tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51757718103894081032023-09-15T05:26:24.330-07:00Chintz of DarknessThe Art of Living in SinSeraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-15270463488879469092015-03-09T16:43:00.000-07:002015-03-09T16:43:22.012-07:00BLACK BAROQUE LUXURIES <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LFLA8GlIP8/VP4oXtgUkJI/AAAAAAAADMU/UEcyOvPwC2Y/s1600/BBL%2BFB%2BCOVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LFLA8GlIP8/VP4oXtgUkJI/AAAAAAAADMU/UEcyOvPwC2Y/s1600/BBL%2BFB%2BCOVER.jpg" height="240" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">{Gilded
Goddess Cushion Collage}</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As
to the recent racket, dear readers, we have been hard at work on a
glorious new endeavor! Well, truth be told Seraph has been laboring
away hanging draperies and installing a rather wicked wallpaper;
Splendor on the other hand has simply been LOOKING busy fussing with
the tiebacks and plumping the pillows... hmmm... What wondrous
workings are underway one may ask? Well, we cordially invite you to
the Grand Opening of our new <a href="http://www.seraphsplendor.com/" target="_blank">BLACK BAROQUE LUXURIES</a> blog featuring
our curious collections of decadently opulent pillows, cushions &
objects. In this blog we wish to share with you the process of our
creative conjurings, the artists & designers that inspire us and
of course our strange musings on interior decorating. As for the
reason for a new blog we simply wish to keep CHINTZ OF DARKNESS in
it's current format and not clutter it's moldering hallways with
objects of our own design. (In fact we are preparing a post
regarding the Dark Lord himself and some strange public behavior on
our part...)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">To
all of our wonderful readers - your participation </span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
this new blog</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
is GREATLY appreciated. We thank you in advance for sharing & following! Come
by for a visit SOON! xoxox ~S+S</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To
visit <a href="http://www.seraphsplendor.com/" target="_blank">BLACK BAROQUE LUXURIES</a> click <a href="http://www.seraphsplendor.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Enjoy!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">{Blue
Bohemian Cushion Collage}</span></span></span></span></div>
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Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-45354144822599394112015-01-23T21:12:00.000-08:002015-01-23T22:00:12.985-08:00Frame Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m9QfVPeEZ-g/VMMjdNEKhWI/AAAAAAAADKk/7DkV2ShAHIs/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m9QfVPeEZ-g/VMMjdNEKhWI/AAAAAAAADKk/7DkV2ShAHIs/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One
day not so long ago Splendor came to the realization that her
obsession with collecting textiles had taken a turn for the worse...
she knew in her dark little heart of hearts that something that
seemed like a FABULOUS notion at the time had amounted to an amassing
of oddities that must be hidden from view. What was this horrid
blight that befell an otherwise carefully curated (OK, haphazardly
hoarded) collection of fabric related finery, one may ask? </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSGzCTdkkmE/VMMjICuhVeI/AAAAAAAADKA/aWOb4Yn8OZU/s1600/Coleman%2BResidence%2BII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSGzCTdkkmE/VMMjICuhVeI/AAAAAAAADKA/aWOb4Yn8OZU/s1600/Coleman%2BResidence%2BII.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOeYt6e6iFI/VMMjdQ5X7BI/AAAAAAAADKo/Yrs8WLF8EmE/s1600/IMG_0023%2B(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOeYt6e6iFI/VMMjdQ5X7BI/AAAAAAAADKo/Yrs8WLF8EmE/s1600/IMG_0023%2B(3).jpg" height="640" width="566" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Nothing
short of *gasp* a selection of vintage bath towels from the 60's &
70's, once sold at fine department stores now facing a flea market
fall from grace. Now as the (unofficial) director of the Home for
Wayward & Unwanted Housewares, Splendor readily sympathized with
this sad state of affairs, comforting the trembling terrycloth towels
and wiping away their tears. Truth be told, many a useless implement
had been adopted using the old excuse that the object in question had
simply followed her home. Tales are told of strange processions of
furnishings joyously jostling at her heels, while bits of bijoux
fluttered about her head. On one particular occasion, acting as the
Pied Piper of Passementerie, Splendor rid an entire town of their
troublesome tiebacks & trimmings in a single afternoon. As to
how a stray washcloth joined this merry cavalcade of collectibles NO
ONE WILL EVER KNOW...</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpXPSse7ijI/VMMjGYBUBzI/AAAAAAAADJ4/fXraPmSp8-o/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpXPSse7ijI/VMMjGYBUBzI/AAAAAAAADJ4/fXraPmSp8-o/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZujRhUN3Ug/VMMjjlJrbXI/AAAAAAAADK4/6XaGemBgCiM/s1600/img056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZujRhUN3Ug/VMMjjlJrbXI/AAAAAAAADK4/6XaGemBgCiM/s1600/img056.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFj8YvA8kSA/VMMjlEI-AEI/AAAAAAAADLA/IYMinjnut6o/s1600/img101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFj8YvA8kSA/VMMjlEI-AEI/AAAAAAAADLA/IYMinjnut6o/s1600/img101.jpg" height="640" width="560" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Now
in all fairness these towels were in fact quite lovely, festooned
with dazzling motifs in a dizzying array of jewel tones, but subtle
they were not... the term “eye blistering” has been tossed about
by some, while others prefer the phrase “WTF!?!”. A favorite was
fashioned in fuchsia & sapphire and blended a </span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">belligerent</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Fleur de Lis pattern with a </span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">mild
mannered</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
middle eastern motif... Oh, and let us not forget the set of sensuous
stripes woven in tones of topaz & tourmaline, plush as velvet,
with a border that can only be described as “medieval modern”
(hmmmm...) Last but CERTAINLY not least, a single bath towel in
shades of celadon & sea foam encrusted with an arabesque
medallion and curlycue corners much like an exotic oriental carpet
exquisitely rendered in strands of terrycloth... *rolls eyes* Each
had it's own glittery label spouting nostalgic terms such as “Finger
Tip Towel,” “Grand Damask,” “Moroccan Mode”. After the
appearance of a bathmat emblazoned with the lofty title “Shanghai
Serenade” (in a stunning ensemble of emerald & citron with a
tint of chartreuse, if one must ask...) Seraph, fearing a toilet seat
cover might be the next monastery to arise, promptly stepped in set
set matters right... </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sEASiB1wlBs/VMMjpJYEKYI/AAAAAAAADLQ/7zrssLx8olk/s1600/img103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sEASiB1wlBs/VMMjpJYEKYI/AAAAAAAADLQ/7zrssLx8olk/s1600/img103.jpg" height="640" width="489" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-um1fhgjbn6E/VMMjqjokYzI/AAAAAAAADLY/RDmCBKbyEcw/s1600/img116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-um1fhgjbn6E/VMMjqjokYzI/AAAAAAAADLY/RDmCBKbyEcw/s1600/img116.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When
queried as to the outcome of this </span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">curious
collection</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Splendor declared that her treasure trove of terrycloth was to be
conjured into a grand set of cabana cushions (true story, dear
readers... hmmm) to be scattered amid an ornate oasis worthy of an
ostentatious Ottoman overlord. Visions of plump banquettes and
palatial carpets (and perhaps a pair scantly clad satyrs serving
poolside) filled Splendor's head... There was talk of tufted
medallions, tassel fringes and gilded galloons galore. Now if plans
where to be made to transform a teeny, tiny bathroom (with one meager
towel rack) into a sweeping seaside vista, Seraph stated that he
preferred a grotto theme complete with Venetian shell chairs and a
waterfall... He furthermore claimed that Splendor's garish plans were
angering the sea nymphs and quite frankly PISSING OFF POSEIDON
HIMSELF. As is most often the case, Seraph had better sense about
such matters and the towel collection was relegated to duty as rags
(rather ravishing rags, but rags nonetheless... humph)</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_BIkaz1R8aA/VMMjYgMbwSI/AAAAAAAADKY/0jV7lMH4wL4/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_BIkaz1R8aA/VMMjYgMbwSI/AAAAAAAADKY/0jV7lMH4wL4/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" height="640" width="402" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Needless
to say our petite powder room remains to this day decorated in the
much sought after “Art Nouveau on Acid” style with peacocks
aplenty and accoutrement in “tasteful” shades of blackened teal,
burnt plum & gold... tell us, dear ones, have one of your
collections gotten a bit out of control? </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Gathered
here is a selection gilded portals and framed finery for your
pleasure! Enjoy!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">~Instrumental~</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">(Into
Infinite Obscurity by Dissection)</span></i></span></span></div>
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Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-1186945252737031862015-01-03T18:02:00.000-08:002015-01-03T20:23:49.979-08:00Where the Wild Things Are<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">There
is a vile, soul sucking movement at foot, dear readers, that
threatens the very foundation of decedent design. A threat so severe
that there may soon be a sin tax on Scalamandre and a surcharge upon
the purchase of satin sheets. What is this impending decorating
doomsday you may ask? Well, nothing short of notions such as the 100
Things Challenge and other “live simple” manifestos that spout
such nonsense as no more than THREE jeweled skulls per household
(THINK OF THE CHILDREN) and a strict limitation on the quantity of
candelabras that one can possess. Now the end is nigh if these
conceptions come to pass for it will surely lead to the rationing of
rococo furnishings and the hording of baroque b</span>ric-à-brac in
broom closets throughout the land. </span></span>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujg-wfnxF6I/VKiTlgwtcpI/AAAAAAAADIU/XdH99Fqb494/s1600/Copy%2Bof%2BCopy%2Bof%2BProject1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujg-wfnxF6I/VKiTlgwtcpI/AAAAAAAADIU/XdH99Fqb494/s1600/Copy%2Bof%2BCopy%2Bof%2BProject1.jpg" height="362" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It would seem that every
social gathering comes complete with a well meaning yet opulence
challenged individual. At a fete a few years back Seraph + Splendor
were cornered under a tree by a free spirited soul expounding the
virtues of passing beyond the veil owning nothing more than a hymn
book and a pair of sandals. Well, we politely pointed out when we
pass through the veil it damn well better be: 1. black lace and
second, held open for us by as cast of imps and demons AND if we are
to be met at the Pearly Gates by a distinguished older gentleman in a
flowing robe we are expecting nothing less than <a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architecture/archive/duquette_slideshow_012000" target="_blank">Tony Duquette</a> himself or screw it we are going home. As for the hymn
book? Baroque Baroque: The Culture of Excess by Stephen Calloway
rather goes without saying... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here at Chintz of
Darkness we prefer to clutter rather than cleanse. Why have one thing
when a cluster of 32 would suffice so much better? Who in their
right mind desires one lonesome and pouty lamp when a vast array of
lanterns in various shapes and sizes can be suspended from the
ceiling much like the glittering vault of heaven (ok, ok, rafters of
hell, in our case... hmmm...) MORE IS MORE AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT.
Carpets are at their finest when placed like crazy quilts across the
floor or tossed about haphazardly like a map to a magical land.
Although several house guests have become helplessly lost after setting
off on a rug fueled expedition, such decorating decadence is quite
worth the risk. We in fact firmly believe that decorative objects
have a certain sentience and enjoy gathering in groups gibbering and
jabbering about the gossip of the day ... well, that is what we tell
ourselves, anyway...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U0CWEEfcI_8/VKiTm8SSE8I/AAAAAAAADIo/Gyjd-NmNDM0/s1600/IMG_0010%2B(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U0CWEEfcI_8/VKiTm8SSE8I/AAAAAAAADIo/Gyjd-NmNDM0/s1600/IMG_0010%2B(3).jpg" height="640" width="556" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Perhaps there are those
among us that require a bit of assistance when discerning “needful
things”... a selection of silver encrusted hat pins are quite
necessary while a sensible pair of slacks is not. An umbrella MIGHT
have more utility than a unicorn figurine but an elegant array of
table runners trumps a yoga mat any day <span style="text-decoration: none;">and</span>
while practicality has it's place (we keep ours in the cupboard under
the stair) it should NEVER dictate one's decorating decisions. Now
dissenting opinions on such matters are surely to abound and if one
can truly “be more with less” than may infernal blessings be on
your tidy abode. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KmZeYcUiOX4/VKiToeY_7wI/AAAAAAAADI0/0CWCIc_OQWk/s1600/IMG_0021%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KmZeYcUiOX4/VKiToeY_7wI/AAAAAAAADI0/0CWCIc_OQWk/s1600/IMG_0021%2B(2).jpg" height="556" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">From time to time we have
heard the term “hording” bandied about as an insult and
apparently “pack rat” has negative connotations to some... Every
now and again even our (ok, Splendor's) compulsive collecting gets a
bit out of hand. Stay tuned for a Thrift Store Confessional of
sorts featuring the cautionary tale of a towel trove gone horribly
awry (and yes, towel as in terrycloth... oh, my...) but THAT, dear
ones, is a story for another day... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A collection of flora &
fauna themed finery... enjoy!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqK66Vr37d0/VKiTsoork8I/AAAAAAAADJQ/IvuLD1osSnw/s1600/ikkmg089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqK66Vr37d0/VKiTsoork8I/AAAAAAAADJQ/IvuLD1osSnw/s1600/ikkmg089.jpg" height="640" width="418" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Dawnless - So it seems
this sacred night.<br />Havenless - Beneath black sails with no land in
sight.<br />Fathomless - The depths that lay before us now<br />Lawless -
Before the courts of men we must not bow. </i>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>(The Wild Hunt by
Watain)</i></span></span></div>
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Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-78669557555943018032014-03-03T18:39:00.000-08:002014-03-03T18:39:11.367-08:00Gilding the Willy Part IV: Deluxe Addition <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDIy4ULFB-4/UxU5_k4L4qI/AAAAAAAACaA/a2QuT38PJKU/s1600/Capricorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDIy4ULFB-4/UxU5_k4L4qI/AAAAAAAACaA/a2QuT38PJKU/s1600/Capricorn.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Capricorn</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Those dutifully following along at home will readily realize that
we usually feature scantily clad and rather randy furnishings in this
segment BUT there is a perfectly plausible explanation for this gap
in protocol. The G.A.S.P. Department here at Chintz of Darkness (that
is the division that oversees “Gentlemen Attired in Sparkly Paint”
for those who overlooked the memo) has been busy as of late. It
would appear that while dusting off our design books and refreshing
our filing cabinets, a rather naughty calendar from the late 90's was
unearthed... (apparently we WERE partying like it was 1999.) Perhaps
the calendar in question was actually found between our mattress or
perhaps not... NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW... </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viTzYepOlBc/UxU6FiGzhzI/AAAAAAAACas/Wtml4JtiMlM/s1600/Taurus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viTzYepOlBc/UxU6FiGzhzI/AAAAAAAACas/Wtml4JtiMlM/s1600/Taurus.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Taurus</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4lLcSf_3Ak0/UxU6AsVPEVI/AAAAAAAACaQ/_zMHBv3pNJ8/s1600/Leo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4lLcSf_3Ak0/UxU6AsVPEVI/AAAAAAAACaQ/_zMHBv3pNJ8/s1600/Leo.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Leo</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ENrYaUfjwis/UxU6BPHDlsI/AAAAAAAACaU/F4Kd2bn5gA4/s1600/Libra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ENrYaUfjwis/UxU6BPHDlsI/AAAAAAAACaU/F4Kd2bn5gA4/s1600/Libra.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Libra</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o190XS5kafI/UxU6Embu4NI/AAAAAAAACak/EoIvb_Umhs8/s1600/Scorpio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o190XS5kafI/UxU6Embu4NI/AAAAAAAACak/EoIvb_Umhs8/s1600/Scorpio.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Scorpio</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ubmsf3eTThI/UxU6C-R5HZI/AAAAAAAACac/GC8Iays4nTg/s1600/Sagittarius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ubmsf3eTThI/UxU6C-R5HZI/AAAAAAAACac/GC8Iays4nTg/s1600/Sagittarius.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sagittarius</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />(Photographs by Richard de Chazal)</span></span></div>
Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-80985395440241971452014-02-19T17:42:00.000-08:002014-02-19T18:00:50.460-08:00Obscured by Shrouds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-flXcqWMl7HA/UwVTzprtLXI/AAAAAAAACXY/VyYlb6wRts4/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-flXcqWMl7HA/UwVTzprtLXI/AAAAAAAACXY/VyYlb6wRts4/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" height="640" width="494" /> <span id="goog_808169860"></span><span id="goog_808169861"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now
Seraph + Splendor have been lurking around the interior design
industry for some years now, often incognito, sometimes in plain
sight. We have the prerequisite shelves of design books, an
overabundance of magazines and swatches coming out of our… oh never
mind… We suppose we could even write a stylish and sophisticated
design blog that was not full of gibberish about the comings and
goings here at our Obsidian Halls, but where would the fun be in
that? This got us to pondering where it all began, what cosmic
conjunction caused our descent into design and decoration and made us
the arbiters... er, abattoirs of taste that we are today?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">One’s first foray into design and decoration most assuredly begins in childhood. Splendor was often referred to as a “creative” child, but it was said in a way that implied “a beastly little heathen” instead of a clever young lady. Hours on end where spent creating complex (some said disturbing) vignettes in her bedroom cupboards and bookcases. Building blocks and bits of shells became rustic roomscapes fit for a fairy queen, while doll heads and daisies decorated doorknobs. Being an only child she was often accompanied on her artistic adventures by her stuffed animals, in particular an Indian horse named Boanerges and a threadbare Saint Bernard named Berry... (of note, during these escapades not only did Berry lose one of his ears but BOTH of Boanerges’ mirrored eyes fell out, but he was still an affable companion by all accounts.)</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Moving on to greater and more challenging decorating diversions, Splendor came across a lovely set of Victorian velvet drapes in a luscious shade of faded burgundy that had been curiously condemned to an upper shelf. The budding young beautifier promptly requested that they be hung in her room as they would block out the sun and quiet the birdsong (such a strange child, they whispered...) Splendor's long suffering mother had to her sit down and explain that she was in fact a LITTLE GIRL and should appreciate her yellow and white gingham curtains (complete with eyelet lace tiebacks) …HA! Not discouraged in the least, she dragged the curtains outside and up the largest tree in the yard. Upon reaching a suitable altitude she draped the upper branches forming a chic, yet bohemian tented room… well, at least until the rainy season commenced and the whole contraption blew away like a velvety Gothic pterodactyl, frightening the cat and confounding the neighbors... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> This was far from the last jaunt into outdoor decorating... Splendor, gifted from the get go with an overactive imagination created vast landscapes of forts, castles and courtly abodes. Constantly scouting for new territory to well, terrorize Splendor discovered a huge hedge of gnarled and twisted blackberry bushes in a derelict corner of the yard that had fallen into disrepair. Now anybody that knows anything is already aware that an area such as this is likely to contain an enchanted entrance to the underworld. Lo and behold, hidden at the far side behind a tree a small hole was found cut into the vines just large enough for a small child (or a gang of bloodthirsty elves) to fit through. Beyond this prickly passageway, a large circular chamber had been hollowed out complete with stumps for chairs and a small rickety table. Perhaps the home of a hobgoblin or tramp's tenement? NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW for to this day not a living soul actually BELIEVES this story and in fact the dangerous and deviant hedge was promptly torn out and according to Splendor’s parents no such magical room existed and kindly suggested that she find some friends her own age and quit telling tall tales... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well, this quite covers the formative years of Splendor's descent into decorating... The next chapters shall include the era that is commonly referred to as “The Metal Years”... but that, dear readers, is a story for another day indeed... </span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork">"And neigh like Boanerges;<br />Then, punctual as a star,<br />Stop--docile and omnipotent<br />At its own stable door."</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork">(I like to see it lap the Miles by Emily Dickinson) </span></span></span></i></div>
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Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-82814439361645996072013-12-06T22:00:00.000-08:002013-12-06T22:00:11.745-08:00Walk Like an Egyptian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7r600Fbpce4/UqKyvHNb0CI/AAAAAAAACTc/eGd0vaPgg7o/s1600/Westbury+Hotel+NY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7r600Fbpce4/UqKyvHNb0CI/AAAAAAAACTc/eGd0vaPgg7o/s640/Westbury+Hotel+NY.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In other noteworthy news
of late Seraph + Splendor have welcomed a new baby girl into their
lives! The blessed event happened a little over a year ago and the
proud parents are as pleased as punch.. The little bundle of joy
weighed in at whopping 31 pounds upon delivery (ouch!) and came
complete with a handle on her head, a knee lift and JOY OF JOYS an
automatic thread cutter! The young Missy thrives on a strict diet of
thread, machine oil and broken needles and is quite content, thank
you very much. Well, if you have not already surmised our offspring
is indeed a shiny new sewing machine, which joins a already growing
family of Pfaffs.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RdefRMf5FT4/UqKznqP500I/AAAAAAAACUE/4E4F15sy6j8/s1600/Pyramid+Nikolai+Benois+1921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RdefRMf5FT4/UqKznqP500I/AAAAAAAACUE/4E4F15sy6j8/s640/Pyramid+Nikolai+Benois+1921.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now if truth be told,
Splendor's long suffering parents were less than thrilled at the news
and perhaps even a bit perturbed at the prospect of YET AGAIN reading
bedtime stories to a nothing more than a BAG OF BOLTS. Quite
understandable some might say after a series of less than desirable
grandchildren including (but not limited to) a feral cat, a box of
lint and oh, let us not forget about we adopted that.. oh, never
mind... Now for others anxiously awaking the birth of Seraph +
Splendor's demon child, you must be patient, patient as in NEVER... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zx7xz_qviAk/UqKy2-epK0I/AAAAAAAACT8/fSKoyXr5CnY/s1600/Copy+of+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zx7xz_qviAk/UqKy2-epK0I/AAAAAAAACT8/fSKoyXr5CnY/s640/Copy+of+039.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{In a dark corner of Obsidian Hall...)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNfWbqcOKeA/UqK0AxyL8NI/AAAAAAAACUQ/v_4eVgZ7uxs/s1600/Alexandre+Cabanel+-+French+Academic+Painter+1823-1889+-+Tutt%2527Art%2540+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNfWbqcOKeA/UqK0AxyL8NI/AAAAAAAACUQ/v_4eVgZ7uxs/s640/Alexandre+Cabanel+-+French+Academic+Painter+1823-1889+-+Tutt%2527Art%2540+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, sewing can be a
fulfilling pastime offering hours of enjoyment and... blah, blah,
blah... do not believe that rubbish for a second, dear readers for
in fact sewing is a DEATH DEFYING BLOOD SPORT not for the faint of
heart or casual passerby simply wishing to sew a set of potholders.
While Splendor is the embodiment of a human pincushion, Seraph
Scissorhands (an apt nickname indeed) fights a daily battle with
thread and foe alike. The Studio here at Obsidian Hall (now hidden in
the eves and best approached by a flight of rickety stairs) houses
casks and kegs of every imaginable implement, each more evil than the
next and better befitting a medieval torture's guild than a quaint
quilter's bee... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zj3Zanlhr-Y/UqK0eFe8NrI/AAAAAAAACUo/QTRdzX6j9jA/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zj3Zanlhr-Y/UqK0eFe8NrI/AAAAAAAACUo/QTRdzX6j9jA/s640/Copy+of+IMG_0003.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Over the years as word of
our talents (hmmm...) grew, we have been queried to create many
strange and wonderful things (but then again we have been asked to
conjure a pair of pantaloons for a pet money but THAT, dear ones, is
a story for another day...) Much like the plague our creations have
spread both far and wide, for in fact we once heard mention of one of
our conjurings on the national news. What was this grandiose gewgaw
worthy of praise by a thankful nation, you might ask?!? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oSolu-9UgE4/UqK1ORVdCZI/AAAAAAAACU8/9f77WIV7vSo/s1600/hb_1970.35.1-.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oSolu-9UgE4/UqK1ORVdCZI/AAAAAAAACU8/9f77WIV7vSo/s640/hb_1970.35.1-.2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why nothing
more than a humble shower curtain. And by humble, we of course mean
a fully functioning drapery contraption, complete with a shaped
valance whose curves and curlycues were worthy of a contortionist. A
dizzying orgy of Chinoiserie style applique was further festooned
with solid silver medallions and a set of antique Turkoman tiebacks.
As for the national news coverage, the albeit former owner of this
ensemble currently serves time in a Federal prison for an elaborate
(yet highly illegal) ponzi scheme and said drapery was seized and
most like sold into white slavery... well, one must always look on
the dark side, dear ones, so at least it was dressed for the
occasion... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7aq7a10Rs4w/UqK1t2K3U7I/AAAAAAAACVQ/BPm6S4cFcdg/s1600/img090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7aq7a10Rs4w/UqK1t2K3U7I/AAAAAAAACVQ/BPm6S4cFcdg/s640/img090.jpg" width="468" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gcvRBdIdEN0/UqK1ubYTTpI/AAAAAAAACVU/kVNpmaJnsFs/s1600/Warwick+Goble+cleopatras_galley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gcvRBdIdEN0/UqK1ubYTTpI/AAAAAAAACVU/kVNpmaJnsFs/s640/Warwick+Goble+cleopatras_galley.jpg" width="442" /> </a></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.16in; margin-top: 0.16in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Other interesting
undertaking was the creation of a velvet robe for a life sized fully
animatronic elephant. There was a collar commissioned as well but
the first time the fearsome beast was fired up it was sucked into
the gears of it's greasy underbelly, the remnants unceremoniously
spat upon the floor... QUITE A PRIMADONNA PACHYDERM INDEED! Many
more tales could be told of semi-sentient slipcovers that could
forebode the future, carnivorous table treatments that consumes a
party of twelve and of course the cushions for a set of five legged
chairs ran off during their fittings, but we will save THOSE tales
for a rainy day... </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.16in; margin-top: 0.16in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tell us, dear readers, do
you still believe that a stitch in time saves nine?</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MB65lEb1FbU/UqK2QyD0rDI/AAAAAAAACVk/Ezw2A74MVnc/s1600/img113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MB65lEb1FbU/UqK2QyD0rDI/AAAAAAAACVk/Ezw2A74MVnc/s640/img113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldYzghKNXjI/UqK3KOiQArI/AAAAAAAACVs/hXZ-pvZGxfA/s1600/Charles+Allen+Winter+Fantaisie+Egyptienne+1898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldYzghKNXjI/UqK3KOiQArI/AAAAAAAACVs/hXZ-pvZGxfA/s640/Charles+Allen+Winter+Fantaisie+Egyptienne+1898.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.16in; margin-top: 0.16in;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The
Mighty Voices<br />Of my Vengeance<br />Smash the Stillness of the Air<br />And
stand as Monoliths of Wrath<br />Upon a plan of writhing Serpents
</span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.16in; margin-top: 0.16in;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(The
Black Hand Of Set by Nile)</span></span></i></div>
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</div>
Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-44884875496672696972013-12-06T21:29:00.000-08:002013-12-06T22:07:10.410-08:00{INTERLUDE}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lp12UttcpOo/UqKwq4rcTSI/AAAAAAAACTQ/LqNY32HtfhM/s1600/dsc03586_0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lp12UttcpOo/UqKwq4rcTSI/AAAAAAAACTQ/LqNY32HtfhM/s640/dsc03586_0124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Greetings,
dear ones! We have set up a page here at Chintz of Darkness
featuring our Black Baroque Luxuries on a PROPER black background
(unlike some other nefarious pages on the web...) Please feel free
pour yourself a cocktail and wander around at will, but it is
recommended that you refrain from peeking behind the curtains because
you never know what you will find... </span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://chintz-of-darkness.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">BLACK BAROQUE LUXURIES</a> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">...also
please take a moment to “like” us on the necessary evil known as
Facebook. Now, this is our PROFESSIONAL (...hmmm?) page. If you are
interested in our OTHER deeply buried and top secret page, it will be
necessary to prove that you are not a current card carrying member of
the Illuminati, an agent of the NSA or in any way a blood relation
(sorry Mom, NO MEANS NO)... just kidding... well not really...</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/blackbaroqueluxuries?ref=hl" target="_blank">FACEBOOK </a></span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And
last but not least, while we still prefer paper & pushpins we
have finally fell victim to the allure of Pinterest. Keep your eyes
out in the upcoming days for bits of fluff & finery will not be
included in our regular posts here...</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/seraphsplendor/boards/" target="_blank">PINTEREST </a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As
for coming Chintz of Darkness attractions, look for a rather
scandalous “Gilding the Willy Deluxe Home Addition” as well as
the adventures of a mercenary seamstress... Oh, and perhaps we will
FINALLY tell you the new addition to our family here in our Obsidian
Halls... stay tuned!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Again,
thank you most kindly for your support! S+S</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-54544225851669196512013-11-30T22:47:00.000-08:002013-11-30T22:50:48.841-08:00War of the Roses <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ScbU10iaevA/Upq71nqYKDI/AAAAAAAACBw/sO5qfXJP9QY/s1600/img041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ScbU10iaevA/Upq71nqYKDI/AAAAAAAACBw/sO5qfXJP9QY/s640/img041.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Well,
everybody already knows that Lady Fuchsia and Countess Carnation
CANNOT stand each others company. While the Countess is convinced
her petals are perfection, Fuchsia fervently defends her flora as the
height of fashion. Each and every encounter ends in a frenzy of flying
foliage and when Splendor is inevitably asked to intervene in their
quarrels she </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">simply
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">hides under the
nearest couch until the commotion has passed. If truth be told,
Splendor is quite fond of dusty rose, burnt apricot and some of the
more mild mannered magentas but quite disapproves of pink in any of
her paler shades...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUfxu672pY4/Upq-xH5Jd7I/AAAAAAAACD8/12uZZ_Rlq0E/s1600/img015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUfxu672pY4/Upq-xH5Jd7I/AAAAAAAACD8/12uZZ_Rlq0E/s320/img015.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0jOydeb_L8/UprDc0WhygI/AAAAAAAACEI/KTdiwQZ5SgU/s1600/Project4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0jOydeb_L8/UprDc0WhygI/AAAAAAAACEI/KTdiwQZ5SgU/s640/Project4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHTWfJmM2sA/Upq8Fx4pTOI/AAAAAAAACCU/DyRZkhugj08/s1600/img119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHTWfJmM2sA/Upq8Fx4pTOI/AAAAAAAACCU/DyRZkhugj08/s640/img119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ok, ok... STOP THE
PRESSES... no one is in the least bit interested in the courtly
discourtesies of colors. In fact, the question front and foremost on
everyone’s mind is WHAT IN THE NAME OF UNHOLY GOAT REEKING HELL
happened to Seraph + Splendor?!? Were they exiled like some derelict
heads of state, forced to preform their penance on a deserted desert
isle? Or perhaps finally imprisoned for their crimes against beige?
