A first sentence

Thank you, Mr. Daldry

Notre-Dame-des-Fleurs

"Amidst the pages of these thick books, in flattened type, marvels appeared.  Like straight lilies there surge up young men, who are, thanks in part to me, both princes and beggars."

-Jean Genet

Thanks to He of Wandering Eyes for the wonderful recommendation.

Photographs by the amazing Emil Cadoo

Vorrei Fosse Un Missoni

I wish I were a Missoni.

Bungalow, Cambodian-Style

A part of me would love to spin a globe a round, pick a spot with my pointer finger and set up shop wherever it lands.  I feel no matter where you go you can make something great of it, as long as you don't expect too much. 

I'm not sure if Daryll Collins did the same thing, but he certainly made his new home in Cambodia some kind of special!  A few weeks back the New York Times wrote an article about how he bought a 1915 home, moved it to an island and renovated it into the beauty it is now. 

I believe I've talked about this before, but when I was little I would ask everyone:  if they could live anywhere in the world where would it be? 

Now for you dear readers, where would you go?

We, the widows in white

Awaiting guests

I want to look like this when the guests arrive this evening:

I'll then show them to their rooms where a bottle of whiskey and pair of silk pajamas will be waiting on each of their pillows, Idina Sackville-West style.

Image found at Nick Olsen Style

"Being an actor is the loneliest thing in the world...

...You are all alone with your concentration and imagination, and that's all you have."

Misr

With this undying heat my mind keeps going back to the only place I've been hotter: Egypt. 

This is Lenaya and I inside the Alabaster Mosque, where the lights dangle from the ceiling, each representing a day of the year.

More of my Egyptology findings hither

Takato Yamamoto

via marieaunet

Dieci Mille!

My Dearest Readers,

Thank you for being so wonderful!  This weekend almost under my little Irish nose, hibernian homme had its 10 thousandth hit!  I know compared to those blogs who have 10000 followers its nothing exciting, but for me it's an absolute thrill.  Thank you for commenting, making me really laugh, and sharing so many of my interests.  It really turns my botoxed nonexistent frown upside down.

With the violence of my affections,

D-H

(Painting by Clyde F. Seavey-who I can find nothing else about)

From ' The Pursuit of Love'

"It may become a sort of literary curiosity," Davey said...."People will be interested in it for all the wrong reasons, and collect Lalilique dressing-table sets and shagreen boxes and cocktail cabinets lined with looking-glass and find them interesting..."

I've been roved

The other day, Jason from These Roving Eyes, paid me the nicest compliment and did a post about how much he likes my blog!  So nice of him!

His is about 400 times lovlier than mine.  The pictures he takes of his cottage on a lake in the woods (envy worthy), his friends, his food, his life, his family are stunners.  And his commentary is wonderful, and SO witty.  Many a time I've found myself laughing along like I'm there in the thick of it. 

I can tell I've found a kindred spirit.  Garsh ain't the internets the greatest!?!

A witty novel of English Country Life and manners...

Oh Nancy Mitford, where have you been, where have you been all my life!? 

I know I'm jumping on the Mitford gravy train about 60 years late, but honestly!  I cannot get enough.  She's hysterical.  Last night I was in bed laughing into my pillow with tears.  So far, only the Sedaris family can to do that to me.

Excerpt from 'Pursuit of Love':

"I hope you haven't sent your jewels to the bank," I said.

"Oh, darling, don't tease, you know I haven't got any now. But my money," she said with a self-conscious giggle, "is sown into my stays. Fa rang me up and begged me to, and I must say it did seem quite and idea.  Oh, why aren't you coming? I do feel so terrified--think of sleeping on the train, all alone."

"Perhaps you won't be alone," I said. "Foreigners are greatly given, I believe, to rape."

"Yes, that would be nice, so long as they didn't find my stays. Oh we are off--good-bye, darling, do think of me."

Brilliant!  I'd love to be a fly on the wall when she and her fellow bright young people were out and about.  I can only imagine the laughter she caused.

(Both portraits from the National Portrait Gallery)

"It's where my family live"

The fashions perfect for a Sebastian or Charles at New York Public Library.

Williams Weather

Lordy, it's hot!  Make that a HAWT!  Every time it gets to be balmy, damp as a cellar, all mildewy (read this!) I can't help but think of the works of Tennessee Williams.  I always feel a kindred love knowing along with the great characters of his work, we both  have sweat dripping down our cleavage.  Hell, even Marlon had some of that going on.

My favorite is 'The Roman Spring and Mrs. Stone.'  Whew!  Grab yourself a cold one and a hankie to wipe your brow because it is tor-rid!  I watched it in January and still had to jump in the snow. (Side point: How nice would that be?!)

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be found on the beach with my face glued three inches from my D.H. Lawrence with a stiff neck and sunburn on half my fundament.

Moody Getaway

An early spring fling?  Maybe Cornwall, Devon, Wortham Manor?  Rain beating on windows. Records humming lowly.  Log dropping in the fireplace. Crisp sound of a page turning. Afternoon walks in Wellies with a return to tea in mind.

S'il. Vous. Plait.

photograph from Jay Tilston

A post from the Lady of Slavic Territories

My friend sent me this card the other day.  All it said was:

"Don't you just HATE finding out that some tramp broke into your apartment and tried on all your stuff?

Love- LMoST"

Need I say more?

A lucid mirror, in which Nature sees

In the heat of finishing a six month (at least) quest for the perfect sopha, it seems I've completely forgotten to tell you about it.

Yes, I found one and it's not what I would've thought I wanted yet 'tis sheer perfection.  (Bored yet?)

There's this consignment store locally that basically gives away the most beautiful articles. As I stopped by one day after work, looking grody and sweaty, I chanced upon said sopha.  She sat elegantly in the back room, love at first sight.  Of Asian decent made of solid teak with intricate engravings, her upholstery made well and standing the test of time.  Some work needs to be done to her arms, but I know a master woodworker who has actually made an entire Japanese house -horse hair plaster, cedar panelling and all- nearby, so I'm going to trade some work with him.  As she sat smoking her cigs in the corner I said goodbye, nervous of impulse, but went back, twice, until I finally bought it at an unbelievably low price. 

As I carried it out of the store with the owner he mentioned nonchalantly that they have a matching table at the other store and in it they found the visa and tickets for the woman who owned it...coming from Hong Kong...in 1933!!!!!  I think I might have had an accident there and then. 

Now she sits comfortably in my apartment; I imagine her joining me where ever I end up.  I'll show pictures as soon as she's back from her "procedure" for the time being I'll show a Spencelayh, similar to the print I snatched at the dream shop.  Locals, please email for location.

-Me in a few years!-