INSPIRE ME TODAY………….
Come along for a picture LOOKBOOK and see if these photos do not INSPIRE YOU to pull out those PEARLS and wear with your t-shirts and frocks!
Think BREAKFAST at TIFFANY’s……………every day!
If YOU look GOOD you will FEEL GOOD…………..
If you FEEL GOOD you will SMILE more…………..
If you SMILE more……..who knows what may fall in your path!
This happens sometimes when I get side tracked from cleaning or working around the HOUSE.My creative side takes over……………..and I NEVER get back to what I was doing!But at LEAST I am SMILING.
The Garden Statue hails from Belgium.She remains outside in my side yard.I call HER the DIVINE LADY!
A bit of Coco Chanel inspiration…………………
Roses from my garden add a nice touch.
Magical…………..Yes?
I think I NEED more pearls…………..after seeing the IRIS APFEL movie!!She referred to her collection of jewelry as “collecting ART!”What was so inspiring to see was at HER age she still has the LUST of shopping and DISCOVERY!I saw a WEE bit of MYSELF in HER.
Keep searching for NEW discoveries……………..Be Inspired daily!
SHOP thrift stores and Consignment shops……..it is AMAZING what people TOSS!
I found the Divine Lady’s Crown at a Consignment shop……….come to find out I even knew the LADY who had made it!
Vintage Glass box…………..perfect for seeing what you have!
I had Fun playing one afternoon………and being INSPIRED by what was around me.
You do the SAME TODAY!
Put some COSTUME JEWELS on and SEIZE the DAY!
Looking for INSPIRATION….. are you on INSTAGRAM?
Go to ADVANCED STYLE there is LOTS of INSPIRATION there.
Look for me 11 weeks ago!
I will give you a HINT.
HAT,lemons and a CORGI named WINSTON!
BE HAPPY……………..
IT is RAINING here in NORTHERN CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!.
Someone MUST have done a RAIN DANCE FINALLY!!!
Lee says
Beautiful post… gorgeous pictures and thoughts… I love pearl tassels!! Elizabeth, I recall wishing you rain from Texas… just maybe the wish made it to heaven ears!
contessa says
I think it DID!
SEND MORE PLEASE!!!!!!!!
Julie Russell says
Lovely! And, thank goodness for this rain.
Loree says
You are so creative and awesome. Love your pearls. I love pearls and diamonds but the older the get the more I feel myself drawn to ethnic jewellery; to heavy silver pieces and turquoise. I am such a contradiction. One day I am all diamonds and pearls and Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the next I am all for Celtic or tribal jewellery and running around like a gypsy. Is there a cure you think?
contessa says
NO!
ME TOO…………..CHANGE IT UP!
GOOGLE this IRIS APFEL……..she is JUST LIKE YOU!
XX
Sandra Sallin says
Love that huge globe of pearls. Don’t laugh but I thought an (ahem) older woman with grey hair wearing pearls was too matronly! What do you think oh Contessa?
contessa says
NO NO NO!
ONE STRAND YES………BUT on YOU WE would put a few strands……different lengths!TRY IT,do I need to send more pearls?I am ON IT if I DO!
Merisi in Vienna says
Those roses and pearls are breathtakingly beautiful!
I confess that while scrolling through and looking at all those fabulous jewels, I could not stop worrying about them getting marred by the stone. Pretty sure, though, that you definitely know how to keep them safe. 😉
So glad to hear about the rain. I hope it rains long enough to make a difference!
contessa says
The PEARLS areNOT REAL………so no worries there.THANKS for your CONCERN!I was gentle lifting and placing!!
Sheila in SF says
The Devine Lady looks beautiful. Yes, pearls are lovely….a good reminder to have fun.
contessa says
HI!!!!
I do believe you are COREY’s buddy!
Wonderful to have you following along!!
suzana says
I am totally inspired by the pearl tassels, may try to make some soon. x
contessa says
DO IT!
