Papaveri

As I promised...here is a glimpse of those fields a fire in which I spoke earlier. Ohhh those papaveri, poppies, beauteous aren't they?

Gli Etruschi

Hard to believe that we have reached my beloved Maggio...the month of May. The skies are stunning and the ground is a fire with poppies and wild orchids (photos to come, I swear). I took a little time this morning to gather myself and look back through my hundreds of photos, sometimes the only way I can remember all of the things I have seen. I happened upon some special images of a lovely February day...the day I tried to unlock the secrets of the Etruscans, gli Etruschi.

Fortunate enough to chaperone una gita, field trip, with my little ones from school, I was led by the fabulous MAEC: Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca in Cortona through the ancient Etruscan tombs that surround our town. Something a select few get to experience I must say.

The Etruscans lived here in Tuscany far before the Romans and have even been credited with building the foundations of Rome. Found in tombs and on city walls, the earliest inscriptions date back to 1000 B.C. I learned that much of the language has never been deciphered and texts were not left behind. Historians have gathered their knowledge of these ancient people through their discoveries of sacred burial tombs, strange melon shaped mounds that dot the landscape of the valley surrounding Cortona. The Etruscans are extremely well known for their cast jewelry and their pottery. In fact, the valley still to this day houses priceless treasures...farmers have been known to stumble upon a primitive shard of terra cotta while simply plowing a field. Enough about the history, let's get to the good stuff.

I got the chance to enter the super secret room where those very shards found are painstakingly piece together to make history. And the bronze cast jewelry. Absolutely fascinating, almost life changing, as I had brief dreams of throwing away the design career and becoming an archaeologist.

But you all know...that would never happen, but knowing the influence and inspiration is not very far away is great.
(For a tourist plug of Cortona, when you visit here (you know you will)...make sure you visit the MAEC, it is so well done and you will not be disappointed.)

Secondo Anniversario

Over the past month or so, I have been very concentrated on growing and promoting Laura Fair by getting all LinkedIn and facebooked up that a short time ago, I truly felt the need to unplug...to take care of those bits of me that need to breathe fresh air, pick up a paint brush, live outdoors with the puppies, go for lazy drives, take pictures, all to be inspired to design even more. To top it off, we have been absolutely blessed with an unbelievable Spring...I should even say Summer as the temperatures are nearing heights we normally feel in June...so that I have done just that for a while...unplugged. Thus to indulge myself with a little computer time, and to celebrate my 2 year anniversary of sharing on this blog...here is a little glimpse into the last month...

March brought us a feeling of May...a blessing for my creativity I must say. I highly recommend a little unplug every once in a while and I promise I will be back soon, as I still have many things to share with you...but for now...it is time for me to get back out and play!

Sogni d'Oro

I am absolutely elated to finally reveal the entire collection of Laura Fair bedding for Girls and Boys with Rizzy Home. I did a little sneak peek on the facebook page, but finally here they all are together:

Big Al already has "Surf's Up" (above) on order...cannot wait to see it in his little room. For those of you heading to the High Point Furniture Market this weekend...be sure to stop by the showroom for a look in person. They will be in Showplace space 3515.
Sweet dreams little ones...sogni d'oro!

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.)

Ashbury Collection

I was so happy to be able to see the collections in person in Atlanta at the Golden Rabbit showroom and now I can officially unveil a new collection to you! A poppy mix of floral beaded designs debuting with Golden Rabbit enamelware this season...my Laura Fair Ashbury Collection...designed with the trendiest colors of the moment, turquoise and green with a touch of honeysuckle pink.

And as luck would have it...look how great the NEW Ashbury dinnerware harmoniously coordinates with the Blue and Green Spring Damask patterns. Look out for the Laura Fair dinnerware in specialty boutiques starting in April.

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....