Some say the couple set off to sail the Seven Seas, while others
insist they just<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;"> </span>joined
the circus, unleashing their bawdy burlesque act on the unsuspecting
public at large. </span>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Osdb9ajEiK0/Upq8LG6rDiI/AAAAAAAACCk/rMuMD5YGvl4/s1600/Copy+of+Venetian+Palazzo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Osdb9ajEiK0/Upq8LG6rDiI/AAAAAAAACCk/rMuMD5YGvl4/s640/Copy+of+Venetian+Palazzo.jpg" width="448" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PGLNClGQGwE/Upq8I2YD8JI/AAAAAAAACCc/ATgWowNGp2g/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PGLNClGQGwE/Upq8I2YD8JI/AAAAAAAACCc/ATgWowNGp2g/s640/IMG_0012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">A close known associate
and fellow designer (*cough*<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/carlafoxdesign?ref=ss_profile" target="_blank">Carla Fox</a>*cough*) has theorized that an
odd astrological influence might be to blame. Further speculations
ponder if in fact the couple was beamed aboard an alien spacecraft,
where Seraph promptly started decorating the hard, shiny surfaces
with portieres and Persian carpets, while Splendor busied herself
replacing the crappy spacesuits with Fortuny frock coats and
feathered helmets... Conspiracy theories aside, dear readers, it
would appear that the decadent duo have indeed returned, so please
take a seat and make yourself at home... </span>
</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jV17oXsstgU/Upq8QtRJgaI/AAAAAAAACCs/yvwPnbU-tI8/s1600/img024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jV17oXsstgU/Upq8QtRJgaI/AAAAAAAACCs/yvwPnbU-tI8/s640/img024.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k_hCiXNG1vA/Upq8RpGdk-I/AAAAAAAACC0/SPJ3odAGLjg/s1600/Copy+of+img046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k_hCiXNG1vA/Upq8RpGdk-I/AAAAAAAACC0/SPJ3odAGLjg/s640/Copy+of+img046.jpg" width="566" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkTHu6GKbNs/Upq8WKWab-I/AAAAAAAACDI/ZI-5AwULaBE/s1600/Palace+of+Facets+Russia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkTHu6GKbNs/Upq8WKWab-I/AAAAAAAACDI/ZI-5AwULaBE/s640/Palace+of+Facets+Russia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking
of home, one of the more momentous events as of late is that Obsidian
Hall (in all of it's glittering glory) was uprooted from its
moorings. As luck would have it, we had just enough time to gather
our belonging before its fabled facade floated away never to be seen
again... Now moving is an arduous task on any occasion but when ones
residence exists in varying states of reality the undertaking is
increased tenfold.</span> </span></span></span>
</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hwJJM852dA/Upq8VZ3p7FI/AAAAAAAACC8/KkYDBwqQIYw/s1600/img074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hwJJM852dA/Upq8VZ3p7FI/AAAAAAAACC8/KkYDBwqQIYw/s400/img074.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rM67v1NN3_s/Upq8XQq4API/AAAAAAAACDM/E2CIjVKmxOk/s1600/img076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rM67v1NN3_s/Upq8XQq4API/AAAAAAAACDM/E2CIjVKmxOk/s640/img076.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_Lwb3VgrwE/Upq8ZmfV4YI/AAAAAAAACDU/yVDukJazSzs/s1600/img100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_Lwb3VgrwE/Upq8ZmfV4YI/AAAAAAAACDU/yVDukJazSzs/s640/img100.jpg" width="506" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Upon
inspection, several suites had entirely</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">vanished while others
would only appear on moonless nights. The dining room has alas been
lost but the crypt was right where we left it last time we visited.
Several rooms became rather spooked at the news of an impending
upheaval. The master bedroom was found wandering the grounds while
the Harem (dancing girls included) hid in the attic. Objects and
implements of physical nature proved most problematic to pack. The
better part of many an afternoon was spent chasing a wayward wardrobe
or nimble nightstand, but our imaginary parlor set was </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">simply
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">slipped into our
pockets. After more than a month of Sundays all of the furnishings
were caught and carefully crated and have settled in their new abode
quite nicely, thank you very much...</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SMp7Y85ppdA/Upq8bIuW_VI/AAAAAAAACDk/kSB2k0VNlvA/s1600/img070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SMp7Y85ppdA/Upq8bIuW_VI/AAAAAAAACDk/kSB2k0VNlvA/s640/img070.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zenSLS0k4o/Upq8bkkgGqI/AAAAAAAACDg/SbKeiZq9VrA/s1600/Project2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zenSLS0k4o/Upq8bkkgGqI/AAAAAAAACDg/SbKeiZq9VrA/s640/Project2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sadly to say, the human
residents of Obsidian Hall (in all of their various states of decay)
fared less well. The sullen spectres were quite inconsolable and the
cadavers refused to leave their crypt. A woebegone wraith took to
breaking teacups while the ghouls cried all day (which in our humble
opinion is quite unacceptable for a servant of darkness but as they
say “ghouls just want to have fun”... hmmm...) As for the
skeletons in the closet, THAT is a story for another day...</span> </span></span>
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<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Fear not, dear ones, the
dust has settled and Obsidian Hall has been rebuilt. The ghosts are
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">indeed </span>giddy about their
haunt as are we...!)</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rose
with dark eyes, <br />mirror of your nothingness, <br />rose with dark
eyes, <br />make us believe in mystery, <br />hypocrite flower, flower of
silence. </span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(Litanies de la Rose by
Remy de Gourmont)</span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></i>
</div>
Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-23823923004805358552013-11-17T20:18:00.000-08:002013-11-17T20:19:58.737-08:00Breaking News...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-9336745252502173072011-02-05T22:23:00.000-08:002011-02-05T22:23:29.441-08:00Heart of Darkness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU43VCDoFCI/AAAAAAAAB_c/d7gOrl1YRKU/s1600/Fran%25C3%25A7ois-Edouard+Picot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="502" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU43VCDoFCI/AAAAAAAAB_c/d7gOrl1YRKU/s640/Fran%25C3%25A7ois-Edouard+Picot.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ok, as to the recent happenings here at Chintz of Darkness…Seraph + Splendor have started smoking again…NOW DO NOT PANIC or send in a skilled intervention team to rescue us from our seemingly wayward ways…we STOPPED SMOKING CIGARETTES YEARS AGO and are simply referring to the copious quantities of smog coming out of our ears due to the ongoing financial fiasco happening here in America. Now the LAST thing we want to do is to start getting pointedly political on a blog exclusively dedicated to DECADENCE AND DEBAUCHERY, so we will refrain from blaming an assortment of twits, tea baggers and a certain unintelligible Texan for the current woes befalling our country. As to the hazy cloud that hangs over the Turkish Smoking Parlor (aka, the master bath) you will have to ask Seraph about that personally…HA! </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU43jfPlpyI/AAAAAAAAB_g/aov9aVFuSNQ/s1600/Queen+of+Hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU43jfPlpyI/AAAAAAAAB_g/aov9aVFuSNQ/s640/Queen+of+Hearts.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU43rcsHMeI/AAAAAAAAB_k/WNRv7AiSAH8/s1600/Coleman+Residence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="578" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU43rcsHMeI/AAAAAAAAB_k/WNRv7AiSAH8/s640/Coleman+Residence.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">During these trying economic times one must be ever vigilant in regards to the household budget. This is of particular importance if one lives in a dank and drafty mansion THAT EXISTS COMPLETELY IN ONES MIND. Recently entire wings of our Obsidian Halls have fallen into disrepair and regrettably we have had to lay off much of our staff. The Zoological Garden and Aviary were the first to suffer resulting in the misplacing of a large gilded elephant and a flock of glass songbirds. The Orangery and the adjacent Orchard Room are currently manned by a small but reliable skeleton crew (yes, and we do mean a LITERAL SKELETON CREW) that produce an abundant crop of forbidden fruit, poisonous pears and absinthe laced apples. We are also pleased to report that the Music Room is still in full swing and that the Formal Gardens are in the capable hands (paws?) of the resident squirrels. There was only one minor mishap when our furry friends took the liberty to rearrange the Bone Altars, pointing a particularly frisky femur toward the street causing a series of minor fenders benders…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU44Iwi3-MI/AAAAAAAAB_o/R7K_O-a3fvQ/s1600/Victorian+Valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="406" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU44Iwi3-MI/AAAAAAAAB_o/R7K_O-a3fvQ/s640/Victorian+Valentine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU44Qd55qLI/AAAAAAAAB_s/Nx8h4WvELg4/s1600/Turkoman+Jewelry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="396" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU44Qd55qLI/AAAAAAAAB_s/Nx8h4WvELg4/s640/Turkoman+Jewelry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU44fQ68t8I/AAAAAAAAB_w/s6-RO2XBgHw/s1600/Victorian+Valentine+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="406" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU44fQ68t8I/AAAAAAAAB_w/s6-RO2XBgHw/s640/Victorian+Valentine+II.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Splendor was quite reluctant to let her chambermaids go, because who else is going to spend hours on end brushing the knots out of her hair, lacing her corsets and painting her nails, all the while listening to her scream “LET THEM EAT CAKE, MOTHERF%#CKERS” and hurling silk slippers at their heads? Now everyone knows that Splendor does not ACTUALLY behave that way in real life… (or does she???) While NOT prone to fits and tantrums, she has on occasion with scuffled her Fluevog’s, but that was only after they viciously attacked her and ripped a hole in her fishnets…but THAT is a story for another day… </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU45pwsU-gI/AAAAAAAACAM/m88iXaZ2tzg/s1600/Playing+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU45pwsU-gI/AAAAAAAACAM/m88iXaZ2tzg/s640/Playing+Card.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU45yNU6GpI/AAAAAAAACAQ/gBtmKTzeQp8/s1600/Cupid+and+Psyche+1717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU45yNU6GpI/AAAAAAAACAQ/gBtmKTzeQp8/s640/Cupid+and+Psyche+1717.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Seraph on the other hand, had the unfortunate task of breaking the news to the Master Hostler and his crew of dimwitted stable boys. It seemed a logical cost cutting maneuver because less of our house guests arrive on horseback nowadays and our imaginary pet goats are quite capable of taking care of themselves, thank you very much. After all they live on a diet of dust and debris, which grows plentifully throughout our Obsidian Halls. Although stoic, Seraph seems to miss his gigantic black charger named Mephistopheles but luckily he still finds time to put on his armor and swing his sword around…hee! </span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU46If-G-cI/AAAAAAAACAY/op6AX7nHjFY/s1600/IMG_0007+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU46If-G-cI/AAAAAAAACAY/op6AX7nHjFY/s640/IMG_0007+%25282%2529.jpg" width="435" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU46BdwCQRI/AAAAAAAACAU/1ZQQrw97TPY/s1600/Fans+circa+1920s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="457" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU46BdwCQRI/AAAAAAAACAU/1ZQQrw97TPY/s640/Fans+circa+1920s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But not to worry, dear readers, there are many bright (?) things on the horizon here at Chintz of Darkness and fund raising opportunities abound. Not only are we considering starting a D&D…and, yes you read that right, dear readers, a DUNGEON & DINER…a B&B is quite out of the question because quite frankly we are in no mood to get up at the CRACK OF DAWN to make cinnamon rolls but are not at all opposed to evenings filled with FLOGGING AND FONDUE…</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU46e6_XSoI/AAAAAAAACAc/vmsPvVs1Pso/s1600/Cupid+at+the+Masquerade+Ball+Franz+von+Stuck+1887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU46e6_XSoI/AAAAAAAACAc/vmsPvVs1Pso/s640/Cupid+at+the+Masquerade+Ball+Franz+von+Stuck+1887.jpg" width="522" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU46mDiMDmI/AAAAAAAACAg/2EjWA4VE4MA/s1600/Cupid%2527s+Bow+circa+1750%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="464" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU46mDiMDmI/AAAAAAAACAg/2EjWA4VE4MA/s640/Cupid%2527s+Bow+circa+1750%2527s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU46wXv-Y9I/AAAAAAAACAk/MaokkqbHX8s/s1600/Antiope+by+Antonio+Correggio+1494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU46wXv-Y9I/AAAAAAAACAk/MaokkqbHX8s/s640/Antiope+by+Antonio+Correggio+1494.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And on a side note – does the phase “Crack of Dawn” bring to mind visions of some cheesy 80’s porn flick starring Muffy Manslave and Seymour Butts? Just curious, not that we would know anything about things like that…would you?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU46_WLRRWI/AAAAAAAACAo/XHTHJOyzQVg/s1600/Heart+Brooch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TU46_WLRRWI/AAAAAAAACAo/XHTHJOyzQVg/s640/Heart+Brooch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Let me roam in the shadows of the graveyard</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I crunch the wings of angels beneath my feet</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Candlelight dances through the darkness</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Angels aflame scream to the midnight skies</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>In the shadows of the graveyard</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<em></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>(“Graveyards and Dead Angels” by Goatwhore)</em></span></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-29068524661187615462010-11-16T23:54:00.000-08:002010-11-16T23:54:09.868-08:00Living in Fiction<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOCDewPPII/AAAAAAAAB-g/3kNk5PVW7iA/s1600/Living+in+Fiction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOCDewPPII/AAAAAAAAB-g/3kNk5PVW7iA/s640/Living+in+Fiction.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Attending a cultural event (say such a as museum show) can be an educational and enlightening experience. On the day of the show, the FIRST thing that Splendor learned was that her closet contains many strange and wonderful things…spiky Victorian style boots with skull buttons, flowing velvet jackets in gloomy shades of death, ash and midnight and an endless supply of skirts adorned with lacing, zippers and buckles. What this closet of curiosities DOES NOT contain is a winter coat, a pair sensible shoes or any other “NORMAL” attire that should be worn in public during daylight hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOCRZCe6NI/AAAAAAAAB-k/7X1hrPn5QRg/s1600/Living+in+Fiction+IX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOCRZCe6NI/AAAAAAAAB-k/7X1hrPn5QRg/s640/Living+in+Fiction+IX.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOCZUc8JnI/AAAAAAAAB-o/d4-WkPovtB0/s1600/Living+in+Fiction+VII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOCZUc8JnI/AAAAAAAAB-o/d4-WkPovtB0/s640/Living+in+Fiction+VII.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now the SECOND thing that Splendor learned is that wearing a lace mini skirt and knee high lace up boots to a posh art exhibit will only lead to further scrutiny of one’s person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although not out rightly stated, there seemed to be a lingering connotation by some that Splendor’s hair is too long, her garments too strange and her general demeanor too scandalous to be considered “professional” and that henceforth she should no to be allowed in to roam freely, mingling with the general public…HA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As to which Belphegor hoodie Seraph decided to wear, that is a story for another day…</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOCjeIcSZI/AAAAAAAAB-s/oZCPebgI728/s1600/Living+in+Fiction+VI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOCjeIcSZI/AAAAAAAAB-s/oZCPebgI728/s640/Living+in+Fiction+VI.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOCqvomL4I/AAAAAAAAB-w/Otr6lsOm1Kw/s1600/Living+in+Fiction+V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOCqvomL4I/AAAAAAAAB-w/Otr6lsOm1Kw/s640/Living+in+Fiction+V.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now Splendor’s first experience with PROPER BUSINESS ATTIRE occurred back at her first job in high school where it was promptly pointed out that one CANNOT come to work in a Venom t-shirt reeking of Jack Daniel’s and sin and was expected instead to wear a white blouse, a knee length white skirt and a FREAKING PINK APRON (…the horror…the horror…)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In case there ever is a Chintz of Darkness category on an upcoming Jeopardy show, the answer to the question would be BAKERY for 1000 points, Alex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what a fine establishment it was…</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOCx2EKcrI/AAAAAAAAB-0/4Vwb-FxO_rE/s1600/Reading+Chairs+by+Jim+Rosenau+2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOCx2EKcrI/AAAAAAAAB-0/4Vwb-FxO_rE/s640/Reading+Chairs+by+Jim+Rosenau+2007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOC4n-2-aI/AAAAAAAAB-4/lNnnwcYQDcU/s1600/Living+in+Fiction+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="602" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOC4n-2-aI/AAAAAAAAB-4/lNnnwcYQDcU/s640/Living+in+Fiction+III.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now just to set the stage, one only needs to imagine a stately brick building with an elegant tailored awning on a quaint tree lined lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon entering the dignified double doorway, one was promptly greeted with a greasy crumb strewn floor, hazy frosting smudged walls and a collection of rickety café tables with mismatched chairs held together with duct tape and string.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other highlights included a lecherous cocaine huffing boss, an infestation of cockroaches (that yes, now that you asked, dear readers, dropped from the ceiling into vats of chocolate icing on a hourly basis…) and of course let’s not forget about the flasher and his gigantic…er…oh, never mind…Did we mention that both of the dishwashers and one of the bakers were registered sex offenders?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And last but not least, who could forget about the “Apple Strudel” that they sold at Christmas time after gathering racks of rotten pastries throughout the year and grinding them up as filling?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We kid you not, this putrid pastry resembled a MUMMIFIED ZOMBIE ARM, complete with brown flaking skin and an odd odor…</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOC-nxz5mI/AAAAAAAAB-8/i9ezJdtN55Q/s1600/Holes+by+Jennifer+Khoshbin+2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOOC-nxz5mI/AAAAAAAAB-8/i9ezJdtN55Q/s640/Holes+by+Jennifer+Khoshbin+2009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOODEwXs8lI/AAAAAAAAB_A/lot9dP-0ZRQ/s1600/Living+in+Fiction+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOODEwXs8lI/AAAAAAAAB_A/lot9dP-0ZRQ/s640/Living+in+Fiction+II.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Indeed, Splendor’s first job taught her many important life lessons such as the value of earning one’s own money, as well as <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how to avoid getting groped while carrying two trays of doughnuts, how to fend off marriage proposals from pedophiles and the subtle art of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“borrowing” bus money from the till…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, the bakery eventually filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors...soon after that Splendor joined the racks of the self employed and has never looked back…</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOODLR1dAOI/AAAAAAAAB_E/xs1yakJsWfE/s1600/Living+in+Fiction+IV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOODLR1dAOI/AAAAAAAAB_E/xs1yakJsWfE/s640/Living+in+Fiction+IV.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOODTj2D5LI/AAAAAAAAB_I/lGJ2Gz7kLZs/s1600/The+Woodcutter%2527s+Hut+by+Su+Blackwell+2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOODTj2D5LI/AAAAAAAAB_I/lGJ2Gz7kLZs/s640/The+Woodcutter%2527s+Hut+by+Su+Blackwell+2008.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">…and yes, self employment is a joyous situation where no one minds if you show up to work in your BIRTHDAY SUIT instead of a business suit. In fact around here they (as in Seraph) rather encourage it…hee!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So how do YOU earn your keep, dear readers?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Please stop by for a visit to our new <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SeraphSplendor">ETSY SHOP</a>. Thanks!</span></div><br />
