Tag: gardening

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Gardens of Versailles

IMG_1399 IMG_1403{The Queen’s Hamlet- Marie Antoinette’s private cottage and gardens on the grounds of Versailles}
I have been passionate about flowers my entire life. Growing up my mom was a prolific gardener and would plant beautiful flowers as well as vegetables around the house. And, when the weather warmed I always enjoyed picking the floral arrangements that would decorate the table for family dinners. It was a euphoric feeling seeing the various colors and textures laid out within the garden. So, when I studied drawing it seemed natural that my eye focused on the leaves and stems to the blossoms for which I had a great affinity. Pouring through art books on Boucher, Chardin, Fragonard and my absolute favorite artist: Anne Vallayer-Coster who was painter during the Court of Marie-Antoinette with her exuberant still-life paintings.

 As I continue to pour through books reviewing the details in drawings and paintings of flowers and herbs grown during the eighteenth century plus, remembering the sweet smell of lavender; mimosa and violets from the Versailles gardens with camellias used as decorations in several of the rooms. These scents and flowers are my continued inspiration for the upcoming gardens at Heath.

 Plant stylishly,
K

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The Abstract Art of Relaxation

IMG_0810{Sculptural fountains on Lake Anne Plaza}

Lately, I have been reading a myriad of articles on the benefits of health and the occasional “girls night out” with your BFF’s. Researchers have shown that women who stay connected and maintain close ties gain the advantage of a longer life expectancy; experience lower blood pressure, increased immunity and my personal favorite is experiencing complete relaxation over those who stay disconnected.

This weekend our “girls” group met at Café Montmartre a quaint French Bistro on Washington Plaza to discuss life’s problems and came away with solutions to global issues after a few sips of French Chardonnay and eating the most delicious food.  As we share mutual goals, common interest and feelings on most topics, this is why we get along so well. We have even invited new friends into the group and weeded out those who did not have our best interest at heart.

While a bit of stress may be good, and pushing ourselves on a daily basis to conquer the day seems right, there is nothing more fabulous than ending the day and carving out time for ourselves, in which to just relax!!!!

IMG_0821

Today I spent down-time in the garden pulling  a few scraggly annuals from pots on the front of the house, and planted a few chrysanthemums to bring one last blast of color to Heath before the extreme cold. I also pulled the remaining pumpkins from their vines and strategically placed them around the house for added decoration.

IMG_0824{Dahlias and Pumpkins}

While rushing to meet deadlines for work or handling stressful situations will always continue,  but whenever possible… relax, in whatever way works for you, it is more healthful than you may realize.

Relax Stylishly!!

K