Products So Good They Will Make Your Tassels Twirl

Thanks to modern pioneers like Dita Von Teese, Dirty Martini, Jo Boobs and other performers, burlesque is everywhere these days and it couldn't be more exciting for a lifelong cabaret lover like myself. If you were to turn me into a pile of materials it would consist of feathers, sequins, glitter and well...anything pink and sparkly.  And so as it happens every once in a while, I am suddenly trendy. 

Burlesque Painting as seen on Bellydancing by Elaine

Christina Aguilera's movie "Burlesque" is coming out and amazing new troupes are popping up every day-including Delray Beach's own Modernesque Burlesque, celebrating a year of tantalizing shows and incredible performances. Burlesque is popular again!

People are even decorating their homes, events and weddings in retro burlesque fashions:

Wedding Photo from YourWeddingDay.com

 

Burlesque Wallpaper as seen on The Gin Lady

Put some tease back into your life with these great products, style inspirations and burly-q goodness

so good they will make your tassels twirl: 

It's almost summer time - let your inner pin-up girl shine with the "Skipper" Nautical Bikini from one of my favorite places to shop Pin Up Girl Clothing. Check out their site- I promise you won't be disappointed!

On the beach, at the grocery store, craft store or even the office - this sexy seamstress Tote by 6Prints is a fun way to lug around all your stuff.

This beautiful headband by Tragic Veil is pure burlesque heaven.

 

Burlesque Beauty Pendant by Queen Bean Jewels on ArtFire

More removable than a stripper pole. Bring a little sexy sass into your home with this wall decal by beepart.

Make your bedroom your own red light district with a lingerie clad Tramp Lamp.

Finally, burlesque is all about the tease - and there is no tease unless something is left to the imagination.

Key to every performance is the perfect pair of pasties. Here are some of my favorites:

Candy Pasties by Fleur du Mal

 

Awesome Sushi Pasties. Photo by Fractured Frame Photography.

Music Note Pasties by Manuge-et-Toi Burlesque as seen on Trend de la Creme 

Pac Man Pasties as seen on Forever Geek.

 If you are local to the Delray area, don't forget to check out Modernesque Burlesque's June 5th Midnight Show.  See Pulp Pin-up at its finest at Respectable Street.  Find out more and buy presale tickets for only $5 at http://www.respectablestreet.com/.





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Windmill Mania

I fell in love with windmills when we took a tour of Amsterdam's countryside to see tulip fields, a cheese auction, clog makers and huge, powerful and absolutely beautiful windmills.  I guess many other people are fascinated by them as well because today is

WINDMILL DAY

Windmill and Tulips in Holland Magnet

  Of course the Netherlands aren't the only ones with windmills. As a matter of fact, according to the U.S. Energy Information Association reported that as of 2008 the United States ranked first in the world in wind power capacity. Here are some items that celebrate windmills in all shapes, sizes and locations:

Such a cute mug by Bella Joy Pottery. On the flip side are skyscrapers and they call this their "Are you a city mouse? Or a country mouse?" mug. 

This card by einnej is definitely for a country mouse but it is such beautiful papercut art that even a city mouse would find it chic.

Promote alternative energy with this Wind Farm Shirt by Happy Family.

Pamela J's Vintage Windmill Pendant is gorgeous. I love the look on the lady's face and the rainbow of colors make me smile. 

Blow away the other throw pillows with Dwell in Style's Hand Printed "Wind Power" Pillow.

And finally here are some of my favorite windmill paintings:

Van Gogh's “Le Blute-fin Mill”

Windmill Painting by Steve Fazzio

Windmill / Bastrop Paintings by C.M. Henderson

Weekend Art School: Feliz Gonzalez-Torres

Felix Gonzalez-Torres (November 26, 1957-January 9, 1996) was a Cuban artist who grew up in Puerto Rico before moving to New York City. Gonzalez-Torres had his first one-man exhibition of his early text pieces in 1988 at the Rastovsky Gallery (560 Broadway) in Soho. He dreamed of moving to Las Vegas.

Perfect Lovers

His work was the focus of several major museum solo exhibitions in his lifetime and after his death. Retrospectives of his work have been organized by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York (1995), the Sprengel Museum in Hannover, Germany (1997), the Serpentine Gallery in London (2000), and the FLAG Art Foundation in New York (2009).

Untitled by Gonzalez-Torres (known as Go-Go Platform)

Gonzalez-Torres was known for his quiet, minimal installations and sculptures. Using materials such as strings of lightbulbs, clocks, stacks of paper, or packaged hard candies, Felix Gonzalez-Torres's work is sometimes considered a reflection of his experience with AIDS. He was also considered within his time to be a process artist due to the nature of his 'removable' installations by which the process is a key feature to the installation. Many of Gonzalez-Torres's installations invite the viewer to take a piece of the work with them: a series of works allow viewers to take packaged candies from a pile in the corner of an exhibition space, while another series consists of stacks of ultrathin sheets of clear plastic or unlimited edition prints, also free for the viewer to take. These installations are replenished by the exhibitor as they diminish. The most pervasive reading of Gonzalez-Torres's work takes the processes his works undergo (lightbulbs expiring, piles of candies dispersing, etc.) as metaphor for the process of dying. Other readings include the issue of Public vs. Private, Identity, and participation in contemporary art. One of his most recognizable works, Untitled (1991) was a billboard installed in twenty-four locations throughout New York City of a monochrome photograph of an unoccupied bed, made after the death of his lover, Ross, to AIDS.

