Clean House…Clear Paths…

Illustration by Robert Best

Hello Darlings! Just dropping by to send greetings and say that Madame X has been busy “cleaning house”….both literally and figuratively!  It has been a few weeks of rearranging priorities, bouncing around new ideas and taking a moment to reflect.  Sometimes one can’t see the woods for the trees and we must take a step back in order to see the bigger picture.

I had a friend who recently sent me a little formula for a “Karma Cleanse”… and to be quite honest it could not have come at a better time.  Sometimes in the day to day we become wrapped up in bills, friend dramas, emails, our own insecurities and being “busy.”  I found it necessary to stop, take a deep breath and prioritize better. I have been trying to incorporate a bit of meditation, small goals for the day, and eating healthy.  It has made a big difference in my day.

Here is what you can do to implement a “Karma Cleanse” if you are feeling you need a daily boost of awesome!

Until next time, Darlings!

xoxo

Madame X

http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

Oooo a “Sparkly!”

Hello Darlings! I was thinking to myself today how much I am attracted to and enthralled by anything sparkling and shiny. Whether diamonds, crystals, rhinestones or glitter, I cannot help but be transfixed by the way light reflects and refracts from it.

I remember when I was a little girl one of my favorite animated features was The Secret of Nimh. In the film, one of the characters is a klutzy crow (one of my favorite birds) named Jeremy.  In one particular scene he is hypnotized by a magical sparkling locket…and I immediately recognized crows to be one of my spirit animals, ha ha!

In any case, I have found myself making some new items for the shop and noticed how much sparkle I have been adding to some of my latest creations.  I made some pretty bracelets using rhinestones, cabochons, crystals, and yes, glitter. (You can never have too much glitter, Darlings!) I hope you enjoy them, I enjoyed making them and adding a bit of happy to them.

“Sparkly” new floating bracelets. http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

Silver shapes decorate this floating bracelet. http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

“Sparkly” new floating blue hearts bracelet. http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com’

Until next time…

xoxo

Madame X

http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

Slumber Pretty…

Hello Darlings! Madame X here, giving you your weekly dose of my musings and random posts about life, fashion, food and whatever else tickles my fancy.

This past week, I finally went through my stockade of hoarded fabrics and wondered how to go about creating some special magic with them.  I thought of what I love to do and one thing I love is getting my beauty sleep!  There aren’t many things that can compare to living a full day, winding down in the evening and then hitting a good book before heading off to the boudoir.  8 hours usually does it for me, anything less leaves me tired, and anything more gives me a head ache and feeling grumpy.  I do believe it helps keep me young!

Kawaii you so cute? Sleep Mask available at http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

I notice there’s too much light coming in through my windows at night, so I decided to make some sleep masks to help me filter out the glare.  I hand made and sewed several styles, all decorated with a bow, a dash of pearls or rhinestones for added panache and even managed to find some matching vintage golden lamé bias binding. I used brocades, silks and unique cotton prints and was happy with the results.

Pink & Ivory silk brocade sleep mask available at http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

They are over the top, delightful and YOU-nique! I hope you enjoy them…

xoxo

Madame X

http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

 

Marie Antoinette, so Fashionating…

A painting of a very young Marie Antoinette…doomed Queen of France.

Hello Darlings and welcome to May…what a pretty month leading up to the Summer.  As is customary for me, I’ve been toiling away in the boudoir/atelier making lovely items for Madame X.  I take a great pleasure deriving ideas and influences from all sorts of things:  history, art, current events, different cultures, film, books, etc.  I think one of the most fascinating icons of fashion and style was Marie Antoinette, Though not herself, French, she certainly was an integral part of the royal history of France.

Her opulent lifestyle and fashionable attire helped guarantee her a place in history, as much as her beheading and the political turmoil the royals of the time found themselves to be a part of.  When you think of her, French silks in pastels, lace and ribbons come to mind, as well as the powdered faces and towering pale wigs. It was all so over the top and decadent to an extreme.  I imagine it was like living life in a bubble until the pounding of revolution at the door sent it tumbling.

A slew of recent films such as the 2006 film by Sofia Coppola  has helped make Marie Antoinette popular among a newer generation who’ve grown up imitating her style.

I recently made some chokers inspired by her, I really enjoyed making them, maybe I’ll make more.

