A Special Gift
It is wedding season again, and the question, as always, is what to get for the couple in question- something for the table or a decorative item for the home? Many of us feel obligated to purchase a wedding gift from a registry, while others search for something unique to give. Both are much appreciated! All of these years later, I still remember who gave me what when I married. I still use my beautiful china and delight in the many unique items that I had not selected beforehand. Most importantly, the memories that these gifts invoke of the special people who gave them are worth their weight in gold!.
Today, couples of all ages are adding pizzazz to their tables with colorful serving pieces and multiple patterns - what fun! Everything no longer has to "match"! The beauty of fine traditional china can be complimented and softened with a richly glazed pottery accent. Hand thrown pottery is dressed up with sparkling glassware or formal crystal. A single unique platter or bowl can bring a splash of color, texture and individual style to a table or buffet. The addition of a textile from India or New England .distinctive spreaders, salad servers, ladel - oh, I could go on and on!
American households are no longer held hostage by the staid British mandates of the past; we are back to our adventurous roots! Accent pieces are the name of the game in home décor. And at least part of the credit for the change in attitude may come from the designers themselves. Fine lines like Juliska, Match and Jan Barboglio have been designing serveware and home accents which encourage the imagination and lend themselves to individualistic interpretation. International trade has made gorgeous Mexican, Italian, Indian and Asian lines accessible as well. When choosing a gift, remember that a colorful ceramic, beautiful box, or distinctive pewter or iron piece may be the perfect reflection of you for your loved ones. There are myriad exciting gifts out there from which to choose. What will you choose???!
What is your personal palette?
by Temple Wynne 3/24/11
Over the last two decades, America has undoubtedly become a more casual place to live. For many people, this has seemed a blessing: casual Fridays (or everyday) at work; flip flops for all occasions; blue jeans everywhere. For others, this dressing down seems undignified and sloppy. Regardless of where we fall on the opinion poll, there are some fun options out there for us. What are your personal druthers?
Moving to the Texas Hill Country was definitely liberating for me personally. Downsizing to my new home, and adapting to a more casual life style meant that I could divest myself of clothing that now sat motionless in my closet. And while I sort of hated to part with "the good stuff", I felt very happy to share my professional garb, suits, hose and heels, with someone who needed them more than I (the Village Store in Wimberley is a wonderful option for our donations). Eventually, the more formal wear followed. There are occasions in our Valley to "put on the dog", however, so I tried not to shoot myself in the foot!
This is not to say that country life dictates the same message to all of its inhabitants. While I love the ease of donning a pair of jeans and a sweater, there are plenty of lovely ladies afloat in these here hills who look gorgeous in spring frocks and pretty footwear! What about you, what is your style?
Jewelry design has always been interesting to me, and yes, I love it. And just as I continue to regularly use my good china on my rustic table, I do regularly wear my good jewelry with my extremely casual dress. Mixing the things that please your own eye works. Swapping one jewelry "story" out for another is fun, simple and gratifying. Just as in home décor, changing one piece of jewelry, or adding a new one can lift spirits and excite your personal palette - Enjoy!
It is all about spring by Temple Wynne
Spring offers folks in the Texas Hill Country some very special weeks mid March, as we ready ourselves for Easter. The wildflowers start opening up, our grasses spring to life, and the garden centers beckon. Baby animals begin to appear in the wooded areas, and in our own front yards. Most of us are eager to be enjoying the glorious weather with friends, so, let's get our spring chores out of the way with great dispatch!
Box up winter and pull out spring. Swap winter clothing out for warmer weather frocks (getting our "Switch Flops" for the season at River House!). Scoop out the fireplace and arrange some good-looking candles or big potted plants in the hearth (perhaps also call Chimney Sweeps in if you have been burning juniper logs). Store the winter comforter in favor of a lighter colored and lighter weight spread; maybe change out your shams to add something new to the room. Trim up the indoor plants and divine a fresh look for the dining table with your Easter plans in mind- maybe a bright runner or different centerpiece. Now out the door to prepare the porches. Sweep and wash them up and down, then pot some wonderful color.
