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.
News & Notes
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.
Making a Little Space for Life
Have not forgotten you, nor fallen off ladder while decorating, nor been engulfed in Yule log flames, figurative or otherwise. Just been trying to make a little space for life. I’ve been out of the habit so long I honestly don’t know quite how to go about it, especially here at Christmas time.
Mabel, Mabel, Strong and Able, Keep Your Cell Phones off the Table
Keep phones not just off the table, but not anywhere near it. In this week of Thanksgiving, as we gather together, let’s be there, with one another, eye to eye. Much as I want to see the picture of your cat in her pilgrim costume, it can wait until after dinner.
Holiday Centerpiece With Birch Bark, Foliage, Fruit, and Flowers
Here is an impressive but easy centerpiece for the holidays or any day. For mantel or table, the size and height are easily varied. Use any combination of foliage, fruit, and flowers. Make a mess and it will still be beautiful. It’s an anything-goes thing.