Good Friday...

... and it's alllllllll good...

Get a personalized/signed copy of Gwyneth's 2nd cookbook... a perfect gift for Easter, Mother's Day... or YOU...

Buy HERE.

LOVE her... Gonna LOVE the book!

Gift CRUSH For The Season {Flowers}...

Carolyne Roehm's new book "Flowers".  She spent 2+ years photographing her own six gardens at her Connecticut estate... one of which is solely dedicated to roses... ahhhhhh-mazing...

Buy the book {for you or someone you love... either way you won't regret it}: Amazon.com

Read exclusive interview here: 1st Dibs Five Questions

LOVE!

Where I Want To Be Today...

Slummin' it with Slim.  Slim Aarons of course.

I'm tired of being cold and desperate for some sunshine... or a cocktail poolside.

I'd happily take a spot in ANY of these photos in ANY of these books.  Which are perfect for your coffee table if you don't already own...

{buy me}

{buy me}

{buy me}

{buy me}

Happy {SUNSHINE?!} Weekend!

Current {BOOK} Crush...

Because ANYTHING with Kate Moss on the cover is worthy of a spot on my coffee table...

Purchase: Amazon.com

Valentino For Christmas...

For all my fashionistas out there, if you haven't already, you MUST download the virtual museum tour of the "Valentino Garavani Archives"... beautifully done... a digital masterpiece really, that can sweep you away to the land of haute couture for hours...

For the uber-obsessed, you can buy the book version... it doesn't come cheap but, being that only a limited number were printed and each is signed and numbered by Valentino himself, one could justify this as a major piece of art that would surely be passed down for generations... 

To purchase: Vivre.com

Ohhhhh, To Be Iconic...

Daydreaming about this scene photographed by Cecil Beaton.

There's something about the room... the seemingly endless ceilings... the yards and yards of silk... the glowing chandelier... it actually makes me long to be alive in the day when debutantes reigned and long white gloves were a staple...

{Cecil Beaton's iconic image of models in Charles James gowns for Vogue, 1948.}

See more including sketches, costumes, set designs, previously unpublished letters, and over 220 photographs and drawings, {many in color and never seen before} in this new fabulous book...

To purchase: Cecil Beaton: The New York Years

The Museum of the City of New York also has his work on display October 25th-Feb 20th, 2012.

Mouth watering good!

House Crush {GIVEAWAY}!

This weeks feature is hot off the press... take a tour of houses of writers, artists, business tycoons, and princesses that artfully interpret Chinese-inspired drawing rooms, Persian-style boudoirs, bulbous Mogul domes, Turkish smoking rooms and more... 

Emmanuelle Gaillard

Published by The Vendome Press, October 2011

Principal Photography by Marc Walter

"As trade with the exotic East grew in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, through the activities of English, French, Portuguese, and Dutch merchants, Chinese-inspired design—Chinoiserie—became highly fashionable in the French court, and in its many imitators throughout Europe. Since then, stylistic influences from the Far East, India, and the Islamic world have been a significant factor in the decorative arts and interior design of Europe and America.  Exotic Taste celebrates the flowering of Orientalism, and, in more than 200 images, shows its development through the nineteenth and into the twentieth century. Packed with color, the book creates a visual source for anyone involved with interiors, collecting, architecture and design."

A peek at the beautiful images...

Wanna copy to grace your coffee table?!  I know I do!

Enter to WIN!  The book retails for $75 but can be yours for FREE!

How to win...

Leave a comment on this blog post (not on Facebook or by email).  Please make sure you can be linked back or include an email address where I can contact you if you're the winner

Giveaway ends...

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011 at midnight PST.

Winner announced...

Friday, October 7th, 2011

Please note...

Giveaway applies to U.S. readers only

GOOD LUCK!

The Way Home...

The latest book from Jeffrey Bilhuber {who counts Anna Wintour, David & Iman Bowie & Givenchy as clients} illustrates the personal perspective of each project he takes on.  A taste of his work...

Book debuts Sept. 20th...

Pre-order today on Amazon:

The Way Home: Reflections on American Beauty

Muriel Brandolini's Moment...

Did you catch her in this month's Harper's Bazaar?  One of the most sought after interior designers in New York, "I believe that all of my inspiration comes from the fact that I have never been properly trained".  I believe in that... you either have "it" or you don't... regardless of school or experience... and this lady clearly has IT...

Can't wait to snatch up her book... out October 11th...

Pre-order today on Amazon...

The World of Muriel Brandolini: Interiors

See more of her & her crazy good portfolio here: Muriel Brandolini

Mr. Color...

"Living with color changes your life," says Varney...

From Amazon.com... "Carleton Varney is "Mr. Color," known for his inventive use of unexpected color combinations and for creating bright, happy interiors. His projects have ranged from some of the world's most famous resorts, such as the Greenbrier in West Virginia, and the Grand Hotel in Michigan, to the White House, as well as residences from Europe to the South Pacific.  As a young man, he trained under the tutelage of legendary designer Dorothy Draper. Now as the head of the venerable Dorothy Draper and Company, Inc., Varney continues the tradition of grand scale and bold contrasts in fabrics, wall coverings, and furniture designs, and yet he gives every room his signature style."

Sure to be a coffee table goodie!!  Pre-order your copy today!

She's A CLASSIC...

Although my personal style can lean a bit toward "trendy",  I do adore a "classic"... and one such as that is Victoria Hagan.  Timeless, classic interiors that are masterfully designed.  I love the architectural detail she adds to her homes {the moldings, staircases, trim work are soooo good!}... and her simple yet defining, light/dark contrast rooms are my favvvv-orite...

See more of her & her product line here: Victoria Hagan Interiors

Her book makes for great eye candy on a coffee table too...

Buy it here: Victoria Hagan: Interior Portraits

It's Gwyneth Week!

She's all over the place promoting her new cookbook...

via Who What Wear blog's "Look of the Day"

And my friend Colleen (who also happens to be one amazing cook) had the GENIUS idea to have "Gwyneth Week".  She's making one of Gwennie's dishes every day this week and posting her results.  I'm loving her reviews and can't wait to see what she cooks up next... read about them daily at "Over Cocktails"....

And...one more peek at Gwyneth and her Easter tablescape for Remodelista.com... pretty cute...

Photographed by Simon Bevan for Remodelista

Are you sick of her yet?  I'm clearly not! ;-)