Saturday, July 9, 2011

Who is Lina Cavalieri?

So, who IS Lina Cavalieri?

Well, to start with, she is the lovely lady pictured in my blog header and background artwork within the picture frame.  Lina was an Italian opera singer who lived from 1874 - 1944 and in her time was known as the most beautiful woman in the world.


But she was much more than just (just?!?) a lovely opera singer.  She was a world figure who dated tycoons and famous men.  She was orphaned at age 15 and went to live in a Catholic orphanage run by strict nuns.      


But she was too much of a free spirit, so she ran away to Paris,where she began using her lovely voice (and good looks, no doubt) to sing in cafes and open other doors of opportunity.


Oh. And she loved pearls.  Pearls with everything, even with diamonds. She preferred her signature pearl choker with longer strands.



Yes, she looked innocent, but she could also be very naughty!  Read about her on Wikipedia here.


During World War II (when she was well into her sixties) she did volunteer nursing.  In 1944 she was killed in her Florence home when the city was bombed.


I hope you enjoy (and will use) these images of beautiful Lina Cavalieri.



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Check out the current issue of Sew Beautiful Magazine!  Our friend Marsha Greenberg of Hankie Couture is featured!  And you can get a free pattern for the square-necked sundress free from Marsha and Sew Beautiful at:
http://www.sewbeautifulmag.com.  Just go to Web Extras, then Articles & Projects, then click on Hankie Couture.

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And just in case you have not had your quota of beauty today, I must throw in some of nature’s finest handiwork, courtesy of my garden.  LOL.


My daughter says this frog statuette (below), which I bought at Tuesday Morning, looks like it is giving an obscene gesture.  Personally, I think he’s doing his imitation of Rodin’s The Thinker.


Diane M, these delphinium close-ups are for you.  :-)




Wouldn’t it be nice to be as beautiful as these roses when WE are old and withered and faded?



And Stacie, this one is for you!  :-)  My “repurposed” birdbath...


Must try this in silk ribbon:
Red Yarrow

 Have a wonderful weekend!

Cathy maroon

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh Cathy! Thank you for the full photo of the birdbath... it's gorgeous! Gorgeous as a feature of it's own!

Katy said...

Love the pictures and information about Lina Cavalieri. Also, went to visit Hankie Couture- another fun thing to do with those vintage hankies! Beautiful garden pics too. Thanks for sharing.

Marty52 said...

She was rather gorgeous, wasn't she?! I'll bet she would have had some great stories to tell. ;0)

Mosaic Magpie said...

Thanks for sharing Lina Cavalieri with us. From an orphanage to an exciting life, what a story! Great photos!
Deb

Nichola said...

Holy smokes Cavalieri was a beauty! She's absolutely dreamy.