An Amazing World in My Eyes: February 2022

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

The Queen of exotic Oriental perfumery, this beautifully feminine fragrance is an everlasting classic. Its voluptuous base of powdery, sweet vanilla embraces warm notes of incense and amber. Opulent and tenacious, the seductive appeal of Shalimar endures.
In the 1920s, the tale of a true fairytale romance inspired the fragrance's creator, Jacques Guerlain. The love between an Indian Emperor and his cherished wife, Mumtaz Mahal flourished in the beautiful gardens of Shalimar. Devastated by her untimely death, the emperor built a mausoleum that would later become one of the great wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Touched by this beautiful love story, Jacques Guerlain created Shalimar, the world's first Oriental fragrance.

Thursday, February 10, 2022

THE VANDERBILT MANSION IN NEW YORK CITY

Cornelius Vanderbilt II’s 1882 (1893 renovated) mansion exemplifies both the ambitions and extravagance of the nation’s prosperous. When Commodore Vanderbilt died in 1877, he left Cornelius II a $5 million inheritance. Cornelius II used this money to purchase and demolish three brownstone houses on the southwest corner of 57th Street and 5th Avenue in preparation for his new mansion. His wife was instrumental in the extravagance–it was “common belief that Alice Vanderbilt set out to draft her sister in law [Alva Vanderbilt]’s Fifth Avenue chateau, and dwarf it she did.” Cornelius’ mansion was reportedly the largest single family house in New York City. Vanderbilt commissioned George B. Post to design the mansion and John LaFarge, Augustus Saint-Gaudens and his brother Julius, Frederick Kaldenberg, Philip Martiny, Rene de Quelin, and Frederick W. MacMonnies to design its interior. Post created a red brick and limestone chateau, which stood out amongst its brownstone neighbors. Today, the property at 742-748 Fifth Avenue, the original address of the Cornelius Vanderbilt II mansion, is now the department store Bergdorf Goodman.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

1008 Virginia Ave, Nacogdoches, TX 75964

Own a piece of history! A Spanish Style Estate Home located on a 1.94 acre hill! Standing for almost a century, this home is an icon of the city. 3 bedroom- 3 bathroom home is ready for a new family to take ownership and make it their own. Build your own garden, workshop, storage building, pool or spa on the open, rolling hills of the property. Original hardwoods, built-ins, study, owner's suite with 2 rooms, french doors, updated electrical, and original wood windows.