Tartan Plaid ~ Part One

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I believe that this photograph, by Amy Free, says it all about this versatile cloth we call tartan plaid. Maybe I will wear a tartan dress to Joey and Angela's weddings, or at least a tartan belt and shoes. Red or green?

Of all of the designs found, the tartan is the most beautiful and classic of all. It can be used anywhere, to create anything, and blends well with so many other fabrics and styles. Have I convinced you yet that I love tartan? Well, I DO!

Tartan originated in Scotland as their national dress and is associated with the kilt. The tartan distinguished the separate clans in the Highlands. It was later banned by the English, but the Scottish people would not let these invaders destroy their tartans. The Scottish people wear tartan cloth over their back, and it is frequently pulled over the head.

First woven from linen, the tartan material can now be found in many fibers, but the design appears closely intertwined, consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors. Red, navy, yellow and white are usually the dominate colors.

Pendleton brought the tartan fabric to America in the 20’s with their wool design. This classic plaid can now be found in wool, silk, linen and cotton. My favorites are the red and green dominant plaid.

Part one is on clothing for men and women. Part two will place emphasis on tabletop, furniture and accessories.

TARTANS FOR WOMEN

Dolce and Gabbana have their tartan act together. Great ensemble.

As mentioned in the last blog, this is on my Christmas wish-list. Ralph Lauren Sawtooth Shetland Plaid Blue Label jacket.

Ralph Lauren Blue Label Suede Patch plaid camp shirt.


This tartan jacket is by Guess.

This Woolrich tail gating jacket is perfect for a quick grab for any occasion.

This Ralph Lauren Blue Label Buffalo Plaid skirt can be paired for many looks.

This ruffle plaid shirt can be found at the Gap.

These two sleepover pajamas, from Victoria's Secret , look great and last for a very long while.

TARTANS FOR MEN

This Brooks Brothers tartan vest looks great with coat, jacket, or alone over a shirt.

This Ralph Lauren wool-blend coat will keep the cold out.

This Brooks Brothers Red tartan tie pairs looks great for those Christmas gatherings.

This fun cummerbund set from Brooks Brothers can be dresssed up or down.

This Brooks Brothers scarf will work for women or men, and is a very versatile accessory.

The custom-fit cotton plaid shirt by Brooks Brothers.

This tartan red shirt by Brooks Brothers is a great paired with this camel-hair cardigan.

These pajamas from Brooks Brothers are perfect for lounging.

I will see you later for part two of this tartan post. Tabletop, accessories and furniture will be the concentration in the next post.

Merry Christmas,
Teresa

xoxo

Annabel Lee

The beloved poem by Edgar Allan Poe...

Annabel Lee

It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea:
But we loved with a love that was more than love -
I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
Coveted her and me.

And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her high-born kinsmen came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulchre
In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
Went envying her and me -
Yes! that was the reason (as all men know,
In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud one night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we -
Of many far wiser than we -
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling -my darling -my life and my bride,
In the sepulchre there by the sea -
In her tomb by the sounding sea.

A little change in pace. One of my favorite poems. This should bring about some memories in all.

Merry Christmas.
Teresa
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The Little Black Dress

Eliza Magazine

The First "Little Black Dress."

Coco Chanel, the designer responsible for the popularity and longevity of the “little black dress”, left a beautiful gift for all ladies. The little black dress can be worn by day or night, can be jewel-neck, v-neck, strapless, backless, short, long, dressed up or dressed down. There is no end to how you can accessorize the black dress, but pearls are my favorite, and appear to be a timeless combination (who could forget Audrey Hepburn draped in Givenchy and pearls in the opening credits for Breakfast at Tiffany’s).

Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

There is nothing easier and more classic than the little black dress and a strand of pearls, pearl earrings, and black pumps. This combination is perfect for day or night. The addition of diamonds or costume jewelry is a beautiful way to accessorize the black dress, and this has always been a popular look, finishing with the black pump embellished by rhinestones.

