Bøger af Melissa Lester

"The editors of Victoria cordially invite you to savor quiet moments of bliss as you discover kinship and joy in The Art of Correspondence. Since its inception, Victoria magazine has embraced the pursuit of loveliness through composing letters and journaling. In this hardcover volume, leadoff chapters "Sincerely Yours" and "Room for Writing" encourage readers to create space in both their calendars and homes for putting pen to paper, with ideas for arranging a full-size or lap desk with necessities, such as stationery, as well as intriguing collectibles, including inkwells and letter openers. "Artful Expressions" celebrates the treasured traditions of calligraphy, letter press, and wax seals. Like satin streamers unfurled back and forth across the miles, missives exchanged over the course of time tug gently at the heartstrings, pulling loved ones closer as each handwritten note further entwines the lives of sender and receiver. Reflecting on the beauty of pouring one's deepest feelings onto the page, The Art of Correspondence offers inspiration for creating meaningful connections through writing letters. With personal essays on the value of this practice, features highlighting exquisite accoutrements, and tips for expressing one's thoughts in every situation, this book will delight and inform. "We lay aside letters never to read them again, and at last we destroy them out of discretion," Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lamented, "and so disappears the most beautiful, the most immediate breath of life, irrecoverable for ourselves and for others." In this title, glean helpful advice for sharing sentiments for each holiday, occasion, or circumstance. Find inspiration in the personal communications of a coterie of literature's best-known authors, and explore postcards from the past--some heirlooms affixed with a postage stamp and many jotted in the ephemera of daily routines or imprinted in memory."--Amazon.com.

The editors of Victoria magazine present their latest keepsake volume, Traditions of Christmas, brimming with page upon page of seasonal inspiration. Heralding the season with jubilance, we offer ideas for creating a festive welcome to your home and embrace the time-honored tradition of sending greeting cards. As the tree is often the center of holiday decor, you'll find a breathtaking cavalcade of the prettiest evergreens--each lovely branch brimming with exquisite ornaments and twinkling lights. Impassioned homeowners open their doors wide, allowing glimpses into grand old residences where holiday traditions of the past meet new ones in the making and treasured collections find pride of place amid the holly and the ivy.

"Table settings that span the spectrum from casual to formal affairs are showcased. Crystal goblets catching the glimmer of candlelight, polished-to-perfection sterling silver placed precisely beside delicately patterned English bone china, a snow-white linen cloth edged in the finest Bruges lace--together these elements form the foundation for an elegant table setting. Add monogrammed napkins, place cards penned in graceful calligraphy, and an extravagant arrangement of silk-petaled roses in vibrant jewel tones, and the tableau takes on an air of regal grandeur that both beguiles guests and reflects most favorably upon the hostess"--

"Living with Roses, the latest hardcover volume from the editors of Victoria magazine, offers bouquets of inspiration for instilling the ever-enchanting essence of roses into living spaces, both indoors and out. Throughout millennia, the rose has eclipsed all other flora to remain as the undisputed favorite of the garden, with exuberant blooms that have long delighted the senses, stirred imaginations, and inspired poets' heartfelt verse. Not simply confined to a plot of land, this quintessentially feminine flower pirouettes her way into the home, where her lovely visage brightens every imaginable genre, from decorative items and teatime occasions to fashion and fragrance. Arranged into seven illustrated chapters, this thoughtfully composed edition unfolds with Lovingly Tended, which shares helpful hints for the care and keeping of this beloved bloom, as well as an endearing essay sure to strike a resonant chord. In Romantic Abodes, we tour a parade of pretty residences brimming with floral charm, while Tranquil Moments shows the many ways a rose motif weaves its way through treasured collections, artful arrangements, and moments of bliss. Beautiful botanical sanctuaries from London to Paris are lavishly depicted in the Flourishing Havens chapter, and for those who dream of escaping to the breathtaking environs of the French countryside, we offer Belles Fleurs. Petal-Strewn Paths introduces women who have found creative ways to celebrate roses, from intricate embroidery on reproduction costumes to "painting" with petals. No Victoria book would be complete without ideas for hosting memorable gatherings. Gracious Entertaining offers plenty of inspiration in the way of table settings, elegant menus, and a bevy of heavenly desserts. William Shakespeare once wrote, "Of all the flowers, methinks a rose is best." Living with Roses underscores the venerable bard's sentiment, with words and photographs of ardent testimony to the flower's lasting appeal, and it promises to be a cherished keepsake for anyone who loves this sublime blossom or just appreciates the incomparable beauty found with every turn of the page" --

"It may start with just one special piece that catches your eye and captures your heart, stirring an affection that quickly grows into an assemblage so dear, its sentimental value is beyond calculation. Whether it is a passion for exquisite linens, sterling silver, or fine English china--or simply the thrill of the hunt--that entices us to sift through old attics and antiques shops, estate sales, and European brocantes, we are kindred spirits, linked by an unbridled fervor for curating our favorite things"--Publisher marketing.