Copse and Spinney

Originally Published October 3, 2022 at Natural Posh Vintage (my fashion blog (under the topic: Nostalgia)

My grandmother, Mimi was a bibliophile, a writer, a teacher and linguist. She was also a writer, an artist (somewhat of a prodigy).  When I think of Mimi, I think of her beautiful Irish, Scottish red hair, and her manicured nails which she kept painted in copper tones, matching her hair!

There were mysterious rooms in Mimi and Paw Paw’s house! As a little girl with a curious mind and tempted to touch her collectibles, if I’d veer too far from the living room she reminded me calmly to “come back in yonder and sit on the divan.” She replaced my wondering mind with an antique story book full of princesses, castles and vines, and handed me a pad of paper to begin sketching. 

She was a collector at heart and had a fine taste in art, clothing, and loved to dress up, hence the pretty jewelry. So, in some way, even though she passed away when I was a mere fifteen, and I feel as though I did not get to know her as well as would have liked, she left much for me to learn about her through her paintings, writings, and through a closet full of historical clothes!  Many of these, my other grandmother altered for me to wear. There were silky suits from the 1940’s with covered buttons, a stunning mink stole (which I used only on very special occasions) hats, gloves, silk scarves and gorgeous bottles of perfume: tea things and antiques from France. (I think she too, was a Francophile).

A close capture of Mimi’s mink stole.

Mimi is my Dad’s mom. She had a pleasant countenance, and a soft spoken way about her. Some say she was shy. But Mimi also had a witty sense of humor. It has been over three decades since she left us, but there is always something that reminds me of her in my daily life. And I can see that my daughter inherited her red hair and soft amber eyes and has her witty charming sense of humor!

Mimi, My Grandmother, A Romantic Soul

Featured is my daughter modeling some of Mimi’s Antique clothes. Top Left: Turn of Century Edwardian Child’s Dress, Middle Left; Bottom Left:Red swing with dainty yellow flowers; Bottom right, hand sewn silk embroidered child’s dress. Middle Right: a tiny peek at Mimi’s costume pearls!