The Sash

I came across "The Sash" on the American Apparel website today, how genious? It comes in 19 colors, costing $16. I want one! Here are a couple of my favorite ways of using it. I'm going to have to say the bottom is my favorite. :)

7 Places I would love to spend my week

Booked!

Hi all,

I just wanted to update everyone, the maid business has finally booked 2 appointments! Thanks to my best friend Chelsea, and my long time friend Sarah for helping make this possible! Yahoo, wish us luck!

Xoxo

The Jessica Playlist

I was tagged by the lovely Pink Bow to make my own personal playlist. So I imagined my own section on an iPOD that reflected my style. What would they be? Here you go!

Coldplay- The Scientist

I can listen to this song over and over again, and never get sick of it. I love Chris Martin's voice, the piano and whatever other instruments they use, and overall the way it makes me feel! As cheesy as this may sound, it makes me feel completely alive. :)

Lily Allen- The Fear

I think Lily Allen's lyrics in this song are fabulous. Enough said!

Don Henley- Boys of Summer

This song makes me think back to my childhood and my days at Grandpa Angelucci's beach house. So many amazing memories and such a great song!

The Cure- Lullaby

This song reminds me of the beginning days of my relationship with the most important person in the whole entire world to me, Jason. :)

Enya- Only Time

Enya is by far my favorite artist, her music soothes my mind.

Bob Marley- Stir it up

Bob Marley takes you to another world, one that is pure sunshine, beauty, peace, freedom and love. That's what life should be!

Chris Isaak- Wicked Games

Sexiest video ever, so of course it's the sexiest song too!

Yelle- Ce Jeu

Yelle is one of my favorite artists, and of course she is French! Her music reminds me of that beautiful week I spent in Paris

Edith Piaf- La Vie en Rose

My outlook on life is this phrase. This song is the first I heard it, of course...and I couldnt think of a better way to say how I feel about life. La vie en rose!

Look of the Week; Peachy Rose

One of my favorite artists of all time is Fragonard. Fragonard was a French Painter during the Rococo period. Rococo is one of my favorite periods...the soft and delicate color pallette, lavish outdoor gathering depictions..all in all it is kind of like a fairytale, and thats my style so here you go!

Olives

I remember growing up and my Mom taking me to this delicious Italian Deli in Tempe somewhere. She would always buy the juciest Italian olives! My mouth waters at the thought of them today. My Italian heritage must be behind my obsession with them! I would have to say they are by far my favorite snack. Luckily I have Sprouts Farmers Market across the street, but even these olives dont compare. What would be better than having my own olive tree? Yum!

Busy!

Bonjour friends,
I have been super busy lately! I am working on a new set of watercolor pieces and I am also working on starting my own "green" maid business. Here is a preview of what is to come with my watercolor pieces! I'm excited about it!

Lilac Forest Watercolor

(Practice sheet)

The Duchess

Today I watched "The Duchess" I was compelled to read more about the life of Duchess Georgiana of Devonshire. The Duke did not love her, but where she did find love, she was forbidden to return. She ended up pregnant with a girl, which belonged to the only man she ever loved. Of course, it would be an embarrassement to the Duke, so the Duchess had to give her up and was only permitted to see her child on certain occassions. In the passing time, the Duchess would write her daughter, and below the picture is one of those letters.

And yet remote from public view
A flower there is of timid hue,
Beneath a sacred shade it grows,
But sweet in native fragrance blows.
From storms secure, from tempests free,
But ah! too seldom seen by me.
For scarce permitted to behold
With longing eyes each grace unfold.
My bosom struggles with its pain
And checks the wishes form'd in vain ;
Yet when I perchance supremely blest,
I hold the floweret to my breast,
Enraptur'd watch its purple glow
And blessings (all I have) bestow.
The gentle fragrance soothes my care
And fervent is my humble prayer
That no dread evil may beset
My sweet but hidden violet.

Elegant Eating

Thanks to Jennifer Boles blog, I have learned there is a book called, "Elegant Eating: 400 years of dining in style" This book goes into detail on the history of European dining and the art of decorating a table. This lavishly illustrated book shows the changing styles of fine dining and tableware from the 16th century to today, focusing on the many decorative objects that stylish eating and drinking have inspired through the ages. I am always watching these period piece films and their tables are always so perfect and their "tools" are things you, of course, would only see in a museum today. As an Art History junkie, this book looks perfect for me to have!

