Spring began officially on March 20 with the vernal equinox, when the sun appears directly above your bathing suit drawer. Astronatomy* aside, spring is about green, which I love. I’m throwing in lavender for fun, because they are great together.
Author: Frances
Sure Cure for Post-Downton Abbey Depression: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
If you miss Downton Abbey, take heart. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries will have you obsessed anew. Men like it, too. If not for the fabulous clothes, then for the murder, scandal, sex, glamour, good stories, and great characters.
A Texas Antiques Shop and Visual Feast–Vignettes at Every Turn
Rarely do you visit a shop where everywhere you look is an artfully arranged tableau. Except maybe in Paris, where they invented it. But this is Texas, hun, in the charming Hill Country town of Fredericksburg, where I was last week. Carol Hicks Bolton antiques is an acre of heaven for the vintage/rustic/industrial-chic set, and oh, what fun.
The Soulful, Delightful Art of Children’s Book Illustrator Benny Andrews
In the spirit of Black History Month, here is a stupendous book celebrating an African American artist with the bonus of being illustrated by the artist himself. How did I not know about Benny Andrews? His art is like, Modigliani meets Grandma Moses meets Maira Kalman.
The Bee Cottage Story Is Ready for Pre-Order!
Looka here: Very exciting. This is not quite the final cover, but close. The revised subtitle is “How I Made a Muddle of Things and Decorated My Way Back to Happiness,” is kinda long, I know. But when I put it to a vote with you, dear readers, it was the one you liked best,… Continue reading The Bee Cottage Story Is Ready for Pre-Order!
A Glorious Way to Spend the Day…an Ojai Oasis Overflowing With Great Design Ideas
Like a beautiful, sunny melody, I can’t get this image out of my head. It could be the South of France or the North of Italy, but in fact it is the Southern California home of Brooke and Steve Giannetti. Sumptuously featured in the current issue of Veranda, the article was written by moi. What a privilege,… Continue reading A Glorious Way to Spend the Day…an Ojai Oasis Overflowing With Great Design Ideas
If You See Something Good, Say Something Good
Melba honey, if you see this, thank you again. And thank you, Delta.
Into the Woods With Designer John Oetgen
How about a cozy, contemporary cabin to snuggle into on a wintry day? Then snuggle in with this month’s issue of Veranda. “Cozy” and “contemporary” aren’t often best buds, but here is Atlanta designer John Oetgen showing us they indeed can be…
Principles are like prayers–noble, but awkward at a party.
Thought after that last post I might better lighten up a little. Praise the peerage, Downton Abbey is back on PBS and the dowager countess and coterie are as quotable as ever, maybe more so. You know by now that I pray and am all for it. It’s downright essential. But we have to meet… Continue reading Principles are like prayers–noble, but awkward at a party.
Sedona Sketchbook, Sacred Journey, Freezing My Arse Off, and Why It’s All Good
Of course the behind did not actually freeze off (alas), but it got mighty cold. And dark, a little out-there, occasionally woo-woo, at times awesome, and in the end wonderful. Warning: This is not a typical post, but as the dawn of a New Year is a quiet time after the storm of holiday mayhem, it seems a good time for musing about life and one’s place in it. Otherwise just enjoy the pictures. That is every bit as good.
Now Is a Good Time to Let Yourself off the Hook
I know you’re busy, but take 30 seconds to read this. You’ll be glad.
What was I thinking to take off the week before Christmas? I mean take off as in leave, check out, join 24 strangers to sit outside in the dark, meditate, and freeze my bottom off thousands of miles from Bergdorf Goodman. It had nothing to do with Christmas, and yet everything …
Great Gift Books About Beautiful Lifestyles
You can’t go wrong with a book, that’s the good news as we round the Christmas clubhouse turn. Here are a handful of design books, a history-style-picture book, a royal historical novel, and a charming how-to-live-a-lovely-life book by a fellow blogging friend.