Reader, welcome to Afternoon Tea! As a self-confessed hopeless romantic and anglophile to the highest degree, it is one of my deepest sorrows that I am not one to regularly partake in the privilege that is afternoon tea. Although I often enjoy a cup of Earl Grey on slow afternoons, my chipped mugs and sliced bananas are poor substitutions for the Spode china and brilliantly colored petit fours that would abound in an authentic ceremony. As such, I invite you to a virtual celebration of the elegant pastime that begs us to appreciate beauty and focus on being present. Here, you will find a somewhat jumbled collection of my revelations, reflections, and that which I relish from the week. So please, brew a warm pot of tea, procure for yourself an array of scones and biscuits, and peruse with me what is lovely in life.
Thanking the Academy
What does it mean to thank the Academy? To do so is to extend a breathless word of overwhelming appreciation to a higher power, to a force second only to the Universe in terms of its ubiquitous and enigmatic presence. As such, here you will find my own earnest appeal to make my gratitude known – a profound and dreamlike thank-you to that manifestation which is omnipresent, alluring, and all-encompassing.
- Spending all day on the couch with my darling roommate.
- A fabulous show by The Wimberly Players.
- Celebrating my wonderful mother on her day.
- A day with my dearest friend – shopping, movies, catching up, what could be better?
- My cousin’s impending arrival home to Texas. Now to wrangle her sister back from England!
- The forgiveness of friends when mistakes are made.
- A handsome haircut for my perfect pup.
- Volunteering for March of Dimes, which was beyond rewarding in its own right, and meeting the host of the event, who happened to voice Kim Possible.
- Family dinner.
- Spending time with my younger sister and giggling at our parents’ antics.
- Swapping stories over wine with a friend.
- Time to pick up old hobbies. Reader, I adore crafts.
- Scrubbing my apartment raw. An under-the-rug sweep was long overdue and the space feels much more fresh now.
- Rain. It has been unfortunately humid, but I will take what I can get.
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things…
In an unending effort to live just as my icon, Ms. Julie Andrews, below you will find my own weekly compilation of that which brings me just as much joy as “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens”.
- Reader, I stumbled across this carousel ring, and I think it is simply the most exciting piece I have ever seen. The artist’s shop is full of equally interesting trinkets.
- Every time Odd Muse pops before my eyes I have to restrain myself from spending enormous amounts of money. This bralette, which reminds me of a soft version of Rabanne’s chainmail, and this dress, with a ridiculously fun silhouette and sophisticated pockets, seem to be exactly what my closet is missing.
- I am on a major “The Killers” kick lately, with “When You Were Young” and “She’s Just Another Girl” on heavy rotation.
- I recently realised I own no warm-weather blouses, and have since been on a hunt for interesting, classic, pretty tops…and have yet to meet with success. I never thought summer silhouettes could be quite so boring until I had a need to find one! However, in my search, I wandered out of my budget and found this stunning number.
- I am not sure what it is about summertime that makes me itch for a pair of statement earrings, but I think these are too pretty, if not very practical, to pass up.
- The Alice in Wonderland-esque dress I adore.
Seven-Day Design
A word (or two) of wisdom to guide the upcoming week.
Immortal Echoes
- “Punctuality is the virtue of the bored.” – Evelyn Waugh
Evanescent Intentions
- This week, I will be better.
Reader, I recently made a mistake and had a friend become upset with me. She had every right to be so, and I apologised, and by her graceful nature she extended her forgiveness. It is never comfortable to be asked to admit one’s wrongdoings, especially when they were avoidable. But I am grateful for her understanding and the opportunity to correct the hurt I caused.
I am working on seeing mistakes as unavoidable, though not necessarily excusable, points of life. Rather than sulk in the guilt of what is done, I am setting an intention to move forward with the lesson I have learned at the forefront of my mind, to grow in gratitude and maturity. It is not a fun mission, but a necessary and important one.
Reader, I know that we all will make mistakes in our time, and I hope that when you ultimately find yourself having misstepped, that you are afforded grace and a clear path on which to improve.
Love,
Lettie Anne