VINTAGE PINK MINI

New in my shop today, my Pink Vintage Mini Print. Also available as a mug on Zazzle!

Vintage Pink Car by Annechovie

SATURATED VELVET

I don't consider myself any fashionista and am hardly what you'd call a clotheshorse, but I am loving these two pieces by Boden for Fall. The gorgeous color combined with soft velvet equals a rich touch of embellishment perfect as a  little spark of brightness for your wardrobe. Way to warm up the cooler months!

PASHLEY, THE CLASSIC ENGLISH BICYCLE

When I was young, my bike was of extreme importance to me. I spent endless hours riding and took more than a few spills - I have a few scars to prove it. Then, when I was seven, we had a fire in our garage and my "Ramblin Rose" pink bike with the banana seat and vinyl woven basket got slightly charred and melted. If I ever were to get another bike, I would love one of these very classic Pashley bicycles like the Princess (above) or the Poppy (below). Pashley is England's longest established bicycle manufacturer and I love the way they incorporate the best engineering without sacrificing the classic form, which makes their cycles picture perfect. They look completely photoshoot-worthy to me. One would look good even just sitting around - like a scene in one of those old Laura Ashley catalogs from the 80's. Sigh.

NEW QUOTE POSTER MUG AVAILABLE!

YOU MAKE MY LIFE SWEET MUG by Annechovie
The companion to my latest quote poster is now available on my Zazzle site. Features my painting of a Laduree pastry, the St. Honore. Makes a terrific gift for someone special, even if that's yourself! Have a wonderful first weekend of Fall (or Autumn, depending on where you are from!)

WINNER OF THE LOADED TRUNK GIVE-AWAY IS....

Christy of "A Lil Welsh Rarebit" is the winner! Congratulations, Christy! You were chosen by random.org and will be receiving the $50 gift certificate. Thanks to all who entered and especially to Roni, the owner of The Loaded Trunk.

CHINESE TWINS

I spotted these two lovelies on 1st Dibs. I very much dig the color combo and form of these graceful Chinese celadon lamps. Very distinguished, wouldn't you say? They would add a lot of color to a room.....

LOADED TRUNK GIVE-AWAY. LAST DAY!

Alert, alert!! Today is the last day to enter the Loaded Trunk Give-Away! The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate that can go toward any of their great items from around the globe, like this beautiful Suzani. Don't miss out, click here to enter!

LIKE CEVICHE?

My ceviche - I like it with lots of tomato (see all of the tomato juice mingling with the lime juice)

I love to make ceviche with fresh fish, especially red snapper. It's best to make it the same day you get the fish - the fresher, the better. It makes a refreshing and nutritious snack or meal. Tastes great alone, wrapped in a tortilla or served with avocado slices. It's amazing how you can take the raw, cubed fish, marinate it in the lime juice for a few hours and the acid from the lime changes the structure of the proteins in the fish, so that it is "cooked"without using heat. Perfect if your stove is on the blink!

Ingredients

2 lbs of firm, fresh red snapper fillets (or other firm-fleshed fish), cut into 1/2 inch pieces, completely deboned

1 cup of lime juice

1/2 red onion, finely diced

1 cup of canned, diced tomatoes (or diced chopped fresh tomatoes)

1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning (I love this stuff on just about EVERYTHING!)

2 teaspoons of salt

fresh ground pepper

2 bay leaves

2 cloves garlic (finely diced)

Method

In a non-reactive glass or ceramic dish, place the garlic together with the lime juice and add the fish, making sure the fish is pretty well covered by the lime juice. Cover dish and place in refrigerator for an hour, then stir to expose all fish to the lime acid - keep in refrigerator until all the pinkish-gray fish flesh turns white. Add red onion, tomatoes, Old Bay, salt, bay leaves and pepper. Let sit covered in the refrigerator for several hours, giving time for the flavors to blend.

Enjoy!

MONDAY SWEET TOOTH

(Click image to see detail)

Here's the latest new addition to my Etsy shop. This is the first in a new series of quote posters I have created that pair my dessert paintings with a quote. Combines two of my favorite things - painting and language! This features a painting I did a couple of years ago of a Laduree - Paris St. Honore pastry and the quote "You Make My Life Incredibly Sweet". Look for more to come soon and get this one right now here.

HAPPY WEEKEND!!

