Hidden Magnolias

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 wit...

http://blog.olivetree.com/2014/04/20/he-is-risen/

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 South...

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…   ...

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...

LulaRoe. A new (well, to me, anyway) brand of clothing.  I first heard of the company while doing my Made in the USA investigation. (And my neighbor had mentioned them several times.) A quick google image search brought up wildly patterned leggings with big over shirts or brightly colored dresses worn by pregnant women and mommies.  Pinterest Mommy clothes.  (No offense mommies -- you deserve great looking stay at home outfits!) Cute. But not for me. But I decided to take a look when I was invited to a Pop-Up Boutique held by our local LulaRoe girls in Powder Springs - Sherrie and Christa .  Not only was the party fun (there was wine), I got to try on clothes and decide what I liked. The laid back, relaxed atmosphere was very encouraging -- no high pressure like some Tupperware or Mary Kay parties that I have been to in the past.  I bought.  Here is my first LulaRoe outfit. A Perfect Tee paired with an Azure skirt. Mak...

I was cruising an estate sale this week and when I went upstairs to the playroom, I hear a tiny voice, “ Hey there .” I looked over and there on a shelf, just covered in dust, was the cutest little face. I am not a doll collector, although as a child I loved dolls. I played with them, tended to their little needs, and adored them. You can read about that here . But somehow, when I walked over this one, I just knew she had to come home with me. So, I grabbed her and ran downstairs to the checkout area. Here she is in my lap in the car on the way home. Once I go home, I inspected her more carefully. She is signed on the back of her neck with a number. Since I don’t know much about porcelain dolls, I thought I would google the maker:  Pauline Bjonness-Jacobsen.    (For those of you who know me well, know that when faced with something I am unfamiliar with, I will research it to death.) At first, I didn’t find much except ...