Talya Tate Boerner - grace grits and gardening

Bring Back the Saddle Oxford!

July 5, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

I think it’s high time the saddle oxford reappear on the fashion scene.

A few days ago, John and I saw Jersey Boys, the film version of the Tony-Award winning musical. Loved everything about it. If I could go back in time, I’d visit the 1950s. The iconic music. Poodle skirts. The jitterbug. The saddle oxfords…

In the 1970s, we wore saddle oxfords as part of our cheerleader uniforms. It took weeks to break in a new pair, and until that time, giant Band-aids protected our heels. In junior high, we sometimes threaded gold and black pom pons through the laces to match our uniforms.

Keiser Jr. High School Cheerleaders 1974

In high school, our saddle oxfords were red and white instead of the traditional black and white. I thought that was cool.

Men still have oxford options (especially with golf shoes), and some kids today wear saddle oxfords as part of their official school uniforms, but for the most part, saddle shoes have disappeared. Every other shoe style seems to have circled back. Platforms. Peep toes. Ballet flats. Clogs. But the saddle oxford? I think it’s high time. They go with everything.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/489907265688006524/

Are you with me?

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:

Frankie Valli – Can’t Take My Eyes Off You

Independence Day, Munger Place Style

July 1, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

Our neighborhood, Munger Place Historic District in East Dallas, boasts the largest collection of prairie style homes in the United States. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, the homes were designed to blend with the prairie. Wide porches. Overhanging eaves. Flat lines. Open living spaces with a central chimney. Munger Place is Americana. She looks best to me all dressed up for Independence Day.

Here are a few pictures I snapped around the neighborhood.

Cute!

Many houses fly flags year round.

Unique architectural details! Each Munger Place house is different.

I love this vintage inspired bunting. (Or maybe it is vintage?)

Happy 4th of July!

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:

Sam Ash – America I Love You (1916, Patriotic Vintage Pics)

To Kill a Mockingbird. Again.

June 30, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

How long has it been since you have read To Kill a Mockingbird? I’m re-reading it now. This timeless classic is one of my favorites. C. S. Lewis said no book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond. Books change as we do. We take away different things at different phases of our lives.

This time I’m really getting more out of To Kill a Mockingbird because I’m reading my son’s annotated copy from high school.

Tate did an impressive job noting foreshadowing, circling vocabulary words, and making comments in the margins like Calpurnia has great influence and Atticus is almost all-knowing.

It’s like reading two stories at once—Harper Lee’s original version and my son’s running commentary. Do you remember Mystery Science Theatre?