Is this not the coolest setting for a festive evening dinner party? I love it. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR WATSON

I couldn't resist sharing this recent photo of my 5 year old nephew, Sam, in one of his many dress-up modes. He put this look together completely on his own, ala' Sherlock Holmes. I love his creativity!

THE LOADED TRUNK GIVE-AWAY

I would like to introduce you to a new website, The Loaded Trunk. Owner Roni Jaco describes their offerings as "textiles and objects with a global point of view". You will find all kinds of beautiful and unusual imports, from unique art and pieces for the home, to jewelry, scarves and textiles.

I thought this clutch was especially chic and it's made from a vintage recycled Obi sash that is worn over a kimono.

This Balinese umbrella in pink and gold was my favorite piece and at a terrific bargain price! These umbrellas come in many different color combinations and lend a refined and whimsical touch to an interior or table setting.

 You could win a gift certificate valued at $50 from the Loaded Trunk! All you have to do is browse their site, then leave a comment here on Annechovie listing your top 3 favorites, along with your email address (for contact info if you are chosen). Entries will be accepted through September 23rd and the winner will be chosen via random.org and announced by Sept. 25th.

ARTIST'S PORTRAIT * LARA HARRIS

Where were you born?

I was born in Royal Oak, Michigan and grew up in Novi and Northville, Michigan.

What are your earliest memories of being involved making art or wanting to be an artist?

My mother is also an artist, and I remember always being surrounded by art supplies and doing all sorts of crafts with her. I've always been fascinated at my mother's artistic abilities, and wanted to grow up to be just like her.

One memory I have involving art, was when I was 4 years old. My mother went to lay down to take a short nap and while she slept I took a bright, red permanent marker and drew all over our white walls. I then signed the masterpiece 'Heath' for my sister Heather, as I didn't want to get in trouble. Needless to say my mother was beside herself, but in the end I was given wallpaper I could color in for my room, and my parents had to paint

all of the walls brick red to cover the marker.

                             What is your artistic background /schooling?

I could always draw from a very early age, in fact, I remember having a Thanksgiving drawing of mine in Kindergarten published on the front page of our local newspaper. I was always in art classes throughout my schooling and took a few private lessons. I was accepted to the Massachusetts College of Art & Design in Boston, but decided to go into teaching instead.

What inspires you most as your subject matter?

I am really inspired by a number of artists such as Karin Jurick and Chris Stott. I love Jurick's style, it's kind of a mix of realism and impressionism, and I love the vintage still lifes that Stott paints. I still feel that I am trying to discover my own 'niche' as they call it, but I suppose I have become known mainly for my pet portraits, still life paintings, and my Master studies. I love doing Master studies because I not only enjoy looking at such incredible work, but I've learned a great deal by studying such greats as William Bouguereau and Mary Cassatt, among others.

Tell us a little about your family and where you live

I was married in 2006 to a wonderful Australian man, and moved to Cairns, Australia in August of that year. We later moved to Sydney and now are back in my home state of Michigan. No one here in Michigan can understand why we would leave the beauty of Australia for the cold winters of Michigan, but we plan to have children soon and I could not imagine having children without my mother nearby.

What are some of your favorite things or things that are essential to your success/well-being as a person and artist?

Well, first of all, I believe God has given me this talent and I need to always be thankful for such a gift. Taking time to remember Him is definitely important to me. I pray daily and believe He guides my life and my career. The blogging community and loyal customers have been important to my life and career as well. Their encouragement and inspiration really brighten my day and keep me focused on reaching my goals in life! I am also very thankful to several fellow artists who have offered their support and advice along the way, as well as family and friends. I think a lot of times an artist's success is about making a connection, and I hope I do that not only through my work, but on a personal level as well. Art, to me, is sharing a little piece of yourself...it's not just about paint on a canvas.

Where would you live if you could live anywhere?

To be totally honest I probably would live on the Central Coast back in Australia, but that would only work if we had a private jet to fly back to the States 2-3 times a year!

What are the most challenging things for you about being an artist?

My biggest challenge by far is learning how to loosen up a bit and paint faster, smarter I suppose. My goal is to paint like Karin Jurick someday, yet maintain my own sense of who I am as a painter. I love how her work is realistic looking but with a very painterly feel to it. Her strokes seem much more fluid and her color choice is spot on. I often wonder where I'd be today had I gone to art school...but at the same time, I'd never take back the 6 years I was a teacher. I think the best thing I can do is just continue to paint, the sheer practice of it truly has refined my skills, and I look forward to where this new chapter of my life will take me.

