Travel & Style Archive

  • Back in the spring, I posted in pretty good detail about all the items I was growing in my porch gardens this year. Everything you’re about to see is being...

    2010 Garden Update

    Back in the spring, I posted in pretty good detail about all the items I was growing in my porch gardens this year. Everything you’re about to see is being...

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  • To me, orchids are haunting flowers. Lovely, no doubt, and they are captivating in a spooky way. I’m not sure why they freak me out a bit—perhaps it’s the soft,...

    Haunting Orchids

    To me, orchids are haunting flowers. Lovely, no doubt, and they are captivating in a spooky way. I’m not sure why they freak me out a bit—perhaps it’s the soft,...

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  • I love foliage. I love leaves. I love stems. I love being surrounded by greenery. I’m happier in a room with plants than in a room without. Are you? And...

    Flowering Foliage

    I love foliage. I love leaves. I love stems. I love being surrounded by greenery. I’m happier in a room with plants than in a room without. Are you? And...

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  • Alright, I know. I’m a big, giant nerd. I am obsessed with air plants and I understand if you decide to shun me. I understand if you assign me to...

    Tillandsias….in the rain?

    Alright, I know. I’m a big, giant nerd. I am obsessed with air plants and I understand if you decide to shun me. I understand if you assign me to...

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  • A hobby that I’ve had about as long as writing letters is tying flies. You know, like fly fishing. It’s an enjoyable hobby and for a hobby primarily dominated by...

    Fly Tying

    A hobby that I’ve had about as long as writing letters is tying flies. You know, like fly fishing. It’s an enjoyable hobby and for a hobby primarily dominated by...

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  • For those of you in the Cincinnati area, I wanted to share with you details on the 2010 Blueberry Festival being hosted at Sabbath Song Farm in Brooksville. Are you...

    Blueberry Festival Coming Up!

    For those of you in the Cincinnati area, I wanted to share with you details on the 2010 Blueberry Festival being hosted at Sabbath Song Farm in Brooksville. Are you...

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  • When the end of February rolls by, I set a date in my mind to enter the garden. To really enter it. With the intention of getting it ready for...

    Greeting the Garden

    When the end of February rolls by, I set a date in my mind to enter the garden. To really enter it. With the intention of getting it ready for...

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  • I had the pleasure of a Tuesday afternoon date with my husband, Victor, at the Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati, Ohio last week. The annual Butterfly Show was taking place and...

    Butterfly, Butterfly, Fly Away

    I had the pleasure of a Tuesday afternoon date with my husband, Victor, at the Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati, Ohio last week. The annual Butterfly Show was taking place and...

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  • It’s spring, you know. Birds tweet from sun up to sun down; flowers are in bloom and pollen counts are high. Spring, fabulous spring. Last night, my best friend called....

    We found a baby bird

    It’s spring, you know. Birds tweet from sun up to sun down; flowers are in bloom and pollen counts are high. Spring, fabulous spring. Last night, my best friend called....

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  • Several of my tillandsia’s are in bloom right now, and they are beautiful. My stricta, in particular, has been the most amazing to watch. First, a single pink bud appeared....

    Tillandsia Stricta Hard Leaf | In Bloom!

    Several of my tillandsia’s are in bloom right now, and they are beautiful. My stricta, in particular, has been the most amazing to watch. First, a single pink bud appeared....

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  • I received my first air plant (that’s Tillansia’s common name) when I was 12. I don’t really remember why I got it, but I believe my Mom picked it up...

    Tillandsia – How I Love Them So

    I received my first air plant (that’s Tillansia’s common name) when I was 12. I don’t really remember why I got it, but I believe my Mom picked it up...

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  • Discovering how to crochet shoes is pretty fantastic. All the sudden you go from wearing flip flops around the house to wearing uber-cute crochet slippers. I’ve made two pairs of...

    An Hour Spent Crocheting Baby Shoes

    Discovering how to crochet shoes is pretty fantastic. All the sudden you go from wearing flip flops around the house to wearing uber-cute crochet slippers. I’ve made two pairs of...

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  • I’d like to start out with three photos of the Baroness de Guestre, AKA “The Paris Hilton of her day.” Wow–risque? Not so much. But at the time, apparently so....

    The Vintage Paris Hilton – Baroness De Guestre

    I’d like to start out with three photos of the Baroness de Guestre, AKA “The Paris Hilton of her day.” Wow–risque? Not so much. But at the time, apparently so....

