THE JOLIE ADVENTURE

WELCOME BACK EVERYONE!      Firstly, I'd like to say that I'm ecstatic to be picking up where I left off in 2015 to begin my blog again. Secondly, pour a cocktail and click to your heart's content!...You might be wondering what caused me to do this - there are a multitude of reasons, but one of them is that I think I can help folks like me who love everything vintage;  I'm attempting to create a sort of "field guide" to living a vintage life in a modern world.  Take a look around at the new posts I've created with this re-creation of my blog in mind: Essentials for a 4th of July Table + Checklist 4th of July Menus in the 1950s 4 Daily Cleaning Checklists To Make Your Life Easier Vintage Summer Trend: Market Basket 1950s Etiquette : Social Manners : Etiquette Series      Let’s be real for a moment, many of us are buried under something - too much laundry, a giant to-do list, a fridge that needs cleaning out, a social life that cons

1. Use What You Already Have   /// One of the things I love most about decorating for the 4th of July is the ability to mix & match China, flatware, and linens to create a patriotic look! My wedding China happens to be Blue & White Spode, making this task especially simple. Blue & White Plates + red gingham napkins + a heavy white linen table cloth = a very vintage patriotic table. I also love to pair my Grandmother's white & gold Lenox for a totally different look.           White & Gold plates  + light blue striped napkins + a vintage table cloth covered in cherries = a feminine take on Independence Day Place Settings!                                                                                                                                                                           2. Think in Terms of Shades of Red, White & Blue /// Something great to think about is shade variation! You don't have to use exactly the sh

Each time I travel to Europe I am instantly aware of the cultural nuances that differ between parts of each country. Eastern Southern France is in many many ways very different from Western Northern France. Some old languages even remain and without a doubt food customs are still widely kept alive. A cassoulet in France differs from town to town and each town takes massive pride in their own " essential " cassoulet. I become then, keenly aware of the fact that the United States is the same way, though not often recognized. While we typically think of the US as serving hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled corn, etc on the 4th of July, there is no doubt in my mind that the East Coast will have some customary Independence day foods that won't likely hit the plate in the Southwest. And as another example, Texas is more likely to find brisket on the 4th of July table than say, Boston (I suppose?) I think the same could be noted then, not just regionally, but also yearly. T

In practicing my New Year's Resolution of, "habits = happiness" I began a very extensive search into cleaning checklists. I'll reiterate something I've said it other posts -  It’s not that I want to be Susie Homemaker, but I fully recognize that fact that a huge pile of laundry is stressful to me . It is obvious to me now that I become giddy at the sight of a well-made bed. One day at a time works  better for me than letting my home's accouterments scatter around the household until I have to spend and entire day (or two) trying to put things back together. I refuse to treat my house like humpty-dumpty. Better yet, I like that idea that anyone can drop by my home at almost anytime and I'm not frantically cramming the mess into a closet to hide now, then sort a year from now.  A home kept daily means more time to do things like this (which is a #lifegoal for me. Duh:) I've been experimenting with 2 different methods: 1. Focus on one room p

In the Earth conscious city of Austin, it's required to bring bags with you at all times for any shopping you might encounter through-out your day. While stores have bags to offer, they cost extra money, and you are left with that gritty feeling of having wasted something. I've cultivated the habit of keeping bags that I LOVE in my cars, draped over the back-kitchen door, and over the hook in the entry way so I'm never stuck without my grocery bags! A trick I've learned from my travels in France is that oh-so-chic French Market Bag. It's a woven classic that looks great with any outfit and any shopping is made instantly more glamorous just by being placed inside of it! 5 Uses for The French Market Bag: 1. Grocery Items 2. Daily Shopping 3. Your new fav Summer Purse 4. Beach Bag 5. Overnight/Weekend Stays  Trust me! You'll love the way a baguette looks sticking out of the top and you'll adore the feeling of pulling your newest dre

In today's world it's a hardy task navigating etiquette. The rules that once applied to social situations in the 1950s don't always apply today. Some social expectations from then are in fact unacceptable today.  We've grown, and that's a good thing! With that in mind, I'm starting this series of observing etiquette from different decades in order to fully understand what place etiquette has in our lives today! The purpose here is to scour my many etiquette sources to find practical guidelines for the vintage-loving modern person. Today's guidelines concern social graces and come from Amy Vanderbilt's 1952 "Complete Book of Etiquette." 5 Social Etiquette Rules From Amy Vanderbilt That Apply Today 1. In greeting people say, "How do you do?" We do not really expect an answer, but it is alright to reply, "Very well, thank you." You may also reply, "How do you do?" 2. If you cannot remember a name it'