Feels Like Spring!

Today, I saw a Scissortail Flycatcher fluttering overhead as I sat waiting for the light to change in the intersection. It's one of those friendlier harbingers of spring here in central Oklahoma (the unfriendly one being severe weather and tornadoes). It's hard to believe it's that time of year already!

There are other reminders of spring around here, including my flowering plum tree, which looked like a giant ball of pink flowers until about a week ago. It was the model for my hand-embroidered wall art.

 The sun is already shining brighter than it was before, but the air is still cool and crisp, especially on a rainy day like today. It's sort of like the colors in this scarf.

Can you feel that breath of fresh air just looking at this picture?









However, when the sun does come out, it seems like the whole world is adorned in shades of white, yellow, and green. Sort of like this cheery 70s Mod plaque!



As for me, I've been spring cleaning around my house these past two months, and it feels so much better! I don't know how I have managed to accumulate so much clutter, but I certainly have. It can catch up with you and overwhelm you. I'm working on being a little more "house proud."

The first step has been to declutter. I have gotten rid of tons of paper I don't need any more (magazines from years ago, old records that I needed to shred, and clippings I just don't need to save). In the process, I found that a lot of what I have lying around is connected to negative or stress-inducing memories. I'm clearing that out, too. It's almost like an emotional spring cleaning!  I didn't expect the feeling of freedom to be so instantaneous. If you feel your house pressing in around you, maybe you should try it.

The second step, coming soon, will be to update my furnishings and surroundings. It feels so good to dream! It must be spring.

Spring Showers, Bright Flowers

There are spring flowers and new leaves are gleaming in the bright sunshine around here. It makes me want to wear and decorate with bright colors, and throw open the windows to let in the sunshine. Mother's Day in the US is right around the corner, it's the peak of wedding season, and it's May birthday season, too. It's easy to find a good excuse to break out the flowers!

Here are a few of my favorite floral things from what I have on hand; I am preparing to list more in coming days:

This vintage Vera Neumann scarf is fabulous! It is from the late 60s, and has never been worn (it still has the store tag on it).  The print looks like peach pink and red Azaeleas with turquoise leaves.

This 70s era ceramic citrus floral wall plaque is the perfect way to brighten up a narrow strip of wall, perhaps in a kitchen. It has a hanger already attached to the back. I believe if this is not Lefton, it is a quality imitator.

This silk scarf has a more neutral color palette, but that light blue still feels like spring to me--in the winter, it seems like the sky is always gray.

This men's Hardy Amies necktie has bright colors that remind me of flowers, but the pattern still has a masculine edge to it. A daring man could totally pull this off with a gray suit and a coordinating shirt.

These hair chopsticks, still tied in their original packaging, make a nice gift...maybe just to yourself. ;)

 This selection of 50s-70s era birthday cards will help you get prepared for Mom's birthday this year. Some of them can be used for other people's birthdays, as well. They don't all mention mother in the messages on them, and only one has some writing on it.


I am only scratching the surface of what I have in stock. Floral themes are eternally popular and I don't think they ever go out of style. Many flowers also carry a special symbolic meaning (rooted in Victorian and ancient traditions), which makes them great gifts.  Hope you'll stop by!

Curious about the traditional meanings of certain types of flowers? Here's an interesting link you can explore:
The Language of Flowers