. . . this weekend was one of chignons & pearls and romantic sunday walks along the water; pastel-coloured petals falling on golden coffee tables and afternoons soaked in sunlight; there were cut-crystal glasses of sparkling wine for two, and that certain feeling of feverish restlessness that comes just before the arrival of spring, and also before the final realisation of dreams . . .
hope you had a stunning march weekend, and that it's beautiful where you are, —roséline xo
. . . still more to come today, but laily has just sent along this glimpse of tory burch's weekend home in southhampton -- a collaboration with architect & designer daniel romualdez, [whose work you may remember here] and decorator eve hood, there is something so warm and bright, and a little romantic about it all, especially in the living room, [top], at one end of the home's former ballroom, with its coral-coloured curtains and chintz-covered sofa . . .
. . . and having been forever in love with love, and forever ever in love, it's no wonder that valentine's day is very nearly a national holiday around here, and perhaps the very best thing about it falling on a tuesday, is the chance to celebrate again, for there are dinner reservations also for the weekend, and for tonight, there will be champagne and other perfectly wonderful things, and however you celebrate, or not at all, wishing you so much love—the kind that overflows on everything and fills the air . . .
happy, happy valentine's day! hope it's sweet & sexy and positively filled with beautiful things, —roséline xo
. . . just 55 kilometres southeast of paris, near melun, and in maincy, lies a baroque french château, vaux-le-vicomte, one of the places shall always love best; a favourite parisian cousin drove us there one magnificently cloudy day, past tree-lined and winding country roads, old stone churches and fields of crimson poppies, past tiny cafés in picturesque villages, and when we finally arrived, it was utterly breathtaking . . .
To bury one's nose in a heavenly array of petals seems to overtake the mind and soul, almost instantaneously, like great winds upon sails. Memories of dreams and hopes may spring to mind -- of possibilities, of receiving your first red rose and kiss, of candlelit pathways, sweet notes read time and time again, and warm embraces; of the words, "I love you". Such fond memories, words and feelings are truly a matter of the heart; the very deepest matter of all.
Yesterday, today and tomorrow, we celebrate roses, as their ever-returning connection to Valentine's Day and love is deeply woven in history. According to number of sources, roses are representative of love in all its forms, and more so became a popular Valentine’s Day flower during the 17th century. It all seems to stem back to the simple belief that a red rose was the favorite flower of Venus -- the Roman Goddess of beauty and love.
Hence, the rose has been claimed as the single flower of love and passion. And just who grows these delicate flowers? There are specialists throughout the world, who devote their time, expertise, passion and pursuit of continuing the tradition of growing and maintaining a beautiful part of our history. Today, we take a dip into romance, as we explore ideas on how to use, preserve and give roses, as well as three wondrous and fascinating rose gardens across the globe . . .
For many, it is the dream—the dream to travel abroad and to walk the very grounds in which were walked upon by great literary artists long ago—their words replaying in our minds and lives today. The dream to breath in the scent of the famously fragrant roses, lovingly kept and carefully maintained . . .
. . . to take tea as was traditionally planned and created, to touch upon the stones that were laid so many years ago and to gaze up to the thatch roof lines of centuries gone by.
The heart of England lies within the very threads of its culture—the language of customs, of beauty, of traditions, of arts. Indeed, the dream does not lie in sights alone, but in scents, tastes, sounds, and feelings of the heart itself—a secret that whispers about, and if we listen, we might just catch on.
And just when most life is asleep for the duration of this winter season, we might see a whole new angle to the respected art of one of the most integral parts of England: English gardens. And in truth, the lines and forms of such spectacular gardens might be most appreciated in their simplicity, draped in alabaster frost.
. . . and so, today we ask you to join us as we set along on foot, imagining a walk in and amongst some of the greatest gardens in the world there ever were . . .
