tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44038903729142245502024-03-14T00:49:46.495-07:00Offbeat AestheteFine, funky, and Fabulous FindsDarlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-16675231911745624612007-04-04T19:17:00.000-07:002007-04-11T10:45:57.960-07:00My Friend FlickrI don't spend nearly enough time on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a>. Whenever I do, I'm truly amazed at the vast amount of really quality work there. Here are a few of my current favorites. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgeBuynZKTlCWuMefnUd8aUm-S4TMCnOZ9yK6Tzcer-wAmCqaSekmYGkE7DnJZeIwmZR_rLUicGvyM22DtoRUQzDbWGW289msATPZBVDBmdVU5fY70zbDUh_hjhLEaZBMkK0SF2fII0A/s1600-h/horse+by+createsimona.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049763648433260002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgeBuynZKTlCWuMefnUd8aUm-S4TMCnOZ9yK6Tzcer-wAmCqaSekmYGkE7DnJZeIwmZR_rLUicGvyM22DtoRUQzDbWGW289msATPZBVDBmdVU5fY70zbDUh_hjhLEaZBMkK0SF2fII0A/s320/horse+by+createsimona.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Horse by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63085988@N00/">Createsimona<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049764305563256306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfAaw85DwoaBzJfLj5tr4rNkgbjcqkbsAlPx2GdagHvCqEbDFOn1AJodo9B8QqL6d06UmElRMtn5wU_pmtzMKHNa5XYwxQbOwHrEw4nMzdN8Lr82X0rzcwHB-g7_xAIYpAIKGiNHyYsQ/s320/nunhead+cemetery+by+greatwich.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Nunhead Cemetery by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/greatwich/">Greatwich</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72PQ07XbHMHAGaorKhkrXFHU1JbiN4NynmWPCO6JvPV5w-IsSn3OZNFvtiXtudY0i6_8050LFbUxwOuVApRS8U3Dhn_w_Q3r4kdbefHOSbydNEhqYUUvnYJba0hIbJUnP_n_vCNq_DC0/s1600-h/Rangoli+for+festival+by+kamala+L.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049764743649920514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72PQ07XbHMHAGaorKhkrXFHU1JbiN4NynmWPCO6JvPV5w-IsSn3OZNFvtiXtudY0i6_8050LFbUxwOuVApRS8U3Dhn_w_Q3r4kdbefHOSbydNEhqYUUvnYJba0hIbJUnP_n_vCNq_DC0/s320/Rangoli+for+festival+by+kamala+L.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Rangoli for Festival by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lkamala/">Kamala L</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVJVWFWlAjrQNMw60wX6DkT2ICNJ3W7HzK4hqCIS6M8lKJ16KgZVv47zyeXHT6MDE5-jyi0Mnx_CkZINshXjYdldshH4Z_DCH3O__ZZQxxH57nHW4ipK6YalRJmFAAXda_I5QCKDJiJw/s1600-h/dogs+at+play+by+andrew+morrell.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049765113017107986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVJVWFWlAjrQNMw60wX6DkT2ICNJ3W7HzK4hqCIS6M8lKJ16KgZVv47zyeXHT6MDE5-jyi0Mnx_CkZINshXjYdldshH4Z_DCH3O__ZZQxxH57nHW4ipK6YalRJmFAAXda_I5QCKDJiJw/s320/dogs+at+play+by+andrew+morrell.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Dogs at Play by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewmorrell/">Andrew Morrell</a>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-53723664778162062992007-03-25T13:10:00.000-07:002007-03-25T13:42:36.341-07:00Color My World<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINeCCu23rY9bjxogP9FeZ5H46kwjO5N0xy0UFjDkcQzKtbhryFtnPdD8Bh8R_-FMm-1_HtoGHC4zBgsznK2xYXR6vPELUw4PuIB1sqz2Jw6fZrzuFHEKlZZIaK2VfCO8QvUa6b2QqXEo/s1600-h/teal+yarn1.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045963995459536978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 176px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px" height="303" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINeCCu23rY9bjxogP9FeZ5H46kwjO5N0xy0UFjDkcQzKtbhryFtnPdD8Bh8R_-FMm-1_HtoGHC4zBgsznK2xYXR6vPELUw4PuIB1sqz2Jw6fZrzuFHEKlZZIaK2VfCO8QvUa6b2QqXEo/s320/teal+yarn1.bmp" width="206" border="0" /></a> <div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2dP2LLQPLjZHjAjef-md11tly__PDUNVbYVT7b-RmLGq3Sz4-EN3dYSAEgPEI-CHrIFp-nRs4dRivMzd__pOKk4dkx8wLJKjNI5kY4jLnH_I-wpnlq6d4Tt75K9GMlNOBRk6vCP-Dgs/s1600-h/Czech+glass+beads+-+teal+-+xcraftymamax+etsy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045960993277397026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px" height="218" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2dP2LLQPLjZHjAjef-md11tly__PDUNVbYVT7b-RmLGq3Sz4-EN3dYSAEgPEI-CHrIFp-nRs4dRivMzd__pOKk4dkx8wLJKjNI5kY4jLnH_I-wpnlq6d4Tt75K9GMlNOBRk6vCP-Dgs/s320/Czech+glass+beads+-+teal+-+xcraftymamax+etsy.jpg" width="210" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7A_1S96VqoTjt4SfeUfbrSJ5JTwQjCR8pQbj7IwPgAaPgZXZXEAMQ4TVRF8OsCpZMaGSToOO65DBHBvRdsH2WsW3RkjiUbIGXQUBL6n84iyn4u345aFOHju8ADpF2-jb1Swdqg_j4OI/s1600-h/teal+buttons+-+schoollocker+etsy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045961422774126658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px" height="311" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7A_1S96VqoTjt4SfeUfbrSJ5JTwQjCR8pQbj7IwPgAaPgZXZXEAMQ4TVRF8OsCpZMaGSToOO65DBHBvRdsH2WsW3RkjiUbIGXQUBL6n84iyn4u345aFOHju8ADpF2-jb1Swdqg_j4OI/s320/teal+buttons+-+schoollocker+etsy.jpg" width="187" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsH-ovPKCihwpsBwk2uEmSntiZRs4JhtFGv45pIJ2i5vhEg2T-3c1gj0GovdCxg7L3GASfFAVpn0-BYXnwGDnJVt8hEWWXOfrcpCxJ7yJY1hbIpQHhGEGIYfcozGtILJKGBsYpQP_J_AY/s1600-h/stonecrop+succulent+-+sedum+ewersii.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045961186550925362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsH-ovPKCihwpsBwk2uEmSntiZRs4JhtFGv45pIJ2i5vhEg2T-3c1gj0GovdCxg7L3GASfFAVpn0-BYXnwGDnJVt8hEWWXOfrcpCxJ7yJY1hbIpQHhGEGIYfcozGtILJKGBsYpQP_J_AY/s320/stonecrop+succulent+-+sedum+ewersii.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-8209609718212047222007-03-16T20:14:00.000-07:002007-03-18T01:47:33.942-07:00Heavens to Etsy!I think Etsy is heaven on Earth. To me, it is a wonderfully complex and magical maze...with delightful surprises around every corner. My left brain wishes there was a logical place to start and that I could get through the whole site systematically, but my right brain is happy to just wander aimlessly and see where my whims take me.<br /><br /><br />Tonight, they've taken me to what may be the most stunning and evocative jewelry I've ever seen. It was impossible to narrow down which images to show here, as each one was more gorgeous than the last. I just can't say enough about it. I am enchanted by <strong><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5003513">1ofmykind</a></strong> and can't wait to buy my first piece!