En Gypsy Couture 017: The Monroe Days

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."
— Marilyn Monroe

I'm in a Marilyn phase right now.  I've always been a Monroe girl but some days are stronger than others.  It's been a crazy couple of weeks.  I've attended book parties of friends Parag Khanna and Michael Malice. I've seen Sxip Shirey perform twice, spent time with my Godfamily (my Godfather was in town), attended a gorgeous all girl party at Cynthia von Buhler's, did some cat sitting in a beautiful apartment for two darling cats, created some mojo for my friend Jill Tracy, dinner with Emily Poole and Bear, and a million other things that I'm probably forgetting. These days I'm locked away in my little strega house, finishing up articles, preparing paintings, and answering interview questions.

"I don't mind being burdened with being glamorous and sexual. Beauty and femininity are ageless and can't be contrived, and glamour, although the manufacturers won't like this, cannot be manufactured. Not real glamour; it's based on femininity."
— Marilyn Monroe

Cynthia von Buhler and her husband Russell Farhang gave me this gorgeous fur coat.  I don't normally wear fur but, because this was vintage and passed down from Russell's mother who was a bohemian artist herself, I felt it was okay.  I feel incredibly honored to have it and have many thank yous to bestow upon Cynthia and Russell.

These two pieces were both purchased at Victoria's secret.  The first is a sequin jumper with a long black skirt over it and the second a slip dress.  Both on sale for $35.

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."
— Marilyn Monroe

My grandmother gave me white styrofoam heads, to help with the lack of hat boxes in the caravan.  On their own they can be quite scary, but with just a little bit of paint, I now have myself two darling creatures.  And every Gypsy needs darling things in their home.

 

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."
— Marilyn Monroe (Marilyn: Her Life in Her Own Words)

So smile hard, even when you're sad little kumquats and I'll be back soon.  And perhaps, by the time I'm finished, I'll actually have strings for my baby.

"We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets."
— Marilyn Monroe