I would like to thank Coco Chanel for her introduction of the little black dress in 1926, because without it, we would be a little less perfect. Oh yes, and by the way, black is very slimming. As Coco Chanel said, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”

Coco Chanel

I have chosen just a few of the "little black dresses" that I thought you would fall in love with.

Port 1961 Lace Sheath little black dress.

David Meister Neiman Marcus.

Black Label of Ralph Lauren, Liby Houndstooth Sequin.

David Meister Neiman Marcus.

Let's have a party dresses.

Rebecca Taylor Sateen Saks Fifth Avenue.

Armani Collezioni.

ABS by Allen Schwartz Neiman Marcus


Coco

I hope that you have enjoyed my trip down this "little black dress" lane. I have been known to wear nothing but black, but I have finally started wearing blue-jeans and a few other bright colors. I love my black dress. That's all I can say. It goes anywhere at anytime. Thank you, Coco!

Merry Christmas,
Teresa

The Christmas Tree

Tina Giovan for Southern Accents

O Christmas tree, O Christmas Tree…

There is something so awesome about this grand tree. It carries with it the fresh smell of the outdoors -- adorned with treasures collected over the years amongst the bright lights gripping its strong bows.

The majestic Christmas tree represents tradition and memories. Whether it is a tree that towers over a state or city, or the tree that we enjoy at home -- its beauty radiates.

I thought that this photograph was beautiful, and I wanted to share. I hope that you and your family are having a wonderful Christmas holiday.

As always,
Merry Christmas from Teresa

TOMS EQUALS LOVE

Blake Mycoskie is the founder of TOMS.

Not so frequently in our lives, we happen upon a story that tugs at our heart-strings. Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS had an idea. Give a pair of shoes to a barefoot child for each pair of shoes he sold.

If this doesn’t make you feel good, nothing will! Please read this entire post. It just gets better!

I would like for each of you to imagine walking barefoot everywhere you go – WITH NO SHOES. Well, children around the world are forced to do just that every day! The feet of these children have calluses which have cracked, and cut and wounded feet, leaving them vulnerable to parasites and infections.

These children are unable to go to school because they have no shoes. Of course this leaves them stranded, without an education. I don’t need to tell you what happens from here. It is a familiar story.

I would like to ask you a question. Will you look at your child’s, or grandchild’s feet? Imagine that there are open wounds, wounds that can be life threatening, not to mention the pain that they are in. If you don’t get the picture, most can’t understand you!

TOMS will be delivering 300,000 pairs of shoes to shoeless children this year. I am proud of Blake's achievements! Let’s help them surpass their goal!

Blake received the national Secretary of State’s 2009 Award of Corporate Excellence – just one of the many awards he has earned. If you will spend a few moments on the website, I believe that you will be touched by his loving and caring spirit, and the recognition he has received from around the world. There is a list online of comments made by the different publications.

TOMS shoes can be found online, at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and other locations. I must say that the special collection designed for Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman are an asset the the TOMS brand.

I know that my family loves these shoes, and I believe that my son has a pair for each day of the week. Thank you Blake!

Look at my new shoes :)!

http://www.tomsshoes.com/Our-Movement

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There is much more to choose from in TOMS line. There is just not enough space here. Do yourself a favor and visit TOMS website, and see what an admirable corporation Blake has built. I have tried to make this post as interesting as possible. I hope that you will find something more important than glamour in the following information.

Men' Shoes

Women's Shoes

Just a few of the Neiman Marcus/Bergdorf Goodman Selection

Although I could not save the picture of this shoe in the larger size, I just had to show this ZEBRA, found on the Bergdorf site! Angela has gone crazy over this shoe, and actually wants to replace a pair of her Tory Burch Christmas shoes with this shoe!!

Children's Shoes

Tot's Shoes

I hope that all of you will share your business with Blake Mycoskie, and the entire staff at TOMS, as they make the lives of many children much better. Think how these children will be spending their Christmas this year, and keep them in your thoughts. I know that you will join me in congratulating Blake for his many awards and recognition for his kindness!

Merry Christmas, and I will see you Tuesday,
Teresa


Tom’s Shoes


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt3BQQ6dQaQ&feature=player_embedded#at=1