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  • One night last week, I was feeling rather…..motivated. Motivated to cook. Actually, I think, motivated to be distracted in the kitchen for a few hours–do you know what I mean?...

    A Special Cake

    One night last week, I was feeling rather…..motivated. Motivated to cook. Actually, I think, motivated to be distracted in the kitchen for a few hours–do you know what I mean?...

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  • Simplicity Embellished | Simple Daily Makeup Routine from Simplicity Embellished on Vimeo. This is Cole’s tried-and-true daily makeup routine. Developed after years and years of mistakes, mishaps and mooching off...

    My Daily Makeup Routine

    Simplicity Embellished | Simple Daily Makeup Routine from Simplicity Embellished on Vimeo. This is Cole’s tried-and-true daily makeup routine. Developed after years and years of mistakes, mishaps and mooching off...

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  • My husband and I were in visiting my mother-in-law and family this past Monday. January in West Virginia is cold, just like January in Ohio is. We were all sitting...

    Family Heirlooms

    My husband and I were in visiting my mother-in-law and family this past Monday. January in West Virginia is cold, just like January in Ohio is. We were all sitting...

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  • It’s a New Year. January 1. Here’s to it being a lucky one for you and yours. My sister gave me these little fishies for a holiday gift this year....

    Lucky Fish Earrings

    It’s a New Year. January 1. Here’s to it being a lucky one for you and yours. My sister gave me these little fishies for a holiday gift this year....

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  • A candle is a powerful thing. One that is lit can instantly turn a dinner party classy, or a table for two into something romantic. It can magnify the emotion...

    Shine Your Light

    A candle is a powerful thing. One that is lit can instantly turn a dinner party classy, or a table for two into something romantic. It can magnify the emotion...

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  • No matter what holiday you celebrate in December, I think they all have one thing in common. Light. Candles. Brightness. Perhaps that sounds sappy, but seriously, let’s look at some...

    A Special Holiday Card

    No matter what holiday you celebrate in December, I think they all have one thing in common. Light. Candles. Brightness. Perhaps that sounds sappy, but seriously, let’s look at some...

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  • I’ve recently re-discovered crochet. I think it started when I found a book called “Lacy Crochet” and there was something about the addition of the word ‘lacy’ that suddenly made...

    Crocheting Coasters

    I’ve recently re-discovered crochet. I think it started when I found a book called “Lacy Crochet” and there was something about the addition of the word ‘lacy’ that suddenly made...

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  • Isn’t it great when you find stuff you love? And when you use it; it actually works?! I thought I’d share with you some of my favorite products that I...

    My Favorite Hair and Body Products

    Isn’t it great when you find stuff you love? And when you use it; it actually works?! I thought I’d share with you some of my favorite products that I...

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  • What’s in your purse? No really, I’m serious. Would you be proud of the contents? Maybe not so much? I think the fight against purse-junk build-up is one of the...

    How To Carry Less In Your Purse

    What’s in your purse? No really, I’m serious. Would you be proud of the contents? Maybe not so much? I think the fight against purse-junk build-up is one of the...

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  • There are times during the year when I buy an actual greeting card from the store. But mostly, I make one myself. Most of my gifts don’t require a big...

    Extra Special Cards You Can Make Yourself

    There are times during the year when I buy an actual greeting card from the store. But mostly, I make one myself. Most of my gifts don’t require a big...

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  • My previous post on this topic, How to Stylishly Wrap Baked Goods, has been getting a lot of traffic since it went up. I guess because you, like me, think...

    How To Wrap Food With Stuff Around Your House

    My previous post on this topic, How to Stylishly Wrap Baked Goods, has been getting a lot of traffic since it went up. I guess because you, like me, think...

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  • Kind of a big thing for gold shoes. But the main problem is that I rarely find a pair I like, let alone a pair I love. And when I...

    So, I have a thing for gold shoes.

    Kind of a big thing for gold shoes. But the main problem is that I rarely find a pair I like, let alone a pair I love. And when I...

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  • When I saw this at an outdoor arts festival, I was intrigued by the texture. There was an entire basket of these things and so I went over to them....

    A Little Piece of Magic | A Handmade Pin Cushion

    When I saw this at an outdoor arts festival, I was intrigued by the texture. There was an entire basket of these things and so I went over to them....