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvCWMW2pc5apqx1fqiiLcRVbZ_Spt4vkcgYkxWOJ2S_Pm3zxQajtfPqM73xaQLsZSot4hlCcmL3jJSKdliSRLrGzPdjhXOQ-aaA7Xasyyca2fz7sKp_Z8tZTbxiPvo0kmY82C1tPn17A/s1600-h/Aquatic+Reversible+necklace+by+1ofmykind+etsy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042729908230476290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="276" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvCWMW2pc5apqx1fqiiLcRVbZ_Spt4vkcgYkxWOJ2S_Pm3zxQajtfPqM73xaQLsZSot4hlCcmL3jJSKdliSRLrGzPdjhXOQ-aaA7Xasyyca2fz7sKp_Z8tZTbxiPvo0kmY82C1tPn17A/s320/Aquatic+Reversible+necklace+by+1ofmykind+etsy.jpg" width="304" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUO9_Cx0NFgv6ayZ3UQWu7nH5yRnpmnAwa2JCUZ2k1QxRfPDgtFkYBqe6r67SxzEsAcZxEK6itUpzYg0oJHJAY3iIZKUmPTbhW7QAHElotmGcHms7k6wmgcdPk_IcAwAT25AyNHQrY_tE/s1600-h/viridis+asymetrical+cuff+1omk+etsy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042731170950861394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="273" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUO9_Cx0NFgv6ayZ3UQWu7nH5yRnpmnAwa2JCUZ2k1QxRfPDgtFkYBqe6r67SxzEsAcZxEK6itUpzYg0oJHJAY3iIZKUmPTbhW7QAHElotmGcHms7k6wmgcdPk_IcAwAT25AyNHQrY_tE/s320/viridis+asymetrical+cuff+1omk+etsy.jpg" width="320" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIiWxe67NOwy_ccKZNExf4utFzeOGCadBA4UksuDaDLVq3a6KOoK65xSbmLhfW7yt4nFeuuUJsCdpZbvHe6sZGk6ikCeFbriW03aJ89aX04dSfAUOyWWO4bDSRxBr6t_CTMMSonV-50U/s1600-h/cocktail+couture+lemon+zircon+earrings+by+1ofmykind+etsy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042730105798971922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIiWxe67NOwy_ccKZNExf4utFzeOGCadBA4UksuDaDLVq3a6KOoK65xSbmLhfW7yt4nFeuuUJsCdpZbvHe6sZGk6ikCeFbriW03aJ89aX04dSfAUOyWWO4bDSRxBr6t_CTMMSonV-50U/s320/cocktail+couture+lemon+zircon+earrings+by+1ofmykind+etsy.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bB_4NqewSejPNW0bYo8gq1yj2ExbgzKDIGb_WX9Nk3XKvzAzNLh_Yw9HmwQtANKie_XBTBwiUCqhUXShtdWGOXcKLGPLGGiNM438_KamjmVhJyYa4Cx09VmxL6OWId3NXMHRS5VdFJw/s1600-h/Holy+Wrapture+earrings+by+1ofmykind+etsy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042730333432238626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="280" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bB_4NqewSejPNW0bYo8gq1yj2ExbgzKDIGb_WX9Nk3XKvzAzNLh_Yw9HmwQtANKie_XBTBwiUCqhUXShtdWGOXcKLGPLGGiNM438_KamjmVhJyYa4Cx09VmxL6OWId3NXMHRS5VdFJw/s320/Holy+Wrapture+earrings+by+1ofmykind+etsy.jpg" width="305" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHguaw_UpHB8W22wyl59r3drzHJL-gFlWMaYFtoExsP1OwylgBVUmRiex_0QD-iFWzO_wTBLLs7ctuPHVCvPGo6sdWG3dTpsWTeDZrUKmgBz-idtsZKtM_y_J8QzFcejR_pn3rJ4uNxw/s1600-h/lipstick+red+nouveau+necklace+1omk+etsy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042730853123281474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="275" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHguaw_UpHB8W22wyl59r3drzHJL-gFlWMaYFtoExsP1OwylgBVUmRiex_0QD-iFWzO_wTBLLs7ctuPHVCvPGo6sdWG3dTpsWTeDZrUKmgBz-idtsZKtM_y_J8QzFcejR_pn3rJ4uNxw/s320/lipstick+red+nouveau+necklace+1omk+etsy.jpg" width="305" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNH4gh4lw1tXTJWVupgBN09OMbmzUQKkg2SodR4BjHoCidTQVZoKRKFl_b5VUWEt3se0DeL87pVtkVslFCqbb3gbe-jJmwDnZ_8QQgzOWXH-TYJ0dXtjmDyHfc55L5fFvxWXtstzs2t1c/s1600-h/fire+opal+web+necklace+1omk+etsy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042730621195047474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="280" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNH4gh4lw1tXTJWVupgBN09OMbmzUQKkg2SodR4BjHoCidTQVZoKRKFl_b5VUWEt3se0DeL87pVtkVslFCqbb3gbe-jJmwDnZ_8QQgzOWXH-TYJ0dXtjmDyHfc55L5fFvxWXtstzs2t1c/s320/fire+opal+web+necklace+1omk+etsy.jpg" width="320" border="0" /></a>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-61121003411403331592007-03-15T17:28:00.000-07:002007-03-15T19:21:59.688-07:00The Thrill of the HuntI am an avid bargain hunter. As a lower-middle class kid, I was forced to do most of my back-to-school clothes shopping at thrift stores, which I loathed. Soon, I developed an eye for funky, vintage pieces and created my own, unique "look." Eventually, I learned to enjoy shopping at thrift stores and came to love the hunt for fabulous finds at bargain prices.<br /><br />Today, I still love the hunt. I have more money than my family did then, but I'm certainly not rich. With a professor husband and me in publishing (not too terribly well-paid careers), I'm always on the lookout for a good deal. And now that we're beginning to spend thousands of dollars on trying to start a family, my hunting skills are in even higher demand.<br /><br />So, on the chance that there may be some other bargain hunters out there, I've decided to start what will hopefully become a semi-regular post topic: The Thrill of the Hunt. With these posts, I'll share my latest killer bargain finds.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwv47qY3Uw8AykV-ZPTVs7pZtPFRjBb_-yJmkRf4voGz41rpuFw9y6dSXdL2JHBOgFKVKmocsLmPNKbnXxP_dX9_mgOQobyhWJPGKHCXH-8bODM0XABF4xM5JUfWjQnvfZ7ZnybdYrMU/s1600-h/Moroccan+Plant+Stand+-+Collections+Etc.+%2414.99.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042340290272219618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwv47qY3Uw8AykV-ZPTVs7pZtPFRjBb_-yJmkRf4voGz41rpuFw9y6dSXdL2JHBOgFKVKmocsLmPNKbnXxP_dX9_mgOQobyhWJPGKHCXH-8bODM0XABF4xM5JUfWjQnvfZ7ZnybdYrMU/s320/Moroccan+Plant+Stand+-+Collections+Etc.+%2414.99.jpg" border="0" /></a>This week I found this cute little <a href="http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item52287.aspx">Moroccan Plant Stand from Collections Etc.</a> It reminds me of the <a href="http://www.garnethill.com/jump.jsp?itemID=10296&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=moroccan">Moroccan Tables at Garnet Hill</a>. The Garnet Hill tables cost $128, which isn't too bad, and they're probably made with higher quality materials. But if you're on a tight budget, the Collections Etc. table might be more your speed since it will only put you out by $14.99! Ah, I love a good bargain.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6Plx9v_SZUaMMjsDrGSQo7AHCtcWdfhcwjFSQ2TqKKgiPxF7vXpvdKm71sZSUVvnjWMTSG1-oYvVLC69j43YDQkPmS-cuz8wMS8adMnImyMo8TQtxoF0xjzWCXlpbeh8jk0yVrCVlZA/s1600-h/Moroccan+Table+-+Garnet+Hill+%24128.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042340462070911474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6Plx9v_SZUaMMjsDrGSQo7AHCtcWdfhcwjFSQ2TqKKgiPxF7vXpvdKm71sZSUVvnjWMTSG1-oYvVLC69j43YDQkPmS-cuz8wMS8adMnImyMo8TQtxoF0xjzWCXlpbeh8jk0yVrCVlZA/s320/Moroccan+Table+-+Garnet+Hill+%24128.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Hunting!Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-69084592395949750652007-02-22T18:53:00.000-08:002007-02-22T20:16:11.156-08:00YellowThe ever-fabulous <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EgnXRWh2HaQcK9D4vPLNlyUXs61E91CfA2VMRJPF308G6_JvasjWyG-sfalOWKwqL3a647xq0H9HW9PFYU_2jf9VXHJOodB8BpZVBr7pFGCvpzNVbOmHKYYDwrzkOvz4Cu7QUvxOsC8/s1600-h/morrocan_72dpi_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034563664614953730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EgnXRWh2HaQcK9D4vPLNlyUXs61E91CfA2VMRJPF308G6_JvasjWyG-sfalOWKwqL3a647xq0H9HW9PFYU_2jf9VXHJOodB8BpZVBr7pFGCvpzNVbOmHKYYDwrzkOvz4Cu7QUvxOsC8/s320/morrocan_72dpi_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Maryam at <a href="http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/my_marrakesh/"><strong>My Marrakesh</strong> </a>recently posted this wonderful Moroccan inspired rug by <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/bevhisey/index.html"><strong>Bev Hisey.</strong></a> Such a great find, Maryam! If I had my druthers, I'd get this rug and pair it with either one of these lamps from <a href="http://www.insideavenue.com/index.html"><strong>Inside Avenue</strong></a><strong>: </strong>the aptly named <a href="http://www.insideavenue.com/horela.html">Hollywood Regency Lamp</a> (which is also available in black with black shade or in white with white shade) or the <a href="http://www.insideavenue.com/vetala5.html#">Versaille Lamp</a> in black and white.