Tassels are the rage for FALL!
anita@letshavelunch says
Earthly treasure….. your garden.
White roses…. platinum.
Yellow roses….gold.
Priceless……..like you.
Neat xx
contessa says
YOU are MY treasure!
XO
Jennifer says
I need more pearls too. A woman can never have too many of them. Your roses are simply stunning. I await an invitation for tea in the garden:))
xoxox
contessa says
We must wait for the second BLOOM!With this rain it shouldn’t be far off………….
Lets do IT!
xo
Miss Mary says
WAIT!- is that a little “dove sized” crown? TOO CUTE!
I love these pictures, and will be inspired by them in my own Tennessee garden. I may have to decorate the dog, though, as I am short on statuary. 🙂
The heat has arrived here, but (finally) the calendula from Giverny has bloomed! (a treasured gift from my own little dove-purchased on YOUR visit to the gardens, I believe!)
So glad you received the rain. Happy days to you, dear Contessa.
contessa says
I have to TELL you your little DOVE was here yesterday telling me about your garden about the time you wrote this comment!!!!
THEY HAVE ARRIVED and all is looking GOOD!I will have them for dinner soon!
contessa says
VIA EMAIL:
These pictures are spectacular..
What fun!! Off to Brooke’s graduation
Tomorrow:)
Xo
contessa says
OH, what FUN……………TEARS OF JOY I would assume!
French Basketeer says
I love it! OUI~ Search for inspiration and beauty daily, in the garden or elsewhere!! Your pearls, roses and the Divine Lady are all gorgeous!
Donna~Faded Velvet says
Elizabeth~ you’ve inspired me to put pearls on my statues. Alas, the only statuary I have is a silly gnome Ive acquired (from who knows where..)Do you think he’d like to be crowned and robed in them as he reads his book under his tree?? Hmmmm. Stay tuned. Xoxo Madam Faded Velvet
contessa says
OF COURSE HE WOULD!!!!!!!!!XO
D. A. Wolf says
Absolutely fantastic! I remember one season of Sex and the City during which the Carrie Bradshaw character was wearing gobs of pearls. I love love love that look, and if I could get away with it, I’d wear it! In fact, I’d wear everything you’ve dressed that Belgian Beauty in, residing in your garden. (And naturellement, I would have to have the footwear to go with the necklaces…)
And the glass box with the jewelry so you can see it?
Brilliant.
xo
contessa says
YOU remind me a bit of CARRIE!!!GO to the dollar store and see about some pearls……….I think you could carry off different levels too!If I find some in my travels………I will send as I think you would Love to play with them as you EDIT on your deck in the summer with your wine glass filled with lemon water…………………XX
Gaylin says
Lovely ,beautiful post!
I am inspired!
Thank you!
contessa says
OH GOODY!!!
Jody Brettkelly says
Love pearls! and must wear more often in a gorgeous way like you do. Praise the rain babay!
contessa says
YOU can say that AGAIN!IT is still wet outside!!!!!!
foodiefan says
During the 80’s pearls were all us Auusie girls wore and now they have done a full circle and back in vogue again! So glad that San Francisco got rain today, even though it was just a shower, but hopefully it will be the start of a continuos downpour for California. Pleased though that my visit to your place was on a balmy night! So true if you feel good you will smile more……xo
contessa says
YOU AUSSIE GIRLS rock……………..
We were so lucky with that NIGHT!
Off you go to GRADUATION!!!!
XO
Beth says
Beautiful! I love this!!
contessa says
THANKS……………..BETH!!
Catherine says
The perfect combination, Contessa…I do love your ‘divine lady’ she is exquisite!
Happy Days 🙂 xx
Tara Sayers Dillard says
Your garden statuary now looks like you.
During our drought I was watering pots with my shower water. Had to laugh, walking the garden, realizing my garden smelled like me !!
Packing packing packing. Found some jewelry hidden over 2 years ago. I’m sure you know what that is like.
Garden & Be Well, XOT
contessa says
YES!
I DO!!!
