10/11/11

LACE~ Beauty and Books

It has long been my habit when visiting our local thrift stores to not only try to save money, but to also keep my eye out for inexpensive items whose sole purpose is to bring a touch of joy or beauty into our home.
Just a week ago I was blessed to find these two very lovely books by Victoria!
 The Romantic Heart is filled with wonderful images of elegant settings and beautiful ladies dressed in feminine attire.

Containing timeless words of sweet romance and poetic love...
the sentiments are paired with nostalgic photos and paintings of bye-gone days. 
A Love Is Born is a gorgeous book full of the sweet joy of awaiting the birth of a newborn infant.
A sweet gift for an expectant mother - or for tenderly reminiscing those precious days now past.

I spent a delightful morning tea-time today, sipping hot chocolate from a favourite old blue cup, eating rum and raisin Tim Tams whilst leafing through these two lovely volumes from Victoria.
They only cost me $4 for the both of them - I think that's an affordable investment in beauty well-worth the price of a cup of coffee!
Personally speaking, I find it's important to me to have such things of gentleness in my home to soften the atmosphere and grace my surroundings.
Things which call me (from the mundane or dreary direction that a day can sometimes take) to a delightful place of peace and uplifting beauty.
Visual and verbal beauty!
Images and words that cause me to stop and breathe a little slower while appreciating the good and fine things in life.
 They remind me that goodness and beauty and love and gentleness are essential to the well-being of my spirit; they direct my gaze towards the One Who is the source of all these godly virtues.
I also happen to believe that a woman who makes it her practise to bring such things into her her home is blessing not only herself - but all who come under her roof!
The gruffest, the rowdiest, the seemingly uninterested and unaffected are all very much brought under the influence of her efforts to beautify her home!

The power of gentleness and grace and loveliness will eventually seep quietly into their spirits too.
We should never under-estimate that power!
It ministers to our family and our guests in ways that are subtle but very real.
Children in such a home learn the value of creating space for that which is beautiful and edifying - and will hopefully go on to use that lesson in their own home environment some day.
The few dollars and little feminine touch of today.. can carry a blessing into the future!
 
A woman who lovingly places a vase of pretty flowers
or beautiful books
on the table for her family and guests
is creating a true work of art...
and grace.
***

Hello friends, welcome to LACE!

This meme is for encouraging one another and is based on Philippians 4:8 
Whatever is..Lovely. Admirable. Cheerful. Encouraging. ~ LACE
Link only to your LACE post
Link back here
Leave a comment after linking - please don't link and run!
Please try to visit each other with a friendly word and leave a blessing.
Thank you and God bless you all..Trish
*

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20 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 11, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    I have several of these and they are very inspiring. Especially when I am in the mood for something feminine and frilly - like your beautiful lamp shade :-D

    Thank you for sharing this morning Trish.

    Maria

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  2. Sandi@ Rose Chintz CottageOctober 12, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    Good morning Trish,
    "The power of gentleness and grace and loveliness will eventually seep quietly into their spirits," I like that! I like to think that when someone enters my home, they feel grace and beauty here. Your words are so soothing today. Thank you for a lovely post and for hosting a lovely meme. Have a lovely day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  3. AnonymousOctober 12, 2011 at 5:12 AM

    Dear Trish,
    A wonderful find indeed. How I wish Victoria would publish books like this again! I have a few, but I've never seen the Romantic Heart one ~ how lovely!! What a perfect way to enjoy your teatime ~ I've never heard of Raisin Tim Tams, but they sound delicious!
    Hugs))

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  4. KimOctober 12, 2011 at 5:17 AM

    Hello Trish,

    Oh, I do agree with everything you wrote in this lovely post!

    Bringing a little beauty into the home atmosphere every day is so important for everyone at home.

    Thank you for sharing this today.

    Blessings,
    Kim

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  5. Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage BlogOctober 12, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Trish,

    What lovely finds! I love Victoria Magazine and their books are lovely too!

    I agree with you about making our homes places of beauty and gentleness...it does have an affect on our families and those who visit our home.

    Deanna

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  6. JaneOctober 12, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    What a lovely post about the importance of beauty in the home. I've noticed that when things are neat and tidy and prettied up, we act in a more genteel manner. Wonderful finds and I love your blue teacup! I didn't know they made a rum raisin Tim Tam.

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  7. AnonymousOctober 12, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Oh - I do love pretty things, Trish - for just the reasons you have noted here so eloquently! I believe there is so much "ugly" and "incivility" in the world and in my own little corner of it, I choose to surround myself - in as much as it is in my power - with all things good and beauty. Loveliness is a powerful attribute of God and one I love to revel in! Your books are splendid! A bravo find!
    Joy!
    Kathy

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  8. CarolynOctober 12, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    I love the Victoria books too-I have not seen the Romantic Heart one though.

    Thank you so much for your prayers for Lucas.

    Carolyn

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  9. AnonymousOctober 12, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    Trish,

    What a lovely find at your thrift store! I've never seen those books before but I definitely will be on the lookout next time I go.

    Blessings

    ReplyDelete
  10. grammie gOctober 12, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Hi Trish...I love your posts..they always make me feel pampered in some way...so soothing !!
    Lovely books I have never seen before !!

    ♥ Grace

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  11. stefanie cunningtonOctober 12, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    I love books and thrift stores too!
    Stefanie

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  12. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLROctober 13, 2011 at 1:50 AM

    Hi There! i just discovered your wonderful blog! What a great site you have here!! I am your newest follower; and I hope you will follow me, too! God bless you!

    ReplyDelete
  13. SandraOctober 13, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    Aren't the Victoria books just beautiful? I have quite a few of them but not these two. Oh and your pictures are so pretty!

    I've joined in on LACE today and will have to go spend some time visiting the other ladies. :o)

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  14. NellOctober 14, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    Hello my dearest friend, I love your books, I will have to pop over and look at them, if I can get them out of your hands for a couple of minutes that is.
    Sorry I have posted so late. I often want to post something but it takes so long to get my thoughts together. I will have to start early next time, and have something ready, knowing that your Lace linkup is coming.
    You will have to teach me how to put your lace icon in my post, please.
    Love you heaps,
    Nell

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  15. noreenOctober 14, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    Hi Trish, I so enjoyed your comment of "the power of gentleness and grace and loveliness will eventually seep quietly into their spirits too."
    I couldn't agree more!

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    What lovely books you have found!

    I enjoyed reading this post. It reminded me of the importance of beautifying our home with simple pleasures and joys - things which were created by our loving Creator.

    ReplyDelete
  17. JoyOctober 15, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    Dear Trish,

    What a beautiful post, and what lovely books! I love the Victoria books also. I found one at our used book store (I was able to trade other books to obtain it), and it is such a pleasure to look at.

    Thank you for sharing such lovely thoughts and photos!

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  18. Barbara NeubeckOctober 16, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    Hi Trish,
    I have just finished saying Hello to all this weeks L.A.C.E ladies.
    I don,t remember seeing Victoria books before...only the magazine.
    They look lovely.
    I like the white shade on your lamp....and I'm going to look for those Tim Tams...they could become my next favourite bikkie.
    Love you Barb xxx <3

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  19. Brenda Leyland @ Its A Beautiful LifeOctober 22, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    What a DELIGHT for you it must have been to find those two lovely books from Victoria. A real treat... a lovely grace note!

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  20. janice15November 4, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    It's funny but I receive catalogs from Victoria all the time and never notice these kinds of book...humm but they look and sound lovely...ty..have a great evening... Janice @ spoonwither.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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