A Natural Wonder

If I had a large wall to decorate, say, in a hip live/work loft in the city, you better believe I'd rasterbate this piece to giant size...

Posted at Trailheads in Redwoods Park

My weekly hikes with Adam are an incredible source of inspiration- but who would've thought I'd find such a graphic gem off the beaten path?

How the WarLocks Celebrate Halloween

Today I decided to  finally (begrudgingly) take down my Halloween decor and move on to Thanksgiving. Perhaps I should share first?

I didn't fully haunt the house this year, just a few subtle spooks here and there. After, all only our wicked cats were there to enjoy it. On Halloween weekend, on the most crisp and colorful Autumn evening you've ever seen, we donned costumes of a different kind for a little party...

That's us in the photo booth at our wedding reception!

We won't get our photographs until Christmastime, but a few teasers arrived in my inbox this morning. They were just enough to give resolution to the blur of joy that was our wedding day. Our love, and our labor of love. The designing, editing, crafting... all captured, along with the candid emotion of our beautiful friends and family. We did it. I feel triumphant. I can't wait to show you.

In the meantime,

xoxo

Elizabeth

PS: Be sure to visit the Shock the Bourgeois Facebook page for one last look at my Halloween decorating (and a glimpse of our wedding invites!).

Guest Post: Dark Romance

Today I'm thrilled to share a guest post by the lovely Andrea Despot, a gifted photographer and blogger who shares in so many of my interests and curiosities. How do I know we have so much in common? For starters, we love black lace! In fact, I'd bookmarked several of the images in this collection to use for a companion post to my dusty lace inspiration board. Absolutely uncanny- and proof that when Andrea makes her move to the Bay Area, we are sure to be fast friends!

When trying to figure out what to post here on One Must Shock the Bourgeois, I looked to my own folders and Pinterest boards for inspiration. Elizabeth and I both share a love for quirky, romantic things so I figured it would be easy for me to find something appropriate. Hence: black lace. It's a mixture of gothic inspiration and intricate romanticism and I have a feeling that Elizabeth would really appreciate it. Maybe she's even incorporated one or two of these ideas in her own wedding! 

Images (Clockwise from Top Left): Amy Claire via Pinterest, White Owl, BHLDN via Pinterest, James Moes via Pinterest

Images (Clockwise from Top Left):  Kate Forrester Calligraphy via Pinterest, Tamara Lichtenstein, Oh My Cavalier!, Family Chic via Pinterest

Image: Jamie Beck

Thank you, Andrea!

Wicked Plants

Last Christmas I was lucky enough to get a signed copy of Wicked Plants, a fascinating tome that grafts together some of my favorite topics: history, horticulture... and murderous intrigue!

Wicked Plants has been a major inspiration for some jewelry pieces to be debuting soon at my Etsy shop. After all, Rappaccini's Garden is named for a gothic tale about... you guessed it, a deadly flower. Since I've loved the book, I'm excited to see how the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers has brought it to life with their current exhibit...

There could be no better place to display these alluring poisons than the Conservatory with its dramatic Victorian stylings. The exhibit runs until October, but I'm scheming to visit this weekend. Between this, the Yellow Owl Workshop book signing tomorrow, and the rescheduled Alameda Flea Market on Sunday... my weekend (and my camera's memory card) should be quite full!

Hope your weekend is just as delightful!

xoxo

Elizabeth

Hello, Stud.

Growing up is hard to do. I gave up my teenage crush on Brandon Boyd, stopped wearing camo shorts in public, and (sigh) even took out my eyebrow ring. Luckily, pyramid studs have grown up too, in softly patinated metals that give domestic life a little edge.

Bleecker Apron by Birdkage (Image by One Kings Lane), Decor Moderne Champagne Studded Mirror (Image by One Kings Lane), Studded Wrap Watch by La Mer, Pyramid Stack Rings by nOir Jewelry, Pyramid Bangle by nOir Jewelry, Dirilyte Empress Flatware (my own), Charles Fradin Daisy Fellowes Mirrored Table (Image by One Kings Lane)

Dare to Dream: More is More

My wish list is starting to look like the tangled contents of a very luxe jewelry box. Each piece is an organic collage of rhinestones, mixed metallics, and curious specimens- all grafted together to form wild overgrown adornments. 

Amethyst Empress Necklace and Sapphire Garden Earrings by LuisFernando on Etsy, Melded Skull Ring (via The City Sage) and Layer Ring with Feather by Iosselliani, Skull & Flower Drop Earrings by Michael Spirito

Dare to Dream: Modern Gothic

It's not often that idly clicking through Apartment Therapy brings me to a house that flawlessly combines raw brick and linear modernity with elegant mouldings and Victorian frill. And then there's the twisted, skeletal staircase. Courtney & Trevor, I await my invite. Also, let's be best friends.

