The Artful Gypsy: decor

I absolutely love a Colorful, Eclectic, Funky, Bohemeian Decor, and I try to infuse these ideals into my own work, lifestyle and home decorating. But here's the thing....there are SO many things that spark my imagination and get my creative juices flowing, that I sometimes find myself completely overwhelmed by all the visual stimuli. So I've found that one of the best ways to focus in on a project, design idea, or photo shoot, is to create a 'Vision Board'! I LOVE VISION BOARDS! Not only do I love creating my own vision boards, but I also love to view other people's visions boards as well. I simply love to get inspired!

If you haven't created an Inspiration File or Vision Board before, no worries....they are really quite simple to do. There are many ways to group ideas and images on a vision board. And in all honesty, grouping really helps you to focus in on what you're hoping to create. My favorite methods for grouping items on a vision board are by Color, Season, Holiday, Theme and Concept. Lucky for us, with the advent of technology, we are now able to make digital versions of our Vision Boards. There are even websites that you can join like Pinterest, We Heart It and others, that give you your little space on the web to 'virtually' pin photos from the internet right onto your own little 'virtual' bulletin board. How cool is that?! But you can also achieve the same thing in a video format as well, at sites like Photobucket and Slide.com. And again, it's as easy as creating an account and loading up your files. Plus, they give you lots of ways to personalize your slideshows and share them with others.

So today I want to post my own virtual Vision Board in a slide show format. I've been collecting images of Bohemia over the last few years and keeping them in a file on my computer so that I could look back for ideas when decorating, designing, shooting or throwing parties. So this vision board is titled "Bohemian Inspiration", because that is exactly what it provides for me....INSPIRATION! It inspires me to live creatively and to follow my dreams. All I have to do is sit down at my computer with a nice hot cup of coffee and let it play. And by the time it's over, I am happily filled to the brim with a plethora of creative ideas and colorful dreams. This post was made with you on my mind Celia...I hope you enjoy it! And I also hope it inspires others to follow their bliss and live creatively! Namaste!

Well it's June 24th, and today is officially 'Fairy Day'! So what does that mean? It means that "It's a day for Fairies, magic, and wishes to come true. So for one day...put aside the cynicism of the modern world, embrace the possibilities of the unknown....and believe in Fairies!"

Do you believe in Faeries? I do of course, but then again I also believe in Ghosts, Leprechauns, Father Christmas and The Great Pumpkin. Ah heck....I'll believe in anything if it adds a little magic, creativity and wonderment to my world. So today is the perfect day to join in the celebration of the Faerie Folk!

When I was a young girl, my Grandmother used to take me to the library. Oh how I loved to spend the day at the library, because it wasn't just any old library....no, it was a magical portal to the lands of enchantment. It began to occur to me that 'magical' books always seemed to find their way into my eager lil' hands. Oh I didn't actively know to seek them out mind you...
I just happened upon them in my searching,
as if some magnetic force was drawing us together.

But there were 2 special books that I never forgot, and they were "Faeries' and 'Gnomes" by Brian Froud! I read and studied those books from cover to cover, and I whole heartedly believed that every last word and picture was 100% real! I remember one day in particular when I read about Faerie Rings and Oak Trees....and I became convinced that I would be able to find signs of the Faeries beneath the big old Oak trees on our property. So I set out with my tools and my book....and I spent the day hunting, and waiting, and wishing very hard that I'd find one. Although admittedly I was also a good bit scared at what I would do if and when I actually stumbled upon them. The years have blurred my memory some, but I'm quite certain that I was successful at locating signs that the Faeries were indeed close at hand, and I'm pretty sure that I almost caught sight of one or two.

Yes, I loved those two books SO WELL in fact, that I gave up my Library privileges entirely. For I refused to take the books back to the library. The fines kept piling up, and their threats of revoking my library card finally became a reality. But I didn't care. As I just could NOT bare to part with those books after being exposed to all of the magical secrets they'd given up to me. And of course it never even once dawned on me that the books could be found anywhere else other than the library. So I became a "Literary Fugitive" of the County Library System until many years later when I finally married and was able to change my last name! But the criminal record was but a small price to pay for entrance to the Enchanted Land of the Faeries!

So to celebrate this most auspicious of days today, I invite you to a Midsummer Faerie Féte! Come join in the revelry and merriment as we wave a fond farewell to Spring and embrace the Summer Season with open arms. Please come take your seat at our Garden Fairy Table.
(And feel free to click on the images to view them larger!)

We have a splendid lil' spot set especially for you,
with fresh ferns from the Fern Grotto!

Our Midsummer Buffet is filled to the brim with fresh herbs and vegetables straight from the garden, and many delectable treats,
sure to satisfy any Faerie's sweet tooth.

Ahhh...Midsummer! All Faeries know that Midsummer offers up Mother Nature's sweetest and most succulent Fruits of the Season. Faerie Berries are a feast for the senses and they come in a kaleidoscope of colors
to please the palate and the eyes!

One of the most scrumptious ways to serve Faerie Berries is in a Perfectly Pink Raspberry Punch. Cool and refreshing on those balmy Summer Days!

Let's not forget the Sweets and Treats, as it's common knowledge that most Faeries are born with an insatiable 'sweet tooth'! We have mini Lemon-Blueberry and Chocolate Muffins that are just perfect for snacking.

Or how about some dainty little Faerie Cakes....
petite and sweet and perfect for Pixies!

And a Faerie Birthday Cake topped with the plumpest of strawberries, and candles for wishing. Yes, even Faeries believe in the power of 'Wishes'!

Oh, and don't forget my personal favorite....Toadstools! But these aren't just any ole' Toadstools! For these are baked with a smidgeon of Faerie Magic and a pinch of Pixie Dust, mixed in with sweet Merengue and
Deep Dark Chocolate! So Yummy and So Cute!

With bellies full and the Faerie Festivities drawing to a close, it's time to bid your fellow Faeries adieu! For Twilight is falling fast and the Fireflies are starting to twinkle their lights in the Hedgerow. But no Seasonal Solstice Soirée is complete without Pretty Pixie Party Favors to carry home! And what better way to transport yourself back to the Realm of Faerie, than a lovely scented Butterfly Candle in the Fragrant Flower Scents of Lavender, Honeysuckle, Gardenia and Sweet Pea!

Yes it's true that Midsummer presents the perfect opportunity to embark on a Flight of Fancy in the spirit and celebration of the Faeries who Enchant our Gardens, and usher in the Seasons of the Year. And who wouldn't love to attend a Festive Midsummer Celebration filled with the Mirth and Merriment of a Fine Faerie Feast?! Both Young and Old alike can appreciate a Magical Escape into the Realm of Imagination and Wonder!