Souvenirs

July 7, 2014 Photo (188/365): "Summer Souvenirs"

"Memory is the treasury and guardian of all things." - Cicero

Friends and family know that I prefer things clean and simple. I don't like clutter and I'm not a sentimental saver. When I travel, my many photos are always my favorite reminders of vacations and new destinations. While I might purchase something functional like a bottle of wine, a scarf, or a charm for my bracelet, I often prefer more natural souvenirs: a piece of sea glass, a heart-shaped rock, or a beautiful shell. After all, Mother Nature is an exquisite decorator! What will you take home from your journeys this summer?

Sea Glass

April 14, 2013 Photo of the day: "Sea Glass"

This morning when I awoke to a fresh dusting of snow, I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. Spring has been taking its time this year and I am feeling quite anxious. Ten days ago, I was combing Nice's pebbly beaches for tiny treasures: shells, heart-shaped rocks, and bits of colorful sea glass. I know that sea glass is essentially trash, yet the salt, sand, and pounding waves have rendered these broken bits beautifully smooth and milky. Perhaps sea glass is an appropriate metaphor for my feelings today. Looking around this morning, I had a hard time finding beauty in the gray skies and soggy lawns. Yet maybe I need to recognize that natural beauty often requires time, patience, and even a bit of rough weather. Spring will come, and when it does, its delayed beautiful will make it seem even sweeter.

Souvenirs

April 10, 2013 Photo of the day:
"Petits souvenirs"

What things do you save when you travel? I like to keep tiny beautiful reminders of the places I've been. Cleaning out my purse after our Spring Break trip to France, I discovered a few lovely treasures: tickets from the Métro, boat tours, and museums, a commemorative coin of the 850th anniversary of Notre Dame, leftover currency, brochures from Fragonard and Ladurée, a receipt from Chanel, a small bottle of Juste un baiser, a fun new iPhone case from Pylones, and a leather Eiffel Tower key chain. I also brought home sea glass and heart-shaped stones from the beach in Nice, herbes de Provence, and lovely sachets filled with lavender to infuse my home with home with the fragrance and flavors of La Belle France.