<br />
<img height="96" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOODmCtW4LI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/VWeqJ-WapCM/s640/Clementinum+Library.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 385px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 6996px; visibility: hidden;" width="67" /> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOODbDzPdUI/AAAAAAAAB_M/995GrNgoJiU/s1600/Living+in+FictionLiving+VIII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOODbDzPdUI/AAAAAAAAB_M/995GrNgoJiU/s640/Living+in+FictionLiving+VIII.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOODmCtW4LI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/VWeqJ-WapCM/s1600/Clementinum+Library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TOODmCtW4LI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/VWeqJ-WapCM/s640/Clementinum+Library.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Unveiled in death to the sinner</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Written in the ancient book of lies</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hear the demons call</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">From the crimson waterfall</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As the blood rains from the skies</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">("Seven Gates of Hell" by Venom)</span></em></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-10375372389137533402010-11-02T20:15:00.000-07:002010-11-02T20:15:47.820-07:00Siren Song<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDL5ZYANSI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/naD_7Lu_7yw/s1600/Antique+French+Furnishings+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDL5ZYANSI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/naD_7Lu_7yw/s640/Antique+French+Furnishings+I.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 85.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As to the recent happenings around our haunted halls: yes, the kitchen here at Chintz of Darkness is fully functional and is in fact OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If one has a craving for a toasted cheese sandwich sprinkled with fresh basil and parmesan shavings at four in the morning that request can quite often be granted (although the clattering of pans will undoubtedly wake up the ghosts and the chef on duty is not likely to be *completely* sober…hmm…)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDMaBlTPQI/AAAAAAAAB8g/NxW8xSyPeSM/s1600/Warwick+Goble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDMaBlTPQI/AAAAAAAAB8g/NxW8xSyPeSM/s640/Warwick+Goble.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDMj00VL_I/AAAAAAAAB8k/Ws90RuNI89Y/s1600/Courtesan+Bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDMj00VL_I/AAAAAAAAB8k/Ws90RuNI89Y/s640/Courtesan+Bed.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 85.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This must be clearly stated in advance because for some unbeknownst reason Seraph + Splendor are perceived as the kind of people that are quite incapable of cooking for themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not sure where this perception comes from but there are those who think that we survive on a diet entirely consisting of ABSINTHE AND HUMAN BLOOD that is served to us in jeweled skull goblets by a pair of bats that we have enslaved into infernal servitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While that is fine and dandy for special occasions it is problematic for everyday living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only do the bat’s leashes get tangled in Splendor’s unruly hair but they tend to have, hmm how shall we put it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>POOR BATHROOM ETIQUETTE…HA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDMsahW1AI/AAAAAAAAB8o/t269JqHwUKc/s1600/Siren+Song+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDMsahW1AI/AAAAAAAAB8o/t269JqHwUKc/s640/Siren+Song+1.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDM0upOzxI/AAAAAAAAB8s/bukXfbVNVcE/s1600/Siren+Song+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDM0upOzxI/AAAAAAAAB8s/bukXfbVNVcE/s640/Siren+Song+II.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 85.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Truth be told, our kitchen is a haven of domestic bliss (as long as one is careful to avoid the demonic portals in several of the frying pans and NEVER look the garbage disposal directly in the eyes…) Culinary tasks are of course divided evenly and everyone (even the bats) take turns doing the dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDNBLc5oZI/AAAAAAAAB80/4HVHyDpFe-I/s1600/Lady's+Shell+Box+1800's.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDNBLc5oZI/AAAAAAAAB80/4HVHyDpFe-I/s640/Lady's+Shell+Box+1800's.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDRWaKtJII/AAAAAAAAB9c/uyO4PFbhVJQ/s1600/Paul+Delvaux+Nymphs+Bathing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDRWaKtJII/AAAAAAAAB9c/uyO4PFbhVJQ/s640/Paul+Delvaux+Nymphs+Bathing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When it comes to preparing our evening meals, Seraph is quite famous for his fiery hot barbecued chicken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This eyebrow blistering recipe is of course TOP SECRET, but one can only assume the main ingredient is MOLTEN LAVA. Perhaps it is an overstatement to claim that pillars of fire shoot out of the oven during the preparation of this delectable delicacy but let’s just say that the kitchen cabinets are charred beyond recognition in a five foot radius around the stove and the scent of brimstone hangs in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, we are not at liberty at this time to discuss the “incident” with the tandoori chicken that set off the fire alarm and caused the evacuation of our entire building…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just count ourselves lucky that the TOXIC SPICE CLOUD could not be traced back to our apartment… (yet…damn)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDNIWQV-hI/AAAAAAAAB84/Y9Ht4jnpmYs/s1600/Siren+Song+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDNIWQV-hI/AAAAAAAAB84/Y9Ht4jnpmYs/s640/Siren+Song+III.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDNQZnfYtI/AAAAAAAAB88/IB0oOsNArxE/s1600/Chariot+of+ThetisJean+Berain+1674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="546" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDNQZnfYtI/AAAAAAAAB88/IB0oOsNArxE/s640/Chariot+of+ThetisJean+Berain+1674.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDNiH4jRDI/AAAAAAAAB9A/MGzUVwuk3N4/s1600/Woburn+Abbbey+Grotto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDNiH4jRDI/AAAAAAAAB9A/MGzUVwuk3N4/s640/Woburn+Abbbey+Grotto.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While Seraph is renowned for his panic producing poultry preparations (hee!), Splendor’s claim to fame is making a mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the saying goes, dear readers, there comes a time when one simply must wash their hands of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually this happens right after Splendor makes a peanut butter & jelly sandwich or with anything involving mayonnaise, butter or cheese (do not even ask…)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and if there is any flour being used it would be advised to grab an umbrella before entering the kitchen…but that is neither nor there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDNqLSfN8I/AAAAAAAAB9E/Il4lf2KdIuk/s1600/Siren+Song+IV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDNqLSfN8I/AAAAAAAAB9E/Il4lf2KdIuk/s640/Siren+Song+IV.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDNz7EDisI/AAAAAAAAB9I/nPpCn5qegQw/s1600/Eugene+Berman+(circa+1930s).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDNz7EDisI/AAAAAAAAB9I/nPpCn5qegQw/s640/Eugene+Berman+(circa+1930s).jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDN6l1YZMI/AAAAAAAAB9M/hdIsMu_j7lY/s1600/Antique+French+Furnishings+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDN6l1YZMI/AAAAAAAAB9M/hdIsMu_j7lY/s640/Antique+French+Furnishings+II.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 85.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When it comes to serving our meals, our everyday dishes are a sullen assortment of black plates and mismatched bowls that have followed us home from Goodwill over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Complimenting this troubled tableware is our set of blood red goblets etched with cryptic flourishes, and of course our wrought iron silverware (ironwear?) reminiscent of a Karl <span>Blossfeldt </span>photograph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say this odd assemblage results in a rather spooky dining experience for all involved… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDOCznLHkI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/I9jYT6jPvQU/s1600/Warwick+Goble_nymphs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDOCznLHkI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/I9jYT6jPvQU/s640/Warwick+Goble_nymphs.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDOJAtatlI/AAAAAAAAB9U/Ne50EFOwBJ0/s1600/Antique+French+Furnishings+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDOJAtatlI/AAAAAAAAB9U/Ne50EFOwBJ0/s640/Antique+French+Furnishings+III.jpg" width="574" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We do have a set of “Good” china (as opposed to the bad natured and slutty china mentioned above.) It is a lovely heirloom set straight from the prim and proper 1950’s complete with delicate rose hues blossoms and dainty flowing lines. Now, we can already hear you laughing, dear readers, but instead of looking at this as a DETRIMENT TO DARKNESS we just use our menacing serpent candleholders and a set of glass apples to create a miniature reenactment of the Garden of Eden. All that is missing is a scantily clad “Eve” centerpiece …Volunteers anyone?</span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tell us, what is on YOUR plate tonight?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Also, we would like to say a very special thanks to Carla, Mo & everyone else that has stopped by to visit our <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SeraphSplendor">new shop</a>!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDOSRfG04I/AAAAAAAAB9Y/-Hvj1Q35Z68/s1600/Warwick+Goble_mermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNDOSRfG04I/AAAAAAAAB9Y/-Hvj1Q35Z68/s640/Warwick+Goble_mermaid.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The fields and dwellings of relapsing ruins</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Find thou thyself in every star</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Achieve thou every possibility</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Listen! Heed not the siren-voice of thought</em></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>(“Descent to Acheron” by Absu)</em></span></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-49076443127125259792010-10-31T22:36:00.000-07:002010-10-31T22:36:42.282-07:00Black Baroque Luxuries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TM5NnxOuxSI/AAAAAAAAB7w/dNTl0RXqBEE/s1600/COD+IMG_0001+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TM5NnxOuxSI/AAAAAAAAB7w/dNTl0RXqBEE/s640/COD+IMG_0001+(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wicked Halloween greetings, dear readers! While most of you are likely to be still dancing under the stars, stalking through a cemetery or involved in other assorted acts of mischief and mayhem, we wanted to let you know that our wicked new shop has opened its doors…please stop by for a visit, we hope something catches your eye! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SeraphSplendor">Enter the door here…</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Also, we have prepared for you a full update of our recent mishaps and misadventures…coming soon!</span></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TM5NuhoIhRI/AAAAAAAAB70/ApjaJq_gLzQ/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TM5NuhoIhRI/AAAAAAAAB70/ApjaJq_gLzQ/s640/032.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This ritual object, resplendent in amber, russet and gold, was conjured from many oddities scattered throughout our Obsidian Halls. First an unusual spindly brass base, mirror like yet clouded in mystery, next a gilded plaque of dubious function and lastly a small skull dripping in sentience…</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A three dimensional collage of vintage jewelry, silk and organdy form an intricate armor crowned with an eight pointed star. Glittering obsidian eyes, unusually lifelike, glisten with silver diamond tears. The perfect companion or familiar, this oracle conveys a silent wisdom to those who are willing to observe her haunting stare…</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TM5N1gDKiXI/AAAAAAAAB74/fsAbdHwplr4/s1600/078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TM5N1gDKiXI/AAAAAAAAB74/fsAbdHwplr4/s640/078.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A regal Sky Crown worn by the Queen of Night, consort to mighty Orion Lord of the Hunt… Encrusted with silver tears, tarnished tinsel and shards of starlight, this exquisite pillow illuminates the obsidian sky…</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">An extensive array of vintage jewelry, crystals and mirror pieces were used in the conjuring of this cushion. Sparkling darkly through a haze of black mesh, the central medallion was formed of many things… The first, a vintage star brooch resting upon a briar of crystal and a mirror of ice. Next, a pair of filigree constellations dangling silvery diamond strands. Lastly a heavy frame of bronze nail head encloses the entire collage upon a midnight velvet ground. </span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Further embellishments include a lovely set of 7” crystal spears (in another life, the glittering facets of an antique chandelier.) These spears drip from the upper corners, and chime at the slightest movement, as the lower crystal facets appear as pools of tears reflecting the night…Shall this majestic cushion be yours? </span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oracle of the Horned Star (top)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Seraph + Splendor © 2010</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Queen of Orion Cushion (bottom)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Seraph + Splendor © 2010</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Halloween is the night</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The legend says the ghost will rise</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>On Halloween they can't redeem</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>A restless soul from ancient scene</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>At the sound of the demon bell</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<em></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>(“At the Sound of the Demon Bell” by Mercyful Fate)</em></span></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-3906372631133844092010-10-10T23:11:00.000-07:002010-11-02T16:49:22.015-07:00A Postcard from Hell...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNChwnb6ZEI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/yZuAhBgeeXY/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNChwnb6ZEI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/yZuAhBgeeXY/s640/027.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, dear readers, everybody already knows that Seraph + Splendor have (on occasion) wandered off to parts unknown to attend to some strange collection of calamities that have befallen our lives. Instead of trying to excuse our hellish hiatus in clear and concise English we will instead rely on a series of cryptic messages hidden in bottles, smoke signals and an odd (but highly lethal) form of ESP that requires one to wear a sun bonnet made out of aluminum foil to explain our recent whereabouts….HA! So if you have been feeling a bit dizzy or light headed as of late, we apologize profusely… </span><br />
