Sand Storms

The most amazing experience I have had thus far in life is without question the time I spent in the Sahara desert. I had my "English Patient" moments, flying over the sands to Abu Simbel, ripples of orange sand so mesmerizing I fully understand why planes crash, and how simple cotton can be made into the most seductive interiors for succor from the sun. Oddly, these desert dwellings have acquired a mythical luxury to them, and I can see why now - a superlative skin pillow and cashmere carpet only make sense, really, when you have taken a break from the stunning majesty of nature. The tapestry of your imagination becomes positively Baroque when you sit and watch the sands shift - simplicity begetting a riot of colors and shapes and textures. So...I have begun to design my dream oasis, with only a few of the items I would need to amuse myself and my skin. Bear with me on the seeming inappropriateness of mixing tigers with lions and plexiglass with leather, but it all makes sense to me.

Tent from Maharaja Tent; Pouf by Sophie Nova; Pillows from Sophie Nova; Chair by Henry Road; Life-size horse statue from Accents in the Garden; Life-size tiger statue from Accents in the Garden; Lily Hand vase from Accessories for a Good Life; Rug and Runner by Judy Ross Textiles; Stool and Screen by Boca do Lobo; Sakura rug from Asha Carpets; Plexi Trunk from Plexi-Craft; Croc tray from PanAm Phoenix; Sand art performances by Ilana Yahav; Salt art by Motoi Yamamoto by way of Booooooom; Hermes teapot, chair and dominoes; The Ultimate leather picnic basket by Pinel & Pinel.

Lives of the Saints' Jewelry Boxes

I once went to a Greek Orthodox Church in Queens to see a miracle, a weeping Madonna. The church was extraordinary - dark with clouds of incense, statues of saints mangled with an encrustatation of watches, jewelry and hair hammered into them. At the back, by the altar, an old woman with a black scarf (of course) waved you in with her one eye and by candlelight. In a small velvet-lined booth was an icon of Mary with a small sugary tear hanging from her lid. It did not fall (the miracle?). You were allowed to kneel in front of her for only a moment, close enough to breathe on her blue eyes and then the old crone hissed you out. It was intoxicating, and surrounded by the statues bloated with jewels, I was humbled by the strange belief evidenced that the material word seduces the saintly world and garners favors. Outside, I noticed the building next door was called Dreamland. Such is the miracle of New York.

Morbid Anatomy recently featured an incredible photographer, George Krause, who is partly responsible for today's inspiration. Some of his work is featured below, and more are available online.

Photos by George Krause:


For Saint Lucy of the plucked-out eyes:

Stud earrings by Ken and Dana Design; Eye ring Poison ring, Snake ring, Croc Skull, Eye ring, Eye ring by Solange Azagury-Partridge; Hairpin by Eva DeCarlo.

For Stella Maris, the Virgin of the Sea:

Rings by Bo.Chic; necklace from No. 6 Store; earrings from Stars & Infinite Darkness; necklace from Stars & Infinite Darkness; Compass Rose necklace from Ken and Dana Design; Ball ring by Solange Azagury-Partridge; Necklace by Eva DeCarlo.

For Saint Barbara (Patron Saint of Architects) locked in a tower by her father:

Earrings from Stars & Infinite Darkness; necklace from Stars & Infinite Darkness; necklace from Ken and Dana Design; necklace from Ken and Dana Design; Bangle by Ken and Dana Design; Sunshine ring and Eclipse ring by Solange Azagury-Partridge; Cattail necklace by Eva DeCarlo; Crow Rosary necklace from Miansai.

For Saint Catherine, tortured on the "Catherine Wheel":

Earrings by Made Her Think; knuckle buster ring by Made Her Think; Ascension necklace by No. 6 Store; Earrings by No. 6 Store; Battle ring from Ken and Dana Design; Spinning ring by Solange Azagury-Patridge; earrings by Bo.Chic.

For Saint Theresa in Ecstasy:

Pussy Willow earrings from Stars & Infinite Darkness; legbone earrings from Stars & Infinite Darkness; heart necklace from Stars & Infinite Darkness; handcuff bangle by Ken and Dana Design; enamel Lips ring and Poison Ring by Solange Azagury-Partridge; Fuck Off ring and Heart necklace by Solange Azagury-Partridge; Fireworks ring by Eva DeCarlo.

For Saint Dymphna, Patron Saint of the mentally ill:

All by Solange Azagury-Partridge except Leaf Brooch and silver ring by Eva DeCarlo.