Happy Thanksgiving!

"Joy, comfort and beauty is what makes a home" I wish you have these three key ingredients at your table tonight.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

image from Laurence Pasquier

the book goes to...

Congratulations to Sarah Klassen from Sarah Klassen/Haute Design. Sarah I'm sure you'll have fun and get a lot of ideas from reading Elaine Griffin's book. Please email me your address so I can forward it to Gotham Books Publishers. They will mail the book to you. Enjoy.

Lovely bathroom

I love the tent looking curtains framing the French doors. I also love the warming effect the wood and fabric bring to this bathroom. P.S. remember the wonderful giveaway here. The winner will be selected tomorrow.

image from Coastal Living.

10 things about me

The sweet and talented Monika sent me the Honest Scrap Award and I'm about to share with you 10 things about me. After that I will pass the award to 7 other great bloggers out there.

1-I studied Kabbalah for a while and I have a better understanding about life.

2-I absolutely REJECT everything about drama.

3-Sometimes I find myself questioning my obsession with Christmas. Really, it's surreal how happy Christmas spirit makes me.

4-I wear something I don't like to make the person who gave it to me happy but I never display anything in my house that I don't like, regardless of who gave it to me.

5-I am a very grateful and just person, I can easily admit when I'm wrong and trust me that's quite often.

6-I love to dress up. My perfect life would be one full of black-tie social events.

7-I believe that good style has NO race or sex.

8-I am my worst critic. I think there is a lot I still need to change and it's my everyday effort to become a better person.

9-I don't come from a rich family but I grew up with maids until I was 16 and emigrated to this country. At some point there were as many as 5 maids working at the same time in my house.

10-In reference to the last one, I have to admit that I absolutely dislike housework. It's overwhelming.

I now pass this Honest Scrap Award to these very talented bloggers without knowing if they have already been tagged.

Cote de Texas
So haute
Fabulously French
French Essence
Colours Dekor
My marrakesh
This is glamorous

A book giveaway contest

We all know who Elaine Griffin is, unless you've been living under the rocks, her incredible interiors have been featured in many Interior Design magazines. I personally love her lush elegant interiors and I am more than honored to host a give away of her "first in its kind" book, Design Rules, The Insider's Guide to Becoming your own Decorator. Yes, you heard right, Elaine generously is giving her readers those great Interior Designer's secrets that we all wonder about. I have the pleasure to have read her book over this weekend and it's easy and enjoyable to read.
At first I was hoping to see more photos of her gorgeous interiors but as I was reading it I understood that Elaine's intention is not for readers to copy a photo or image but to provide the tools to let our own creativity flow. This book is a must-have for all those do-it-yourselfers who struggle with the basic how-to's and ideas. Design Rules, The Insider's Guide to Becoming your own Decorator will give you valuable advice and ideas to make your home the best reflection of yourself and your loved ones.
"If you are a patient and creative genius, make your own wallpaper from newspaper, graph paper, or gift wrap-affix to the wall with thin white school glue diluted with water to resemble a soupy paste..." is one of the genius ideas you will find in this Elaine's book. But if you don't believe me about how helpful this book can be, believe Margarette Russel when she says "...Translating the basics of chic design for the nonprofessional, she provides irresistible foolproof tips that make sense for every taste, style, and budget."
To enter the contest, leave a comment in this post and I'll select a random lucky winner next Tuesday, 24th of November. The book will be sent to the winner directly from Gotham Books Publishers.

Great and unusual gifts

I would love one of these. A Science botanical models set or/and a large Euro Antler available here. Yes I still love antlers and I think you should put in your home what makes you happy, regardless of what some magazines try to talk you into.

Displaying collentions

Bookcases are great platforms to display our beloved collections. From old recipes books to beautiful Beach accents.

from top to bottom second Massucco Warner Miller third Tom Scheerer.

The magic world of Hermes

Once in a while I love to go into Hermes website to get carried away by its one of a kind magical world.

A house full of personality

My favorite rooms in this house are the bathroom and breakfast area, although I wouldn't mind living in all of the others as well.

images from Nuevo Estilo.

Happy weekend

I hope you can find sometime set-aside for yourself this weekend.