©Carla Coulson
And not just any contessa but…La Contessa! I am referring to the wonderful Elizabeth Kirkpatrick who just happens to be turning 55 today.
Isn’t she beautiful? Yes, inside and out, you will see…
I remember having a discussion – ok, let’s call it an argument – with Remi just after I had started blogging about whether these people that I was in contact with could ever actually be “real” friends. He thought certainly not and yet I was hopeful. Because, from the very beginning, I found or was found by so many fascinating people who seemed to me to be utterly genuine in their hearts.
Elizabeth was that way, immediately. She was both literally generous in all of the thoughtful gifts that she would send both Remi and I (including a pair of the shoes glimpsed in the photo above in my size because she knew how much I coveted them) but also overwhelmingly so in her spirit.
She inspires me to no end – from her gorgeous wedding in Italy to her love of a little pig named Banksy. Because she is true. In our cookie-cutter world, she knows who she is and why she is, plus it just comes naturally for her to do good when she can. I think that she said to me once something along the lines of, “Well, why wouldn’t you if you could?” That is my Contessa.
I will give you an example. There are many but here is one. Elizabeth knew that I was going through a hard time this past winter. We had been under an enormous amount of stress for so long and I just was struggling. To talk to her on the phone is always a treat – it is impossible not to be cheered by her sing-song of a voice – and I should have known that the wheels would turn after having hung up with her. For you see, she had a plan. She had already met an amazing woman, Ellie from Have Some Decorum a while back and knew that her birthday was coming up. She was worried that Ellie would not have friends from the States near her for her birthday and suggested that I go up (as by this time I was an ardent reader and so were many of you here as well). I explained that we just couldn’t afford for me to make the trip at the moment. Well, two weeks later, I opened up a card from Elizabeth only to find the cash (!) for the train ticket! I went and now consider Ellie a friend. I am very, very aware that La Contessa did this as much if not more for me than for Ellie! It worked.
One of my definitions of friendship is that I know that I could count on said person when the chips are down to be there for me. Even though we have never met in person, Elizabeth most certainly fills the bill and then some.
©Drew Wright
With her handsome husband Giampiero, they make the most out of the everyday – as you can see in this perfect portrait by photographer Drew Wright. There is no saving of “the good china” or the “fancy clothes” – I remember our bonding a long time ago because she had a magazine photographer coming over and she was wondering if she should wear her purple velvet caftan or not. She did and looked stunning! In 2013, she flew her boys to Paris in order to have the ultimate photo shoot by the fantastic Carla Coulson – one based on the iconic photographs of The Duchess of Devonshire – save that in this case, they brought the chickens into the Tuileries Garden (see first photo)!
If Elizabeth is the ONLY person that has written a guest post here, it is for a reason. I wanted for her to share a bit of her enthusiasm for life with you all, in all it’s glorious abundance.
Thank you for being you, friend.
Happy Birthday!
With much Love,
Heather
PS. To discover more of her world – or to just pop over and send some well-wishes, please go to http://thevintagecontessa.net/
I wish Elizabeth the happiest of birthdays… she is a special woman and one thatw e are all so fortunate to "know"… Imagine if we were able to be really together one day… Now that would be the best! Such a lovely tribute, Heather… xv
Heather this is a beautiful tribute to such a lovely friend that I have had the pleasure of knowing now for 6 years. She brings so much joy into many peoples lives. We have had the most fabulous dinners around the Kirkpatrick family table sharing much laughter and only wish we all lived closer. Our son lives in California now and he considers Elizabeth and Giampiero his friends as well. When I last spoke with E she was taking in two young girls who were homeless and helping them find their way – I'm sure they were completely touched by her kind gesture just as you have been!
Happy birthday to The Contessa!!
Glorious, glamorous, and generous of heart – a perfect trifecta! Hip-hip-hooray! And happy birthday to La Contessa!
Heather, this is the most lengthy post you've ever written !!!
And, about our precious Elizabeth. Words alone cannot describe her. It's her spirit, her essence, isn't it?
She is truly an original, a precious gem in a world full or ordinary.
Splendid post, darling one.
Happy Birthday to Elizabeth X10 !!
I can see why you are so find of her. Such generosity is rare and luck you to count her as a friend. Cheers to Contessa!!
Friendship is one of life's greatest gifts — how lucky you and Elizabeth are to have found each other. I loved reading this heartfelt post. And I ADORE Elizabeth's style!
Oh yes, I am not surprised by her generosity — it comes and grabs you right through the screen! And, of course, I love that like me, she also has two sons. Dear Contessa, I am still thinking about getting some of that deep chestnut nail polish onto my toes 😉 Happy Birthday to you. xo Judith
Happy Birthday to Elizabeth and though we have not met up in person , I know by so many accounts just how wonderful and kind a person is! Thank you Heather!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Gratitude
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LA CONTESSA!!
What a wonderful tribute to your friend! I'm so happy that you have made such wonderful friends in the blogosphere – ha, Remi! And she is obviously a generous and wonderful person – the perfect match for you! Happy Birthday, La Contessa!