Taking the Plunge

I've been thinking about blogging for the longest time, and I've been enjoying myself lurking and occasionally at blogs all over the internet, so I finally decided to just jump in! This is just a rough template so far, but I'll decorate more as I go along.

By way of a brief introduction, I will just say that I am a native Virginian, and a traditional Southern gal who is very proud of my home state, its history and its traditions. I'm active in my local Republican party as well as in a variety of charitable causes. Though I'm from the Blue Ridge, I'm now working in exile. I love my job and I love the area where I'm living, but I miss my old Virginia home sometimes!

So that I don't ramble, I'm borrowing this little quiz from Monograms and Manicures to organize myself. Here's a little bit about me, and I hope to get to know more people by blogging!

Favorite color: Green

Favorite Brands/Designers: Lilly Pulitzer, Tocca, Milly, LL Bean, and J.Crew

Favorite Restaurant: I love to eat out, and I have a lot of restaurants that I love. However, my top favorites would have to be the Ivy Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Jaleo in Washington DC.

Hobbies: Reading, cooking and baking, hiking, gardening, knitting; I also love my volunteer work, though in my mind it seems to be more than a hobby even if it's not my actual career.

Favorite thing about yourself: I like that I'm brave enough to try new things. Even though I'm very introverted, I do enjoy the company of people and I find I like being social now that I have learned how to pace myself.

What does your room look like (color scheme, theme, etc.): My husband really wanted white walls, so the room is painted a bluish shade of white. We have a blue and white toile quilt, and cherrywood furniture. It's a simple little haven. The rest of my house is a little more eclectic and filled with various family antiques, but this one is a little simpler. Everyone needs a place to which she can retreat.

If you could have dinner with 2 people (dead or alive) who would they be: It's very hard to narrow it down to two, but if I have to only pick two, then I would say CS Lewis and Dorothy Sayers. Both are amazing authors, and had interesting ideas(some I agree with and some I do not), so the conversation would never be dull.

What is your next “big splurge”: One of these days I really want to get an Hermes bag. The Birkin itself is too big for me, but someone I know has a mini, and I think it's beautiful! Realistically, my next big splurge will be a car. I have been researching them, and have my eye on the Volvo S40, and would love to know more about how it handles.

What is your favorite joke, quote, or saying: Psalms 23:6, and also "People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed
only if there is a light from within." - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross


Anything else you would like us to know about you (random fact)!?
Here are two:

(1) I am very interested in perfumery, both the history and the more technical aspects of it. I have a modest little collection of my own. My favorite houses are Guerlain and Dawn Spencer Hurwitz .

(2) I dearly love to travel, and go on a big trip every two years or so. This fall I'm going to Italy and can hardly wait!