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeUy-n_1QvQkbIp5jp8ixnCSkZuTxGdM_SOIlcGMrBVzYgWU8SxxpPeNbFQTJkbKb2uu9b1T3D7EDME1mTDcTA1NRmVTruoSvccoTFpZPBIkVxaaTU07Xm_uAWG4ZslRXOyMCmbJPwM0/s1600-h/hollywood+regency+lamp.jpg"><strong></strong></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPi-rtpP2nMKr24JelVV1-AikS0vCCCSIIoju5GXpl1FBpOUNWdtSGpCUDtQqhHLyMlXhDSfYBXcExu_VWpwsD5avMMn2l790zAmOBSVqQb_yZQUOptjo5P2dFOOAZ5P457cZavsCX8I/s1600-h/versaille+lamp+bw+-+inside+avenue.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcohncFG9OfPadwyzKtADNnSalw7htDy8VT1BNv-tuT8UixvSp3XzZ4HTYglsknMV5aWoZugJ3Hp6Aoon-6gTcXufFkWYfvFtcpd6VZBDF3J34vIkdti9FBzGpQON9Ylk_lh_Uxx82aY/s1600-h/hollywood+regency+lamp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034577107862590290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcohncFG9OfPadwyzKtADNnSalw7htDy8VT1BNv-tuT8UixvSp3XzZ4HTYglsknMV5aWoZugJ3Hp6Aoon-6gTcXufFkWYfvFtcpd6VZBDF3J34vIkdti9FBzGpQON9Ylk_lh_Uxx82aY/s320/hollywood+regency+lamp.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywlpRPji_UtzpDnslhmwAItFEF7ATjvzL7leeldT3MbspsOomscbbp1IykqOWLLBvKl2OyOO-Rf8kw0-KtvWVh6FfM4vbsg0UoTcc9pSCMfH3U8xo417MoZu0JouMrvENKk7RgAei1x8/s1600-h/versaille+lamp+bw+-+inside+avenue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034577219531740002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywlpRPji_UtzpDnslhmwAItFEF7ATjvzL7leeldT3MbspsOomscbbp1IykqOWLLBvKl2OyOO-Rf8kw0-KtvWVh6FfM4vbsg0UoTcc9pSCMfH3U8xo417MoZu0JouMrvENKk7RgAei1x8/s320/versaille+lamp+bw+-+inside+avenue.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>And speaking of great lamps, Inside Avenue has a ton of 'em! A few of my favorites: the <a href="http://www.insideavenue.com/fltala3.html#">Florentine</a>, the <a href="http://http://www.insideavenue.com/matala10.html#">Mayfair</a>, and the <a href="http://http://www.insideavenue.com/zatala.html#">Zanzibar</a>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9h9CB7kjwQoaqviqis4rpHwjEcbCyzmHbKLELb9YHyHkHg9pnPdp7OjO6p6BGwWeEDhjleRtNuTwm9KED96EVibPhtizwJECeUmMgoDYwIpcQjRnLKgI3V9JYSukH42yS6FGBHRgKGM/s1600-h/florentine+lamp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034572340448891682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9h9CB7kjwQoaqviqis4rpHwjEcbCyzmHbKLELb9YHyHkHg9pnPdp7OjO6p6BGwWeEDhjleRtNuTwm9KED96EVibPhtizwJECeUmMgoDYwIpcQjRnLKgI3V9JYSukH42yS6FGBHRgKGM/s320/florentine+lamp.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXfuEFOrv_LveM5gjEHpFGqADQ4DdG4m9iW71V86NJXupe_blbSfOJy0CestO7cjQk0FgqMzRApCJz0Ml6qnUSblBpJQMRP4FeeubMiwx0z4Ihz5SwMsOzTIEj0hl-1NnZcNXXJDAsf0/s1600-h/mayfair+lamp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034572516542550834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXfuEFOrv_LveM5gjEHpFGqADQ4DdG4m9iW71V86NJXupe_blbSfOJy0CestO7cjQk0FgqMzRApCJz0Ml6qnUSblBpJQMRP4FeeubMiwx0z4Ihz5SwMsOzTIEj0hl-1NnZcNXXJDAsf0/s320/mayfair+lamp.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9rUUPGjlVViKMpCR5BWl_a48JBCHlDRQcAV3NIutL-IAJuKc_HXT2vWzebZnFr3fFXiBO3E_ArFmattRA_6h089ccdnYpAL_XowcQK0HGqI11g7S_pWRUaboo7lrO2hoy38ObFyhqjk/s1600-h/zanzibar+lamp+bw+-+inside+avenue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034572787125490498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9rUUPGjlVViKMpCR5BWl_a48JBCHlDRQcAV3NIutL-IAJuKc_HXT2vWzebZnFr3fFXiBO3E_ArFmattRA_6h089ccdnYpAL_XowcQK0HGqI11g7S_pWRUaboo7lrO2hoy38ObFyhqjk/s320/zanzibar+lamp+bw+-+inside+avenue.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-13639137206236733732007-02-19T11:42:00.000-08:002007-02-22T20:21:06.192-08:00Alhambra Lantern<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dYh5d5nHkgsBQG6gNn5jcH9gCZDtLThuDIjyZl_63_yGa4ykT8R4Y64nr645VH5VEucjLSnnKfCcWoLT9ST3xm4XaB39_WKpDe_V2hAbiHT1rS1QwV_NGcOrwEh6ZiKwAsT7Xvd2jkw/s1600-h/alhambra+lantern+by+Currey+%26+Co.+-+Inside+Avenue.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033336055587574498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 117px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" height="250" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dYh5d5nHkgsBQG6gNn5jcH9gCZDtLThuDIjyZl_63_yGa4ykT8R4Y64nr645VH5VEucjLSnnKfCcWoLT9ST3xm4XaB39_WKpDe_V2hAbiHT1rS1QwV_NGcOrwEh6ZiKwAsT7Xvd2jkw/s320/alhambra+lantern+by+Currey+%26+Co.+-+Inside+Avenue.gif" width="120" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><div><div>I found this Moroccan inspired <strong><a href="http://www.insideavenue.com/103-0406.html">Alhambra Lantern</a></strong> by Currey & Company at <a href="http://www.insideavenue.com/index.html">Inside Avenue</a>. I absolutely love it! (More beautiful things from Inside Avenue to be posted sometime soon.)</div><br /><div></div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-31811385738698558692007-02-17T20:39:00.000-08:002007-02-19T11:59:02.526-08:00New Painting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_zpz1pCbPCqQyu-Ny_HuWfxerKOQBw_oEqiAzT2YKC7WQk8DovuIrhXijBdvQxdtp8ssE5zD3GxG7InenaVsNZgF2FBlpAIblv6BGhT2tj3pysWvtjsSBiFAKH1cybfngZdWDPMeUgE/s1600-h/Promise.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032732647042224802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_zpz1pCbPCqQyu-Ny_HuWfxerKOQBw_oEqiAzT2YKC7WQk8DovuIrhXijBdvQxdtp8ssE5zD3GxG7InenaVsNZgF2FBlpAIblv6BGhT2tj3pysWvtjsSBiFAKH1cybfngZdWDPMeUgE/s320/Promise.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I've just finished my latest painting, entitled <em>Promise. </em>This one's for my dear friend Shawna (whose feminist musings can be read <strong><a href="http://www.girlistic.com/blog/blogs/">HERE</a></strong>). </div>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-8654745262785246492007-02-17T19:47:00.000-08:002007-02-19T12:01:46.555-08:00Ring in the Spring<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXRMrKez7M1siLfcMGlX80DxJRF8fcsGr7KZNnZZdPkoR36jb1VlpoGF2BLmaNiTZ8-9AZkq-XDlEAcusmAARZpfdVgrs8Y3ySIO1f6DOD406JoLmKaI0Yc2IyypwVIj-PaPqk3B-RI8/s1600-h/melamine+dinnerware.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032726496649056898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXRMrKez7M1siLfcMGlX80DxJRF8fcsGr7KZNnZZdPkoR36jb1VlpoGF2BLmaNiTZ8-9AZkq-XDlEAcusmAARZpfdVgrs8Y3ySIO1f6DOD406JoLmKaI0Yc2IyypwVIj-PaPqk3B-RI8/s320/melamine+dinnerware.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Okay, so I know it's not officially spring yet, but today in California, we had a gorgeous, spring-like day, so I am itching to get my spring on! It's time to start planning for those outdoor dinner parties and backyard barbecues. In addition to the <a href="http://offbeataesthete.blogspot.com/2007/02/mad-about-madmats.html">Mad Mats that I posted previously</a>, I'm eyeing these really cool <strong><a href="http://www.homeinfatuation.com/cat.cfm/cid/44">Moroccan-inspired melamine dishes</a> </strong>from Home Infatuation. Love these colors and patterns, and I think they'd look great with a Mad Mat.