StoryBoardC

I have recently rediscovered the joy of Swimming at my local YMCA. Bringing back such fond memories of my love for it as a kid. I remember when my family first moved from Memphis to Tallahassee, Florida for my Dad's Job with the Federal Prison System in 1980. We lived at the Days Inn on the corner of Apalachee Parkway and Capital Circle for a couple of Months while my parents house hunted. One of my favorite things to do besides following around my favorite housekeeping lady around was going swimming at the crack of dawn. I am not kidding, I could barely stand it waiting for my parents to awake. Sitting by the air conditioner window unit and peeking out the center crack of the light blocking curtains counting the minutes that my mom would take me down to the pool courtyard.  

When she would finally rise. We would head down the open hallway stairs, with sound of  the clippity clop of my flip flops and her carrying two pristinely white bleached Motel towels behind me. The pool courtyard was like a little paradise. Perfectly groomed grass, meticulously lined beach loungers and Palm trees at each corner of the pool. It was a usual sweltering summer and the mornings light glistening on the freshly clean pool water was so wonderfully inviting. There was just nothing like jumping in and being enveloped in that cool water and the overpowering smell of the chlorine.  

I loved floating and splashing around in the shallow end. Closing my eyes and feeling the sun on my face as the water rippled around me. Pool perfection.

Then adolescent insecurity eventually took away my joy for water. I Remember swimming in Junior High and how traumatizing it was around your peers if you were less than perfect at that age.  Eventually in high school I dabbled in the joy of swimming with my best friend at the Y or with my job working with kids during the summer. But, I didn't recapture that pool passion completely ever again until now. One thing I have learned from finding joy in exercise again- Try it all. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and experiment with all kind of fitness. If I would of just stuck with walking or strength training. Yawn... I would of given up by now on the exercise thing. the first two weeks at the Y I tried about everything. Did cycling again. Nope didn't dig that anymore. Then strength training. Boring!!! I would rather find alternatives to building muscle. * I still do my sit-ups and crunches:) I did try Zumba and completely enjoy that and the creme de la creme of fitness love- Swimming!!!!! I do laps continuously for about 1 hour now about 5 times a week. I only began with 20 minutes and worked my way up! The benefits have been amazing not only physically, but emotionally. Great thinking and planning time! Physically I have noticed more strength and tone. I love the way my muscles feel working against the water. The pool atmosphere itself I rather enjoy. It was built in the early 1960's and I love the pool decor of pastel geometric tiles of ice blue, light yellow, green and orange. Now if only I would look over and see Don Draper of Mad Men swimming laps next to me. Wink.  But, I do daydream of getting a vintage fancy swimming cap and bathing suit:)

But, for now I am beyond happy to have found my fitness groove:) Totally curious what is yours? Happy Swimming Sunday. Love, C. 

*** Vintage Swimming Images by the great Tom Palumbo and Slim Aarons. 

Grace & Jackie.

Hello:) I have to confess I wrote up this post after Mondays's Kelly Bag Tribute. Thought I would share this and Just Keep on the style roll this week with some Jackie and Grace today:) I love this Grimaldi visit circa 1961 for Lunch with The Kennedy's at the White House.  

Growing up as child of the 80's, I could of never asked for two better role models amongst a Debbie Gibson and Tiffany era of excess:) As a Girl, I loved how Grace and Jackie were the same age and both devout Catholics. Then Young women with independence and determination before Men, marriage and family defined there lives. But, now as an adult and in my 30's, I see admiration not so much in there perfection of fashion choices. But, the wonderful dignity they lived throughout there lives. True class.  

*Jackie with her Minimalism and pearls during the camelot years. Grace with her Hitchcock blond elegance as a real life Princess. PS The hat is daring:) 

I thought this random find would be fun to share too: 

(click on either image to enlarge and enjoy)

** I wish I could remember where I found this lovely vintage magazine article:(

What a wonderful comparison of these fabulous First Ladies in style sketches.

Have a good Wednesday! My friends. Love, C.

 

Hermes Sac à dépêches...

or today better known as The Kelly Bag. Since Sunday I shared my most recent Handbag purchase and mentioned in my Page "The Kelly" once again. I thought it was high time to do a tribute.

