THE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT HOME

I love to read a good book.  Who doesn't, right?  Recently I got my hands on "The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well, by Deborah Needleman." 

For those of you that do not know who Deborah Needleman is, she was the Editor in Chief of Domino Magazine. Needless to say, she is fabulous!

In this new book of hers, (which by the way became available to the public on November 1st, my birthday), she teaches us the importance of giving our homes, "character."  Having a pretty home is not enough.  Much like a pretty woman.  It is not enough for one to simple be, "pretty." One must have character to walk the talk. Apparently, the same goes for our homes.  And I would have to say, I agree with Needleman on this one, wholeheartedly. 

The book is written in fantastic little essay form.  It includes, styling tips, how-tos and the necessary techniques for making our homes come together with personality and warmth.  It is unequivocally fabulous! 

A spectacularly made bed, the perfect little reading nook, how to display your pictures.  These are a few of the things Needleman shares with her readers. 

One of the things I loved about the book were her fun chapter names such as, "Glamifications" and "Cozifications."  Fun right? (Where there is humor, one can always expect joy).

The book is fun, inspirational, practical and the possibilities it fills your mind with are endless. 

I have completely fallen in love with the books Illustrator Virginia Johnson's, watercolors.  What an amazing sensation her colorful artwork sets in motion. 

 

 

I told you...FABULOUS! 

I thoroughly enjoyed the book.  It read it slowly as to soak every little detail in.

I sat one day with a glass of wine and read it.  Another with a cup of tea, and yet another with a homemade hot chocolate with marshmallows. 

I took notes, read parts of it over, shut my eyes and pondered how to apply my new found knowledge to my own home. 

It is a great pour-over book.  I highly recommend it.

SUNKEN SOCIAL ROOM

This sunken social room can be found in the W Hotel in Barcelona. Isn't it fabulous! 

The hotel itself was designed by Chiringuito Pez Vela. 

 I can imagine people that have not previously met, finding themselves more friendly with their neighbors due to the enclosed space. 

Enclosed social room lend themselves to making people social.

CUPCAKE FURNITURE

So tell me...how many of you are cupcake lovers?  I myself buy those tiny cupcakes at the grocery store.  I keep telling myself that, "One little bite won't hurt."  Then...once I eat one, I tell myself that eating something so tiny can't have too many calories and maybe I can have two more.  Ugh...self-betrayal.  That's what I call it.

The good news, is that there is a new cupcake in town.  And, listen to this...it has NO CALORIES!  However, I warn you; it looks so comfy, that I may turn into a couch potato and then...I may retain calories!

Here is the new cupcake seating collection by Bretz.  Those Germans, they really know how to make things!   The collection consists of a sofa, armchair and stool. 

Description from Bretz:

"It is round, gentle, yet a mind of its own: CUPCAKE. Already its name alludes to comforting, warm dough which is about to flow over while flagrantly leaving the oven."

Now tell me that doesn't sound delightful!  

  Bretz

A selection is available.  I chose this particular sofa because of it's velvety texture and the unbelievable color.  If one is going to invest in a sofa such as this one, it's best to make it stand out!  

You can find the Cupcake line at the Bretz website.  

FAMILY VALUES TO LIVE BY

Maria Killam from Colour Me Happy has inspired me with this wall.

What a great message for a family.  

A reminder of what is right, what is empowering, and what family is all about.   

THE BALLERINA PROJECT N.Y.

I don't know about you, but ballerinas intrigue me.  I see them as the epitome of health, strength, art, beauty and a classical enchantment.

Apparently, I am not the only one to see these qualities in them.

There is a photographer taking some of the most brilliant photographs of ballerinas in N.Y. City.  They are posing with those exquisitely pointed toes all over the city!

The photographs are just breathtaking!

If you are into art, photography, fashion or even a lover of N.Y, you will absolutely love these! 

Fabulous, right?  If you want to follow the artists work, and to keep updated on future work, please follow on FB or visit this link for even more beautiful photographs! 

PANTONES FASHION PALLET 2011

Pantone is the big daddy of color.  The leader of the pack if you will.

The colors that Pantone claims will make a splash this fall 2011 for women, are delightfully elegant and graceful.  (Something I welcome after our quite colorful summer). 

The fall pallet is a mix of neutrals, muted colors, and colorful but not overpowering composition of color.  I see a strong masculine and femine association amongst the colors, which give them a flirty playfulness, making it quite the romantic palette!  

Do you have a favorite color amongst them?  I will be honest, I am a color fiend.  Therefore, it is difficult to choose a favorite out of the bunch.  Right now, I would have to say I am leaning towards the Orchard Hush.  There is something so teasing about a color that peaks through but is not obvious.

Orchard Hush could be my favorite today, but who knows, loving colors so much...that could change tomorrow!

Colors intrigue me, I'm just excited to have a new fall palette to work with!

Fashion designer Chris Benz created the outstanding fashion illustration below for Pantone.  Isn't it exquisite?  It allows us to envision and apply the fall 2011fashion color pallete with more clarity in our minds-eye.

If you would like to see more of Chris Benz amazing work, please visit his website.

  Artwork: Chris Benz,  Color Palette: Pantone

CADE MARTIN

The name alone is mysterious and unique, is it not?

Cade Martin is a photographer who tells stories with his photography like no other.

I quote him when I say...

When you look at things differently, stories emerge.

There is Beauty in the everyday.

And when people learn to look for it, 

they'll find inspiration in the least likely places.

That's when the narrative in the situation,

and in the subject, comes into focus.  

And even fashion is wrong without the right style.

Enjoy the beauty of Cade Martin's work...