"It's Always Summer Somewhere..."

  Being that part of my business is selling vintage clothing AND I live in Florida, the recent passing of Lilly Pulitzer was of some interest to me. A story about how her clothing line came about caught my eye. Apparently a series of tiny  events brought her to the design fame that she ultimately enjoyed. 

  Starting out in Farmington, Connecticut, Lilly clothes the illustrious Jackie O in a kitchen curtain! Following that we find her suffering from severe depression, moving to sunny Florida to cure it and finally landing in a roadside orange juice stand selling juice from the family grove in order to occupy her time. And then... BAM!... a clothing line is born! 

   Lilly's shift dresses were in bright colors and born of the need to hide the citrus stains to her clothing. Next thing you know... the Kennedy's are wearing them as well as all the finest Palm Beach socialites. I find that  kind of ironic. Socialites wearing work clothes designed to hide stains.

  Anyhow- in summary- it just goes to show that even the "best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray"... and success abounds as the result! Thanks for the cool clothes Lilly and I am sure you are right..."It's always summer somewhere". Enjoy your eternal summertime, but you will be missed.

Clippings From Home

  I am one of those adult children you hear about the receives the magazine and newspaper clippings from their parents. 

If you have never been the recipient of these little treasures then allow me to share my most recent experience with you!

There is no better day than when you walk to the mailbox after work only to find mixed among the junk mail an envelope addressed to you in your mother's handwriting.

   Since I have moved to Florida (13 years ago) every piece of mail I get has a Disney character sticker on it- as evidenced here. Happy looking piece of mail, huh?  

Today's catch included 2 pages from magazines and one newspaper page neatly folded into an envelope.

Attached was a sticky note reading: "Just some reading material! Love, Mom" 

 

  Usually the contents will reflect interests from previous phone conversations- This one includes some online classes I may be interested in and an article on Julia Child- I have an avid interest since the movie "Julie and Julia". On a recent visit my mother even brought me a Julia Child cookbook that used to belong to my Grandmother- I love it!

The last page? How to get crafty and make some arrow earrings. 

Don't think this sudden onslaught of curious mail just started. On, no. This goes WAY back to my childhood. My mother was possibly one of THE BEST Moms out there. She would save cereal box tops and send away for all sorts of things in my name so I would have mail. The best one (as a child) was the arrival of the H.R. Pufnstuf record! I was in love with Jimmy and his magic flute!

The best mail as an adult? A single picture and caption about a dog with 17 puppies. The attached sticky note simply read "And you think you've got problems!!!"

You never know what will be in the envelope, but I always make sure I bring it in to the house, sit down and get ready to enjoy!

You're Standing in My Sun

Diogenes and his faithful companion Rataplan.

  I always said that when (and if) I get a tattoo it will simply be the word "Diogenes" written somewhere upon my seldom seen nether regions in order to hide the fact that I may be just as cynical as he while at the same time announcing it proudly to anyone daring to be close enough to me to see my nether regions. Also showcasing my talents in contradiction.

  While looking for a name worthy of this blog I came across a website about my hero Diogenes:

http://www.athensguide.com/journalists/articles/honestman.htm

- you can certainly read more about his sketchy life there. Above that, oddly enough, was an advertisement you could click on for a 40 something dating website. How wildly appropriate.

 Inside I found this wonderful short story: 
   "When Alexander the Great rode down to visit Diogenes in his barrel, he offered Diogenes any gift of his choice. With a scowl, Diogenes snapped back his response: "What you've taken away, you can never give me."
 

"Huh?" said Alex.
 

"You're standing in my sun." "

That is indeed the summary to almost every problem and situation I can name for you right now and forevermore in my life. You are standing in my sun. Perfect.