Hermes first created Sac à dépêches in 1892 as a large saddle carrier and then downsized it in the 1930's for chic women's daywear. It had a quiet high-end parisian following for many years before Princess Grace of Monaco stepped out of her car on a visit to the US. Carrying this lovely structured bag in front her to then conceal her growing royal baby bump. The picture showcased in Life Magazine, created a buzz that is now legendary. Sac à dépêches from that time forward became known as The Kelly Bag. 

Everyone who has hung in here with me in blog land. I am sure is beyond exhausted hearing about my love obsession. Since the first time I laid eyes on Princess Grace with one as a kid. I have dreamt, dreamt and dreamt. Hermes has always held this mystique for me. Yes, there is the (Jane) Birkin Bag (slouchy version) that sees more use with the modern day jet set. I am all about the structure and timelessness the Kelly oozes. It is a bag that carries quiet simplicity in such a logo world. Where generations of Mothers and daughters carry them proudly. Handing them down with the ultimate knowledge that Quality reigns over quantity in Classic Style.

Speaking of Hermes and Classic style, I can not forget to mention the SCARF. I remember that Grace used a Hermes scarf as stylish alternative of a medical sling when she broke her arm. I finally found a image of it after all these years. How Chic is that?!?!? 

Ok I am done:) I promise no more frivolous handbag talk for awhile. Have a good Monday. Love, C. 

The Coat.

**** Please bare with me on this post:)

I think it was in October sometime. My Mom came down for her annual check-up @ the Mayo Clinic. After her blood was drawn and before the afternoon follow-up we headed to my little village's Downtown shopping district.

* Source- Now

*[Our downtown has had a recent resurgence in the last few years. It is a unique mid-western community with travelers coming from all over the world. Not for vacation of course, but for Medical care. So, during the work week it is quite hustle and bustle. I like it, makes me feel a little metro without the mass population and traffic. As a kid it was fabulous to go downtown and discover all the underground walkways and sky-ways,especially when it was below zero out. You would never have to step outside, not even once. 

*then even before my Then. Whoa,things have changed. 

I loved going with my friend Paula or Amy down there with our week allowances. Picking up useless, yet delightful trinkets and taking wheel chairs for a spin. Pretending that we were some foreign visiting princesses for a check-up at the Mayo Clinic. Amy always being younger got to be pushed by me:)]

Whoa, a little sidetracking:) Sorry, let's get back to the coat... but I sure do love my little downtown:) O.K. so my Mom dragged me into Talbot's. I think the last time I had been there was 17 to pick out a dress(a lovely typical early 1990's nightmare of velvet and crimson) for the annual high school sweetheart dance. I had my shy eye on asking someone and now I can not even remember?!?!? But, I never got around to it and in the end just went on a nice date with a soccer playing young man in my Biology class named Kyle. We decided to just drop in and go casual. I think he was in Student government, so we kind of had to go. We ended the evening eating at Wendy's. Let's just say I never called him back:( Nice guy, but better as a pal. 

Once in Talbot's the dashed hopes of a formal flashed before me, but then it disappeared quickly as I became entranced with the most charming coat I had ever seen. It was as if the coat heavens opened up and a choir of angels began to sing it's praises. I was and am still in love...

Talbot's your still killing me with your makeover of fashion forward vintage classic. Honestly your giving J.Crew a little run for it's style money. Good Job old girl. But, why oh why do you not make a Women's size?!!? You do in most other things.I am not that 17 year old size 12 anymore... but you have made me make some changes. First it began with some daydreams, then some intentions and even actions. Who would think a coat could inspire all that?!!?? Hey, when fashion is a huge part of ones lifes passion. Not being able to wear something I would thoroughly enjoy- kills me. I am motivated. Yes, I wouldn't be in it until next winter. But, I will (Don't mess with a girl and her coat). I watch it nearly weekly to see when it will go on sale. I have even pinned it on my little inspiration board. Waiting for clearance... Waiting most of all to wear it. I can't wait until the day I can Spritz it with my trademark Coco and walk out that front door:) It shall be mine. The scale is telling me so...

Happy Monday!!!! Love, C. 

Kate's Place.

Ok, Neo-tradtionalist. Why do I even really need to blog? When you do all the charming work for me:) Here she goes again discovering this and making me smile from ear to ear.

A lovely photographic tour of The Spades NYC apartment. Oh it is delicious. So, lived in. Crammed full of books and personality. Now this is what a home should be in my Book. Head on over to The Selby for a tour. Happy Monday Friends. I think this might be two- post kind of day:)

Love, C.