Flashback to Turkish Delight

Where did the time go?  I sat down this morning to go through the past few months in pictures.  Being visual, it seems to be the only way I can remember life these days.  I stumbled across some very colorful snapshots of my time in Istanbul this past February.  An eyeopening escape from my little vita Italiana in the country.  Despite not having the best weather, the city was beautifully alive and exotic.  What inspiration was found there...not to mention the level of history and spirituality that literally hangs in the air.

 A once in a lifetime trip and I must thank my friend Kimberly for sharing the time with me. Coincidentally before I set foot in Turkey, I designed a new collection of Laura Fair pillows for Rizzy Home entitled Constantinople.  

These recently debuted at the High Point Market this past April.  Oh...did I tell you I was there?  More to come on that...

Finding Pattern

As I mentioned here and here, it really is the simplest of things that bring the most joy.  Stepping out of the door the other morning, this beautiful work of art struck me.  

I can just imagine the time, effort and thought that went into such a creation...

pattern and inspiration bloom in every corner.

Adriatic bliss

Every once in a while, you just need to roll down the windows and head for the beach...

Primavera days

There is just something about spring in Tuscany, it never fails to knock me off my feet every year.  Those lingering cool breezes and longer days.  If you ask me about my favorite sounds I would immediately reply the sing song of birds before dawn and that ever present flutter of poplar leaves.  If you ask me about my favorite smells...those brightly yellow broom ginestre, maggio in dialect, or the dangling fragrant blooms of the acacia.  If you ask me about my favorite view...I will most likely tell you the fields of vibrant poppies papaveri or those rock roses full of fuchsia goodness...of course, you already knew that didn't you?  Primavera, a time for me to explore and to get lost...

Marzo

Yes, I know that it is May, Maggio and I am a little behind, but I just could not let time go by without giving you a glimpse into the month of March, Marzo.  It was a busy period here in Laura Fair land...my poor little hands and wrists went into overdrive designing away on new projects.  In fact, I still have a hard time looking back without ghost pains appearing in my right hand.  However, you know the saying, with all work and no play one runs the risk of lackluster designs...so you know that I took some time to travel around.  My Marzo escapes were full of florals and frescoes, lakes and sunsets, and a little wildlife for good measure.  You are going to love what we have for you in the pipeline...and thanks to my never disappoint me surroundings...it is more inspired than ever.

Autumn change

As the weather cools here...and having a few short minutes this morning...I did a little "autumn change". Would love to know what you all think about the new Laura Fair home page...

Grace

Do you ever get to the point where you cannot turn on the news for fear there will be yet another heartbreaking story to be heard? This past week has been a killer for me...so much devastation, so many tears, so much concern for the future, and wondering...what can I do about it? What an inspiration the people of Japan have been for me, for all of us. A deep and profound reminder to get out of my own head and start living with the compassion in my heart.

(This fresco is just one of the millions of things I have grateful to have in my home...this graceful angel hovers above me while I work every day.)

Marzo

Primavera is approaching...the almonds are blooming...the sky is clear...the birds are chirping (including the pheasant perched on the table in the front yard)....this happens every March, Marzo, here in Tuscany. We experience the most beautiful touch of glorious Spring.

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.
~ Charles Dickens

I only hope I can slow down enough to step outside and tilt my face to the sun for a bit on one of these short lived days. Will be back soon with many more updates...as I have so much to tell....

Cento

100, cento, I have posted here 100 times...hard for me to believe I have had that much to say, and that even though I have slowed down, you all are still reading. I appreciate it and thank you so much for the constant support. This past weekend we said ciao to October, I thought I would leave you with the memories of the month. Still one of my absolute favorites I have to say again. If you are thinking of planning a trip to Tuscany...make it in October...just a few reasons why:

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into the trees. The winds will blow their freshness into you...while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. ~ John Muir