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekRApAtLeq5GeMdLehorqveTJ-6t6IeVz6J7_ucR3B7viBiU3xRhAK8Z8bukRjsC7FN2vbVwjQQcQGgY-Y5sTQdI9n3NDF7drNHQN1JlA7NZsr7NeC5MkSR-RIDDr63OvezhBzz0R7SY/s1600-h/blue+and+white+moroccan+plate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032721166594642450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px" height="199" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekRApAtLeq5GeMdLehorqveTJ-6t6IeVz6J7_ucR3B7viBiU3xRhAK8Z8bukRjsC7FN2vbVwjQQcQGgY-Y5sTQdI9n3NDF7drNHQN1JlA7NZsr7NeC5MkSR-RIDDr63OvezhBzz0R7SY/s320/blue+and+white+moroccan+plate.jpg" width="206" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbh1O6I2JFYKDOo4lk7mbW8pjpL9wxy27qy36vmJ_XfewnU6UDCJyM9AB2SNS2THHwMr6fcn_GNUpSo_4oUglQfRUD3dIw01mRk1gcMyykaJwaJF3KL36ePskDdSluXih-nZnsw_fTvg/s1600-h/sage+moroccan+plate.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyTmR9B17HwWJAoFWeVKLbGOiQvaXNgtxaqBwnaNxmeYcszQtXq-2_h87qhQoz-xJE_SKkRPHDR2qfYSt29bFHMqFTQ3aHNdqykAxhL82eM-9wuR-9D6vw47FfKY98W9zZshHUpZtLEM/s1600-h/orange+moroccan+plate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032721398522876450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 187px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px" height="223" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyTmR9B17HwWJAoFWeVKLbGOiQvaXNgtxaqBwnaNxmeYcszQtXq-2_h87qhQoz-xJE_SKkRPHDR2qfYSt29bFHMqFTQ3aHNdqykAxhL82eM-9wuR-9D6vw47FfKY98W9zZshHUpZtLEM/s320/orange+moroccan+plate.jpg" width="226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>I want them all!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmJu3bhXIm7O0B-ENhLreaNyAy_Xr8mC7GPG7cxvQSEsPeAqKBTtFUH3d9bJlmOG0TefWEVPyoGrsWCqIx3pCJVk67TTimdT4Ed8EVjNHj1UWBvFaZ0APoI1Cup7KsPK3bbPaJ6es5ro/s1600-h/sage+moroccan+plate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032723571776328258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 176px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 181px" height="228" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmJu3bhXIm7O0B-ENhLreaNyAy_Xr8mC7GPG7cxvQSEsPeAqKBTtFUH3d9bJlmOG0TefWEVPyoGrsWCqIx3pCJVk67TTimdT4Ed8EVjNHj1UWBvFaZ0APoI1Cup7KsPK3bbPaJ6es5ro/s320/sage+moroccan+plate.jpg" width="222" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VmpEnz8C9Uv9trtoBexKe8veZzhsvxA5NiuM5G37nWbECXFE8xII7YvOfusKoluQhhldY-TO-E753OWctrtKdiXEgfJWqLvma8xA8fm1Cr2ZVbvnKbxZl_7u10ikgVcj4Y1Vt8gvOYo/s1600-h/lime+moroccan+plate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032723893898875474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 187px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 182px" height="209" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VmpEnz8C9Uv9trtoBexKe8veZzhsvxA5NiuM5G37nWbECXFE8xII7YvOfusKoluQhhldY-TO-E753OWctrtKdiXEgfJWqLvma8xA8fm1Cr2ZVbvnKbxZl_7u10ikgVcj4Y1Vt8gvOYo/s320/lime+moroccan+plate.jpg" width="219" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk-axI_Bij0PiNFb67L5gA2HxHkKoGZZ2qSTHYOxRbqWk3UWoaSMfmhpkaq5GXl_PxThbwVOfwZwdMkkdCQNeRr4B8ktEfnpVVq-70diImGT1zW-IU3qp6Q6xME8osb07ohVwtF5zkBo/s1600-h/black+moroccan+plate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032724881741353570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 187px" height="225" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk-axI_Bij0PiNFb67L5gA2HxHkKoGZZ2qSTHYOxRbqWk3UWoaSMfmhpkaq5GXl_PxThbwVOfwZwdMkkdCQNeRr4B8ktEfnpVVq-70diImGT1zW-IU3qp6Q6xME8osb07ohVwtF5zkBo/s320/black+moroccan+plate.jpg" width="223" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>AND... even though I have no place to put this (since I have a covered deck), I <em>really </em>want this bright, <a href="http://www.homeinfatuation.com/prod.cfm/cid/51/pid/120001"><strong>hand-painted paisley patio umbrella</strong> </a>(also from Home Infatuation). Now, off to find the perfect outdoor, non-glass glassware!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2P7MU0YRZ1I165ib4Jw557BsbG4637vLkRVx7gRBOwz4Tthl4Hdh_e-iSj81EkV77MR0jdraT20tLQVG3glDoS-MTqt3rrg0mNwQHT2EXwjOwcqpERnWQK0TZNrdh-SD48psVCc9Nkc/s1600-h/Patio+umbrella+paisley+-+home+infatuation.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032728541053489810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2P7MU0YRZ1I165ib4Jw557BsbG4637vLkRVx7gRBOwz4Tthl4Hdh_e-iSj81EkV77MR0jdraT20tLQVG3glDoS-MTqt3rrg0mNwQHT2EXwjOwcqpERnWQK0TZNrdh-SD48psVCc9Nkc/s320/Patio+umbrella+paisley+-+home+infatuation.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-46273837872042278082007-02-15T19:15:00.000-08:002007-02-19T12:02:34.106-08:00Light Up My Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuut52gx6YYr9OfgkffnG6OCeMC0m5i0sEmB5W7n7Zuvkt9OV22eS_sJgK1Qe0nEDcmkKrti7oswXzpLKX8Z1TgnAsDVgeiQqAqBCOSQgikOvoLjjSlet6LTXHPgvBLPr-rACXHkN6rM/s1600-h/reclecticlantern.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031968954612355586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuut52gx6YYr9OfgkffnG6OCeMC0m5i0sEmB5W7n7Zuvkt9OV22eS_sJgK1Qe0nEDcmkKrti7oswXzpLKX8Z1TgnAsDVgeiQqAqBCOSQgikOvoLjjSlet6LTXHPgvBLPr-rACXHkN6rM/s320/reclecticlantern.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Okay, so I just discovered </span><a href="http://www.thehomeport.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>the Home Port</strong> </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">today (as you can see from the post immediately preceding this one), and I am so happy I've found them! They have some really beautiful items at really reasonable prices!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">These recycled sheet metal <strong><a href="http://www.thehomeport.com/candles_&_accessories/reclecticlanternshop.php">lanterns</a> </strong>are blowing my mind! And these dainty </span><a href="http://www.thehomeport.com/candles_&_accessories/venetianshop.php"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">Venetian votives</span></strong></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong> </strong>remind me of the Graham+Graham </span><a href="http://juniperdesigns.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/morocco.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;">Moroccan tea lights</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> I recently spotted at </span><a href="http://juniperdesigns.typepad.com/juniper_designs/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Athena Says</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbBkMWSuDvRDjat629hgc6YAI5BIN9VI-SS-ayNCaSWx4TL03SUKT_z9r1UDe4n9ZZSGfXJ-rQDISKg4TsZr6nKu2y0aviRh9ETVqvULNradWKLAtxQdP3A__e9OXoNK0uZov6ghwpHQ/s1600-h/venetain.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031968288892424674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="300" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbBkMWSuDvRDjat629hgc6YAI5BIN9VI-SS-ayNCaSWx4TL03SUKT_z9r1UDe4n9ZZSGfXJ-rQDISKg4TsZr6nKu2y0aviRh9ETVqvULNradWKLAtxQdP3A__e9OXoNK0uZov6ghwpHQ/s320/venetain.jpg" width="282" border="0" /></span></a></div></div></div>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-86687178983348663392007-02-15T18:50:00.000-08:002007-02-19T12:03:32.484-08:00Cleanliness is Next to Godliness<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGNt85v3P7fw1FcTXT7-wlE95h33MbDlBmZ5eulMYlXoNoLacjK-mNFw7ED6mVAueqpo535XkACC3cPtdc8Ls4frkTahBkV3gwMeoPhcRqX8WTVpST6A92RI3YepfBz84Ny3WvU22KLc/s1600-h/soapleaves.