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Secret Worlds
I’ve always admired the work of photographer Lillian Bassman. The women depicted in her ethereal photographs seem to be inspired by Old Masters’ paintings but with the forms of modern dancers. I especially enjoy…
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On Holiday
“It is in our idleness, in our dreams, that the submerged truth sometimes comes to the top.” — Virginia Woolf Never is this quote more apt than when on vacation. The long…
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Nightie ‘Nite
Nowhere in a women’s wardrobe can she be so completely feminine as with lingerie. It is the last bastion of lace, flounces, rustles, and truly luxurious fabrics. This summer, our soft cool New England nights…
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Fashion and a Guest
One doesn’t need a petite cottage in the backyard to host a guest. Just a comfy bed and a little space for some personal things. My friend Karen is here for her yearly…
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There are Places I Remember
Of 356 students in my high school graduation class, over 100 attended our recent reunion, a milestone one. I’m not sure of all the reasons why this class has stayed so tight but…
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Consolation
In high school, I wanted to be a cheerleader more than anything. I adored the uniforms: black and orange wool skirts with wide pleats, cozy crewneck letter sweaters, black socks and saddle shoes. I especially…
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Mistress of Herself
I’ve written about her before on this blog, but Mrs. Delany continues to capture my imagination and inspire me as my premier muse. In addition to reinventing herself many times over, she kept living well…
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The Lovely Long Ago
As pretty as it is, this illustration instantly brought stinging tears to my eyes. My daughter used to meet me at the door every night, our cat Buddy in her arms. And surely…
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In Praise of Pink
A friend once asked me why any woman would want to wear the same color as her bassinette. As a life long true pink lover, I was not offended by her question. I know I just can’t help…
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Ball Gowns and Wedding Dresses
A few weeks ago, my daughter tried on her very first wedding dress. She was a little shocked at the restricted way the dress felt and the weight of it. I reminded her…
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Refined Living
This Tasha Tudor illustration is from Amy’s Goose, a sweet book by Tasha’s daughter, Efner Tudor Holmes. It is only a slight exaggeration to say that it changed my life. When my child…
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When lilacs last in the door-yard bloom’d…
Those are Walt Whitman’s words. The poem seems to be an ode to spring but in his later years, Whitman admitted he was writing about the tragic death of Abraham Lincoln. That April, the lilac…