Warm Neutrals

I plead guilty! 

I am utterly in love with warmth - with warm colors, warm textures or materials. I will most probably pick wood and fabric over glass and metal. Just as I will pick brass and gold over silver and platinum. And when it comes to neutral colors, I prefer warm browns and beige to black and gray. I love warm interiors. I love warmth in art. And I absolutely love and treasure warmth in people and relationships.

Guilty I am!

When I told you that I ran into a great sweater sale at Lane Bryant where I picked up 4 sweaters at a price of one, I meant this mustard yellow one, this mulberry one, one more solid color (the post featuring it is in my computer files so far - I am leaving it a secret for now, I just love little secrets and surprises) and this stripy one. What I love about it? Many things. The shape itself is very nice - it is a sweater, but it hugs body in all the right places - simple yet feminine and sexy. I love that the stripes are of different width - it helps to create a very nice silhouette, and of course I love the colors - the mix of bright, deep and neutral colors in a warm palette. I decided to play on the neutrals here and paired it with pants of a very similar warm hue. I got them a while ago on clearance for under $30 I think (their regular price would be about $100) in two colors - taupe and white. I am rather pleased with both the fit and quality.

I've decided to continue my little stories of beloved things I have, and here is another one.

This beauty is Katerina (I gave her that name). I found her in one of the antique shops here in Washington. I must say that Russian items are all over the United States, most of them are made from late 1980-90s to the modern days. You can run into older pieces from time to time, but not too often though. These are not highly collectible artifacts, so prices are quite reasonable, in my opinion. For Katerina, I think we paid $38 or so - I think she is worth it. :) Isn't she adorable?

But Katerina is not just a doll. She actually has quite a practical purpose (well, not in my house, but that's not the point). Can you guess what Katerina does when she is "at work"? Anybody? All right, I will tell you then. This doll is actually... a Russian tea cozy - баба на чайник or чайная баба (literally "a woman on a teapot", or "a tea woman"). They were especially popular in the XIX century, but we still like using them as a traditional kitchen decoration. My doll was made in Russia in 1988 and still has her original tag attached to her colorful dress. You may have noticed that the colors are bleaker upfront and brighter on the back side of the doll. I think Katerina spent a few years in the bright sun, probably by the window in some lovely American house, so there is some discoloration in her outfit. She is in great shape otherwise, and I know I will treasure her for years to come. 

Speaking of bright colors, have you noticed that many if not all traditional costumes are made of vibrant, colorful fabrics, no matter what nationalities they are? Do you have any treasured folk art pieces in your private collections?

Sweater and tank top - Lane Bryant. Pants - Chico's. Necklace - Talbots. Booties - Aquatalia. Coat - Lands' End. Scarf - Garnet Hill. Purse - B Makowsky. Tea cozy - Russian craft, my private collection

I am linking up with Visible Monday at Patti's again! Come to see all the amazing ladies!