Good luck with the move!
XO
Anita Rivera says
My beloved Contessa, who breathes the same inspiration that I DO! YIKES this is SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!! I am late here; last night after a long and fabulous day of walking til we dropped, I could barely make it to upload photos to Instagram. I have not followed the idea of Instagram in that I take photos with my camera then upload them! My phone and tablet photos are horrible!
OK, now down to business. Madame Divine is, well, DIVINE! OOOOOOOOO How I love your mind. Pearls, but of COURSE! You are giving me an idea here….I have an old metal cherub in my garden and when we return home, I will doll her up for a photo shoot. But your pearls here, great glory, they are RICH and look wonderful. We are again alike. I could be in the middle of doing laundry, scrubbing the floor or doing some other chore when suddenly inspiration STRIKES! Then I get sidetracked and I start to play.
Oh, have fun. We are having a blast and are exhausting ourselves. Today however, we are driving up north. Talk soon!
contessa says
AS you pass the BAY BRIDGE or if you take 680Walnut Creek thats ME!!!
I hope we get the chance to meet up!
ENJOY!
XX
Karena says
Dear Elizabeth, how artfully inspired and gorgeous!!
I love it and it makes me think even more about how art is everywhere in our lives!! Brava!!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Jackson Pollock
contessa says
IT IS and I think INSTAGRAM has helped people realize that Karena!Some of those photos take my breath away!
XX
Heather in Arles says
Oh dear me, good thing I came back to double check just to be sure! I saw this last night just before heading off to bed and was convinced that I had written a comment but must have gone straight off to snoozeville with the biggest smile on my face – I bet I had the most glamorous dreams too – all because of you!
I just want to say one thing: “only you could do this.” It is absolutely true. You are amazing and lovely beyond belief my friend…
xoxoxo
contessa says
YOU just made me BLUSH!!!!!!!!!!
XO
contessa says
VIA EMAIL:
I Can feel your joy and creative process from here!!! LOVE
Abigail P. Zimmerman
Artist, Cook, Winemaking Mama
contessa says
OH, ABIGAIL I still haveNOT read the book you leant me!!!!
I will start it TODAY!I promise to get it back to YOU also!!!
HAPPY YOU CAN FEEL THE JOY UP NORTH!!!
Marsha @ Splenderosa says
You are D.I.V.I.N.E.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
X10
LA CONTESSA says
YOU TOO!!!!!!!
Doré @ BurlapLuxe says
Oh Elizabeth, you know how to inspire beauty, perhaps the garden lady needs a set of her own, ones you can leave on her and let them age and decay to her liking. Even if they get so weathered and worn that they begin to drop like little treasures in the gardens around her.
Love your beauty.
Xoxo
Dore
LA CONTESSA says
YOU are ALWAYS so kind and GRACIOUS………I better jets over to YOU to see what YOU have been up TOO!
contessa says
VIA EMAIL:
You made me smile…
Jemma says
Stunning roses and oh my Pearls! Why of course-darling!
xoxo
Jemma
LA CONTESSA says
OF COURSE!
ISN”T that the TRUTH!
XX
1010ParkPlace says
Last weekend I went to see the Rolling Stones. I’ve been a Stones fan since I was 12, so for me, this was no ordinary outing. I wore dark charcoal silk pants, a white, long-sleeved sequined t-shirt and rows and rows of pearls. I was nearly as well dressed as Mick Jagger!
Brenda
LA CONTESSA says
YOU SOUND OVER THE TOP SMASHING!!!!!!!!!
BRAVA………….
Heather Lindstrom says
Oh my, she is a true beauty!! My garden lady is looking completely naked about now. Time for some jewels! Thanks so much for joining our Lifestyle LinkUp today. You always add a vibrant twist. Love the inspiration!
Happy weekend my dear,
xx-Heather
LA CONTESSA says
TO YOU TOO……..it is a BEAUTY!
What happened to MORE RAIN…………..we MUST DO A DANCE!
