Some Exciting News...

The other day I was having one of those kind of down days...thinking of my mom...missing her deeply. Moments later someone contacted me to let me know that I'm going to be included in an upcoming book, and that my living room made the cover photo. I don't mean to be braggy, but this couldn't have been more exciting news at that moment, temporarily bringing me out of my "funk."

The book is titled, "Hers: Design with a Feminine Touch," and written by the talented and fabulous Romantic Homes magazine editor, Jacqueline DeMontravel.

Hers offers hundreds of stylish ways for creating your own private retreat and is filled with hundreds of enchanting photos of stylish homes. I'm thrilled to be included among friends Janet of FrenchBlue, Lidy of French Garden House and many more. 224 pages full!

The book will be released on December 13th, but you can pre-order copies here.

Just in time for Christmas!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Let's Have a Party!

When I saw this photo on Amy Atlas' blog, I flipped! I just had to find out where those whimsical tassels were from!



They're from Confetti System, the magical makers of party decor.



Last year I purchased some little favors from Urban Outfitters, but had no idea that they were from Confetti System.





"CONFETTISYSTEM transforms simple materials such as tissue paper, cardboard, and silk into interactive objects that create a point of focus, where memories are made and a spontaneous collaboration with the viewer is sparked. CONFETTISYSTEM’s creations occupy the space between the ephemeral and the permanent, evoking a sense of nostalgia and lighthearted fun."



I would love to buy some tissue pinatas...





or fancy blindfolds...



I just need an occasion to throw a party...

Can we have one now?? You're all invited!



images: Confetti System

Nesting Newbies Issue 4 + A Fabulous Day!

The fourth issue of Nesting Newbies is now LIVE! We can finally let the cat of out of the bag. This has been hush, hush...Try keeping a dozen bloggers mouths shut for 2 months!

Earlier this summer I was delighted to attend this amazing gathering of San Francisco bloggers hosted by Nesting Newbies, a lovely online magazine based here in the Bay Area. It was held at the spectacular Fogarty Winery in Northern California and we were treated like queens.

vines at the winery...

The mountain top setting was breathtakingly beautiful!

The tabletops were styled by Lotus Bleu and food was prepared by the amazing Chef Lea. The pink and green color combo was just lovely. Fabulous online video footage accompanies the preparation of the table settings and the meals...

The bloggers hanging out for our shoot. It was so much fun to hang out with some friends and chit chat with bloggers I knew, but never met in person.

And we got to be models for a day...something I've never done before. Oh yeah, that's me in the upper right with Rebecca of loving.living.small. Glad I knew Rebecca from before as we had to put on our "model smiles." Difficult to smile without actually talking!

The "Midsummer Mediterranean" dinner couldn't have been more divine. You must try each and every recipe of Chef Lea's!

We all oohed and aahed over the magnificent Creamy Lemon Champagne Vinaigrette. To die for! Melissa from Ruby Press said she would put this dressing on everything she eats!

Yummy chopped asparagus salad...

And who could resist Chef Lea's Bakla Pops?

If the food, wine and setting wasn't enough, amazing local shop owners donated gift bags chocked filled with goodies from Fogarty wine and macaroons, to gorgeous decorative gifts.

Be sure and check out the just-released fourth issue of Nesting Newbies here!

Meet the rest of the wonderful San Francisco bloggers, check out those divine Madeleine Weinrib rugs and cushions we're all sitting on, and try Chef Lea's recipes which will certainly inspire you!

Thanks Nesting Newbies (Jodi, Lea and staff) for a most wonderful day! It was truly one of the highlights of my Summer.

photo credits: Nesting Newbies

aah...Inspiration!

Today the online Lonny Magazine launches their 5th issue. I just glanced through the over 200 pages of eye-candy. Must take a look here...

photo from Lonny Magazine

9 By Design Tonight!

Is anyone watching the premiere of 9 by Design tonight on Bravo?

