Doing double duty.....beautifully! We moved back to Northern Virginia from Williamsburg in the summer of 2005 and if you have ever visited the area, you may have noticed the omission of
the mall. Yes, clearly one would seem out of place among all the many wonderful historic buildings. If you just had to go (and sometimes I did) to a mall it was either to Norfolk, or my favorite in Richmond. But most often, I happily shopped the local boutique's. One particular shop in town that was a favorite for home decor also carried a few fashion accessories.
It was love at first sight when it came to these straw bags covered in sequins!!! They quickly became known as the
mermaid purses as labeled by my daughter. They were perfect for lunch with the gals and dinner with the husband. They hold a cellphone, small wallet, lipstick and pack of tissues perfectly. They have been borrowed by friends for weddings, the opera and class reunions. Almost all the sequins have come off the handles, but I don't mind, they are still beautiful and quite sturdy despite their delicate appearance!
What I do mind is not enjoying them regularly. So when they are not accompanying me or one of my friends, they do this:
I have many vessels that I love to hold flowers, something you have likely gathered by now is a favorite topic. But, in keeping with LBE why not use something beautiful that you love.....to hold something else beautiful that you love? I simply place a tall plastic drinking cup filled with water inside the bag, add a few of my hydrangea stems and v
oila...I have two shimmering summer arrangements! So take a look around and grab something beautiful that can do double duty!!!
All photos via A&A
Posts
Your hydrangeas look extra good in your sequined bags. I do the same thing with vessels that aren't water tight--put a glass inside.
ReplyDeleteThese are so gorgeous, plus I am wanting to get some fresh hydrangeas!
ReplyDeleteKarena
Art by Karena
Okay that is just perfection! Sparkly bag and flowers...can't go wrong!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I have a purple one that my husband gave me years ago and I've never used it. This is the best to use it as a vase, you are brilliant!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful!...oh the creativity that springs from a fresh look at the simple things...just love the way you see things.
ReplyDelete~jermaine~
GORGEOUS! I love love love those!
ReplyDeleteYour flowers have me a bit jealous as well!
That is just the best thing I have seen all week! Seriously R. just brilliant! Thinking of taking the kids to Williamsburg this summer..went as a child myself and just loved it. And, we live at LEAST a half an hour from the closest mall, and I have to say, don't miss it at all! :)
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I've never thought to use sequins in decor - though I do love them in fashion. This is the perfect marriage of the two!!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen that done before ---- a perfect summer catchall/vase! Brilliant!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous idea and they look like beautiful vases!
ReplyDeleteSequins and straw together? Be still my southern heart...and you know what, I think I love it even more as a planter!
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to use vessels that aren't necessarily for flowers!
ReplyDeleteHey..I didn't know you moved to northern VA in 2005...so did I, then left in 2007. Gosh, too bad we hadn't 'met' then....we could have had some fun!
Those baskets are gorgeous! I love them with the hydrangeas! Wish I had seen this before I did my party post for Catherine at The Shiny Pebble. I used lots of hydrangeas and would have loved to show this. You might want to check out my party post. I just put it up a few minutes ago.
ReplyDeleteI adore hydrangeas - they are smiling at me as I type - and I have just fallen in love with those exquisite straw bags. Hope all is well. X
ReplyDeleteNow this is a fun post! You are speaking my love language~ purses! And it is brilliant to employ them into use as a vase. I would have grabbed these up too if I saw them! They are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteSo glad I stopped by for a visit!
Yvonne
Hi Rebbecca,
ReplyDeleteI too live a long way from the Mall and dont' miss it a bit. If I have to go (sometimes we all have to go), which is usually once or twice a year, I will drive the 30 plus minutes to get to the Galleria. I particularly loved the gold purse with the fucchia hydrangeas. They look lovely. If you'd like to join the party, I will leave the post on thru Friday. I am sure you can come up with some fabulous party ideas. Thanks for visiting.
What a wonderful idea! It looks so great!
ReplyDeleteReading your Tuesday tip on a Wednesday....
ReplyDeleteIt's been that kind of a week!
Loving this idea of double duty.
I don't like keeping pretty things
tucked away in closets, but I also don't
like a lot of clutter, so this is the
perfect solution! Wonderful tip, as
always! xx Suzanne
Williamsburg is one of my favorite places.
Almost went to the College of W&M.
It might be thursday but I love your tuesday tip. Sparkles and flowers oooh!! So pretty, thanks for sharing,Kathysue
ReplyDeleteThis is an everyday awesome tip! I may just challenge myself to stick with the brick and mortars in my area. We'll see what happens :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful. I did think, when I saw the first pic, that they were a bit too special only to come out for gala evenings - but even so, you've repurposed them very cleverly.
ReplyDelete