Blue Like a Dream - Vintage Russian Scarf

There's not much to say about this cobalt blue Russian scarf. It is just beautiful with the lace-like pattern and clusters of roses and bluebells. Even though it is not large - about 34 inches - it is very visible. I think it can look amazing with denim of a proper shade. It is available in our Etsy shop here.

Russian Scarf Seen Anew: A Puffer Scarf in Russian Patterns

I have been thinking much about scarves recently. We love making scarves from Uzbek silk or Russian shawls, but we were mostly making infinity or circle type. We love infinity - we adore infinity - but certainly there should be other options?

I was thinking of a practical scarf, easy to wear, not prone to wrinkling, sturdy and long lasting and warm. I hate scarves that can be ruined easily; graze them with your nail and there is a snug, touch them with your ring and there is a hole. Oh, no. I am for spending money in a reasonable way, at least this is what I try to do with mine. I also needed to take the latest fashion trends into consideration. Iceberg, Balenciaga and Chanel displayed puffer scarves in their Fall/Winter 2016-2017 collections.

(source: Pinterest) 

All these arguments combined, I came to a perfect decision (we'll see!) - a puffer scarf! These have been seen on runways lately, and they are just the perfect combination of practicality and beauty.

So... we came up with these!

Frankly, I think it is insanely beautiful.

This is a fantastic patchwork scarf made from various vintage shawls. My mother did her best to arrange a striking array of colors and patterns. I cannot even decide which side I prefer.



These flowers are so lovely.

The opening for the tail of the scarf is large and sturdy.

And this is the general view. I can tell my mother enjoyed making this scarf!

I think it is a unisex scarf; I can easily see it worn by a man or woman.

The scarf can be bought in our Etsy shop. I will list more scarves very soon. In the meantime, the sneak preview!

Million of Roses on a Russian Shawl

The name says it all: this is a gorgeous vintage Russian shawl dubbed "Million of Roses" by collectors.There is famous Russian song with that name, and it evokes pleasant memories in most Russian speaking people. 

The shawl is indeed stunning; the lace-like pattern is airy and elegant, and the thick border of roses makes the piece look complete. I love the rich colours. They do not make shawls like this anymore, honest. 

So far, this beauty is available in our Etsy shop here, but I know that it will not last. It is collectable and highly sought after. And it is just breathtaking. 

A Hand Block Printed Vintage Russian Shawl with Mirabilis

 ...Long time, no see. I know I am supposed to write more often, but my real life has been too busy lately. I will write an update later - it will also help me to take stock of my news - and in the meantime I just want to share this fantastic vintage hand block printed shawl that I have in stock currently.

The shawl is brilliantly bright, even for a vintage piece (modern ones are mostly muted, but vintage were bold and rich). This one is especially vibrant. I love those huge flowers - they certainly make a statement - and the relaxed ease of the drawing, where flowers seem to be moving under the wind. Their playful disarray lends a lot of life to the print. I think that the lily-like flowers are actually Mirabilis jalapa, the marvel of Peru or four o'clock flower, that blooms at night - they are very popular in Russia.

This is a fantastic Russian shawl; they do not print them by hand anymore, which is a good thing, since this was a very hard and harmful work to do. However, these shawls are amazing, and I love them much more than modern mass produced specimens. For now, it is available in my Etsy shop, MulberryWhisper.

Uzbek Suzani Pillows in the Colours of Fruits and Flowers

If I could wear these suzani pillows on a necklace, I totally would. They might be the most beautiful pillows we have had to date. They are made from a very vintage suzani and I just love them. They truly convey the spirit of traditional Uzbek embroidery. The raised design and rich colours make them especially attractive. Their colour scheme makes me think of Uzbek fruits which are incredibly sweet and fragrant. 

It looks a bit like a hooked rug to me. Actually the technique is quite similar.

We thought that denim was a good addition to the suzani. It is so modest, a perfect frame for the ornate embroidery. These embroidered cushion covers will look amazing in a vintage or bohemian room adding a spicy accent. They look fantastic next to my Tabriz rug, too. And of course they are stunning when placed next to a Russian shawl!

As I now have a traditional Uzbek house in the countryside, I think I am keeping one pair of these. Another pair is on sale in our Etsy shop here.