"Husband and wife design team Bob and Cortney Novogratz, owners of the NYC based design firm, Sixx Design, and stars of Bravo's newest docu-series "9 by Design." For more than a decade, this young, hip and artsy couple have developed and designed unique properties in Manhattan, rebuilt entire blocks in the city, and turned funky into fabulous with taste and confidence." And, may I add, they have 6 kids...that's right 6, and a baby on the way!!

If you get Bravo and have a chance watch this show tonight, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Hope it's not on during American Idol or I have a choice to make!

Enjoy!

Design Legends Entertaining Tips

The ever-s0-talented Jennifer Boles at The Peak of Chic never has a shortage of the most informative and fun posts on her blog. I'm a huge fan. Jennifer has done numerous posts about entertaining, many about table settings from the vintage Tiffany's entertaining books, which are some of her favorites.

There are so many wonderful posts of Jennifer's, that I couldn't help myself from plagiarizing one of my favorites from July 2008, "Entertaining with the Pros."

Let's go back in time and see what tips some of the design legends have to offer. And, thanks Jennifer. Love your commentary!

"Elsie de Wolfe had a lot to say about entertaining. So much so that she wrote Elsie de Wolfe's Recipes for Successful Dining. De Wolfe believed that "the perfect meal is the short meal." Remember, De Wolfe wrote the book at a time when dining was a bit more elaborate than today. A few other tidbits: Never have high flower vases on your table. Keep your table decorations "low, low, low."And "Curried Veal Kidneys" is a recipe for successful dining."

"Dorothy Draper, the merriest of decorators, once wrote that a "delighted hostess is a delightful hostess" (this from Entertaining is Fun!). Dorothy had a point-- who wants to be around a harried hostess? She also wrote that she never held up a dinner party for more than half an hour waiting for a tardy guest. And canned turtle soup with sherry is something that one should always have in his pantry. (Do they still make canned turtle soup?)"

"Dorothy Rodgers thought (and wrote) a great deal about entertaining. The woman certainly was attuned to the details and planning of dinner parties, weekend house parties, and casual affairs. Rodgers' advice included using cloths on small tables as opposed to place mats, using matching crystal stemware, and passing crackers with the first course. Oh, "The Game." "Improbable Conversations," and "Botticelli" are all FUN parlor games, at least according to Rodgers."


"Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, the late directrice of Nina Ricci couture house, wrote all about Entertaining with Elegance. Did you know that yellow asters and orange chrysanthemums in a copper container make a chic floral arrangement? Or that asparagus tips with a bit of mayonnaise rolled up in thinly sliced white bread makes a tasty tea sandwich? And that wine glasses should be filled one half to two-thirds full? You do now, thanks to Ms. Dariaux."

"Mark Hampton was not a fan of table linens made of polyester. He also thought one should avoid using colored candles (unless it was a Christmas celebration) as well as narcissus and lilies- too odoriferous for the dinner table."

"Bunny Williams liked to have a drinks tray set up on a table so that guests could help themselves to libations. She also used Pepperidge Farm thin sliced bread for tea sandwiches and Duncan Hines brownies for dessert."

If you want to read some additional posts of Jennifer's on entertaining, visit here, here, here and here. Or just go over and add The Peak of Chic to your Google Reader to keep up on the latest and greatest.

Now, hurry up and get that turtle soup ready for Thanksgiving!

vintage photos and content from The Peak of Chic

LONNY is here!

Today is the official launch of the much-anticipated online magazine, Lonny. If you miss the (sadly) defunct Domino magazine as I do, this may fill that void!


Michelle Adams, who served as the Market Editor of Domino, along with photographer Patrick Cline, are the forces behind this decorating and lifestyle publication. Michelle is also founder of the textile line, Rubie Green.


Tonight I briefly browsed through Lonny and it looks amazing. Brilliant photography and useful decorating tips. And you can zoom in to see the fine detail. Gorgeous!

Currently Lonny is only viewable online, but you never know...

I wish the Lonny team great success! Now go and check it out here!

photos via ma-belle blog