You cannot imagine how I have counted the Winds-days as we approach my wedding day!  (Well, maybe you can!)  Anyway, first I want to say thank you for all of your very kind comments about my upcoming wedding!  I am so excited.  This whole last year has been a series of discoveries and . . . → Read More: The Wedding Trousseau — A Playsuit for The Beach]]> Dear Readers, Happy Winds-day!

You cannot imagine how I have counted the Winds-days as we approach my wedding day!  (Well, maybe you can!)  Anyway, first I want to say thank you for all of your very kind comments about my upcoming wedding!  I am so excited.  This whole last year has been a series of discoveries and closure, laughter and tears.  I cannot even believe it sometimes.

But today is a work day (is it ever not?) and I must hurry to the work desk.  Before I do that, though, I had promised to share a little of the trousseau with you.  Now, I won’t model every last thing, but this little red polka-dot shorts playsuit is just too cute not to model for you!  For several reasons, one of the main ones being that it covers my legs!  Yikes, when you have had four children and get to be deeply rooted in middle age, it’s good to have cute outfits that are not all-revealing!  For beach shopping and outings, I think this vintage playsuit by Compagnie Internationale EXPRESS is perfect!

At only 4 dollars, this was a steal for my vacation~honeymoon wardrobe.  It is rayon, so dry clean only, but I think it’s worth it.  And it is very loose and airy, so I do not think it’ll be too hot.   I was not all-excited about shoulder pads, but they are small enough that they don’t make me look like a quarterback.  I considered taking them out, but I feared it would cause the garment to hang off my shoulders.

In this picture you can really tell that it’s a shorts playsuit and not just a dress.

It zips up and ties in the back.

The shoes!  I love, love, love them!  Finding good thrift store shoes is not always a given.  Many times they are worn beyond any use, or they have something that make them fit badly and thus have been donated to the thrift store.  These, though, are perfect.  Looking nearly completely new, without stains or flaws — even in the fit, they were sitting pretty-as-you-please in a local little thrift store run by an outreach charity.  Shoes by Eric Michael.

They are great with the playsuit.  And I am sure they will go with lots of other things as well!

We just never know when the bluebird of happiness will pay us a visit!  Here she is in the form of this primitive toy I made awhile back.

She rocks around on a drawer knob.

Annie is unaffected by the fashion shoots at this point.  She used to get up and model with me, but those days, I’m afraid, are long gone!  But that’s okay.  Who needs a beagle when one has the bluebird of happiness? I hope the bluebird of happiness visits us all!

Enjoy this day, and thanks again for sharing in our JOY!

I think many of you knew, or had a sense, that this was in the works: a wedding. My my!  Love is hard to hide!  But love is powerful and conquers many things and helps to heal wounds.  It brings about laughter, it is tender, it is longsuffering, it is friendship.

First of all, I . . . → Read More: Announcing…A Wedding]]> My Dear Friends,

I think many of you knew, or had a sense, that this was in the works: a wedding. My my!  Love is hard to hide!  But love is powerful and conquers many things and helps to heal wounds.  It brings about laughter, it is tender, it is longsuffering, it is friendship.

First of all, I said from the start and will have to reiterate that I will never use this blog to say anything bad about the carpenter.  He is the father of all my four sweet children.  As far as why I ended up here at Rose Cottage some 14 months ago, you will have to take my word that some things — hard as they are — have to be, and sometimes for the most painful and unexpected reasons, and due to things that one individual alone cannot change or control.  Secondly, my thoughts on marriage and vows — oh, how sacred they are! — have never changed.  Never wavered.  Not even a tiny bit.  When I left the old farm house, I mourned with tears for many a day, reading over and over the last pages of that book that had been my life for nearly a quarter of a century.  Closing a book like that for good is not easy.

