I shot this last week at night here in New England.
DSLR CANON
In case you haven;t noticed, or didn't know already, I have this affinity for lanterns. I've liked lanterns for years, but never had the opportunity to ever get some until last year in the fall/autumn when I just happened to walk into Marshall's as nabbed 3 at bargain prices.
Then, I went nutsoid about some lanterns I saw at Pier 1 Imports a few weeks later when I happened to just walk-in over there, and I got a whole set of them in a whole series of events. You can read that story HERE and HERE if you want to.
Anyways, my so-called balcony on the first floor (since it's not really a patio, nor a porch) was something that bugged me since we got this condo. I've been working on it for years trying to do SOMETHING -Nay ANYTHING w/this thing. We used to be allowed to have a grill out there, and we had 3 different ones. But, stupid building admin board is headed by sadists so, no more cooking with fire anymore. *rolls eyes*
I never really thought I liked decor or decorating... until sometimes I find I kinda do... I guess I never realized it...
I still wish I could get a mosquito net and rig that up somehow, and hand stuff from the ceiling... but, hey, that's something I'm trying to work on, penny by penny because poverty blows chunks.
But, this year, I'm actually getting somewhere! This is probably THE CLOSEST I've ever gotten to my vision of what I want.
These are the 3 lanterns I got from Marshall's. The candles are from the dollar store, the incense & burner is some leftovers from my old store we used to own. The old vintage copper tray was from a yard sale Mr. Wang bought as a gift for me last summer.
There's no real rules for Boho Decor, Boho Style, or Gypset Style. It's generally a mixture of stuff, and many items from your various travels around the world, or various sentimental things, or old objects and a fusion of new things.
I like a mixture of old & new, East & West, often with a whimsical vibe. I like COLOR and vibrancy. I also like mood, ambience, and feeling.
I get more compliments on my so-called balcony on the first floor, that people actually say stuff as they walk by in the parking lot, when I come out the lobby door, or back door exit/entrance, and even when I take walks outside, or at the pool.
Oh, are you the one with that fancy set up on your balcony? I like that!
Yes, that's me. And thank you.
The above uses a star filter or cross filter, or whatever you wanna call it. It's an old old old school analog trick from the old school SLR days, but I shot these digitally. I can't afford analog film.
Anyways, I shot most of these manually, but I can't remember which ones. I'm sure if you downloaded and saved the photo the stats are inside the digital image of you know how to look that up on your computer.
Well, my so-called balcony on the first floor (deed technical terms call it "balcony" even tho' it's first floor and, it's not really a patio since it's enclosed like balcony, and no exit. Also not a porch since there's no steps. ) has pretty much been a work in progress...
But, finally getting somewhere.
This July, and even Independence Day weekend, I had all kinds of stuff happening out there! It was glorious!
My lanterns I got from Christmas!
Then, I got a bunch of my stones, and these wooden boxes, and did this whole corner which never gets sunlight.
That antique teapot is going to get redone also, but i need money for the other parts to DIY it. I also need stuff to hang or mount stuff on the walls... but, bit by bit... can't do it all at once, because poverty is a thingy...
The string lights are inside, also.
And, I added little craft faux flowers and garland tinsel bits w butterflies.
Here was our Independence Day burgers outside! That's my daughter, Heidi.
Candles & lights and night time, and also laid out the yoga mat. Incense to try to keep away mosquitoes. Actually, I want some mosquito nets, but, maybe some day I'll be able to afford some...
Then, because I'm a free spirit and a raver (Rave 4 Ever) I turned on my disco lights and played Eurodance techno, and Trance tracks on my old Galaxy phone. Maybe you can see it by the small lantern on the Chinese stool in the corner.
A video posted by Kandice Kathleen Zimbleman 任思麒 (@blackunigryphon) on
BTW: It's one of the ONLY days of the ENTIRE YEAR (Summer solstice) that you can actually partly see the sun setting from this spot.
As for this antique teapot: >>>----------->
Well, this has been a project on hold since 2014.
I'm still gonna DIY this. it will be entirely new, and all original!
I JUST GOT the knob for the top/lip at Home Depot.
The handle is broken, so I will be redoing the handle. That will be GORGEOUS!
I already cut the broken bits of wood off, and sanded it in New Jersey at my father' house.
This will be ULTRA BOHO CHIC!
I have plans for LED lights, crystal wire wrapping, and also drilling it like a Moroccan lamp/lantern.
It's funny, because no one understands my vision of it YET.
But, i figure, once i've done it, EVERYONE will want to make their own versions!
Anyways, this stuff was VERY popular on my Instagram and Twitter. So, here's the blogged out version, FINALLY!
Wild concord grapes grow all over the place in New England, leftover from Pilgrims and Vikings centuries ago.
I built it up over time, until I couldn't safely reach all the grapevines because Virginia creepers took over, and not only they a kind of poison ivy, but I'm HIGHLY allergic to them, and can also spread it by touching people after I've been afflicted with it. I'm actually NOT allergic to regular poison ivy, tho'. *shrugs*
Anyways, some morning glories got mixed in there, because they wouldn;t let go of the grapevines, so I left 'em in.
I had to let it dry all month.
Then I grabbed all my bits & bobs. I'm Mescalero Apache, but this will be Boho Chic themes, or Gypset, kinda Hippie stuffs.... I used Buddhist mala beads from my many travels in China, Chinese red silk chord for making jade or pearl beading stuff, jade fetishes, and manao yu jade mala beads, and crystal beads.
Pretty tricky stuff!
Then, I put ribbons on it. I have ALL KINDS OF RIBBONS. I got some from Mexico, different grades from China, including silk high grade ones from my mother-in-law from China.
And, I added bits from an old dress my daughter had, that I used to make other things, and had pieces left over from. I still want to add feathers. Need to get some.
I haven't quite figured out how to hang it yet... looking for some stuff to hang it on.
