A Mysterious Woman from the Past

Sorting through paperwork from a family estate, we found a large envelope filled with old photos. 

We weren't sure where they came from or who they were. 

As I sifted through them, I looked for evocative images on cardboard or heavy paper.

And here's what I found . . . Isn't she a beauty?

This photo of a mysterious young woman, probably from the turn of the century,

touched my heart but I wasn't sure why.

Was it the portrait's glimpse into the past --
another era gone by, a time before cell phones or video or computers?

It's hard to look at these old photos without wondering about the story behind them.

Was it the pose that drew me to her -- so unusual for that time period?

Is she dreaming about something, perhaps unattainable, but so very desirable?

Or maybe she's remembering a lost love, 

resting her elbow on the arm of the chair with her hand against her face,

imagining it's his hand.

What about her long, loose hair?

Most women in these old photos wore their hair pinned up or gathered in a tight bun. 

And her hands look smooth and soft. 

Was she a daughter of privilege? 

Or was she a governess, missing her family far away?

Although the photo is sepia-toned, I imagine she had red hair and green eyes. 

With that ivory skin, she must have been enchanting.

Her dress, while modest, suggests a sensuality and youthful desire.

You can't help but notice her teeny tiny waist. 

Is there a corset cinched up under that dress?

Sometimes there's a note on the back of these old photos

with the name of the person in the picture or a date like the one below.

Scrawled in flowery handwriting in ink or smudged pencil, 

these simple notes often tell you something about the people in the photo.

Unfortunately, the back of this photo is blank.  

So we don't know who she was, where she was from
or why she has that faraway look in her eyes.

There's something about this picture that haunts me and captures my heart.

So I tuck it into the mirror on my desk so that I see it every time I sit down to write.

This mysterious woman from the past sends my thoughts swirling
and inspires me to follow my dreams. 

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French Country Cottage

Colorado Eye Candy - What a Treat!

Is November really just around the corner? 

Where has the summer gone?

But Colorado is so beautiful this time of year and I'm ready for a little change. 

Emphasis on "little." No snow yet please.

So, here's a bit of Colorado eye candy to welcome November.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Ready for a walking tour in the old neighborhoods of Denver?
Let's go!

Rocky Mountain High!

Happy November!

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French Country Cottage

French Country: LBB - Little Black Bathroom

Every woman needs an LBD -- Little Black Dress. Right?

But how about an LBB -- Little Black Bathroom?

My little bathroom was rather boring until I decided to add black to the mix.

Black and white is such a classic French palette. 

A black ribbon on some lacy curtains,

a black metal plant stand holding a white and black-trimmed enamel bowl, 

a black wire basket underneath to store toilet paper, bath things or magazines,

and a black rug on the white tiled floor gives this tiny bathroom some French drama.

French Country bathrooms are known for style, feminine touches, comfort and romance.

It's easy to add these to any bathroom without a lot of fuss or expense.

An old ironstone dish holds some fancy soaps from Provence.

A French champagne bucket is handy for flowers or as a wastebasket.

Open shelves contain towels and an ironstone chamber pot. 

Metal or tin objects like this old medicine cabinet, 

displaying vintage mirrors and bottles, lends a feeling of days gone by.

This tin clock is a thrift store find, the lavender a perfect accent 

Purple towels and a black vintage purse add a pop of color and a touch of whimsy.

A framed piece of artwork like these four colorful French postcards 

adds another dash of black and a bit of romance.

An antique mirror above the sink or on the wall is one of the easiest ways

to bring an old-world feel to your bathroom. 

A diminutive chandelier brings all four French style elements to this room
and amps up the glam factor.
The light is on a dimmer. Ooh la la.

If you have room, which sadly I don't, you could incorporate a Frenchy antique, 

perhaps a bench or chair or even an armoire for storage. 

No space? How about a French market basket to hold rolled-up bath towels?

Do I want black and white octagonal floor tiles and a lovely old clawfoot tub?
Yes, of course! 

But that will have to wait for a major renovation. 

Meanwhile, draping a pretty cloth curtain on your shower rod
and a small black rug on the floor adds texture and softness. 

Just because you have a tiny, tired bathroom doesn't mean you can't jazz it up
French Country style!

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Touring Molly Brown's House -- It's Unsinkable!!

When my sister came for a visit recently,
we toured the Molly Brown house on Pennsylvania Street in Denver. 

A stunning 1880's mansion, it was once the residence of J.J. and Margaret "Molly" Brown. 

If you're a history buff or just love old houses, this tour is a must. 

This is the front parlor where Margaret received visitors.
I wonder if the bearskin rug was a subtle reminder for guests to behave!

Margaret gained fame as a survivor of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. 

She was never called Molly in her lifetime but the Broadway musical,
The Unsinkable Molly Brown, changed all that for posterity. 

In her lifeboat, she encouraged other survivors to row, sing and survive. 

She also tried to convince a ship's officer to turn around and search for more survivors. 

One of my favorite rooms -- her library. 

Margaret was a well-known philanthropist and socialite as well as
an activist for education and women's rights 

She spoke five languages and loved to travel, often returning to Denver 

with crates of antiquities like the huge sphinxes on the front of the house.

Wonder where I could pick up a couple of these for my front porch?

She acquired great wealth in 1893 when her husband, J.J., made a bundle 

in mining engineering. They purchased the house the following year. 

After Margaret's death in 1932, the mansion housed twelve roomers and deteriorated rapidly.

When the mansion next door was demolished (and this three-story condominium was built;
it looks old but is brand new), the Molly Brown house began to sink into the empty pit beside it. 

This caused cracks in the mosaic tile floor on the porch which had to be replaced. 

It's always something with old houses, isn't it? 

The house was destined for demolition in 1970 when a group of concerned citizens formed 

the Historic Denver non-profit and saved it from the wrecking ball. 

They've been renovating it with many original items as well as period antiques ever since. 

Apparently, just after The Titanic movie was released, the house had so many visitors,

 they had to replace the worn-out carpets throughout the house! 

Wouldn't you just love a pantry like this . . . 

or a sumptuous dining room like Margaret's?

Allegedly, she said the animal heads were there to remind guests that she decorated

just like Teddy Roosevelt, her close personal friend.

Actually, she never met the man. 

If the family wanted a snack, they could just ring for it with this clever contraption.

Shades of Downton Abbey!

Here is the "modern" bathroom. 

Women sat down to do their toilette which is why the sink was so low.

So, for $8 you can enjoy a fascinating 45-minute guided tour where you'll not only learn more about the unsinkable "Molly" Brown but also have the opportunity to see two of the three floors of her historic house. The top floor will be open next year and will feature a servant's room.

And don't forget, the gorgeous carriage house in the back is now a gift shop.

It's bigger than my entire house!

Be sure to put this on your list of must-sees if you're planning a trip to Denver.

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French Country Cottage