Rain, at last

It's raining in Los Angeles, which makes me very happy.  My plans for the evening are very basic. The highlights:  Make dinner (something from Trader Joes), take a long bubble bath in my clawfoot tub and curl up with a book. I just started Ian McEwan's "On Chesil Beach." I usually wait until books come out in paperback because it's easier to write in the margins and underline beautiful passages. (Plus I always feel bad about marking up hardbacks.)  I thought "Atonement" was brilliant, so I'm interested to see how this new one compares!

(Photo by +Lyn)

Coffee Break

Good morning, Loves. I'm rushing this morning to finish my column for tomorrow's paper. But I wanted to share with you another amazing photo by Petrina Tinslay. I find her photographs beautiful and comforting. By the way, I'm working on a very special post for you for later today!  xoxo

Evening Toast

It's evening and I finally have a chance to relax. I've been continuing to flip through the Toast catalogues online. I spotted this picture. I love this look: Boots with black tights and a print skirt. I also love how the scarf matches the jacket. What do you think?

Tea (and Toast) Break

I adore these images from Toast, the UK version of Anthropologie. (The catalogues are awe inspiring -- and online.)  The robe in the top photo is gorgeous and I love the staircase... And now I'm off for my real tea break. 

Love Note, Found

Thank you...

....to everyone who visited my little corner of the Internet today. (And thank you to LA Observed for the mention!) The Pulitzer Prize winning critic Jonathan Gold proclaimed my blog "girly."  A compliment, indeed! Stop by again....t.

(photo credit: Corrie Bond.)

Not Your Mother's Embroidery

These embroidered handkerchiefs by illustrator Kate O'Connor made me laugh. I especially like the Facebook one. I was recently rejected on Facebook by someone who went on to friend my husband. Ha! O well. 

Charms...

..for a happy life, as captured through the lens of the amazing Sydney-born photographer Petrina Tinslay.....

1. A green velvet curtain with silk embroidery and trim, with little tassels. A flea market painting of pink roses.

2. White linens, preferably vintage. Red shoes, with rosettes.  A white organza dress.

3. Travel books, to faraway places.

4. Moroccan slippers and a blue silk cushion from India. 

5. Little cakes with sugar frosting. And raspberries. 

Which do you like the best?

(PS--there are even more beautiful things on Petrina's webpage.)

Summer Dreaming

I've officially been blogging for a little more than a month now. When I started, I had no idea that the most incredible joy of all would be meeting people from around the globe.  Today, while escaping the Super Bowl frenzy, I spent the late afternoon on an amazing blog, Rummage, authored by Nanette Louchart-Fletcher in Canberra, Australia. It's summer there and Nanette's photos (above) bring to life the season in vivid detail:  Tomatoes from her garden, handmade cotton dresses, a jar filled with nasturtium. On her companion gardening blog, acacia_et_coquelicot, she talks about the trials of growing a pincushion plant. "I did everything bar of sending it off for a spot of psychoanalysis," she writes. Witty girl!

Rummage and acacia_et _coquelicot are more delicious than a double scoop of Daiquiri Ice on a sugar cone.

For a bonus, visit Nanette's flickr site.  The Corners set made me swoon. 

Summer love!