Black Velvet + Silver Filigree
by angeliska on May 21, 2009
I got a new hat today.
– velvet + silver filigree hat from Uncommon Objects
– metal twig earrings from Parts + Labor
– antler lady necklace, gift from Mlle. Verhext, made by Element Lux
– watch chains necklace from Lux Revival
– gold vest from Goodie Two Shoes
– disco top, thrifted
– grey jeans, thrifted
– black cowboy boots, Uncommon Objects
Just realized this outfit is nearly 100% found
(& photographed) on South Congress! Haha.
Photos by Don Weir.
We had fun trying to work with the strange light.
This one’s so pinky! I like it.
My hair is driving me very bonkers lately,
hence the hats, various head-scarves, mantillas, etc.
Getting a bit hot for all that though.
Very tempted to shave half my head.
Not to succumb to all the 1990’s hoo-ha,
but I’ve been feelin’ the urge to reach for
the clippers lately. A drastic change
that I will try to resist, as I know I’d be sick
of it quickly- but I like the idea of keeping
my long hair, and not. Best of both worlds?
Probably not, but I sure do like it on these ladies:
Naughty Miss Alice Dellal
The lovely Cassie.
Y’all talk me out of it now, okay?
Thanks in advance.
Blueberry Honey
by angeliska on May 17, 2009
Good things:
I received a surprise parcel this week from my long-lost friend Herr von der Goltz-
it contained a disc- Music of the Tatar People and a book from 1903,
German Wit and Humor. I love the nouveau cover! So sweet- I am cheered.
I can’t describe the joy I feel at wandering around the garden,
having a craving for blueberry- and then plucking them right off the bush!
They are perfect. If only I could wait until they’re fully ripe- a greedy Gretel am I!
Drosera kenneallyi from my sweetheart’s collection of carnivores.
I’ve trained this Aristolochia up on trellises on the porch for years,
but this is the first time I’ve ever seen it bloom! It truly took my breath away-
and the fragrance is so indescribable. Citrus, and earth and fireflies.
We also have an Aristolochia fimbriata that is wee, but smells much stronger-
like coffee, and rot and the devil’s sexy librarian mistress. Basically.
So, I think I’m developing a pretty serious obsession with these.
Can you see why they call it Calico Flower?
(aka. Aristolochia littoralis, sometimes called A. elegans)
Collectively known as birthworts, pipevines or Dutchman’s pipes-
these flowers are some of the strangest I’ve ever seen.
A really tantalizing collection of insane species can be found at
Sunshine Seeds– it’s taking all my willpower to not order most of them.
Between the Calico Flower Vines and the jasmine tangles, our bedroom windows
are nearly completely obscured. I love it- much better than curtains!
There’s a great article on Bitch Magazine about Fairuz-
the Legendary Chanteuse of Lebanon (aka. Ambassador to the Stars,
Neighbor to the Moon and the Poet of the Voice.)
Also, I just discovered that CBS has Twin Peaks archived for watching online!
Thank you Mlle. Lau for the tip- I’m a goner now that I know..
It’s owls, blue roses and cherry pie for the rest of the summer!
Corazones quebrados y perros ciegos
by angeliska on May 10, 2009
Oh my stars, what a week it’s been-
and if only it were just the stars and other
mischievous celestial bodies to blame for
all this sadness and trouble. Certainly, though
they’ve played their part- that hazy yellow pearl
of a full moon in Scorpio seemed to be laughing
at us foolish mortals with our tragedies and terrors.
Don’t even get me started about Mercury Retrograde.
I’ve been dwelling on the recent deaths of two
talented and beautiful young men I knew- Sasha and Steve.
They didn’t know each other-
and maybe I didn’t really know either of them.
They both left too soon, and I’m not sure what
it is that I feel- but my heart hurts.
Furthering the fissures in the cracked tea-cup of my heart-
we made the terrible discovery that our beloved dog-friend
has suddenly become totally blind. Detached retinas.
We’ll hopefully soon find out which of the multitude of
possible causes is responsible- and there’s a chance
that they could re-attach. I’m going to try and be hopeful,
but it’s hard to see him like this- and to think that he may
never get to chase squirrels or sticks again.
We’ll have to be his seeing-eye people!
It’s heartbreaking to see him bump into things-
and to have only his blank, questioning stare
when he used gaze into our eyes so soulfully.
(Photo by Chip Warren)
So please light a candle for our pup
Thelonious, for the traveling souls of those fine fellows,
and for your mama- wherever she may be.
