Our weekend visitors

I wanted to share with you what a cold but great weekend we had here at home. Over the weekend we invited to dinner a few friends we didn't get to see during Christmas. I wanted to create a cozier atmosphere and dine under candle light so I moved the dining table close to the open fire in front of my gorgeous bookcase. Did I ever say bookcases are one of my favorite things? I used a generous remnants of Edo fabric by quadrille as tablecloth, took out a few of my amethyst candle holders and got some hydrangeas at Whole Foods. The Capiz Shell placemats are from Crate and Barrel and they are really beautiful. We had a wonderful time in good company and hope we get to do this more often.

all images by/for Julie.

Have you had your hour today?

Recently my husband went for a regular check up and the doctor advised him to take an hour for himself, just for himself, doing something completely different from what he usually does. The doctor then went on and explained him how a wine class he used to take at the world trade center took him to become good friend with the chef, to a trip to Italy where he met wonderful people and finally how after 9/11, to organized a fund raising event to raise money for the families of the workers who used to work at the restaurant. The chef is doing fine, in case you're asking yourself the same question I asked my husband. It's fascinating how sometimes our events in life are so clearly connected and how something that's just a hobby can take us to do things we wouldn't otherwise think of. I do believe in a higher purpose and usually the harder the accomplishment the greater the result.

In my case I don't know how realistic it will be to take an hour for myself and not do or think about things to do. I would love to be able to attend events I am invited to, but for family or work responsibilities it's impossible for me to attend. People have already stopped inviting me, seriously because I just don't have the time and effort to socialize or network as much as I would like to. How about you? Are you able to set aside an hour for yourself?

images via Canadian House and Home and my files.

Hello Gorgeous

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My files

suziebeezie

A little busy here. I'll be back soon with great posts, I promise.

Linen closet

Something I love as much as sleeping in clean soft sheets, is to open my linen closet and get the smell of fresh savon I keep spread around. I also keep my body creams and oil to make everything smelling like heaven.

Simplicity is the peak of civilization.
Jessie Sampter.

Have a happy weekend.

Between the lines

image from here.

Looking forward to Spring

To bike away in the City. I just hope I can pull it off like one of these three beautiful ladies above.

all pictures from Riding Pretty

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.

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.

The winner is

The winner of the Michael Tonello book is the lovely Patricia from colours Dekor. Congratulations sweet Patricia.

Bluefields Bay, Jamaica

I hope you enjoyed your week. I leave you with these breath taking images of Bluefields Bay Jamaican Seaside Villas, decorated in a gorgeous traditional tropical style. Have a fantastic weekend.

cozy reading corners

I would love to have one of these cozy corners to read, think or simply nap.

images from John krenek, Toton Sanchez, Nisi Berryman, Madeline Weinrib, Alina Apteker