Wearable Maps

I like maps in general. And they could easily have their own blog post on here. However, as we all know (do we?), I like to be hyper-specific. So I'm narrowing down my interest to wearable maps. Granted, I do not actually own at at present, but I always intent to buy them! Who knows why certain things fall by the wayside.


Maybe I like wearing maps because it sort of says to people, "Hey, I like going places!" or in the case of this picture pictures, "Hey, I come from Ixonia/Wisconsin!" Either way, I like wearing things like tee-shirts, and necklaces or pendants, and scarfs that tell people something about me. 


Don't ask me why I care, I supposedly just do.

Antique Lockets

There are a lot of faux antique lockets around these days... which are a complete travesty! And while on on that tangent, since when it is okay, etsy and ebay people, to call some brand new item vintage or antique when it is simply made to look vintage or antique?! (P.S. I hate you.) Lockets should not be commonplace or items that you buy for yourself (most of the time). How many movies and books include scenes wherein some character explains from whom they received their prized locket?

A lot, guys.

I love lockets--especially large ones. There is just something so lovely about carrying around a tangible photo in a sacred silver case. And don't even get me started on when they're engraved! Can you imagine finding something like that?! Or inheriting something like that? Or bestowing your own upon some future descendant to cherish? Lockets encapsulate (wink) everything that I truly love and value--history, loved ones, jewelry, antiques, etc. And oh, to find a lavalier locket (see photo)! I love the extra drop of the lavalier style. It creates such a beautiful shape along the neckline.

Kitsch Catholic Icons

Okay, I'll be blatantly honest and admit that this little interest of mine definitely started with Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet way back in 1996. I think I had to wait till I was older before my mom actually let me watch it though. Interestingly enough she was totally fine with my watching the 1968 version, which actually has nudity, unlike Luhrmann's. Hm.


Anyway. I've sort of gotten away from collecting these items now that I'm an adult (I guess). But they're still pretty awesome. Love the renaissance imagery juxtaposed with modern neon and velour. And yay for bright colors! Bright colors absolutely thrill me.

Blue Topaz

There's just something about Blue Topaz... I know this isn't very original, guys, but it reminds me of the sea. And now that I live in the desert it seems especially important to have have at least something that makes me think of water nearby.

Pure topaz is colorless and transparent but is usually tinted by impurities; typical topaz is wine, yellow, pale gray, reddish-orange, or blue brown. It can also be made white, pale green, blue, gold, pink (rare), reddish-yellow or opaque to transparent/translucent. Naturally occurring blue topaz is quite rare. But I'm okay with lab topaz. Whatevs.

There are three levels of color saturation. I prefer the Swiss Blue. Everybody else is all about the London Blue, but that's just plain too dark for my taste. I bought a blue topaz ring at the Renaissance Faire years ago, but tried in on it 90 degree weather. It's too big in normal temperatures. Lame.

Russian Olive Trees

Russian Olive trees (Elaeagnus angustifolia) are not native to Wisconsin, so I only learned about them on an earth sciences walk around the University of Wisconsin's (Milwaukee) campus one day in undergrad. Our prof was showing our class the myriad of tree varieties grown there and that is when I met Yuri and Svetlana, my beloved Russian Olives (of course I had to name them!).

I don't usually go for subtle hues or pieces of nature that are not overtly beautiful, but there was something about those twin trees that captivated me. I had to say hello to them every time I passed by their little plot beside the student union. There bark is wild and rough and barely clings, but it flows together out to the silver branches. In late spring, you can find fragrant lemon yellow bell-shaped flowers along the branches. The leaves are long and slim, silver on the backsides and slightly fuzzy. I've never seen the fruit look like anything other than the above picture, but apparently they grow larger, turn yellow or red, and are edible. But don't you have to soak olives in something to be able to eat them anyway? I've never heard of fresh olives...

I bought a baby Russian Olive for my parents' yard years ago but it failed miserably. And then to my absolute horror, I went to visit Yuri and Svetlana one spring day only to find that they'd been cut down. I was inconsolable (well, sort of).

Now that I'm in the Southwest, Russian Olives are ubiquitous and incredibly invasive. That changes them for me a little. But I'll always remember Yuri & Svetlana as they were and what they meant to me.

Appaloosas

My favorite horse! I went through stages as a child, first loving any chestnut-colored horse before transitioning to Duns, and then of course I had a Black Beauty phase. But now (and for awhile) Appaloosas are at the top. And guys, they do have the coolest name. I love the dappled grays. I even love just saying dappled grays!

They are almost otherworldly and totally remind me of this mystical toy horse I had as a child that was more dappled purple than gray. I thought it was Lady Lovely Lock's horse Silky Mane, but that one is just all purple. I do remember putting Pixietails in her mane though... But whatever, this doesn't really have anything to do with Lady Lovely Locks. Or maybe it really does. Maybe everything has to do with Lady Lovely Locks.

I think she needs her own post now.

Iolandra Dambra

I met this artist randomly in Italy while visiting the coastal town of Positano. The church there was hosting her show and her paintings are epic. There are mostly all religious in nature and they're so beautiful glossy and colorful. It was thrilling! I purchased this print but it just cannot do it justice. Her work feels so alive. I love the tones and the lines. I tried to copy her style once and failed miserably. I should probably just leave it up to her!