Thursday, April 22, 2010

Beauty is subjective, isn’t it?

While we were visiting our friends over spring break, there was a point during the week when our host was at work for the afternoon and our hostess was out running an errand. My husband and Jeff were off doing something, and I was left to my own devices.

After reading for awhile, I became bored.

So I opened the pantry doors in the kitchen. The pantry doubles as a liquor cabinet but I wasn’t looking for anything to drink. I was just looking. And call me crazy, but I found a couple of bottles that were so esoterically beautiful that I had to get the camera.

Hi, my name is Kate. I’m here in your house taking photos of your liquor bottles.

Go ahead, call me a nut. But I know a pretty bottle when I see it.

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I have never seen a topping like this one and fell in love instantly with the color.

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I’ve also never seen this type of liquor before, but the bottle it comes in is beautiful.

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Here’s a close-up of the little wallpaper insert on the inside back of the bottle.

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I found out that this is a bottle of St-Germain, a French liqueur created from freshly handpicked elderflower blossoms, of all things.

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This little pamphlet describes the artisanal manner used to create the liqueur. And now that I’ve found the website, I’m upset that I didn’t at least make myself a cocktail while I had the opportunity.

Moving along in the well-stocked cabinet, I found a beautiful bottle of bourbon that is the manly opposite of the bottle pictured above.

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This is Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

It’s a product from the Jim Beam Distillery.

I know that for some bourbon drinkers, Basil Hayden is the epitome. But I wouldn’t know that. This bottle was unopened, and although I’m fairly certain our host would not mind in the least, I didn’t want to open it and do a taste test.

Besides, my heart belongs to Maker’s Mark.

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But that’s another story for another day.

Today, I just wanted to take a photo of the label. That’s a strip of wood you see there, topped by a strip of copper stamped with the name, followed by the steel letters that are riveted into the wood & copper strip. What can I say other than I think it’s perfect.

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I even like the signature tape at the top.

I am not condoning the use of alcohol in this post, nor encouraging you to do so. I’m merely posting photos of bottles that I found interesting.

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I’m nearly finished the book I've had my nose in for days and when I’m done, I promise I will be back leaving comments on my favorite blogs and reading my e-mail.

Tonight I had to walk away from the book. I had come to a disturbing place, you see. But I couldn’t stay away for long. I had to see what had happened.

And so, shall we meet again tomorrow, then? Until then . . .

35 comments:

Gail said...

At least you did not line them up in a perfect row!

These are beautiful, I agree. Art is all around us.

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Kate:
You're so right. Those bottles are beautiful!

A package arrived today from a special photographer I've come to know and love. I've written a post about it that will go up at midnight.

A proper 'thank you' and a gift will be on their way to you very soon. Words really cannot express my gratitude. I hope the gift I send will convey some of the emotion better than anything I could possibly write to you.

Gratefully...
Donna

Molly said...

I read a review that said the heroine in this book was one of the strongest female characters she'd read. I'm still pondering that. Will you read the next in the series?

Low Tide High Style said...

Remind me never to leave you alone with my liquor! ;)

Love the bottles and the pics and my stock would be far less interesting!

Kat :)

Julie Harward said...

They are pretty, you nosey thing you LOL Little works of art everyone and you take such good pictures!
I miss you..come say hi :D

BB said...

Your kinda beauty is my kinda beauty - and lots of people think I am weird too!
:-)
BB

Alli said...

Those are some lovely bottles! I can't wait to get my hands on some (and some beautiful bottle stoppers like you've shown us before) to take some pictures. I love the label on the whiskey bottle!

Char said...

i love bottles too - that first one really calls my name

JacksDad said...

You've got a wonderful eye!!

Anonymous said...

It's nice when a company puts a great deal of thought into their packaging, and I'm sure it's because they know how women shop. Not only do we look for quality, but also for things that are pleasing to the eye. It's the whole package every company should be concerned with. A bottle so lovely as that one should never be thrown away but saved to look at forever.

You captured it's beauty nicely, Kate.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

That is quite a unique topper on the first bottle. Right when I saw it I thought that it looked very french :D

GailO said...

