To Know Him Is To Love Him....

Happy birthday to the better part of me. My heart, my soul, my everything. God has blessed me with the sweetest angel, to walk with, through the rest of our days together. No one can comprehend the magnitude of joy, my husband gives me. He is thoughtful and he is kind. He is patient and he is generous. He's respectful and considerate. He spoils and indulges me. He worships and protects me. He is attentive and so, so loving and romantic. He makes me feel like I'm 16 again, with kisses that make me melt. There's not a day he wakes up without a smile on his face. He's delightful beyond measure, and the sweetest man I've ever known. A man who happily watches Cinderella with me, and holds me arm in arm or hand in hand, as we sleep. This is the man who lets me be me. He lights up my life, and I love him truly, deeply, madly.

It's Been A Long Time....

I have neglected my blog for too long. Death and triumph have kept me away. As I recover from a major foot surgery, I torture myself with a mountain of things that I could be doing. So returning to documenting what stands out in my life, is where I begin today.

I'm sixty one years old now, and I've never felt more insecure about my looks. There are physical changes that embarrass me. I was always known for having a pretty face. And now, for me, not so much. Hyperpigmentation has strategically covered my face. I have tried everything, including a celebrity dermatologist. There's a slight improvement, but not enough to be okay with going out, without makeup. I just want to hide, for all of the work it takes, to try to cover it up.

For three whole months, off of my feet, my hair really needs to be done. I can hardly bear the thought of revealing my gray. But, it's showing itself whether I like it or not. Which, I feel, makes me look old and ugly. I thank God, for giving me my angel of a husband, who sets me straight about my worth and my beauty. He sees me, with the same eyes, as twenty years ago. He reminds me often, that how he looks at me, will never ever change. 

Meet Me In The Boudoir....

 

I am a Glamour Girl to my very core, and I have always dreamed of being photographed as such. Tapping into my inner pin-up doll, at the ripe old age of 56, I've finally mustered the courage to allow someone to capture me at my most vulnerable. Stripped down of all insecurities. I reminded my sister, who assisted me during the shoot, that not even she had ever seen me changing clothes. And now, she and a total stranger would see all that I've always worked so hard to cover. Photographer Lisa Fleet has liberated me, and I want to do it again. This is just a sampling of the magic created during my boudoir session. She made me feel like a professional print model, and gave me an experience I shall never forget. Thank you, Lisa, for matching my outer beauty with my inner. I'm so proud of the work.

"The beauty you carry on the inside, is responsible for the beauty you wear on the outside. Get to know your true beauty." - Me

Like Mother....

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to my unrivaled inspiration. The Original Glamour Girl, Marguerite. My mother planted the root, that fed my passion for fashion, love of art, and everything design. She was a style star, famous for her beautiful smile, killer curves, perfectly coifed hair, and captivating personality. People often tell the story of a transit bus driver who jumped a curb, distracted by the sway of her hips. At age 17, with a body measurement of 34-18-34, she was approached by Jet magazine to be the next swimsuit centerfold. Her parents declined the invitation. The very next year, she appeared in a news reel, atop a float, wearing a custom made, yellow velvet bathing suit. Imagine that vision in 1954. I adore my mother, and I am blessed to be born of unconditional love, a pure heart, and true beauty, inside and out.

 

The Art of Olivia....

....from my greeting card collection.

American Geisha (c) 2001 Olivia De Berardinis

Little Dragon (c) 2001

Red Dragon (c) 2002

A Girl Loves Her Pearls....

I don't know about you, but I hate the cold feel of stainless. To warm my shower, I designed the panels to touch the ceiling. I, then, added a detachable gold and pearl bead trim, cascading into a tieback.

This vase was once completely copper. I wish I had the before picture, but I never can seem to remember to take a snap before a project. My first attempt at gold leafing certainly isn't flawless, though I feel its' little imperfections, give it character.

A favorite little romantic corner....His and Hers. I turned this wall urn into a treasure chest, of sorts. It's filled with an assortment of shiny, vintage gold jewelry and oversized pearls.