Shalimar

I've added a new item to my Etsy shop!  A little 5 in. x 7 in. print of my original watercolor painting of a Shalimar bottle.  A perfect adornment for your vanity or powder room.

I've always loved the elegant and decorative Shalimar perfume bottle.  When I was a little girl I used to visit my Aunt Mary.  She had an assortment of beautiful perfume bottles adorning her vanity.  Shalimar was one of her signature scents.

Shalimar was created in 1921 and re-released in 1925 in a bottle created by Raymond Guerlain and Baccarat.  It was inspired by the love of an Indian Emperor for his wife Mumtaz-Mahal, for whom the Taj Mahal was built.  It is named after The Gardens of Shalimar.

The fragrance has a top note of Bergamot, middle notes of Iris and Opopanax, and a base note of vanilla.

Sitting Pretty

Here are two new additions to my Etsy shop.  I wondered what kind of spaces the lovely ladies in hats would occupy.  So I came up with these little vignettes.  Boudoirs perhaps.

These are the original thumbnail sketches for the Sitting Pretty paintings.

Sitting Pretty: Black and Pink

Sitting Pretty: Black and White

Etsy Shop Opening!

I've been thinking about opening an Etsy shop for a long time now.  When I finally  decided to do it, I had a hard time narrowing down my choices of what I would paint first.

These lovely ladies wearing their elegant hats just came to me while I was sketching out some ideas one day.

And here are the final watercolor paintings.

Audrey

Spring Daisies

Pink Roses, Black Veil

I really think it would be fun to live in a time when everyone wore hats everyday.

"...best taste exacts that in a city a hat be worn with street clothes in the daytime.  A woman wearing a hat is more chic than if she were hatless."  Emily Post's Etiquette 1960 edition

Please feel free to stop by my Etsy shop.  I hope to have more items in the line up soon!

Classic Eye

I was looking for an eyeshadow that could work for an everyday or special occasion look.  

I found the perfect palette at Sephora.

With four shadows and a liner, the Almost Nude Number 9 palette from the Sephora collection, is just what I need to make a great classic eye or smokey look.

The palette includes Universal Beige, Beige Pink, Dying for Fudge, Sun Kissed, 

and Liner in Dark Grey

Mad Men Style Collection

I have been eagerly awaiting the new season of Mad Men.  However, I think the show's creator and AMC are still in dispute.  While this is very upsetting, I am happy that the show has had an influence on fashion.  So I guess I will have to console myself  with the clothes.  

Banana Republic has a new Mad Men Collection that is wonderful. 

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=69572&kwid=1&sem=false

Banana Republic is not the only place that has been influenced by the show and its 50's-60's fashions.

Belted Houndstooth Sheath Dress with Rosette - Dress Barn $59.99

Nylon Mary Anne Handbag - Kate Spade $345

Bengal Rose Shoes - Aerosoles $79

Herringbone Surplice Sheath Dress - Dress Barn $39.99

Belted Plaid Split Neckline Dress - Dress Barn $49.99

Plaid Envelope Dress - Dress Barn $44.99

Pleated Bodice Satin Sheath with Belt - Dress Barn $39.99

Cleo and Antony - Shabby Apple $130

Primavera - Shabby Apple $84

Spanish Steps - Shabby Apple $86

Gold Coast Mary Anne - Kate Spade $445

Hundred Yrs Satchel - Nine West $99

Hundred Yrs Satchel in Ruby Multi - Nine West $99

Frances Pointed Toe Pumps - Nine West  $79 at Macy's

Kooper Platform Pumps - Chinese Laundry $71 at Macy's

Mad Men's Christina Hendricks

I just think it is great that the August 2011 issue of Lucky magazine has Mad Men's Christina Hendricks on their cover.  It is so refreshing to see a woman with a curvy figure on a cover of a magazine.  I would like to see more representation of women who are of all shapes and ages.  

Christina Hendricks

A full figured woman used to be the epitome of beauty.  

Solfia Loren

Kim Novak

Jane Russell

My Cat Max

Last week I had to put my cat Max to sleep.  He was 17 years old and had kidney failure.  It was a really sad day for me.  Of all the cats I've had, Max had the most gentle personality.  He was really the best cat.

Max was born from a stray in my Mom's garage.  

I took this photo to try to find him a home.  

When I couldn't find anyone to take him, I brought him home with me.

I already had a cat named Kitten, when I took Max in.  I was hesitant to take Max because I knew Kitten was not going to be happy about it.  It was a rocky beginning, and in fact, Kitten never really forgave me for bringing Max home.  Hard to believe a cat could hold a grudge for 17 years, but its true.

My daughter and Max under the Christmas tree.

Max doing  his favorite thing.  

He loved to be in the center of every occasion, and being on top of wrapping paper was an added bonus.

I used Max as inspiration for this bookmark I painted several years ago.

My daughter drew this picture of Max for this post as her farewell to him.