Pastel brocade choker available at http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

Blue tulle and vintage pink ribbon brocade choker. At: http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

xoxo

Madame X

http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

Plugging along…singing a song…

Hello Darlings! Thank you for joining me each and every week, I know my mental meanderings weave in and out like a drunken bumble bee sometimes…but I am a girl of many talents if I dare say so myself.

I have (finally) got myself on some sort of a schedule the last couple of months, which helps to keep me on track. I don’t know about you, but being the gypsy heart, I tend to need a bit of discipline to be productive…otherwise I would just sit in the boudoir frittering my life away and looking at pretty books and sipping tea (though, not a bad idea if one thinks about it)!

Let’s have tea, Darlings! (artwork by Helen Dardik) https://www.etsy.com/shop/helendardik

So it is, that each week I map out the week, this past week, I’ve been working with cute pink stars, crystals and lace.  I have been concentrating more on some pretty accessories.  Soon I hope to get back to more boudoir pieces, such as the lingerie…so many ideas!  See, Darlings, how my mind flies to all things?  In any case…you know where to find me…

Transparent pink star earrings with crystal touches! http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

Transparent pink star earrings with crystal touches! http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

xoxo

Madame X

http;//madamexapparel.storenvy.com

Explorers wanted…

Watercolor by Livy Long  https://www.behance.net/gallery/16241801/Watercolor-Lettering

Hello Darlings, Madame X here, the weeks have flown by and we are now in the midst of April…sometimes it feels like the year flies by quicker every year.  I for one have been enjoying the mild climate of SoCal, neither too hot nor too cold. This year I have yet to make my way over to the lovely beaches of this region, for shame! It’s important not to take things like that for granted.  Many years ago my family lived near Atlantic City and after a few years, the only time we ever went to Atlantic City or the famous boardwalk was when visitors were in town.  I suppose it is human nature to become accustomed to one’s surroundings and take for granted the beautiful enjoyments their area has to offer.

Realizing this, I have been taking more day trips in order to explore and take in the sights I may have overlooked.  Last week I was able to go to beautiful Palm Desert and take in a show, Dame Edna’s Farewell Tour.  Dame Edna has got to be one of my all time favorite DIVAS!  I know no one else who can sport a rhinestone encrusted dress, blinged out cat eye glasses and “wisteria” hue lilac hair!  I suppose, Darlings, the moral of this story is to get out and explore your world, no matter what corner of it you inhabit. I don’t know about you, but I sometimes get stuck indoors too long and before you know it, the time has flown!

Dame Edna and her lovely hair in a shade of wisteria.

…’til next time Darlings, back next week with some pretty new items in the shop.

xoxo

Madame X

http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

 

Springtime treats…

Hello Darlings, Madame X here.  No doubt everyone is looking forward to Spring again. There’s just something so refreshing about this time of year…the cold is thawing, the tulips and daffodils are poking through the ground, buds begin to appear and the birds to return to their homes and erupt in song.  Do I sound a bit romantic? Oh yes, guilty as charged, Darlings, as a girl I had such a vivid imagination and dreamy ways.

I’ve been holed up indoors working on my tasks of late that I almost forget to connect with the outside world! I have, as always, been working away at creating pretty things.  A touch of velvet her, some beads there, molding clay and showering sprinkles of glitter whenever I can (it’s all about the glitter, don’t you know).  I’ve been dreaming of Paris in Spring and I’ve even taken to adding little macarons to jewelry.  I am happy with the results, and will continue to dabble with different mediums, as I love to experience it all.

Hand made macaron necklace available at: http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

Handmade lavender macaron necklace available at Madame X. http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

That is all for now, back to the boudoir I go, to hatch new ideas and return next week to share them with you.  I wish you a FAB-ulous week ahead!

xoxo

Madame X

http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com

Analog Girl…

 

Analog Girl

Hello Darlings, just a quick post this week. It amazes me how much time I spend online these days, whether it be research, photo editing, writing, tracking down materials or posts on social media.  It can seem overwhelming sometimes!

After hours at the desk I have to push away, only to realize the whole day has passed in a flash. In all honesty however, I prefer the tactile quality of paper and pen, pencil and sketchbook.  I can spend hours looking at fabrics and touching them, comparing their weight, texture, colors and patterns. I might find myself walking in the park and taking photographs…how I miss the magic of film, so much nowadays is instant gratification…no wonder we have little attention span for anything that takes over a minute!

