Love Letters

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The other day, while my Mom was going through some things, she came across some love letters that my Dad had written to her while they were dating back in 1961. The tenderness and love these letters conveyed was heartwarming and now that he is gone, it makes them so much more special.

Nowadays, in this world of technology, hand written love letters are almost unheard of. Love letters can now be emailed, faxed, and even sent overnight to lovers separated by oceans and continents.

The problem with an email is that it's not tangible. You can't pick it up and feel the weight of the paper, or smell it, or trace the curve of the handwriting. You can tell so much about a person from their handwriting. An electronic font will never replicate that.

Throughout history, the love letter has allowed us to reveal our true feelings, keep close when far away from home and rekindle the flame when love is no longer new. It's the glue in the book of romance.

The love letter has been composed and treasured for centuries and the earliest may perhaps be the Bible’s Song of Solomon.  But, as a literary form, the love letter probably began in the early Renaissance. The Age of Chivalry produced a series of discreet correspondences that were based on chaste compliments and excessive self-deprecation of courtly love.

In the early eighteenth century, love letters became much more personal, showing tenderness, charm, and even humor.

The nineteenth century spawned the great private love letters of Beethovan to his “Immortal Beloved”, as well as the literary romance of poets Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett.

Clearly, the love letter has evolved through the ages, only to become more treasured and meaningful in the present day.

In this hurried, often thoughtless world, a love letter shows that someone cares enough to carve out time, to sit, be present with his or her thoughts and emotions, and then to commit those feelings to paper.

So, why don't you give it a try?  Put pen to paper and write your feelings down for your loved one.  I think it will be appreciated, and may even be reciprocated.  Then, in the years that follow, it will be a treasured remembrance of your great love.

Art Deco Interiors

With the release of the Great Gatsby movie, which I recently reviewed for you, there has been an influx of 1920s style - everything from fashion to home decor. Here is a modern day example of whats available, fashion wise, with a very 1920s feel.



The links to these items can be found on my Polyvore

There are some really amazing items in this collection and I could totally see myself sporting any number of them, but what I wanted to focus on today is art deco home decor.

The mood during the early 20th century was optimistic and hopeful, and like society's attitude, their interiors were sparkling and bright. There were sleek, glossy hardwood floors laid in geometric patterns. The gleaming furniture consisted of mirrored dressers, black lacquered cabinets and ebony veneered tables, chrome lamps and sparkling chandeliers. Area rugs and other fabric items were bright and colorful - consisting of zigzags, chevrons and sunbursts. Sweeping, curved lines and angular shapes were a common sight and brushed steel finishes and glass were used liberally as they contributed to the sleek, modern look.

Here are some great modern day examples as showcased on Houzz.

Traditional Bathroom by Chicago Architect Erik Johnson and Associates

Traditional Bathroom by Rochester Interior Designer Robin Muto

Contemporary Bedroom by Miami Interior Designer Toby Zack Designs

Traditional Bedroom by Atlanta Architect Bryan Alan Kirkland Designs

Contemporary Living Room by London Furniture And Accessories Imagine Living

Contemporary Staircase by Minneapolis Architect TEA2 Architects

Contemporary Entry by Cumming Interior Designer Interior Styles, Inc.

Art deco style was modern for it's time, and it still has a very fresh, eclectic, contemporary feel today.  I believe that you could incorporate bits and pieces into any decor setting, don't you?

Nautically Themed - Part Two

When I think of nautical inspired clothing, I think of airy cottons, twill, stripes, anchors, sailboats, rope, and red, white and  navy hues.  In Part One we explored just these things, but in this post I wanted to share some non typical nautical inspired clothing, or at least it doesn't spring to the fore front of my mind when I think nautical, but they all have a nautical theme, none the less.

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I love how all of these sweet dresses are sporting a turquoise color instead of the typical nautical navy shade of blue, but they all have sailboats calling you to the water.

