Shy Patricia Rose

My dear cyber friend Pat Morello of Patricia Rose is my very first feature boutique. I wanted to introduce her to you because she is very shy and will not introduce herself. Just kidding! Anyone who knows Pat will tell you that she is actually a very outgoing and friendly gal!

Pat features in her shop some of the most awesome potpourris that you have ever seen. She home grows as many ingredients as she possibly can, assuring the honest, natural, organic quality of her products. Pat does not use artificial ingredients and is sure to deliver a high quality product, scented with essential oils and not the chemicals that are so commonly used elsewhere. She shared with me that "almost everything [she grows] goes into the potpourri. [She keeps] expanding the gardens in the hope that [she] will no longer have to purchase supplies." Some of her gardens include: roses, herbs, numerous bushes of various sorts, annuals, tons of perennials, and pine trees.

Just speak to Pat once and her enthusiasm for her product will shine through. She mentions, " I have been dabbling in this for years. I like the aromatherapy aspect of natural scents and reallly dislike potpourri that smells 'almost like' something. I like the fact that my potpourri is nearly totally natural (with the exception of musk, which is a synthetic. They no longer kill the poor little deer for their musk glands) and occasionally I have used synthetic rose oil because attar of roses or rose otto is unbelievably expensive. Rose geranium oil is usually my substitute to avoid synthetic." Of course, who could not notice how incredibly eye-appealing her beautiful potpourri is as well.

The one thing that Pat wishes for her customers to take away from their experience with her product is the absolute pleasure of pure fragrance. Since it is so difficult for her to share her scents over a computer, she leaps at the opportunity to convey the essence of her product: "It's something that is only a background note to your home but it makes an impression on people, nonetheless. I would like them to see the benefits of having a 'signature ' fragrance for the living areas, for the bedroom, for the office. Potpourri can be produced to enhance feeling of well being, relaxation, alertness, sensuality."

Pat has hopes of being able to renovate her detached garage as a studio and teaching area in order to give classes. She has a real vision for her business and I know that someday she will have her dream studio...and boy will it smell wonderful! But what is HER favorite scent? "I don't have only one favorite."

Please be sure to visit my dear friend Pat's potpourri boutique at: http://www.patriciarose-apotpourri.com/

The Symbol of the Rose

Way back in the fifteenth century, the white rose symbolized the House of York and the red rose symbolized the House of Lancaster. The civil war between these two Houses in England was termed the War of the Roses. Today I live in York County, Pennsylvania. The next county over lies on the east side of the Susquehanna River. It is Lancaster County. Lancaster County is well known for it's Amish farmlands, rich Pennsylvania Dutch foods, and even its trains. But few people realize that these two counties in Pennsylvania still carry the symbol of the roses inherited from their namesakes long ago and far away. Yes, York County is still symbolized by the white rose, Lancaster by the red, but to those who love this beautiful flower, it matters not what the color for all are beautiful and worthy of recognition.
My grandmother's name was Rose. Oh, how proud she was of that name. I remember fondly how she identified herself with the exquisite flower whose name she bore. The image of the rose conjures up a warm and beautiful feeling from deep within. Most will imagine the luxurious fragrance or the soft, velvety petals. The rose is a flower that tends to engage those who are in its presence. Not only will its beauty draw you in but its scent is intoxicating. There is a saying: Stop and smell the roses. There are songs and poetry written of this flower, from A rose is a rose is a rose to Roses are red, violets are blue and every sentiment in between but one thought that will always ring true is from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

Won't you join me in celebrating the most treasured flower in the world this Friday at MMP?

To the BEACH!!!!

My favorite place to vacation is the beach. Ever since I was a little girl my mom and dad would take us to the Jersey shore on a summer vacation every single year. I loved the waves that crashed to shore, playing in the sand, walking the boards, and the excitement and fun that seemed to permeate the place. It was the highlight of my summer.

The beach is still one of my favorite places, but my tastes have changed a bit. I crave the peaceful quiet of the waves lapping to shore, the gentle breeze, the salt air and the sand between my toes. I want to go there just to soak in the peace like a sponge and then bring it home with me once again. That is truly why we decorate our homes with the beach cottage theme, isn't it? We want to drench our nests with the warm summer sun, the peaceful cool hues, the sweet scents of a far away place. We want to make our homes a true place to get away from it all.

This week our theme for Pink Friday is A Beach Cottage. Isn't it funny that the results of my poll earlier this week show that MOST of us pinkies want to spend our off-time by the sea?! How appropriate that we celebrate that this Friday. Please, please do not miss this wonderful day of special shopping. I am offering some exceptional items and THIS Friday...to celebrate...there will be NO shipping costs on the beach themed items. This is a fantastic offer! Not only will you save on gas, but you will save shipping as well! This is truly the very best way to shop...so I know you will not want to miss this! I can't wait til Friday to see you...and to shop with you. See you then!