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  • I’m going to do something today most people would be ashamed to do. I’m going to show you what’s in my purse. First, this is the purse I use every...

    What’s Inside My Purse

    I’m going to do something today most people would be ashamed to do. I’m going to show you what’s in my purse. First, this is the purse I use every...

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  • Earrings. I am an earring girl. You might be a necklace girl. Or maybe you’re married to a bracelet girl. Who knows. For me, earrings are like my icing. I...

    My Favorite Earrings

    Earrings. I am an earring girl. You might be a necklace girl. Or maybe you’re married to a bracelet girl. Who knows. For me, earrings are like my icing. I...

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  • The Little Black Dress. We all have one; although it may not exactly be a little black dress. For men, it might be a particular suit, or a pair of...

    Golden Shoes | My LBD [Little Black Dress]

    The Little Black Dress. We all have one; although it may not exactly be a little black dress. For men, it might be a particular suit, or a pair of...

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  • Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson I found this one at Half Price Books when I was still in high school, and although my version was about 15 years out-of-date...

    Great Beauty Books

    Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson I found this one at Half Price Books when I was still in high school, and although my version was about 15 years out-of-date...

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  • Mascara is a wonderful invention. It has this magic ability to make you feel better and more confident and all it does is lengthen and thicken teeny tiny hairs. Women...

    How To Put On Mascara; The Way I Learned

    Mascara is a wonderful invention. It has this magic ability to make you feel better and more confident and all it does is lengthen and thicken teeny tiny hairs. Women...

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  • After spending two afternoons in Amish country in South Central Ohio in October, I learned a few things. First, the Amish are excellent at making money. They bring in dozens...

    A Day With The Amish

    After spending two afternoons in Amish country in South Central Ohio in October, I learned a few things. First, the Amish are excellent at making money. They bring in dozens...

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  • These photos were taken for a product catalog and I just had to share two of them. They just look cool. Both of these were not used in the final...

    Beautiful Beads

    These photos were taken for a product catalog and I just had to share two of them. They just look cool. Both of these were not used in the final...

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  • If you’re like me, you don’t have very many dishes you’re willing to part with. OK, actually, I don’t have any dishes, platters or otherwise that I want to part...

    How to Stylishly Wrap Baked Goods

    If you’re like me, you don’t have very many dishes you’re willing to part with. OK, actually, I don’t have any dishes, platters or otherwise that I want to part...

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  • Most women seem to go through phases where they wear nail polish for awhile, then they don’t. It’s bright pink shades for a few months and then deep, dark reds;...

    Nail Polish | It can become a signature

    Most women seem to go through phases where they wear nail polish for awhile, then they don’t. It’s bright pink shades for a few months and then deep, dark reds;...

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  • Our hands tell many stories. You’d be surprised at how many people don’t want their hands photographed. They say ‘no, they’re ugly’ or ‘no, they look awful.’ Why is this?...

    Our Hands

    Our hands tell many stories. You’d be surprised at how many people don’t want their hands photographed. They say ‘no, they’re ugly’ or ‘no, they look awful.’ Why is this?...

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  • My husband is a gem. He actually designed my wedding band for me. I receive compliments on it all the time; especially when I’m out and about at places like...

    My Wedding Band

    My husband is a gem. He actually designed my wedding band for me. I receive compliments on it all the time; especially when I’m out and about at places like...

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  • Traveling in general causes many of us to exhibit certain behaviors. We are suddenly afraid of doorknobs. We might hold our wallets and purses much tighter than normal. We may...

    When You’re Almost Home

    Traveling in general causes many of us to exhibit certain behaviors. We are suddenly afraid of doorknobs. We might hold our wallets and purses much tighter than normal. We may...

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  • For my Dad’s birthday this year, I got him a few really nice cigars from a local tobacconist here in Cincinnati. Upon arriving home, I realized I didn’t have an...

    Style | How Wrap A Gift Elegantly and Affordably

    For my Dad’s birthday this year, I got him a few really nice cigars from a local tobacconist here in Cincinnati. Upon arriving home, I realized I didn’t have an...

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  • Ahh, foliage. It has the ability to drastically improve our living spaces and an almost equal ability to make us feel like incompetent plant owners. How many of you just...

    Style | A Beautiful $6 Plant

    Ahh, foliage. It has the ability to drastically improve our living spaces and an almost equal ability to make us feel like incompetent plant owners. How many of you just...

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