February 9, 2013

Ten things that make my heart beat faster

Last last November, the thoroughly wonderful Bunny Monroe of Bunny's Victory (whose blog, by the way, is a serious must read for all mid-century vintage and classic film fans out there), wrote a piece about Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor's eleven year romance, which included many endearing photos of the couple during their happier days together.

In addition to said heartwarming snaps, she included two lists (part of an interview the couple did in 1956 for Good Housekeeping magazine), one each from Barbara and Robert, respectively, of then things that made each of their heartbeat faster.





I instantly swooned over the idea of putting together just such a list and know that I wanted to do a post about ten things that make my own heart race for February, as this is, naturally, a month that positively lends itself to romance and all the rapid pitter-patter of our hearts that feelings of amore can stir up.

Much as in Robert and Barbara's lists, I didn't stick with strictly romance filled reasons, but instead gave thought for a good long while about various positive experiences and elements of life that always pique my attention and set my heart aflutter.




~*~ Knowing that I'm going to, and then getting to, spend time around animals (especially ones I can pet!) ~*~





~*~ The smell of an excellent pipe tobacco (especially those with notes of vanilla) ~*~







~*~ Imagining wearing an original New Look era Dior garment ~*~






~*~ When someone does something sweet and thoughtful for you completely out of the blue ~*~






~*~ Fiddle music ~*~





~*~ The memory of the first time I heard my husband's voice on the phone (we meet and conversed online initially) ~*~






~*~ The start (and duration) of autumn ~*~






~*~ Setting to work on a new creative project ~*~





~*~ Attending an opera ~*~





~*~ Knowing that I found, and am blessed to be married to, my soul mate ~*~





{To learn more about a specific image, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}


♥ ♥ ♥


Though I knew there was many, I wondered as I set out to create this post, if it would be tricky to come up with ten items to include here. In fact, quite the opposite situation occurred and I was hard pressed to cap my list as just ten things. Perhaps I'll have to turn this post in annual event, with ten new rapid heartbeat inducing entries every year around Valentine's Day.

As the day of passion, sweetness, and romance arises, what sorts of things - be they of a February 14th nature or not - are stirring your soul and setting your heart racing this month (or anytime of the year), my dears?

46 comments:

  1. What a sweet post dear Jessica! Loved reading this.. Made me smile to imagine all of those things :) Few things that make me so happy at the moment are a glass of my favourite wine, bunch of roses and sweet kisses ! <3 ... And rockabilly music :)

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  2. Jessica, thanks for sharing your top ten, I really enjoyed this so I thought I'd share mine.

    1.My husband's loving gaze.
    2.When my three daughters come home to visit.
    3.My grand daughter's sweet kisses.
    4.Seeing my mom smile, which is NOT often due
    to Alzheimer's disease.
    5.Being in the company of family and close
    friends.
    6.The sight of the first lilac bloom.
    7.Walking into an antique store filled with
    beautifully displayed treasures.
    8.Antique houses.
    9.Finding just what I was looking for for the
    right price.
    10.Blogs I love with beautiful pictures and words like this one!

    That was hard to limit it to 10! I wanted to add these ones I share with you "starting a new creative project, the start of Fall, and being blessed to have married my soulmate"! but I didn't want to copy ;)
    Have a lovely day!






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    1. Thank you very much for sharing your beautiful list with me, my dear. I adore the touching entries regarding your family, share your love of lilacs and antique stores (and houses), delight in reading blogs as well, and always find my spirits lifted when I unearth a much wanted piece at a great deal, too. It really sounds like we have a lot in common.

      ♥ Jessica

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  3. This is such a sweet post, Jessica! I really do like the smell of good pipe tobacco. I really hate cigarette smoke. I love all the variety pipe tobacco has and it just seems to be more sophisticated than cigarettes.

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Sean. There are some types of cigarette smoke that I like in the moment (that is to say, while the cigarette is being smoked, not the lingering odour in a room afterwards) - especially against a chilly winter's night air, but love a good pipe tobacco smoke way, way more, too.

      ♥ Jessica

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  4. My two sweet little girls, my husband, my cats, the music of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, science (especially about the brain and the universe), travels to the US, crafting, a tiny island in the Mediterranean called Menorca, a starry sky and Blue Grass music.

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    1. What a wonderful list, sweet Liz, thank you very much for sharing it. I adore my cat (Stella), crafting, a starry sky, and science as well. A trip to a tiny, peaceful Mediterranean island sounds like a dream come true.

      ♥ Jessica

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  5. What a fabulous post! I like the idea of putting your brain into gear of thinking about things that mean enough to you to make your heart go pity pat!
    Wonderful images to represent your 10 things...
    Hugs and enjoy the rest of your weekend,
    Beth P

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  6. Great post Jessica!

    At the moment these thing makes my heart beat faster:

    When i think about the first flowers coming up

    fitting a muslin of a self drafted pattern for the first time, especially when the fit is quite good

    Spending time with my family, whom I'm not seeing that often

    Realizing that my life is a bit more balanced then a few months ago

    Planning our holidays







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    1. What a marvelous list, Anthea dear, thank you very much for sharing. I really hope that before the year is out I can count "realizing that my life is a bit more balanced than a few months ago" amongst my list as well.