(Bywater Church- I can’t recall who took it.. Perhaps Jose Fernandes?)
I don’t have a lot of words right now, and the ones I do have
I’m sending over phone lines to far-flung dear ones-
so instead, a series of images to illustrate a black mood,
meditations on death and love and all.
Oh yes, and happy Mother’s Day (no, really!)
to all the mamas. Thank you for all you do.
Soon I will have more flowers to festoon,
but in the meantime- I give you from the bee-log archive:
thoughts from Mother’s Days past:
Mother’s Day
and
Todo Sobre Mi Madre
No idea where the following are from,
so if you know- do enlighten me!
Lately, I’ve been feeling an awful lot like this:
Or this:
Also this:
Photograph by Alison Scarpulla
So aware all the time lately of the circle.
Sowing, reaping, birthing, dying
and over and over.
It is hard and it is good
Krewe of Eris – The Feast of the Appetites!
by angeliska on May 4, 2009
I look forward to the Krewe of Eris parade every year- it usually happens
on the weekend before Mardi Gras, and this year (it occurred back in February, mind)
it was quite chilly indeed. Luckily we were all able to augment our ensembles
to accommodate both the theme and the weather! Last year we all dressed
as giant insects for Release the Swarm!– which I adored.
The bug theme got everyone super-inspired, and I so curious to see what
people would come up with for this year’s theme: The Feast of the Appetites!
Of course everyone went all out- mostly food inspired, but I did see a telephone!
We were the Cupcake Brigade!
Of course confectionary won over in our circle, and ingenious cupcake lanterns
were constructed from umbrellas, chiffon and buckram! It was so magical
to see them illuminating the procession through the streets- I wish I could storm
the alleys of the Vieux Carre with my gang of sugar-crazed cupcakes every night!
I was a minty bonbon cupcake- with pink cake inside, my favorite!
(I really did ask for a strawberry birthday cake with mint icing one year!
Pandora made it for me, and it was bizarrely delicious- if a little toothpasty..)
I made my costume that day- the glue on the bonbon fascinator and epaulette
was still not dry even as we were rushing out the door! I was terrified I was
going to lose all my candy in the shuffle- but a Mardi Gras miracle occurred!
I think I lost maybe one? After a night of dancing in the streets? Amazing.
My teeth are black because I ate too much candy! That’s what happens, kids!
Isn’t Miss Angie’s wedding cake costume mindblowing? I wanted to eat her up.
Lester was the cutest damn cake- if only you could have seen this incredibly
tall man bouncing through the parade- he was happiest cake in the whole world!
Miss Raven was a whipped cream cupcake- too delicious, ooh la la!
Sansa Asylum was the Pineapple Princess! She plays accordion
and sings songs with The Yard Dogs Road Show, and has super-human powers.
Seriously. I licked her eyeball when we first met and it was salty. Naturally.
Renee Angelica (aka. Stella Lithe)
her maquillage was truly hypnotic.
I wish I had gotten better pictures of all the fantastic floats and things-
alas, they were moving to fast- and I was dancing! The crazy hungry mouth
above was a receptacle for hundreds of tiny golden goblets that were filled
with homebrewed apple cider. The cider spewed from a spigot on the side
of an enormous gilded apple! There was also a dinner table and chairs
set for a fancy meal of.. poop! Well, chocolate and dates and things that
looked like poop, anyhow. All served on fine silver with white lace tablecloths.
Two ghostly ladies with blackened teeth (Megan + Claire)
were joyfully handing out coprophage-friendly snacks!
It was beautiful and gross all at the same time. I love my friends.
Nina, Lester and Betsy frolicking- footloose and oh so fancy!
The Krewe of Eris was named for the Goddess of Chaos–
She who flung the golden apple. Harbinger of change,
androgynous troublemaker, the all wise mischievous girl-child,
perpetually defiant, protector of insurgents, patron of miscreants,
spinsters, seers, tipplers, dandies, tomboys, vagrants, vandals, and spies.
Pandora was a Devil’s Food Cupcake- is this making you hungry yet?
Pea + Alix, in a moment of hysterical laughter- which there was much of,
despite a few frustrating encounters with the police- Eris prevailed! Hail, Eris!
La Reine Masquée de Mai
by angeliska on May 1, 2009
A belated May day wish is better than none-
I wished so much today to be dancing around
a Maypole, garlanded in roses and festooned with flowers!
Perhaps tomorrow?
