Manicures and Roses

When we visited our neice in New York City she spoke about how different it was from home in California, and how hard it had been to make new acquaintances after their recent move. But she loves many things about her life in the city, and mentioned two things in particular that were cheap to acquire: flowers and manicures.

Well, you could do worse. Flowers and manicures will almost get you through if you have your companion with you!

I once heard a quote from an unapproving source that "if a woman has nail polish, she has too much time on her hands." Now, I'm not one to miss pearl pink on my fingertips, but I would certainly not want to go too long without fresh flowers.

They're not on every corner for cheap here like NYC, but you don't have to go far. They can be surprisingly affordable from the grocery store.

I'm full of envy of folks who can grow their own year round. And when flowers do grow in my own yard they are so sparse I hate to cut a single bloom as they will last so much longer on the plant.

 But a bouquet of roses in winter seems as essential as paying the gas bill to me. Flowers are a utility of the heart. Even a man who might feel they are an over-indulgence won't ask, "What are you going to do with those?"

As for manicures. . . . Well, different strokes. . . .

Happy Monday!

Roses or manicures,  I hope your week is good.

Jacqueline

Join me at

A Stroll Thru Life

Tabletop Tuesday

A Beach Cottage

Good Life Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style

Wow Us Wednesday

How Sweet the Sound

Pink Saturday

A Pintuck and Ruffle Garden

Baby clothes are like little handmade bouquets. Intricate and soft with delicate folds like petals. Awesome in detail. Cheerful as roses.

And hardly a winter goes by that I don't yearn for silky yarn and knitting needles to grow a cozy sweater from.

Beds of coverlets and throws banish the winter chill.

Isn't lace like a blooming winter garden? Does "sew" derive from "sow"?

Vining ruffles and pintucks adorn the nursery walls. Who needs to wait for spring? . . .

  

I hope you enjoyed my nursery garden! 

Jacqueline

Join me at

 Faded Charm

White Wednesday

January~The Season of White

Do stores still have January white sales? And how did that get started anyway? Even the linens aren't white anymore.

But I love the idea of starting out the year with snowy white.

The year should begin all creamy and smooth like fluffy sheets and white china, the days waiting to be filled with nourishing goodness like so many bowls and jugs.

White always feels like the promise of things to come. An unmarred beginning, like untrodden snow.

White brings a pleasing texture to life while eliminating the busyness and noise of color. Can the day or year at least begin with a hush? Even the birds wait until spring to start the day in song!

To everything there is a season. And maybe January is supposed to be the season of white. . . .

Wishing you a fresh and bright storybook beginning to the year.

Jacqueline

Join me at

Faded Charm

White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style
My Romantic Home
French Country Cottage
The Charm of Home
LaurieAnna's Vintage Home
2805~Potpourri

Luggage

We've traveled a bit to see family this season even though air travel has become somewhat of an athletic marathon. Over time it takes its toll on the luggage too, and it was time to retire my beloved Palm Springs carry-on, or at least get the zippers redone.

There's no such thing as TLC for beautiful suitcases and trunks anymore I'm sorry to say. But there is some pretty rugged stuff that is also aesthetically worthy if you're willing to pay the price.

We have been known to eccentrically hand carry a vintage piece or two, but a month long jag of travel on planes, trains, and automobiles, calls for something a little more serious and a little less folly.

Trouble is, mainstream manufacturers are making everything either in black, or in ugly. You have to tag bags conspicuously in order to distinguish your black bag at one glance from the rest on the luggage carousel.

But beautiful new luggage can bring back a little of the romance in modern travel, and make it a golden age of travel again.

{source}

This was my choice from Hartmann. Not quite Louis V, but much more accessible. And it still looks respectable nestled in among the other world-wise vintage leather cases once it's home. It makes me feel ready for a jaunt into a brave new year. . . .

{source}

I also returned home to the Country Living  "white issue." These YUMMY custom leather tags from of-the-fountain.com were featured inside.

I'm still getting oriented and finding my bearings at home. The deck is still swaying on dry land! Thanks for all your good wishes for the New Year. I have a lot of catching up to do!

Best to you,

Jacqueline

Join me at

Common Ground

Vintage Inspiration