Bloggy Birthday and Giveaway!


                     

    Hello there dear friends!

 bbc.co.uk

This weekend marks my Gypsy blog's first birthday,  and I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of you!

When I embarked on my journey into blog land, it felt like jumping in the ocean without a life jacket (I can't swim)...

yes, it was that scary! But I had to do something creative, something daringly wonderful,  because I was in a very dark place at that time in my life.

And with the loving encouragement of a very dear friend, I took the plunge, and never looked back....

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Anita, my treasured friend and mentor, thank you for introducing me to this most fascinating, exciting world of creativity, wisdom, talent, inspiration, fun, and FRIENDSHIP!

I feel so blessed by all of the positivity, encouragement, and loving kindness of YOU, beautiful blog friends!

You are very special to me.....

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A huge thank you to  my wonderful followers and kindred spirits on all  three of the blogs! 
I am so touched and happy that you delight in visiting and sharing my little corner of joy....

GypsyInMe

And now, for the giveaway!

Many of you are familiar with brilliant Ari Cohen and his equally brilliant blog, Advanced Style....
What a celebration of Life and The Art of Life!!
His beautiful and inspirational models have finally arrived in book form, and Ari is working on the Advanced Style documentary!
(With our help, fingers crossed...)

Please leave a comment, and I will enter you in a drawing for a copy of this wonderful book...

 
I'll announce the winner next Sunday, June 3rd...
Bonne Chance!

I am also including this LINK

to the documentary film project. I happily donated a bit, and I hope you might consider a donation as well. In no way am I connected to the film or Ari, I simply believe in this project and message with all of my heart! My contribution is a tribute to the memory of my family's beautiful and inspirational matriarchs...

Thank you all so much!

 
   
 

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xoxo, Irina

 

Summer Delights...

I am so happy to report that all is green, lush , and beautiful in our 

little corner of the world....

The fragrance of the blooming olive trees is indescribably delicious, 

and watching the trees, animals, flowers come out of their slumber, and into the glory of warm, sunny days is indeed a miracle...

I would love to share with you just a few of our family's "favorite things" 

of a Minnesota summer....

Farmer's markets! Fresh, local produce...such a treat for us...

gustgab.com

Which inevitably leads to yummy salads....

this one is a Nicoise...my favorite

GypsyInMe

Flowers...and Duluth

this photo was taken on the North Shore...such a  gorgeous place.

You can read more about Duluth here...a post from last year.

GypsyInMe

Water! Lakes, rivers, streams...all ice free...hooray!

(My joys are simple...ha)

GypsyInMe

GypsyInMe

GypsyInMe

The wonderful "living history" museum of Murphy's Landing...

threeriversparks.org

This is from their website:

"This 88-acre living history museum depicts life in the Lower Minnesota River Valley from the 1840s–1890s with authentic 19th-century buildings, demonstrations and a scenic river trail and overlook."

 

 One of the costumed guides....

Great fun for history buffs and kids (of all ages)

 threeriversparks.org

GypsyInMe

Our fantastic Renaissance Festival...

(I think she's giving this darling dragon a dental checkup?!)

GypsyInMe

Curiosities at the annual State Fair...one of the largest in the U.S....

(I call him Peace Bear)

GypsyInMe

and to continue with the theme...

GypsyInMe

sweet bunnies...

(a dear friend referred to this one as The Velveteen Rabbit)

I love the Fina Arts pavilion...here is a very creative, life-size sculpture dressed

entirely in those complementary mailing labels....

 

 GypsyInMe

I do love art in all forms...

Luckily, the Twin Cities is a cultural gem (no, really)...

My favorite museum is the Minneapolis Institute of Arts...

over 80,000 pieces in its possession.

I love it in the summertime...the light is brighter....

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A favorite still life by Severin Roesen

(this one's for Elizabeth!)

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A beautiful Childe Hassam...

GypsyInMe

And a magical fairy sculpture made mostly of fresh flowers...she was on display

as part of their annual "Art In Bloom" event....

Our last stop today is at the iconic Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis....

are you familiar with this particular sculpture?

It is entitled "Spoonbridge and Cherry" by Claes Oldenburg...

It's a bit hard to see, but the top of the stem emits a fine mist...this is indeed a fountain.

I have to mention that Mr. Oldenburg's wife, Coosje van Bruggen collaborated on this piece.

Isn't it cool?

GypsyInMe

Thank you so much, dear friends, for joining me on a tour of some of my Minnesota summer favorites!

 

Now please tell me, what are your warm-weather, lazy-day joys?

A fabulous week to you all...

xoxo

Loving wishes to all on Mother's Day....

Springtime Musings...

Spring has finally arrived!
 (happy Fall to friends in the Southern Hemisphere!)


The magnolias and tulips are in full bloom, although this week we have a frost advisory...I am keeping fingers crossed for the flora and fauna!




Soon the weather will allow these simple pleasures...

Google:unknown

Dailymail.co.uk

Martha Stewart








So many special celebrations in these warmer months...
weddings, graduations, 
babies, birthdays, 
Mother's and Father's Days....


This year, I am very excited to gift the beautiful works of Etsy artists....some of whom I am so honored to call friends.


Please enjoy a glimpse of their glorious work, and I would love to know..what are YOUR favorite Etsy shops?








The amazing Anita from Castles Crowns and Cottages has some gorgeous new items in her Shop....




The most charming cards

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy




Stunning handmade works of art

Etsy

Look at this magical slipper!

Etsy


And she is adding her wisdom and poetry to  it all....

Etsy


Pure magic!












The multi-talented Jennelise from Jenneliserose offers exquisite illustrations in her Shop


How gorgeous and romantic is this?

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy


Oh so beautiful!












The wonderful Penny from Angelsdoor lovingly creates the sweetest needle felted creatures

Etsy

Etsy




Aren't they adorable?


Penny is also a gifted painter and sculptor...
you can see more of her works at her lovely blog Angelsdoor...
















Dear Suzanne's blog Privet and Holly is rich with wisdom and beauty...
Recently, she took a fantastic idea and ran with it!
Her Shop features her brilliant invention....


"The Card Keyper" is fantastic for corralling all of those point, library, membership cards in your purse...

Etsy


Isn't this a great idea?
And it's so pretty!
Would be perfect for Mother's Day...
















Lovely Nathalie from Dolce Dreams creates gorgeous pillows, quilts, sachets, and other beautifully sewn, personalized treasures...
Nathalie's Shop

Etsy

Etsy








The most darling tooth fairy pillow!

Etsy














If you love miniatures, dollhouses, or simply admire tiny works of art, then you must visit Veselina at Vesper Miniatures...
Her work is absolutely amazing.
In Veselina's Etsy Shop, you will find these most wondrous little treasures. She also makes several jewelry pieces....
just astounding!

Etsy

Etsy






Baguette Earrings! A fun gift for the Francophile..

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A tea party unlike any I have ever seen....

Etsy

Etsy
















And last , but certainly not least, there is a very special Etsy Shop by the name of Yonks...
The effervescent Dianne of the Yonks Blog offers the most interesting and beautiful European antiques and collectibles.
So if that special person on your gift list has a penchant for something unique, and with a bit of patina...
Dianne's shop is for you!

Etsy

Etsy







Gorgeous Limoges perfume bottle...

Etsy









Wishing everyone a beautiful day!
xoxo