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031960253008613794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGNt85v3P7fw1FcTXT7-wlE95h33MbDlBmZ5eulMYlXoNoLacjK-mNFw7ED6mVAueqpo535XkACC3cPtdc8Ls4frkTahBkV3gwMeoPhcRqX8WTVpST6A92RI3YepfBz84Ny3WvU22KLc/s320/soapleaves.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I think I am in love with these exquisite little, diaphanous <strong><a href="http://www.thehomeport.com/storage_&_organizing/bath/soapleaveshop.php">Soap Leaves </a></strong>from the Home Port. Aren't they lovely? I think they'd make a really unique gift.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">They would look nice in a powder room along with this <strong><a href="http://www.thehomeport.com/storage_&_organizing/bath/lantawastecanshop.php">Lanta Waste Can</a></strong> (also from the Home Port), hand-carved of sustainably harvested mango wood. It's so rich and chocolatey; I love it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QV41MIJvn6NGNLGHQrCOfxaAtonmUc3UYAzGyEpWKeWJaWRoy3wcdqYBLy0cYzgAogBAumsQBl4pawa9i2VaS7We2wzEwElcieHXH_rb1KN_xcT8r90jhsDxwPZX0_anhV5Nbq6Yp4M/s1600-h/lantawastecan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031964118479180226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="306" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QV41MIJvn6NGNLGHQrCOfxaAtonmUc3UYAzGyEpWKeWJaWRoy3wcdqYBLy0cYzgAogBAumsQBl4pawa9i2VaS7We2wzEwElcieHXH_rb1KN_xcT8r90jhsDxwPZX0_anhV5Nbq6Yp4M/s320/lantawastecan.jpg" width="238" border="0" /></a></span></div>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-19293768131309134582007-02-13T18:33:00.000-08:002007-02-13T22:31:56.522-08:00The Power of Paisley<span style="font-family:arial;">I must confess: I have a thing for paisleys, and you'll probably wind up seeing a lot of them posted here over time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">As Wikipedia will tell you, paisleys are Persian in origin, but their name comes from the Scottish town of Paisley. To many, it is an </span><a href="http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_021a.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">ancient symbol of fertility</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">. To a few, it is a </span><a href="http://www.demonbuster.com/paisley.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">conduit for demons</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">. To most of us, though, it's a curvy, versatile motif, at once funky and elegant. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I think paisleys look good on everything, and here are a few current examples.</span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbD3DZ24hWFOJYAtzK_3gQkAcFdhSg_MV-g8kEr2uyH25yGVFVSBZVB0WhdYDz52H87y0a4rDQw7A9Cvdv92aWs2dejPFjtuSlvAIb9LkrucOWjtGAfuCuZ2xDDcoJeqxFH2H8bn5jPU/s1600-h/ScreenHunter_03+Feb.+13+20.16.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031239810899415282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbD3DZ24hWFOJYAtzK_3gQkAcFdhSg_MV-g8kEr2uyH25yGVFVSBZVB0WhdYDz52H87y0a4rDQw7A9Cvdv92aWs2dejPFjtuSlvAIb9LkrucOWjtGAfuCuZ2xDDcoJeqxFH2H8bn5jPU/s320/ScreenHunter_03+Feb.+13+20.16.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWZHLkChOG-WR6q5elV9lOIyf6OGmdPtc9l69aCTy1uWFl_JfoejHkDBKc6prsKJKVDBYms374q3-4XMJQQn10HBNrcL2jDg0PRn9a-oRoq-bsO1OBVqdjHoLfSR4DUG_lmxV5M4egwk/s1600-h/ScreenHunter_04+Feb.+13+20.17.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031239304093274338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWZHLkChOG-WR6q5elV9lOIyf6OGmdPtc9l69aCTy1uWFl_JfoejHkDBKc6prsKJKVDBYms374q3-4XMJQQn10HBNrcL2jDg0PRn9a-oRoq-bsO1OBVqdjHoLfSR4DUG_lmxV5M4egwk/s320/ScreenHunter_04+Feb.+13+20.17.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Love this </span><a href="http://www.horchow.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?cmCat=search&itemId=cprod23430114"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Paisley and Leather Settee</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> from Horchow. In fact, they've got several really cool paisley items currently, like this collection of <strong><a href="http://www.horchow.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?cmCat=search&itemId=cprod22950117">Paisley Gold Dinnerware</a></strong> and these nifty </span><a href="http://www.horchow.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?cmCat=search&itemId=cprod26260005"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">Paisley Desk Accessories</span></strong></a><span style="font-family:arial;">, which I'll never be able to afford.</span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUejfSKvacLsZEro-tf7xIP2XoUZwdZlYygh9rJOOnP7mI3Nw0mngMeYIEWyFXbot_qByiJFJ-y9aDmgPQLnFFYtW7OjmdL9HNz2tgKhjvadQOpmEpwdUJ0zl1YMjnRjxd5P4K8HTSTP8/s1600-h/ScreenHunter_Paisley+Dishes+-+Horchow.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031243049304756482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="296" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUejfSKvacLsZEro-tf7xIP2XoUZwdZlYygh9rJOOnP7mI3Nw0mngMeYIEWyFXbot_qByiJFJ-y9aDmgPQLnFFYtW7OjmdL9HNz2tgKhjvadQOpmEpwdUJ0zl1YMjnRjxd5P4K8HTSTP8/s320/ScreenHunter_Paisley+Dishes+-+Horchow.jpg" width="261" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hGLyw8vsrmW1HHcuF8jb4idjsGskHtJSB04y3SdBIo5kZGbLkpKVa7gJgwyyf_uWSu67X5cSmqywNaUYtCz6SSISmZGoq52utyAEm43yk8FdIdmPHFTiQx9wPfDDwVvQXqkBxNvajlo/s1600-h/ScreenHunter_06+Feb.+13+20.31.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFqzaoptJWkZu7sQeaYpWf_JSTsne_c5DGlSb6eg8AecXK5sVVP0yVwtCJjvec21CHRpwwY0zMfTauUVdBVORbIGd1tIq0_KyXcaZyz1QfDrVsn_A-evpS52vAdK5o_qNh5Hpoy6Z0ic/s1600-h/ScreenHunter_06+Feb.+13+20.31.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031270013109440914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFqzaoptJWkZu7sQeaYpWf_JSTsne_c5DGlSb6eg8AecXK5sVVP0yVwtCJjvec21CHRpwwY0zMfTauUVdBVORbIGd1tIq0_KyXcaZyz1QfDrVsn_A-evpS52vAdK5o_qNh5Hpoy6Z0ic/s320/ScreenHunter_06+Feb.+13+20.31.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">For more lovely paisley prints, check out this </span><a href="http://www.wrapables.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=C53003"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Putu Weekender Bag</strong> </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">from Wrapables, these <strong><a href="http://www.garnethill.com/jump.jsp?itemID=11916&itemType=PRODUCT&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;iProductID=11916&path=1%2C2%2C4477%2C7490%2C9332&cusell=1&code=K7W06B">Privo Paisley Thong Sandals </a></strong>from Garnet Hill, Charles Keath <strong><a href="http://www.charleskeath.com/ckeath/prod_display1.asp?PRODUCT=90119&partner=18">Penzance Chair Cushions</a>, </strong>and the <strong><a href="http://www.poshliving.com/catalog/14329/product_detail.asp">Bronze Paisley Charlotte Table Lamp </a></strong>from PoshLiving. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvGhJTYhtfF6hT0d3s_8ZkQ-ncH1o0M6llu65Dca1kbEOOxd8TypSRYS778WRfYwA2S6b-ZWi3CHyDuPSLsWjXtiMSi-2rY3joHjMEgPUGhxVnHcpoHagTA8s890LQqi1nFHCbwb-gu0/s1600-h/Paisley+weekender+bag+-+wrapables.