M-T says
Dear Contessa, what a lucky lady she is, your Divine Lady, to be so beautifully adorned. I love pearls. Always have, even when they were considered very Great Aunt Edna in the 60’s. Unless you are a beautifully carved garden statue, you have to be careful about the color of the pearls against your skin — warm complexions need off-white/oyster (moi!) and cool complexions look best in true white (my late Mme Mère). I have all of Mme Mère’s real and costume jewelry, and I love wearing them. You would have loved my opera-singer mother, Contessa. She knew how to make an entrance and an exit (just as important).
Cheers, M-T
contessa says
OPERA SINGER MERE!!!!!!!!!YOU KNOW I WOULD HAVE LOVED HER!I collect old velvet opera coats too!!!!!!!
Heather Lindstrom says
Thanks again for joining our linkup lovely lady. You are so kind to check out each and every post–truly–such wonderful support for our blogging community!
Happy Saturday Contessa dear!
xx
LA CONTESSA says
IN the garden now pruning away……………..
MY PLEASURE REALLY!!!
XX
sarah says
Pearls, Roses, Garden Statues and Vintage Glass Jewellery Boxes all compliment each other so beautifully. Another stunning post Contessa!!! and the magic ……. happiness and rain!!! xxx
contessa says
STUNNING YOU!
THANK YOU for your words……they make my DAY!
XO
Leslie Harris says
I know what you mean about giving in to those creative moments Contessa. And what a dreamy vignette you’ve created with your lovely garden angel. I feel transported when I gaze at her. And thank you so much for visiting me. I had to chuckle at your comment on the Konda gal. I think I know what you mean though. Her preference for austere surroundings is not a ‘home’ that would feel cozy enough for me, and reading about her childhood compulsions to clean everything in sight…did make me quite curious about her personal story.
hope you’re having a fabulous weekend,
Leslie
contessa says
Everyone seems to be reading this BOOK at the moment and cleaning OUT and chatting it up on their BLOGS!TO clean OUT is to have an EMPTY LIFE………………NOT ME….. NOT THERE YET!Cleaning as a child…………….that is ODD from the get GO!
Lovely to have you POP in for a VISIT!
This LINK up is a fun way to meet others……………….
Grace Kaplan says
Love pearls, love costume jewelry and am constantly adding to my collection…and YES, it is art. My collection always inspires me to make my own interpretations. For a smaller framed elder stateswoman like me…I go with smaller pearls or freshwater. Thanks for your roses…missing mine…
contessa says
LOVE FRESHWATER PEARLS……………….”SMALLER FRAMED ELDER STATESWOMAN”!LOve this TOO!!!!!
Lynne says
As a former fashion jewelry buyer…(Back in the 80’s)…this post warms my heart!
I love the notion of going outside to play, Contessa! How beautiful is your garden angel, wrapped in a her symphony of pearls and roses! Pearls with my T and jeans today, because of you!
~Lynne
w/L
contessa says
YOU look SMASHING I just know!
Who were you a BUYER for?DO TELL………….
Jenny says
Love the pearls! Pictures are beautiful and styled so perfectly!:)
Marcia Pilar says
Never enough pearls. LOVE them.
Hello, Contessa, thank you for stopping by via Heather and Jennifer’s.
I remember visiting via Anita’s party last year, but I lost your page link when I made changes to my blog. Added you to my reader just now, and look forward to browsing your gorgeous page.
contessa says
WONDERFUL…………..THANK YOU!
Katie Clooney says
Pearls and roses are two of my FAVORITE things. And when you throw the CONTESSA into the mix, life is GRAND!!!
contessa says
I LIKE YOU!
YOU KNOW THAT RIGHT?
XX
Trina says
Yes, this is purely magical indeed. I, too, love getting lost in my creative side and tend to do just about the same type of things. Don’t you just love it when that creative brain takes over, especially when hubby is around, he just goes in another room and shakes his head. Your garden, my dear, is inspiration to my soul as well as your words. Thank you for sharing.
contessa says
HUBBY going into another room and shaking HEAD……….YES,that has happened to me MANY TIMES!!!!