 Thanks so much to Lara for sharing more about herself and her work with us!

Check out her website here.  

KATE SPADE SALE TODAY!

Today, starting at noon EST, ideeli has a great Kate Spade sale going on with prices starting at only $19! Click here to shop.

THE LATEST ADDITIONS....

I have now added 2 new sets of notecards to my Etsy store. Both feature my Blue and White Ginger Jar painting on 8 cards/envelopes. There are the bordered, folded note cards (above) and the flat scalloped note cards below.

Both make great hostess gifts or, even thinking ahead, stocking stuffers! You can find them here. 
Have a wonderful weekend!

YES, I HAVE SOME BANANAS......

I HAVE SOME BANANAS TODAY!
One of the perks of living in a tropical climate - bananas right outside my bedroom window. I couldn't believe it! I knew this was a banana tree, but guess I underestimated what a little Miracle Grow could do. I didn't really expect an actual clump of bananas to grow on it. The best part is that I've got some avocados on the other side of the house that are THE best avocados I have ever tasted. I happen to have an avocado obsession, so that's making me a happy camper. Thanks for your patience while I glory in the local flora. Do you have a garden or any trees that produce for you?

ARTISTS WHO BLOG

I want to thank artist/blogger Stephanie Levy for featuring me last week on Artists Who Blog. Stephanie is an amazingly talented American artist and very prolific blogger now based in Munich, Germany. Keep up the great work, Stephanie!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS & SUPPORT

My beloved Grandpa

Me, Grandpa and Grandma

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have written with your support for me and my family as it was publicly announced today that my grandpa, Ernie Harwell, has been diagnosed with incurable cancer. The last few weeks have been a tough time, as we learned of his condition and prognosis. It's so difficult to imagine life without someone who has always been such a strong and loving presence in my life. I am just grateful to have had him all of these years and want to cherish his remaining days. Grandpa remains his ever positive and inspiring self, reassuring us all that he has total peace, knowing that this path will lead him into the place he longs to be - God's presence. Thanks to all of you for your thoughtfulness, prayers and support - it means more than you know. And Grandpa......I love you more than I can say and could not be prouder of you than I am now!!

MERCI BEAUCOUP!!

Tiled Moroccan fountain (photo - Anne Harwell)

A special thanks for the recent blog mentions - Shannon at Sit.Relax.Gossip,

Margaret at Paper Pastries, Sidney at Eclectic Interior Design and Sarah at Apothecary Fox. I so appreciate your support and kind words! Check out these great blogs and for all of my US readers - have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend (and the rest of you have a great weekend, too!!)

BUZZ KAPLAN INTERVIEWS SUZANNE KASLER

If you haven't checked it out already, you need to read blogging buddy Buzz Kaplan's new interview with celebrated designer Suzanne Kasler. In addition to his weekly column on antiques, Decorati is now also featuring his weekly interviews with top designers. You won't want to miss this series!!

ARTIST'S PORTRAIT * LAURA TREVEY

Where were you born?
Roanoke, Virginia
What are your earliest memories of being involved making art or wanting to be an artist?
I have always wanted to create things, even as a little child.


Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab

What inspires you most as your subject matter?
I love the Caribbean, and the Keys. The water is so crystal clear ~~ and the colors of the flowers are so vibrant!
Tell us about your family? Where do you live?
I have been married for 15 years, and we have 3 beautiful children ages 7, 11, and 12. We live in Richmond, Virginia.
What are some of your favorite things or things that are essential to your success/well-being as a person and artist?
Love yourself and your family, don’t take anything for granted, and enjoy the world around you! There are so many beautiful things to see.

A grouping of Laura's colorful and whimsical paintings.

Tellaro, Italy

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

By the ocean. The calming powers of the ocean inspire me!
What are the most challenging things for you about being an artist? I love to paint every day. So for me, the most challenging thing about being an artist is finding time to get everything else done, ie: laundry, cleaning the house, dinner, etc…
Thanks so much to Laura for taking the time to share a bit about her life and art with us. Be sure to check out her blog and Etsy shop!

GIVE-AWAY FROM PAPER PASTRIES

Click here to enter a give-away on the Brighter Side Project from Paper Pastries! Entries must be received before September 8th.