Completely Taken by It

I was making my daily blog rounds, when I came across this absolutely
fabulous gem on Beat Black's "In Shadows."
I found it so charming that I thought I'd pass
along the warm, fuzzy goodness...cause who doesn't like to
start the day with a little slice of Wonderland?
enjoy...

this brilliant bit was created by Fagottron.
xxx

Project 365 #13

"i want to be adored."

copyright down & dirty designs
all rights reserved

This is what happens when I listen to The Stone Roses.

project 365 #7

"she's lost control"

copyright down & dirty designs 2009
all rights reserved
I took this while watching the film "Control."
Joy Division is one of those rare bands whose music has not
only stood the test of time, but actually manages to still sound
like something new, modern, current.
I have no doubt that 50 years from now a dj could
throw a Joy Division track on the air
and it would still sound completely contemporary and ground breaking.
Long Live Joy Division.

Like Pepe le Pew

I am in love.
I am completely tits over ass for the following:

The music of the ever fabulous Nina Hagen.

Fireside Chai Tea from Zhena's Gypsy Tea. I currently have one bag left of this delicious tea. *sniffle sniffle* Thank heaven for my ever faithful English Breakfast.

The early work of Greta Garbo


This A-FREAKING-MAZING Hemp Hand lotion from the Body Shop that the smashing and dashing duo known as Carrie and Chris sent me for Christmas. (Yes, Carrie, it really is some good sh*t! Muwah!)

photographs of old books, dusty books, dirty books, books on shelves, books in piles, books, books, books (a little OCD anyone? yeah yeah yeah...i know i know)

by stuart interiors



Dig fashion? Check out Only Shallow & Sea of Shoes ...they're always full of inspiration...and speaking of fashion...Are you in need of a giggle? Read this "How to Dress Goth" article. Make sure you read the "Warnings" section at the bottom of the page.

What am I not digging on? I do not dig the fact that:
1) the weather has been too grey and flat for me to go out and play with my new lensbaby muse lens...grrrrrrrrrrrrr.
2) every time I find a perfume I really really like it's either a limited edition or it goes the way of the dinosaurs (par example: kenzo's Flower Satin (which is damn near impossible to track down...damn ltd ed's or Urban Decay's Sin RIP) So my quest of the perfect violet and yummy amber/vanilla perfumes continue...

I'm off to obsess.
well...obsess some more.
xx

Snap Snap Click Click

Since all my art and craft supplies are packed away in boxes (due to my recent move) the only outlet I currently have is my photography...and I've been shooting like a woman possessed.

Here are my newest pieces available at downanddirty.etsy.com:
(click the photos to see larger images)







Aside from fleeing a hurricane, endless driving, packing, flat tires and tetanus shots, I'm settling nicely into my life here in the mountains. Now I'm just patiently waiting to find my art/craft supplies and for the leaves to turn.

Dance This Mess Around

I have been busy busy busy...as you know, my cat has been ill (although he seems to be feeling quite a bit better, he still seems to be suffering from a severe bout of ennui...can cats have an existential crisis?). I've also been working on a few new pieces, finishing up a commission and dancing my ass off at the True Colors concert. How in the world could I pass up a night of Joan Jett, The B-52's and my childhood idol, Cindy Lauper (especially when the ticket was free...an early birthday present)?

Joan Jett Warped Tour 2006 - Copyright 2006 Larry Hollman
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts kicked some serious ass (and oh-yes, she did indeed play "do you wanna touch me"...)...

copyright 2003 George Dubose
I couldn't help but hippy-hippy-forward-hippy-hippy-hippy-hippy-hippy-shake to The B-52's which caused some serious flashbacks of high school...

copyright philippe carly
And, much to my delight, Cindy Lauper, whose banter with the audience was hilarious and endearingly A.D.D., played my favorite "When You Were Mine" along with a lovely version of the perennial favorite "Time After Time."
Of course the past week was filled with its share of blech, blurgh, gack and arghs, but I'm keeping it on a positive note today.

Good Thoughts & Useless Trivia

I'll start today's post by requesting that everyone send warm and happy get-well-soon thoughts to my super-sweet cat Mischa (that's him in the photo). He's not feeling so hot right now so any positive energy that could be sent his way would be greatly appreciated...and how could anyone not send good energy to such a cutie-patootie.

Now that the most important issue has been addressed we can move on to much more trivial bits:


Little Known Odd & Completely Random Fact of the Day:
Alice Cooper and Mickey Dolenz (yes, Mickey Dolenz from The Monkees) used to be golfing buddies.
It's a fact.

John Lennon, Harry Nilsson,
Alice Cooper, Micky Dolenz 1973
photo taken from annemurray.com

want some more useless information?
well then you're in luck!

things I'm loving right now:
1) my awesome new haircut...LOVE IT!
2) the smell of violets, jasmine and gardenias
3) the anticipation of the new X-Files movie
4) knowing that a tax rebate check means a new camera

things i'm loathing right now:
1) the fact that pharmaceutical companies don't make oral antibiotics for pets in an easy to administer cream/gel form (just try giving a cat pills or liquid antibiotics and you'll understand my supreme irritation).
2) gas prices
3) the anticipation of the new X-Files movie
4) waiting for the tax rebate check

makes me smile

I was listening to the radio yesterday when Billy Joel's "Only the Good Die Young" came on. I couldn't stop smiling...not because I'm a Billy Joel fan, but because it reminded me of something I had completely forgotten about...

Many moons ago I used to travel around the country working at Renaissance Fairs. At the Arizona fair I managed a pottery booth. I had a hawker, for privacy purposes I shall refer to him as L, who would stand out front all day telling jokes and singing songs to draw in business.

One night, I was walking down the trail to my campsite with my then boyfriend when we bumped into L. He was carrying his ukulele and smiling (as usual) from ear to ear. He proceeded to drop to one knee and serenade us, on his ukulele mind you, with "only the good die young."

It was just one of those wonderful random moments that, I'm quite sure, will still make me smile when I'm old and grey.



And if truth be told, I'll take L's ukulele rendition over Billy's any day.

When you leave

the text inside the silhouette (which was taken from a Meat Beat Manifesto song called "Love Mad"...I believe it was a b-side) reads: "when you leave, take me with you."
i wish the dried violets, which were originally vibrant hadn't browned...
but somehow, given what was going on when i created this
piece, it seems only appropriate that the
color faded to such a dingy shade...who knew violets could predict the future?
a perfect example of art imitating life...

on a completely unrelated note: is there anyone, other than myself, that remembers Laura Brannigan?
just curious.

oh cruel world

the good news:

Tom Waits is touring.

image courtesy of tomwaits.com
the bad news:

tickets are RIDICULOUSLY expensive, you can only buy 2 per person and they are damn near close to being sold out...a miracle would be lovely right about now.