I hope you enjoyed this post! all the links to the photos can be found on this album CindyC: Flora & Fauna

Simply driving through the West Gate of Bel Air feels like you are leaving the city behind and entering a portal to a land of green enchantment.

Already I spy a bunch of cars parked at the curb….competition is always fierce at these sales. Its best to get there early and be one of the first in line if you want first dibs. If not that’s OK too not everyone is looking for the same things, often on the last day of the sale things are discounted 50%. Not every sale is a bargain so be sure to know your limits and the value of the item you are purchasing.

What a beautiful hand forged floral Iron gate with a lush tropical garden growing behind it….I get the feeling this is Estate Sale is going to be epic…

And I am right… every thing is gorgeous and there is a lot of it….. a life time of collecting.

This house is Spanish Colonial and has a flora and fauna decor theme…. look at this collection of glass mums.

Through the window the lush green grabs my eye… the story is the houses owner has a botanical obsession and spent years traveling the globe collecting plants to cultivate in his own garden.

A large  collection of costume jewelry, hundreds of pieces were displayed in trays organized by color….

Estate Sailors inspecting the trays of jewels as the garden beckons just beyond the wall of french doors.

My eye escapes upwards from the overladen trays of jewels through the window outside into the garden. Buying Vintage is the greenest most sustainable way to decorate because all the resources and energy that went into making that item was used long ago and buying vintage protects our ecosystems.  The continued use of the item is where the value now lies, this is what the term cradle to cradle means.

Meanwhile back inside the sun washed  sun room is painted pale yellow and matching pale yellow upholstery which amplifies the energy of this radiant room…..I love that floral pillow.

the whimiscal still life with its clear light color combination is not for sale, but I admire it anyway.

Life is for the birds….

If you were inspired by this post and would like to attend Estate Sales in your neck of the woods, you can find Estate Sales nation wide listed on EstateSales.Net .

These sales are usually cash only so be prepared and bring lots of it, they don’t allow big purses or bags so leave them in the car. Take your time scan through the entire house first and then go back to zone in on what you want. Check attics and basements or outside storage areas for hidden collections, paintings and treasures as these areas are often overlooked. If you are looking for furniture make sure to bring a tape measure. Don’t take it to seriously, enjoy yourself, vintage treasure hunting is fun! and there will always be another sale ……

If you like this post please leave a comment below and thank you for reading Daily Brilliant. Xx Cindy

Although I am embarrassed to say before this keynote I had no idea who she was. I had never approached the production designer Jon Hutman or the set decorator Beth Rubino. I was simply on my path running my company designing my collection, attending trade shows and producing my designs. Focused and doing my part so that my designs could be produced, sold and not knowing they would eventually show up larger than life on the silver screen. I never know when this will happen and every time it does I am completely surprised. Delighted, I feel like its the universe nudging, giving me confirmation that I am doing the right thing and living my life on purpose.

I feel our greatest satisfaction and best work comes when we are in complete harmony with the unfolding flow of life and career. Not marketing for a better position or promotion, but instead living in the present, focused doing the very best we can with where we are, inside the energy of playing full out the universe does the heavy lifting and can propel us into unplanned and surprising synchronicity. When we live in this field of energy our life unfolds in grand ways beyond anything we could dream of for ourselves.

In Somethings Got to Give, Nancy wrote the film for the two actors to play the starring roles, Diane Keaton as Erica and Jack Nicholson as Harry. Nancy described how she designs the homes in her movies around the characters she creates. Every item on the set is used as visual language and helps to define the story and reveals the mind of the character . The above photo is the kitchen of Erica’s home.

The Hampton beach house vibe in the living room set coined the term casually elegant, it’s easy going light color scheme juxtaposed against darker traditional elements. This movie has been the most inspirational interior design set for the last 10 years, inspiring countless homes. My Dutchess table lamps are featured predominately in the foreground of this still.