One of my favorite spring pass times is planning what to plant each year. I like to go walk the EmilyAnn and Lady Bird Johnson gardens to see what looks good and hardy among their plantings, then study up a bit on the water needs of those I have seen. Being practical about what the deer will or will not devour is hard for me, as I am almost always tempted by sheer beauty when I get to the nurseries!
With these necessary measures out of the way, we are free to play! Treat yourself by having good friends over for a refreshing meal al fresca; what is more fun? Cocktails out on the lawn or field, and dinner on the porch? Why not do it up with linens and candelabras while we still have relatively early sunsets? Oh, yes, it is all about spring!
Already Sprung!
Pictured below is local artist Cleve Ragan-- who was our featured artist for a previous Wimberley Art Fest.
That Time of Year Again!
It is that time of year again, and I need to get my act in gear. How can I possibly pick a single New Year's resolution out of the myriad improvements that I need to make? Happily, I recall that a wise man once told me, "When in doubt take a quiet overview of yourself, then do the next right thing". In other words, what sort of person do I want to be and what will I do next to get there? The first time I heard this, I thought surely this exercise would overwhelm me; surely I would disappoint. But in truth I found the exercise to be strangely liberating and invigorating! So here goes:
HoHo Already
HoHo! It is already time to ready our homes and hearths where our families and friends will soon gather in celebration of Christmas or of the holiday season. We must slow down a bit to reflect on the joys of Christmases past and on the loved ones with whom we hope to celebrate next week - yes, next week!
Thanksgiving Delights
One of the perks of the holiday season is that it presents a wonderful excuse to take time to peruse recipes, and think about great food! There are innumerable resources for seasonal culinary delights: the online wonder Epicurious.com and good old Martha Stewart , to name a couple. And of course, family recipes deserve serious consideration as we honor our history and enhance our traditions. I lick my lips as I read through the recipes I have accumulated, hoping to settle on a delectable menu to thrill my loved ones’ taste-buds. That, in itself, is a challenge, but the biggest test for me is always time. It is important to be very realistic, and carefully plan my time around work, conversation and rest. I select recipes for Thanksgiving dinner (served at around 2 at our house) which can be successfully accomplished in the free time I have before everyone takes a seat.
Now to consider the visuals of Thanksgiving. It takes only a glance outside to thank our lucky stars that the Texas Hill Country is HOME. Bring the colors that are so prominent out-of-doors into your table- oranges, yellows and rust. Add a complimentary color to make them ‘pop”; dark plum or rich aqua candles and napkins could work well. Pull out your beautiful oven- to- table stoneware, dinnerware and serving pieces to be sure they are ready to go. Pre-prepare any recipe that can be made in advance, and refrigerate.
Weather permitting, start Thanksgiving Day on your porch or patio- your house guests will love it! Decorate the patio table (or your coffee table in front of the fire) with orange, yellow and purple pansies. Be sure that the insulated coffee carafe is ready for company and the rolls are in the warmer. Lastly, be secure in the fact that guests LOVE help themselves to a leisurely morning! Preplanning tasks that you would like to pass on to helpers definitely makes the day more pleasant. If you are organized enough, it will be a breeze! At noon, orchestrate the setting of the table; 12:30 pm, set out some good locally made cheeses, pears, apples and nuts, served with chilled wine or icy spiced tea. At 1:30 carve the Turkey and lay out the feast. And at 2, count your blessings and enjoy!
Watcha Wearin'?
With the cool weather, I am always thrilled with the variety of textures that fall insinuates into our lives. Great looking accessories are pulled out of our drawers: nubby scarves, rich leather hand bags and cozy mittens. Beautiful fall-colored clothing comes out of storage- exciting after the siege of summer. As in spring, the wonderful weather gives each of us a sense of renewal as we march into the holiday season.
Creating a fresh fall/winter look is easier than ever these days, and accessories are the name of the game. With wonderful textiles in plentiful supply, a new scarf can resurrect a favorite jacket or outfit. LowenHide and Spartina hand bags have tickled my fancy this season, with Spartina’s handsome fall prints and LouenHide’s luscious soft-to-the-touch barrel bags. And at the international Folk Festival in Santa Fe this summer, I found some terrific wearable treasures from India as well.