I wouldn’t mind swinging in the forest in frills and very high heels, neither.
Or to be crowned the Queen of May, just for a month (or even a day..)
ca. 1926 – Two models posed amid trees and flowers,
wearing masks by the Polish illustrator and painter, W.T. Benda:
Marion Morehouse, left, seated on the ground,
wearing a bouffant dress in white organdy and chiffon;
Helen Lyons, standing with parasol in hand,
wearing a long sleeve dress in printed chiffon by Kargere.
This is one of my favorite images- and I have long loved
the illustration and mask-making of Mr. Wladyslaw Theodor Benda.
Awhile ago I came across the shoot that Tim Walker
did for Vogue Italia entitled Fairy Time that was inspired
by Benda’s work, and the strange concept of having
incredibly beautiful models transformed into living
mannequins by these eerily perfect and utterly immobile masks.
I’ve always been captivated by the original images,
and I like what Walker’s done with the idea-
the evil queens and princesses turned to stone.
You can see the whole spread at Foto Decadent–
be sure to peer at the first two there, with the lopped heads
and apple trees! Obviously, they are my favorites.
I’m not sure where this one came from- but I adore it.
[UPDATE! – photo by Umbo (Otto Umbehr) Thank you, April!]
Look at them kissing! So tender, for wax and plaster.
I am always wishing to stumble upon one of these 1920’s
heads to hang my hats on. I always imagine the abandoned
department stores after the war full of them, glassy eyed
and smiling. So many just tossed in the garbage- I mourn
for them as if they lived! I seem to recall seeing a short film
a while back, about a family of those mannequins living
in a ruined building- it was made using stop-motion animation..
Is that ringing any bells? I’d love to see it again.
Witchness
by angeliska on April 22, 2009
Up late, feelin’ witchy.
It’s very black out-
I can hear tree frogs outside,
the waterfall running into the pond
and something that sounds like a tea kettle whistling.
I didn’t put any water on, though.
Little flittering things are wingy and biting me!
Avaunt, ye beasties! I’ll turn them into seahorses,
and ride away into the sunrise.
(A still from HAXAN- from Mlle. Rebecca’s title card stash)
(from Funambula)
This and the next I love so much- they are shot by Terry Richardson
for Paris Vogue. Found on Hammer of the Witches,
which is one of my new favorite. Always wonderfulness
to be found there, go have a look!
Love love love it! Maybe this is my new look-
eyewhites and rainbow face-paint pentagram.
Only if I can have a wee goatie to tote around!
Satanism as haute couture- certainement!
No idea where this came from,
but isn’t it just the best?
Anybody know, perchance?
(You’ve got to pick up every stitch!)
Happymaking
by angeliska on April 16, 2009
These are some things making me extremely happy right now:
I saw this taxidermied fetal miniature horse out at the antiques fair.
He was hiding behind a fan and some other junk because the lady who
had him didn’t want to sell him or for anyone to touch him- but she let me!
He was very soft! Her friend had brought him that morning, and he was
obviously her pride and joy. Tiny hooves! The size of a silver dollar, maybe.
HIs eyes are for big cats, turned sideways- very odd effect..
Um, so- yes.. We went to see Fanny Ara (an incredible flamenco dancer)
perform the other night, and we drank lots of wine and ended up in my
bathroom taking pictures. We are not throwing gang signs, we are making
flamenco hands! I have weird smudges (ink? wine?) on my face and even
though I am sitting on the commode, you must know that the lid is closed
and I am not micturating or anything. Sienna and Frannie! My ladies!
This is Haley Lou Haden and myself, yes of course- being glamourous
in el baño.. That is my favorite easter toy I am holding, it winds up and
does amazing things. Haley’s got a big paper flower I gave her.
She is one of my number one all-time favorite people. She lives mostly
in Kashmir these days, which really seems to suit her. She brought me
my favorite black kohl eyeliner from there and I’ve been wearing it everyday.
I was captivated by the cover of this magazine at the shop, and then
5 minutes later someone bought it. Always works like that! So I took a picture
of the cover, because it was just too good. Look at those expressions!
The cat seems so unfazed! I want to know more about PIG ALLEY-
paradise with a capital S – E – X! Or do I? Hmmm.. Real War, eh?
I love these bright red deer. We used to have a gnome like that when I was wee,
only he wasn’t painted. Fan coral. Also seen at the antique fair. I’ll take it all, please.