No Fear of Fashion says
I love pearls. And I have quite a few pieces. Real and costume. But not as many as you have. Your pictures are ever so nice to see. Dreamy, pretty and beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration.
Greetje
contessa says
THANK YOU GREETJE…………….thanks for stopping by.
cherie says
Love it ALL Contessa! I love how you just go where your creativity takes you. Your lady definitely looks divine. I would have loved to see it all on you as well. I have been a little crazy lately with kids and end of school, but I’m always checking in! XO cherie
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
contessa says
I know I know………….
It is GOOD to be BUSY!
Think of YOU often when I see YOUR KIND of STUFF!!
XO
Jacqueline says
Oh Elizabeth ….. what wonderful photographs and, if you look at my Blogger photo { which was taken at our son’s wedding } I am wearing exactly the same pearls so, you are a girl after my own heart !!
Your roses are SO beautiful and, you have so many. Enjoy your garden Elizabeth. Lots of love. XXXX
contessa says
I WILL…………….need to deadhead today!getting ready for the second explosion!
I will trot over to see YOU in your pearls!!
XX
The Style Crone says
Beautiful! I love spending time doing just what you describe. Iris Apfel inspired me, and so do you! Pearls and more pearls!
contessa says
YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION!!!
Anya says
Absolutely beautiful pearls and roses.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
A
Leisa Hammett says
Contessa!: Where to start! I love to look at art. It sings to my heart. Now I created a little rhyme, so I can say I did my part. Well, really, rhyming was not my intent here and the song to my heart is real today, early this morning, looking at and discovering your blog and who you are. Oh my. Lovely. Inspiration. Fun. I have seen the movie Iris. Just recently. And, your arm bracelets were the first image I saw on your blog and I thought of the movie. Thought to myself: “that looks like Iris.” I saw other images similar in your lovely IG feed. And then to learn you were featured on Advanced Style, too. I loved that movie, too and have the book.
Fun, fun. I must of pinned a half-dozen images. My heart began to resonate at the pin options of the day you dressed up your stature with your pearls. Love that. Love that you did it. Love the images. Am I being giddy? Yes. I feel it.
I guess maybe the reaction to each other’s blogs, as per your comment on my recently birthday post, is reciprocal. And, yes, in the 90s I did wear a small strand of pearls with my tees. I have a friend who’s 60 and where’s hers every day.
Thank you for being a style maven/leader/inspiration and kicking those aging stereotypes to the curb, sister. Rock that fashion and tude on, girlfriend! Now, I’m going to your Pinterest site!
contessa says
OH< THANK YOU for TRACKING ME DOWN from the LIFESTYLE LINK UP! I do not PIN like everyone else......in fact I haven't looked at it in over a year!But the photos I do have there make my heart soar......... Welcome to my world. I best get on and start a new POST. Thank You for finding me on Instagram too! XX
Libby Wilkie says
I have been trying and trying to see the Iris Apfel movie…must go with a girlfriend, as, of course, it’s not quite the husband’s thing! I adore your pearls in the garden. Pearls are special, aren’t they? I inherited my Mother’s pop it beads, in pearl, and adore them too!!! My pearl Pinterest board has continued to be one of my most popular: https://www.pinterest.com/libbywilkie/pearls/
I’ll be back here and will follow now!
contessa says
THANK YOU……..I think I tried to FOLLOW YOU But had a SNAFU!I shall try try again!LOVE BOLD JEWELRY TOO…….I just found a BIG PINK BABBLE necklace in my storage!PLucked it out and brought it HOME!WIll think of YOU when I wear it!Perhaps I will snap an INSTAGRAM PIC with it on!
cindy hattersley says
Your posts always give me a huge”kick in the pants” . When you speak you speak my language…getting distracted…etc. etc. We do have to officially meet after I recover which I know will be quick!!