a new book and a winner!

In Saturday's mail I received this beautiful new book.  I was the lucky winner of a give away on Stephanie's blog, La Dolce Vita.  She was so generous that she actually let the winner choose from a very well edited selection.  I'm so happy that I chose "The Perfectly Imperfect Home" by Deborah Needleman, the founding editor of Domino Magazine.  It's filled with charming illustrations by Virginia Johnson and quotes by famous decorators/designers.  This is a book I will read cover to cover and study the illustrations over and over.  It makes me so excited to start making our new (old) little house a home in Connecticut.  This book is going to be my road map.  Thank you Stephanie!

and the winner of my little collection of black & white things is:  Jane!  Funny how this worked out today.  Jane is having a link party called "Flowers in the Wintery House."  I was thinking I wouldn't link up, because my flowers are looking a little sad...I always have in the past, but I was feeling a little out of sorts shall we say with my Trader Joe's roses. Jane is an amazing floral designer and has the most imaginative arrangements all over house.  She says things like, "so if you have a stem of black raspberry, add that to the mix." All things considered, I don't think Jane will mind if I link up to her blog, Small But Charming.  Check it out...it's fun to see how everyone uses flowers in their pretty homes.

Postino & La Grande Orange, Phoenix, AZ

Postino is in the old Arcadia Post office building. The entire restaurant and bar has an inside out feel with huge commercial garage doors that are rolled up when the weather is not too hot.  Postino is known for their bruschetta.  You choose four from a menu of 11.  Our favorite was the ricotta cheese with dates and pistachios.  Next door from Postino is La Grande Orange, same owners and I just found out they have locations in Pasadena and Santa Monica. 

La Grande Orange is known for their English Muffins...and they are so good.

Don't forget to enter my give away. 

black, white & a giveaway

 Over the holidays I saw this photo and much like Amy...I can't stop thinking about it.  If you haven't spent a lot of time in Connecticut...trust me when I tell you this IS Connecticut.  The architecture, the stone wall, the driveway lined with Belgian block...there's no mistaken that this photo was taken somewhere in CT.  So last summer we bought another little house in an adorable little town with a village and a train station that delivers you to Grand Central in an hour.  It's perfect...or so my imagination tells me.  Here's the thing...my daughter and I went to look for a house as soon as school was out for the summer, could not find one we liked that met our requirements.  And the requirements were not that stringent.  First,  The house needed at least three bedrooms, located in the village, walkable to the train, at least 2 full bathrooms,  and a garage (or variance to be able to build a one).  A few weeks later my husband and son were in NY on the way to Cooperstown and our realtor called to say that the perfect house came on the market and that we could see it that afternoon.  Of course I called my husband and said you have to change your plans and go look at a house.  Many photos were emailed, lots of phone calls and then that was it.  We bought a house and my daughter and I have yet to see it.  As a family we do not normally divide travel time, but there comes a point with kids at different ages, that sometimes you have to.  So now I can't stop thinking about this house.  I'm making lots of plans...with the help of Pinterest.

 
The first thing I want to do is paint it all white and maybe some rooms black.  On my Pinterest I have a board titled "B  L A C K  R O O M S."  Once I dedicated an entire board to black or dark rooms I was amazed at how many I came across.  I fell in Love with photos of Jenna Lyons' Brooklyn townhouse that I saw here and here, so I have been pretty much dreaming in black and white ever since.   This leads me to the GIVE AWAY part.  I'm doing a give away of a few of my favorite things that are ...yes...black and white.

For a chance to win my little "Black & White Give Away" all you have to do is be a follower of Lovely Things,  leave a comment and check back to see if you've won.  I will choose a winner on Monday!

My favorite things include two strands of beads (if you choose to wear them, they will need to be re-strung.  I leave mine and drape them over the corner of mirrors or around a lamp base).  A box of Dixon Ticonderoga black #2 pencils,  a package of black and white stripy straws from Sweet Lulu and my favorite, a black and white plaid scarf made by W byWorth.  It's 100% wool and gorgeous...I wear mine all the time.  Good luck and remember to check back next week!