"Frugal Luxuries is destined to become the classic on how to
live every day with a sense of abundance, beauty and luxury."
--Emily Heckman, 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------
ONCE UPON A TIME...
...long ago (1993), there lived a young mother with three small children who said some very shocking things. She conjured up a philosophy which allowed people to enjoy gracious living (a'la Martha Stewart) in spite of an extremely limited budget (a'la Amy Dacyzn). At the time, this concept was considered unrealistic, if not ridiculous. Few people actually believed you could create a gracious lifestyle on a small budget. It was one way or the other~open acceptance of the frugality philosophy, or gracious living, but "never the two shall meet."
A SYNERGY OF OPPOSITES
Happily, the silence was gently broken. The first publications to openly celebrate this synergy of opposites? Our own newsletters, Frugal Times: Making Do With Dignity and Frugal Luxuries; as well as our first book, Frugal Luxuries: Simple Pleasures to Enhance Your Life and Comfort Your Soul, published in October 1997, by Bantam Books, NY.
A USEFUL PARADOX
Frugal Luxuries. The title says everything. It became a voice for those who sought to openly celebrate common sense, simplicity and frugality ~ while living a beautiful life. These kindred spirits created an entire movement which swept frugal luxuries into the scope of acceptability. Today, the philosophy of frugal luxury has been so widely adopted and embraced that it seems to have always been.
More Than a Decade Later...
FRUGAL LUXURIES HAS NEVER BEEN OUT OF PRINT
....and is Now More Relevant Than Ever.
FRUGAL LUXURIES HAS NEVER BEEN OUT OF PRINT
....and is Now More Relevant Than Ever.
After a period of affluence we are all, once again, facing cutbacks and uncertainty. It is my hope that a new generation, faced with a teetering economy, will also find it helpful. With good thoughts and intentions, we will be using this blog to share our best, most useful ideas for rising to the challenge of these budget-crunching times; keeping our focus on what matters most. Of course, expect us to share and quote generously from the original Frugal Luxuries (we own the copyright ;-) and revive some of the wisdom from our classic newsletters.
AN ABUNDANCE of FRESH IDEAS
Moreover, we will offer an abundance of fresh and helpful ideas we've collected over the past several years. Why are we giving this information away? Because now is the time for helping; for passing along useful, half-forgotten skills and practical concepts to those who have not yet learned them.
If You Find Useful Information Here...
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PASS IT ALONG TO SOMEONE WHO NEEDS IT.
WE ASK ONLY THAT YOU CREDIT THE SOURCE.
That's all, there is no catch. This one thing we can offer. If it helps, we're all blessed.
To Be Continued....
Posts
.jpg)
3 comments:
Wonderfully entertaining and great ideas. Tracey makes frugal a new favorite word and gives new meaning to luxury. When budgets are tight we all should look to the ideas that are offered in her book and make them a part of our life style without being a part of the big expense. We all need more of her day to day help..Mona
While I respect and agree with your decision to focus on your family, I am thrilled to see you back to inspire and enlighten! Thank you for sharing, keep up the great work!
Dear Tracy: I purchased you book Frugal Luxries in 1999 at a used book store with the intent to giving it to a friend who had decided to be a stay at home Mom. I even placed a small inscribtion in the front for her to remember the giver. Well here it is 2011 and she never recieved the book because after reading it I could not give it away. I have reread your book numerous times and have found comfort and inspiration within it. I was a military wife for years and learned early on the necessity of frugality. Your book however, made it an art and I have shared the wisdom with many of my friends and continue to do so. Thank you ...Gisele (Michigan)
Post a Comment