We stopped for barbeque in Elgin and saw these bighorn sheep in the back
field behind the parking lot. The pup is a herding dog, and his instincts took
over and he was talking to them in anxious whines and it was insanely cute.
I wish he could have his very own herd to nip and and guide and guard.
Also:
Venus Retrograde is over tomorrow- whew!
So relieved. I’ve really not been enjoying the effects
of this disgruntling transit. Gala Darling did a great post
on the subject and how to come out of it swimmingly.
Highly recommended reading!
(from Valerie and Her Week of Wonders- I want that verandah,
and that pie, and those dolls, and that outfit and her hair- okay? Thanks.)
I’ve been reading, reading, reading.
It’s all I want to do lately.. I’ll post my list of
favorites soon, but in the meantime-
go read Mlle. Verhext’s post about magic
books to read whilst curled in the crooks of trees!
I just found this photo Miss Katinka Pinka took at the Easter Egg Hunt-
I am making a pin the tail on the bunny game. I love how the hot-pink
paper is reflecting on our faces! This picture pretty much melted my heart
into a puddle of marshmallow goo. Sweetness overload!
Bunnytown
by angeliska on April 13, 2009
The Great Easter Egg Hunt of 2009 was a definite success-
children frolicked, bonnets were flaunted, and delectables devoured!
The rain came early in the morning, leaving us a perfect golden afternoon.
This is my little neighbour, Miss Adelle Rose-
is she not the prettiest child you have ever seen?
My family and friends brought their wee ones,
lots of babies and tinies hopped up on sugar,
hunting for eggs and smashing cascarones!
Our house and garden are thoroughly sprinkled
with colorful confetti and eggshells..
Miss Nicole showed up in the best outfit ever-
extremely pregnant in ballerina tutu, stripeys, and pink cowgirl boots!
She is totally gorgeous and radiant and due in one week!
Alix and I in our Easter Sunday best!
I recycled my candy covered epaulette from the Eris parade
(yes, pictures really are coming soon- promise!)
and it became a dandy chapeau- the children were tantalized
by the bon-bons and wanted to attack me and eat all the candy!
Mlle. Katinka Pinka and Mister P. laughing in a sunbeam..
This is Pearl’s doll, Priscilla- she is 89 years old and only eats cottonballs.
Jason F. Austin and Mlle. Alisan, sporting fabulous ears!
Hers are made of her own hair and apple-blossoms.. Incroyable!
The picnic spread was lovely- lots of rice dishes! Chinese tea-eggs
were a favorite, and rainbow sherbet punch! Excellent with gin, natch.
Can you believe this iris? It smells like Vanilla Orchid Cream sno-balls
from SnoWizard on Magazine street in New Orleans. For real.
Driving out into the country we last week we found this field of bluebonnets
and bunnies. Of course we had to stop and take pictures! They are on flickr,
as are more easter photos! Very happymaking.
Parades II.
by angeliska on April 7, 2009
Ahem! I will now turn back the calendar pages to February
and continue revisiting my marvelous Mardi Gras visit..
Bear with me, faithful readers- it make take several installments,
but I promise it will be worth the wait in juiciness and flavor..
These tales take time to ripen, and also- well, the present
always has a way of intervening in the most interesting ways..
We visited Pandora and Nina’s classroom and studio space
where they teach a Parade Arts and Puppetry class to local youths.
Colton Middle School was one of the many public schools that never
re-opened after Katrina. Grants were acquired, and the abandoned space
has been transformed into studio spaces for artists-in-residence
who teach classes and workshops to the community.
Check out the Colton Studios site for more information about this project.
Their class constructed an amazing float for the parade-
It’s the Bush Family (George Dubya, Laura and the twins)
depicted in papier mache as fish-monkeys being hauled
out to sea to drown by a mighty bull ridden by President Obama
(who is wearing a fabulous tracksuit and sporting a Jheri-curl afro!)
I got a sneak peek at the float the night before the parade-
so this is the bull before Obama has been set astride.
Such power and ferocity in a paper form- and so much inventiveness
and passion from these middle-school kids, it was so great to see!
I found this wonderful Shedu (or Lamassu) whilst getting very lost
in the echoing labyrinth of Colton. The Shedu is a celestial being
from Mesopotamian mythology. He is a human above the waist
and a bull below the waist. He also has the horns and the ears of a bull.
The bull man helps people fight evil and chaos.
He holds the gates of dawn open for the sun god Shamash.
I then encountered this wise owl, and his jovial companion the moon.
Can you believe this enormous paper Hurricane?
