When the light in your eyes goes out for the last time, When your mind is open.

Crows by Alice Macarova.

From the instagallery of Darby Lahger. 

Pale on Pale by Chelsea Wolfe. 

Darker now; Dima Rebus.

Self-portrait With Cherry.

Enter.

Blogging has become so unfamiliar to me in recent months. But as the days begin to darken with the onset of autumn I'm feeling myself being drawn back to it. Slightly. 

These works by Russian artist Dima Rebus have struck some kind of invisble chord - they're so visceral, with their red rawness, and yet somehow delicate. 

See more here. 

Soaked to the Skin.

Walking home this afternoon I was caught in a freezing downpour.

A change of clothes and a cup of tea later, sat at my desk looking out of the window, these photos I took a few years ago came to mind.

These macro shots were taken on a similarly gloomy November afternoon, back at home in Italy. Being stuck inside because of the bad weather, I was lying on my bedroom carpet playing with the settings on my camera, and ended up with this pair of photos. I like the layers to them; the stark skeleton of the wintery trees behind the rain-spattered glass.

What an "English" post this is - the British being so famed for their endless ability to discuss the weather.

Looking out at the dank, dark afternoon, it's hard to imagine that tomorrow night I'll be headed for Cape Town, where it's currently summer, for a fortnight of fieldwork.

Wishing everyone a good couple of weeks, and hoping that the weather doesn't worsen too quickly. I'm going to try and pack, to the peaceful notes of Bert Jansch.

Bert Jansch - Rosemary Lane - Tell Me What is True Love

Caramel Apple Crumble & Alice in Chains; preparations for my first Thanksgiving.

This will (hopefully!) turn out to be a Caramel Apple Crumble, my contribution to my first ever Thanksgiving dinner, hosted by a couple of American coursemates. Isn't it so hard to photograph food attractively? (Well, especially when you're using a webcam). I admire people who can capture food looking appetising on camera...

Thanksgiving in North Yorkshire. I'm excited.

As an aside, Alice in Chains Unplugged is an excellent album to cook to.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

"Ice crystals grow like diamonds on every twig."

Like so many, I am loving Frozen Planet. While the shots of animals are just amazing (especially the whales), I was utterly entranced when watching the latest episode by a short but stunning sequence showing the spread of hoarfrost.

I couldn't resist creating some screen captures. I hardly watch tv these days, but the photography on this program takes my breath away.

Watch the latest episode, featuring the fantastic images above, on iplayer here (and you can even order a free poster of the polar regions!)

Sunday Soundtrack.

Source.

It's amazingly misty here today - you can hardly see more than a couple of feet in front of you. The whole world beyond my window looks like it has been shrouded in cotton wool.

I should be working. Instead I've been drinking tea and wishing I could make these delicious looking rolls. Something about baking from scratch is so wholesome and homely, and perfect for Sundays such as this one...

But in the mean time, some music.

Sonic Youth - Do You Believe in Rapture?

Chet Baker - Little Girl Blue

Sunday Soundtrack.

Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I - 1

Yann Tiersen - Tabarly - Point Mort

Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes - I Know Places (Live on the Moon).

Three songs for a moody misty autumn Sunday.

Jewelry Junkie: Et Respice Finem.

What a lovely parcel I picked up yesterday - containing the Blood Moon - Raw Garnet Necklace by Et Respice Finem. Isn't the postcard awesome? I wanted to find out more about the short story it advertises, but for now Mona Brandon and her honour remain a mystery.

But back to the jewel. Being a January baby, garnet is my birth stone. It's supposed to be a balancing gem, sharpening self-perception and opening the heart; as this necklace's listing says, it's meant to activate and strengthen the survival instinct, bring courage and hope, and cleanse and re-energise. I've also read a lot about it being a stone to protect the wearer when traveling.

But all that aside, doesn't it just look delicious? The chunk of garnet is just so gorgeous and catches the light in wonderful ways. It goes from a rusty blood colour, to an almost edible-looking raspberry. I love it.

The silver chain is a lovely length - there's no clasp, so it can just be strung straight over your head. I can imagine this being a good necklace for layering, although I adore it on its own. I'm currently going through a bit of a raw crystal phase, it seems - I just love the way they look. Pretty and prickly at the same time. Lauren Holmes' nuclear winter range is replete with raw crystal loveliness. I've got my eye on the Smoky Sky - Labradorite & Leather Bracelet. Pick your own favourite over at the Et Respice Finem shop on etsy (pssst: use the code "fallout" to get a 15% discount).