The owner describes her style as "disturbed traditionalism," a phrase I wish I'd coined myself. I wasn't sure why AT had termed this practically colorless house "playful" until I locked eyes with the DIY coffee table. Oho, now I get it.

Images from Courtney & Trevor's Playfully Sophisticated House Tour by Apartment Therapy

This is a look that requires good bones- good architectural bones, that is. I'd do terrible things to have a space like this, with room to make an aesthetic statement (instead of just leaving little hints everywhere). I'll always be firmly against white paint for a shoebox apartment, but these crisp white walls with such height and natural lighting... this is an art gallery, and one that can elevate curious shapes like paper snowflakes and wire hangers to Dada-esque distinction.

If I hung a wire hanger on my wall, people would merely assume I'd run out of closet space. Which, incidentally, is true. Ah, dare to dream.

Dare to Dream: E for Elizabeth

Wouldn't it be nice to put your name on your door, like so?

Photo by Bundscherer on Flickr

Here & Now: A Study of Matilda

We should have known better than to pick out the cat with a question mark on her face. Matilda insists on doing what she oughtn't, using her considerable cleverness for wicked purposes, and conversing only in sarcastic meows. She is ever the contrarian. But she did very graciously pose for this dignified portrait.

Under the Tree: Victoriana

Another installment of fabulous things Elizabeth got for Christmas. This time, presents with a Victorian flourish from my Mother. As I've shown you before, she truly is a masterful giver of gifts.

This quartet of tiny embellished bowls will certainly do my table proud. Standing on swirled pedestals, they're like miniature stages for Adam's creative sauces and garnishes. 

However, they're also a brilliant match for another gift I received...

Isn't that bracelet gorgeous? Moody cameos in shades of fog and inky black, and feminine trimmings on brassy chain. It couldn't have been more "me" if I'd made it myself!

Don't they seem made for each other? Now I'm tempted to leave one dish on my vanity desk to catch stud earrings and charms!

Under the Tree: Potent Gifts!

I'm a bit late to it this year, but I thought I'd continue a tradition and share some of the gifts that I found under the tree. Because, let me tell you, I did pretty well. 

First up, some gorgeous updates to our bar from my favorite brother. Last Christmas Drew amazed me with this tidbit stand, which makes frequent appearances at cocktail parties. I'm beginning to wonder if Drew reads this blog, because he seems to have a darn good understanding of my taste. Look at this clever corkscrew!

To top things off, he gave me this set of beautiful architectural stoppers. I think a wine & cheese party is in order!

And, for Adam, this bottle of wine. Not only is it the natural companion to my gift, the elemental label is a chemistry reference! Perfection!

Who would've thought that a college-aged frisbee-playing younger brother could be such a thoughtful gift-giver? You're a man of many talents, Drew. Thank you!

PS: Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your kind words about our engagement! Get ready for the first of many wedding posts tomorrow...

How We Turned Things Around for Halloween

As I pouted on Friday, our Halloween Party got axed when the attendees dwindled. To add insult to injury, my Tildy-Pumpkin's face caved in. The perfect Halloween that I had envisioned was literally crumbling- and so was I!

I'm getting to know myself fairly well. I'm a perfectionist. I like to plan. I'm not always graceful about disappointment. I'm also realizing that "perfect or not at all" isn't the best philosophy for happiness. 

So this is how we turned things around for Halloween.

First, I literally turned our pumpkin around.

Then, Adam coerced/guilted/bribed/bullied a handful of coworkers into coming over for drinks and snacks on Friday after work. In the hour before our guests arrived we whipped up some guacamole, corn salsa, goat cheese bruschetta, a batch of salty-spicy-sweet toasted pumpkin seeds, and a cinnamon apple crumble. We lit some candles, and we had a party. Was it the costume party I'd imagined? No. Did my guests stand around and talk about science, thereby boring me to death? Kinda, yes.

But we had a good time (and my guacamole was really tasty).

For the rest of the weekend we were without any plans, so we donned our costumes, took the Bart to San Francisco, and found ourselves in the midst of a Giants/Halloween celebration. Plenty of orange and black, many beards to fear, blaring horns, dozens of Mario + Luigi pairings, and what we hope was just a pipe bomb. California knows how to party!

Adam's costume was indiscriminately creepy. Vampire? Werewolf? Zombie? Miscellaneous undead creature? It was open for interpretation, and judging by how few people dared to look him in the eye, it was a success.

 I went as a Mad Men-inspired secretarial type.

All in all, a good Halloween! How was yours?

Party Fouled

The WarLock Family's Halloween Party has been cancelled! Turns out that not even pie and free booze can distract our Bay Area friends from something else orange and black this year.

Which means that I have swathed my house in cobwebs for nothing.

Even Tom sheds a tear. A single molten tear.

Boo!

Halloween at the WarLock House

Only a few days left until our Halloween party, and I'm scurrying around to make our house look appropriately haunted.