It was so beautiful and terrifying to behold. So delicate,
that perfect form representing so much sadness, so much destruction.
Colton Parade Arts Class presents: OBAMA TIME!
Oh yeah, I forgot that Obama was holding a boom-box on his shoulder!
That’s Miss Mo Lappin of HOWLPOP laughing her famous laugh-
she’s one of my favorite people, and a fabulous fashion designer.
Pandora and the kids all worked so hard for weeks to make this happen-
it was truly thrilling to see it all come together. I loved seeing everyone
from the neighborhood coming out of their houses and joining in the parade..
Drew and Randall (aka. Londo Sandooglebomb and Chili Franjelico)
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman)
The parade was accompanied by the Ninth Ward Marching Band
who rocked my world by playing the best line-up of songs ever:
Hey There Lil Red Riding Hood by Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs
Here Come The Girls – Ernie K. Doe
The Boys Are Back In Town – Thin Lizzy
and of course the theme to Halloween by John Carpenter,
which gives me the most delightful chills every time!
It’s pretty incredible to have some of your most favorite songs
of all time translated into brass and crashing cymbals and glockenspiel!
The dance team was off the hook- and check out Miss Nina Nichols in her big white hat!
The parade ended up at Mimi’s in the Marigny, with all the cheerleaders and gun girls
lined up dancing on the bar, and the whole parade crowded in, the band going crazy.
I had a giant smile on my face and tears streaming down my cheeks, at that moment-
in my old neighborhood bar, with all my long-lost friends- feeling like I’d come home.
I never knew Thin Lizzy could evoke such poignant and joyous emotions in me,
but that song is forever transformed. These videos don’t do any of it justice-
I really wish you could have been there with me. One day you’ve got to see it for yourself!
Okay, one last bit of cuteness- the adorably dorky baton squad warming up
on the neutral ground- I like the crazy color and the sound is pretty good.
Listen- I know everyone’s feeling the pinch right now,
but if anyone has a minute and a little dosh to spare- please go check
out the New Orleans Airlift Project! My dear friends are going to
Berlin this summer to perform and share what NOLA is all about-
it’s going to be really amazing, but not everybody has been able
to get the funding and travel grants to get there. Check out the
short film featuring artists’ works, music, interviews and documentary
footage for a glimpse of New Orleans Now, and if you can- please
donate and spread the word far and wide!
The New Orleans Airlift is coming to Berlin this June 2009
to present a showcase of New Orleans style entertainment.
Catch them performing at the Berlin Lacht Mariannenplatz Festival
from June 12th- 14th and Fusion Festival from June 25th – 28th.
So far, the roster includes
The Black Forest Fancies
The Buckleshiners
Cloris Flap
Bagatelle Theatre Company
The Scotty and Billy Dance Company
MC Sub-Zero Permafrost
My Graveyard Jaw
The Magnetic Ear
Meschiya Lake
Rusty Lazer
Tausend danke, y’all!
Easter Egg Hunt!
by angeliska on April 7, 2009
These amazing photos by ♥♥ Sugar Lemon ♥♥
Her collection makes me swoon!
We’re having our annual Easter Egg Hunt!
Sunday, April 12th – 2pm until sundown
It’s a Potluck Picnic, Cook-out, Pickin’ Party (as in old tyme tunes!)
Wear your fanciest easter bonnets and frilly dresses
and petticoats, bloomers, picnic pants etc.!
Bunnies and chickies and lambies and candy!
It’s like Halloween, only pastel!
There will be Croquet!
There will be Tea!
There will be blood (of the lamb!)
It’s a cocktail with pomegranate juice, don’t be afeared!
Photo by Llulu
Please bring any or all of the following:
Easter basket for collecting eggies
Some eggies to hide or share
Lilies
Cascarones
A dish or drink to share
Children of all ages
Lambs (or a cake in the shape of a lamb)
Miniature donkeys
Chickens
Rabbits (or just rabbit ears)
Carrots, veggies or meats for roasting on the grill
Musical instruments
Booze
Photo by Mister Vintage Halloween Collector
Please get in touch with me
if you need directions!
This illustration from Dame Darcy’s Meatcake comic
depicts actual events- (that’s me in the bunny ears + bikini)
expect similar mayhem to ensue come Easter Sunday!
Here are a couple of pictures from last year:
Flip and Wolfie typing a story on my magical typewriter-
covered in cascarone confetti! Cuteness explosion.
Baron Zubi the lambie pope! His mitre is, um- so amazing!