But closed it is.  I know that as the mother of four children, I will sometimes have to pull out certain chapters of that old well-read book, to share in joy (and hopefully not too much sorrow) with their dad about the babies we had together.   There will be events in the lives of my children.  It will never be as simple as it might have been.

On the other hand, about six months after moving to little Rose Cottage, I reconnected in a most amusing way (he offered to buy the bamboo print) with my college sweetheart.  So, yes, new man, but not a stranger . Not really.  His mother went to school with my mother and aunt.  We grew up in the same neck of the woods.  We have many similar experiences.  Did I mention he was my college sweetheart and back in the day, the love of my life?

We began to get to know each other again.  At the end of March 2012, he gifted me with the most beautiful ring, a claddagh ring, and asked me to be his wife.   I said yes.  And so here I go, with my vintage suitcase, youngest children and Annie Fatso Beagle of the Universe in tow, to my home.  The place  I have been visiting and getting to know, with the children too, of course, as they try and understand and accept their new lives.  We will all be patient with other and the new changes taking place.

I am not sure if my legs need sun or if my arms need sunscreen, but something!  Will try to remedy that, and soon! 

linen dress, thrifted, Jillian Jones.  shoes, thrifted, Amanda Smith.  vintage pin, thrifted.

Have you any idea how much fun it is to put together a thrift store trousseau?  Well, not entirely thrift store, as everything cannot come from there!  But retro clam diggers for walks on the beach?  And white cotton blouses?  And sun dresses?  And hats?  And bags?  And…and…and…!

To come, I will show you what I have found!  You will love it all, I think!  And soon you will see wedding pictures.  Thanks for bearing with me as I teased you to pieces!  I didn’t mean to!

The baby, little Isabella, is my inherited (with great joy, I might add) granddaughter.  Her mother, my new step daughter.  And my new last name will be McLendon.  How lovely, that the sound of Lynn already resides in the name McLendon.

And, by the way, I don’t mean to look so serious in the pictures above!  I am most happy.  The happiest woman in the world.

Enjoy This Day!

I recently found this really cute, multicolored blouse — “Lauren” by Ralph Lauren.  And you have seen . . . → Read More: Pink Stripes!]]> Yes, so in the mood for pink lately, and I hope I do not “clash” as much today as my Princess of the Universe told me I clashed yesterday.  Nothing like honesty to bring one back down to earth. Anyway…

I recently found this really cute, multicolored blouse — “Lauren” by Ralph Lauren.  And you have seen the thrifted skirt before by Breeches.  I love this skirt.  I always feel happy and good when I wear it!

And these white shoes are QUICKLY becoming favorites!

I added more to the skin care post below, and I will keep adding.  Hopefully it will become a charm of a resource for us all!  Keep sharing your skin ideas!  I am running around like crazy today!  Faxing papers, signing things, looking ahead.  The winds of change are blowing.  And they are warm.  But again, I humbly say that I do not take anything for granted, and I am immensely happy for every ounce of joy that comes my way.

I hope today is lovely for each of you!  More to come, but for now I must get some business done before all the businesses close!

Enjoy This Day!

I so wanted to do a little video for the skin care post, and may do one yet.  I just might.  In fact, I think a nighttime skin care post may be . . . → Read More: The Skin Care Post]]> Happy Winds-day, dear readers.  I say it every week!  How can we be at the middle of yet another week??  The weeks are flying by!

I so wanted to do a little video for the skin care post, and may do one yet.  I just might.  In fact, I think a nighttime skin care post may be the one to do a video for, but for now the skin care post will be a regular old post with pictures, to share with you a little about my skin care ideas.  Not that I have perfect skin.  I don’t!  And I was a child during the time period when parents thought a good dose of the sun — right on up to deep tan — was good for you.  I have had my share of burns.  Yikes!

First we will get hair put up and out of the way, into one of my “new” favorite styles!  It is one that is very retro inspired, with lots of bobby pins and a few pin-curl-style curls on top.  First we brush the hair out and section it so that there is a section of hair in the front on both sides that will hang loose while we put the back up.

