That Vintage Girl

The Castle Green is a magnificent residential building in Pasadena, California that draws the attention of any passerby.  Built in 1898, the grand building, which is surrounded by lavish gardens, has a unique blend of many architectural styles that include Mediterranean Revival, Moorish Revival, Spanish Colonial, and Victorian.  It was built with all the turn-of-the-century charms: a grand lobby and ornate wrought-iron staircase, a ballroom, sun room, and multiple salons with tiled and hand carved fireplace mantels, a man-operated wrought-iron elevator, plaster and wood moldings, and decorative wood detailing.  However, it was originally bult to be a luxury hotel, a product of the Victoria-era luxury  resorts movement that catered to the growing trend of vacationers and health-seekers who searched for warmer climates, cleaner air, and leisure lifestyles.  The mastermind behind the planning of the hotel was Edward C. Webster who built Hotel Green in 1887, which ...

This year I am traveling back to France through Peter Mayle's book A Year in Provence .  Published in 1989, the novel is the author's memoir of living in a 200-year-old Provençal farmhouse with his wife after leaving the cloudy skies of England for the warm sunshine of southeastern France.  Each chapter recounts adventures from their first year in the remote Provençal town of Lubéron, a region filled with picturesque hilltop villages, rolling hills, lavender fields, and olive groves.  The author shares many endearing experiences and struggles that include learning a new language and local customs, their growing camaraderie with the locals, restoring their two-century stone farmhouse, exploring new culinary tastes, and embracing the Provençal life.   Years after its first publication, A Year in Provence continues to captivate readers and inspire them to dream of their own Provençal journey to a slower and more savory life. 

This summer I had a wonderful opportunity to visit a lavender farm in Ojai, California called Frog Creek Farm .  The farm is open seasonally for a few weeks in early summer to pick bundles of lavender when they are in full bloom. The enchanting aroma of lavender drifts through the air as you walk through the lavender fields.  The farm also has a lovely lavender shop with homemade lavender products for sale.  I was so charmed by the lavender farm that I got inspired to plant some more French and English lavender in my garden.  In addition to being fragrant and beautiful, lavender attract bees and butterflies.      Bundles of lavender. The lavender shop.  Fields of lavender. Many different varieties of lavender too.  Lavender picking supplies include baskets and umbrellas.   Some of my lavender bundles.  The lavender shop on the farm.  Inside the lavender shop. Homemade lavender products for sale.  One of the ...