Hats Off To The Queen

Saturday marks the 60th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's Coronation and millions across the UK and the Commonwealth will celebrate her Diamond Jubilee this Central Weekend with garden parties and highland flings.

I've mentioned my soft spot for the Queen before. My grandmother was a confirmed Royalist--when she passed away we found she had saved all kinds of clippings from Queen Elizabeth's life, from her wedding, to her coronation and visits abroad. So I suppose she represents a tie to Grandma Rosie who passed away 25 years ago. I think she would love to know that while many things have changed, the Queen still reigns.

And the Queen's style hasn't altered much in her 86 years. The prim handbags, the colorful suits, floral prints, a string of pearls, sensible shoes, the headscarf and, oh, those fantastic hats! Here's sartorial salute to Her Majesty's signature style along with a few fun facts courtesy of The Mirror and the official Diamond Jubilee website.

When her father unexpectedly became King, Princess Margaret, then six, said to her: "Does that mean you are going to be Queen? Poor you."

Many sent then-Princess Elizabeth clothing coupons for her wedding dress during post-war rationing in 1947. She returned them as it was illegal to give them away.

Her robes were so heavy at her Coronation that she asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to giver her a push, saying: "Get me started."  

She has owned over 30 corgis during her reign and her breakfast tray always includes a plate of biscuits for her dogs.

The Queen signals to staff with her handbag. If she wants to leave a dinner in five minutes, she puts her handbag on the table. She  moves it from arm to arm to tell aides she is tired of talking to someone. 

She was a big fan of 1970s cop show Kojak, which starred Telly Savalas.
 

The Queen has answered around three and a half million items of correspondence. 

In 60 years The Queen has undertaken 261 official overseas visits, including 96 State Visits, to 116 different countries.

An avid reader, she loves crime thrillers from P.D. James, Agatha Christie and Dick Francis.

No word on how many hats she's owned through the years. But I'll be doffing my hat to HRH this weekend and raising a Pimm's Cup in her honor.

God save the Queen!

Fresh Blooms At Merci

Our trip to Paris was a bit too early in the season for picking these lovely flowers, which started blooming today at Merci.

Inspired by the blossoms pinned in Frieda Khalo's braids, Aime's Magali Pont designed the sweet florals as a tribute to the artist.

A single rose...

Or an entire bouquet like the one Kirsten Dunst wore on the red carpet in Cannes last week.

 

 

Or a blue hydrangea cuff if you prefer to wear a bit of summer on your wrist. 

Sadly, their season is short - they're availble only through June 3 at Merci and at Paris department store Frank & Fils from June 4-9.

A Rosé Outlook

Our summer kicked off poolside with pink flamingos and plenty of pink wine.  I wondered how so many bottles could disappear so quickly...

 My Illustration 

Until I thought I spied the flamingos dancing while our heads were turned. I suspect them of dipping into our wine!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend! How are you starting off your summer?

Faraway Destinations

Happy holiday weekend, everyone! Will you be sticking close to home or traveling to some faraway destination? I thought I'd kick things off with a peek at another gorgeous destination wedding. My friends Heidi and Angel celebrated an anniversary this month, they were wed 15 years ago on the romantic island of Capri.

Don't you just love the retro-chic vibe of their wedding photos? They seem to be from another time...

 Buon Anniversario, dear ones. Wishing you many more happy adventures together!

Have a lovely weekend everyone, whether your destination is far, far away or your own backyard. Hope it's a sunny, joyful one! XO

Paris: The Secret Life Of Garden Chairs

 My Illustration

While walking through a Paris garden do you ever wonder about the conversations the chairs have once our backs are turned? They always look as if they are gathered and grouped to gossip. To exchange the news or just complain about the weather.

 

They give the impression that there truly is strength in numbers-- that it's better to be social than solitary.

Would you agree? Are you energized by being in a crowd? Or do you need time alone to truly recharge?

Gray, Rose And Lavender

The gray skies rolled back in this week, but I can still smell summer right around the corner... 

 

Mr. H. 

 

Our first rose of the season is blooming in the backyard, along with the earliest of our lavender. Is any scent sweeter?

 

 Aleeka Dreams

 Chatworth 

If I close my eyes, I can follow the fragrance to a rose-covered house in Provence and spend a warm, lazy, sunny afternoon dining in the garden, gazing at the lavender. 

 Eye Poetry

 Le Pavillon de Galon

 Le Pavillon de Galon

 Telegraph UK

 What smells like summer to you?