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031246648487350562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 209px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 233px" height="286" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvGhJTYhtfF6hT0d3s_8ZkQ-ncH1o0M6llu65Dca1kbEOOxd8TypSRYS778WRfYwA2S6b-ZWi3CHyDuPSLsWjXtiMSi-2rY3joHjMEgPUGhxVnHcpoHagTA8s890LQqi1nFHCbwb-gu0/s320/Paisley+weekender+bag+-+wrapables.jpg" width="289" border="0" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcQys2Io42khb5g5fuYNXYuyARb9dqC5y36pgTI8bvF0SuvKiatvWxAJ56Zpx_hyipYfIvK9dqBsjcfk6mAUd5VRtWtUfaNg3_bdDPVGRAdhZpYdz4_jhKpr7D-qGlaaaxOEBkFRsXyQ/s1600-h/ScreenHunter_08+Feb.+13+20.54.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031249715093999922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 152px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px" height="299" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcQys2Io42khb5g5fuYNXYuyARb9dqC5y36pgTI8bvF0SuvKiatvWxAJ56Zpx_hyipYfIvK9dqBsjcfk6mAUd5VRtWtUfaNg3_bdDPVGRAdhZpYdz4_jhKpr7D-qGlaaaxOEBkFRsXyQ/s320/ScreenHunter_08+Feb.+13+20.54.jpg" width="233" border="0" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qs98F0orAA5-a0VqT7eHJ3PPB5ztEZip6XT40S7ssWpTiHp-aMvY8yvl4y66JZ07jkFetnsWLoZbQAp0F4z0-v84tvngdSRze80a-5HT2G9NQgAw8W3oTO9_AyAT5Q5s84eHR0ZpLJ4/s1600-h/ScreenHunter_09+Feb.+13+21.45.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPk86yk3DcTxx2H6-eN993OK10qYQuk0PcBUGa34Qrv_Zc6gcxD_J3qv1H-4qELBT1pvbVa3FB29Iv_xTM3RbomsCQjf4PdP9wmRTbtqln4sI2TDiGHq4JN_ied6DJUgF1T21E3G5blY/s1600-h/paisley+chair+cushions+-+charles+keath.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031253185427575122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 206px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px" height="296" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPk86yk3DcTxx2H6-eN993OK10qYQuk0PcBUGa34Qrv_Zc6gcxD_J3qv1H-4qELBT1pvbVa3FB29Iv_xTM3RbomsCQjf4PdP9wmRTbtqln4sI2TDiGHq4JN_ied6DJUgF1T21E3G5blY/s320/paisley+chair+cushions+-+charles+keath.jpg" width="286" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ6fp4S0i-nmmzTICmhDZROyqs4AhMhLkkmLsnSbS1mbdWaUlT-rCW_-FKIC9atPjnbzOZOZrKtIz1ZaV-m5_fBn1T1OvV1A7mMLRMNMu9Umdcj7FZnB6Y_nY2rOVt8-j_Y8LTjvsSUs/s1600-h/ScreenHunter_09+Feb.+13+21.45.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031266946502791554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" height="292" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ6fp4S0i-nmmzTICmhDZROyqs4AhMhLkkmLsnSbS1mbdWaUlT-rCW_-FKIC9atPjnbzOZOZrKtIz1ZaV-m5_fBn1T1OvV1A7mMLRMNMu9Umdcj7FZnB6Y_nY2rOVt8-j_Y8LTjvsSUs/s320/ScreenHunter_09+Feb.+13+21.45.jpg" width="149" border="0" /></a>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-32233751157024491692007-02-12T19:04:00.000-08:002007-02-13T22:27:33.432-08:00Sacred Music<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIom82liIqOcafGxWh4YSSm-i_z2VfeVXf3pPNJs0NlbnZpJbzKiffjCfTg5uOmi7eAFBUptHC8VmEVw3r3uhFWmZx7q1S708d9iZmkJrYhIT2rWADd7YFdpdI_jjRMoJ82RTp4Vhpy_s/s1600-h/HymnBook04big+-+suck+uk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030853744879112386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIom82liIqOcafGxWh4YSSm-i_z2VfeVXf3pPNJs0NlbnZpJbzKiffjCfTg5uOmi7eAFBUptHC8VmEVw3r3uhFWmZx7q1S708d9iZmkJrYhIT2rWADd7YFdpdI_jjRMoJ82RTp4Vhpy_s/s320/HymnBook04big+-+suck+uk.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXqX88ZlfdcXWYN5P03KcVNIWLAvggvvNy92XHwvLcAp3BM9SRd8Ll_8AH_YAh2OYk9HcJ2r6AB9MCoK2HBrp0Wz0hSU_ALxRNWBvwg6D_zv-gcnxIkPnM8NcxhIpqbkVpJBsZ_reW2Y/s1600-h/goodbook_large.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I recently saw a </span><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=25750&itemType=PRODUCT&cm_mmc=SMX-_-q32005-_-Aug-_-25750"><span style="font-family:arial;">"good book" flask case</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> online (available at </span><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/index.jsp"><span style="font-family:arial;">urban outfitters</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">, among many). It's clever, but I'm not a big drinker, so I don't really need a flask case. However, this <strong><a href="http://www.suck.uk.com/product.php?rangeID=67&PHPSESSID=ac8bb2e239baf5808f552d2776448a51">Hymn Book iPod Case</a></strong> from </span><a href="http://www.suck.uk.com/index.php"><span style="font-family:arial;">SUCK UK </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">is something I could see myself using.</span> </div></div>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-43745599613216026282007-02-07T20:38:00.000-08:002007-02-13T22:29:31.919-08:00Black and White<span style="font-family:arial;">I sort of envy people who decorate with black and white predominantly. I've often toyed with the idea of having a black and white room with just a few key pieces of vivid color (fuchsia or peacock blue, for instance), but I don't know if I could do it. I love a room that's a riot of color! But still, if I <em>were </em>to decorate in black and white, here's some pieces I'd seriously consider.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJb5KXPkY1BPyMSsu14HQxg1DEQzbfqfB2Y0k7ygYpw6kT4rNkSKPXuoV4yNez708KuFjZoYOKPqNegi9AzMt7QTT9aX3H5mbYBXMa5SfYL6K3AqpR4qJyHs644BaPi4xgebzuDEUN-M/s1600-h/bw+damask+organizer.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5029023671668356386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="346" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJb5KXPkY1BPyMSsu14HQxg1DEQzbfqfB2Y0k7ygYpw6kT4rNkSKPXuoV4yNez708KuFjZoYOKPqNegi9AzMt7QTT9aX3H5mbYBXMa5SfYL6K3AqpR4qJyHs644BaPi4xgebzuDEUN-M/s320/bw+damask+organizer.jpg" width="223" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I wish the picture for this was a little better. This is just a run-of-the-mill over-the-door shoe organizer, but WOW, what a great pattern! I am tempted to run to the </span><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?aid=10368321&pid=1319015&cpncode=09-14460962-2&srccode=cii_13736960&cm_mmc=CJ-_-shopping_com-_-D23X-_-100429023&prod_id=100429023&cj=1&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Home Depot</strong> </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">first thing in the morning to pick one up. And right now it's on sale for just $10.50. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTyHcVBH-fnHGXgE8-_nQnddi4hW8AH8sHReMi4OVBVC7aO1kLnbDufjBYzP-0XrckTsDPn-yYhOw9uDqG8qCDf2VlAXDnQLQYSXi0preeZCV9CmRkIZn5qRms-YeloVlA2hvYN8qcH8/s1600-h/viggo+blik.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5029028151319246130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTyHcVBH-fnHGXgE8-_nQnddi4hW8AH8sHReMi4OVBVC7aO1kLnbDufjBYzP-0XrckTsDPn-yYhOw9uDqG8qCDf2VlAXDnQLQYSXi0preeZCV9CmRkIZn5qRms-YeloVlA2hvYN8qcH8/s320/viggo+blik.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Okay, so I'm cheating a bit here, as these <a href="http://www.whatisblik.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=B&Product_Code=BL-140"><strong>Iron Vines wall decals</strong> </a><strong><a href="http://www.whatisblik.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=B&Product_Code=BL-140">by Blik</a> </strong>are actually cocoa colored, but wouldn't it be great if they were black? Look how well they'd match that shoe organizer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">By the way, I'll take Viggo too, if no one objects.