A Different Shawl

Some Russian shawls are really famous and recognisable. For instance, this one was featured in a very famous old Soviet movie called "The Gypsy" ("Цыган"), where it was worn by a very beautiful young actress, Matlyuba Alimova (Матлюба Алимова). The movie is from 1976, so the shawl is quite vintage.

I do love shawls which are different. I handle so many of them, and some are truly stunning, with lavish and intricate design, with huge roses and rich colours. I like all of them, but sometimes I become a bit tired of sophistication and luxury, and a shawl full of grasses and wild flowers is a welcome change. This one also has hydrangea which I love. I have it in stock, and I foresee that it will not last, so get it now if you want it.

Lavish and Generous Russian Beauty

Many Russian shawls have names. This one does not, or at least we do not know it. However, it is no worse for that; this shawl is full of character. It is overflowing with flowers - huge bright pink roses, delicate tulips, and out of this world fiery orange roses with red leaves which flow in between like flames. The leaves are emerald green, and the whole shawl looks like a treasure chest to me. Or an enchanted garden of elves where flowers are made of precious stones. 

The rear view is amazing. The lavishness of these flowers!

...and it looks amazing draped. Seriously, I am tempted to keep it.

The overall impression is that of generous and kind beauty of nature. Even though there are no fruits on the shawl, it looks fruity to me - makes me think of orchards in the autumn. Harvest. Baskets, full of fruits.



Even though I like it a lot, at present I do not think I can afford keeping it. The shawl is offered in my Etsy shop, and if you want it, get is while you can.

Shah-i-Zinda, the Precious Blue Fairytale

This spring I visited Shah-i-Zinda, the famous necropolis in Samarkand, Ubekistan. As it often happens, I procrastinated for a long time, unable to choose photos for the post. Truth is, I was very unhappy with the photos, as they fail to reflect the bright, jewel-like beauty of this architectural ensemble. But I will show them anyway; just remember that they do not give justice to the beauty of this place.

Shah-i-Zinda is a complex of tombs and other ritual buildings, where the eldest ones date to 9th century and the newest ones - to 19th century.

"Shahizinda" means "the Living King" in Persian.  The legend says that the Kusam ibn Abbas, the cousin of Prophet Mohammed, came to Samarkand with a small army to install Islam here. In one of the battles with pagans, right at this hill,  Kusam ibn Abbas was wounded with an arrow, but managed to hide in a small cave or a well, which closed as he entered. And he still lives there, hidden from people.

The wooden terrace is at the entrance, to the left. It has a beautiful painted ceiling.



On the left is a tall staircase to the main part of the complex. The legend has it that you should walk and count the stairs, and remember the number. On the way back, you should count again. If numbers match, you will be granted a wish. On the right you can see a pathway leading from the end part to the exit (so, this belongs to the end of the photo set, but the photo is vertical, so it does not fit anywhere else).

These are several groups of mausoleums throughout  the necropolis. They mostly belong to the relatives and the courtiers or military leaders of Timur the Great, also known as Tamerlane; we call him Amir Timur here. The mausoleums are lavishly decorated with majolica tiles in various shades of blue, green and turquoise. 

 

It is nice to see children around; they clearly enjoy spending time in the beautiful place. And aren't they lovely girls?

I was transfixed by the lavish beauty of these buildings. In reality, they gleam and glisten, and the tiles look deep like sea water with ripples.

I love all the amazing textures and intricate lines.

The kids were not alone; after some playing and looking around, they came to their adults (I kept an eye on them, just in case. And they allowed me to take photos).

 

We went further, and I took more photos. It would be good to have a camera which could take 3D photos! or, better still, one to capture my feelings - the awe, admiration and excitement! 

There is a long path through the complex, with buildings on both sides.

I think that the last part is the most beautiful one. It was like entering a jewellery box which is adorned with precious enamel even from the inside. You enter and gasp...

...and start spinning around, trying to see everything, absorb it and remember. This smooth, cool, bright, fragile-looking beauty, aimed at making people stop and stare in admiration. A tribute to the people gone. Not only to those who are buried here, but also, ultimately - to the masters, who created this wonder.

Some people come here to pray.

Others just come to see the beauty. The smallest one seems to be impressed, too.

This was a very enjoyable hour - it was as if I spent this time in a fairytale. I hope to come back with my daughter, as I know she will love it as much as I did. If you ever visit Samarkand, make sure you go to Shah-i-Zinda, too. This is a place worth seeing.