Gone a Hunting

Girl looking through her glory box.

Today proved to be a success! I have wanted some crystal bowls and silver platters for a while, since I live at home at present, they would all be things to towards my glory box or hope chest. Back in the days before people were more wealthy, women were given box, chests or drawers to fill with things they would one day take with them once they moved out. It was quite a common practice, though in truth it is begin to die out now, for me though it means buying things a little at a time so I feel prepared upon move out day. And mine is the bottom drawer in my chest of drawers where I store things. It can be heirlooms or practical household items, anything that you intend to bring with you into the next stage of your life.

So far I have:

- 16 everyday drinking glasses
- 12 depression glass cups (I think of these as more fancy for dinner parties, though I only bought them at Kmart!)
- Two Cookbooks - One baking, one classic recipes
- Dustpan and Broom
- Easter Decorations - Bunny lights, tinsel and eggs for our Osternbaum ("Easter tree," my family is German!)
- Christmas Decorations
- Photo album with baby photos (My Nanna put this together for me before her passing.)
- Coffee, tea and sugar canisters
- Kitchen Utensils
- Scissors
- Soap Dispenser
- Ice cube trays
- Playing Cards
- Roll of Cleaning Cloths
- Roasting Tray (from my Aunt)
- Chip and Dip bowl (From my Aunt)
- Heirlooms
- My mother's old house dress
- Some of my childhood clothes

Today while shopping in Savers, my very favourite store and a partner store of The Salvation army, I managed to snag up these incredible finds!

So I got this darling silver bowl, a silver tray, a what I believe is a long bonbon or biscuit basket,
a stunning glass bowl and a crystal divided serving dish. Isn't it all so pretty! When I saw that crystal bowl I couldn't help thinking of the Star of David with that design. Every item was under seven dollars an absolute steal for dinner party wares!

About Me - The Southern Belle

Above: Me at age four

About Me

Long has been the belief that Southern Belles only come from the depths of the American South. They dress in poufy dresses, are Azalea Trail Maids, drink sweet tea and have long histories of growing up on old fashioned plantations. They're fashionable, sweet and lady-like beyond belief. Some see the term as outdated or a poor representation of the American South. Perhaps a caricature.

Above: Me at Formal aka Prom in 2012

Well, I am the complete opposite, I was not born in the American South; but I regard myself as a Southern Belle anyway. An Aussie Southern Belle, born in South Australia, a small Australian state with just over a million people. "Three degrees of separation" is the most accurate depiction of where I have grown up, everybody knows everybody, so it's best to only compliment everybody. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all is a motto we try to live by down here, best not to offend someone's cousin!  

I am twenty two years-old, currently studying to be a childcare educator at vocational school, while also studying creative writing in order to begin writing my own young adult novels. 

My boyfriend is a true Southern Beau, born and raised in Florida, so he has also been a source of inspiration through this journey. Yay for long distance loves!

So here I am raising awareness about us "Other Belles" the kind that grow up in the Southern Hemisphere! Though, I will showcase some Northern Hemisphere Belle action too from time to time. So tune in to learn about me and my belle life.

My Blog Inspiration

My Blog Inspiration

This lovely lady in the photo is my grandmother, Merle Lorraine. Born in 1927, she was the eldest child of William II and Irene Pearl, she was a fabulous homemaker, an incredible seamstress, a creative cake maker and the most Southern belle I have ever known! She left an incredible legacy in our family and I feel so blessed to have been able to call her my grandmother, she's left me massive shoes to fill, so this blog is my journey to become every bit as giving, classy, special and sassy as she was! Love and miss you, Nanny, I hope you're safe! 

Merle Lorraine 

1927 - 2014