Bridal Lily
One of my absolute all-time favorite flowers is the Lily of the Valley. Resembling tiny bells or baby bonnets dangling from a slender stalk, the lilies arrive every spring to disperse their heavenly fragrance. According to the book The Language of Flowers, Lily of the Valley symbolizes a Return to Happiness. The author opines “It is the sweetest flower imaginable. With its dainty white bells and unmistakable green scent, it is said to lure the Nightingale from his nest and lead him to his mate.” Personally, I found it romantic that Kate Middleton chose Lily of the Valley interspersed...
Read MoreThe Wedding Bouquet – Toss it or Keep it?
Ok, I’m being a bit facetious here because I’m not referring to the traditional bouquet toss, but rather to the current trend in bridal bouquets which makes me want to toss them to the curb. Rather than compliment the bride, today’s bouquets often make her look like she just breezed in from the farmer’s market. Of course styles and fashions constantly change, even when it comes to something as time-honored and traditional as a wedding dress. Bouquets used to consist of a cascade of flowers. The arrangement was formal and refined. Then in the 1970’s Age of Aquarius, things relaxed. Suits...
Read MoreHats Off to Sally Victor
What do Queen Elizabeth II, First Ladies Eleanor Roosevelt, Bess Truman, and Mamie Eisenhower, Hollywood’s Judy Garland and Elizabeth Taylor, Broadway’s Helen Hayes, and even the Gabor sisters all have in common? They all were crowned in hats designed by Sally Victor. That’s quite an entourage to count among your stable of admirers. Included among luminaries Lilly Daché and Mr. John, as one of America’s leading millinery designers, The New Yorker magazine (1954) described Victor as “a magnificent sculptress of straws and felts.” She was actually credited with reviving the Ecuadorean...
Read MoreBotanical Beauty
The season of growth and reawakening has arrived. A time when the sun warms both the earth and our spirits, and drops us at the doorstep of restoration. Gardens have for centuries nourished and sustained, inspired and enriched our spirit. They provide both playground and classroom for endless learning. From Buitchart to Boboli to Shalimar Bagan, from Versailles to Villa D’Este, from Giverny to Exbury and beyond. We’ll focus less on the manicured masterpieces of world renown, and instead spotlight the simple pleasures we can all enjoy. As far back as 450 B.C. the book of Ecclesiastes...
Read MoreLady Luck & Superstition
“Luck is a strong horse; it can carry a man to very distant places!” Mehmet Murat Ildan Is luck in the cards for you this year? In handkerchief’s heyday, a favorite Christmas stocking stuffer was a calendar hankie proffering best wishes and good luck. The Swiss German handkerchief above abounds with four leaf clovers and ladybugs. The comely miss needn’t fear having a black cat draped across her shoulders as the cards she’s holding are all Aces! Note how the months cleverly mimic playing cards. Note fashion hankies were still popular in 1968. Fanciful hankies were a go-to wingman for...
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