<div align="justify"></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In all seriousness (hee…) over the last several months we have locked ourselves away in a dim and murky wing of our Obsidian Hall known simply as THE STUDIO. If one knows where to look one might find a room full of stacks of velvet and caskets of trims as well as wisps of shadows and shards of glass. There are cabinets bursting with butterfly wings and tables heaped with skulls. Needles and pins litter the floor and the rasp of rusty scissors accompanies the sound of strange machinery well into the night. Indeed we have been hard at work preparing many strange and wondrous things for you… a new collection of cruel cushions, forbidden fruits and objects of oddity to delight the scenes and frighten away ghosts. Our new online shop will open its doors soon…hope to see you there!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNCiOkfOdAI/AAAAAAAAB8U/Gf7varwkkkM/s1600/COD+Copy+of+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TNCiOkfOdAI/AAAAAAAAB8U/Gf7varwkkkM/s640/COD+Copy+of+101.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Skeleton Key Cushion (above)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">© Seraph + Splendor 2010</span><br />
<div align="justify"></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lucifer’s Gilded Glove (top of post)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">© Seraph + Splendor 2010</span>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-92165761854840046882010-08-20T20:31:00.000-07:002010-08-20T20:31:30.166-07:00Flying South<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9DqLy1TFI/AAAAAAAAB5c/X9BPo8KX9aE/s1600/Kay+Nielsen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9DqLy1TFI/AAAAAAAAB5c/X9BPo8KX9aE/s640/Kay+Nielsen.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now Chintz of Darkness exists firmly in reality but many of its rooms, corridors and passageways are only accessible by a journey through a mist shrouded etherworld. These spaces are merely glimpsed as fleeting visions or as hazy vistas that disappear as soon as one approaches. Those who follow these apparitions too ardently often become forever lost chasing a sure footed slipper chair down a mystical hallway full of clutter or have become ensnared in a VIGNETTE OF SKULLS. The rooms here are decorated with physical things such as tables and chairs as well as thoughts and ideas. One might share the sofa with a stray spell or a particularly dreary BAUDELAIRE poem or find a reflection of an unearthly landscape in every mirror. So be warned, dear readers, and enter at your own risk…</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9D0AAJs4I/AAAAAAAAB5k/waFMQHmUmtY/s1600/Coleman+Residence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9D0AAJs4I/AAAAAAAAB5k/waFMQHmUmtY/s400/Coleman+Residence.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EBvqsQoI/AAAAAAAAB50/omZUdnQB96E/s1600/Feather+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EBvqsQoI/AAAAAAAAB50/omZUdnQB96E/s640/Feather+Book.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9D7amBxgI/AAAAAAAAB5s/JjrCuG2bPT4/s1600/Feather+Book+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9D7amBxgI/AAAAAAAAB5s/JjrCuG2bPT4/s640/Feather+Book+II.jpg" width="483" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EJBDEU6I/AAAAAAAAB58/pkbiUxe4mSc/s1600/Taxidermy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EJBDEU6I/AAAAAAAAB58/pkbiUxe4mSc/s400/Taxidermy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In our current realm of darkness you are greeted outside the door by a smiling demon mask and a small Persian carpet (a magic carpet no less, so watch your step.) It has been pointed out that the hallway of our apartment building is deemed “public space” by the management, apparently meaning KEEP YOUR CREEPY BELONGINGS INSIDE YOUR OWN APARTMENT etc etc blah, blah, blah… We consider the laundry room a “public space” too, but that does not prevent our weirdo neighbor from doing her laundry in the buff and stealing our dish towels. It also does not stop another neighbor from keeping A FULL CAN OF GASOLINE on top of large pile of cardboard boxes by his car. He appears to be from the school of thought that ARSONISTS ARE PEOPLE TOO and just need a bit of encouragement like everyone else…damn…Well WE are from the school of thought that we should be able to litter the otherwise empty spaces throughout the building with throw pillows and cocktail tables and turn the communal storage room into a fully hosted bar… humph…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EQJiXRHI/AAAAAAAAB6E/Ly5ft0rdHmc/s1600/Philippe+Wolfers+circa+1910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EQJiXRHI/AAAAAAAAB6E/Ly5ft0rdHmc/s640/Philippe+Wolfers+circa+1910.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EWygODiI/AAAAAAAAB6M/iD3dkJ_rZbk/s1600/Kay+Nielsen+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EWygODiI/AAAAAAAAB6M/iD3dkJ_rZbk/s640/Kay+Nielsen+II.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Truth be told, we have a long and illustrious history of being rather FREE SPIRITED (ok, maybe unruly is a better word) tenants. Did we ever tell you the story of the time we painted our (former) storefront like a lovely jewel toned Victorian castle complete with gilded trim and filigree stencils? Now when we say “jewel toned” we do not mean some tepid color palette one might find at Home Depot, but instead an exuberant combination of bloody burgundy, blackened teal accented with black, gold and electric gunmetal flourishes. After the paint job was complete we promptly studded the front door in a dizzying display of nail head that would have made Augustus Pugin swoon and were about to start installing the GOTHIC GINGERBREAD ARCHES when the city intervened citing some code violation. HA!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EdbZiCiI/AAAAAAAAB6U/s3Qc2JFAKlM/s1600/IMG_0001+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EdbZiCiI/AAAAAAAAB6U/s3Qc2JFAKlM/s400/IMG_0001+(2).jpg" width="307" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EjFToqjI/AAAAAAAAB6c/e9eF_yq8wTw/s1600/Charles+Robert+Ashbee+circa+1900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EjFToqjI/AAAAAAAAB6c/e9eF_yq8wTw/s640/Charles+Robert+Ashbee+circa+1900.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EqTH80-I/AAAAAAAAB6k/J8uW88olNfI/s1600/Warwick+Goble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9EqTH80-I/AAAAAAAAB6k/J8uW88olNfI/s400/Warwick+Goble.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This would perhaps be a good time as any to point out that the rest of the building was painted entirely white and blue resembling a Greek flag and that our landlords lacked not only an aesthetic eye but a sense of humor as well. It probably goes without saying that we were promptly evicted as soon as our lease ran out. (We certainly would have enjoyed being a fly on the wall when they discovered how we painted the INSIDE of the building…hee hee…) There really is no need to bring up the time when we decorated the walls of our first apartment with Indian tapestries mounted NOT on decorative rods but rather held in place with a set of kitchen knives or that occasion we adorned the ceiling with a GLOW IN THE DARK skyscape and lived entirely in black light for a month and a half…hmmm, better keep that to our selves lest you start thinking us strange…</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9ExQ1rT-I/AAAAAAAAB6s/F7FVNgC1tl0/s1600/Khnopff+Medusa+Asleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9ExQ1rT-I/AAAAAAAAB6s/F7FVNgC1tl0/s640/Khnopff+Medusa+Asleep.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9E49d4rUI/AAAAAAAAB60/I2hlvgy_eiA/s1600/Nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="594" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9E49d4rUI/AAAAAAAAB60/I2hlvgy_eiA/s640/Nest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9E_utLK_I/AAAAAAAAB68/K91H7wFgDFo/s1600/Girl+with+the+Peacock+Edgar+Maxence+1896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TG9E_utLK_I/AAAAAAAAB68/K91H7wFgDFo/s640/Girl+with+the+Peacock+Edgar+Maxence+1896.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So tell us, all of you lodgers, renters and boarders out there…are you naughty or nice?</span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Behold the black cloud of corpselike birds</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Their wings are on fire</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>And their song has turned backwards</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>A morbid cacophony singing of...</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>A new dawn!</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(“Casus Luciferi” by Watain)</span></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-22899237986277799352010-07-28T22:35:00.000-07:002010-07-28T22:35:20.560-07:00Frigid Bitch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEM1TluxxI/AAAAAAAAB30/gFb5n5cEGcA/s1600/Edmund+Dulac+Snow+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEM1TluxxI/AAAAAAAAB30/gFb5n5cEGcA/s640/Edmund+Dulac+Snow+Queen.jpg" width="507" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Every year THE POWERS THAT BE come up with new and exciting ways to make summer even more unbearable than it already is. First they burnt a gigantic hole in the atmosphere causing toxic radiation to drip from the sky and now it seems that we are being forced to celebrate CHRISTMAS IN JULY. After several weeks of being barraged with ads expounding the virtues of this concept (if Santa in a pair of Bermuda shorts can be considered a virtue) we have had enough! We do not approve of the concept of Christmas in July in any shape or form, in fact, we do not really approve of Christmas in December either, but that is a story for another day…. If we MUST be forced to celebrate an inane winter holiday in the midst of the dog days of summer it may as well be VALENTINE’S DAY because this time of year we are already scantily clad and sweaty as it is….HA!</span> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFENFSPU9ZI/AAAAAAAAB4E/9lNvbMAjyPo/s1600/Ice+Urn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFENFSPU9ZI/AAAAAAAAB4E/9lNvbMAjyPo/s640/Ice+Urn.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEM-pX-GnI/AAAAAAAAB38/XEbY_NLGOrc/s1600/Valentina+Cortese+Residence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEM-pX-GnI/AAAAAAAAB38/XEbY_NLGOrc/s640/Valentina+Cortese+Residence.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here at Chintz of Darkness we are well aware that everyone and their mother just loves to bask in the summer sunshine for hours on end. We choose NOT to participate in this garish worship of the sun preferring instead to bathe in vats of sun block (a particularly industrial variety that clings to one’s skin much like a smutty latex bodysuit…hmmm…not that we would know anything about THAT…) We then spend the remaining daylight hours hiding under our sofa until dusk when it is finally safe to wander our Obsidian Halls without the risk of being pierced by a stray shaft of sunlight and disintegrating into a puff of dust…trust us, dear readers, we have seen it happen time and time again…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFENLUqSNXI/AAAAAAAAB4M/lDTBGoXqvXU/s1600/Edmund+Dulac+Snow+Queen+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFENLUqSNXI/AAAAAAAAB4M/lDTBGoXqvXU/s400/Edmund+Dulac+Snow+Queen+II.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFENRuOs0XI/AAAAAAAAB4U/54rF8oR5j50/s1600/Candelabras.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFENRuOs0XI/AAAAAAAAB4U/54rF8oR5j50/s640/Candelabras.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFENdXjfG2I/AAAAAAAAB4c/MzNdTKN-klo/s1600/Palazzo+Boldu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFENdXjfG2I/AAAAAAAAB4c/MzNdTKN-klo/s640/Palazzo+Boldu.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Summer appears to bring out the worst in people’s wardrobes as well. Perhaps the greatest lyric ever written is from The Rolling Stones song “Paint it Black”, which clearly states: “I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes I have to turn my head until my darkness goes…” When writing this song it would appear that Mick and company had an apocalyptic vision of a future full of girls wearing Old Navy sundresses in retina blistering shades of tangerine and pastel plaid shorts FOR MEN. WTF? There is nothing at all wrong with wearing head to toe black every day of the year. Trust us we have been doing it for several decades straight and know what we are talking about…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEN2CatQaI/AAAAAAAAB4s/KKlXIGbbEYw/s1600/IMG_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEN2CatQaI/AAAAAAAAB4s/KKlXIGbbEYw/s640/IMG_0019.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFENltnkaYI/AAAAAAAAB4k/2aGx4jCm1bU/s1600/Milo+Winter+Snow+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFENltnkaYI/AAAAAAAAB4k/2aGx4jCm1bU/s640/Milo+Winter+Snow+Queen.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEN8zVTCnI/AAAAAAAAB40/13UYb5Vdx00/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEN8zVTCnI/AAAAAAAAB40/13UYb5Vdx00/s640/IMG_0005.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Truth be told, we DO have to venture out in the sun on occasion in the name of fitness and frugality (no air conditioned gym memberships here, damn it…) During our daily walks our neighborhood gets a chance to poke fun at us and have a good laugh at our expense, referring to us as the MEN IN BLACK (apparently choosing to ignore Splendor’s rather obvious gender…) Even the resident homeless have become fashion police, suggesting that we really should “fade to white” during the summer months. The only ones that are truly on our side are the ominous hordes of ravens (Ok, crows) that live in our area. They at least cack approvingly as we walk by and show their support of us by refraining from crapping on our heads…a small victory, but a victory none the less…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEOKEve_cI/AAAAAAAAB48/hyobDcr7aMA/s1600/snow+queen.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEOKEve_cI/AAAAAAAAB48/hyobDcr7aMA/s400/snow+queen.bmp" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEOWepWfXI/AAAAAAAAB5E/HBkk1Y-aMB0/s1600/Bue+Taffeta+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEOWepWfXI/AAAAAAAAB5E/HBkk1Y-aMB0/s640/Bue+Taffeta+II.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEOd6pgamI/AAAAAAAAB5M/9V4tRGh-Roc/s1600/Italian+Commode+18th+century.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEOd6pgamI/AAAAAAAAB5M/9V4tRGh-Roc/s400/Italian+Commode+18th+century.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is time again to crawl back under our sofa and wait patiently for nightfall…Gathered here for your enjoyment is a lovely selection of the glacial tones of ice, snow and sleet. We must indeed have sunstroke because even a little blue is looking cool and appealing right now…and if anyone out there really needs any more proof people are strange and summer is scary please visit the blog <a href="http://www.paleisthenewtan.com/">Pale is the New Tan</a>…yikes…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEOnQ3yjaI/AAAAAAAAB5U/-g-dK_3HGUA/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TFEOnQ3yjaI/AAAAAAAAB5U/-g-dK_3HGUA/s640/IMG_0007.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <em>Crystal world with winter flowers</em></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Turns my day to frozen hours</em></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Lying snowblind in the sun</em></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Will my ice age ever come?</em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(“Snowblind” by Black Sabbath)</span></div></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-84116799565793435672010-07-02T20:52:00.000-07:002010-07-02T20:52:22.541-07:00B is for...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6vMMAvJHI/AAAAAAAAB2E/3dwVcC1s51Q/s1600/Erte+Alphabet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6vMMAvJHI/AAAAAAAAB2E/3dwVcC1s51Q/s640/Erte+Alphabet.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now as much as it is wished otherwise Seraph + Splendor must abide by the law of the land just like everyone else. It seems that we are NOT entitled to some special pass or a get out of jail free card simply because we choose to live by an imaginary set of rules and regulations that we have MADE UP ENTIRELY IN OUR HEADS. And although we rather resent a rabid respect of rules we nonetheless buckle our seat belts, rinse our recyclables and restrain from recklessness. HA! In spite of that we still find plenty of time in the day to break the rules of convention, scale, proportion and of course good taste…hee!</span> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6vS2D99-I/AAAAAAAAB2M/RWgEbETtjn4/s1600/Louis+XIV+Bracket+Clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6vS2D99-I/AAAAAAAAB2M/RWgEbETtjn4/s640/Louis+XIV+Bracket+Clock.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6vYw-fdSI/AAAAAAAAB2U/CTVNInDet6M/s1600/khnopff+brutishness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6vYw-fdSI/AAAAAAAAB2U/CTVNInDet6M/s640/khnopff+brutishness.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6vgXJ26mI/AAAAAAAAB2c/0IQgr6O0SNw/s1600/Men%27s+Robe+Circa+1880%27s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6vgXJ26mI/AAAAAAAAB2c/0IQgr6O0SNw/s640/Men%27s+Robe+Circa+1880%27s.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Breaking with religious taboos and traditions is a favorite pastime around here as well. You know those freaks in the white short sleeve shirts that come by trying to interest you in some strange religion? Recently a gaggle of those weirdos gained access to our building under quite false pretences claiming to be UPS (because that’s what Jesus would do, right?) Here in our gloomy Obsidian Halls we adhere to the axiom WHAT WOULD NATTEFROST DO? (WWND for short, if you would like to get a bracelet made) but we do not go around trying to convert people to our evil ways by making them listen to the album Blood and Vomit until they crack and began writing a SO CALLED DESIGN BLOG riddled with obscure black metal references and have to learn to live with a growing collection of irreversible carpet stains. But that is a story for another day…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6vmwH2-KI/AAAAAAAAB2k/ftaYTYkBfi8/s1600/Art+Nouveau+Necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6vmwH2-KI/AAAAAAAAB2k/ftaYTYkBfi8/s640/Art+Nouveau+Necklace.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6vyKDqRpI/AAAAAAAAB2s/_uYpTRYJCjU/s1600/Franz+von+Stuck+Sin+1893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6vyKDqRpI/AAAAAAAAB2s/_uYpTRYJCjU/s640/Franz+von+Stuck+Sin+1893.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6v4iDElYI/AAAAAAAAB20/NRqAt6PRWfs/s1600/Kentshire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6v4iDElYI/AAAAAAAAB20/NRqAt6PRWfs/s640/Kentshire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyways as soon as Splendor opened the door (anticipating a delivery from Scalamandré, no less…) she was immediately addressed with the impertinent question “ARE YOU THE PERSON HERE THAT LIVES IN SIN?” Finding it doubtful that they were actually fans of Chintz of Darkness, timid Splendor assumed that she appeared in need of salvation. To make a long story even longer Seraph took offence to people speaking rudely to Splendor and made one of them cry and the other one pee his pants, oh excuse us slacks…HAIL…oh never mind…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wBmZe1rI/AAAAAAAAB28/zDeRVjBTnWw/s1600/Copy+of+Lucien+Janvier+Necklace+circa+1900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wBmZe1rI/AAAAAAAAB28/zDeRVjBTnWw/s640/Copy+of+Lucien+Janvier+Necklace+circa+1900.