Wednesday, August 31, 2011

ACQUIESSE CANDLE GIVE-AWAY



Luxury brand Acquiesse Candles has generously offered to sponsor a give-away here on Annechovie. The winner will be chosen on September 8th by random.com and will receive a Soy travel tin in Rioja ( red currant, cassis, citrus and French oak). They sent me this elegant mini candle in "Mandarin Tea" fragrance to sample. I couldn't believe how wonderful the scent was when I opened the box. It had a very natural, high-quality and even expensive-smelling aroma that was really soothing. 

AQUIESSE has become known as a leader in the home fragrance arena because of the quality and value of their product line and counts many connoisseurs and celebrities among their fans.
At AQUIESSE, the art of creativity is backed by extensive science, research and craftsmanship. The company always stays atop industry trends, yet only uses ingredients that are tried and true. Their candles are poured with the purest natural wax formulations, derived from soy beans and/or coconuts, for a luxuriously creamy texture, long clean burn, and perfectly balanced fragrance throw. Organic and/or renewable resources, including essential oils, are used whenever possible without jeopardizing the effectiveness or
stability of the products. Only lead-free wicks are carefully suited to each size and fragrance… while each and every product is meticulously crafted by true artisans who take pride in their work.

The original scents in the collection were inspired by the rich coastal region of Central California and are available at Bloomingdales, Candles Off Main, Scents and Sprays, Candle Delirium and Zanadia.
Leave a comment below to enter, tweet or post to FB and let me know to earn a second entry. Please be sure that your name is linked to an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner!

Monday, August 29, 2011

JERSEY SHORE SANS THE SLEAZE






all photos by Jonny Valiant

At this juncture in time, hearing the term "Jersey Shore" doesn't exactly conjure up images of refined living thanks to certain TV programs. In the September issue of House Beautiful, decorator Mona Ross Berman turns the tarnished image on its ear with her fabulous "surfer chic with class" style.  I love this cottage she lent her colorful touch to. 
So many great rooms and no tattoos or hair gel in sight! 

I hope all of my friends on the East Coast here in the US have weathered Hurricane Irene ok and are now safe. I wish everyone continued safety with all of the clean-up, repairs and the process of getting on with your lives.

Friday, August 26, 2011

BEARS REPEATING


I found this astute quote on Table Tonic and wanted to pass it on for those who hadn't seen it yet. 
Oh so true!
Here's hoping you have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

ANNECHOVIE RUGS



How 'bout a great quote for your entry hall or living space? Now my Keep Calm design is available as a rug kit in blue and mustard at Art Needlepoint here

Monday, August 22, 2011

EILEEN KATHRYN BOYD & HER COLOR CHUTZPAH


Welcome to a new week!
Eileen Kathryn Boyd is quickly becoming one of my favorite designers.  Her color sense sets her apart in a world of design pablum. Her work leaves you with the same feeling as hopping a plane from North Dakota in the dead of Winter and jetting off to Palm Beach or St. Barts. To say it's refreshing is putting it mildly. 


Eileen has designed a gorgeous line of vibrant fabrics for Duralee



I am a perennial fan of the pink/orange partnership!

 Eileen's shop in Huntington, NY


Love how she painted the chair frame an unexpected color


I came across Eileen's site and blog the other day (I am ashamed to say, for the first time! How could I have been so living under a rock??) I had admired her work all over design mags and the internet for a while, but without even "catching" who exactly was behind it. I was thrilled - quite frankly, surprised AND flattered to see she had listed Annechovie as one of her "must-read" blogs. If you're not already hip to it, you've got to get to know her work and be sure to follow her blog here. You'll feel like a kid in a candy store!

Photos courtesy of Duralee, Eileen Kathryn Boyd, Lonny and Decorati


Friday, August 19, 2011

LUXE-FUMES FRAMED




I am organizing/cleaning out my studio and offering these large framed prints from my "Luxe-Fume" series at a special value this week. Print and frame sold separately usually run $72, but each print is available framed for only $50 a piece + shipping right now until both are sold. Contact me here to purchase.
Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

KIWI CAT


A very thoughtful customer of mine from New Zealand sent me this photo of her cat, "Professor Winston" showing me how he was trying to investigate when she opened the shipment from me. She said he showed his approval by promptly lying on the prints. I got a kick out of it. Thanks for the nod of approval, Professor Winston and thanks for passing this along, Robyn! 