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These two dresses have the typical color scheme, but not the typical graphics.  Here we have fish or sharks on one dress and a very art deco looking swimmer on the other.  Too cute!

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The dress on the left has the typical red, white, and blues but has a very abstract pelican print on it.  The dress on the right has varying shades of teal or turquoise with seashells and stars, or a very under water scene.

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Here we have two beautiful dresses with a sailboat and seascape border.  And I have added these yellow wedges for a pop of color.

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And finally, we have what I think is the best set.  These darling silhouette dresses feel very french and subdued to me, but upon closer inspection you can see the nautical theme.  The first one has a print of flamingos, the second has sailboats and lighthouses, and the third has schematic drawings of planes.  What do planes have to do with a nautical theme, you ask?  Well, the Wright Brothers did their experiments at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina - of course!

Well, there you have my favorite nautically inspired fashion.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.  I did not purchase any of them for our trip but I do feel several of them calling my name.  Oh, who am I kidding, I want them all!

What do you think, any favorites?

Nautically Themed - Part One

Next week is the Mister's birthday and to celebrate we are going to spend a week on the East Coast.  I had started looking for some new outfits to wear on our trip and was inspired by all of the nautical themed clothing out there.  I thought it would be fun to share some of them with you, but there are so many that I have decided to break it up into a couple posts.

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I love this cute casual outfit with the cropped pants, just begging to wade out into the ocean waves.

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I am crazy about a red, white, and blue color scheme.  Not only are they patriotic colors but they lend themselves perfectly for a nautical theme.

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Isn't the print on this bathing suit darling?  Perfect beach wear, and this bag is big enough to throw some beach towels in and go.

1) Here  2) Here  3) Here  4) Here  5) Here  6) Here  7) Here 8) Here

This yellow purse would add just the right splash of color to either of these ensembles, and what about those adorable macrame shoes.

1)Here  2)Here  3)Here  4)Here  5)Here  6)Here  7)Here  8)Here  9)Here

Stripes, stripes, and more stripes.  Perfect for lounging around on the deck of a yacht, dining on lobster or just combing the shore for seashells.

♥ ♥ ♥

Generally, when I think of nautical, I think of a casual setting, but the trend in nautical fashion these days lends itself to a more professional setting, and many of these outfits could be worn to work as well as the beach.  I think that nautical fashion shows a look of sophistication and style that makes it perfect in any situation.  What do you think of this nautically inspired round up?  Which is your favorite?

Stay tuned for part two.

Easter Bonnets

Easter is a Christian holiday that coincides with the beginning of Spring.  Many of the customs and traditions of Easter symbolize the new life that is emerging following Winter.  And I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some new life following this long dreary Winter season.  But, back to my point about Easter. 

Ladies and girls used to don decorative hats to wear with their new Easter finery to the church service.  This is still done today, just not as often.  The original Easter head accessory wasn't a bonnet, but women would celebrate the arrival of Spring by decorating their heads with wreaths of fresh flowers and leaves.  This was to symbolize the cycle of the seasons and the coming of Spring.

Later on in history, you will find the "Sunday of Joy" which is the Easter after the end of the Civil War.  On this Easter Sunday the women and their daughters traded in their dark, mourning clothes and veils for pastel colors and fresh Spring flowers.  They adorned their hats and bonnets with ribbons and blooming flowers.

New York's Easter Parade began in the 1870's, after attending the church service, women would then parade down 5th Avenue, proudly showing off their new Spring clothing and Easter Bonnets.  With each passing year, the hats of the Easter paraders would become larger and more creatively decorated.  Think about hats that include live bird nests, pets, and whole flower gardens!

Today, Easter hats are not seen as often at the church service, though they still can be found, mostly on well dressed little girls.  But, I say, in the midst of hatching eggs, baby lambs being born, and budding flowers and trees, why not don an Easter bonnet to symbolize the new life, warm weather and religious celebration.  Most of the Easter hats that can be found today are typically light weight, straw hats, decorated with ribbons, lace, and artificial flowers.  Just a small shell in comparison to what these hats used to be.  Here are some grand examples of Easter bonnets of the past.

