Valentina's music performance

My daughter had her music performance yesterday. She sang the R'n"B classic "Sitting on the dock of the bay", as well as played the instrumental version of "Hoppipolla" by the Icelandic band Sigur Ros. Sound quality could be better, but I filmed this with my iPhone.


"Sitting on the dock of the bay" by Otis Redding


"Hoppipola" by Sigur Ros

It's not only a paper moon!

Yesterday I had a wonderful surprise from my friend Ulla, who gave me a very special gift in celebration of my anniversary. Wow! I was speechless. A beautiful scene with a couple embracing in a glittering paper moon adorned the package. Inside I found one of Ulla's gorgeous soldered glass pendant necklaces: a fan and geisha. What a beautiful gift, it means a lot to me! Ulla is a fantastic teacher and artist and a very generous soul, always sharing her ideas and know how through her blog or by teaching at Castle in the Air. She is also the inspiration that got me started on this blog.
The beautiful image of the couple on the paper moon reminded me of one of Scott's and mine favorite song , which you can listen to, if you click on the link:

It's Only A Paper Moon

Performed by Cliff Edwards in 1933

Written by Billy Rose, Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen


Say, its only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade

It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

A little ditty from the ditty bops

I love this outfit!

The new White Stripes CD "Icky Thump" show Jack and Meg White sporting super cool matching outfits. I had seen these black suits with mother of pearl buttons sewn onto before and actually ripped an image of these outfits out of a magazine. Upon seeing this CD cover today I had to investigate what this style is all about. Apparently it's a traditional Cockney get up and is still worn for special occasions. The "Pearly King and Queen" costume is covered in mother of pearl buttons and the different patterns have special meanings, e.g. a horseshoe represents luck, a dove stands for peace or a heart for charity. It was often past down as a family heirloom. More info about it here.

We finished the cake hat - my daughter's brilliant idea to turn a fake slice of cake into a cocktail hat. We bought an incredible realistic looking cake piece on our trip to Tokyo at the wonderful Tokyu Hands department store. This place is a must for all arts and crafts fans when visiting Tokyo.

Luckily we attended the perfect occasion to test drive the cake hat yesterday. We went to the Fillmore to see one of my favorite local bands
Rosin Coven - the world's premiere pagan lounge ensemble - perform with other artists and opening up for the Yard Dog Road Show. Everything was very Punk Cabaret. Gingerbread Candy Monahan of Rosin Coven is the only cellist I have ever seen to really rock a cello. In fact all the musicians of Rosin Coven are such interestingly strange characters and good musicians that I feel always inspired by their performance. They are also the instigators of the Edwardian Ball that we have attended now for the 3rd year. Their events draw an audience that is often very creative and totally into dressing up. So the cake hat was in good company.

Here we are all dressed up and ready to go