</span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNY5XhdGxUDy09jITKrD_QDkrIHK3WclRF1BIzqpzHIlPmP-BCKwMmRjeKvAWcrC6guI27tNU38H5ct8ogwX-zX_1pEDC9Y32s9NlygD71WuG-0utjH9-kooG8hEailTAuqnCd9CRIVi4/s1600-h/Black+and+white+baroque+coasters+-+Target.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5029030728299623778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 235px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px" height="292" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNY5XhdGxUDy09jITKrD_QDkrIHK3WclRF1BIzqpzHIlPmP-BCKwMmRjeKvAWcrC6guI27tNU38H5ct8ogwX-zX_1pEDC9Y32s9NlygD71WuG-0utjH9-kooG8hEailTAuqnCd9CRIVi4/s320/Black+and+white+baroque+coasters+-+Target.jpg" width="235" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Do you see a pattern emerging here, or is it just me?</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">This<strong> <a href="http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_15/601-9098941-0312941?ie=UTF8&asin=B000HGG1ZU&frombrowse=1">Rustic Baroque Coaster Set</a></strong><a href="http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_15/601-9098941-0312941?ie=UTF8&asin=B000HGG1ZU&frombrowse=1"> </a>is available at Target and would look very nice supporting Viggo's glass of wine, don't you think?<br /></p></span>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-82906987813350924712007-02-04T22:26:00.000-08:002007-02-15T19:58:40.098-08:00Not Your Father's Chocolate Heart Valentine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEs7SvUlUv4mKFRZ6DgedygDBYYKRj0-xo4i7J5d6vhRkvNKqOMQt-u3xEUf4aZYPPsDMb4JVlqhoF8HgRJtc-VzaUNyod0vVEzuDVgyfo8Tno9CbKueT195Zn1dODpfUvnlNxiIOpkw/s1600-h/chocolate+flaming+heart.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027934356292940994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEs7SvUlUv4mKFRZ6DgedygDBYYKRj0-xo4i7J5d6vhRkvNKqOMQt-u3xEUf4aZYPPsDMb4JVlqhoF8HgRJtc-VzaUNyod0vVEzuDVgyfo8Tno9CbKueT195Zn1dODpfUvnlNxiIOpkw/s320/chocolate+flaming+heart.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zOo9Iww4fXmznQVJ3QCAO-GETgD3Sr-dYrwPpbSX3Qbiib1UU6eAnK4mYpYZY0sVWqG2YEpgXPRa2E-mYGiTixM2unVpLSze6NwAfkv5TT380GSq4AEZOlKPoCp9P-4I6sCp5UVhFlc/s1600-h/chocolate+valentines.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>Just in time for Valentine's Day, these gorgeous chocolate flaming hearts from <a href="http://www.chocolatedeities.com/deities.php?OVRAW=venus%20of%20willendorf%20PENDANT&OVKEY=venus%20of%20willendorf&OVMTC=advanced"><strong>Chocolate Deities</strong></a> are sure to delight any chocolate lover.<strong> </strong>What a wonderful, unique Valentine gift this would be for your special someone...or for yourself! Visit the site, and while you're there, be sure to check out their collection of chocolate gods and goddesses. They're divine!</div></div>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-31786865338051524152007-02-04T21:12:00.000-08:002007-02-19T12:04:25.191-08:00Mad About Mad Mats<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3BVgpO9gPJIvbiYVD1zJ-D0HZ7dnO0z46yFZ4s4wyZ3kT41mYN0MF5G1uf_w-i7XBEYr5EX9vlB-rQpMdQMfxPAsg0RtwDjTxYGXJsPqpjr90RNt-p6S8H2b6C-liSNHFdvkvoQ9sr4/s1600-h/madmat.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027918284525319314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="301" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3BVgpO9gPJIvbiYVD1zJ-D0HZ7dnO0z46yFZ4s4wyZ3kT41mYN0MF5G1uf_w-i7XBEYr5EX9vlB-rQpMdQMfxPAsg0RtwDjTxYGXJsPqpjr90RNt-p6S8H2b6C-liSNHFdvkvoQ9sr4/s320/madmat.jpg" width="242" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Spied these in a magazine almost 2 years ago. I LOVE the designs, love the fact they're made from 98% recycled plastic, and love the price: under $100 for a 6x9. They're $90 if you buy them straight from </span><a href="http://www.sweepdreams.com/index.asp"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">the manufacturer</span></strong></a><span style="font-family:arial;">, but if you do a Google search for "mad mats," you can find some places selling them for $75. </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBf15cATk7qHtmfDhdKvbaWlxhY0rgQDrBYppIliEkNUaJj1omfR0XYwjGe-uFFBG5PD7gib4XsBEhbgXfpfmrzMCWzpICzQtQjmkPCPfEWrxQGyXtFJj8VR337CuNOnrpeVYmeWfiK4Y/s1600-h/turkish+mad+mats.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027918417669305506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBf15cATk7qHtmfDhdKvbaWlxhY0rgQDrBYppIliEkNUaJj1omfR0XYwjGe-uFFBG5PD7gib4XsBEhbgXfpfmrzMCWzpICzQtQjmkPCPfEWrxQGyXtFJj8VR337CuNOnrpeVYmeWfiK4Y/s320/turkish+mad+mats.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBf15cATk7qHtmfDhdKvbaWlxhY0rgQDrBYppIliEkNUaJj1omfR0XYwjGe-uFFBG5PD7gib4XsBEhbgXfpfmrzMCWzpICzQtQjmkPCPfEWrxQGyXtFJj8VR337CuNOnrpeVYmeWfiK4Y/s1600-h/turkish+mad+mats.jpg"></a>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-42844509704882398572007-02-04T19:53:00.000-08:002007-02-04T22:54:47.394-08:00I Heart Cost Plus<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GA2_qjZFQfapIVurDvqdiKoenB3ZFUiFKMor9RlyhglP1CNr4RmHmNA6KdNFUVPCWJQF6YS-SSEUnpVGcc37MQ_SnjkI6zWqIAEusK0GzefTVaCaIaO4PbIqcdeRL-VNDEk__Pnhr80/s1600-h/351033_364663_SouravBuffetHutch_dfl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027912155606987906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GA2_qjZFQfapIVurDvqdiKoenB3ZFUiFKMor9RlyhglP1CNr4RmHmNA6KdNFUVPCWJQF6YS-SSEUnpVGcc37MQ_SnjkI6zWqIAEusK0GzefTVaCaIaO4PbIqcdeRL-VNDEk__Pnhr80/s320/351033_364663_SouravBuffetHutch_dfl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Last month, James let me get the buffet and hutch I've been coveting (<a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/Handcrafted-Furniture/dining-room-furniture/buffets-hutches/Sourav-Buffet-or-Hutch/lev/4/productId/1676/Ne/1100001/sectionId/2868/N/1100007/categoryId/1100007/pCategoryId/1100004/gpCategoryId/1100002/Ns/NEW_ARRIVAL_FLAG%7C1%7C%7CCATEGORY_SEQ_2886%7C0/index.pro"><strong>the Sourav from Cost Plus World Market</strong></a>). Of course, if money were no object and I could have the buffet and hutch of my wildest dreams, it would probably be some glorious antique or some intricately carved piece from Persia or something. But...money <em>is </em>an object, and luckily, Cost Plus has some really cool stuff in a range we can afford. I got the Sourav pieces during their recent 40% off sale. So, with tax and delivery (which we arranged independently), we spent under $800. What a deal! It's really well made too. The sheesham wood is very solid and very heavy. I was pleasantly surprised. