A Royal Anniversary

Can you believe it has already been a year?

Last year, my mom and I got up around 4 A.M. to watch the coverage of the Royal Wedding. I have always had a crush on Prince William (I don't think I'm alone in that--look at that smile!) and have always loved learning about the Royal Family. Didn't he look dashing in red? And that dress...

As you can see, I added some little touches to brighten up the early morning darkness. I put up their engagement photos and the date to frame the T.V. We had to buy the commemorative scented candle to burn in celebration. We are burning it again today, as we love its sweet smell.

We ate breakfast while we watched the actual wedding, and then we had a tea around lunch time as we watched and listened to the day-long discussions of the networks about the dress and the balcony kiss.

That evening, we continued the celebration and had a chocolate biscuit cake, as that was what Prince William's groom's cake was to be. I've been craving it ever since then.

Several people did not understand why others here in the United States cared so much about the occasion, but I couldn't help but be enchanted by it. I guess I'm a romantic at heart (let's just say there's currently a stack of wedding books to look through at our house with no wedding in sight that needs planned!). There must be others like me...the night before, we met another girl my age in the baking aisle looking for ingredients, and we found out she was hosting a party in celebration too! Did you tune in?

Here's to many more happy years, Will and Kate! 

 

February 1953

I'd like to share a little vintage "love" this Valentine's Day.

As you may have read in my "About Me" section, I collect things that most people my age would probably  pass right by...including old hankies!

But how could I pass by these two?

I've had them in my collection for awhile. They are so cheerful to pull out during the gray days of winter!

Hankies are so dainty. I love the polka dot hearts on these two.

I love how there are hankies for every season. I like to set them out all year round. They look so sweet hanging, too.

Here's another item from my vintage Valentine's Day stash:

McCall's, February 1953. Only 25 cents!

For Valentine Girls...they suggest a tea. I think that's still a classic idea!

Here are their suggestions:

I love the size of old magazines. Here's an article on cakes. I love the simplicity of the colored frosting with white frosting words. They suggest phrases such as, "Stay as Sweet as You Are" or "I married an Angel." In my family, we still always celebrate with a cake!

These were made for a magazine, but they have a homemade feel that appeals to me. They do suggest, though, "...on a busy party day, we strongly recommend your using one of the good mixes on the market rather than taking the time to make up a cake recipe from scratch."

A lot of the fun of looking through old magazines is seeing the ads. Apparently, "you can whip up a Swans Down Cake Mix beauty with such old-fashioned home-baked goodness folks want to kiss you!" Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Here's a romantic ad for Cashmere Bouquet Soap.

This would be perfect to use on Valentine's Day in 1953. It is "a fragrant invitation to romance!" It "adorns your skin with the fragrance men love!"

Are you ready for Valentine's Day 2012?

Tea Time and the Antique Hunt

Today my mom and I ventured out on an antique hunt. If you’ve been to my mom’s blog, you probably know that this is one of our favorite ways to spend a day!

First though, we needed some sustenance for the hunt. Our first stop was for tea and lunch at The Ruby Pear. This is our favorite tea room. It’s located in a beautiful Victorian house. The tea comes out steaming in large teapots and is poured into a variety of lovely teacups. What I love the most about having tea here is that you feel like you are having tea in the home of a good friend.

Here’s the tray of delicious sweet treats we devoured!

Their service is wonderful. They encourage you to sit and talk awhile even after you are through with your tea. Isn’t it nice to see a business that’s focusing on the true meaning and relationship building of tea time? I can imagine ladies sitting together years ago sharing tea time together in their own Victorian homes.

So, you are probably wondering what we found on our great hunt! It turns out we only bought a couple of items. We’ve decided we aren’t going to buy things just to spend money (which is so easy to do!). Instead, we make sure an object really speaks to us before buying it.

These two packages of patterns definitely spoke to me. I love to collect paper items like these to use in collages. And who knows, maybe someday I’ll even take a try at making the outfits using the actual patterns!

Aren’t these two ladies so classy? They are posing on the front of an Advance pattern.

I love the look of the polka dots and plaid! I wish women still wore outfits like these. How pretty and feminine. And look at those waists!

I couldn’t resist these either! These two look ready to lead the band right off of the Simplicity pattern cover.

She's ready for a winter skating party!

Aren't they precious? So vivid and cheerful. Vintage graphics are so much richer. I can't wait to display these.