Love Notes

Mar 24, 2024 • #boca grande

Rest Period 3/11/24

Today's note is a quick postcard from Boca Grande - my trunk show is today, tomorrow and Wednesday at the Gaspariilla Inn, from 9:00 to 5:00.

Last week, we chatted about listening to the voice of the waves, (here). Well, I've had a pretty successful week in Florida doing just that. Within all their crashing into the beautiful Gulf Coast shoreline, I'm pretty sure I hear those waves whispering to me, "Slow down, you're supposedly on vacation, you're supposed to rest and regroup missy." To hammer that point into my sometimes rather thick skull, upon picking up our rental golf cart, I see the name painted on its hood, "Knot Working". READ MORE

Mar 24, 2024 • #backgammon #beach #blue #boca grande #shells

The Voice of the Tides 3/4/24

This week, I'm thinking about water. Today, we are heading to Florida, where I'll be doing a trunk show at the Gasparilla Inn. I'm looking forward to some down time too, walking the beach and watching the waves. There's no sense in me searching for a good metaphor for that restorative feeling of being by the sea, because I know that you already know precisely what it is that I'm trying to say.

There's just so much good stuff to learn from the sea. You can skip reading right now, and go pick up Anne Morrow Lindbergh's "A Gift from the Sea". You'll be glad you did. But I've got a Love Note left here to create, so I guess I'll pick up my proverbial pencil and let my thoughts flow ... how about this (I have been giving it some thought all week) ... the ebb and flood of tides are a mirror of life. Rushing and receding. No phase lasting forever. READ MORE

Feb 26, 2024 • #easter #winter

Be Soft 2/26/24

What is the musical term for softness, that which follows a brass-blaring-drum-pounding crescendo? I think it might be diminuendo*. What a lovely word, how it rolls off your tongue ... try saying it aloud. Diminuendo. Ahhhh sounds like it could be a new bubble bath from Chanel. It also subtly harkens of good things yet to come. We are far from done here, it gently whispers. But let's go softly for a step. READ MORE

Feb 26, 2024 • #interior design #italy #needlepoint

Be Bold 2/19/24

In December of 2022, I was sitting around the fire before dinner with a glass of wine, my husband, and a good friend who was visiting us. She (my friend, not the wine) said, "I'm going to Rome next month. You ought to come with us." I thought, "oh, there's no way I could possibly go to Rome next month". And then

"But what if I said yes?" In fact, I did. The trip wasn't a super luxe trip, and January is a wonderful time to travel to Europe because no one else thinks so. (It rained a lot and we even saw snowflakes, which is virtually unheard of in Rome.) And it became one of my favorite trips ever. READ MORE

Feb 16, 2024 • #blue #new york city #valentine

Out of the Blues 212/24

In last week's note, I shared that I was feeling a case of the blues. So many of you, dear readers, reached back to me with a tender word. How do I thank you? It was like a tall drink of water. I was talking with a friend about the beautiful outpouring from both friends and friends-whom-I-have-not-yet-met, and she posited that perhaps there is something empowering about dropping the facade. My friend likened it to Truman Capote's swans - all that energy expended in creating the perfect visage, whereas inner strength can most be found in seeing and owning one's true self, imperfections and all. READ MORE