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wH0gHvAI/AAAAAAAAB3E/HbqqtGDuj1g/s1600/Sarah+Bernhardt+Inkwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wH0gHvAI/AAAAAAAAB3E/HbqqtGDuj1g/s640/Sarah+Bernhardt+Inkwell.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wNqG_X4I/AAAAAAAAB3M/z49Gvq6Aj1A/s1600/Corsage+by+Mucha+%26+G.+Fouquet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wNqG_X4I/AAAAAAAAB3M/z49Gvq6Aj1A/s640/Corsage+by+Mucha+%26+G.+Fouquet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The laws of scale and proportion can be broken into several bite sized pieces or completely shattered beyond recognition, it is all up to you, dear readers. For example, you can confound and confuse tall guests by hanging all of your lanterns and chandeliers menacingly low much like a cave full of glittering (yet chic) stalactites. Our collection of antique glass lanterns that adorns the kitchen ceiling dangles at such a precarious level that they have been hit more than one time with an errant baguette and once with A PARTICULARLY AMPLE SQUASH…yikes…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wURmdmTI/AAAAAAAAB3U/O1d739ZJiLY/s1600/khnopff+the+supreme+vice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wURmdmTI/AAAAAAAAB3U/O1d739ZJiLY/s640/khnopff+the+supreme+vice.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wZxkTLpI/AAAAAAAAB3c/OiN8QRxHWmw/s1600/IMG_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wZxkTLpI/AAAAAAAAB3c/OiN8QRxHWmw/s640/IMG_0015.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Another example of this eccentricity here at Chintz of Darkness is an overabundance of low hanging valances. Our bedroom doorway is draped with an Arabian Nights worthy concoction of brocade, velvet and beaded tassels that sweeps down in an overly dramatic fashion leaving only a scant 5 ½ foot tall (otherwise known as Splendor sized…HA!) opening that one must shimmy through to reach the room beyond…In the front parlor there is also an impossibly narrow passageway through several sets of portieres that force unsuspecting guests to spontaneously learn a strange version of the limbo if trying reach the safety of the sofa…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wgKXpy4I/AAAAAAAAB3k/tsGaJ9dImgA/s1600/Obsidian+Tureen+circa+1725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wgKXpy4I/AAAAAAAAB3k/tsGaJ9dImgA/s640/Obsidian+Tureen+circa+1725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wnIa99GI/AAAAAAAAB3s/oATBNEzMNFU/s1600/IMG_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TC6wnIa99GI/AAAAAAAAB3s/oATBNEzMNFU/s640/IMG_0017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Gathered here is a selection of BAT WINGS, BLASPHEMY AND OF COURSE BLACK which we hope will inspire you to go make some trouble of your own. Tell us, dear readers, what rules do you willfully break?</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I invoke thee, possessor of all hidden keys</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>God of the unknown and the lawless ecstasies</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>initiate me, thy most faithful child</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>In the darkest of mysteries and all pleasurable crimes</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(“Xeper-I-Set” by Dissection)</span></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-4529143544083784842010-06-21T22:34:00.000-07:002010-06-21T22:34:28.240-07:00Chintz of Darkness Turns Two!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TCBI4jUMQnI/AAAAAAAAB1s/rEM9yXqygws/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TCBI4jUMQnI/AAAAAAAAB1s/rEM9yXqygws/s640/IMG_0016.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We are pleased to announce that Chintz of Darkness has officially turned two years old today. Now as a child a second birthday is a momentous occasion where you can smear frosting all over your face and throw your patent leather dress shoes in the garden and NOT EVEN GET PUNISHED FOR IT! As an adult it is a day were you can lie around in bed all day, drinking absinthe and…oh, never mind… needless to say there was still patent leather involved… (It MIGHT even be said that there was a little TOO MUCH celebrating this weekend resulting in several strategically placed bruises and a mild hangover…hmmm.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">An enormous THANK YOU goes out to all of our wicked and wonderful readers that have made this blog what it is. We appreciate all of your comments and contributions and it has been great getting to know each and every one of you. Again, thanks for putting up with all of our gibberish about the comings and goings here at our Obsidian Hall…we truly enjoy sharing them with you!</span> </div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all of the haters, detractors and assorted interlopers that lurk around the outskirts of Chintz of Darkness. Although many of you cannot even admit that you EVEN READ THIS BLOG, we have nevertheless caught you peaking though our windows and rooting through our trash. HA! </span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As we move on to our third year what better way to celebrate the TERRIBLE TWOS than to introduce our Seraph + Splendor: The Early Years pages. You are cordially invited, dear readers, to have a hearty laugh at our expense! (If you look closely you might even find the infamous picture of Seraph dressed as Elton John or Splendor in her dreaded ballet costume) Click</span><a href="http://chintz-of-darkness.blogspot.com/p/seraph-splendor-early-years.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> if you dare…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TCBKDX_azbI/AAAAAAAAB18/ynBgOA-gcgo/s1600/Copy+of+Copy+of+IMG_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TCBKDX_azbI/AAAAAAAAB18/ynBgOA-gcgo/s400/Copy+of+Copy+of+IMG_0016.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Expectorate me into infinity,</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I thirst for the obsidian venom,</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Of the boundless sea of space</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">("Baphomet" by Dark Fortress)</span></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-28215485060164865242010-06-15T20:59:00.000-07:002010-06-15T20:59:22.113-07:00All that Glitters is Not Gold<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhHwBxaY4I/AAAAAAAABvc/Ohjeav50Hb0/s1600/Gold+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhHwBxaY4I/AAAAAAAABvc/Ohjeav50Hb0/s640/Gold+III.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now we are sure that some of you out there feel that we might be exaggerating a bit about our recent garbage disposal dilemmas. Well just to set the record straight, lately things went from bad to worse when the abysmal appliance starting wandering around the apartment eating Cheese Puffs (that we DO NOT keep in the pantry) and watching TMZ until the wee hours of the night. Now after several weeks of this odd behavior the dastardly disposal let out a blood curdling groan and died a tragic and untimely death. Now we must confess, for a few days (undoubtedly due to shock) we did nothing, choosing to ignore the situation entirely. But when the reek of putrid onions and rancid dishwater became overwhelming we were put in an awkward position of calling our landlord.</span> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhH2h814-I/AAAAAAAABvk/jK9J-CLL958/s1600/Erte+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhH2h814-I/AAAAAAAABvk/jK9J-CLL958/s640/Erte+I.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhH7-dDsiI/AAAAAAAABvs/Fgk8a9GEBHM/s1600/Drapery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhH7-dDsiI/AAAAAAAABvs/Fgk8a9GEBHM/s640/Drapery.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhICRTt8VI/AAAAAAAABv0/Lyc2AdAeU94/s1600/Erte+Fan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhICRTt8VI/AAAAAAAABv0/Lyc2AdAeU94/s640/Erte+Fan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Perhaps NORMAL people do not break into a cold sweat at the thought of a visit by the landlord but then again normal people do not spend the better part of an afternoon creating a NEFARIOUS LOOKING OBJECT for Seraph’s upcoming stage performances in the middle of their design table. A table that sits smack dab in the middle of the apartment, visible from every possible vista and unavoidable at every turn… As for the object in question, the ensemble MIGHT HAVE featured a large ram skull complete with a jeweled crown entwined in a candle lit rose briar. To be sure you would have had to be there, dear readers, because nefarious can be in interpreted in many ways…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIIhgLsiI/AAAAAAAABv8/azWae5keZ5E/s1600/Erte+IV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIIhgLsiI/AAAAAAAABv8/azWae5keZ5E/s640/Erte+IV.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIQawY0PI/AAAAAAAABwE/pPjBA3hmldE/s1600/Gold+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIQawY0PI/AAAAAAAABwE/pPjBA3hmldE/s640/Gold+II.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIX6yz4VI/AAAAAAAABwM/6qkMjpl2XKo/s1600/Gold+IV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIX6yz4VI/AAAAAAAABwM/6qkMjpl2XKo/s640/Gold+IV.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We dutifully spent the next several hours hiding various pieces of our wicked creation under tables and in closets so as not to be further deemed “the freaks” of the apartment building. Truth be told this is an activity that we are quite good at after years of experience (being freaks, that is, as well as master illusionists…hee hee) In fact an entire room can be transformed from a den of sin to a casual work environment in a matter of minutes using nothing but some bolts of fabric, a U-Haul box AND OF COURSE A FREAKING BLIND FOLD. HA! After finishing up with a light dusting we felt our work was complete, having transformed our abode from a look of “deranged weirdo” to merely “eccentric artist”. Boy, were we wrong…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIdetAeqI/AAAAAAAABwU/mAsluIl4TLU/s1600/Erte+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIdetAeqI/AAAAAAAABwU/mAsluIl4TLU/s640/Erte+II.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIjpBevOI/AAAAAAAABwc/kOtnrmngiks/s1600/Vizcaya+Cathay+Bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIjpBevOI/AAAAAAAABwc/kOtnrmngiks/s640/Vizcaya+Cathay+Bedroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIrDYWz4I/AAAAAAAABwk/PyfWT19WG6w/s1600/Scalamandre+Tiebacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIrDYWz4I/AAAAAAAABwk/PyfWT19WG6w/s640/Scalamandre+Tiebacks.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It seems that we were lulled into a false sense of security by the fact that most first time visitors are easily stunned and miss some details that might be picked up by a more acute scrutiny of our apartment. This was not the case for the savvy miniature Doberman (with a PINK SPIKED COLLAR no less) that our landlord was dog sitting that weekend. The diminutive beast came dashing through and without a moment’s hesitation headed directly for a pile of antler bones that we had hidden under a skirted table. It (she?) became quite delighted with the discovery and announced it to all present by barking at the top of her lungs. Having apparently watched one too many episodes of a certain 80’s cop show we felt sure that Crockett and Tubbs were going to bust through the door, read us our Miranda rights and then haul us off to county…Just as we were trying to banish that unpleasant thought, the beastly dog was off again spilling a carefully concealed tray of contraband and rudely sniffing the carpet stains before racing down the hall and out the front door. Luckily and (not a moment too soon might we add) our landlord followed right on her heals, leaving us to contend with the bewildered plumber on our own.</span> </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIx7IeJdI/AAAAAAAABws/-WNOgqJkVmo/s1600/Drapery+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhIx7IeJdI/AAAAAAAABws/-WNOgqJkVmo/s640/Drapery+II.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhJKuC7dFI/AAAAAAAABxE/G3pd0N0e_DE/s1600/Fan+Paul+Iribe+1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/TBhJKuC7dFI/AAAAAAAABxE/G3pd0N0e_DE/s640/Fan+Paul+Iribe+1911.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It turned out that the entire fiasco could have been easily avoided if we had only pressed the LARGE RED BUTTON SAYING “RESET” on the front of the disposal and sharpening the blades with some ice. WTF!?! Did we mention that just as the plumber entered the kitchen we noticed that we forgot to cover the picture on our refrigerator door of a dear friend wearing nothing but a scant layer of body paint and a goat mask? So tell us, dear readers, what lurks under your skirted table …</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Joining the march of the even fall</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>To be at your disposal, the blade when</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>you release damnation</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I fulfill these actions with pride, I worship</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>all that is ours.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Evil Oath by 1349)</span></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-29877530387777034882010-05-20T22:55:00.000-07:002010-05-20T22:55:02.837-07:00The (Not So) Great Outdoors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YbwWT1yzI/AAAAAAAABts/bYZrF-Nr5IM/s1600/Gustave+Moreau+Delilah+1890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="588" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YbwWT1yzI/AAAAAAAABts/bYZrF-Nr5IM/s640/Gustave+Moreau+Delilah+1890.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Apology Department here at Chintz of Darkness humbly begs your pardon, dear readers, for our neglectful posting practices this month. Perhaps there have been several mishaps, some minor blood loss and a hectic work schedule or maybe a shirking of responsibilities…NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW. But now that we are back we must clearly state two things in advance: 1) We DO indeed leave the comforts of our Obsidian Halls on occasion and DO NOT (despite the persistent rumors) spend all of our time lounging around on velvet pillows under ornately tented ceilings conferring with our collection of jeweled skulls…well, not all of our time anyway… 2) We DO NOT have anything whatsoever against outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and picnics as long as they are done inside in the comfort of one’s home…HA!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_Yb21IqgVI/AAAAAAAABt0/FV6L6fntBb0/s1600/Coleman+Residence+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="520" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_Yb21IqgVI/AAAAAAAABt0/FV6L6fntBb0/s640/Coleman+Residence+I.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_Yb-32P0lI/AAAAAAAABt8/ADaXQLUZs4k/s1600/Ann+Getty+Bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_Yb-32P0lI/AAAAAAAABt8/ADaXQLUZs4k/s640/Ann+Getty+Bedroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now the reason for this clarification is simply that we can smell the scent of impending doom in the air (oh, wait, that is just our neighbor’s barbeque…) no, the dreaded smell is the first whiff of summer that will inevitably inspire our friends and relatives to start planning a torturous roster of outdoor activities that we must attempt to dodge like a basketful of rabid kittens. This year we have decided once and for all that if anyone suggests a camping trip they will need to provide an inflatable Victorian style tent complete with stained glass windows, hardwood floors and turret. Not to mention a FREAKING TOILET. As for the camp ground, let’s just say the farthest that we are willing to trek into the wilderness is the back parking lot of our apartment building, thank you very much.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YcRG7ldbI/AAAAAAAABuU/LMFPi6qFZoo/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="524" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YcRG7ldbI/AAAAAAAABuU/LMFPi6qFZoo/s640/IMG_0012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It seems that we are blessed (as in cursed) to live in the part of the county were people revere nature. And we do not mean “revere” as in “respectful admiration” but as in JUST PLAIN EMBARRASSING. Case in point, Pemco Insurance enjoys humiliating our region on a daily basis by airing commercials pointing out that we are “a little bit different” with our rabid recycling ladies, our socks with sandals guys and the dudes that make chainsaw sculptures out in the woods. Thus it follows to reason that people embrace (quite literally) the outdoors. We swear to Darkness that one cannot walk five feet without bumping into someone hugging a tree or tripping over a dreadlock encrusted hippy trying to embody a wolf spirit, and that is right here IN THE CITY LIMITS. Now do not get us wrong, we appreciate nature just as much as anyone else. In fact we find nature rather tasty when chopped up in a delicious salad...</span></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YceSfo6II/AAAAAAAABuc/usG4_xihoao/s1600/Magnolia+Pearl+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YceSfo6II/AAAAAAAABuc/usG4_xihoao/s640/Magnolia+Pearl+II.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YcxZIR2rI/AAAAAAAABus/-Qe49KYh-p0/s1600/Magnolia+Pearl+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YcxZIR2rI/AAAAAAAABus/-Qe49KYh-p0/s640/Magnolia+Pearl+I.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Speaking of salad, the cool cooking shows on TV (that we find ourselves hopelessly addicted to…) make outdoor dining look like a fabulous soiree to be enjoyed by all. These evil shows plant otherworldly visions of a vast outdoor kitchen arranged in graceful tiers with a spatula and a crock of cilantro at every turn (damn you Rick Bayless and your sexy kitchen, too!) They feature laughing guest drifting through the gauzy sun drench yard, gracefully balancing a plate of delectable morsels and a shimming glass of wine. HA! What they do not show you is the dark side of garden parties. Flocks of terradactyl sized wasps, excrement drenched flies and of course the race of demons that live in potato salad. Do not even get us starting on the armies of ants that would use your fishnet stocking as a ladder if given half a chance. Mark our words, dear readers, TV chefs are LIARS AND SCOUNDRELS who retreat to the safety of the indoors as soon as the cameras stop rolling…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_Yc6M5WzHI/AAAAAAAABu0/qiXOX8qO5gY/s1600/Coleman+Residence+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_Yc6M5WzHI/AAAAAAAABu0/qiXOX8qO5gY/s640/Coleman+Residence+III.