Finer Things Friday: Irish Cologne

Almost two years ago my husband and I spent our tenth anniversary on the island of Innisheer, just off the coast of Ireland. We wandered through an old cemetery, rode bicycles all over the island, explored an ancient castle, and ate porter cake in a tearoom. One cozy little shop we visited had Inis cologne. I'd seen this advertised but had never smelled it, so I asked if I could. Its fragrance seemed to capture the essence of the island, from the rocky hillside to the ocean breeze to the Gaelic music. But it cost a little more than I wanted to spend at that moment...I was planning to buy a celtic knot bracelet later that day.

I still meditate on the events of that perfect day when I need a peaceful moment. I long to return to Innisheer and the other sites we visited. So when QVC had their St. Patrick's Day special and they had a great price on Inis, I ordered some.

It arrived last week. I think I shall refer to this as my signature fragrance. It truly is one of the finer things in life.

Finer Things Friday is hosted here.

Finer Things Friday: My Style Notebook

I've subscribed to InStyle magazine for years because I have a great fear of turning into the stereotypical unstylish homeschool mom. I know there are some stylin' homeschool ladies out there, but the denim jumper and the sandals with socks are burned into my memory as the uniform of the homeschool moms I used to know. I am determined not to lose touch with the fashion world.

Usually my InStyle magazines are stacked under my bed until I notice that there are ten or twelve of them, and I throw away all but the last two. This week, however, I noticed something else under my bed: my Style notebook. Several years ago when I was hoping to lose the baby weight quickly, I cut out all my favorite stylish pictures and put them in a notebook. I didn't lose weight quickly, but I did have a clearly planned wardrobe that year.

Yesterday I browsed the last three months of InStyle, the Penney's catalog, and the Coldwater Creek catalog (CWC, incidently, seemed to be aimed at grandmothers this month. Nothing for my Style book there.) I cut out pictures and glued them on green paper, and hole punched it for my notebook. I ended up with about nine pages of my favorite fashions--not the Oscar gowns, not the little black dresses, but clothes I would actually wear if I found them at affordable prices. i sorted them into church & dinner out clothes, everyday clothes, and makeup ideas.

This really makes me want to stick with my exercise routine (see Fat Burnin' Friday post) so that I can do a little shopping!

After months of blogging sporadically, I discovered and joined two memes today! I see more blogging in my future....

Finer Things Friday is hosted here.