Monday, August 15, 2011

ANNECHOVIE ABSTRACT?



In the past few months, I've been working in an entirely new style for a change and as an exercise to "loosen up" and explore some different avenues artistically speaking.  It's very different for me, but fun and freeing at the same time. I decided to finally (and a bit sheepishly) show this piece via the blog. It's larger than most of my work at 30 x 15 x 1.5" and far more textured with many layers on the canvas. 
It's available now in my shop, if you feel like taking a look. Custom commissions are also available! Contact me here for more info. 

Friday, August 12, 2011

LIFE ENHANCING DISCOVERIES


This stuff I discovered at Costco is phenomenal......notice my 2 lb. jar is empty......it lasted me for a couple of months. I force myself to ration it.


Pandora is my go-to when I'm on my PC.....which is a healthy chunk of my day. My 2 favorite stations I created are currently Kathryn Scott and Stan Getz.


One of my healthiest friends has pointed out that almonds with this much  ahem, "seasoning" lose some of their nutritional value, but I can't help it.....these are just so good.


photo courtesy of the Food Network
Sauteed Spinach with garlic is something I eat several nights a week. I buy a giant tub of organic spinach every week and am earning the nickname "Popeye" in a hurry. Ina Garten (whom I wish I could adopt as an aunt, she is so utterly likable) has a terrific recipe here, although I substitute canola oil for the butter (so I can can meet my butter quota while eating the toffee in the top photo, without having to get my pants altered!)

So, what's making your life better these days?  Any great finds to share with me?  Have a nice weekend! 

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

GREENPIECE


As many of you may know by now, I have a distinct fondness for chairs and have to stop myself from painting them continually.  Once in a while I give in and here is a painting I just finished! The original is available now in my shop and so are prints! 

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

MORE PERFECT PEONIES.......


In the vein of my ongoing obsession with peonies, today these amazingly authentic looking beauties are available on One Kings Lane. Go here to join for free and purchase.

Monday, August 8, 2011

TIFFANY BLUE RE-DO


From this to
THIS 


I bought this shelving unit at West Elm several years ago - it's a great workhorse as it holds a LOT and I never get tired of the clean lines and simplicity of the design. The finish was a little worse-for-wear and I thought it was time for a little color. I found a color that was "Tiffany box-ish" yet not too strong. It turned out well and I was very pleased with the semi-lacquered finish and the dose of color it gives to my studio space.  The only drawback was that there were a million flat surfaces to cover with my small roller and many coats to apply. Shampoo, lather, repeat and so on......BUT the results were worth it!  Are you contemplating a furniture re-do in the near future?

Friday, August 5, 2011

A PERFECT MATCH FOR YOU




I am now offering personalized monogram matches in 2 different designs! 
The popular orange chair silhouette design and the red chinoiserie chair. They come in sets of 9 boxes each and are perfect to have around the house or give as a one-of-a-kind gift!  Get yours here.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

FRENCH PERFUMES and PAINT BRUSHES


I just wanted to share a commission I recently completed for a client who created 2 signature fragrances, Ellie and Ellie Nuit, with a second-generation French perfumer who has worked with top French design houses Dior, Hermes and Rochas.
These exquisite bottles and perfumes are made in France and sold both abroad and here in the US at places like Fred Segal and Henri Bendel. You can find out more at her website here
Whether it's your home, child, pet or a perfume you created, I would be honored to capture the beauty of it for you. Contact me for more information here.

Monday, August 1, 2011

NEW & BLUE


Welcome to August! There's a lot going on this month for me and I hope that the rest of you are enjoying what remains of the Summer (or Winter, for all of you readers in the lower hemisphere!) 
Today I am adding another print in a brand new color - it's my popular Royal Worcester Jar in blue for all of you blue & white fans. Available in both 8x10 here and 11x14 here
 
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000028477615