Found

When you live in a foreign land, sometimes you forget that life you left behind...the one where you would chat with every passerby without a care. By this I mean that when you have to concentrate on every word that comes out of your mouth, sometimes you find you do not make the effort you should, although I feel this is a wrong way to think. That is why when my lovely friend Suzanne and her adorable husband and even more adorable boys, age 4 and 1, decided to travel the two hours to pay us a visit a couple of weeks ago, I was in heaven. She and her family have been living in Tuscany for 5 years now...both her boys were born here. We carried on and on for hours...of course not only because it was our native language, but because Suzanne is such a like minded person to me. I did not know how much I could miss and appreciate hours of fun about art projects, living in Italy, changes in the US, missing "southern" things (she, too, is originally from Georgia...how cool is that?) We lingered over meals, sipped wine, had a great time dreaming up stories of wild boar, cinghiale, gazing at planets and the moon, and scavenging for found objects to make art when they returned home. I was reminded of this and of little 4 year old Kai this morning on my walk when I found a slice of ceramic lying on the dirt road. My thoughts immediately returned to my amazement of his wonder and imagination...then the most beautiful color orange in a rusted chain caught my eye. I wanted to know, what would he make with these? With my eyes now open and with him in mind, I cannot wait to see what other goodies I might find along my way. Isn't it the smallest things in life that open up the largest things within us?

Please visit Suzanne's little glimpse at her world in Italy at Sperlygirl, you will be happy you did.

Routine

I have become somewhat of a country girl since living here in rural Tuscany. In my city girl former life, gauging time based on when my favorite tv program might be on, I was unaware of the nature surrounding me. I now base things on the sun, the wind, the birds, the clouds. I know spring is officially here and warmer weather on its way when the little storno returns to her routine. Do you remember when I told you about the starling, storno, that visits our house to nest every year? She is back...this time with friends. Like clockwork, she has returned to her rhythm here making her home in a little hole in the wall. Literally, as I have said before, she painstakingly builds her loving nest with sticks and hay and needles placed between the ancient stones. If it were not for her swooping in and out, we would never know it was there. That is until the tiny chirps can be heard...begging for a treat. I have fallen head first into this little routine...who needs reality tv when you can look out your window and witness life.

"There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story."
~ Linda Hogan

Weeds

Can something that produces color this radiant really be called a weed?

Limonaia

I spend most of my time during the day doodling small things at the desk. I then transfer them to the computer and my work blossoms from there. I am fortunate enough to have a functioning office~studio within our house, but sometimes I just need to break out the paint and get messy.

A limonaia, literally translated as a place for the lemons, is the Tuscan version of a greenhouse, and most homes...from farmhouses to villas...have one attached to the house. During the winter, this lovely little room is the home to my beloved lemon and orange trees.

During the spring and summer months, when the weather permits, it transforms into my painting studio.

This past weekend I finally took the time to brush off the dust…and the spiders, and the scorpions...I even made a little seating area for when you come to visit.

With so much room, I think it's time to start creating something big…

Last day of May

and as the rain falls, I say goodbye to those May flowers...
buona domenica, have a great Sunday!

Song

Don't you just want to fling open these doors and break into song...or maybe I'm the only one?

Maggio in Toscana

I truly believe there is no location on earth that illustrates May 'maggio' with more passion than Tuscany…and I just feel so lucky to be here to experience it. From the velvety poppies and yellow buttercups to the wheat and wild orchids, every day blooms with more color than before...as if the landscape has been painted by one very enthusiastic artist.

All those April showers certainly did bring May flowers...and for me an obsession with trying to catalog every single one of them. Great stimulants to create new designs.

I have been so inspired...I even decided to plant some for myself.

Hope you are enjoying maggio as much as I am.

Gratitude

I have been putting a lot of thought towards this journal lately, and with this thought has come an unexpected feeling of contentment. You see, I have been following others’ lives for some time now…taking, but not giving back…and I finally feel I am offering something here (if only to myself)…a new appreciation of my own world. I see things differently, I am energized, creativity is flowing, and surprises are around every corner.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”

Last October my light was rekindled for me and it continues to awaken day by day. I am grateful to Kelly Rae and Mati Rose, as well as, Suzanne, Katy, Lela, and Diane. Women who inspired me, challenged me, encouraged me, listened, and opened my eyes. I look to my girl 'Tutti' for inspiration daily.

Thank you also to those of you who have been following this…I hope you continue down this road with me and are entertained…at least for a moment.

Simplicity

It is the simplest of things that make me happy.