linen obsession

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So, I've a new obsession. At nearby Star Provisions I came across some lovely Libeco table linens. Libeco manufactures Belgian linens of all kinds (this lends even more credence to the theory that the Belgians make some of the best of the best stuff in the word: chocolate, fries, beer, linen. . . what else?). According to their website: 

Linen is crisp, clean and comfortable. Soft, yet strong and durable. The more it is used, the softer and stronger it becomes. It can absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture before it feels damp, and easily releases moisture to the air to remain cool and dry to the touch. Flax remains colorfast and launders beautifully. It has the additional advantage to be non-allergenic. Flax requires considerably fewer pesticides and fertilizers than other crops. The fibers are recyclable and eventually biodegrade.

Neato.

My sweet husband bought me a tablecloth and napkins for Christmas this past year, and now I can't get enough. When I discovered they do bedlinens as well, I think I cried for joy. Let me say, I am a snob of many things, but few things am I as particular about as bedlinens. I used to drop by Tuesday Morning when I needed my discount 750-thread count Egyptian cotton. I swore by it all my adult life. . . until. One day I gave into my suspicions that there's a reason they're called bed "linens." Indeed, they are incredible. I'm sold for life on linen.

I just got a new box of goodies from Libeco, including a new kitchen apron. It smells like a field of flax. No, I'm not kidding. Absolutely wonderful.

You can browse their lovely catalogue here.

i think i just peed myself

because this is the most incredible house i've ever seen.
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i'm not totally in love with how it's been decorated. . . i appreciate it, but the contrast is a little modern-harsh for me. one or two of the bright, ultra-modern pieces would be fine, but the outside of the house is so rustic and the inside is so industrial, to add such strong, modern to the decor is just overwhelming. 
but i simply can't knock the architecture. if i could build a perfect, perfect house this would be it.

What a lovely idea. . .

So I was over at the lovely blog of the lovely miss swissmiss who had a lovely idea: what if, instead of name tags with just your silly old name on them that really doesn't do much to achieve what you want at the kind of gatherings where name tags are used, you instead had a topic for conversation pinned to your lapel?

Talk to me about. . . the Italian trecento.
Talk to me about. . . neural networks.
Talk to me about. . . oyster beds.
Talk to me about. . . the weather.

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When I'm in charge of these kinds of things, that's what I'm doing; something that actually facilitates networking, or just getting to know people.