Bit blurry. I just liked the leaves. Autumn colours are in full swing here, although I feel we're starting to slip into winter. I'd like to think my love & I are getting slightly better at wielding his camera. If I actually took the time to look over all the settings, and we spent more than 5 minutes taking pictures for a post, maybe they'd look better...

Meanwhile, take a look at some awesome photography and the inspiration behind Et Respice Finem over on Lauren's blog, here.

The Norway of the Year; Roberto Kusterle.

Mutazione Silente, 13a.

Il Bambino e il Suo Bosco, 2005

These images by Italian artist Roberto Kusterle seem so apt for the sudden arrival of November.

Somehow both freezing and fairytale-like, I find them to perfectly depict the slippage between the seasons, and the gradual growth of winter.

Season of Mists; Elia Mauceri.

Tiglio Bruciato.

Ultima Sera.

Today has been grey, misty, windy and drizzly - very English autumnal weather.

These images by enigmatic Italian artist Elia Mauceri capture this change of season wonderfully; an artist from where I grew up, whose work is a powerful evocation of the world outside my window.

Jewelry Junkie: Sadie Designs & Dear oh Deer.

I recently received two delightful little parcels of jewels through the post: one came all the way from Canada, the other from not so distant London.

The picture quality will have to be excused, as my love and I are still learning to use his camera, and are generally rather technologically impaired. This, coupled with the fact that I never know what to do with myself when put in front of a camera and am not overly enthused about showing my face... I wish I could do these jewels justice. Well, enough excuses.

Black Tourmaline & Clear Quartz Crystal Point Ice Silver Necklace by Sadie Designs. I have been wishing for this for a while, and I cannot exaggerate how amazing this necklace is: the raw crystals are so beautifully flawed, and the contrast between the two minerals is really striking. They are silver dipped, which is really special because it means you can still admire the shape of the entire crystal. The little dagger of quartz catches the light in lovely ways, and the tourmaline is so glossy, its underside cut through with a pinkish sandy shimmer. An amazing combination, and naturally unique. While I especially love her mixed mineral creations (hoping my next purchase will be the pyrite and rose quartz necklace) there's such an array of lovely stones to choose from. Follow Sarah's blog here to learn more about the inspiration behind her one-of-a-kind creations.

Amethyst & Leather - Head or Wrist Band by Dear oh Deer. This is just perfect - the suede is so soft, and the little stones are so sweet. The colours are stunning, and the stones are so carefully sewn onto the band. A beautifully unique and versatile piece of jewelry. I spent most of yesterday with this on my wrist rather than my head, but sadly every picture came out blurry. I'll hopefully show how that looks soon, but I have to say that it feels great wearing this across the forehead, and it would complete any concert-going attire (I have no doubt I'll be wearing it this way at my next one). My love stated that it made me look like the lead singer of Diamond Head. I don't know whether to laugh or cry...

Now all I need is a shirt like his.

Back on the subject of Dear oh Deer; Dianne uses a beautiful selection of semi-precious stones, as well as carefully chosen and ethically sourced feathers (now I'm craving the magpie feather one). Enjoy perusing her inspirations on her blog, here.

How could anyone not be delighted with such a gorgeous little parcel landing on their doormat? I couldn't resist photographing this - the tissue paper is especially wonderful. Made me smile as I have recently acquired a toile tote bag and duvet cover over the past couple of weeks. I love it.

I attempted to photograph the equally lovely package that arrived from Canada, but the camera utterly failed me, which I'm rather sad about. Beautiful tissue paper held together with pink & grey tape, a little floral patterned paper bag, a brown paper logo tied across with red and white string, and my personal favourite element, a little paper frog. Fingers crossed I'll get better with the camera soon, and show how lovely it was.

Etsy is an absolute treasure trove for jewelry. Both Sadie Designs and Dear oh Deer are such friendly sellers. I was never that interested in it before I was introduced to etsy, but I really think it's awesome to support small female-run businesses, and so special to wear a little work of art that someone has spent time creating for you.