Hidden Magnolias

Is another one going to bite the dust? The historic Greystone Inn  has been a destination for tourists since 1903. Tucked away on the shores of Lake Toxaway in the heart of western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, the setting is quaint and relaxed. In 2016, the Greystone Inn was closed and up for sale. This makes me sad. I have sat on that beautiful porch overlooking the tranquil lake and felt so at peace. Yeah, it was not trendy. And yeah, there are some age issues. But the beauty and ambiance out weighed any minor discomforts. The Inn was originally the home of Lucy Camp Armstrong Moltz, of Savannah, who came to Toxaway and built a mansion on the lake and was only able to enjoy her lakeside home for one year before the dam broke.  Built in 1915 and carefully restored in 1985, Lucy Moltz’s home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  In her lifetime she witnessed the failure of the lake and then the rebuilding many years later.  

Ukraine with all the struggles and set backs is still a very proud country. On May 18, 2016, Ukraine will celebrate  Vyshyvanka Day.  http://112.international/ukraine-top-news/ukraines-national-symbol-vyshyvanka-day-festival-5000.html It is a  nationwide celebration intended to preserve ancestral traditions of creating and wearing embroidered ethnic clothing. And their clothing i s beautiful.  This holiday is celebrated on the  third Thursday of May . http://www.polyvore.com/vita_kin_vyshyvanka/collection?id=4739561 Vyshyvanka     is the colloquial name for the embroidered shirt in  Ukrainian  national costume. Women  wear dresses and men wear shirts.  Here are some examples: from http://buy-ukrainian.com/ https://lifeinua.info/vyshyvanka-facts/ http://euromaidanpress.com/2016/03/24/5-ways-to-wear-ukrainian-vyshyvanka/#arvlbdata I just love this picture below of a woman with her cat all decked out for the celebration in May. This p

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Today, I bought the most interesting book --- Advanced Style: Older & Wiser by Ari Seth Cohen It caught my eye at the Swan Coach House room where they sell all the really fun, cute, one of kind fashion items and accessories. This is the second book published in 2016. The previous book published about 8 years prior.  One of things that I like about the whole idea, is that regardless of age, you can have your own style and be your own person.  While some of the outfits in the book are wilder than Frankie's on Grace and Frankie (Love Frankie, don't you?) Pinterest https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedStyle-39345030147/ http://kirstscreativecorner.tumblr.com/post/116899164292/advanced-style Other outfits reveal a ladylike elegance with a touch of whimsy. Love the Panda pin. https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedStyle-39345030147/ Most of the focus of the book, documentary, and FB page is on style in New York. But older Southe

Anyone who knows me, knows I am no minimalist. I love stuff – pretty stuff. Lots of pretty stuff --furniture, dishes, paintings, books, do-dads, knick-knacks, you name it. Nancy's Daily Dish Pinterest But recently, I have been intrigued by the minimalist movement. Mainly because so many of my friends say their children don’t want grandma’s china or silver or an old dresser set or any family heirloom. They are so disheartened – they gently saved and protected these heirlooms for years to pass along to children who now want no part of them.  Pinterest So, I had to investigate. What is a minimalist? The website The Minimalists gives their definition:        "Minimalism has helped us…       Eliminate our dis

Last year, I was attracted to Nordic Noir TV Shows. Read about that here. http://www.nordicnoir.tv/newsletter/120314/ Well, that led to reading, researching, looking, talking about Scandinavia. And of course, with the election this past year and all the discussion about life in and moving to Denmark, Sweden and Norway (strange few people actually mention Finland, I must research) I found myself caught up in it all. Is life really better? One of the things I found very interesting is the Danish concept of hygge . https://copenhagenhostellife.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/cup-of-coffee.jpg By definition is it the Scandinavian concept of getting cozy to create feelings of well being and contentment. Web pages and blogs are full of pictures of quiet contentment. http://www.hannahemilylane.com/2016/08/what-is-hygge-12-ways-to-hygge.html Warm coffee, a fire cheerfully burning, candles, a flower or two, warm wraps, pastries -- yes, lots of pastries, being outside with fr