Erica’s writing desk is in her bedroom. Nancy explained how she placed the desk there to show the characters intimate relationship with her career as a playwright and the fact that as a single woman she could do as she pleased in her bedroom. My Gia Table lamp with a Drum three shade in Bisque dupioni silk is illuminated prominently across from Erica.

The blue color of the living room is echoed in the blue hydrangea just beyond the bedroom window. Flowers for femininity and desk clock for masculinity grace one corner of the writing desk while the Gia Table lamp denotes illumination of creativity on the left. Production designers often put lamps in a shot next to the actor so that the set lighting looks realistic and natural.

If you enjoyed this post let me know and leave a comment below. Xx Cindy

Color is to eyes what the philharmonic is to the ears. Stimulating or calming, each color provokes a certain sensation, color has a effect on our experience of life, effecting our health and well being through our feeling, moods and emotions.

Science defines color as light moving at various speeds, the brain interprets these various light wave frequency’s as color. Each color has its own light frequency or energy and effects our brains and endocrine system differently. Color therapy is when the vibrations of light are used to stimulate for healing. Color can enhance our experience of life and influence the amount of energy in our bodies as color is converted to energy by the human eye.

The use of color is one of the many natural tools available to help us live in harmony with ourselves. One effective and easy way to change the feeling of a room is to change it’s color, with paint, textiles and home accessories. Bedding, pillows or lampshades are easily interchanged to create the environment you desire and can effect your mood instantly.

We are excited to introduce a new collection of Sleep In Luxury 100% Linen bedding.  Inspired by the forces of nature, natural colors of the gem and mineral kingdom designed to enhance color vibrations with the texture and suppleness of natural Eco friendly linen.

Sleep In Luxury in Rose Quartz – Rose Quartz is a color that has been used as a love charm for hundreds of years. Fostering nurturing and kindness, this is the color of rejuvenation know to enhance self worth. Thought to draw love into ones life, Rose Quartz opens ones heart to universal acceptance on physical, spiritual and emotional levels.

Sleep In Luxury in Golden Topaz – Topaz is thought to be Imperial, a color of Royalty as Kings and Queens crowns are made of gold. A talisman throughout the ages this is the noble color of the winner, wisdom and joy. Golden Topaz has been known to fight depression, cure insomnia and revitalize oneself. In fairy tales all great treasures are always made of gold. It also symbolizes silence, hence silence is golden.

Sleep In Luxury in Ivory – Sleep In Ivory, a warm white is the color of spirit connections and stillness, a reflection of all other colors it is the great equalizer. A neutral, this is the best color when you need to feel like you belong somewhere. Ivory leaves things open yet clean and clear to mix with any other color beautifully. White is considered to be the color of light, It is reflective expansive complete in itself and non threatening.

Sleep In Luxury in Zircon – Zircon is a color that makes a point to be masculine and mysterious. This rich restful hue may just give you the permission you need to retreat and rest from a hectic urban lifestyle. Add Zircon to your bedroom to stop, relax, escape and rejuvenate. Your world will still be there when you are ready to reemerge restored and revitalized.

On Highway One North from Los Angeles lies the California Rivera, Santa Barbara and neighboring Montecito and the coastal town of Summerland, a bustling little place known for its Antique stores and Interior Design treasures. Botanik is one such treasure trove, housed in a roadside cottage every inch is curated with garden heirlooms for discerning designers and garden enthusiasts, delicious candles, sumptuous pillows and everything one could imagine to create a sanctuary home is for sale here.  We are honored that Botanik is the official stocking dealer for Cindy Ciskowski products in the Santa Barbara area.

For more Garden inspiration visit my CindyC: Garden Girl Board on Pinterest

Feeling my smallness standing next to the immense Colossi or examining the excellent craftsmanship of decorative objects made 2000 years ago. Discovering how brilliant and educated Cleopatra VII was, yet she used the feminine ways of a goddess to rule her mighty empire. I felt truly inspired by her life and all that she accomplished, nearly 2000 years after her death she remains a role model for the postmodern 21 century woman.