Our pumpkin continues the "Matilda WarLock's Ornery Face" theme. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting my Tildy-Cat, this requires some explanation. Tildy has been, since kittenhood, an unfortunate combination of intelligence and malevolence. When crafting our party invitations, I pictured Matilda's expression right before she pushes something valuable off of a shelf. It was the scariest thing I could think of!

Pumpkin carving is a serious tradition in my family, and my efforts fell far short of my Dad's past masterpieces (I can remember people posing their trick-or-treating kids for photos next to our pumpkins every year). I carved a day or two too early, and the wet weather has already eroded what were crisp lines and precise pinholes. Oh well! If it turns to glop before the party, I'll just show the guests a picture.

An adorably wicked welcoming committee, don't you think?

Here & Now: Meet Tom

Ah, Halloween. The holiday when my Gothic fancies seem perfectly normal, when I can bedeck my house in creepies and crawlies and let ALL of the skeletons out of my closet...

I found this handsome fellow at Target. His tag tells me that when I light the wick, orange wax should begin to drip from his eye sockets! I'm anxious to try him out (though sorry to have to disfigure him permanently!).

He certainly does have a winning smile, but if you look closely you'll see he's an orthodontist's nightmare. That's a serious case of Tom Cruise Middle Tooth Syndrome!

Re-Acclimating

I'm back from my visit to Seattle and taking some time to get over a cold and get used to the heat! It's 80º here. Forget about 900 miles, I feel like I got transported back in time to, say, July. Quite unnatural.

Next week I'll resume daily posting, and I've got quite the lineup. Adam will rejoin us with his second Autumnal Soup recipe, I'll share some of my adventures in the greater Seattle area, and (best of all) I'll redefine what it means to go all out for Halloween. Mua-ha-ha-ha-ha! (<--- Evil laugh.)

Take a look at my Mom's spooky decor. I have a lot to live up to!

Dare to Dream: Wicked Bling

I like sparkly things as much as the next girl, but I'll be honest: if given the choice between a diamond and the cash equivalent, I'll be laughing all the way to Restoration Hardware. Diamonds are forever, but furniture is this girl's best friend.

Of course, if I were to be offered one of these, it would be another matter entirely. First off, any gentleman who could afford a rock that heavy could likely fund my decor habit with his pocket money. Secondly, I might live in a hovel to have this glorious combination of petal and claw glittering on my finger.

Round diamond "Flora" ring by McTeigue & McClelland Jewelers (via Martha Stewart Weddings)

I'm not anticipating any proposals from wealthy suitors, so my principles will remain untested, and this will get filed under "dare to dream." And oh, how I shall dream.

Here & Now: Our Dining Room "After"

My dining table has made many appearances on this blog- usually as the backdrop for one of Adam's gourmet creations. I'm feeling brave today, and I thought I'd show you how it fits into our dining room (or our dining alcove, to be more accurate).

For those of you who've started reading recently, last year (at about this time) Adam and I were informed that his job would be moving from Seattle to Berkeley. We had very little time to decide our course of action- and only a weekend to find a new home in California. Our apartment was selected for its practicality rather than its prettiness. In fact, it was downright ugly. If you don't believe me, check out the "before" pictures here. 

The only remotely charming feature of the otherwise bland apartment was the bay window in the dining area. I thought, "I can do something with this." And I think I did.

Happy Long Weekend!

I hope you all have exciting plans for Labor Day weekend! As for me, I'll be beading and typing as fast as my little fingers will allow- because there's only a few more days until I open the gates to Rappaccini's Garden on Etsy!

This photo from Vogue makes me think of Beatrice in the garden... quite the specimen, no?

I'll be listing items all day on Monday, so I'll have a full shop ready by the time you all get back from your vacationing! 

Thanks to everyone for their support and encouragement of my new project. As a token of gratitude, my lovely online friends can receive a special discount on purchases at Rappaccini's Garden during my grand-opening month. I'll give you the scoop on Tuesday!

Darkly Romantic

As I prepare for my grand opening I've been utterly immersed in the haunting and beautiful garden of Dr. Rappaccini. Perhaps that explains my obsession with vibrant flowers against inky black...

Photograph from Martha Stewart Living Magazine, Scanned by Shock the Bourgeois

There's something transformative about the combination. 

Modern interiors get moody.

Home of Abigail Turin & Jon Gans Photographed by David Duncan Livingston, Scanned by Shock the Bourgeois

Pale peonies show a sultry side.

Photograph by Bonnie Tsang via Snippet & Ink, Floral Design by Flowerwild

And even the simplest dresses seem to mimic works of art.

Never a Wallflower Dress from ModCloth, Still Life Painting by Antoine Berjon

Oh, so romantic! Makes me want to transform myself- maybe with a box of black hair dye and one of these.