This is where I get to say anything I feel like saying and you get to agree with me.
We will also share stories and chocolate if you have any.
Naps are also encouraged, if shopping is out of the question.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2014 !!

Happy New Year !
See you in 2014 ~

Monday, December 30, 2013

Feeling Catty

This is the brother of the cat we used to have .
This was the last litter from the breeder.
William Wegman, the man who likes to photograph dogs, loved photographing these cats.
They are really doglike in their way, they are not the typical loll around and nap cats.

I want another one.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Hint hint

I wouldn't say no if someone invited me to stay in a place like this .
hint hint ......


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Winter Projects

I am planning projects for the Winter months to come. When it is like today, icy cold, snow covered ground and nothing better to do than stay home where it is warm..and there is no risk of sliding and being stuck somewhere .

I have a very large bedroom. It has   His and Hers closets. I also have 2 large chests of drawers.
I still seem to need Places to put Things.

So using this as an example, although I don't think I will go for the wooden crates, maybe something a bit more modern and finished .. and white .

Just for the shoes alone, this is a brilliant idea.

so this is one of my Winter Projects.

Do you make projects when you know you will be staying in and needing something to occupy yourself ? or are you happy to just loll around and enjoy being home and not having anything to do ?

Happy winter, lolling or otherwise ~

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Someone get me out of here


So ... I would go for the British understatement and say ''We got a bit of snow overnight''.
But who am I kidding ?

I am buried in snow !! I won't be out til July !!!

God took pity on me and sent me a neighbor with a snow blower thing that cleared my driveway so at least I know that if I have to run for my life, I can get at least as far as the end of the driveway ..
It is quite beautiful.
Someone get me out of here.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Holiday Shopping

OK ... I did half of my holiday shopping today. For myself. 
I'm just kidding about that first outfit , it hurts my eyes to look at it !

But the rest, they are mine !
ho ho ho .. happy holiday shopping !



 

Theory

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Baby, It's Cold

Yes, it is winter. Time for people to pull out the woolies and thermals and put nice soft blankets on the beds and throws on the sofa and pull the drapes closed against the cold dark nights.

But the magazines are showing these posh apartments belonging to so called designers and they all look so uninviting, so cold and doctors waiting room-ish.

Who wants their living room to look like a hotel lobby ?
Who wants a kitchen that looks like the bar in the hotel we stayed in in Argentina ?

If I am going to start decorating according to magazines, I am going to dig up some French mags, they have rooms with drapes all over the place, doorways etc ... they have big fat sofas buried in pillows and soft throws to keep you cozy.
Color and warmth .. that is what the every day person wants in their life.
In their homes and especially in winter.

These opinions have been brought to you, free of charge, from Me.
Sitting here nice and cozy in my little office with the chenille sofa and pillows and throws and drapes framing a view of snow. brrrrr.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Monday, October 28, 2013

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Must Have .....Shopping ... my favorite subject.


I bought these in Buenos Aires last year.
They are wearing them in the US now.
I don't care if my feet get cold, I am wearing my BA shoes   in NYC !!

It just so happens that I bought earrings at a shop in Great Barrington,  Ma, that look an awful lot like these.
The shop ? Karen Allen.
Yes, the actress.
Must Have These.  There are cows up the street from me.
"Stacking rings" ... I have been doing this for years. It is not about style, it is about me wanting to wear them all at once .

What is your Must Have for this season ?

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Brick

I have to find some bricks.




photo-the style files

Thursday, October 10, 2013

It's in the Bag ..

Who loves their handbags ?  Do you carry various bags for various occasions ? What is your favorite color ? What is your favorite bag ? Do you keep them in a special place or just hang them anywhere ?
I admit it .. I am a collector and lover of handbags of all kinds.
Vintage Coach
Prada
Maybe next Spring
Mulberry
Since we are back in the United States and I can feel comfortable carrying any one of my collection of handbags, I have had quite a good time carrying a different bag each day .. or maybe not just for a day but I could if I wanted to.
I am glad that I am at the stage in life where I appreciate "Vintage" handbags, not just the old ones ( I have an original Carlos Falchi  ) but anything new is good too.

Do you love your handbags ? Do you have more than a couple ? 
Do you have a closet just for your bags ? 
Do you belong to Handbags Anonymous ? 
Tell me ...

