{Happy Epiphany!}

Today marks the day the Magi brought their gifts to the young baby, Jesus. It was a common iconography in the Renaissance, and was a very big feast day during that time too. I first came across the importance of the holiday, when I was an undergrad and had to write a seminar paper on the Magi. I became so enthralled reading all about the celebrations of the Epiphany, when kings and princes would knock at doors to collect proceeds. In Florence, the entire city would be transformed into Bethlehem and a huge procession would take place, organised by the Compagnia de' Magi (for more, read the article by Hatfield). In a lot of Catholic countries they still celebrate this day. In Italy it's called La Beffana, for instance.
There are so many fantastic paintings of the Adoration of the Magi, but some of my favourites are done by Mantegna. In particular, this one at the Getty:

{Andrea Mantegna, Adoration of the Magi, about 1495 - 1505, Getty, LA}

I've been working on this painting as part of a new book project on the exchange of objects between Italian courts and foreign polities. The gifts these Magi bear are not only about what's inside, but the vessels would have been highly-sought collector's items in the fifteenth century.

On a day that is traditionally about giving, even if you don't have a present, perhaps you can just be extra kind today. Why not?

Happy Epiphany!

L

{Canadian Thanksgiving in the new house}

{thankful!}

This past weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving and I decided to continue the tradition of hosting a little get together. I kept it small this year (compared to the 15 guests I had last year!)
It was a fantastic opportunity to host in my new house, which is still a work in progress (!)
We sat down to a lovely chicken lunch, then went for a walk through the town and along the canal to burn some of it off and to build an appetite for the pièce de résistance--pumpkin pie!
Here are some pictures from the day:

{the house is all decorated!}

{dressed for October! black & white & orange!}

{le poulet!}

{Simla enjoys the company!}

{I finally found some pumpkin pie in the Uk!}

{in the oven!}

{voilà!}

 xo,
L

{Happy New Year!}

{cheers!}

HAVE A FANTASTIC 

EVENING CE SOIR MY FRIENDS!!!!!

{all is bright!}

Happy New Year!

ox, 

L

{quotable thursdays}

Today is an ode to sisters. I have four sisters and I spent Christmas with all of them. It was a delight. They are my life, my heart & soul...they make me feel whole and I know that whatever happens in life I can rely on them 100%. We don't get to see each other very often, but when we do, it's like no time has passed & it reminds me that I am one of 5--not alone in this world, but part of a sisterhood.
So, a few excellent quotes on sisters:

Help one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood.  ~Louisa May Alcott

Sweet is the voice of a sister in the season of sorrow.  ~Benjamin Disraeli

There can be no situation in life in which the conversation of my dear sister will not administer some comfort to me.  ~Mary Montagu

{all 5 of us on the night before Christina's wedding}

{Easter 2000, Victoria BC}

{some time in the 1980s, in California}

{us in the Australian newspaper in 1988}

{sisters' night out before Rachel's wedding}

{our whole family in the 80s}

{all of us on Christmas Day}

{the five girls on a sisters' night out, this past Christmas}

{5 girls, Christmas 2012}

{sisters' night out 2012}

Famous sisters:

{bbc austen}

{five sisters from BBC's Pride & Prejudice}

{5 Bennet girls from the latest P&P}

{sisterly affection?}

{lovely girls}

{the girls laughing in the latest version}

& although there are only 4 sisters, Little Women is a good tale of sisters:

{Little Women}

{Winona Ryder version}

yay for sisters!!

xo

L

{pumpkin carving}

I'm hosting a pumpkin carving this coming weekend. I used to do these in Montreal, and it was always a blast. I've been trolling the web & pinterest for pumpkin carving ideas & images.
I used this image on my invite:

{via i mockery}

vintage hallowe'en cards are seriously some of the most bizarre things I've ever seen:

{3 above via wordplay}

{crazy pumpkin head via vintage postcards}

{via very vintage}

{these 2 via halloween wallpaper. What is going on in these images? Telling children that you might be attacked by a policeman, or if you dangle some strange unknown square device on a string a crazy pumpkin head may follow you? ha!}

{these 6 from i mockery. Strange cats seem to be the order of the day in these vintage postcards. or a crazy pumpkin with x-ray vision! & what's with the policeman again?!}

This advert is hilarious:

{via jezebel}

I have been looking at ideas for decorations too. I love this door & flying bats. If I find time I hope to do something like this: 

{from ohdeedoh}

{from style at home}

I love this look:

{from carina gardner}

& more mice from Martha Stewart:

I also love these framed silhouettes & prints: 

{from mommy on the bus}

{the crafting chicks}

Below are some images from pumpkin carving events in my flat in Montreal. I'll be sure to post some of the actual event this year!

Happy Pumpkin Carving my ghoulish readers!!!

xo

L