Untitled 1991

In one interview, he said "When people ask me, 'Who is your public?' I say honestly, without skipping a beat, 'Ross.' The public was Ross. The rest of the people just come to the work."

Gonzalez-Torres died in 1996 due to AIDS related complications. In May 2002, the Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation was created. In addition to serving as the official Estate of Felix Gonzalez-Torres, the Foundation hopes to "to foster an appreciation for the work of Felix Gonzalez-Torres among the general public, scholars, and art historians." The U.S. representative for the Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation is the Andrea Rosen Gallery, which heavily exhibited his work both before and after his death.

Untitled

In 2007, he was selected as the United States' official representative at the Venice Biennale. (The only other posthumous representative from the United States was Robert Smithson in 1982.)

** Information from Wikipedia

Ten Unique and Art-Full Advertisements

Advertisements can be informative, interesting, funny and beautiful...and sometimes, they can be downright weird. Those are my favorite kinds!

Here are ten strange and creative advertisements for Art-Full Friday:

Amazingly innovative ad idea for IWC

Cute bench advertisement from Denver Water

 

This ingenious marketing for 3M's Security Glass featured real money inside of a bus stop terminal.  

Bloody, multi-dimensional and a definite traffic stopper. Such a great ad for Kill Bill.

I have no idea what I am looking at here in this Ben and Jerry's ad...but it's definitely unforgettable!

This water safety fixture is totally upsetting but a great visual effect. I wonder how many people try to save the child before realizing he is fake?

Phenomenal effect in this Miele Vacuum billboard

Thanks to the Kitsch Bitch for this one. She said it best..."Um....Happy Earth Day?"

This ad for KayaKing Peanuts just makes me laugh.

And last but not least....

Gillette's totally disturbing and strange painted ad for safety razors, apparently safe enough for babies??? 

What is your favorite crazy advertisement?

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Turning Frowns Upside Down

Everyone seems to be dragging this week, and I can't imagine today is going to be any different with all of last night's Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Keeping that in mind, today's Thursday Etsy Treasury is all about keeping things bright, happy and fresh.  These items put a smile on my face - I hope they do the same for you!

Big bow - check. Bright color - check. Durable denim - check. I think I might have to buy this purse by MyTIDA

While I may not be the handiest in the kitchen - I know how to look good in one! Next time I burn banana bread I hope I am wearing something as cute as this apron from Pretty Little Pearl.

I am in looooooove. He is pink, cuddly, handmade - and looks like he is up to something. This Amiguri Monkey by Cute Designs might be my handcrafted soul mate. 

 

I can't imagine the time that went into creating this bowl by Lucky Luly. I wouldn't have the patience to make it, but it is so bright and pretty I definitely have the desire to buy it!

Sometimes you just have to go bold and this ring by Everyday Diamonds makes it impossible for your hands to go unnoticed. It is half girly, half goth and totally irresistible.

Popcorn shaped soap that smells like cotton candy by LoveLee Soap!

This would make a perfect movie night guest gift.

And since you can't eat the popcorn, I had to include these gorgeous Chocolate Mint Chip Cookies by Meg's Cookie Jar. They remind me of Tiffany's so now I want food and diamonds....

Smile!

Fiesta Infusion

I love Cinco de Mayo -  Mexican traditions, vibrant colors, music you can't help but dance to, tons of delicious food you can't help but eat and an excuse to drink margaritas in the afternoon....I wonder if Seis de Mayo has an inferiority complex....

Why limit the fun to one day? Below are items to help you infuse a little fiesta in the other 364 days of the year.

This vintage 70's Mexican Embroidered Dress from Hellhound Vintage is fantastic.

Her shoes are spot-on too. Love them.

This piece by Savi is crafty and cozy and glitzy and beaded - like a drag queen grandma made me a necklace. I absolutely adore it.

Um...is there anything better than a penguin in a sombrero? Even the baby with half a face can't deter from the cute factor of this Cinco de Mayo Toddler Shirt from Zazzle. 

 

Wholesale Bar Supplies sells Glassware inspired table and chair sets.

Imagine 365 days of Margarita Magnifico in your kitchen.

From the flower in her hair to her great rack, AnitaMargarita by Details Art is fabulous.

And of course, I can't talk about Mexican art without mentioning the Goddess of all things Glitter:

Kathy Cano-Murillo - The Crafty Chica. Kathy is an artist, a writer, a creator and an inovator.

I could go on for hours about her blog, her books, her crafters cruise - but if you're looking to add a little Mexican flair to your home - look no further than the incredible Crafty Chica Etsy store which features products by Kathy and her husband Patrick.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!