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xM501UpjzqKMvRv4xJbYJGvPdhhdo6XdfD4rgxy8R0F77IzkbfGljwe7B3VPiacYehHDGMI00Hc6muitqiapZisn8RehY-EjnVMxEG1yudc_dykbHbzpkRAvlSlKHcSE6ob_Suzf0xg/s1600-h/378157_safi_cabinet_v3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027907933654135890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xM501UpjzqKMvRv4xJbYJGvPdhhdo6XdfD4rgxy8R0F77IzkbfGljwe7B3VPiacYehHDGMI00Hc6muitqiapZisn8RehY-EjnVMxEG1yudc_dykbHbzpkRAvlSlKHcSE6ob_Suzf0xg/s320/378157_safi_cabinet_v3.jpg" border="0" /></a>So, now I can move on to coveting the matching Sourav <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/Handcrafted-Furniture/Sourav/lev/2/No/0/Ne/3/Nao/0/pCategoryId/1100005/sectionId/2868/Ns/NEW_ARRIVAL_FLAG%7c1%7c%7cCATEGORY_SEQ_2868%7c0/N/1100002+4294966673/Nty/1/categoryId/1100002/gpCategoryId/1100004/index.cat"><strong>dining table and chairs</strong> </a>and the beautiful <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/Handcrafted-Furniture/living-furniture/accent-furniture/lev/4/productId/2322/index.pro"><strong>Safi cabinet</strong> </a>and <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/Handcrafted-Furniture/living-furniture/accent-furniture/Safi-Accent-Table/lev/4/productId/2321/No/9/Ne/1100001/Nao/9/pCategoryId/1100038/sectionId/2868/Ns/NEW_ARRIVAL_FLAG%7C1%7C%7CCATEGORY_SEQ_2895%7C0/N/1100044/Nty/1/categoryId/1100044/gpCategoryId/1100002/index.pro"><strong>side table</strong></a>. Unfortunately, I think they're phasing out the Safi cabinet, so by the time I've saved up for it, they'll probably be gone. Sigh....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKt97zzyRJ3VjLVPBFY17AMCrqrpxi3PLrLtyHN2urhF5TwH_Msw_q5aUPcy2demRDc5AzwZLU76LpycnNM2GR0_zqVd5KEH8k-Bfu8ylj-zfAKy-D7MCmY5VZGy_u8BQvXKNDRe7Ivzw/s1600-h/378149_safi_accent_table_v2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027911245073921138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKt97zzyRJ3VjLVPBFY17AMCrqrpxi3PLrLtyHN2urhF5TwH_Msw_q5aUPcy2demRDc5AzwZLU76LpycnNM2GR0_zqVd5KEH8k-Bfu8ylj-zfAKy-D7MCmY5VZGy_u8BQvXKNDRe7Ivzw/s320/378149_safi_accent_table_v2.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div></div></div></div></div>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403890372914224550.post-78767341550319032182007-02-03T22:45:00.000-08:002007-02-15T19:57:25.543-08:00Daydreaming in the Digital Age<div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">I love surfing the web. And since I've grown tired of all the super catty celebrity blogs (except </span><a href="http://gofugyourself.typepad.com/"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">Go Fug Yourself</span></strong></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and <strong><a href="http://galleryoftheabsurd.typepad.com/14/">Gallery of the Absurd</a>,</strong> which are genius), my new obsession is what I refer to as "design blogs," blogs which showcase fabulous design, whether it be fashion, ephemera and stationery, textiles, interior design, or whatever. I can't get enough of them! They bring together two of my favorite pastimes: web surfing and daydreaming about beautiful things I hope to own one day. My two current favorites are <strong><a href="http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/my_marrakesh/">My Marrakesh </a></strong>and </span><a href="http://juniperdesigns.typepad.com/juniper_designs/"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">Athena Says</span></strong></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>. </strong>I love almost everything I've seen on their sites so far.<br /><br />Anyhoo, since I spend so much time surfing...and reading other people's blogs, my wonderful husband, James, has been suggesting for some time that I start my <em>own</em> blog. And so I am. I have my doubts about whether anyone will ever want to read it, but I figure it will be something fun for me to do -- and at least a bit more productive than just surfing. Now I'll be surfing, posting images, <em>and </em>writing! At least a little bit. So, to begin, here's just a few broad categories of things that I find beautiful:</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoSocVBZSmfBwEN6xGciF0U4myzEu5NtHBNjSPJwnecwQXU5t2jgMCrTaByV-U_0S6Pr0tgSMGWW2eFVw-RIXbRp51WScZ00Kpx_cg2SQe3LhnNHRsQwlqSygr2DhljfslVQKBqLjV9s/s1600-h/folk+art+painter.bmp"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="color:#660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sw5juiS882negR8nz_tYGAaPE2_LFIi5JjqjEmFogA8bhhOZ8gj9ob2j64eR5U2b1V6YXTb36LKYKRwRAwmCartraaA3nQOQJyDmmbsf2pKfPSfiuDOhIXugpVnHmZeAWdTbY_N3fbU/s1600-h/folk+art+painter.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027887412300395506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sw5juiS882negR8nz_tYGAaPE2_LFIi5JjqjEmFogA8bhhOZ8gj9ob2j64eR5U2b1V6YXTb36LKYKRwRAwmCartraaA3nQOQJyDmmbsf2pKfPSfiuDOhIXugpVnHmZeAWdTbY_N3fbU/s320/folk+art+painter.bmp" border="0" /></a>Folk</span><span style="color:#660000;"> Art</span></strong></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"><span style="color:#000000;">I am drawn to folk art from all over the world, but particularly from Eastern Europe (must be the Hungarian blood), Turkey, Morocco, and India. I am constantly looking for pieces with a folk-art flare.</span> </span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"></span></span></div><p></p><p></p><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z3oZfVxLhUHF8s2TmxzpBVuaszEZaWo2bjSAjncBk53pwI89pHY5FtAp7oG0WZBD2e9noxX_W5bN6GDlW2l_nmid_HmXe261doiXbijJntYuvI-t-gvSR2LX-n9Ki0AExpvdVWmGveg/s1600-h/letter+holder.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027890547626521634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 274px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px" height="209" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z3oZfVxLhUHF8s2TmxzpBVuaszEZaWo2bjSAjncBk53pwI89pHY5FtAp7oG0WZBD2e9noxX_W5bN6GDlW2l_nmid_HmXe261doiXbijJntYuvI-t-gvSR2LX-n9Ki0AExpvdVWmGveg/s320/letter+holder.jpg" width="243" border="0" /></a>Art Nouveau</strong></span></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"><strong></strong></span></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"><span style="color:#000000;">I love all things Art Nouveau. The sensual curves, the focus on natural beauty. Even the most mundane things (like the letter holder at left) become beautiful objets d'art.</span> </span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"><strong></strong></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xz8njYXndkDdS9o5n3-5a6nLrbd_Sf47HyJ-YVMzepFv3EYm_CZJuKc-XjXty0K-cxKocDNwMZ_9w54wnN7rnCRo8wLBUDvT2lsHBaLMEdzQdVkQgmB1HIj81wINAJcSorwn-9TfHoo/s1600-h/house1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027889692928029714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xz8njYXndkDdS9o5n3-5a6nLrbd_Sf47HyJ-YVMzepFv3EYm_CZJuKc-XjXty0K-cxKocDNwMZ_9w54wnN7rnCRo8wLBUDvT2lsHBaLMEdzQdVkQgmB1HIj81wINAJcSorwn-9TfHoo/s320/house1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Interior Design</strong></span></span></p><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"><span style="color:#000000;">I love interior design. I can't tell you how many waking hours I spend daydreaming about how I'd remodel and decorate my house if I could afford it. I could window shop (online, on the street, or in the pages of home decor magazines and catalogs) all day long. My tastes are, I think, at once quirky and refined. Maybe not. I'm certainly no expert. But I know what I like.<br /><br />Till next time,</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"><span style="color:#000000;">Darlene<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span></span>Darlene (Offbeat Aesthete)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13917163666135415611noreply@blogger.com3