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Monday, July 18, 2011

Marie Antoinette's Secret: Black Jade

I've mentioned before that I have a weakness for beautiful perfume bottles. I can't imagine life without fragrance. There is rarely a day I don't wear perfume. The new scent out by Lubin, the French perfumer that was established in 1798, is my newest obsession.



The top is a beautiful aqua colored jade.
 Most of us from our history lessons (or perhaps the 2006 movie starring Kirsten Dunst, which I've yet to see in full ) will recall that Marie Antoinette was the charming and beautiful young woman born into Austrian royalty in 1755. She married married Louis XV in 1770 and became the Queen of France.

Kirsten Dunst as Marie Antoinette

History also records her as being decadent and most extravagant in her needs. One such area was her need for the best perfumes. The royal courts perfumer of the time, Jean-Louis Fargeon, created a scent just for her inspired by the roses from her garden at La Petit Trianon. Marie Antoinette kept the  perfume with her at all times in a black jade flask, including during her imprisonment in the Temple Tower. It is here, she secretly passed it to her closet confident just before her execution in 1793 at age 38.

Portrait of Marie Antoinette by Lebrun 1783. Notice the dress color she chose for this portrait, was it her favorite?
 However, during it's initial formulation a young apprentice of Fergeon named, Pierre Lubin, paid very close attention to the components needed to formulate this scent. Until now, it was a well kept secret know only as jardin secret in the House of Lubin.



The beautiful shape of the bottle reminds me of the corseted queen. I wonder if that was the intention?
It has been reinvented and made it's 21st century debut under the name Jade Noir or Black Jade and was released last week to select retailers and exclusively to Lily. I was fortunate enough to purchase a bottle last week at Lily in Charleston SC. They had their launch party on Bastille Day (July 14th) to unveil this intoxicating fragrance with it's rich history and opulent packaging that would surely have made the lavish queen smile.


Besides rose there are notes of Bergamont, Cardamon, Jasmine, Galbanum,
Cinnamon, Indian Sandlewood, Patchouli and a few others.
Lily is located in the antiques district on King Street in Charleston, South Carolina. The owners, Lin and Kevin relocated from New York over 20 years ago and have all the charm and friendliness this southern city is known for. Lily is always a must stop on visits to the city for me. It's the kind of shop that not only has wonderful merchandise, but just has great atmosphere. I fantasize about moving in....maybe turning it into my own private retreat complete with a large soaking tub and Recamier....something fit for a queen of course! Kevin always has a few minutes to chat and I just loved the story about how this perfume came to be.

I spent the major portion of my day running errands. It was the typical day after vacation: unpacking, stocking the fridge, picking up a over a weeks worth of mail and a dental appointment for my daughter. To save myself from the let down of "back to reality" mode, I sprayed myself with Black Jade just before I headed out the door. I had two ladies and one gentleman ask me what fragrance I was wearing. Even my teenagers mumbled a "you smell good Mom."  Perhaps, I will spritz some on while doing the mountains of laundry waiting for me tomorrow...

Oh, unless you will be in France anytime soon, contact Lily to purchase your own bottle of this beautiful and historic scent. It comes in 2 sizes. Be sure to mention that you are an A&A reader to receive free shipping in the US!!!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Oh, Behave!

I can be a bit nutty with list making. I step it up anytime I travel. I have this list that goes on and on of things I must do before departing for fun.  I make lists for my husband and kids of what I think they need to get done too. The act like it's poison when I try to hand it to them.  It doesn't matter if it's 2 days or 2 weeks, I am possessed and powerless to stop myself from being one car ride away from the nut house. Driven (fast) by my husband with the kids in the back seat...smiling.

It seems it is not enough to have on my list the "normal" things to-do such as: laundry, pay bills, stop mail and pack. Nope, I have a whole other list. These are the items that I must do in order to relax and enjoy myself. And, the really twisted thing is that I am fully aware of how unnecessary it probably is that I accomplish these things, but I do it anyway. Every time. No exceptions, including today. I ran around like a nut checking things off my list including: file every last receipt and paper (just in case...), drop off dry cleaning (that nobody is going to wear), have the car serviced (even though we're flying), clean the house (in case someone breaks in, I couldn't live with myself if someone thought I was messy), clean out the fridge (who knows, we may have completely different taste prefrences when we return), hit the bookstore (in case there aren't any where I'm going), get a manicure and pedicure (a true vacation must), make returns (I can not possibly explain why this can't be done when I get back), and one quick purchase (I swear I needed this). I am in a good mood despite the list because I've been crossing things off all week and I'm on schedule to get it all done. Or so I thought.

