33 Ways to Tie a Scarf: Abridged

$12.95 at Pickwick's Mercantile 

Okay, so we're obsessed. We got this wonderful little book, How to Tie a Scarf: 33 Styles, in the shop  before the holidays and it has flown out ever since. It has step-by-step picture diagrams for scarf styles that instantly freshen up the accessory. Finally, I was able to wrestle a copy away for the length of time it took to make this little post. We just got in several beautiful new scarves for the Valentine's Day spree and (even more exciting!) the coming of Spring, so it seemed like the perfect time to feature some fun styles from this book, while showcasing four of our many new gorgeous print scarves.

The Tools:

$24 at Pickwick's Mercantile
Weak in the knees over this red color!
It makes an outfit, all by itself.

$24 at Pickwick's Mercantile
This reminds me of Renaissance still-lifes,
with its creamy off-white background and lush shades.

$24 at Pickwick's Mercantile
I call this selection the "Princess" scarf.
I love how flexible it is- for the tween fashionista
or the sophisticate who still hasn't outgrown tiaras.

Faribault Mills - $50 at Pickwick's 
This yellow wool scarf is such a hopeful little piece,
and still so functional as we barrel towards Spring!
Love that it's made in the USA, too!

The Styles:
It was so hard to choose, because the ideas in the book were so creative, so I mostly went with standard, easy to visualize options. If you want to see the other 28 designs, you'll have to swing by and we can make them happen together!

The Geneva

Very chic and out of the way. I would rock this with a scoop-neck T, in place of a statement necklace, with a nice pair of dangling earrings!

Step 1: Wrap the scarf around the neck so that one end is 3/4 longer than the other.

Step 2: Wrap the longer end around and tuck it securely in the back. 

Step 3: Follow with the shorter end around front and tuck!

The Greenwich

 This is definitely my favorite of the ones I tried. It is so classic. At first glance, it looks very simple, but then it attracts the eye again because of that little curve-ball knot. You'll definitely get a host of flattering "How Did You Do That One?"s in the Starbucks line.

The Madison Ave.

Long, silk scarves can be tough to work with, but this bow style is an easy fix. I don't quite do it justice here, but imagine it with a pair of fitted ankle-trousers, chiffon button-down, and heels!

Step 1: Let the scarf hang around the neck.

Step 2: Cross the ends directly below your breast-bone.

Step 3: Pull one end over the other to make a loose knot.

Step 4: Create a loop with one end, loop around with the left end and create a floppy bow!

The Dorchester

I wish I had sampled this with my coat on over it, but coat or no, I can see that it's a fresh take on the usual tying of the winter throat scarf- and cozy to boot!

Step 1: Create a loop with the scarf and lay the looped scarf around the shoulders.
Step 2: Pull the two loose ends through the loop. Ta-Da!

---

I don't know about you, but I have fashion scarves spilling out the closet doors and I look forward to applying these new ideas to my outfits as the season goes on! The book even includes those sweet silk squares and that fringed piece you never know how to style. And gentlemen, I haven't forgotten you- a cute Valentine's Day gift idea for your fashion forward lady would definitely be this little book wrapped up with a scarf as the wrapping paper!

--

If you see anything you love but can't come in to purchase, send me an e-mail at thistlejones@gmail.com and let's chat! I would love to help get it to your door!

Little Shop of Horrors!

Last night, I had the enormous pleasure of attending the opening night of Patrick Dorow Productions' Little Shop of Horrors at The Star Theatre in Kittery. I had planned it as a surprise for my gentleman, as he has so often suggested that we sit down and watch the movie, so I walked into the initimate theatre space with no idea of what to expect, unfamiliar with both story the music, and I am so very glad that I did!

I won't give too much away, but the story introduces us to a host of  memorable characters all trapped in lack-luster lives on Skid Row. Endearing Seymour, lovely Audrey, their hapless florist employer, a maniacal dentist, and more become ensnared in the plots of a wicked exotic plant, the singing, scheming Audrey II! The story is fun and original and all of the music is composed by the great Alan Menken (of Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast fame), so the material for a good show is all there to work with. That being said, it was the efforts of the cast and crew that made this particular production fantastic.

My companion and I often stole looks at each other over the astounding voices and acting ability of everyone involved. From start to finish, every movement and moment simply sang with the complete commitment of the cast to their task. Every note, both musical and non, was struck. I would go again and again simply to hear Audrey II (voiced by the magnificent Ashley Kelley and operated by Pickwick's own Cullen DeLangie) for just one moment more! Beautiful set and other production values aside, it is the the performances in this show that I will carry with me for quite some time- it will be difficult for any other cast to supplant this particular Seymour, Audrey, and crew in my heart in the future. From start to finish, I believed the sincerity of every scene and was thoroughly swept away. Intermission has never been so unwelcome!