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YdEhGE4mI/AAAAAAAABu8/8RNxmGaruvU/s1600/Gustave+Moreau+Bathsheba+1885-1886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YdEhGE4mI/AAAAAAAABu8/8RNxmGaruvU/s640/Gustave+Moreau+Bathsheba+1885-1886.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YdPdEF81I/AAAAAAAABvE/Uxc8EKzbbok/s1600/Coleman+Residence+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YdPdEF81I/AAAAAAAABvE/Uxc8EKzbbok/s640/Coleman+Residence+II.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now perhaps we would be more open to the great outdoors if things were a little more like a lovely Gustave Moreau painting where one could lounge around half naked in a mystic courtyard surrounded by hazy shrubbery while an attendant helps one put on a collection of enchanted jewels…hmm…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YdcRjn2bI/AAAAAAAABvM/E9mzcaj636I/s1600/Gustave+Moreau+Oedipus+the+Wayfarer+1888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YdcRjn2bI/AAAAAAAABvM/E9mzcaj636I/s640/Gustave+Moreau+Oedipus+the+Wayfarer+1888.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YdqGFMhsI/AAAAAAAABvU/i9o0z2cPz6I/s1600/Turkish+Delight+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S_YdqGFMhsI/AAAAAAAABvU/i9o0z2cPz6I/s640/Turkish+Delight+II.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>You got your sugar</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>You got your spice</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>You got a kitten</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Now isn't that nice</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>You just can't wait for a picnic in Spring</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I just get nauseous</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>When I think of those things</em></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(“Give It Up” by Alice Cooper)</span></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-84704551167550048942010-05-02T22:04:00.000-07:002010-05-02T22:07:55.955-07:00Junk in Our Trunk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95VYBrSmqI/AAAAAAAABsE/NvGoHzNGIsk/s1600/Coleman+Residence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95VYBrSmqI/AAAAAAAABsE/NvGoHzNGIsk/s640/Coleman+Residence.jpg" tt="true" width="496" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It seems as though the time has come to pass, dear readers, when Seraph + Splendor must pay a visit to a dubious and shifty acquaintance referred to only as “THE UNDERTAKER”. Why such a grim moniker one may ask? Perhaps it is the peculiar odor of his antique shop or the unexplained and untimely death of several of his assistants. It could just be his fondness for Hawaiian shirts or the arsons in the neighborhood. We choose to leave the speculations in the hands of the proper authorities. We also choose not to visit his establishment after dusk and leave a letter to our loved ones in case we were to expectedly disappear without a trace. The reason for the impending appointment? It is quite simple really. The Undertaker will buy a carload of our accumulated crap, NO QUESTIONED ASKED…</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95ViEw_ujI/AAAAAAAABsM/DVgFjZlwaFo/s1600/Renzo+Mongiardino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95ViEw_ujI/AAAAAAAABsM/DVgFjZlwaFo/s400/Renzo+Mongiardino.jpg" tt="true" width="352" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95Vn-SRfMI/AAAAAAAABsU/7NJmNAoAmME/s1600/John+Collier+lady+godiva+1898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="497" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95Vn-SRfMI/AAAAAAAABsU/7NJmNAoAmME/s640/John+Collier+lady+godiva+1898.jpg" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95VwZ-2ikI/AAAAAAAABsc/Zm9bJU9QJMs/s1600/Jaqcques+Garcia+Residence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95VwZ-2ikI/AAAAAAAABsc/Zm9bJU9QJMs/s640/Jaqcques+Garcia+Residence.jpg" tt="true" width="460" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We have willfully got ourselves into this predicament by a daily dose of pillaging our local thrift stores and consignment shops. Now, for those of you keeping track at home, this week’s list of things that we DID NOT REALLY NEED TO BUY include: 1) a package of Victorian era metal doilies that will be used to make crowns and party hats for the ghosts. 2) A not so Victorian era velvet painting depicting the Devil in all this grandeur doing some rather unspeakable things 3) A small glass music box with a lid etched in a delicate floral motif. Now this box has already been placed in a drawer with SEVERAL DOZEN other glass boxes and it has chosen to differentiate itself by playing it’s creepy song at random and inappropriate times (again, this greatly amuses the ghosts and gives them a much needed excuse to don their new hats…yikes…)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95WCCT1bjI/AAAAAAAABsk/_h-kySJupA0/s1600/Phyrne+by+Franz+von+Stuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95WCCT1bjI/AAAAAAAABsk/_h-kySJupA0/s640/Phyrne+by+Franz+von+Stuck.jpg" tt="true" width="403" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95WRob1tEI/AAAAAAAABss/7KnFG8c7WVc/s1600/IMG_0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95WRob1tEI/AAAAAAAABss/7KnFG8c7WVc/s640/IMG_0029.jpg" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95WYRGZH5I/AAAAAAAABs0/RWJO-1_V4kY/s1600/IMG_0012+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95WYRGZH5I/AAAAAAAABs0/RWJO-1_V4kY/s640/IMG_0012+(2).jpg" tt="true" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The final straw to the realization that we must rid ourselves of some our junk was our collection of antique fireplace accessories including (but not limited to) a rather lovely set of bellows intricately decorated with hand painted ivory (OK, bone) tiles. Now this would be all fine and dandy if we had a fireplace, a wood burning stove or even a crude (yet strangely elegant) fire pit here in the gloomy and frigid halls of Chintz of Darkness. Lacking all of these things we began placing our collection around our houseplants and under the slipper chairs. Some savvy reader will no doubt suggest that we could have placed our fire related ephemera around one of the BLAZING DEMONIC PORTALS that flare up here from time to time. While this might sound good on paper, the last thing we need around here is a gaggle of fire nymphs using our precious bellows to blast puffs of air up each other’s…oh never mind…</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95WdagzeDI/AAAAAAAABs8/kQo-VcE8QUw/s1600/Hon.+John+Collier+priestess+of+delphhi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95WdagzeDI/AAAAAAAABs8/kQo-VcE8QUw/s640/Hon.+John+Collier+priestess+of+delphhi.jpg" tt="true" width="316" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95Wu-4JaBI/AAAAAAAABtM/xQEB-KYLJnk/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95Wu-4JaBI/AAAAAAAABtM/xQEB-KYLJnk/s640/Copy+of+IMG_0019.jpg" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95WnVck-AI/AAAAAAAABtE/Lyifsllbe_c/s1600/IMG_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95WnVck-AI/AAAAAAAABtE/Lyifsllbe_c/s640/IMG_0017.jpg" tt="true" width="504" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In case one was in doubt, there are established rules at the PURCHASING DEPARTMENT here at Chintz of Darkness for the procurement of objects and oddities. The rules state such things as “buy only things that you have a place for” and “only buy objects that are in good condition and relatively tasteful”….blah, blah, blah…whatever. Now anyone who is a packrat worthy of its tail knows that the rules can be stretched to the point of breaking thus allowing one to amass a basket of rusty knives (that was Seraph’s fault) and a stack of framed pictures three deep against a set of chests stacked four high with the whole rickety contraption draped in a paisley shawl (this was Splendor’s evil doing)…damn…make that TWO CARLOADS of accumulated crap…It is going to be a rough week, dear ones, but we simply must thin the herd…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95W01GaP2I/AAAAAAAABtU/aQxw3aWWVzA/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95W01GaP2I/AAAAAAAABtU/aQxw3aWWVzA/s640/IMG_0012.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95W61AvJ-I/AAAAAAAABtc/7W-kL9O6dbI/s1600/Ventian+Opera+Chairs+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95W61AvJ-I/AAAAAAAABtc/7W-kL9O6dbI/s640/Ventian+Opera+Chairs+(2).jpg" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95XB2oVzNI/AAAAAAAABtk/2Eu-TNipY4o/s1600/Aldofo+Residence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S95XB2oVzNI/AAAAAAAABtk/2Eu-TNipY4o/s640/Aldofo+Residence.jpg" tt="true" width="476" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tell us, what would you sell to the Undertaker, dear readers?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I'm an undertaker</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I'm a ghost in the night</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I'm a coffin shaker</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>This graveyard site is mine</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">("Legend of A Headless Rider" by Mercyful Fate)</span></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-60238712084279421762010-04-21T22:57:00.000-07:002010-04-21T22:57:14.253-07:00Plum Struck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_eRCCPobI/AAAAAAAABpM/VXpBZyHkSfE/s1600/Tony+Duquette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_eRCCPobI/AAAAAAAABpM/VXpBZyHkSfE/s640/Tony+Duquette.jpg" width="476" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sadomasochism can occur in many forms, dear readers. On one hand (ouch…) it can involve nothing more than an afternoon of fun activities resulting in some strategically placed bruises (and perhaps a little rope burn…) to something much, much darker… Here at Chintz of Darkness we have recently participated in the most heinous and masochistic act one can perform alone or in a group setting. What is the vile act you ask? Why nothing short of looking through family pictures. One is instantaneously reminded of every short coming, embarrassing situation and bad hair related disaster that has occurred in one’s life. It seem as though every dorky outfit and cringe inducing family event has been lovingly documented and preserved so one can LIVE THROUGH THE HUMILIATION AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN until one’s head finally explodes and ruins the photo album once and for all…HA!</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_g5Wl4beI/AAAAAAAABqs/-MlsfsmvYcE/s1600/Plum+Struck+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_g5Wl4beI/AAAAAAAABqs/-MlsfsmvYcE/s640/Plum+Struck+III.jpg" width="470" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_hDvj2ARI/AAAAAAAABq0/zKQDIsy71hs/s1600/Plum+Struck+VIII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_hDvj2ARI/AAAAAAAABq0/zKQDIsy71hs/s640/Plum+Struck+VIII.jpg" width="484" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One particularly painful flashback occurred while Splendor was perusing a pictorial of her ill fated ballet lessons. Now everyone knows that requiring a tomboy to wear a pink spangled tutu is cruel and unusual punishment to say the least. Now to be posed like a “proper young lady” (as opposed to a heathen beast) in gauzy soft lighting with hair in silky pony tails, HOLDING A FREAKING BOUQUET OF PANSIES is simply beyond the pale. And on top of that being forced to dance to the song “I ENJOY BEING A GIRL”…. (A song that should be more aptly titled “I Enjoy Being a Whore” with insipid lyrics like<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmMkN8WyyeA"> this</a>…) Is there really any question why young Splendor burned all of her hair scrunchies and turned to a life of delinquency??? At least there were amble pictures of her climbing trees, playing with dirt and eating cat food to balance things out. And if you must ask out of a morbid sense of curiosity, it was DRY CAT FOOD (Meow Mix to be specific…)</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_hQa95-lI/AAAAAAAABq8/xYgrgec4a3U/s1600/Ceremonial+Robe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_hQa95-lI/AAAAAAAABq8/xYgrgec4a3U/s640/Ceremonial+Robe.jpg" width="470" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_hb0NyDoI/AAAAAAAABrE/yquZvxXFpAM/s1600/Plum+Struck+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_hb0NyDoI/AAAAAAAABrE/yquZvxXFpAM/s640/Plum+Struck+I.jpg" width="486" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now after a careful review of Seraph’s family pictures one can conclude he spent his childhood being rather adorable. Nothing was found which would enable a blackmail scheme or extortionist’s plot… (unless you count those pictures of him dressed up as Elton John…AND IT WAS NOT EVEN HALLOWEEN, dear ones…hee, hee…) Even his school pictures are quite consistently charming with his lovely locks growing longing and longer in each preceding grade until reaching rock god-esque crescendo during senior year. Now Splendor on the other hand was cursed by year after year of odd self inflicted haircuts and makeovers that requires her school pictures to be buried in the back yard in a tin can…yikes…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_h8Q9cNCI/AAAAAAAABrM/GvKSf3NyYXg/s1600/Plum+Struck+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_h8Q9cNCI/AAAAAAAABrM/GvKSf3NyYXg/s640/Plum+Struck+II.jpg" width="563" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_iFiMlZQI/AAAAAAAABrU/iNZJca8Id0M/s1600/Plum+Struck+IV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_iFiMlZQI/AAAAAAAABrU/iNZJca8Id0M/s640/Plum+Struck+IV.jpg" width="490" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In all seriousness, both of our families were picture perfect in their own ways. One family being comprised of free spirited artists, the other a family of a more traditional style. But the problem with pictures is they are rather two dimensional and do not show what is outside the frame. Trust us, there were skeletons in both families’ closets. We have seen them with our own two (four?) eyes and in fact we have several hanging in our front parlor. HA! We wish. It seems as though “SOMEONE” in the family has already made off with the real ones…hmmm…</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_ixFO3BuI/AAAAAAAABrk/5ommmrr7kYE/s1600/rackham_bluebeard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_ixFO3BuI/AAAAAAAABrk/5ommmrr7kYE/s400/rackham_bluebeard.jpg" width="265" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_i7vWh4NI/AAAAAAAABrs/wJY_T4wGsGI/s1600/IMG_0002+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="561" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_i7vWh4NI/AAAAAAAABrs/wJY_T4wGsGI/s640/IMG_0002+(2).jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_ilxYMqBI/AAAAAAAABrc/eRyT0FxOwRE/s1600/Plum+Struck+VI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_ilxYMqBI/AAAAAAAABrc/eRyT0FxOwRE/s640/Plum+Struck+VI.jpg" width="462" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now all of this talk of bruised egos as well as asses (HEY, YOU CAN’T SAY THAT, YOU FREAKY WEIRDO!) has got us thinking of the lovely shades of amethyst, plum and purple. Now smile and say “Yes, Mistress”….</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_jTbA0dEI/AAAAAAAABr8/PAougi2ClX4/s1600/Plum+Struck+VII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8_jTbA0dEI/AAAAAAAABr8/PAougi2ClX4/s640/Plum+Struck+VII.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Radiant dust a chimney rise</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Desert floor dissolved wide ablaze</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Golden plum against the midnight sky</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Burning eyes in death clouds ash grey face</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(“Destroyer of Worlds” by Bathory)</span></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-5803680773913613932010-04-14T22:26:00.000-07:002010-04-14T22:26:16.084-07:00Garden Warden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8afP0IIMsI/AAAAAAAABnk/uhdSBJPuFU8/s1600/Garden+Warden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8afP0IIMsI/AAAAAAAABnk/uhdSBJPuFU8/s640/Garden+Warden.jpg" width="412" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One might recall that over the dreary winter months the Gardening Department here at Chintz of Darkness painstakingly decorated the shrubs and bushes with a dazzling array of chandelier crystals for no logical reason whatsoever. This foolhardy endeavor has inspired the resident squirrels to attempt to grow a MAGICAL GLASS SHRUB by planting the crystals amid the bluebell bulbs in a blatant act of RODENT RELATED VANDALISM. Now we are not afraid to admit that the thieving squirrels in question are nicknamed Bucky and Spaghetti-o…do not even ask for an explanation…you would only think that we are weird (HA!) and stop hanging around with us …</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8afrekqFKI/AAAAAAAABns/b_ZOUqkLG-k/s1600/French+Garden+Sculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8afrekqFKI/AAAAAAAABns/b_ZOUqkLG-k/s640/French+Garden+Sculpture.jpg" width="406" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8afw3mhrrI/AAAAAAAABn0/_8qU48HQ7Gw/s1600/Garden+Bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8afw3mhrrI/AAAAAAAABn0/_8qU48HQ7Gw/s640/Garden+Bed.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8af2XQdlKI/AAAAAAAABn8/tsWTfKSwOik/s1600/Angkor+Wat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8af2XQdlKI/AAAAAAAABn8/tsWTfKSwOik/s400/Angkor+Wat.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Looking back there seems to be a rich history of garden related mishaps that date all the way back to our childhood misadventures. Splendor grew up with a backyard that appeared (to the untrained eye) to have been landscaped by a SADISTIC MADMAN OR A DRUNKEN BOTANIST. A yard that was full of cruel and murderous shrubbery that was constantly on the prowl for its next young victim. Splendor’s earliest memory of those dreaded bushes was pulling up in the driveway for the first time, only to spot a lone sullen camellia bush with baby pink blossoms lurking amid the waist high grass. Whatever it was doing there in the middle of nowhere no one will ever know, but it was quite apparent that the evil shrub was out for Splendor’s blood.