HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Happy Thanksgiving from Florida!

I'm celebrating Thanksgiving with my wonderful husband and family. I am thankful for so many good things in my life that are gifts from God - especially this past year and least of not which, YOU my faithful and supportive readers. I wish you all a wonderful and meaningful Thanksgiving with those you love celebrating all of the blessings in your life.

AND MY GIFT TO YOU - 20% OFF IN MY SHOP UNTIL SATURDAY WITH CODE:

BLACK20

CHARMS OF LONDON, PART 1

I had the privilege to be in London last week with my husband and we enjoyed our time immensely!

It's been a while since I was last there and so I was eager to see if my former haunts looked the same.

One of the highlights of my short stay was hitting up The Conran Shop. The windows alone were destination worthy and the shop's contents certainly didn't disappoint either. The popular British use of the word "BRILLIANT" is what came to my mind.

This place is a hotspot for fans of British design and funky, offbeat wares that don't follow a generic path or lull you into visual doldrums. Founded by Sir Terence Conran, a British design maven and entrepreneur who has weathered decades of trends and founded his own design dynasty, this shop is housed in the historic Michelin House in Chelsea that first opened in 1911 and includes a fabulous restaurant, Bibendum.

Eye candy is another term that comes to mind.....color and cool little accessories and items to give your home and office personality.

Their Christmas and Holiday theme is all about bright neon colors this season and is a refreshing departure from humdrum same-ness.

I was drooling in the kitchen department.....

Loved these mini kids' Kartell Ghost Chairs

A dream bed for a kid....I would've been all over this.....your own cozy little fort to sleep in.

I would snap one of these up in about 2 seconds.....

Comfort and good design are NOT mutually exclusive by any means.

I was captivated by these funky color lighted cacti and wished they had mini versions for sale

I know these colors are not for everyone, but they were right up my alley. I love how the British manage to marry tradition with updated chic style without making it seem contrived. Makes the British part of me glad to come from these folks.

Ta-ta for now and have a great weekend!

More to follow soon when I can manage to get some time away from my huge project (with deadline looming!) and all the Holiday busyness I am working on.

WISHING I HAD SOME STOUT BIRCH TREE STUMPS

I spotted this on Pinterest (where else?) and thought it was such an interesting idea.

I guess it could be done with papier-mache and or trompe l'oeil so that no trees would be harmed? Or if you happen to have some great birch stumps lying around your place, feel free to pass them on to a girl in Florida who is in far too hot a climate to grow birches.

BTW, a huge thank you to all of our Veterans today for their service!

OFF TO LONDON.....

I am off in London for the weekend with my Dear Husband. 

Who knew being married could be so sublime? We have very limited time, not enough to see all of my London friends (sadly!) but hoping to hit up a few highlights and absorb some of that delightful English vibe and culture. I may be updating via Instagram so if you'd like, you can follow me here  

Have a great weekend and I will be back soon!

HOUSE PROUD AND BLOGGER PROUD!

My friend and fellow blogger/designer Valorie Hart has just had her first book published!

It's a beautiful volume featuring unique homes in Louisiana with Valorie's inimitable viewpoint and insights resulting from her years of design experience and style savvy. Valorie has been a sweetheart and so supportive of me since we were both green bloggers years ago and the design blogging community was so much smaller. Thanks so much, Valorie for featuring some of my work and adding me in your art sources! I am honored. Please check out her book - "House Proud". It's available on Amazon here

If you're in New Orleans, stop by Modern Market on Magazine St. for a book signing tonight

 from 5:30-7:00.

You can meet the ebullient and charming Valorie for yourself!

Congratulations, Valorie! xoxo