We all know at least one person, be it friend, co-worker or  family member who thinks they are not allotted the same 24 hours per day as the rest of us, in which to manage their time. Or even worse, they think that their time is far more valuable than ours. We know the traits of this type: selfish, self-centered, unorganized and unapologetic. I personally think these types are huge part of why our society lacks manners and civility.



Today, during my scheduled appointment at the local salon, a women (aka Madame client) came in with her daughter and stated her daughter needed her (long) hair cut and blown dry and that she needed her eyebrows done. Not sure what that entailed. Maybe she doesn't own tweezers? She wanted my technician (one of the owners) to do both procedures.  When she was informed it would be about 10 minutes, she scoffed left and returned exactly 10 minutes later, demanding to be taken. My technician instructed her brother (the other owner) to cut the daughter's hair and the Madame client literally stood over us and waited while my nails were being finished. Madame client talked on her cell phone, loudly, torturing us all with the details of her day.


Why don't people realize that strangers don't want to know what you ate for lunch, what your boss said or what you're doing the rest of the day. It's quite possible the person your talking to doesn't want to know. Why aren't cell phones banned in salons? Aren't salons and spa's suppose to be relaxing? I digress. Oh, the look on Madame client's face when my nail tech made a little smudge and had do one nail over. I looked at Madame client smiled and shrugged as if to to say "see what happens when you don't have an appointment and make people nervous....you wait longer." I paid and left, still in a good mood.

Next up, retail therapy. Well not exactly. I needed to make a return of three items and buy one item. Sounds simple enough right? Nope, I had someone new. After several attempts to do the return, she suggested it may take awhile because she is not exactly sure what to do, but if I wait while she helped her friend she'd figure it out. WTF!? Sure enough,  the woman with an unruly child hovering (what is it with people thinking it's okay to stand 2 inches away from you anyway? Bugs the crap out of me) behind me is the friend. The clerk bends down and starts rummaging through her purse trying to find a 20% off coupon to give her friend. I am not kidding. Then she sees I am holding one, and says "can I use that for her items and then we can do your transaction?" I am not kidding.  I said "Sure, your friend can have my coupon, just as soon as you're done with my transaction that I have been so patient waiting for you to figure out how to do." Are you ready for what comes next? The clerk says, "but that will take longer and she needs to go now." I want to rip her head off so she would shut up and not say another thing that would ruin my good mood and distract me from my list.


Instead, I say "I suggest you call someone over here to help you do my transaction now or I will have to locate the store manager and report your behavior captured on the camera above. In this moment, I think about all the people who desperately need a job and wonder how someone like this has one? She looks up at the camera and then makes a quick call to an associate for directions and was finally able to check me out. I bolted down the isle because now I am feeling a bit behind. And, just when I think it's over...the friend runs up behind me and says "I need your coupon!"  My response? "Sorry, I am running late now and don't have time to search through my purse." I wonder if any of these women will remember to behave next time they find themselves having difficulty managing their time?



Of course, what I really want to know is what weird things you do, dear readers, before you go on vacation? C'mon make me laugh so I can improve my mood...otherwise I may pack something ugly!

All of these lovely ladies were found on Google.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Tuesday Tip

It's hot outside. Really hot. Humid too. I should be getting ready for vacation. I have a list about a mile long of things I need to do. I was out for several hours and was able to cross off several things from my ever growing to-do list. Came home briefly with the intention of heading back out to knock off a few more things from the list, but the mail distracted me. Amazon book order delivered and I received a postcard from one of my favorite catalogues, Cambria Cove. It seems they're saying farewell after 3 years. Bummer. Just about everything on their site is 75% off! So exciting!

Today's tip: beat the heat and shop from home from a favorite catalogue, online site or Etsy!

Here's what caught my eye on the  Camrbia Cove web site:

Why didn't I think of this? Perhaps because for your average outdoor get together it would be a little pricey at over $300. I only have one of these faceted crystal globes that you may recall from this post.  Guess I need to bring it outside!



Antique green glass bottle from France. Better hurry if you want one of these!

For hot chocolate and iced coffees. YUM!


I just love that these charms look like coins.

At  only $15 I'll take one please!



Great gift. Who wouldn't want a decent way to jot down a little note.


Something for the men.


Of course I love this! Soap in robins egg blue and an apothecary jar I can use for just about anything.


Friday, July 1, 2011

Celebrate Stars & Stripes!