Buried in the sands of time deep beneath the sea in the bay of Alexandria lay a sleeping goddess, the magnificent Isis, embodied in human form as Cleopatra, Queen Of Egypt and the last Pharaoh to rule. Her kingdom destroyed nearly 2000 years ago by a series of earthquakes and tsunami’s wiping away her palace and the enchanted city of Alexandria. Only now, after millennium the discoveries of ancient treasures found under the sea, help unlock the myth of the Cleopatra and how she lived her daily life.

Cleopatra VII became the queen of Egypt in 51 B.C. At the tender age of seventeen she was thrust into power over a country on the verge of crumbling under the mighty Roman Empire. She charmed and seduced two of ancient Rome’s most powerful leaders, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, and bore children with both of them. Then, barely two decades after coming to power she took her own life.The how the real Cleopatra looked is some what of a mystery after her death Octavian the Ruler of Rome in an attempt to erase her from the history books had her likeness destroyed where ever it existed. In the end this only proved to make her more famous and strengthen her lasting legacy.

Amphora used to carry water or wine found intact from Cleopatra’s palace in Alexandria

The handsome God Sarapis is a blending of Egyptian and Greek Gods.

Pilgrims journeyed to Canopus from across the Mediterranean to sleep outside Sarapis’s temple, the Sarapeum. The cures they sought were revealed in dreams which the priest would interpret the following morning. Sarapis reputation for preforming miracles ensured his popularity in Rome, Greece and throughout the region.

Apart from the priest the only person allowed to enter the Sarapeum was the Pharaoh, himself a God and provided a important sanctuary for him.

Naos of the Decades, Dedicated to Shu the God of air, this inner temple shrine held the temple God, may be the worlds first astrological chart. Believed to be imbued with magical powers, this monument was credited with the ability to defend Egypt against any enemy.

The Colossi before the Temples. For centuries, gigantic statues of kings and queens watched over Egyptian Temples.

While access to the Temple was banned to all but the priests and pharaoh, the rest of the population could worship before the colossi in front of the building.

Inside the temple one might find an limestone censer for burnt offerings like the female winged lion pictured here.

Decorative Arts were created by highly skilled crafts people, The golden staff in the shape of swans head is one such object.

The handled carrier supported by cloven hoofs would have been used in temple rituals to pour liquids.

This granite head is attributed to Caesarion the son of Cleopatra VII and Julius Caesar ans was found in the bay of Alexandria.

Two Sphinx’s carved with human heads for intelligence with lion bodies flanked the entry way to guard the Temple of Isis at Cleopatra’s Palace. The Sphinx signified the intellectual power and the physical capacity of the Pharaohs. Romans obsessed with the exoticism of Egypt imported them to Rome.

This granite sphinx carved with the head of Cleopatra’s father Ptolemy XII was raised from the bay of Alexandria in the underwater expedition by French marine Archeologist Franck Goddio in 1998.

Might these have been Cleopatra’s jewels? Discovered in her sunken Palace in the bay of Alexandria.

Groomed to become the pharaoh from birth, Cleopatra VII trained in science, literature and philosophy and spoke nine languages fluently. A Curious and a avid learner she took a keen interest in classical Egyptian culture poetry, theater, music and studied ancient religion and from her servants learned the fine art of social grace and beauty. Becoming a well studied seductress who’s ambitions were even greater than that of her Roman lovers. She is quoted saying “I will not be triumphed over”

The Pleasure of Worship. The very moment Cleopatra became queen of Egypt she was transformed into the Goddess Isis, one of the most important goddesses in ancient Egypt. Cleopatra took part in libation rights at the Sarapeum, using religious instruments to pour offerings of wine, milk, honey, oil and other liquids.  Sarapis was a combination of different gods, including the Greek god Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. The Worship of Dionysus was the worship of pleasure. Devotees of Sarapis threw off there worries and cares in wild celebrations.