As a buyer I am always looking for the best in all price ranges, and with this economy, I really look to cover all the bases in the wearable accessories that we offer. What has caught my attention these past few years is how many really well made products are available at every price point. With the cost of precious metals sky rocketing, some superb jewelry designers like Susan Shaw and Jill Fannin have put time and technology to work to make some extremely tasteful plated pieces. Several other artists provide us with exquisitely fun jewelry using a wide variety of non-precious colorful materials. One of the things I love best about my work is the surprise of discovering new product lines in unexpected places. For example, my niece from Santa Fe showed up to visit wearing a very distinctive Minetta sterling silver necklace that I could not take my eyes off of, and another evening my neighbor arrived for a dinner party wearing some fantastic Alaya Barr earrings – River House now offers both lines!
Picking up just a few great new accent pieces can make our trusty old wardrobes feel new again, and put a fresh lilt to our step. So, what are you wearing?
Why Wait for Mother Nature?
On the cusp of fall, we look forward to wonderful cool weather, beautiful fall colors, and most importantly - positive change. Kiddos settle into the new school year, and the grown-ups gladly break their routines, getting out and about as often as possible, planning weekend getaways, and planting fall gardens. The boost that a change can give us humans is undeniable. But why leave this boost to our psyches solely to Mother Nature?
There is much that you and I can do to effect change in our lives that will cheer our souls, almost as much as a fresh, cool breeze. Some of these actions are truly simple. We can call those folks who keep popping into our thoughts, take a neighbor to a fun movie, or start a reasonable exercise program. We can wait until something in nature satisfies our desire for a beautiful sight, or we can work a bit to create it as well. I am lucky - I am surrounded by friends, colleagues and customers who inspire me in this last endeavor. Always conscious of the positive effect that a lovely, workable environment has on the human spirit, these friends seem unusually aware that small changes in home visuals can make a big difference in our daily lives. Yep, take a moment to consider the possibilities.
Don't let your home stagnate: rework the focal points in your main rooms to help generate that delightful feeling that seasonal change brings. Some folks decorate with florals with great success. Handsome pieces by designer, Jan Barboglio act as focal anchors in my living/dining room. To effect change, I play to the designer's strength with bold color in bowls of hard fruit, a colorful candle and fresh flowers. To pique further interest, we can shuffle smaller items in the room, and maybe recover a few pillows to compliment fall. These simple changes always surprise and delight the eye when we walk through rooms that we have long taken for granted. We should allow our homes to remind us that life is moving happily forward; yes, Mother Nature and we can work hand-in-hand on this one!
Up and away! by Temple Wynne
At this point in the hot Texas summer, even I have had to cry uncle. I normally chide folks who complain too loudly about the Texas heat as if it were somehow novel, but this year's high temps arrived in spades, testing the resolve of even the toughest Texans. To my way of thinking, a little get-away is nothing at all to be ashamed of!
Having just returned from just such a respite, I can tell you that a change in temperature, if only for a few days, can renew the spirit and refresh one's attitude considerably. This year I traveled up into the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico to visit old friends who have built a totally green, self sufficient summer house at 8,000 ft, in the Santa Fe National Forest. My friend John first heard about land conservation as a child,(long before "going green" was fashionable) from his Cub Scout master Bill Clements , our former Gov. Some 50-odd years later, John, his wife, and a bevy of friends have designed, engineered, and hand-built the perfect little cabin-in-the -woods. Having a chance to breathe fresh mountain air and participate in this adventure with my friends really made my heart sing, and I returned home, not only refreshed, but inspired. John suggests "going green" at my house, bit by bit, so as to chip away at the expense in a manageable way. Solar panels here I come!
Make travel this summer easy: I used airline miles to buy my ticket- perfecto! I absolutely love my 4 wheel, hard sided carry-on that glides comfortably along beside me instead of dragging behind me - something to think about when replacing older luggage. When the time comes, top your experience off with a spacious Baggallini tote slipped securely onto the handle of your suitcase, grab a River House sun hat, and have a refreshing time out there!