It's hard to think of summer without red, white and blue. Flag Day, the 4th of July and my birthday are in quick succession of each other, so it's only natural these colors make me smile. Hope they make you smile too!


I think this chest is fantastic! The gold details and circle of stars give it sophistication.



Talk about adding a little vibrancy to your dining experience!

Just in case red is not your thing.

Warning: this much sugar could cause sparks.

Someone very patriotic must live here!

Very clever, but you know I want to cut that fringe short!

Blue striped lantern, perfect all summer.

Wish I was here....

Now this is my kind of dessert. I will be making this exact red velvet berry cake....wish me luck!
 Wishing you a great 4th of July weekend!!!

Images courtesy of Coastal Living, Country Living, House to Home, Martha Stewart

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Zesty Design Offerings!

I thought I'd do a little follow-up to last weeks Tuesday Tip for you trend lovers who want to squeeze more zest out of summer....enjoy!
Caribbean getaway.


Are you brave enough to wear one of these?

A great color combo for a nursery!


I'd wear these with navy or gray.

Zinnias add zest to any garden...why didn't I plant some seeds for cut flowers this year!?

A bold choice for an island, but it sure looks great in this kitchen.

I could see this on the counters above!

Yellow hibiscus, something to make you feel like you're enjoying an island vacation.

This combo makes a fabulous guest bedroom, especially combined with the black furniture.

Wishbone chairs, very cool.

This has a little bit of everything, and yet feels so calm and relaxing
 thanks to all that white, a nice departure from typical beach house colors.

Ahh...still my favorite way to enjoy citrus!
 Images courtesy of Coastal Living, Country home, Etsy and Google.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Tuesday Tip

Listen to the voice. The nagging one inside your head that says "I'm going to take care of that...tomorrow." We all have a list of small aggravating things we keep meaning to get done around the house.

I plan to cross several items off my list this summer so I can shut the voice up...and sleep better!

My first item that came off the list today:

I finally got around to cutting the fringe short on two rugs. I don't like it long.
I find it distracting and it's a trap for dust and pet hair. Not to mention it gets tangled in the vacuum.
So when I acquire a rug that has it, I cut it short.  One five strand knot at a time.

Before

Almost there.  I don't worry about getting it perfectly straight, afterall it wasn't before!

Tools needed: one firm piece of cardboard or poster board,  a brush to get the knots out and scissors.
Tiny tip: I've found that titanium scissors make the cleanest and easiest cuts.

One more. Upstairs hall runner.

Done!

While I was blocking the hallway....got the kids to clean out their backpacks, desks and closets.
Yield: two bags of trash. A bonus item crossed off the list!!!


Friday, June 24, 2011

Weekend Pleasure: Holmes

Sometime last year, I discovered a great way to spend an early weekend morning. Not alone with my coffee and the dog, while everyone else slept in, but with this guy:

Overalls and a took belt, his usual attire.

For those of you who don't know who Holmes is, in my opinion, he's the best thing on HGTV. Mike Holmes is a contractor extraordinaire!!! He knows more than any contractor I've ever met working or seen on television. And, for the times he doesn't know something, he knows people that know. Yeah, talk about the ultimate fantasy guy to know. Currently he has two shows:  Holmes On Homes and Holmes Inspection. Both are entertaining and informative. Oh, and he has a magazine too. Something for the beach or pool bag?

Mike, that aqua shirt is so cool!

I found Holmes by accident when I was channel surfing looking for my other favorite contractor's: Norm, Tom and Richard aka the This Old House guys. It seems they had another schedule change and that's when I found Mike. Within 15 minutes, I was having a total love fest. Although, after making introductions to my husband, it's now a threesome. He says things like "let's fix this and make it right" and "let's rip this all out and start over". Makes me want to move to Canada. He points out all the things that bad contractors do without coming off arrogant.  And, despite his tough guy looks, he is seriously compassionate and very charming. I'd even say charismatic!
Cleans up pretty good, eh?

Both his son and daughter work for him, along with a great guy named Damon and many other very skilled craftsman. Each week there is a different disaster, courtesy of an incompetent and often
unlicensed/dishonest contractor. The distressed homeowners at their wits end enlist Holmes to find the problems and correct the mess. He always goes beyond what any "normal" contractor would ever do.  The ladies always hug him at the end and often the men do to....he's that good. Check your local listings for times!


You'll want to have a leisurely breakfast with this weekend pleasure. May I suggest pancakes. Extra syrup.