She also possessed a most charming voice and a knowledge of how to make herself agreeable to everyone.

An Ancient coin, could this be the likeness of Cleopatra? is this a clue to the Greek beauty she possessed?

The likeness of Cleopatra as imagined by artists, costume designers and actress through out the ages.

Known for committing suicide in order to avoid being captured by Octavian and dragged through the streets of Rome as a war trophy, Queen Cleopatra the human embodiment of the Goddess Isis, dressed in her finest robes and sat upon her throne placing the asp to her breast and took her own life. In this Medieval Italian Painting by Piero di Cosimo of Simonetta Vespucci depicts the story Circa 1480.

Vivian Leigh, Cesare and Cleopatra by George Bernard Shaw 1945.

The advent of movies coincided with the woman’s right to vote. Cleopatra was played by the 20th century’s strongest leading actresses. The last of the pharaohs emerged as an emancipated modern woman, a character closer to the reality of her life: beautiful and intelligent, accomplished and powerful, a successful politician and ruler.

Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra, 1963

I remember the first time I saw the film Cleopatra staring Elizabeth Taylor, I was struck by amazing design of the interiors and the costumes of her charter and Cleopatra’s Epic entrance into Rome, if you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing it yet I would highly recommended it for its design inspiration.

For more virtual details of the Cleopatra the Exhibition go here .

The Los Angeles Exhibition of Cleopatra at the Science Center continues through Janurary 6  2013.

To explore the underwater Museum being planned for the bay of Alexandria and Egypt’s sunken treasures go, here

Summers bounty, ripe organic Cabernet grapes still on the vine at Ehlers Estate in St. Helena

The first night we dined at the highly recommended French Blue in St Helena, this outdoor fireplace on the patio is double sided and also faces the street, attracting passersby with its flickering glow.

Inside the dining room at French Blue, I love the clean look of the simple white pendant shades illuminating the room with a soft uniform glow.

Hidden away comfortably chic luxury “cabins” are the accommodations at Solage in Calistoga

Happy Birthday girl on a morning stroll of the Solage grounds.

Alfresco breakfast by the pool at Solbar, Solage’s dining delight.

Life giving elements fire, water and earth cleverly embodied in this serene fountain by the pool

The Bar in Solbar

My mouthwatering favorite, lemon ricotta pancakes rolling in blueberries and pinion nuts. Yum!

Mount Washington and the Solage Swimming pool will have to wait for another day, we are off to the Indian Springs to play.

Indian Springs the oldest watering hole in Calistoga with natural mineral water, is relaxing experience not to be missed.

The Indian Springs Buddah Pond, a sanctuary for quite meditation and lounging between massages.

Lounging by the Buddha pond and watching the dragonflies racing each other is so delightful I didn’t want to leave.

At the spa orange slices are chilled on ice for a natural refreshing treat.

Design inspiration, palm fronds are used to emboss the cement with a organic vibe.

The fabulous pool house at Indian Springs looks like something out of 1930′s Hollywood film with it’s Art Deco Design.

Glamorous orange curtains shield bathers from the midday sun.

I could float on this noodle all day in the Olympic size natural mineral hot springs pool.

With only enough time for one winery, we choose Swanson Sip Shoppe for it’s clever inspiring decor and tasty wines.

Join the Club….. don’t mind if we do. According to the Swanson’s club membership has it’s privileges… we can see why inside the Sip Shoppe with it’s striking red and white striped tented walls and roof and vintage furnishings.

My Mom and I celebrating and sipping in style….

Cleaver marketing on the classic red table wine entices customers with fun sayings and a simple elegant font.

Just in time for the Holidays the perfect hostess gift mix and match Modern House Wines .

Famished from all the sipping we swing by the Boon Fly Cafe for a delicious rustic pizza on our way to Sonoma Valley.

Catching the last rays of the day in a photo shoot at the Valley of the Moon in Sonoma.

Photo Credits: Tatler Russia, Indian Vogue, White Bedroom, Russian Church