A lot of my hair “brushing” is actually done with my fingers as a comb.  Then I use a wide-tooth comb so that I don’t pull and break hair.  Whatever works best to avoid breakage and pulling!

1 — you can see front sections to put up later, with a deep side part

2 — put the back section up in loose bun (I have a certain way I twist hair up and you can check the sidebar for a video hair tutorial to see that if you like)

3 — bobby pin side sections of hair to sides of head behind ears and then pull the rest up, pinning into pin curls and bobby pin into place

4 — use a hair stick to put under all hair in back section to pull up evenly and give the height you want

The finished updo:

And now, for what we started out to do.

SKIN CARE REGIMEN

First of all:  Clean skin.  I wash my face every night before I go to bed.  I do not always use the same thing every night, but I also don’t jump from one cleanser to another to another.  I alternate mostly between two things.  The Oil of Olay Pro-X battery-powered skin care circular brush and Dove soap — the pink bar — that I have seen used by generations.  My sister uses it, my mother uses it, and my grandmother used it.

On the nights that I do not use Dove soap and the Olay Pro X brush I use a cold cream.  And besides just for cleansing, cold creams are wonderful relaxers.  Just massage into skin and neck after a long, hard day, stretch out and close your eyes.  Afterwards, gently clean skin with warm water and moisturize.  Sounds so 1950s, doesn’t it!

My grandmother used Pond’s until she was 90, and she had gorgeous skin!  Radiant.  In fact, a nurse said once of my grandmother’s skin, after caring for her in the hospital as a patient in her 80s, that her skin was the most beautiful and soft skin she had ever seen.  Genetics are partly to thank for that, and I do not have my grandmother’s olive skin, but I am happy to use cold cream.

I keep Pond’s on hand, though I do wonder about their current formulation and the chemicals therein.  It is actually on my to-do list to call the company and ask about this.  On the other hand, I have heard good things about Walgreen’s Cold Cream and CVS cold cream, and my favorite skin care company of all time makes a cold cream.  We will get to them!

Let me share with you an ad from one of my vintage Good Housekeeping magazines.

Or two.

And now, WELEDA.

As far as MOISTURIZING, there is one product that I am totally absolutely head-over-heels in love with, and that is anything Weleda.  Weleda is made in Germany, and from what I can tell is pronounced Va-leeda.  It may seem expensive, but it is so rich and full of plant extracts, it lasts a long time and it is worth ever penny.   I can feel and see a difference when I use Weleda.

I use their Wild Rose Soothing Eye Cream.

Their Iris Hydrating Day Cream.

Their Iris Hydrating Night Cream.

And you already know that I use their Rosemary Hair Oil.

The one thing I can say about all of this is OIL, OIL, OIL.  I think we need good fats in our diets and on our skin.  The other thing is PLANTS, PLANTS, PLANTS.  Inside and outside.

I feel that I often fail miserably, but the more fruits and vegetables you can eat and get into and onto your skin — especially fresh, organic — the better.  Smoothie above has coconut milk, banana, yogurt and blueberries.

As far as makeup goes, I think you all know that I am NOT a makeup person, though I do sometimes use a light layer of foundation to protect my skin and even it out.  But I never want to appear “made up.”  My choice for a long, long time has been Maybelline Age Rewind.

It has a light SPF to protect from the sun.

Another makeup tip?

Again, not wanting to appear “made up” or even always be “made up,” but if I do decide to use a bit of blush, I choose a natural looking cream blush.  Powder just works its way into fine lines at my age.

In closing, I will list my skin care tips.  I am sure this post will get added to over and over again as I think of things, and as you, the best readers ever, share ideas for skin care.