I just love a book like that ...one that you can't put down....I've been interested in reading that book too...

Nice finding inspiration in the liquour cabinet:)

Cloudia said...

What fun!


I'm always looking too...



Aloha from Waikiki


Comfort Spiral

Hilary said...

You have a great eye for sure. I love both of those. So what did you photograph of interest in the medicine cabinet? ;)

DeeDee said...

Ok Donna was right..you take awesome pics and you speack to the soul....I wouold love to have the eye of a photograher....what a dream...

loved the lilac pics too...hehehe!

Very lovely place to visit...thanks Donna

nancy huggins said...

You are right..the bottles were worthy of taking pictures to share..I guess I am a nut case to because I enjoy taking pictures of my dogs and having a birthday party for them and to celebrate maggies results today after having treatments to cure her of heart worm.
It is amazing what intrests all of us and we love sharing.
Thank you for sharing the pictures of the bottles :)

Skogkjerring said...

that is so funny, have thought about doing the same thing- taking photos of our liquour bottles but figured people would think I was nut- hahahahaha ;-) Lovely bottles your friend had!!

PhotoBlitz.US said...

Cool! You've inspired me. I've kept a couple of mini-bottles, just because they're so cute. This gives me an idea... Thanks! ~Lisa~

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

I am as enchanted as you were! Lovely pix. C

Jen at Cabin Fever said...

Lovely photos! Were you using your macro lens? And did you use a flash? Sometimes I have such a hard time finding proper light taking indoor photos and find that a flash often is too "rough" on the photo. If you did use one these photos looks great!

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Hi, My name is Tracey and I am as nutty as you ;0) We are cut from the same cloth. Yesterday I was photographing condensation on the side of a glass. We need help.

Deb said...

I can see why you just had to take the photos....there is beauty to be found every where...even in a liquor bottle...

abb said...

Love the first photo - one of my very favorite colors.

What book are you reading? (Haven't been able to read my favorite blogs as much of late - but been pleasantly busy.) It sounds like one I need to avoid!

Unknown said...

Your images are beautiful....as always....smiles.

mrs mediocrity said...

Those were great shots, and I love finding the beauty in every day things!

Kathie Truitt said...

I have the BH in my cabinet and am also in love with the bottle.

I am hoping that in a few weeks you'll be reading my novel "False Victim" and will be telling your readers you came to a disturbing part and had to walk away -

Kathie

Daryl said...

I do that too .. stop and walk away if it gets upsetting ... and then I am back because I have to know.

I wonder if I still have the shots of the bottles I took in Bill's liquor closet ... he has some odd bottles and even odder brands....

Unknown said...

Those bottles are pretty - and decorative - and probably expensive - lol. We aren't drinkers here, but I can see the the beauty in the package. Some days, with my crazy kids, I think of exploring the insides of a bottle - lol. (but I don't)

JO

www.teensandtriplets.com

Carolynn Anctil said...

Very pretty. I'm sure the vintners would be pleased that you noticed the extra effort that went into the presentation of their beverage.

Jo said...

I have always, always loved the look of liquor bottles. They are truly works of art. For a while I designed labels for wine bottles for a friend who had a "boutique" vineyard. It was wonderful.

Megan (Best of Fates) said...

I couldn't agree more - when I used to go shopping with my mom and she'd stop in the wine aisle I'd always try and convince her to buy the brand with my favorite label. Which label was my favorite would change daily, as every time I'd turn around there'd be another gorgeous bottle!

Mary said...

Clearly, a lot of talent and thought (and probably money, too) went into the designing of those bottles. I love it when something utilitarian is designed to be beautiful! :)

The JR said...

It would be a shame for those to get discarded after emptying.

Kerri Farley said...

Beauty is everywhere ~ even on liquor bottles ~ as you have proven :)

K said...

One of my friends back home is a designer and before he moved to America, he actually had quite a few liquor clients whose bottles he helped design. I found the projects fascinating; it's one of those areas you don't give much thought to when thinking of design projects but it does make sense because when you start getting higher up the chain in quality it seems the bottles (shapes, designs, and colors) become more of an aesthetic focus.