Monday, October 7, 2013

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Zucchini Pasta


3 large zucchini
Salt
1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 pound pasta
Olive oil
Parmesan or other aged cheese, optional
Line a colander with cheesecloth and place it in a large bowl. 
Grate the zucchini, on the smallest holes of a cheese grater, into the colander. 
Toss the zucchini with a pinch of salt and the garlic and let rest for 1 hour at room temperature.
Squeeze the zucchini to extract all the liquid; you should have about 1/2 cup of juice. 
Set aside both the grated zucchini and the juice.
Parboil the pasta in lightly salted boiling water for half the time suggested on the package, then drain. Bring 1/4 cup of the zucchini juice to a boil in the now empty pasta pot. 
Toss in the pasta and cook on medium, stirring occasionally, until al dente, adding more zucchini juice a little at a time so it absorbs into the pasta and creates a nice glaze.
You have a choice on how to finish the dish. 
You can either toss the pasta with the raw grated zucchini and top with a drizzle of raw olive oil or, if you prefer, fry the zucchini in a skillet on high heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, until crispy, and then toss into the pasta. 
Serve the pasta topped with grated or shaved cheese, if you like.

recipe from  Rural Intelligence

Friday, October 4, 2013

Thanks to Lonny Magazine ..

The mirror ... The Mirror !!! on the left .. 
I am suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to cut out new doorways.
My  patio, next Summer, Be There or Be Square.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Kitchens and Imagination ( or lack thereof)



 I guess this is the popular style of kitchen these days.
4 Kitchens in 4 houses that are for sale in my area.

Enough with the island/table/counter in the middle ! 

Saturday, September 21, 2013

The Pros and Cons of Kitchen Cupboards

Making some decisions when renovating an older home are easy. Others not so much.
I am not in love with the cupboards in my new kitchen.
The kitchen itself is perfect with everything custom made and just where it ought to be, with all sorts of little luxuries that don't come in a standard kitchen.
Cupboards that open and inside are excellent sliding drawers that hold everything from large pots to the lids. Cupboards that hold   just cups or just glasses  . Drawers that hold sharp objects or long paper boxes with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Everything was thought of and arranged just so.

But I dislike the color of the cabinets.
And the renovations are winding down, no one wants to start another project.

So I am thinking one of the looks that I love in all kitchens is the all white, open cupboard .. no doors.
These are two of my favorites:

My kitchen is larger than the one above .  It would be reversed, wood cabinets below, white tile counter tops, white walls above, open cupboards for dishes and glasses .
This is more like my kitchen, one end of the room is a large bay of 3 huge double windows.
I can see the entire garden while standing at the sink. It almost makes washing dishes pleasant.
No, I don't really wash dishes ... I have a beautiful new Bosch dishwasher. I totally heart my dishwasher. Stainless steel inside and out and totally silent when running.
What kind of kitchen do you like ? Open ? Behind doors ? Large, small ? Modern or older charm ?
Mine is Mid Century Modern .. or at least the house is so I guess the kitchen goes along with that.
Tell me about your kitchen. I need ideas ..

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Fashion - Would You Wear This ?

I would wear these in a flash ... a hot flash  .

Would you wear this ?
I  Heart Donna Karan
I have to discuss this one with my husband 
All photos : NYT

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Dead Decor

I don't know what the decorator was going for but somehow, the word Vile probably was not it.
Ahh, yes, choosing what to wear is so much easier with dead heads on the wall.
A Squirrel ?  Really ?? Like the Great Brave Hunter fought and won the battle  and kept the hide ?

I don't know who comes up with this tired old musty idea every few years but I wish they would stop.
They are obviously bereft of any imagination at all.

Having dead things around the house is just so  negative and ugly.

What is positive and pleasant or even attractive about moth eaten old dead stuffed animals or birds around a home ? 

If a decorator resorts to this trend, this absence of thought or taste, they should be drummed out of the decorator club. 
And if you are capable enough to have a home and decorate it, you can manage to find articles to put in your home that reflect the person you are, your likes, your philosophy and hopefully your preference for living things.

Just say No to Decorating With Dead Things.





This message was brought to you by a person with very strong opinions. Take offense only if you are a fan of dead stuff.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Get out the White Paint

Basically, this is my new kitchen.
Without the shelves, mine has an entire wall of windows going round and cupboards.
I have to do something with mine.
I have a feeling that painting the brown wood cupboards white, will do the trick.
My husband will be so excited to hear I want to do some painting ( not) ...

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

So What If I Already Have A Few Handbags ??

Pink ! I like Pink !

Oh Santa !
                                                           
Must . Have . This . Bag.
I can do this look ! Give me the bag first !
                                         

Monday, September 2, 2013

Summers End

Dear Diary,
Summer is over.
The flowers are still beautiful.
Today we will appreciate what we have and remember all those beautiful Summer days
Then tomorrow I am going shopping for new Fall and Winter Clothes.





Merci Fabulously French for la photos ~