minty valise fabulousness

You know what it's like. You drag yourself home from holiday back to reality, a smelly, broken dishwasher, mountains of washing and bills, a mucky hen-house and, to cap it all, torrential rain.

Yes, I was thrilled to be home...

And then I found I had a parcel to collect from the Post Office, and it turned out to be the most magical, minty valise from the wonderful thoughtful and generous Alicia. It contains all I need for another holiday. Right here, in my own home.

Obviously, every girl needs personalised luggage in order to travel both hopefully and in style. The polka dot 'JB' tag means I'm never going to lose my minty valise in any room of my holiday house; Louis Vuitton, eat your heart out.

Alicia filled the case with an amazing array of holiday treats. There was reading matter in the form of a Margaret Drabble book, white angora yarn for a Jelly Bean cushion (I'm thinking clouds or snowflakes...), ric-rac for trimming a summer frock, a delicate, embroidered grey handkerchief for dabbing my brow, little baking cases and sugar flowers (just in case I feel the need to make some tasteful fairy cakes). There was literal cake of soap in the shape of a cupcake - complete with sparkly frosting. And, to put me in full holiday mode, a pretty pink nail varnish.

(Please observe Alicia's magisterial colour co-ordination going on here. And the lining paper. Thank you.)

I also adore this box of crocheted chocolates or fondant fancies; I keep taking them out to admire their beauty. Because I am on holiday after all, and this is the kind of thing I like to do to relax.

In between painting my nails, of course.

The irony of this is that my once-ghostly feet are now truly and naturally tanned, but look all sun-dried and as though covered in fake tan. You can't win.

But Alicia's lovely gift made me remember that a holiday is mostly in the mind. You can have a great time anywhere.

Just as long as you have your own minty valise.

Comments

[Gemma]

You lucky girl! Just the thing to drive away the anti-climax that is returning from holiday!

As for the feet, Body Shop coconut body butter. Slather that on and you will have soft little tootsies again.

[laurie]

that's wonderful. i would just keep looking and going through it too!
and you're right, those don't look like your feet at all. (which is weird because i don't know you and have never really seen your feet. but you do show them often on your blog.) they'd be envied and stylish here in America, all brown with pink nails! :)

[sara]

Adorable! Oh! if only I could eat a bunch of lovelly cupcakes like those and drink a nice fruity tea.. and paint my toe nails! I also returned this week to work. I caught a cold because of the air conditioned during our trip back. :( I don't like my job, my house is still waiting for a stupid license for me to move in.. well! Back to life, back to reality... but then again, there is Jane B. and her storm of colour, criativity and delicious humor! Sunshine in my office breaks!
Thank you, you make my day! Love the colour minty against the creamy pink and dark choc!

sara

P.S. - Extra tip on the feet treatment: I know it might be strange in this season, but after the body butter, if you put on a pair of socks and sleep with them on, you will see the difference on the morning after! Your feet will be pure silk! ;)

[Mama Urchin]

Leave it to Alicia to be there with a minty valise.

[Alicia P.]

Aw, I'm so pleased you like it!!! It was an absolute joy to put together for you, dear, dear Jane. xo

[Beth S.]

It's the deluxe version of the knitter's emergency kit! How delightful! :-)

[Juti]

Nifty!!

Those remind me of those secret little boxes kids put together, with little treasures in them. I still have mine...

Positively enchanting.

[janel]

What a nice surprise! Thanks for sharing with us.

[sunshine]

I love gifts like that my grandmother did the same thing about 3 weeks ago. Mine happend an a real bad day so it was a nice treat to come home to. I hope you have as much fun with yours as I did mine.

[Sarah]

You've inspired me to have a little holdiay of my own. Next week, by hook or by crook, I'm going to go and get myself some pretty toes. I think I'll go for red instead of pink though. Something reminiscent of ripe berries. Sounds devine, doesn't it?

[Lindsey]

I am in AWE! What a kind, wonderful, generous thing for a friend to do. Enjoy your beautiful gift and your holiday (I presume that means you are still on vacation, although back from your trip)!

[Kitty Jimjams]

OPI, my favourite... Alicia doesn't just have taste, she clearly also knows quality!

[Debby]

That is the coolest gift ever! Such a personal treasure and definitely something to lift the spirits when one faces those mountains of bills and laundry! It's like a "knitter's rescue" kit. What a wonderful friend you have!

[Suzanne]

I just love your posts!!!

[lisa]

i was wondering when you would recieve this!! you have beautiful feet, jane.

[Lauren]

What an incredible package. That Alicia is so darn talented!!

[Elizabeth]

What a wonderful treat!
As for the fake looking tan, I think this is what happens to English toes unaccustomed to seeing the sun - pure shock! Sure, your skin has heard about tanning but wasn't quite sure how to pull it off :)
Cheeky, huh?

[marnie]

OPI is not only the best nail polish but that that colour of OPI is the one I love and use ALL the time. What a lovely friend your Alicia must be.

[justine]

I just LOOOOVE everything you photograph, just BEAUTIFUL :)

[Kirsten]

What a lovely gift, and beautifuly photographed!

[cherry]

What a thoughtful and unique, tasteful and delightful, gift. Those are certainly the only choccies I should allow near me!!

[Blair]

such sweet little tanned toes. alicia's package is every bit as wonderful as she is, enjoy your holiday!

[Christina]

I love the valise and the contents. Charming!

[Melanie]

Wow - that is a marvellous gift. And if you feel in need of a nice break, just pack your valise and book yourself a holiday for a few hours at the end of the garden or in a special room.

[Sabine]

This is truly terrific. I have a valise like this in red, however stored away at my in-laws with all my "little girl treasures". How enchanting to receive such a personlized valise as an adult.

I love your posts and photos. What about your summer reading? Did you finish the pile?