Aged and Gilded (Palazzo-Interiors & Gardens)

Celestial Ceramics

When I see beautiful things I get very excited! My pulse races, my heart beats a little faster. That's exactly what happened to me last month when I discovered Danish potter, Jette Arendal Winther. At the time, I tucked away the website address, www.arendal-ceramics.com , on my ever growing list of favorites so as to visit it time and again and revel in the beauty of her work. Imagine my delight when I saw her featured in the March 2009 British edition of Country Living.

 

Look at the profusion of color. What a happy place to create!

 

 

Mosaic Monday: How Does Your Garden Grow?

I used to have a beautiful garden. I love the feel of the earth and the anticipation of new growth. I spent hours pouring over garden catalogues to order seeds. I loved spending time at the nurseries and choosing flowers in just the right color combinations. None of those hybrids for me. Just beautiful old-fashioned heirlooms. Sadly, I have been relegated to just a few pots these days. What's growing in your garden?

 

1. Strings Of Crystal Beads, 2. Dried Hydrangea, 3. Rainy Day is ..., 4. This bud's for you, 5. Dragonfly Macro 1, 6. WATERING CANS, 7. Forbidden Colours, 8. Untitled, 9. Garden View., 10. Column, 11. olives, lavender and the pot, 12. les olives, 13. The Potting Shed Ceiling, 14. Pierre de Ronsard Rose: Pretty and Pink, 15. peonia, 16. time to plant..

Shabby Chic No More!

Rachel Ashwell started it all. She created a movement and in the process coined a phrase. Who among us hasn't heard of "shabby chic?" It took over our homes by storm. We delighted in its utter femininity--its beachy vibe, its soothing palette of acquas, whites and pale pinks, the flutter of a ruffle, and the joy of a floral print. The romance of living was back. She encouraged the notion of marrying the rough with the refined; to embrace the imperfect. Chippy furniture, items worn down with love, baubles collected here and there were easily paired with chandeliers, old paintings, and gilding. It was understated luxe with less. And dare I say it, it was just plain pretty. True enough, trends pass. Eventually, some of us sought out cleaner lines and a more modern take but the residual of her efforts lingered. She changed our world and now the world has changed. Sadly, the Shabby Chic empire has come to a close. There are only a handful of her stores left and they are slated to shut their doors. She has promised to return. I'll be waiting.

 

   

   

(All images Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell with Glynis Costin/Photos by Art Streiber)

Here Comes the Sun

Here comes the sun--or so I hope. I'm so ready to bask in its glory. Yes, I know all about the harmful effects of sunbathing. And yet, I cannot resist its warmth and the slight glow from having been outdoors. Which has me thinking...

The goal:

I have all the necessary accoutrements to achieve this goal--enthusiam, exercise ball, exercise bands, fitness book, ab roller, jump rope, free weights, etc., etc. To my utter dismay, I have discovered that none of these work UNLESS you actually use them. Go figure. (No pun intended.) Of course, this effort (or lack thereof) will be under the guise of concern for "health and fitness." But truth be told, I just want to look good. No, I want to look great! I want long lean legs, buns of steel, and abs to die for as promised in the "5 minute workout" infomercials. At the risk of sounding hateful, I don't think it's fair that SOME people can eat whatever they want, whenever they want and remain rail thin. They should definitely find a cure for that or figure out a way to spread the love. What I need is motivation. Sadly, I'm starting to think it won't be found at the bottom of an icecream bowl.

The House that Jacque Built

I visited cote de texas and found it! Yes, I've decided. This house belongs to me. In fact, I believe it is for sale because they want me to have it. They probably know how much I love an airy white bedroom.

    

and how I enjoy soaking in a hot bath   

Clearly, they understand my needs and made sure the home included lots of fireplaces and plenty of space (11,000 sq. ft to be exact).

 

They seemed to know that even though I don't do a lot of cooking, I still appreciate a beautiful kitchen.

 

No matter that it is selling for $9.5 million dollars. In the big scheme of things, that is of little consequence. The only real issue I foresee is how to transport it in all of its gorgeousness out here to California.

Don't worry--there are other properties on her blog to drool over. You can have those. (Cause, I'm generous like that.)

Where I Want to Be

Oh, how I wish I could just throw a few things in a suitcase and head out to some exotic destination! However, it's just not that easy if you have kids, and pets, and plants.. and oh yeah, if you're trying to run a business too.  I've been many places, but there are still some I long to see.

Can't you just imagine yourself sitting here in the morning eating some medialunas (mini croissants with powdered sugar) and coffee in Buenos Aires?

 

or strolling the colorful streets in search of some hidden treasure shop 

 

or perhaps picturesque Prague?

   

or maybe soaking up the sun or savoring a sunset in Santorini?

   

 

or kicking it in Croatia?

 

 

Where would you like to be?

Mosaic Monday: Think Pink

1. Shabby Hair Wreath, 2. a cup of flower, 3. pink wall, green shutters, 4. CORSET ET DENTELLES, 5. San Jose Heritage Rose Garden - Antique Pink Rose, 6. Triplets, 7. Vintage French Ribbons, 8. tulle from a vintage prom dress, 9. Untitled, 10. French pink chandelier..., 11. Off the main street #1, Portofino, 12. portofino, 13. Pink Rowing Boat, 14. pink house, 15. lovely pink #2, 16. pink lemon cupcakes boxed

I Love Lollia!!

I have to admit, I'm a sucker for pretty packaging. I think it makes all the difference. I can't help it--I'm visual. That's especially why I love Lollia body and home fragrance. The candles smell intoxicatingly wonderful and the bath, body and perfumes are to die for. Ethereal collection names like Wish, Breathe and Believe along with fragrances that are fresh, young and beautiful make it hard to believe that this luxury line of products isn't more costly. Best of all, they make perfect gifts because the packaging is just sooooo pretty! Total eye candy. It doesn't need any wrapping. It's a crazy world out there! Don't we need to pamper ourselves just a little bit?

   

 

 

 

Simple Pleasures

"In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity."  

                   Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Leave it to us and we will surely complicate our lives. But the greatest happiness comes from the simplest things. We'll have to remember this as we face the long road ahead to financial recovery.

Things that make me happy:

Alexander and his silliness

 

fresh flowers

 

anything pearly

 

the sea and the sky

 

the color pink (and I won't apologize)

   

beautiful books (I'm also a magazine junkie)

 

art (it's been way too long since I've been to a museum)

 

Actually, I could go on and on..the sun, a light rain, crisp white linens, a beautifully dressed table, the smell of freshly cut grass, the perfect cappuccino, etc, etc.

What makes you happy?

French Style

I'm currently enjoying Sebastien Siraudeau's French Style at Home. I'm reading it, but mostly devouring the photographs as I so love to do. I considered buying his other book, Vintage: French Interiors but didn't find it to be quite as appealing as this one.

   

I love the background information given on each of the sixty-nine houses and their owners.

 

France is calling me, I just can't answer at the moment.