Do you know what a tussy-mussie is? If you guessed a Victorian-era turn of phrase for what you see in that first, half-waking glance in the mirror each morning, you’re HALF-right!
A tussy-mussie is a Victorian-style bouquet placed in a metal vase specifically designed to be carried. During the Victorian age, there were some highly practical (malodorous) reasons for ladies to carry sweet-smelling posies when out in public, but it also became quite fashionable for young ladies to carry flowers given to them by their suitors in these ornate metal vases.
My mom collected tiny tussy-mussies which could be pinned to a hat or lapel. I remember my child-self breathlessly turning those brooches in my hand, the ornate patterns caught by the slanting afternoon sun in her room. I imagined in exquisite detail what elfin bouquets I would place in them and how it would feel to wear them out in the world. Surely, that must be what it means to walk in beauty, I thought.
When I found these glass lockets, my child-self was breathless again, struck by the beauty of possibility…oh! The perfect place to carry sweet, tiny, pressed flowers next to your heart. To walk in beauty and carry with you the sweet memories of those fresh blooms…
I was moved and inspired and excited and couldn’t wait to offer these beauties to my customers.
I imagined them being a thoughtful gift for a mother-of-the-bride. Or a new mother-in-law. But this summer, I had a customer who loved them so much, she ordered nine—one for herself and each of her eight bridesmaids—and asked me to fill them with purple hydrangeas.
What a wonderful way to bring even MORE botanical beauty into her wedding! Not only would they each carry flowers, they would wear them too! AND have them to keep forever!
I offer the lockets in three shapes; oval, square or round with gold-plated findings and a 32” gold-filled chain. Each shape is available with blue, purple, pink or white Hydrangea with Queen Anne’s Lace and a single, tiny leaf.
These flower-filled lockets can be the perfect gift for someone you love–your mom, wife, sister or best friend. (Whether or not there’s a wedding in your recent past or immediate future.) Imagine, as the snow falls outside, you put another log on the fire while your loved one opens the gift of a summer day…
Want to give THE GIFT she’ll talk about for years to come? These lovely lockets are available in the store now.
May she walk in beauty…
She Walks in Beauty
By Lord Byron
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