Oh Christmas Tree

Every year I have a desire to do something unique and different with our Christmas tree, but most always end up doing the same thing year after year, and this year is no different.  Up went the same tree with the same ornaments.

Recently though, while on a little getaway, the Mister and I visited several Christmas stores and I was tremendously inspired.  My plans are to start collecting ornaments through out the year to place on next year's tree.  My problem with this, besides the obvious huge financial cost, is deciding on what theme and or color scheme to go with.  I have been looking at so many different styles of trees, some of them are definitely not my style but I still find them unique and interesting.  Here are a few for your viewing pleasure.

I love the muted colors and the shape of this primitive tree

This has more of the Fall colors with the dried flowers but how cute are those Owls!

What a beautiful retro feel with the wonderful pink tree with the clear ornaments.

Turquoise blues and greens with the muted white tree inside an urn.  What a lovely modern tree with a retro feel.

How different is this tree?  I could totally see it at a sea side cottage during the holidays.

How fun is this explosion of candy colors and monkeys.

A darling feathered Christmas tree placed in a ladies dressing area.

How about decorating a sleigh instead of a Christmas tree?

This tree is chocked full of whimsy.

Peacocks, turquoise and purple ornaments and feathers decorate this lovely tree.

I hope you enjoyed looking at all of the different trees like I do.  If you celebrate Christmas, what does your tree look like?

My Origami Owl Locket

I recently discovered Origami Owl through a friend who has become an Independent Designer for the company.  The business was started in 2010 by a 14 year old girl wanting to save up enough money to purchase a car by the time she was 16.  - It always thrills me to see young folk succeeding at their goals.

The slogan for Origami Owl is this - "You tell stories with words...we tell ours with jewelry".  There's what they call "Living Lockets" in which you choose charms to place inside to tell your story.  Every locket is custom designed with your choices to tell your story or represent the things you love.  There are so many different ways to customize and create a piece of jewelry that is truly unique to you.

Here are some examples of what you can create.

And here is my own personal locket and how it's designed today.  That is part of what makes these so awesome, you can change them out and mix them up with your different charms, dangles, etc. and basically have a different piece every time you wear it.  Or, have more than one!

Inside my locket you will find a heart and the initial "D" for my Mister, a doggie bone for my English Mastiff, Tucker, a kitty for my British Shorthair kitten we are getting in a couple weeks, as of yet, still unnamed, a red high heel for my love of fashion, and cherries to represent my retro style.  I've also attached a Victorian key dangle and a heart shaped lock.  The dangles clip on with a lobster claw clasp so you can switch them out.  In the future I plan on filling my locket with my 6 kids birthstones and another one for my 7 grandkids.  And I'm sure there will be others, the possibilities are endless.

If you haven't ever heard of them, please check it out.  I truly love my locket and I know you will too!

Queen of Mod

Today marks the 63rd birthday of Lesley Lawson, widely known as Twiggy.  In the 1960s, as a teenager, she became a prominent model of swinging London and is known as the world's first supermodel.  With her skinny figure, boyish pixie hair cut, and striking eyelashes, which many times she painted on the bottom, she created an image that defined an era.  Her look helped change the face of fashion forever, creating more A-line dresses with collars and neckties and inspired the military trends of today.

She went on to become an award winning actress, singer, designer, and author.  At the age of 63, she continues to model and is part of the very successful ad campaign for Marks & Spencer as well as her own collection of clothing exclusive to M&S online.  She also has a very successful line on the home shopping channel, HSN.

Her most recent album, Romantically Yours, was released in November 2011 to great reviews.  Her first album, Twiggy, recorded in 1976, included her top twenty UK hit Here I Go Again.

She has written two bestselling autobiographies, most recently, Twiggy In Black And White.

Twiggy is a timeless beauty, aging gracefully, and one in which whose looks have transcended decades.