'Luscious' is an adjective that I don't use very often. I'm more likely to say that something is 'cute', 'pretty', or in some cases, 'gorgeous'. But here at Luscious I'm discovering a brave new world, and brave new worlds require brave new adjectives.
The word 'luscious' seems to encompass something more than just aesthetically pleasing.
It brings to mind plump summer peaches, dark red cherries, chocolate brownies begging to be eaten in the sun with a glass of milk or pale pink cider. It brings to mind weddings, parties, the cosy little gatherings of days gone by where the women wore lace and pearls and they amused themselves by playing the piano and singing.
For a not-yet-graduated uni student like me, it brings to mind high heels, business lunches and iPads, all the trappings of this wonderful professional world.
Luscious is more than an adjective. It is a way of life.
On my first ever business lunch, I ate salmon for the second time in my life. The first time had been on the night of my 21st birthday, and it was such a splurge. To sit in a restaurant at 1pm eating salmon and braised lentils was an experience so different to my everyday life that I could not stop grinning, and I looked at my brand new boss and said, This is amazing. I never get to eat salmon. Thank you so much.
Natasha looked up from her (also amazing looking) plate, smiling, and said, This is lusciousness. This is how we live.
And I though, Wow. Lusciousness is cute vintage dresses and salmon for lunch. I feel like I'm in another world, and I could definitely get used to this.
Ashleigh loves...
Fashion: I feel that a cute little vintage dress is always appropriate. I like anything lacy, nostalgic, striking or classy.
Accessories: In keeping with my love of vintage, my favourite accessories always seem to involve lace, pearls, beads, hats, earrings, nail polish and those tiny little bags that don't fit anything in them but are too cute for words.
Food: Anything that I can bake, especially if it has chocolate in it. I'm especially fond of cookies, brownies, Dutch apple cake and homemade Nutella. I also love
Thai food and big European breakfasts.
Books: I love all books! My favorite writers include Virginia Woolf, Neil Gaiman, F Scott Fitzgerald, Tamora Pierce, Emily Dickinson, WH Auden, and Melina Marchetta.
Music: Florence and the Machine, Washington, Mike Noga, Harry Angus, The Cat Empire, Placebo
Luscious ladies: Emma Watson, Mia Wazikowska, Natalie Portman, Meryl Streep, Audrey Hepburn
Luscious hommes: Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jnr, my fiancé
Miscellaneous lusciousness: strolling through markets on warm sunny days, vintage clothing sales, studying late at night with my fiancé in front of a (fake) fire, getting employed to write and edit and otherwise play around with this wonderful language of ours.
See some of Ashleigh's favourite photos in this luscious photo gallery.
See some photos from my adventure in Tunisia here.
See my 2011 Christmas wishlist here.