When Analiese contacted me today asking if she could share my Neo-Trad Manifesto I realized I’d never formally shared it here (though it can always be found the column to your right)! So, on the chance you missed it, voilà… What do you think? Can you relate? What would you add???
UPDATE: Anyone else who wants to share this with their readers may of course do so! I’d be flattered—spread the love! XO
We believe in being glass-half-full sorts of girls.
We believe that often times, granny is chic.
We believe in pedaling vintage Schwinns with flower baskets.
We believe in poetry, picnics, and piñatas.
We believe one is never too old to keep a diary, the secrets only grow more scandalous.
We believe in arranging fresh flowers unruly like an English garden.
We believe in adventure and traveling the globe, be it to Marrakech or Malibu.
We believe in mixing lucite with oriental rugs. Thrift store finds with heirlooms.
We believe in handwritten thank you notes, better late than never.
We believe in needlepoint, letterpress, decoupage and forgiving Martha Stewart.
We believe in piggy banks and cookie jars.
We believe in book clubs full of Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Austen and Woolf.
We believe station wagons are hopelessly chic.
We believe in recycling our Grandmothers’ names. Eloise, Jackie, Faye…
We believe in collecting: stamps, shells, books, big glittering diamonds…
We believe in marrying the boy that writes us the best love letters.
We believe in highly competitive board games—Chess, Scrabble, Chutes & Ladders.
We believe in spontaneous road trips and charming, chintzy bed & breakfasts.
We believe there’s something to fortune cookies, wishbones and 4 leaf clovers.
We believe in classics, shaken and stirred.
Sara says
love that…”granny IS chic”
Staley Mc says
I love this Katie it’s so fantastic!
my favorite and my best says
i LOVE the manifesto!!! can i share it, use it? post it? put it on my blog somehow…proper credit of course!!! i believe in every single thing u said.
its great.
Stevi says
This is so great!!!! I am in love with this whole list. I haven’t read it before. Once again Kate, you are amazing.
the NEO-traditionalist says
Stevi — Oh I’m so glad I posted it then! I didn’t want to annoy people, but I figured a lot of you hadn’t found it over there on the sidebar : ) Thank you—you’re such a sweetheart! XOXOXOXO
My Fav — Of course you can share it!!! It was so much fun to write. Spread the love!!!! XO
paula says
It’s just wonderful.
Susie @ Maddie's Nest says
Oh, I hadn’t seen this either. I love it all! Thanks for sharing!
Brandi says
Love this so very much. It was one of the first things I read when I first came to your site, and it instantly confirmed in my book how awesome you are. That’s only been continuously reinforced by all of your posts and wonderful projects.
Analiese says
Love it! Thanks for letting me share it with my readers. It seems like it’s really resonating!
Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita says
I believe, I believe!!! Sign me up!!
the NEO-traditionalist says
Stephanie — You’re hilarious : ) XO
Amanda says
I read this when I first visited your blog (“back in the day” – haha) and it was one of the things that told me you were a kindred spirit! It’s so awesome! XOXO
The Zhush says
We believe we like you more each day.
(and that’s a lot!)
xx
Sue
StylishBird says
I believe too! It is too cute…I totally posted it on my blog.
StyleCurator says
I love your manifesto…so inspiring.
the NEO-traditionalist says
YAY! So many unapologetic girly girls after my own heart. Love you all! You’re the best—seriously, the BEST! XO
jordan says
i’ve read this several times, and every single time i feel like my heart smiles. too many of them ring COMPLETELY true of me. my personal faves…
-granny = chic. doilies will probably FOREVER be 1 of my favorite things in life!
-station wagons. yum.
-martha stewart {i’ll never forget how much trouble i got in in my college speech class for wearing a “free martha” shirt on a day that i presenting. classic.}
the NEO-traditionalist says
Jordan — “Free Marsha” t-shirt? Priceless! XO
Kate Paradis says
I so agree with these comments, I read it on one of my first visits and knew I’d found a kindred spirit! I love it more every time I read it :)
Emily says
I totally subscribe to this manifesto!! Your blog and ideas rock!
Lauren (pen.ny) says
handwritten thank you notes. yes. yes. YES.
Sarah W J says
goosebumps.
literally.
this is AMAZING.
i believe in ALL of the above.
i’ll be linking… for sure.
xoxo
Kirby says
love it.
Karen says
I believe! One of your many (stylish) neo-trad minions ;)
Must admit that I earned the nickname Martha (after MS) in college b/c of my design and domestic tendencies…
the NEO-traditionalist says
Ahhh Karen, I love it! Going to start calling you Martha : )
Heather says
I love this! :) Would it be okay if I use it in a post next week?
the NEO-traditionalist says
Of course Heather! I’d be flattered! Thanks for stopping by–hope you have a lovely weekend!