How about you, Darlings?  What is your favorite “analog” activity?  One of mine is listening to vinyl LPs on my old record player, it’s grainy, scratchy and most of the music cannot be found easily online.

Listening to records (by Fritz Willis)

‘Til next time…

xoxo

Madame X

http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com/

 

A hedgehog on my desk…

Oops…the hazards of the work space!

Greetings from Madame X, Darlings!  Today’s topic may seem a mundane one, but I for one think it’s fascinating!  Have you ever wondered what other people’s living and work spaces look like? The curious girl in me is always looking for ideas to spruce up my surroundings and it’s always inspirational to see what others do.  Today I present you with a “behind the scenes” peek at my work space…which resides in my living room.  It is a hodgepodge of thrifty finds residing on top of a small table on which I write, draw, eat, sew, craft, edit and do research.

My daily work space (cleaned up just for you, Darlings!)

 

Probably the most expensive item on my desk is my laptop/camera.  The mason jars that house my scissors and pencils were spray painted with gold.  My brushes sit in a tiki mug that i decorated…there is a large chip in the back but I think that adds character and it’s perfect for holding my brushes.

The flowers are silk (because I can’t keep plants alive to save my life) and matches my point and shoot camera perfectly…I LOVE purple, Darlings, it’s my favorite color!  The ribbon board was a thrift shop find and the flower pot was picked up at a farmer’s market.

A Carmen Miranda inspired vintage toy on the board over my desk.

My ribbon board holds several quirky postcards, cut outs, business cards and this vintage “noisemaker” inspired by Hollywood entertainer Carmen Miranda, I acquired it at an outdoor flea market, i love it!

Harris the hedgehog pencil sharpener.

This is “Harris the hedgehog”… my trusty pencil sharpener, because Darlings, I love to journal and do it the old fashioned way, pencil and paper!

How about you, my Darlings? What does your work/creative space look like?  What are some favorite items on your desk? Do you even work at a desk, if not, where do you do your best work? Do tell…

xoxo

Madame X

http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com/

Cupids, hearts and kisses…

 

Oh…to receive roses and love letters!

 

Hello Darlings from your marvelous Madame X…we are almost half way through February…how time flies and now we are near St. Valentine’s Day. I for one make EVERY day Valentine’s Day, there’s no need for a special holiday to celebrate love …yet thinking of it certainly piqued my curiosity.  It was fun remembering all the valentine’s cards exchanged in school…one year my teacher made everyone write something nice about everyone in the class and put it in our very own valentine box so at the end of the day we could read all the nice things the other children wrote about each one of us.  I received a lot of “very creative”, “artistic”, “nice person” notes, it gave me warm fuzzies!

Have you ever wondered how some things have become a part of our holiday traditions? Here are a few fun facts…

• As far back as the 1840’s candies were being stamped with witty sayings and served at weddings.  The heart shaped sweethearts sold today have been around since 1901! They are known as “conversation hearts” and are produced by the Necco Company.
• Flowers have, for centuries, held symbolic meaning…so it is no surprise that the red rose is the most popular flower sold on Valentine’s Day. The red rose often represents love and passion…its vibrant blood color often associated with matters of the heart.

Valentine card, 1850’s

• Valentines’s cards evolved out of the love letter, and England was where these paper greetings first rose in popularity.  Apparently not all young men back in the day could express their feelings in the way that the poets could so the card was born.  The advent of the industrial age produced cards with printed prose which could be manufactured and easily available to consumers.  Some of the earliest valentines were elaborate, using ribbon and lace.
• Hershey’s kisses have been around since 1907! No one knows why they were called kisses, one theory is that machines that deposited the chocolates during production made a kissing sound.  The famous foil wrapper with paper “plume” were added in 1921.

Cupid and his bow and arrow

From Greek and Roman mythology we get Eros/Cupid, he is the son of the Goddess of Love, Venus.  He is known as the god of desire, erotic love and attraction, so in other words, a natural choice to have him be associated with Valentine’s Day.  Most often depicted as a cherubic angel boy, he carries a bow and arrow.  According to myth, he carries two types of arrows which he shoots into mortal hearts.  One arrow is gold and pointed, it fills a person with desire and passion. The other arrow is blunt and full of lead, it fills a person with aversion and a desire to flee. No wonder love is so messy!!

Have a wonderful week my Darlings, ’til next time.

xoxo

Madame X

http://madamexapparel.storenvy.com/