Showing posts with label Phyllis Hoffman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phyllis Hoffman. Show all posts

Monday, March 14, 2011

A Return to Loveliness

Posted by MAKMU ta On Monday, March 14, 2011


Celebrating the art of being Fine and Gracious

looking through March Victoria magazines -
classic and new  for inspiration while enjoying
a quiet cup of tea

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines fine - in characteristic - as being elegant; beautiful in thought; very handsome; beautiful with dignity; accomplished elegant in manner and amiable, noble. 
Being described as 'fine' is not very common today. Similar descriptions may be used, such as gracious or delightful. 

Today, I am very thankful to Phyllis Hoffman for taking up the mantle of the very fine
magazine, Victoria. Phyllis had shared, "The relaunch of Victoria is a dream of mine! I was one of the disappointed subscribers who felt as though a friend was gone when the magazine was closed. Victoria has a passionate readership of women who love every tiny detail of life. The magazine was a visual vacation for us and was a retreat from the hectic daily pace."

Victoria March 1991 - bringing to live the 'daily eloquence' of life portrayed by artist Gari Melcher
Hoffman Media describes Victoria Magazine as, "Victoria, a bimonthly women's lifestyle magazine, is designed to nourish the feminine soul. Created for all who love the timeless appeal of romantic fashions, heritage linens, charming homes, gracious gardens, unique decorative touches and all that is beautiful in life, Victoria promises a return to loveliness. The magazine provides a showcase for women's heritage and harkens to a time when elegance and graciousness were central to every part of life."

Young Woman Sewing
Victoria's adaptation
The classic Victoria did just that and I believe that Phyllis and those
working with her on Victoria Magazine are doing a superb job in 
fulfilling that description.

Penelope - a portrayal of a wife with her needle -  a gesture of truest love.

Victoria's adaptation
It is not an easy thing to take up someone else's work and to recreate
the mood, the tone, the language or the visual. But, I believe that Phyllis is a Kindred Spirit and has worked very hard to fulfill that pledge. 

dining buffet ladened with china and silver
at the ready for tea time visitors

The other magazines published by Hoffman are also ones that are 
geared to a woman's heart - 
What Victoria Magazine did in 1991 to emulate the works
of Melcher - demonstrating works of art honoring 
the everyday life - inviting you to enter and to walk around.

fresh flowers adorn tabletops bringing in the Spring
colors  and fragrance of the garden
I believe Victoria Magazine encourages and portrays the kind
of living so many of us endeavor to do everyday. It is wonderful
to have Kindred Spirits to walk along our side and to inspire us
to live a more gracious life.
favorite dishes displayed on the kitchen counter
invite guests to linger for another cup of tea

I am thankful to those who encourage women to be the best they can be - in a very feminine way - to continue a sense of living our lives thoughtful for ourselves and for our families.

A Return to Loveliness
is a weekly blog party I host celebrating  bringing loveliness into our lives 
and into our homes. I feature my admiration for Victoria magazine both
classic and new in my posts - but I do not limit participants posts to including
the same.
To Join in simply,
create a post demonstrating how you bring loveliness into your home or
what inspires you - publish this post and add its URL address to the linky
provided before.

Next week, I will host a special edition of 

A Return to Loveliness


Celebrate Spring With Victoria
To learn more and to join in please go HERE 
and leave a comment.

I am also joining this post to these very lovely and very gracious
Tea Time Parties:







Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday 

The Plumed Pen's  Tea for Two 

Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday 

Martha's Favorite Teacup Tuesday 

A Breath of Fresh Air's
and Silken Purse's


I appreciate your visit to A Delightsome Life.

Wishing you a very Delightsome day,



Monday, December 27, 2010

A Return to Loveliness No. 24

Posted by MAKMU ta On Monday, December 27, 2010




Rejoice!










Filled with Joy
Reflecting on Victoria’s Return



I'd love you to share a cup of tea with me
and some Bread Pudding.

this is a darling gift my husband gave me for Christmas. He noticed
me 'ohhing and ahhing' over it at a local antique store - of which I plan to
share with you soon.

I was looking at my December Victorias and read the
Letter from Phyllis Hoffman in the first issue of the
revived Victoria.


I was so surprised and excited to see these among my Christmas
and birthday gifts! My daughter acted as Santa's little helper for my
husband. She gave to me the tea and coffee mug as well as the sugar bowl.
The coffee cannister and water jug were from my husband.

She expressed similar sentiments over the impact
Victoria in women’s lives over the years and
the personal sense of loss we all experienced.


I love the detail in this old plant terrarium
“As a young wife and mother, I discovered another dream when Victoria came into my life. I held my breath as I opened the cover. Every page enriched my soul, inspired my thoughts, and took me on a visual vacation. I was captivated. 


I love every curve and every line

When she went away, I mourned, reread issue after issue, and dreamed of her return. …So special, her name is whispered as if she is a breathtaking, refined woman making an entrance at an elegant event.

I am not sure exactly where this will find a home, but I look forward to
decorating with it!

So special, she takes your breath away as you turn page after page revealing photos that take you to places of tranquility and loveliness.”
Phyllis Hoffman, Victoria 

These are so wonderful in their creaminess and laciness! I have
a mug for tea and one for coffee! How Delightsome!

I am so thankful to find the kindred spirit in Phyllis and in so many others. I am thankful for her presence in my life to remind me and to encourage me in the fine art of being a gracious woman.


the antique store had several of these - wonder if I could dare to hope for another!
My daughter crocheted these darling flowers
for a bouquet for me.
It reminds me of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Each one of us touches so many lives and we can never comprehend the impact our life has on others.

I love the lacy detail in this cannister
 I believe Victoria encouraged us to be kind, gentle and gracious women – that is why I love to celebrate Victoria each week with you at A Return to Loveliness.





My heart is filled with joy and thankfulness this wintry morning.
I look forward to the sharing of blessings in the days and weeks to come.


I am enthralled with this extra large Cloche and
Apothecary Jar! So many wonderful things I can do with them!
Rejoicing once more today. I received the latest Victoria Magazine
and a belated Christmas gift of Romantic Touches - a book
published through Victoria Magazine!
Time for one more cup of tea!


A Return to Loveliness is a blog party I host each Tuesday
celebrating our efforts to bring loveliness into our lives and
homes and the influence Victoria Magazine has had on
our lives.
To Join in:


1.  create a post - copy the permalink to your post 
2. add your link and information to the Linky provided
below.


I truly appreciate you stopping by, joining in and every comment!


I'd love you to also visit these very lovely tea blog parties!








Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday 
The Plumed Pen's  Tea for Two 
Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday 
Martha's Favorite Teacup Tuesday 
A Breath of Fresh Air's



Wishing you  a Joyful, Delightsome day,


Kathy


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...