The fun doesn't stop until February 2nd, so make sure you order your tickets. Your teenaged children (it is a bit mature for the tykes), friends, or Valentine will remember this production with fondness, as will I! One word of warning, though, except to be humming the main tune to yourself well into the springtime.

The first tune from the show!

Santa Maria Novella Spotlight: 2

Image credit: http://unseentuscany.com/shopping-the-best-of-made-in-florence/
The Santa Maria Novella pharmacy in Florence.

Welcome back for the second half of the Santa Maria Novella spotlight! If you haven't read Part I, you can do so HERE. Let's jump right in!

Olio Cosmetico - $78 at Pickwick's Mercantile

This cosmetic oil might be magic. Derived from the chamomile plant and packed with the Vitamin F your skin craves, it is ideally used by those with sensitive or dry skin. Excellent for removing moisturizers at the end of your day, it is even better for use immediately after a shower or bath, to seal in all of that moisture and help heal the skin of your face. This is a favorite among our staff members!

Pasta de Mandorle - $55 at Pickwick's Mercantile
Idratante Labra - $35 at Pickwick's Mercantile
Sapone el Melograno - $18 at Pickwick's Mercantile

1. This picture is packed with goodies, so let's travel left to right. This paste is used to repair and soften. It is reported to have been the first product ever made by the monks and it is packed with high quality ingredients such as sweet almond oil, grape seed oil, egg yolk and beeswax from their own bees! Use it on elbows, heels, or any other rough patch- all year round!
2. The Lip Moisturizer is a smooth concoction based on cocoa butter (yum!) and enhanced with Vitamins E and F to heal, not just slick over. In this cold weather, I could use a tube myself!
3. The process for the bath soaps from SMN is pretty incredible- they triple mill each individual soap, age it for two months, and then shape each bar using trusty two-hundred-year-old equipment. The pomegranate oil scent base is so different from anything else- delicate and special. The only downside is that once you start using it, it will be hard to go back to anything else!

--

There are more beautiful products, including body milk ($80) and anti-hysteria water, an ancient concoction with a soothing effect, but, I can't give away all of the secrets! You will have to come in and see for yourself. We look forward to sharing SMN products and all of the legends that go along with them!

--

If you see anything you love but can't come in to purchase, send me an e-mail at thistlejones@gmail.com and let's chat! I would love to help get it to your door!

Santa Maria Novella Spotlight: 1

Writing a blog also means reading blogs and there are few things so wonderful as finding a taste-maker that never misses a beat, especially when you have favorites in common! With that in mind, imagine how excited we were to see Santa Maria Novella product featured on Olivia Palermo's style blog and website, something we carry in the shop! SMN fits right in with our family of timeless items and the companies who make them. In light of the Palermo write-up, it seemed only proper to do a little expose on what we have to offer here in the shop!

Wax Tablets  - $34 at Pickwick's Mercantile

Our wax tablets are our top SMN seller and gracious, did they fly off the shelves during the holiday season. More than just charming, they're functional- a great way to scent a room or small space without toxic sprays and aerosols. Handmade by the monks at the abbey in Florence, they are created with the same molds and methods now as they were over 400 years ago. This picture shows Pot-Pourri and Citrus/Relax, but we also carry Lavanda (lavender), Rosa (rose), and Melograno (pomegranate). They smell lovely and last ages! 

Acqua de Colonia perfumes - $110-$175 at Pickwick's Mercantile

     The Acqua de Colonia line of scents from Santa Maria Novella is knock-out. Jody's pick is "Angels of Florence", a beautiful blend of white flower, lime, and bergamot, with a host of other special ingredients and it's no wonder why. That being said, many of our customers are grateful to discover the solaflors, which smell true to single flowers. If you've been looking for an unmuddled carnation, honeysuckle, or even lavender, the search is over!

Tonic Waters  = $34 at Pickwick's Mercantile
Available in May Flower, Orange Blossom, Rose, and Mint

Something we hear often (and strive to amend) is "I don't really do perfumes". Well, if we can't completely change your mind maybe we can find a compromise that will surprise you. Toss these lightly scented tonic waters in the refrigerator and use them to refresh and tighten your pores. You won't leave that dreaded trail of cologne, but will carry a fresh and natural scent that is as close to the skin as a good, familiar soap. 

Incense Papers  - $30 at Pickwick's Mercantile

The legend goes that these were once a purchase popularized by the infamous Borgia clan. These incense papers are meant to be folded up, accordion-style and then lit. Their rare and decadent scent, a traditional incense, will fill your space and soothe the mind, maybe even bring about some of the epiphanies that dotted the era in which they had their beginnings.

--

I'm realizing now that there is too much goodness here to celebrate in one blog post. Tune in tomorrow for the rest of the round-up on our beautiful Santa Maria Novella products! In the meantime, check out:

Olivia Palermo's Style Blog and Website (home-page)

--

And, as always, if you see anything you love but aren't able to come in and purchase, send me an e-mail at thistlejones@gmail.com and let's talk! I would love to help get it to your door!