Hello Lovely

Allow me to share one of the many
reasons I adore interior design:

there is within this field a universal loveliness

which transcends language and culture...

Ooooooh, I love un segreto!

Here is a peek at some secret finishes

executed in a breathtaking Provence-inspired

home featured in the new book.

Sarah West ~ architectual consultant

Architectural Solutions, Inc ~ architect

Richard Price Custom Homes ~ builder

 Plaster and reclaimed architectural finishes

weave rooms together harmoniously...

and can you imagine the secrets these

old pieces could tell?????

 light fixture by AREA

 18th c. door from Chateau Domingue

Leslie owns an art gallery and is inspired

by all aspects of artistic painting, in fact,

nowwwwwww,

she can say she wrote the book.

 



A big gorgeous book of secrets.

(I love this kitchen like a fat girl loves cake.)

It was that iced white beauty lounging lustfully under that cloche

in a few images above that made me say it.

Segreto: Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors

is full of spaces with visual inspiration, warmth, character, and depth.

The plaster! The floors! The essence of Provence!

Isn't it romantic?

Peace to you right where you are.

Welcome to a chic gem in Manchester, England.

You likey her pillows? She has a shop!

To a sexy girl's guide to turning
an eccentric Edwardian house
into a swoonworthy home,
one DIY step at a time.

Like DIY?




Pretty on the cheap?
Then you will devour
s w o o n w o r t h y,
a blog of wit and whimsy.




A blue foo or two?
You'll be charmed.




whatever you're sellin', i'm buyin', mama!

Did I mention I love this blogger,
Red, and we have become friends?




Red recently changed the mirror
over the mantel in her dining room...




to this burst of lovely!





Another chic transformation by Swoonworthy.



And the gallery wall!




So flattered to see a collage
of mine on the wall of this
British bombshell's home
and invite you to discover her unique
mix of humor, passion, and interior magic.

Is anyone else going ga-ga over her "new" coffee table??????

Peace to you right where you are.

There will be more cake.
Oh.
There will be more...but first
a few littles new in the shop.

I sewed a couple vintage religious medals

(amulets) with linen thread to

comfy newish stretchy bracelets.

They are feminine.

They create a reminder to pray,

to hope, to get over ourselves.

bracelet

Also, wouldn't they be perfect

for a bride?

I learned I am not a natural at sewing,

but I wanted to take a small risk

and join the old with the new

for a blended creation.

I know I'll get better.

bracelet

Inspired by some of my old chaplet bracelets

I don't wear for style, but to which I

occasionally cling when grieving

or considering a serious matter.

bracelet

These are that sort of bracelet.

Not necessarily for blinging.

necklace

But for clinging.

Th piece above is a necklace and is old through and through.

A vintage amulet joined with an old aurora borealis necklace.

rosary

This rosary in the shop is probably circa 1980's,

and I can't seem to collect enough of

these to drape over a candlestick,

a lamp...it's endless really.

another view of the rosary

another greiege prayer bracelet

Thanks for peeking at my shop...
if you care to catch glimpses of my home,
Stacey (one of my favorite Chicagoland bloggers!)
is featuring it right here today.
Would love to have you visit over there.

Peace to you right where you are.

Unless you have major objections,

I am considering a slight modification to the blog.

Thinking the site could be devoted

solely to chocolate cake.

Who gets tired of it?

I mean, I just know I can bring

hellolovely sexy and funkyfresh
panache to chocolate cake.

Chocolate cake is a hero.

Say you're nervous about making

dinner for someone, you serve it for dessert

and they feel indebted to you for like ever.

This slice from Portillo's was

SO DELICIOUS, MADE ME WANNA SLAP YO MAMA

(I refuse to explain) and is one of my top picks.

Guessing it is mayonaise-based.
MORE RESEARCH REQUIRED.

Portillo's is better known for crazygood dogs and beef in Chicago.

Think about the tastings I can
attend and host and how easy

it will be to avoid religion and politics...

ya know?

I love you for the other meals too.

A blog devoted to chocolate cake?

p.s.
That was the day I painted my nails.
Bad call. I am allergic to polish and
lost an entire day of work.

Peace to you right where you are.

Puglia Contemporary Style

(Congedo Publishing)

is a book for your library
packed with all sorts
of lovely lessons within to learn,
and you don't even have to speak Italian
since the lessons are via PICTURES!

Pretty atmospheric pictures from Italy which
can be understood in any language!!!!
For those among us who are energized visually.

If you look up 'sensual' in the dictionary,
you'll find this image.

Halfway through the book,
my bags for Puglia were packed.
Are you snickering?
I have family there; that's a fact, Jack,
and I will get there when the timing's less wack.

Who is joining me on the terrace, and
what (besides Prosecco) will we be sipping?

* * *

Oh i mei amici, I need this Puglian diversion right now.
Just arrived home from a very creepy junkyard excursion
(someone please save me from myself)
where I contacted poison oak and the leg still throbs.
Also,
*continue weeping and blaring the Italian opera on the stereo, yo*
our mode of transportation was a motorcycle,
and it stormed on us...Puglia Contemporary Style, TAKE ME AWAY!

Peace to you right where you are.