Xmas in LA

I went out searching today for an open coffee shop to get my afternoon latte. I happened upon this little alley garden. A few snapshots:

The camellias are already blooming, along with the last roses of the season...Hope you had a lovely holiday...

Happy Christmas!

Sending you warm holiday wishes! Thank you so much for visiting my blog this year. I started English Muse in November 2008, but I didn't really start blogging on it until Christmas week last year. So, I guess it's my blog's first birthday, as well. I'm sending you all virtual hugs for helping me through one of the hardest years of my life. May 2010 be a year of wonderful new beginnings! luv u.

Photo above from the Cherry Blossom Girl's Christmas in Paris set.

The Holidays: At a snow-covered cabin

We're staying in sunny Los Angeles for the holidays. So this post, my dears, is pure fantasy. Where I'd like to be:



and here....


and certainly here...


Happy Holidays! I'm doing last minute Christmas shopping today -- as usual!! What about you?



Photos and credits listed {here}.

Lori Shepler: Artist Extraordinaire

In addition to being a fantastic, award-winning photographer, my friend Lori Shepler is turning her artistic abilities to another medium: painting.

Examples of her colorful work:

And one of her celebrity portraits (my favorite!) of the singer Shakira:

Lori was caught up a year ago in the insanity of the ongoing layoffs at the Los Angeles Times. But she, too, is creating a beautiful new life. Her paintings are for sale and you can see her full portfolio {here}!

Ta-da!! English Muse Reading List Updated!

A week or so ago, I asked everyone what they were reading. And now, with all your responses reviewed (and savored), I'm happy to announce that the official English Muse reading list on Amazon has been updated! It's in no particular order and there are now more than 160 books on the list. But I think it reflects the breadth and depth of your interests. I feel very, very lucky to have such smart readers.

Many among us are Janeites, of course! But you're also interested in a mix of modern literature, current affairs (like the treatment of women in the Middle East) and the gorgeous and colorful culture of India. My little graphic above -- featuring model Karlie Kloss from the August 09 issue of French Vogue -- includes a list of all the books on my nightstand at the moment.

My wish for you for this holiday is that you have plenty of time to read whatever you find interesting, beautiful and thought provoking.

Here's our Amazon link: English Muse wishlist.

xoxo

Anthropologie: Winter Solstice

The Anthropologie catalogue this month was one of my favorites...

White washed...

Funky...

Cool...

Definitely saving this one! I keep the Anthro catalogues in a magazine case, along with the Urban Outfitters catalogues. Free little luxuries!

Handmade Collage Holiday Card

I'm attempting something new this year: handmade collage holiday cards. This one is my first:


I was really nervous about posting it because I've never really tried collage before!
I suppose it's giving a new use to my old magazines.

When the going gets tough, the tough go to.... Paris

I've been thinking that maybe I need a little break from all this layoff angst. I've decided to take a trip to Paris (leaving on Jan. 20) to sip hot chocolate and stroll through the 7th arrondissement with my friend Elaine, who lives there with her husband, Jean-Loup. I'm doing this on the cheep because I'm watching every dime. I've got a great rate on the plane fare, and now I'm looking to rent a studio apartment. It won't be like the one below. But this lovely pied-a-terre -- in the newest issue of Paumes Appartements de filles a Paris -- has me so inspired.

Have a look:

Can't wait, can't wait!

Discovered: Fabulous Fashion Polaroid Blog

World renowned fashion photographer Antonio Barros honored me this morning by stopping by my blog and leaving a comment (from the Ukraine) on my snow post. He was kind enough to leave a link to his blog, the Singular, which he started in June...I had to click over and take a look! Wait till you see it!! The blog is comprised entirely of Polaroids that he's taken of models, celebs and fashionistas on his travels around the world. Photos like this, for example:

He explains the blog this way: "One unique polaroid picture. One single moment. An attempt to be out of the ordinary."

Here's the address: thesingular.blogspot.com.

Have a look! You'll love it!

Snow Day

For about three weeks out of the year (starting around now), I really wish I lived in a place where it snows!

I grew up in Albuquerque, NM on the base of the Sandia Mountains. We could always count on a few snow days during winter. I especially loved nighttime after a snowstorm. The ground and sky were illuminated by a white twilight.


It never snows in LA. It only rains and rains...

What's your favorite snow memory?


Photos from {here}.

Bonjour, 1962

These photos are from Tom Palombo's flickr stream, "Paris 1962."

They've made their rounds across the internet, but I can't get enough.

The story goes that they're images from Parisian cafés & nightlife in 1962,

the very same week Yves St. Laurent's first collection hit the runway.

...and the world has never been the same since then...

"photos seen originally on the debonaire blog"

Guest post by Lisi from The Beauty File

Happy Weekend...

It's cold and rainy in LA, and I just want to stay tucked in by the fireplace -- sipping chai, listening to my new Norah Jones CD and reading...What are you doing this weekend?


(Photo by Thiago Lopes.)

Advertise on the English Muse!

Hello everyone, the English Muse is now accepting new ads! Please inquire if you're interested. Details here!

The Creative Spaces of London Fashion Designers

The Guardian has been doing this fabulous series spotlighting one room in the homes of major designers and artists.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Lulu Guinness

Erdem

Alice Temperley

I love Erdem's collage wall! (PS: Don't forget to visit our collage blog The Next Page!)

Stars like jewels...

This photo, taken by Thomas Shahan, is one of the most beautiful pictures of the Milky Way that I've ever seen.  It's magical.  Have you ever stayed up half the night just to watch the stars and planets move across the sky?  I did it once on a moonless night at Yosemite, with a group of astronomers. It was freezing cold, but we counted over 20 shooting stars and a half dozen satellites. It's one of the best shows on earth, and completely free...

What books are you reading?

And which books do you want for Christmas?

I figured it was time to update the English Muse reading list....

 

So please leave your answers on this post...

And I'll report back with everyone's favorites later this week!

PS: I usually read a couple books at once....so now I'm reading Once on a Moonless Night by Dai Sijie and Changing My Mind by Zadie Smith...

Photo credits {here}

Taylor Swift? Is that you??

Tis the season for transformation ...Taylor dons a frothy little Chanel dress in this photo by Raymond Meier for the NYT's T Magazine. The sunglasses are sharp! More {here}. ...