Happy Mother’s Day!

06 Friday May 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Personal Information, Trends

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In honor of mother’s everywhere today I’m going to stroll down memory lane in the world of fragrances.

Image via Martha Stewart

How does that honor mothers you ask? Well, fragrance is such a feminine staple, and because most of us can still remember our mother’s and even grandmother’s scent, I thought it would be fun to recap the fragrances I have known and loved.

My mom was an Estee Lauder “Pleasures” gal. I have worn a couple of the Estee Lauder fragrances [Cinnabar and Beautiful] (at least 1 bottle worth) I find Ms. Lauder’s fragrances a little strong for me. When I pass someone wearing Pleasures I think of my dear sweet mom, who passed away one short year ago on May 22^nd. My grandma was a Shalimar lady and I loved her so much that I get a little gloomy when I smell Shalimar.

In my teens my first fragrance was Prince Matchabelli’s, Wind Song. I can remember thumbing through Seventeen Magazine and falling in love with the ad due to this good- looking guy! I was also an easy mark for the advertising jingle, ♪ I can’t seem to forget her,♪ her Wind Song stays on my mind ♫

I had such a crush on this guy…at least in the ad, never really met him. 🙂

As I got a little older, but not much, I found the fresh citrus scent of Jean Naté body splash to be more to my liking. I was a child of the surfer days and living in Southern California the ease of splashing something fresh on your skin after a day at the beach was very appealing.

When the Beatles arrived and made all things English desirable I, for a brief stint, wore English Lavender by Yardley. Then I tried Diorissimo by Dior, which strongly resembled lilies of the valley.

There is a pattern developing…I’m a fair weather fragrance person. No real allegiance…even though in my mind I always thought it would be so fabulous to have a single fragrance associated with me. You know, people would say, oh, that reminds me of Karen! Ah well, that was not meant to be. I am nothing if not a fan of packaging and marketing—I can be drawn to a perfume by both!

In my early twenties, Mary Tyler Moore days, I used the Revlon fragrance Charlie. I felt so independent and free. That lasted until I met my hubby and fell in love and got married! At that time I started using Halston, a refreshing, wood scent.

I moved to Blue Grass for the first several years of marriage and then when Ralph Lauren unveiled Safari in 1990, the cut glass bottle with the faux tortoise shell top sold me. I had seen Out of Africa (the movie) by then and fancied myself (at least in my fantasy world) as the strong, adventuresome Danish writer, Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep’s character). I wore that fragrance for years, the packaging, image and anything Ralph Laurent had staying power for me.

Until…Jo Malone. I have been wearing Jo Malone for 6 years now and I love 2 of her wide array of fragrances. Amber & Lavender and Lime Basil & Mandarin. I don’t mix the two, which is what she’s known for. She sells wonderful products and again, I love the packaging but more than that I really enjoy the subtle fragrances. I was given a bottle of Amber & Lavender for my birthday this past January by Son #2’s darling girlfriend. It was such a treat. I received the Grapefruit room spray as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago and I still use it weekly. Visit their website HERE if you have a mom that might enjoy receiving this for Mother’s Day.

What fragrance do you wear? Do you stick with one favorite or switch for seasons?

Organizing issues

04 Wednesday May 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

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Organizing

I’m pretty sure I’m not alone on this whole spring—let’s get organized! mood that’s seems to be sweeping the country neighborhood. Maybe there’s something in the air…not sure, but I need to capitalize on it while it lasts.

Image via Martha Stewart

For my type A / OCD personality, there is almost nothing more satisfying than cleaning/organizing a space. I know weird, right?

Maybe not quite as “organized” as Martha

For some reason the kitchen is where I usually start when this industriousness descends upon me. I have a small kitchen and less (stuff) is definitely more where my kitchen is concerned. Just a few careless turns of emptying the dishwasher and throwing things in the cupboard can create chaos and extreme disorganization.

Image via House of Smith Image via Penny Pantry

My pantry is extra small since when we remodeled the kitchen I opted for what I felt was attractive (a piece that resembles a piece of furniture) rather than a large, well designed boxy shape space, complete with pull out shelves and built-in organizing features.

My pantry

Clearly, I have my work cut out for me.

For years Hubby has expressed a desire to put cereal and dry goods, (cookies, crackers, pasta, etc.) in airtight containers over keeping the original box. I can give you the reasons why I never wanted the glass/plastic containers: can’t remember what the expiration date on those crackers is; can’t remember what the calorie count is on the cereal; can’t remember what I put in this jar, is that sugar or salt? I realize there are ways to get around this but if I was going to streamline and work more efficiently I didn’t want labels or tags that could get soiled or bent (very OCD, right). But I’ve started to see the errors of my thinking. I found these containers and am ready to store almost anything in them…

OXO POP storage containers, available HERE

Image via Martha Stewart

As most of you probably know, there are all sizes and types of containers out there, its just that I really never thought I’d want to use them. The OXO containers are air tight with the push of a button, no burping necessary (remember Tupperware and the recommended burping?).

I’m not sure whether I’ll label all 4 (so far) of my OXO canisters—so far we have coffee in one and decaf coffee in the other and I did label the decaf; the other 2 have cereal in them and I can identify the cereal without a problem.

Clearly there are some pantry items I wouldn’t put in containers…I like the labels on the bottles and jars of some of the stash, but I must admit, after fighting it for years, it does feel very tidy having a few of the clear, clean storage canisters.

If you would like to read more on this topic I urge you to visit Beach Bungalow 8, her post the other day was very entertaining and informative!

picture of oxo canisters

Rogers Gardens ~ Spring

02 Monday May 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Outdoor living

≈ 7 Comments

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Rogers Gardens, Spring

I posted about Rogers Gardens late last fall (HERE) and while my photography didn’t really do it justice I thought I’d give it another “college try”.

Besides, the light in spring seems to make everything look so much better.

When the seasons change I find Roger’s Gardens to be a wonderful source of inspiration. The nursery is so much more than plant materials and gardening supplies. There are 2 large gift galleries that offer everything from antiques to small gift items. Prices in the gift gallery are not overly expensive and its a great source for hostess and birthday gifts. Whoever they hire to stage the various vignettes in the gallery does an amazing job and I will often get ideas for decorative accessories and table settings.

Unlike the gift gallery, most of the live plants are relatively expensive so I usually visit for ideas and then search out alternate sources. I feel just a little guilty about doing this, but when you see the lines for the cash register I think you realize my paltry purchase wouldn’t make a bit of difference in their bottom line.

The buyers find some interesting antique reproduction pieces, like the slightly rusty, large clock. Roger’s carries a wonderful array of cement putis, plaques and planters.