Monday, November 22, 2010

Horsing around in the snow...Hermes and a Houseguest

The snow has fallen...and it is very cold.
My sister, the Equestrian, took some photos of her horses enjoying themselves in the paddock.
I thought that they were so beautiful...





they didn't want to go back into the warm barn...

Sis is off to a warmer climate herself
to her home in Rancho Mirage for a few weeks of sun and fun...
her partner, the Golfer, will be on the course everyday.

some of us stay home
 keeping the home fires burning...
Mr. HB chopped a lot of kindling 
and hauled some wood up to the front porch


It's supposed to get much colder...

I finished Michael Tonello's book
Bringing Home the Birkin
I
loved it!
If you get a chance and are so inclined
read it...
it's well written and engaged me right from the first page...
an insiders look at all things Hermes
and those who lust after their luxe products.

I must run as I am in hostess mode
and have a houseguest arriving
anytime!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Radio Days...

I have been without a radio for many years.
My first radio was a rocket radio gizmo that was more of a toy...
can you believe this?
A few years later I received a Crosley radio that my clever father managed to paint pink to match my bedroom!
When I turned 13 I had a battery powered transistor by Motorola which I took out to local parks and beaches... I thought I was pretty cool...

I remember listening to the sounds of the late 60's... the San Francisco scene, The Beatles and The Stones....while chewing Double Bubble and sipping Coca Cola.

An early favourite band of mine was Buffalo Springfield...oodles of talent, amazing harmony, singing songs with political messages...

I still listen to CSNY...the concert here in town a few years back still makes me smile!

Springsteen's music speaks to me on many levels and Mr. HB and I attend his concerts whenever he comes to the Pacific Northwest...it's been a few years...where are you Bruce?



 Dad...
I bought a Crosley...
wish you could see it
retro looking like the one you gave me 
way back in the day!




and the best part
it has a superior sound
they call it "Sound Around"



I've had to bring in my Aeonium arborium Valour 
zone Z10
the weather is positively beastly
chilly windy and wild
with
snow flurries

Who are your favourite musicians and bands?

Friday, November 19, 2010

Hermes scarf glorious details


Hermes scarves are rich in colour and details... 
hand rolled edges and silk twill 
 the patterns created are intricately balanced
and the Hermes signature is cleverly placed
there are many ways to wear a scarf
and the books that they give to you when you purchase one are full of great ideas





copyright Hermes on the stirrups






Hermes Paris


the classic H


Henri de Linares
artist
and
designer
silk
scarf
circa 1968

I like this with a white top and jeans
it adds a bit of flash
an equestrian air

 my sister lives the life of an equestrian
has loved horses since she was about 10
she
teaches riding
and has many ribbons 
for her
 hunter jumper experise
tacked up in her tack room 
in the barn

she has more than earned the right to wear this scarf

I am totally immersed in Michael Tonello's
Bringing Home The Birkin.....
I want to stay up all night reading !


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Yoga Practice and Pepper...

Pepper is teaching me things everyday...
she plays hard,
stays hydrated,
eats small meals
and sleeps often...

cat naps (which are amazingly restorative) can happen at anytime, anywhere
when she awakens she usually moves slowly and takes a few minutes to groom herself
before leaping into action

she loves to stretch...and rolls side to side

In my Yoga practice the cat pose loosens up tension from my neck and back
I imagine that I am a cat when arching and moving through these undulating feline inspired positions.


What seems natural to Pepper, I have had to learn...
I have come to Yoga as an answer to aches, pains and taut tense muscles...
the controlled breathing does wonders to rid unwanted stress and negativity.


I simply adore the last part of the class when we lie on our mats and feel all the energy that we have gained through these gentle movements...savasana.
I like to think of it as Nirvana.

Pepper seems to like it too!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

a touch of retail therapy...

I have been out and about shopping and have found a few gifts for people on my Christmas list.
I do not generally overspend at this time of year...in fact, I try not to overspend at any time.

In the spirit of frugality I purchased a very inexpensive cashmere sweater from the GAP.

I spent just over $300 on a similar cardigan only to have it pill so badly that I needed to use the sweater shaver gadgety-thing-ma-bobber ( I only use the technical terminology) and it wore thin in spots and looked decidedly shabby.
Shabby is great for furniture but not so much in garments.
How disappointing,
and the store (grrr!) I purchased it from didn't want to take it back even though I had my original receipt and I considered myself regular clientele...(not so much any longer)
The clerk mentioned that all cashmere pills...not so...my Scottish made Johnson sweater, a gift form Mr. HB, has been a superior sweater and continues to be so after 5 or 6 years and is as new.





a touch of black

Gap cardigan
V neck 
Cozy

 I love this over a white shirt or a white Tee with pearls


a touch of pink...


a touch of white

 "branches" 
that can be shaped
around a wreath or in a vase


I like all white lights
twinkling and sparkling
like bubbles
in a glass of champagne.


amazon delivered
a touch of pink
a touch of blue


can't wait!



a touch of yellow

In a previous post I posed the question asking about your favourite books
and thank you all for your suggestions.
I have 3 waiting for me...
now



a dash of Pepper
 in one of her quieter moments!