Sock Garters

Do you think sock garters will ever enter the fashionista's closet?

Look of the Week; Ethereal Elegance

My look of the week is inspired by an image of the Oak Alley Plantation in Louisiana. My lovely friend Anne sent me the website and told me how beautiful the place was, and I couldn't agree more! I based the look of the week on something I could see Anne wearing and something that reminded me of the plantation, enjoy!

(Dress-Vera Wang Lavender Label, Hat-Patricia Underwood, Heels-L.A.M.B., Cuff-Chanel, Clutch-Jessica McClintock)

5 Questions

Thanks to the lovely Carlotta-My Way, I have 5 fun questions to answer! Feel free to answer as well!

1) What topic would you write your book about?
2) What is one of your guilty pleasures?
3) What are some of the things you do to get yourself out of a bad mood?
4) How long do you think it will take to get the U.S. economy back on track?
5) Do you think there is a fine line between creepy and romantic?

1) If I were to write a book, it would probably be about Marie Antoinette, and what she would be like if she were around today. What

fashions she would wear, what her personality would be like, what her career would be and so forth! I have an obsession with European history, and I always wonder how these people of the past I admire would be today. What would they do with their free time? What would they be wearing? That would be my topic!

2) One of my guilty pleasures...taking mid-day naps. I wake up early to spend the morning with Jason before he leaves for the day, so I end up really tired after lunch time, and I usually curl up with my two cats and

a good movie and take a short nap, it's so refreshing! I can't wait fo

r monsoon season, rainy day naps are my favorite!

3) To get myself out of a bad mood, usually I take a hot bath, light some lavender incense and turn on some classic French songs (C'est magnifique, La Vie en Rose, etc) If that doesnt work, I water my flowers and trim them up, usually I can find a good one for my small vase. The simple things in life can make the bad feelings go away :)

4) My boyfriend is a genious (I hate to brag, but I admire him so much!) so he says he can see a "light at the end of the tunnel", and I believe that.

5) There is no similarity between creepy and romantic. As far as I'm concerned, creepy would be something like stalking...and stalking is not romantic. So how can the two be compared?

Traditional Silhouettes

I have been a big fan of traditional silhouettes since I was a kid, there is something obviously mysterious about them! Wikipedia says this, "A silhouette portrait can be painted or drawn. However, the traditional method of creating silhouette portraits is to cut them from lightweight black cardboard, and mount them on a pale (usually white) background. This was the work of specialist artists, often working out of booths at fairs or markets."

I think this calls for a new silhouette project this summer, stay tuned!

Hamburger or Dress? That is the question

I came across this dress today, I can't help but think it's cute! Would I wear it? Probably to a Halloween Party!

<3 Diane Kruger

Diane Kruger is one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, without a doubt! Love her!

Amalfi Coast

Today, I watched what is now one of my favorite movies, A Good Woman with Scarlett Johansson and Helen Hunt. Any movie that has beautiful European scenery, fashion and an interesting plot is sure to land on my list of favorites. The movie takes place on the Amalfi Coast in Italy and I have to go someday! Who wouldn't want to soak up the sun and sip espresso on the coast of Italy?

LoLLIA

Lollia is a world created with lovely details, blushing fragrances and flirtatious touches! Her bath, body and home products are some of my favorites. The bottles are beautiful and the scents are amazing. Check out their website, I just ordered my first catalog!

Look of the Week; Sweet Peacock

My look of the week, obviously inspired by a peacock! Enjoy!

Oh, Marilyn.

I'm sure you have all heard, but some never published pictures of Marilyn Monroe have surfaced, they are beautiful and here are my 2 favorites!

Stairway to Heaven!

Wouldn't it be nice to have a stairway into my own personal space like this? Not to mention the colors, the view. I can see myself sitting in here, sketching, painting, reading, drinking coffee, sewing and doing whatever else it is that I do. Dreams, Dreams, Dreams.