Girl )

2/8/11

Top Five Tuesday :: Alternate Valentine's Gifts

Truth be told, I've never ever been a fan of Valentine's Day.  I'm a fan of the love and the treats, but not so specific to that day.  So I thought it might be neat to search out some great artists with a fine eye for an off the beaten path gift of love... little gifts that would be really perfect to give at surprise intervals throughout the year, rather than just when you are told to on Valentine's Day.
Ready?

1. Anti-Valentine's Day card by Stocking Tops


2. Robots in Love tee shirt from Happy Family

3.  My Darling Deer by Kitschy Kitschy Cool


4. Mix tape postcards from Anchor Tag


5. Bike Love by William Dohman
 

Ah love...
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