      ♥ Jessica

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  7. A wonderful post, and oh that last pic is so sweet...and so is the sentiment! *heart flutters*

    And that is a gorgeous and fab photo of the incomparable Bette Davis.

    Have a beautiful weekend Jessica!

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  8. It was so interesting reading their answers, not at all what you would have thought...and very different to note the differences between male and female perspective. I'm with you, the simplest and least expensive (with the exclusion of the Dior outfit)are what we crave and yearn for. These little acts of joy can make your cup runeth over. So beautifully illustrated. xx Shauna

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  9. Fabulous post! It's so personal to hear these things and makes the movies stars so much more real. Your responses are fun to read. It's so nice to hear how your husband is included in things that make your heart beat:) I also think my heart would beat many times wearing an original Dior New Look garment:)

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  10. Ohhh I love this and thank you for the shout out my dear! It makes me think about the things that make my heart beat faster too....ooohhhh L'amour!! xox

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    1. My absolute pleasure, dear Bunny - thank you very much for the inspiration jumping off point for this post. I've been eagerly waiting since your post last fall to blog about this topic.

      Happiest countdown to Valentine's Day, honey!
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. What a lovely post! Full of feeling and attractive, too. Your blog is the best. :)

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  12. I liked reading this, it says a lot about yourself.
    One of the things that makes my heart skip a beat.. is sitting and chatting with friends. I dont get to do it that often.

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    1. That is so wonderful and enriching to one's life. Thank you for sharing one of the things that make your heart skip a beat with us, dear Lorena.

      ♥ Jessica

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  13. Such a wonderful idea and a sweet & heartwarming post! I may just have to do one of these posts myself! You have been giving me major blogging inspiration lately :-)

    -Holly

    Veronica Vintage

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    1. Thank you very, very much, dear Holly. I'm truly touched to know that I've been inspiring you lately.

      Huge hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. How lovely to get to know you like this darling. X

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  15. Lovely idea which made me think. You could make your lists seasonal. :)

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    1. Terrific idea, thank you very much! There is so much that I adore about each season...the gears are turning! :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  16. This is such a great post. You are just such a delightful blogger and your 10 things made me smile. I won't share 10 things, but some of the things that make my heart beat faster - My children excited about something, watching my eldest daughter perform, Gershwin songs, Nude with Oranges by Matisse - and the smell of my husband.

    Happy Valentines day lovely lady!

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    1. What an immensely nice comment and compliment, thank you very much. Many thanks as well for sharing some of the things that make your heart beat faster with me. Gershwin songs get my vote, too, and I know exactly what you mean about adoring your husband's scent (same here with Tony).

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. Fantastic idea for a post! You had really thoughtful choices too. I would find it hard as well to cap my list. Things would range widely from the smell and sound of dead leaves to waking up to a croissant breakfast in Paris. My list would keep growing. I think making this an annual tradition sounds necessary! ;-)
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Jamie. I love that you're behind the idea of making this an annual tradition. You mentioned one thing that would definitely appear on one of future lists - the scent and sound of autumn leaves. Oh, how I adore that as well!

      ♥ Jessica

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  18. Love your list, what a great idea.

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  19. What a lovely post!!!! So sweet! :D

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  20. ... Now you've got me thinking about compiling my own list! I'll be sure to let you know if I do. And will, of course, let my readers know where I got the beautiful idea from! x

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    1. Just wanted to let you know that I've stolen your idea and done my own list, a year later...

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    2. PS Happy Valentine's Day 2014! x

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  21. oh what a charming post darling!!! wearing a new look dior outfit would make my heart beat faster took;) those creations were toooo beautiful! and i hope i will find my soulmate too somewhere.
    kiss,mary

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  22. Lovely post :) and lovely images!

    Thank you for your continued support with my blog :)

    Katy
    xox

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  23. Love this idea, might have to do one of my own soon. :)

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  24. Hi my dear friend! I know, aren't those bunnies just total cuteness?! I can't wait until I get mine... I'll post photos as soon as I do get them - should be sometime this spring.
    Stay warm and big hugs,
    Beth P

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  25. this made me smile..especiall ythe last picture!

    www.trendinginfashion.blogspot.com

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  26. Beautiful post - gorgeous images. Love your choices too .... and the idea that it will be a regular event - it sets off so many happy thoughts ...

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  27. What a clever and delightful idea!!! I love it!!! :D

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  28. so cute and lovely images! Thank you for sharing~~

    -liv
    http://chocolivlovelaugh.blogspot.kr

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  29. Love your list, such a delightful post. Makes me stop and think what my top 10 would be.

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  30. These pictures made my heart beat faster! I especially loved the puppy and the last one. Romance was so much more romantic back then!!

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  31. Oh, what a lovely post! I love this idea. :D Hank Williams' voice would be on my list, but can't think of 9 other things, right now :D

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