SKIN CARE TIPS:

• Protect skin from the sun.  I cannot stress this enough.
• Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Stay hydrated and drink herbal teas.
• A steeped and cooled teabag from a green tea brew is very refreshing to rub gently over face and neck. (Then moisturize.)
• Get vitamin D — seems paradoxical as vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin.  So use common sense.  You need to protect your skin.  You need your vitamin D.
• Get vitamin C to make sure your skin produces collagen.  Collagen is what we lose as we get older.  That and elastin.
• For that matter, make sure to take in foods to get all the vitamins skin needs, including A and the B’s.
• Eat lots of omega fatty acid and GLA rich foods like fish, avocado, coconut, greens, and vegatables (I am not a doctor, so this is not health advice)
• Get 8 hours of sleep each night.
• Exercise regularly!  Exercise does absolute wonders for the skin.  Really.
• Moisturize.  Always.
• Stay away from the “whites” — white sugar, white flour.  For juice I invest in real, unsweetened juices (see bilberry juice pictured below) and mix with pure water.

I will close with that!  I just know that we will keep adding to this post, including a video some time in the not-too-distant future.

May 11, 2012:

Adding some information today!  I just this morning bought the most dreamy-feeling body lotion ever!  I am not sure I would have tried it, but Weaver Street had it on sale and they also had a tester!  (Retailers, expect more sales if you put out testers.)  It is Alaffia Virgin Coconut Hydrating Body Lotion.  Ingredients are:  Lemongrass, Virgin Coconut, Handcrafted Shea Butter, Vegetable Glycerin, Vegetable Emulsifying Wax, Palm Stearic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Fragrance, Lemongrass Essential Oil, Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C).  It smells so good!!

Feel free to share opinions here about Alaffia.  Also, I will let you know what I think of this lotion and the results I get!

New bottle of Alaffia and a bottle of bilberry juice.

And how about a few vintage skin care ads!  From 1894 issue of The Cosomopolitan!

THE BEST FOODS FOR SKIN:

GREENS:  “Greens such as spinach, cabbage, kale and watercress are simply magnificent for your skin. Packed with antioxidants and vitamins A, C, E and iron, they keep your body healthy and your skin radiant. Leafy greens also contain B vitamins, which are known to boost energy levels and give you an extra healthy glow.” Ref: Women Sport Report

ALMONDS:  “If you want a healthy, glowing complexion, these nuts are good additions to your diet. Consider eating walnuts and almonds as part of your overall skin care regimen.” Ref: Live Strong

TOMATOES: “There is a magical component in tomatoes that research is beginning to show could protect our skin from UV damage from sunburn.” (wow) Ref: BBC Science and Nature: The Truth About Food

Enjoy this day!

And this is not just any ol’ chartreuse bird.  Why, no!  This bird has flown in especially for me, because I was looking for some sweet touch of green . . . → Read More: A Bit of Chartreuse. And Pink!]]> Hello readers!  Happy Monday!  What a busy day today has been.  Late in the day?  Yes!   But too tired to share a little chartreuse bird?  I think not!

And this is not just any ol’ chartreuse bird.  Why, no!  This bird has flown in especially for me, because I was looking for some sweet touch of green whimsy for a special ceremony that I plan to be involved in.  And I just know this little bird will want to tell you more and more about it as the details unfold!

As far as fashion today, I read a little tip recently about vintage 1950s style and making sure your shoes and belt match.  Now, I cannot say I always do that, but I for sure did it today!

And I also hit the mark when it comes to a skirt with twirl factor.

Don’t get dizzy!

Don’t you love the shiny reflection from the belt and shoes, a contrast to the soft pink.

Just a few more times around!  Just so my neighbors will move from thinking I am crazy to knowing I am crazy!

Oh well.  Back to the ceremony.  Actually the colors…

are so very, very pretty together!  And I am thinking they would do the trick!  Wouldn’t you love to see them all together on a happy day? On tables, chairs, dresses, hair…  Everywhere?

