The Closet Classics Every Woman Should Own

There are some things that will never go out of style, the classic pieces that are a part of your wardrobe no matter where you live or what you do.  Everyone has their favorites but here are mine, in no particular order.

The Gucci Loafer

The Hermes Scarf

Pucci Anything

 

The Burberry Raincoat

The White Shirt

The Polo

The Little Black Dress

Etsy Equestrian Finds

Etsy is full of treasures these days. Look what I found this morning....

This doormat can be customized to include initials, barn colors, and yes the horse shoe.
See it here.

There are all kinds of vintage items on Etsy and some are very reasonably priced.  Wouldn't this lampshade look divine in a tack room with a wood based lamp?

See it here.

This would be a perfect gift for a horse show trainer. You can put the decals on all your stuff.  So cute....How cleaver is this? See them here.

Vintage linens!  Love these.....

See these here.

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This ice bucket looks very 1960's.  It could be on the Mad Men set don't you think?

See it here.

More vintage linens!

See these here.

See this  here.

This tea set is so adorable.

See it here.

If you don't shop Etsy, you should......

The Horses of Heisey

During the ten years I lived near Pittsburgh, I came to love and collect glassware made mostly in the 1920's and 1930's.  This area of the world was famous for its glass making and once upon a time there were literally hundreds of glass companies in PA, OH, WV and even Western Maryland.  They are long gone but the glass remains and has become quite collectible.  Several of these companies made adorable glass horses and they can be found today on Ebay, at glass shows and in antique stores.  Heisey (made in Ohio) made some of these horses.  Heisey was in operation from 1895 until 1958.  This one can be found on Ebay here.

Some are colored.....

This one is much larger, but still gorgeous...  See it here.

Heisey even made Clydesdales, long before Budweiser made them famous. See this one here.

The horses came in many colors, shapes and sizes, some in clear glass and others frosted like this one here.

In glass, come colors are very rare, more collectible and certain patterns, sizes or shapes are also more rare than others.  I don't know which colors in Heisey are the hardest to find. 

 This one can be purchased on Etsy for less than $15. See it here.

If shopping on Ebay for glass the prices can vary tremendously. So do your homework. See this cute one here.

Cool as a Cucumber

The heat index will be up there today in Virginia, probably the hottest day of the year.  While I love summer, when it gets this warm, well, you do what you can to make the best of it.......

If I could, I'd go for a swim in this lovely Tory Burch suit, which happens to be on sale....

I'd sit on the patio and fill this baby from Ballard with all kinds of drinks of choice....use your imagination!

A good popsicle is ideal on a day like today...

And there's always the other option.......

Cool Cucumber Cocktail Recipe

Cool Cucumber Cocktail

• 3/4 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
• 1 1/2 oz. Hendrick's gin
• 3/4 oz cucumber water
• 1/4 oz simple syrup (recipe to follow)
• Tonic water
• Cucumber slices
• Fresh mint leaves
• Heavy squeeze of lime juice

Simple Syrup

• 2 parts sugar
• 1 part water

Directions

Cocktail:
1. In a cocktail shaker, combine St. Germain, gin, cucumber water, simple syrup, cucumber slices and a nice amount of mint leaves. Using a wooden spoon, crush all ingredients together. Add crushed ice, cover and shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker.
2. Pour the mixture into a cocktail glass, old fashioned glass or my personal favorite, a mason jar. Top the cocktail off with a splash of tonic water, garnish with a cucumber slice and you're all set!
Simple Syrup:
1. Bring the water to a boil. Dissolve the sugar into the water, stirring constantly
2. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, take the pan off the heat (do not let the sugar boil for too long because it will become too thick).
3. Allow to cool completely before use.

Do your best to remain cool as a cucumber today!

More Equestrian Topiary Love

If you read the post a few months ago about Equestrian Topiaries, then you'll be familiar with this one.  I was lucky enough to get one and finally figured out where to put it ..... in the kitchen of course...

If you'd like to find out how to get one, go to Etsy here and pick one up...

Incredible Country House in Upstate New York

What is not to love about Christopher Spitzmiller's house in upstate New York? Architectural Digest recently profiled the abode, see it here.

Of course, his lamps, well, one is on my wish list........  He has quite the taste, in lamps and in decorating.

Great Summer Finds

Summer is in full swing, the closet is also getting really crowded.  Here are some recent summer finds....

This silk tunic from Devon Bauer comes in several luscious colors. See it here.

Aqua is my new favorite color.... See this one also from Devon Bauer here.

This cute dress is from The Gap.  See it here.

This pink dress is from Sara Campbell.  I love her clothes.  See it here.

Or this one with the fringe!  How cute is this!

What cute summer finds have you come across lately?

If Chestnut Mares Could Talk.....

Having the horses at home under my own watchful eye is something I've wanted for many years. But as I have learned, the grass is not always greener although I can tell you that NO ONE will ever take care of your horse like you do.  If Sega, the retired chestnut mare show horse, could talk, this would be her complaint list, her reason for wanting a new job, a new owner, a new rider, or a new venue.  I hope she's happy, but this is what I think she'd say if she suddenly could talk like Mr. Ed.....

Sega says..............

1. Stop leaving me inside all night when your iPhone calls for a 10 percent chance of thunderstorms and yes, I can dodge a bullet, I mean lightning strike. You've seen me do it more than once and I lived.
2. When I am sitting by the gate at 2 pm when it's 15 degrees outside, I really want to come in.  I'm not waiting for Godot, I am waiting for you to come and bring me to my somewhat warmer stall and pile of hay. 
3. Do I really have to work at 6:30 am in the summer? I am retired you know.....but I do like the new footing in the ring, very soft....

4. Why does Alfie get twice as much hay as me and four times as much grain?  I am the same size. We wear the same blankets, the same size girth. What gives?   Is it because he has those movie star looks?
5. Altoids? What happened to the Altoids?  When we were showing they came out at least twice a weekend.  Now, maybe once every two months.  Did they stop making them? Are we on a budget?  Truman gets his cats treats every day I am told.
6. And what happened to your clippers?  Are they broken?  We clipped in March.  I usually get clipped three times every summer and into the fall.  Is it wrong to want to look good even though I don't leave the farm that much anymore?  A girl just wants to look good.
7.  Do I have to continue to cart every human who comes to the farm and says "I want to ride one of your horses!" Does it have to be me?  Let them ride Alfie, or better yet, Lola.  Bet they'll never ask to ride one of your horses ever again...
8. How much longer do I have to wear that wretched purple nylon grazing muzzle?  And who picked the color?  Was it you?  You hate purple. It must have been on sale somewhere.  How would you like having a muzzle around your face 12 hours a day?  
9.  And lastly, why, why, why have you thrown me in the field with a three-year-old OTTB who wants to run around and play all day and all night?  I mean, it's like being thrown in the room with ten kindergarten kids.  She does not slow down.  Valium, maybe some wine for this youngster....have you thought about trying that?  Have you thought about our age difference?  Girls just want to have fun but our definition of fun, well, let's say we are not in the same galaxy....

Love you Mom!  Thanks for letting me vent.  And thanks for cleaning the stall every single day!

Sega

XOXO

Dana Gibson on One King's Lane

I wish I had another house to decorate so I might fill it up with these goodies from Dana Gibson. Her lamps are scrumptious and her colors come right out of a candy store.....

See everything here.