Perfect Scents

What's It Wednesday #89

It's back-to-school time here in Blogland and that means shopping for back to school supplies such as makeup, shoes, clothes, jewelry, and of course perfume. Of course, I am talking about us educators. 

In addition, to perfume I just adore beautiful, ornate perfume bottles. I started my collection with a few French bottles and now my newest addition to the collection is this little number from the good old USA. She is a vintage perfume bottle from Stylebuilt.

When I saw her, it was love at first sight. I had to bring her home. I saw the rose on the top of the topper and dauber from across the room. 

My fascination with these beautifies is the variety of gorgeous ormolu and cut glass. Each bottle is more beautiful than the last. 

My newest addition is not as old as her French big sisters or filigreed, but her detailed gold gilt rose is what makes her stand out. 

The other fascination I have for these beautiful ladies are their gorgeous daubers and toppers. I imagine the fine scent that was once housed in the bottle and the fabulous lady that gingerly placed the perfume on her pulse points with the glass dauber. 

A lady would never place her finger over the opening of her elegant perfume bottle, tilt it over and apply her favorite scent with her finger. A glass dauber and topper with an ornate top would be used for elegant application (and no contamination) and that makes "Perfect Scents".

What does your favorite perfume bottle look like?

xoxoxo

Paula

Thanks to all of you who partied with us last week. Please link-up and join us again. Remember, it's not a party without you!

Here are this Week's Features:

True Blue Baking

Ethereal! PLUS what I love

Life Images By Jill

Shabby Gals

Lavender Dreams

At Home with Jemma

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We are partying with these fine folks:

Katherines Corner The Charm of Home Antiques and Teacups The Farmhouse Porch Elizabeth & Co. Coastal Charm French Country Cottage The Rose Garden in Malevik Fox Hollow Cottage The Shabby Nest Imparting Grace Chic on a Shoestring Decorating Timewashed The Tablescaper Little Red House Adorned From Above Pursuit of Functional Home Funky Junk Interiors Dwellings Sunny Simple Life Shabby Art Boutique The Style Sisters Sir Thrift A Lot Life On Lakeshore Drive Inspiration Cafe

Savvy Southern Style Fine Craft Guild The Vintage Farmhouse No Minimalist Here Southern Lovely A Delightsome Life The Shabby Creek Cottage Sincerely, Paula The Thrifty Groove Craftberry Bush Boogieboard Cottage The Dedicated House Common Ground Art @ Home Not Just a Housewife The Farmhouse Porch Simply Vintageous Seven Thirty Three Between Naps on the Porch Maison de Pax Hope Studios My Personal Accent

Rose Chintz Cottage My Romantic Home The Brambleberry Cottage Coloradolady From My Front Porch to Yours Petals to Picots 504 Main Five Days Five Ways Finding Fabulous Natasha in Oz It's So Very Cheri Jennifer Rizzo Green Willow Pond Hope in Every Season Faith, Grace, and Crafts Green Willow Pond Our Delightful Home My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Judy H-J's Thoughts A Diamond in the Stuff A Stroll Thru Life Dimples and Pig Tales Huckleberry Love Posed Perfection Madcap Frenzy Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen

Come show off your whatchamacallits, what is its, what it once was, and "hey, look what I just did" posts. In other words, what you created, organized, designed or re-designed, found, purchased, transformed, inherited, re-purposed, renovated, are selling, or giving-away.

Skip to My Ormolu

What's It Wednesday #8

Part of the reason I love collecting antiques is simply because of the history behind each piece. The other part of the reason is because of the sheer beauty of such found objets d'art.

Ormolu originally came from the French which meant to ground or pound gold. By the 18th-century the English used the term for applying very finely ground gold into a mercury mixture that was then applied to bronze. As you can imagine this was very dangerous. In fact, the artisans that originally applied this technique did not live to see age 50.

Around 1830, mercury was banned in France and the process evolved into a type of electro-plating. Ormolu is most commonly seen on decorative items such as tables, clocks, and vases. This ormolu casket jewelry box with velvet interior was an absolute steal. I purchased it for $2.00 at the local Goodwill because it has a hairline crack in the beveled glass top. Nothing a strain a pearls can't hide

It was love at first sight when I saw this French perfume bottle at a French antique store. The gold ormolu floral motif overlay over molded glass just made my heart skip a beat. 

This 24 karat gold plated double cherub perfume bottle with atomizer is my absolute favorite. 

This antique gold gilt ormolu has a beautiful leaf motif covering the glass perfume bottle.

Sometimes finding the right piece, for the right price, can take years. But that’s half of the fun. I had always wanted a French lace vanity tray. It was so worth the wait.

Patience lead to the perfect vignette for our dresser. I topped it off with the ormolu standing hand mirror. Nothing like a little gold to make a girl feel special. 

What have you collected that made your heart skip a beat?

xoxoxo

Paula

Thank you all for participating in our 

"What's It Wednesday"  linky party!

Don't forget to grab a feature button.

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Here are this week's features.

First Come Flowers has 5 fabulous tips on how to decorate birdcages.

Carmelina created the most beautiful snowflakes.

Come and experience a heavenly Nordic Winter at Heaven's Walk

You must experience this absolutely amazing kitchen renovation at Miss Gracie's House

You are going to want to run out and find a settee after visiting Shenita's place at Embellishments at SLR

This is classic blue and white heaven at the Swedish Corner - Down Under

As Time Goes By

One thing we just don’t have enough of is time. I guess that’s why I’ve always gravitated toward clocks, watches, hourglasses, and all things related to time. My most favorite form of timepiece is the French mantle clock. I’ve a few I’d like to share, like this beauty. It has an enamel inset of angels, a pair of peacocks, and a hand painted satin glass finial. Yummy!