You shall!

white dotted swiss blouse, INC international concepts, thrifted
skirt, moda international, thrifted
shoes, precis, thrifted
black belt, Guess, thrifted

In closing, I came across a blog that I think I will follow and participate in!  It is called Not Dead Yet Style.  (Perhaps for those older of us who are having fun with clothes?!) 

Enjoy This Day!

Scarf for messy hair?  Check. Sunscreen for hot day? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Planner? Check. Coffee? Check. Attitude? Hopefully not.

Takes awhile to finally find one’s footing in life after a huge transition.  I should know.  But the peace that comes from doing something absolutely necessary (the big change) makes the way a little smoother.  . . . → Read More: Finding Your Footing]]> I found mine this morning, for early morning errands.

Scarf for messy hair?  Check.
Sunscreen for hot day? Check.
Sunglasses? Check.
Planner? Check.
Coffee? Check.
Attitude? Hopefully not.

Takes awhile to finally find one’s footing in life after a huge transition.  I should know.  But the peace that comes from doing something absolutely necessary (the big change) makes the way a little smoother.  That’s all I have to say for today, except that speaking of finding one’s footing…

Just because some things one cannot get enough of.  A baby discovering her toes is one of those things.

Enjoy this day!

I would love to say I had a baby, but not true.  I did, however, pick up a baby — the sweetest baby ever — to spend the night with us.  She is part of a sweet . . . → Read More: Vintage Neiman Marcus]]> Happy Friday morn, dear readers.  I know I told you I was doing something very special and sweet yesterday.  Well…

I would love to say I had a baby, but not true.  I did, however, pick up a baby — the sweetest baby ever — to spend the night with us.  She is part of a sweet new story that is unfolding, and I promise I am not just teasing, nor do I mean to draw people in and get them on the edge of their seats.  It’s just that there is an order to things and this blog is an extension of my real life, and I promise to tell the story when the time is right.

Little Isabella woke up to an enormous amount of hugs and kisses from everyone!  Even the stuffed animals!

And I can tell you, a mother’s arms never tire of holding a baby!  So long since I have bathed, rocked, fed and put into her crib a little one like this!  And she is perfect!  Perfectly beautiful!  Perfectly sweet!

We discovered the mirror early this morning.

At first Michaela held the mirror for us.  Then we propped it up.  Isabella sat and looked at herself for the longest time.  She said a lot of sounds to herself and she smiled at all the sounds she was making up.  We think she is very smart!

Mirror, mirror on the wall…

Now, in keeping this a FASHION BLOG at the moment (and who knows what else it will be before the journal is full?), we decided to model in green this morning.  Me in a not-too-old dress from Dress Barn, and Isabella in a vintage Neiman Marcus that Michaela wore when she was a baby.

We went out and found one of the few “sweet spots” for photos ’round here.  Then back inside.

I think she is ready to go solo!

Those dark chocolate eyes!  How could anyone resist picking her up for a hug between photos?

Off I skip, singing baby songs, to my work desk.  Isabella naps close by.  I hope your Friday is lovely!

ENJOY THIS DAY!

I think not!  And I sure needed it today! Honestly, I am so tired today, going on about 6 hours sleep last night.  Sadly, unlike some people I know, I do not function well on so little!

What, then, could cheer me up better . . . → Read More: The Silhouette of a Vintage Dress]]> Is there anything that compares to the silhouette, the tailoring, of a vintage dress?

I think not!  And I sure needed it today! Honestly, I am so tired today, going on about 6 hours sleep last night.  Sadly, unlike some people I know, I do not function well on so little!

What, then, could cheer me up better today than a vintage dress? (Today was carpet cleaning day!)

Not a thing!  Except maybe a new heart pendant for the shop, hanging against an antique cabinet rescued from an old Orange County barn.

The dress you have seen before — vintage Sears Roebuck; the shoes are Banana Republic.  Off I go to do something so sweet and special today!  Pictures.  I promise!

ENJOY THIS DAY!