Juliska Classic Bamboo plates...Gotta Have Them!

Easter, Mother's Day, perhaps a few Sunday evening soirees, just to name a few, are all entertaining occasions that are coming up. And I am in need of dinner plates, we currently have three...no joke! They're Pottery Barn's Great White plates which I've had for years, I still like them and there easy to add too. But I'm starting to think, since I've always wanted these classic bamboo plates by Juliska now's my chance to mix them in.  I want everything in the collection, but I think that I will start with what I need, which are the dinner plates.  That way, in case, if we have more than three people over, I'll l be in good shape! Any other suggestions on incorporating some natural glamour to my table?  Just let me know!

I would love the flatware as well...baby steps though!

Leontine Linens...Obsession!

It's time to make over my bed!  It's been awhile and with Spring here, I'm more then ready to get going on it.  I need everything - new pillows, shams, sheets in particular, and a bed skirt.  So I'm currently obsessing over Leontine Linens, which are absolutely beautiful, not the least bit in my budget, and not the least bit practical for my household.  After all, look who does the laundry...see here.  Leontine Linens is a private company specializing in custom luxurious linens, based in New Orleans.  It all started here with the January issue of Southern Living, Cathy Kincaid made over a small space and created the beautiful bedroom that you see above.  Then there was the February issues of House Beautiful, Sara Ruffin Costello uses then in a preppy and southwestern combo style. Below are a few that will show you just what I mean!!

 Love this by Avera Wagner a Design Firm out of Dallas.  Did I mention I need a headboard too! 

By Kati Ridder - Love the embroidered chopstick monogram! All image above via Leontine Linens

Aerin Lauder's home in the Hampton's shot for Elle Decor which I've always loved!

I'm very much drawn to Leontine linens, love their signature monograms and unique borders.  Indeed a great way to freshen up your bed. While pouring over their website I did notice Linensense.com coming April 1st  - I'll be back! 

 

A Spring Essential!

My lemon obsession continues, although this time it's not food.  During our snow storm last month, I cleaned out my old cosmetics case, which was a  freebie....gift with purchase.  So since I'm not really into wearing  floral or fruit, a dose of lemons on a cosmetic case will do!  Nice to take on vacation... don't you think?  If I were only going to Capri!

Bowood by Colefax & Fowler - Gotta Have It!

My Southern Living arrived at my door last Thursday afternoon. At about ten o'clock that evening, finally some down time to browse. While browsing, the one thing that got my eye was “Chintz Back In Bloom!”...really! But what really got my attention, though, was when the talented Ruthie Sommers said that her favorite chintz was “Bowood in Grey/Green by Colefax and Fowler. It happens to be mine as well...imagine that. Ruthie stated “it was a fabric that could have been in a ladies locker room at a country club”. It got me thinking of all the places around Atlanta that could use a nice dose of Bowood, and one in particular, my guest room, that has been left for dead. Anyway, come Friday morning Bowood was still on my mind.

That afternoon, my House Beautiful April issue arrived...what was on the cover? Bowood...that’s right. This time around, the whole house was done in just that one particular fabric. Bowood, in the gray/green colorway—and I stress it has to be gray/green, you know me and my greens—is one of my favorite patterns. For me, it very much epitomizes that English country style that I've always loved. So here are a few that I rounded up. 

 

Last year, I wrote this when I was thinking of painting my guest room Elizabeth Mayhew's Gray Owl. Here she used Bowood on the headboard. I love how she kept the bedding and everything else very simple! Indeed, this is one way I would use it!

 

Here you have another one of my favorites - Gil Schafer's  guest room wallpapered in Bowood.

From House and Garden - Love the color of the door too!

Below is fashion designer Tory Burch's home located in the Hamptons - Bowood is used just on the right-hand sofa in the living room. When I googled Bowood, of course, Cote' de Texas popped right up, and I agree with her like I usually do on everything else. It's “fresh and clean”! I've seen this room several times and never noticed the Bowood sofa – how can that be? 

 

Finding French Macarons in the South!

 

 

As I type this post, I'm staring at a dog-eared image of French macarons and a LADUREE business card that is sitting on my desk.  I don't know why but I have an obsession with LADUREE and their famous French Macarons.  Perhaps, it's those  beautiful colors of the macarons or that pretty green box that there packaged in...I don't know!  My friend Catherine went to Paris a few years back. I had mentioned to her my obsession with LADUREE (the very famous French tea saloon who perfected the macaron) and one place that I have never been to while in Paris. That afternoon,while chatting with Catherine, I do hope that I did not hint too much to her about my obsession because, later when she arrived back to the States, she called me the next day with excitement and mentioned that she had a perishable from Paris that she needed to give me right away! 

 

 

Catherine went way beyond the call of duty and I'm still grateful, especially when she told me about the long line that she waited in to get them!  Later that evening Hubby and I devoured every single one of them.  And yes, beyond that pretty green box and the actual beautiful looking macarons themselves, there really very good!  Take my word!  My empty box sits in a bowl where I keep my keys and sunglasses, and it reminds me of my friend Catherine. 

 

 

 

While reading the March issue of Living, Martha shows us how to make French macarons.  However, I know my culinary skills and this would not end will!  With spring comes lots of showers and hostess gifts, and if your anything like me, you just want to arrive at your destination with a beautiful package.  Or if your a hostess, like me, better yet, you just want to pick something fancy up and set it on a platter.  Guess what? If you don't have a trip to Paris lined up or even New York - I found a few places here in the South...here you go! 

 

 

 

    

Sucre' - Located in New Orleans, my brother-in-law's neck of the woods. And my friend Coleen is heading there this weekend, who was asking me for suggestions and I couldn't give her anything, until now. And no that is not a hint Coleen! Gluten free too mind you!  I love the box - Perfect hostess gift and they ship. 

 

Alons - For all my Dunwoody friends!

 

Douceur de France - Better yet! Located in Roswell my neck of the woods and just around the corner from my house.

 

Star Provisions - For all my inside of the perimeter friends.   

 

 

 

 

But if you're anything like me, you just enjoy looking at them! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Perfume Dilemma!

Last Saturday evening while I was getting ready for date night, my little perfume dilemma resurfaced. There I was staring at my one little perfume that I have worn for many years, now reminding me of my burden. Don't laugh, but I've worn Amarige by Givenchy now for more then a decade. I discovered it way before I was married, even got my mother-in-law hooked on it.

Last fall, every magazine that arrived in my mailbox had an article on all the new fragrances coming out, with expert advice right along with tips for purchasing the perfect scent! Some good advice - so why then do I have this dilemma?  

 

Closer to the holidays, the week before Christmas to be exact, my allure to revamp my dated perfume came when Ms. Gwen arrived in my office wearing a lovely fresh scent that I thought I could do. Now, my time management skills are not the best – there is always Christmas shopping that I always put off until the week before, dinner parties that I wait until last minute to throw, and then there was work. Does sitting at my hairdresser and pulling out samples count as testing a perfume? I did take a few minutes while out doing a little Christmas shopping to whip by the perfume counter. I almost bought one because I liked the bottle, but left empty-handed, and that is where I am today. Any suggestions?

Craving Yellow!

After the last couple of days here in Atlanta, I'm craving a little yellow.  Image below from Better Homes and Garden.