Can you feel it crawlin up you arm....

l to r, top to bottom, 1. Ltd Edn Spider Monkey Print from Benconservato 2. Wasp Messenger from Missy Mao Mao 3. Journal from Anrol Designs 4. Clutch from Sir Tom 5. Bee Bookplate from Ruby Victoria 6. Shoe Clips from Ruby Tombstone 7. Bugs on a Screen Door Pendant from Wiccked 8. Vintage Snake Necklace from Travelling Beautifull 9. Bee Pendant from In The Bird House 10. Tulip Baby Card (not a creepy crawly but very cute!) from Meerkat Art 11. Fabric Card from Rabbit And Me 12. Pin Cushion from Spincushions

Yes we have some creepy crawlies here in Australia. And we’ve had so much rain over the last few months that many of them have headed indoors for safety. Lucky us! Of course we have some covetable critters like those above, all from Aussie artists/sellers. I’m okay with most critters…but snakes, they do make my skin crawl! What’s your phobia?

Is there a little Bohemian at your house?

from top to bottom 1. Antique Shawl from Luminous Lady Vintage 2. Table from Lemonade Store 3. Black chair from milka LOOM 4. Punch Cup Chandelier from Meadow Sweet Studios 5. Table and chairs from Artsy Emma The Crafter 6. Ouiji Table from Tink Witch 7. Dresser from Junk Drawer Divas

Some inspiration for those who like to create style on a shoestring, improvise furnishings from cast-offs and conjure magic from the mundane. The dictionary defines "bohemian" as an artist or writer, or anyone who sets social conventions aside. Bohemian style means going your own way. It's self-expression and creative energy; it's caring less about what other people think and more about what you really feel. It is something made from nothing. If one of the pieces above would add interest to your current decor, you're probably already living with a bohemian style decor. I think I do. There's a mixture of eras, of textures, of colors, that creates my individual style.

In a bit of shameless self promotion why not purchase one of my US$3.00 digital files, like the print above, print it off, frame and give an inexpensive lift to any room. Just click ‘Shop’ at top of this blog. Go on, you know you want to!

A Bride of Amazement

for three muses

This post was going to be about grief and loss. It’s two years this week since some of us lost a dear friend, Miss R. By the way she lived, Miss R affected many enabling us to become better people. But then I found Mary Oliver’s poem, When Death Comes, and I knew Miss R would love it. This is the way she lived and wanted us to live - as ‘Brides of Amazement’.

When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut:
when death comes
like the measles - pox;

when death comes
like an iceburg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
as I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth
tending as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.

When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was a bridegroom taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.

I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened
or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

And I think she’d want us to dress up too. As a Bride of Amazement I think this veil would be lovely. I know I wouldn’t want to do the whole big wedding thing but a nod to conventionality wouldn’t hurt would it, particularly when I’m quite smitten with this little number.

from Gilded Shadows

I’d need a dress too. Nothing expensive. One I could explore in and not worry about it getting crumpled when I lay in the grass to gaze at my partner, Amazement. This dress is perfect and it’s only $55.

from Kitty Girl Vintage

Boots, yes I’d need boots. Comfy, yes, but cute as well, so Amazement and I could stroll together through different terrains.

from The Vintage Voice

No I don’t think I’d bother with a ring. Much better to have a useful trinket like this magnifying glass pendant. Amazement and I would get a lot of use out of this.

from Rachel Loves Coffee

And of course as a Bride of Amazement, just as Miss R was, goodness would come more easily don’t you think?