Pacifica ~ Tibetan Mountain Temple

Had to pass on this great value to all of you!  Most of you have probably already heard of Pacifica, a wonderful line of scented products.  Tibetan Mountain Temple is one of my favorites, and it's on sale.  You get the spray perfume, solid perfume, and pillar candle for just $31.80. Here's the website's description:

This grounded, alluring fragrance was one of my first and most ethereal blends. Vetiver, with a smokey, resinous scent, is reminiscent of the fragrant smoke of incense burnt throughout the temples and sacred spaces in Asia. Patchouli is subtle, but deep. Ginger and orange zest lighten the burning intensity of the blend. This is an homage to the Tibetan people and their struggle and a thank you to the Dalai Lama for all that he has done for our world.

Rethink Pink

I used to dismiss pink as a color that just wasn't "me".  For those of you who have been following my blog for a while, you know that I accidentally stumbled upon the most perfect pink paint (Boudoir by Benjamin Moore), painted my bedroom in it, and thus began a new love affair with the color.  While hot pinks have their place - especially in bohemian decor - I'm more drawn to soft, muted pinks.  They're so warm and peaceful.

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Southern Corn Bread Recipe

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The Fabulous Boyfriend loves cornbread.  A restaurant up the street from us makes a delicious version served with maple butter.  My previous attempts at making (or, sin of all sins, buying) it for him were a miserable failure, but since my mom bought me a cast iron skillet for Christmas, I'm going to try it again and see if I can redeem myself.  The cast iron skillet is, apparently, a must for cooking this bread (what do I know?  I'm just a Yankee).  I'll let you know how it turns out!

Recipe courtesy of One Perfect Bite: 

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cups white cornmeal, preferably stone ground
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups buttermilk
4 large eggs, beaten

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Put butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet and melt the butter in oven.
2) Meanwhile, mix cornmeal with cream of tartar, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Add buttermilk and eggs and stir to blend.
3) Remove skillet from oven and swirl to coat with butter. Pour melted butter into batter and stir just until incorporated. Scrape batter into hot skillet and bake for about 35 minutes, or until crusty around edges and springy to touch. Invert corn bread onto a rack and let cool completely. Yield: 1 10-inch cake.

LaLa! Shoes for women and babies

Just fell in love with these handmade house shoes from the talented Daria at LaLa! Shoes on Etsy.  Made from fine materials like linen and wool felt, she custom makes each pair according to your measurements for a perfect fit.  And the baby shoes!  I know what I'm buying for my grandchildren (when they come...).   :)

Parisian Gypsy

I was looking through some of my photos from my last trip to Paris, and I came across this one of an interesting woman that I took near Montmartre.  We chatted briefly, and she called herself the "bohémien se promenant", or the wandering gypsy.  I miss Paris!

Downton Abbey ~ Lady Mary

It had to happen eventually:  a Downton Abbey post.  I've been avoiding writing about this television series because, well, everyone else has been, and I can't add anything new.  But honestly, I'm in mourning!   The Fabulous Boyfriend and I both adore this show, and having just finished the season 2 finale, we must now wait impatiently until the next season begins.  So, I'll sprinkle in a post here and there about my favorite bits of the show.

Aside from the fantastic screenplay and wonderful acting, I've been swooning over the clothes.  This is my favorite era for fashion, and the costume designer just nailed it.  I'm most drawn to the outfits worn by Lady Mary; they've given her a darker aesthetic with rich colors and liberal amounts of black.  I could happily dress like this every day.

How about you?  Have you seen the series yet?  If not, you're in for a real treat.  If you have, what are some of your favorite things about the show?

oh, the hats!

this burgundy outfit was one of my favorites

Anista Designs

I adore beautiful paper and stationery, so I was delighted to come across Anista Designs on Etsy.   If you're looking for vintage-inspired wedding invitations, gift tags, notecards, or party favors, you should check them out!

floral wedges

While shopping today, my mind was on SPRING.  I couldn't pass up these adorable shoes from Rampage.  Wedges work for me - they're the only way my battered dancer's feet can wear heels. These were not so high that my over-40 self would look ridiculous, and sleek enough to wear to the office.  I like the modern/vintage vibe.

Are you a "wedge" girl?

 Wrap your feet in flowers....

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