Monday, August 31, 2015

Mermaid Monday : Forever Summer





Handmade mini ruffle caftan available on Etsy.

Happy MermaidMonday!!
Love,
MademoiselleMermaid

Friday, August 28, 2015

Friday Flower Pick : Magnolia


On summer days when the temperature soars, 
I look for any excuse to take my work outside!!
...On one such lovely day, as I sat sketching in the park under a canopy of dark green, waxy leaves, I noticed a tree trimming in action...
And when I spotted this magnificent flower falling to the ground with a tree branch, I scooped it right up!!

The dazzling scent of the massive, creamy white bloom, was my constant companion for the day :-)




Now, I'm no stranger to the magnolia trees, with their flowers high up in the air,
lining the sidewalks and filling the parks around here,
but I had never held one of the flowers in my hand before.
It must have been at least nine inches across...
and every inch of it a work of art!!

HappyFriday!!
Love,
MademoiselleMermaid

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Thursday Things I Love : Sunset Roses


Summer is winding down,
and that back-to-school feeling is starting to set in...
But there is still plenty of time to enjoy one of my favorite late-summer activities:
Catching an unhurried sunset from the Palisades Park Rose Garden!!

Not too early, not too late,
...a 7:30ish sundown means the timing is perfect for me 
to hop on my beach cruiser and head to the park for an amble about the roses 
(snapping photos of course!) 
...with a splendid golden light filling the spaces between the petals and leaves.




I hope you too are enjoying some stolen summer moments, 
bathed in golden light!!

Love,
MademoiselleMermaid

Words of Wisdom : Emily Dickinson


"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all."
-Emily Dickinson


Love,
MademoiselleMermaid

Monday, August 24, 2015

New! Crochet Fringe Necklace Pattern

My latest crochet pattern is out and ready for insta-download on Etsy!!

 
This time around, I've created a gorgeous, bohemian crochet fringe necklace
that stitches up in a snap and requires precious little finishing...
while still packing a major high fashion punch :-) 

Complete and clear step-by-step instructions and images
help to ensure that this project doesn't end up in your w.i.p. pile!!
...So grab a crochet hook and some cotton yarn, 
arm yourself with basic stitch know-how, 
and hit the park with a picnic to spend an afternoon with 
a fun d.i.y. project you're sure to collect complements on!!






Designing this item and the tutorial has been a real delight, 
and I hope you'll enjoy the crochet process too!!
Love the luscious fringe look, but not a crafty gal? 
Not to worry!! Mademoiselle Mermaid has you covered...
In a lot of fringe :-)
...and a lot of colors :-)
Shop the finished look right here.

Happy MermaidMonday!!
Love,
MademoiselleMermaid

Friday, August 21, 2015

Friday Flower Pick : Sidewalk Surprises



Sidewalk surprises come in so many forms...

Underfoot, they may be slow but determined little snails,
making a very important crossing.
...Or maybe they are glittering bits of stone,
sprinkled about in otherwise ordinary concrete.
(Thank you downtown Santa Monica!!)
...Or perhaps they're beautifully ephemeral chalk drawings,
in pretty pastels, marking the way.

But keeping your head up has it's own rewards too...
Majestic magnolia trees shade and refresh you on a hot summer day, as the sunshine passes through their leaves in golden twinkles.
...And this time of year, you'll definitely want to be on the lookout for tiger swallowtail butterflies...fluttering by on a flower garden high!!

Yet sometimes, eye level is right where it's at...
Strolling around the neighborhood, I found all three of these gorgeous blooms, posed and ready for their closeups...bobbing playfully in the breeze and stretching from their yards, right into my path.
"What's the password?" they teased.
"Click, click. Click, click." I replied :-)




HappyFriday!!
Love,
MademoiselleMermaid

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Mini and Maxi Cotton Gauze Caftans


It's been over four years since I first introduced 
my cotton gauze caftan dress...
in ethereal white...
...effortless, beach chic, and most definitely willing to travel!!

24 colors and endless styling options later, the look is still going strong!! 

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be adding some fresh photos of my best sellers to my site...
And here's a look at how it's going=)...







Stay tuned for more soon=)...
...and stay cool out there!!
Love,
MademoiselleMermaid

Friday, August 14, 2015

Ivory Roses in the Moonlight

I love a good early morning walk to greet the sunrise...any day!!
I'll relish an afternoon amble through the neighborhood 
or partake in a sunset stroll along the shore
...as often as I get the chance...

But an evening promenade through the park?
...I believe that's a walker's delight 
most perfectly suited to the heat of the summer!!

...It's quiet and cool at the witching hour, 
and I just had to see the roses in the moonlight*...




*Well, since it's a new moon, 
I suppose it's technically starlight and streetlight illuminating the garden :-)
...And that sounds just as dreamy to this nighttime wanderer!!

HappyFriday!!
Love,
MademoiselleMermaid

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Friday Flower Pick : Sunflower Spectacle

When it comes to summertime garden spectacles,
it's hard for a display of gigantic, sunshiny yellow sunflowers
...surrounded by a halo of buzzing bees...
to be outdone!!

I spotted this mega-beauty reaching high over a garden fence
to a lovely morning sky of light blue and white, fluffy clouds!!


...A perfect burst of summertime happiness,
nurtured by fine weather and salty Pacific breezes!!

HappyWeekend!!
Love,
MademoiselleMermaid