</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8af8GNdppI/AAAAAAAABoE/YrnaSCUuXXc/s1600/Garden+Warden+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8af8GNdppI/AAAAAAAABoE/YrnaSCUuXXc/s640/Garden+Warden+(2).jpg" width="512" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agCD4V6CI/AAAAAAAABoM/m0HQMotBrGs/s1600/Garden+Warden+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agCD4V6CI/AAAAAAAABoM/m0HQMotBrGs/s640/Garden+Warden+(3).jpg" width="466" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agMEGE9TI/AAAAAAAABoU/07fX0ppvijI/s1600/Garden+Warden+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agMEGE9TI/AAAAAAAABoU/07fX0ppvijI/s640/Garden+Warden+(5).jpg" width="512" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There was also the ornamental cherry tree that was pruned (tortured?) into a lovely umbrella style plume. Every spring the tree’s blossoms would send an intoxicating fragrance wafting though the yard. This would entice one to climb up and sit among the heavenly scented flowers only to have the entire tree snap shut like a bear trap or a FLUFFY PINK VENUS FLY TRAP. Splendor clearly remembers being ensnared there for days on end surviving on nothing but rotten cherry pits and rainwater. She also remembers being told that she had an OVERACTIVE IMAGINATION at times. Regardless of that let’s not forget the group of wicked lilac trees that could be found sulking in an inaccessible corner of the yard, mugging the smaller shrubbery and exposing themselves to passing joggers…and you think your childhood was weird…As for Seraph, his outdoor activities could not technically be referred to as “gardening” as most of the incidents involved fire…enough said.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agVkBhxnI/AAAAAAAABoc/SBRS68ysAbg/s1600/Garden+Ornament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="592" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agVkBhxnI/AAAAAAAABoc/SBRS68ysAbg/s640/Garden+Ornament.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agbYilwvI/AAAAAAAABok/v1tIwfvkL3s/s1600/Garden+Warden+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agbYilwvI/AAAAAAAABok/v1tIwfvkL3s/s640/Garden+Warden+(4).jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agiEV752I/AAAAAAAABos/67SeaEWb7OA/s1600/Garden+Ornament+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agiEV752I/AAAAAAAABos/67SeaEWb7OA/s640/Garden+Ornament+(2).jpg" width="600" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Upon reflection on the sinister nature of shrubbery the idea of trudging off to the nursery to procure yet another lovely crop of brambles, sticker bushes and fire spitting nettles has lost its appeal this year. Instead we will be focusing our efforts on our indoor garden. A garden which is flourishing quite nicely in spite of an absence of light, a predominance of dust and a never ending serenade of calming Black Metal. Remember that guy from the 70’s that claimed plants preferred classical music? Well let’s just say that guy was an idiot. Our lovely pothos vine certainly proves that theory wrong by prolifically growing in the opposite direction of the window under a gothic chair and is at this very moment attempting to strangle a antique ceramic cat. BLOODTHIRSTY INDEED, DEAR READERS…so tell us, how does your garden grow?</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agoBT48rI/AAAAAAAABo0/UOFGD5ggrck/s1600/French+Garden+Sculpture+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agoBT48rI/AAAAAAAABo0/UOFGD5ggrck/s640/French+Garden+Sculpture+II.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agtleSN4I/AAAAAAAABo8/IpU490gR1_M/s1600/Garden+Bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agtleSN4I/AAAAAAAABo8/IpU490gR1_M/s640/Garden+Bench.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agz63DOxI/AAAAAAAABpE/P2ChZg5-fss/s1600/Angkor+Wat+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agz63DOxI/AAAAAAAABpE/P2ChZg5-fss/s1600/Angkor+Wat+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S8agz63DOxI/AAAAAAAABpE/P2ChZg5-fss/s640/Angkor+Wat+II.jpg" width="428" wt="true" /></a> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The curse of salvation </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The odious essence </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>of His holy revelation </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>It floats from the garden of eden </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>In malevolent grace </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The Devil's blood </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Through the pentagram's maze</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(“Devil’s Blood by Watain)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-67742871608336124472010-04-01T22:02:00.000-07:002010-04-01T22:02:00.076-07:00A Man in Uniform<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2AJB9wzI/AAAAAAAABl0/IAn0l9EgdAI/s1600/Roman+Style+Armor+1547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2AJB9wzI/AAAAAAAABl0/IAn0l9EgdAI/s640/Roman+Style+Armor+1547.jpg" width="593" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now Splendor considers Seraph to be her knight in shining armor, her true champion and all around soul mate. People often ask how Seraph + Splendor made their acquaintance with one another in the first place. What mystical conjunction of the universal forces of destiny or chaos brought the two wayward angels together? There are many strange and heroic tales bandied about containing various degrees of truth. Perhaps brave Seraph had to rescue her from a tall and spindly tower or revive her with a kiss as she slept in a glass coffin? (Oh, wait…that coffin incident was just LAST WEEKEND…) Or perhaps he just found young Splendor misbehaving in 7-11, gave her a place to crash for the night and then decided to keep her. NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW…as to how a certain snake tattoo and a bottle of Jack Daniel’s figured into the story, that will have to be left up to your ample imaginations, dear readers…HA!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2cTpAdpI/AAAAAAAABmU/CkjqInAz-as/s1600/Kay+Nielsen+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2cTpAdpI/AAAAAAAABmU/CkjqInAz-as/s640/Kay+Nielsen+I.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2NfxK0KI/AAAAAAAABmE/ChvrrsKcwPA/s1600/Augustus+Pugin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" nt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2NfxK0KI/AAAAAAAABmE/ChvrrsKcwPA/s640/Augustus+Pugin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now truth be told, Splendor started living (in sin, no less…) with Seraph at rather a young age. Their apartment was quite different than it is today, being at that time decorated in the romantic style of YOUNG BACHELOR MEETS TEENAGE RUNAWAY. Now if you are not familiar with this mode of interior decoration there will probably be a coffee table book coming out soon enough. In the mean while, just imagine bookshelves full of Mercyful Fate records, an overabundance of beverage bottles and a bed draped in an evil and billowing canopy complete with a human skull dangling from a chain of camel teeth… (in other words every parent’s dream …)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2iTyymlI/AAAAAAAABmc/H-_ns0bnJyI/s1600/Burgonet+1550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2iTyymlI/AAAAAAAABmc/H-_ns0bnJyI/s400/Burgonet+1550.jpg" width="342" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2HzxOdFI/AAAAAAAABl8/zjadQxKDnvE/s1600/Kay+Nielsen+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2HzxOdFI/AAAAAAAABl8/zjadQxKDnvE/s640/Kay+Nielsen+II.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2pz8I8vI/AAAAAAAABmk/yWajGRTvoIM/s1600/Filippo+Negroli+1532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2pz8I8vI/AAAAAAAABmk/yWajGRTvoIM/s640/Filippo+Negroli+1532.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Another query frequently asked is “are you two weirdos ACTUALLY MARRIED or did you just put some floral garlands on your heads, chant some stuff and then call it official???” No, in fact we had a real living, breathing wedding complete with family (!?!), cake and a potluck buffet. We had initially planned to keep things simple and find some scruffy justice of the peace to perform the deed, but you know how these things go, dear ones. In the end, it was decided to have the wedding in the yard of Splendor’s paternal Grandmother’s house. In retrospect, we are glad that we did. It was truly an enchanted place full of fey magic and earth spirits. A colonnade of towering oak trees draped in a thick curtain of ivy formed an eerie semicircle where the ceremony could take place. Adding to the enchantment was a luscious cushion of moss dappled with woodland flowers and an unmistakable sense of mystery… </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2wAGLibI/AAAAAAAABms/AkUb_GfLSaI/s1600/Embroidered+Gloves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V2wAGLibI/AAAAAAAABms/AkUb_GfLSaI/s400/Embroidered+Gloves.jpg" width="345" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V21-NIe7I/AAAAAAAABm0/XptqF9Prfz4/s1600/Kay+Nielsen+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V21-NIe7I/AAAAAAAABm0/XptqF9Prfz4/s640/Kay+Nielsen+III.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V27iZaYJI/AAAAAAAABm8/IUuuixqjaDw/s1600/Armor+Carlo+Gonzaga+1540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V27iZaYJI/AAAAAAAABm8/IUuuixqjaDw/s640/Armor+Carlo+Gonzaga+1540.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When the day finally arrived it was sultry and overcast with the exhilarating threat of rain. No one was completely sure what faith our “minister” adhered to, except that it was not one of the proper ones. There are foggy recollections of a robe appliquéd with faux-archaic symbols like something left over from a groovy 60’s cult and an intriguing leather volume from which he read. Then there was his sudden disappearance back into the forest when the ceremony was over never to be heard from again…(Ok, Ok, he was a family friend, once again proving Splendor’s family is about as traditionally religious as a pond full of ducks.) </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V3P_7BUSI/AAAAAAAABnU/zKdsaPWDoww/s1600/Roman+Style+Armor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V3P_7BUSI/AAAAAAAABnU/zKdsaPWDoww/s400/Roman+Style+Armor.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V3HtXZn3I/AAAAAAAABnM/3NE3BZsvqQc/s1600/NC+Wyeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V3HtXZn3I/AAAAAAAABnM/3NE3BZsvqQc/s400/NC+Wyeth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V3BbowMlI/AAAAAAAABnE/VjHcpbTmPbE/s1600/wappenroecke79_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V3BbowMlI/AAAAAAAABnE/VjHcpbTmPbE/s400/wappenroecke79_600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even after all of the intervening years there are still those that seem unhappy with our blessed union (*cough*parents*cough*). We started getting rather suspicious when only being wished a happy anniversary by the resident garden squirrels, crazy Aunt Mildred and the ghost in the linen closet. This year the squirrels were even thoughtful enough to leave a gift of peanut shells…</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The honeymoon however is still in full swing…</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V3YeQ3g-I/AAAAAAAABnc/-AyePfDqr6w/s1600/Kay+Nielsen+IV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S7V3YeQ3g-I/AAAAAAAABnc/-AyePfDqr6w/s640/Kay+Nielsen+IV.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Now guess what I saw on one of the stones</em></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I saw my soul, in a magical haze</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>It was all dressed up as a corpse in a wedding dress</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Small black wings on my naked back</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Now hear my prayer, beggin' for mercy</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I'm living to die</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">("Corpse Without a Soul" by Mercyful Fate)</span></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175771810389408103.post-83760410261565469042010-03-21T21:25:00.000-07:002010-03-21T21:25:53.009-07:00Good Housekeeping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bsYdpyHMI/AAAAAAAABj8/F6ENHUg0eys/s1600-h/Flower+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bsYdpyHMI/AAAAAAAABj8/F6ENHUg0eys/s640/Flower+I.jpg" vt="true" width="466" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It looks as if Spring is finally here. That dreaded time of year when the first brilliant shaft of sunlight pierces through the murky windows and illuminates a winter long accumulation of dust, grime, crumbs and other décor related blasphemies that have amassed over the winter months. It would appear that the resident spiders have been busy building gossamer castles in our chandelier and attaching diaphanous puppet strings to our collection of Art Nouveau statues. The statues themselves seem rather pleased (as they are usually too lazy to get up and do anything themselves, preferring to just sit around looking waifish and pretty…UPPITY BITCHES…) As for the chandelier, it seems to resent the intrusion and has developed the unladylike habit of scratching itself in public…</span> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bsjsKRcwI/AAAAAAAABkE/_jEu83TCraA/s1600-h/Coleman+Residence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bsjsKRcwI/AAAAAAAABkE/_jEu83TCraA/s640/Coleman+Residence.jpg" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bspjWXHSI/AAAAAAAABkM/05J75qccmjA/s1600-h/Still+Life+Jan+van+Kessel+1670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="459" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bspjWXHSI/AAAAAAAABkM/05J75qccmjA/s640/Still+Life+Jan+van+Kessel+1670.jpg" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now when we moved into our current residence we vowed to keep it as pristine as the wind driven snow. HA! This is not an easy task when various factors are constantly at work against us. Firstly, as artists and designers we tend to produce a rather large quantity of dust, threads and metal shards not to mention multitudes of fabric scraps in every imaginable shape and color. Secondly, half the furnishings that we have dragged home and installed here are filthy and biodegrading to begin with. When these oddities are then mingled with our assortment of moldering textiles, it creates a toxic squall that hovers over our dwelling like a baroque thunderstorm, raining down bits of tinsel, gilding and the occasional bullion tassel…</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bsx_xCK8I/AAAAAAAABkU/1KmAXBekDrc/s1600-h/Frame+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bsx_xCK8I/AAAAAAAABkU/1KmAXBekDrc/s640/Frame+1.jpg" vt="true" width="520" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bs3jzpODI/AAAAAAAABkc/53M6v_RyPvY/s1600-h/Esterhazy+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bs3jzpODI/AAAAAAAABkc/53M6v_RyPvY/s640/Esterhazy+Castle.jpg" vt="true" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bs9ly9TwI/AAAAAAAABkk/OFirOAcF-2s/s1600-h/Magnolia+Pearl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bs9ly9TwI/AAAAAAAABkk/OFirOAcF-2s/s640/Magnolia+Pearl.jpg" vt="true" width="498" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All in all we manage to keep things fairly clean (at least that is what we like to tell people…) as long as no one looks under the sofa or behind the drapes. Truth be told, without Seraph and his never ending supply of lint rollers (not to mention his pet vacuum cleaner named Skippy) the place would go to HELL IN A HAND BASKET rather quickly. (Now the concept of going to hell in a hand basket has always been quite appealing especially if the basket included a mini bar and a fluffy pillow to rest ones head on during the journey…hmmm…but that is besides that point.)</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btEDEoj7I/AAAAAAAABks/JG18ZeigroU/s1600-h/Gwynn+Griffith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btEDEoj7I/AAAAAAAABks/JG18ZeigroU/s400/Gwynn+Griffith.jpg" vt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btKvPkDiI/AAAAAAAABk0/2tqSRDyzTFs/s1600-h/Flower+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btKvPkDiI/AAAAAAAABk0/2tqSRDyzTFs/s640/Flower+II.jpg" vt="true" width="458" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btRwtWe3I/AAAAAAAABk8/9XuYSnuvofs/s1600-h/Sunroom+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btRwtWe3I/AAAAAAAABk8/9XuYSnuvofs/s400/Sunroom+I.jpg" vt="true" width="328" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Another thing that we like to tell people is that the portieres in our kitchen add height and bring drama to the room. HA! Actually they are primarily used to hide crumbs the size of croutons and some delinquent Cheerios among their lower tassels. If worse came to worse we could probably live for a week on what has fallen back there over the years. Needless to say Splendor’s overall standards of cleanliness are rather lower than Seraph’s and she has a notorious reputation of being rather messy in the kitchen. She is only trusted with flour under adult supervision and has been known to put sticky jars of peanut butter in back in the fridge. </span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btX4qDGrI/AAAAAAAABlE/lEC3PbIcwyQ/s1600-h/Palms+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btX4qDGrI/AAAAAAAABlE/lEC3PbIcwyQ/s400/Palms+I.jpg" vt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btfhSwMFI/AAAAAAAABlM/aXBr1XijpOo/s1600-h/Palms+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btfhSwMFI/AAAAAAAABlM/aXBr1XijpOo/s640/Palms+II.jpg" vt="true" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btmvh42KI/AAAAAAAABlU/9EKe0ESFzwg/s1600-h/Leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btmvh42KI/AAAAAAAABlU/9EKe0ESFzwg/s400/Leaves.jpg" vt="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There is really no need to bring up the infamous incident with a bottle of coleslaw dressing that somehow exploded covering not only the entire kitchen but the parlor carpet in a gooey mess. (OK, OK it is probably a deserving punishment for eating such WHITE TRASH CRAP like Kraft salad dressing in the first place…lesson learned…hope no one finds out about the occasional cravings for Stove Top stuffing and diet root beer…damn…)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bts2LvDwI/AAAAAAAABlc/NRvnMAKzHh0/s1600-h/baroque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bts2LvDwI/AAAAAAAABlc/NRvnMAKzHh0/s400/baroque.jpg" vt="true" width="236" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btzXxavGI/AAAAAAAABlk/8tPIRr0myTs/s1600-h/Still+Life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6btzXxavGI/AAAAAAAABlk/8tPIRr0myTs/s640/Still+Life.jpg" vt="true" width="449" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bt7OqFKCI/AAAAAAAABls/rxufSz-56lo/s1600-h/Copy+of+IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Se8jibrAlM/S6bt7OqFKCI/AAAAAAAABls/rxufSz-56lo/s640/Copy+of+IMG.jpg" vt="true" width="284" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">May this lovely section of ephemeral flora remind one that Spring is indeed upon us…HAPPY CLEANING, dear ones…enjoy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>You freeze to death in morning mist..</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Great vast landscapes, frostbitten woodlands...</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Frozen thunder, hellish blizzard storms</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Here snow will always fall... black majestic winter magic</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The evil frozen moonlit nights</em></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">("The Frostbitten Woodlands” by Carpathian Forest)</span></div>Seraph + Splendorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18111306806524354142noreply@blogger.com16