NEW OLD SCHOOL POETRY: "GILDED SUMMER" BY GREGORY JOSEPH FIRLOTTE

NEW OLD SCHOOL POETRY: "GILDED SUMMER" BY GREGORY JOSEPH FIRLOTTE -- It's OG and Maine-born poet Gregory Joseph Firlotte is proud of it. With this -- his second tome of poetry -- the 74 poems in Gilded Summer depict another place, another world, another time. With subjects ranging from the natural settings of meadows, fields, woodlands, the coast, flowers and being at a lakeside camp to inner worlds where love, hope and dreams reside, these poems create a landscape of emotions and visions that often venture into surreal and metaphysical realms in depicting summertime from a bygone era -- alluding to a time known as the Gilded Age leading into America's twentieth century. The effects of the Gilded Age on society, the arts, fashion, entertainment and lavish lifestyles spilled over into the start of this new century like a lingering dream that was too fragile, too ethereal to last for long. It is this "in-between" time period that has always fascinated the author -- a result of hearing the many stories of his maternal grandmother when he was a young boy -- inspiring him to create these poems in a flowing stream of consciousness blend of the dreamlike and timeless. Throughout are vintage black and white photographs from the author's collection that complement many of the poems, capturing the feeling, places and geography of New England environs which are integral components of Firlotte's romantic style. And along this poetic journey, the New England landscape eventually transforms into one from ancient Greece in the book's final poem "At the Table of the Muses." Firlotte is hoping that the poems and images in Gilded Summer might convince the reader that time travel really does exist – and if not forever, then perhaps it just might exist for at least a few hazy, sun-filled hours or a candlelit night somewhere between here and one's dreams. It's cool to be Old School. Available in paperback or ebook.

Get this book: https://www.amazon.com/Gilded-Summer-Poetry-Gregory-Firlotte/dp/B0948JWX4V

#summer #love #poetry #believe #Maine #poems #books

 THE EMPOWERMENT OF HANDMADE SOAPS FROM MAINE: CASCO BAY SOAP CO.

EMPOWERMENT OF HANDMADE SOAPS FROM MAINE: CASCO BAY SOAP CO. -- Shannon Grauer has spunk and grit -- two qualities one needs when being an entrepreneur in the State of Maine. Her vision of making the best soap possible never wavered since she began her journey back in 2005. At first (and like most businesses), it began as a hobby using the terms handmade, old-fashioned, small batch and artisan as her guides. After leaving the corporate world behind and trying her hand at other things (she loves to bake, sew, knit, make paper, jewelry and stained glass art), it was making soap that really became her calling card. She made the rounds at farmers markets, fairs and craft shows and now creates a world of fragranced soaps from her headquarters in picturesque Harpswell on a "neck" of land that juts out into Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. As Studio of Style can testify, these soaps are truly the essence of Maine with scents that evoke the land and sea. Grauer says her products are "reminiscent of time well spent, days enjoyed by the Maine seashore, by the lake and in our woods." Ayuh, as the locals would say!

Get these soaps: https://www.cascobaysoap.com/

#cascobaysoap #soapfrommaine #mainesoap #mainemade207 #newenglandmade #soap #handmadesoap #mainelife #maine #coastalliving #my207 #craftbusiness #livelovelocal #smallbusiness #handcraftedsoap #buyhandmade #artisansoap #artisan #coldprocess #makersofinstagram #bathandbody #shopmaine #creativelife #mainemade #supportsmallbusiness #buyhomemade #womenowned #soapart #keepitlocal

HIGH STYLE -- FOR 420! GLAM WALLCOVERING THAT CELEBRATES CANNABIS!

HIGH STYLE -- JUST IN TIME FOR 420! GLAM WALLCOVERING THAT CELEBRATES CANNABIS! -- Oh my...how decorating for home has changed. And thanks to the two high-energy founders of Londubh Studio in Los Angeles (Lisa Donohoe and Brynn Gelbard), the wallcovering stakes just got higher! With its base of shimmering gold mylar, "High Style" with its cannabis symbology (shown here in two colorways) will certainly light up any room -- be it in a residence or a commercial installation. Can you imagine the possibilities? This introduction represents Londubh's first collaboration with Circa Wallcovering -- and their first foray into this extremely popular category. In addition to "High Style," one will also find "Enlightenment" (we can all use that, for sure) which is a '70s psychedelia tribute to magic mushrooms -- fab! Soon, four more designs will be released as well. Says Donohoe and Gelbard collectively, "We're not aiming for the perpetual minimalist. We dedicate this collection to those emerging from this monumental time with a renewed fervor for seizing the moment and making a statement." Yes! As for inspiration? Says Gelbard, "We regularly disappear into nature to get quiet, connect with our hearts and call in designs. Our best visions never come when we sit down with a cup of coffee and a pencil at nine in the morning. They're birthed from a spirit we share of wanting to celebrate life, our mutual abandonment of societal expectations if they don't help us manifest our dreams, and our shared conviction that more is indeed more when it comes to the decorative canvas and its ability to fuel us to live our best lives." So there you have it! Why not celebrate as well and let loose with style -- high style, that is!

Get this wallcovering: https://www.circawallcovering.com/shop/High-Style

Photos: Dusti Cunningham / courtesy Londubh Studio

#420 #wallcoverings #weed #cannabis #wallpaper #londubhstudio #glam #design #interiordesign

Want Mediterranean? Assouline has got it covered!

WANT MEDITERRANEAN? ASSOULINE HAS GOT IT COVERED! -- If you're like us at Studio of Style, then you can't get enough of anything Mediterranean -- be it food, music, style and that oh-so-wonderful sun-drenched vibe unlike anywhere else on the globe. Luckily, you can go there anytime of the day or night or season because a collection of oversized (and hefty) books from Assouline will take care of your fix. They weigh in from five to six pounds each (yes!) and the deluxe paper, cloth-bound embossed covers and the glorious photos and smart text will send you into book heaven. And you must -- and this is a real must -- order the gift wrapping, wax seal and note card, okay? Even if it's for yourself, do splurge on this extra treat -- and write a fun note to yourself! The collection is (from west to east): Marrakech; Ibiza; St. Tropez; Provence; Capri; Amalfi Coast; Mykonos and Athens Riviera. As books go, these are a true value and something that you'll treasure always -- trust us on this one! Order them all and take a trip across the Mediterranean -- you'll want to pour a glass (or two) of vino or ouzo and whip up a plate of olives, cheese, antipasto or pita bread to take you further into your sea-born journey that is truly timeless. All there is left to say is Bon Voyage!

Get these books: www.assouline.com
All images courtesy Assouline
#assouline #books #mediterranean #style #travel #fun #glamour #capri #sttropez #mykonos #amalfi #france #italy #greece #provence