I can make waffles.

I was hoping to own Something! by Oscar de la Renta, but, alas, Something! did not fit.

“We buy our tea of the Pettybaw grocer, some of our cups are cracked, the teapot is of earthenware, Miss Grieve disapproves of all social tea-fuddles and shows it plainly when she brings in the tray, and the room is so small that some of us overflow into the hall or the garden; it matters not; there is some fatal charm in our humble hospitality.”

This is a line from Penelope’s Progress by Kate Douglas Wiggin, who also wrote Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. PP, published in 1898, tells the tale of a young American woman (Penelope) and her two friends (Francesca and Salemina) as they live in Scotland, exploring the countryside and attending aristocratic events and such.

I cannot tell a lie: The plaid cover is what attracted me to this book. But the story sounds like my cup of tea, too.

I dream of organizing all my clothes and books in little square cubbyholes like this, only mine will be much neater (ha). (Last Days of Gourmet)

While scouring the internet for loafers, I came across this pair from the ’80s. I got really excited upon finding them due to their periwinkle/navy coloring and striped lining, so it was a real letdown when I realized (1) only one pair existed, (2) they weren’t my size, and (3) they were no longer available. Someone (Anthropologie? Kate Spade?) should remake them.

This is probably the only fake flower arrangement I’ve ever liked. (via Bleubird)

This is reportedly the oldest published sweet tea recipe, published in Housekeeping in Old Virginia in 1879. The cookbook is available on Google Books and it’s fascinating to peruse. There are recipes for stewed prunes, something called “Delicate Cake,” and hair-oil (Pure olive-oil six ounces; perfumed with oil of jessamine.”)

This winter, when it gets so cold that even a steamy hot chai tea latte can’t warm me up, I’m gonna flip through the pages of Resort Fashion: Styles in Sun-Drenched Climates and be transported to the glamorous beaches of St. Tropez and Montego Bay. Apparently, it includes photos of early Chanel “beach pajamas” and has an entire chapter devoted to stripes. (Rizzoli)

In honor of tomorrow’s holiday (and my mother, who adores candy corn): “A Swim on Snack Mountain” by Kiersten Essenpreis (MoCo Loco)

I love how Jenny at Little Green Notebook displayed an assortment of old family photos in matching bright red frames. (Little Green Notebook)