 This design originated in France around the 1600’s. It is ormolu or gold-gilt bronze as it is known here in the U.S.  The original process added high karat gold to the metal during the firing process.  Many of the workers didn’t live past forty from all the metal they inhaled from the process! By the next decade, they exacted a better process. Thank heavens!

 Many of the clocks we love were made by the New Haven factory that was formed in Conn. by Hiram Camp in 1853. 

 The company lasted over one hundred years, but finally closed its doors for good in 1960.

 Many of the company’s gorgeous designs still continue to warm our hearts today, like this little guy.

 Someone once inquired about my collection and asked me if they all work. In truth, I don’t know, nor do I care.

 I just love them for their beauty. It speaks of a time when form was prized over function, and people ‘did’ stop to smell the roses.

 I think each face with its delicate enameling and lovely gilt is a work of art.

 Even the tiny hands are each unique and intricately designed.

 This blown glass one with heavy gilt detail, called my name for a while until the shop owner took pity on my lusting, and a deal was made. Thanks, Ody!

Oh, this little jewel I just had to show you.  Not for the watch, but for the exquisite watch holder! It’s egg shaped with a beveled glass door. But, just look at the etched glass back. Isn’t it fabulous!  I bought it on eBay and didn’t even notice the etching until it arrived! I guess no one else did either; I got it for a song.

 This is my little ball clock I got from the same shop. She knows how I love clocks and put it aside for me. Her shop is amazing. If you’re ever in Miami, check her out at Ody’s Antiques. 

 Last, what home would be complete without an anniversary clock? I got this tiny one because of the sparkle of the four crystal cubes as they spin back and forth. (You know I can’t resist the bling!)

 Thanks for indulging me and giving me a moment of your “TIME” to share some of my treasures. Do you have a clock fetish, too? Tell me I'm not the only one. I’d love to hear about it.

Hugs,

Patti

We're Linking to the Following Parties:

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time

Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Twice Owned Tuesday @ House of Grace

Club G.W. @ Charm Bracelet Diva

One Project at a Time @ A Bowl Full of Lemons 

Anything Goes @ Type A

Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Primp Yourself Wednesday @ Primp

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here

Time Travel Thursday @ The Brambleberry Cottage

Thrifty Thursday @ Tales from Bloggeritaville

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Vintage Thingie Thursday @ The Coloradolady

Pearls and Lace Thursday @ Faith, Grace, and Crafts

Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove

Farmhouse Friday @ LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence

Potpourri Party @ 2805

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Homemaking Weekend Link Up@ Hope in Every Season

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

The Sunday  Showcase Party @ Under The Table and Dreaming
Sunday's Best Party @ My 1929 Charmer
Sunday Linky Party @ Petite Hermine

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle

Mosaic Monday @ Dear Little Red House
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Mirrors, A Reflection of the Soul

Oh how we love a great party. We are joining Debra over at Common Ground for the Summer Block Blog Party. 

Mirrors have intrigued us since Narcissus first gazed into the river and caught a glimpse of his own reflection. We adorn our homes with them making sure every room affords us a stolen glance. Every manner of material and style are employed to produce them. They are strategically placed to bring in light and reflect beauty. No home is complete without one.

This hand-painted French half doll depicts a young mademoiselle checking her rosy cheeks as she perhaps awaits her amor. In the background is a vintage ormolu framed mirror, capturing it all. I’m simply mad for them, five so far and still hunting!

The antique stand mirror is one of my favs. I love the beautiful applied barbola flowers. The old mesh bag was a $5.00 find that I just couldn’t pass up. The clasp alone was worth that! I added some old cards, lace, gloves and a small ornate mirror. Can you see the cute cherub peeking out? Love him!

My favorite trick with mirrors is to place one on top of the other. Here in the half bath it adds some sense of style to an otherwise boring piece of builder grade glass.

This beautiful beveled edged stand mirror is hung outside the door. Feng Shui followers say it wards of evil spirits. I just think it’s pretty, and guests can give themselves the final once over before they enter! Since we’re outside let’s pop over to Paula’s and check out her mirrors.

When I was a little girl, this was the first mirror I fell in love with. It belonged to my maternal grandmother. This was her dresser as a child. I would spend hours looking into the mirror as if looking into the past, wondering what that little girl was thinking of when she looked in the mirror. 

Brass art deco mirrors are so wonderful. Just look at this diva forever gazing upon herself. 

Thanks to the French we have ormolu. In the 18th century it was all the rage in Paris and the UK. Now in the 21st century we clammer for it everywhere we go. It adds the perfect touch to this standing mirror.

This wonderful vintage cast iron mirror sits atop a jewelry armoire and reflects the morning sunlight. Just enough light to put on the day's baubles and bangles.

The pictures are stereographs which I like to display on a mini plate stand 

Tray mirrors on a dresser or dressing table add such a nice element to any room. Displaying all your favorites on it is an added bonus.

On the weekends we like to run to the market and get fresh flowers for the house. The reflections of the reddish-pink carnations look especially nice on top of the silver mirrored tray.

Vintage mirror from India

Imported antiques and vintage pieces are also fun to collect. Just the shear nature of the history behind these wonderful finds leads to fabulous conversations when friends and family stop by.

Antique mirror from Indonesia

Frequenting local import antique stores can yield some amazing deals. This amazing mirror bids you adieu when you are off for the day's travels and welcomes you home at the end of the day. 

We hope you enjoyed reflecting with us on the use of mirrors within the home. Consider the many images and events vintage mirrors have witnessed. If only they could reveal their vivid past. Mirrors truly are… “a reflection of the soul”.

We also joining the following this fabulous Friday:

Come and join us in the fun.

Next Post:

"Feeling Cagey"