tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32826477991419424762024-03-13T13:42:57.548-04:00The NighBluey Herald....(Life ~ in easy-to-swallow caplets...)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger294125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-51874864028749635412010-07-16T09:37:00.000-04:002010-07-16T09:37:53.540-04:00It's Goodbye (waves~~~)...Dear Friends,<br />
I have decided to give up on this blog....it's with a measure of personal disappointment that I have come to realise that I am at the end of this road - I am spinning my wheels and not progressing at the pace I have set for myself.<br />
<br />
This has been an enriching and learning experience for me - I have enjoyed it greately but I am not feeling that way anymore and so it's time to move on...<br />
<br />
I have met so many of you, loyal (but few) followers - and for that I am forever grateful!<br />
Please stay in touch - you know where to find me if you want to and I will continue to "stalk" your blogs from time to time! <br />
oxoxoxo AJUnknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-83949877957737357922010-07-16T07:00:00.000-04:002010-07-16T07:00:40.555-04:00Painted Wood<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDmijfy4svI/AAAAAAAADlU/NgIKyLHI3hc/s1600/MCM+Wood+3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDmijfy4svI/AAAAAAAADlU/NgIKyLHI3hc/s400/MCM+Wood+3.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Isn't this sideboard stylish? Transform an old, much-loved piece into a newly-loved one with some paint and elbow grease - THE perfect weekend project!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: HousandHome.com</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-4108801660683740042010-07-13T22:33:00.001-04:002010-07-16T06:56:34.343-04:00Aurelie Mathigot<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDmiD5_AUjI/AAAAAAAADlM/bACPErd7wME/s1600/Recently+Updated45.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDmiD5_AUjI/AAAAAAAADlM/bACPErd7wME/s640/Recently+Updated45.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
I have often wondered what artists' homes look like....here is one - the home of <a href="http://www.aureliemathigot.com/">Aurelie Mathigot</a> - "une artiste plasticienne..." - colour, texture and more colour....</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photos: marieclairemaison.com, aureliemathigot.com</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-44159718106493468692010-07-13T07:10:00.001-04:002010-07-13T07:11:51.160-04:00PS: Alessi, I love you!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
Around for quite number of years now...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDmgCInKA5I/AAAAAAAADk8/EDWcz0y2dCY/s1600/Nut+Splitter+-+Alessi.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDmgCInKA5I/AAAAAAAADk8/EDWcz0y2dCY/s400/Nut+Splitter+-+Alessi.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDmgCoLKPMI/AAAAAAAADlE/2UA9Ot_FXZ0/s1600/Marli+fruit+tray+from+Alessi.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDmgCoLKPMI/AAAAAAAADlE/2UA9Ot_FXZ0/s400/Marli+fruit+tray+from+Alessi.jpg" /></a> </div>
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...and still delighting us with fluid, clever designs - <a href="http://www.alessi.com/">Alessi</a>!<br />
Here's to making everyday objects a thrill to handle!<br />
1. a nutcracker<br />
2. a fruit tray<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credits: marieclairemaison.com</span><br />
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-41652553037953868672010-07-11T11:02:00.002-04:002010-07-11T11:02:59.363-04:00I am redecorating....bear with me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDndBt1UWwI/AAAAAAAADlc/Fux5nlWe4A8/s1600/P2097439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDndBt1UWwI/AAAAAAAADlc/Fux5nlWe4A8/s400/P2097439.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Happy Weekend, All!</div>
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ox AJ</div>
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(my lilies are baack!)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-59744723876839326212010-07-09T06:58:00.000-04:002010-07-09T06:58:10.083-04:00Check this Out!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDb_uKXwtKI/AAAAAAAADk0/juzud8bEqxU/s1600/june-trendwatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDb_uKXwtKI/AAAAAAAADk0/juzud8bEqxU/s640/june-trendwatch.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gingham is baaack! (did it ever leave?) ~ I cannot imagine my living room looking like this but there are homes just made for this tidy check! June Cleaver would approve! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Officially dubbed a Design Trend for 2010!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit: HouseandHome.com</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-22258183878048157772010-07-06T07:16:00.001-04:002010-07-06T07:24:07.457-04:00Cross-Pollination<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDL8hDYwy8I/AAAAAAAADkU/5ep4tCY0oIY/s1600/Recently+Updated44.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDL8hDYwy8I/AAAAAAAADkU/5ep4tCY0oIY/s640/Recently+Updated44.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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Cross-pollination: "....also called allogamy occurs when pollen is delivered to a flower from a different plant. Plants adapted to outcross or cross-pollinate often have taller stamens than carpels or use other mechanisms to better ensure the spread of pollen to other plants flowers." (<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wikipedia</span>)<br />
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Yesterday was one of those days when wannabees like me only dream of....A REAL artist, Rebecca Bogan of <a href="http://www.adobesol.etsy.com/">AbobeSol Designs</a>, <span id="goog_1898988800"></span><a href="http://www.adobesol.com/blog">called me one....<span id="goog_1898988801"></span></a><br />
What can I say: I am overwhelmed and very, very grateful!<br />
THANK YOU, Rebecca!<br />
I am a huge fan of AdobeSol myself and already own several of Rebecca's designs...here is a piece she did for me recently...<br />
("K" is to the Big-K...)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDMQRnjwejI/AAAAAAAADks/iix9RrDrpGA/s1600/P2027268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDMQRnjwejI/AAAAAAAADks/iix9RrDrpGA/s320/P2027268.jpg" /></a></div>
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(I am still bouncing in delight...tra la la)...</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credits: AbobeSol and AJJ</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-28696085587260319462010-07-05T05:37:00.000-04:002010-07-05T05:37:35.494-04:00Mixing Styles<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDGlpud7_dI/AAAAAAAADjc/EnKQ42LY5VA/s1600/Marrying+styles+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDGlpud7_dI/AAAAAAAADjc/EnKQ42LY5VA/s400/Marrying+styles+1.jpg" /></a><br />
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I am baaaack from a little blog hiatus - full of verve and pep (or is it the other way around?)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDGlqJn3rII/AAAAAAAADjk/H2sdMVi0d9Q/s1600/Marrying+Styles+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDGlqJn3rII/AAAAAAAADjk/H2sdMVi0d9Q/s400/Marrying+Styles+2.jpg" /></a><br />
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Am very taken by these images of a home belonging to an interior designer (surprise surprise) which mixes two styles: Japanese and Scandinavian....who would have thought it possible? and yet, it is...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDGlqZAuxMI/AAAAAAAADjs/RcUwuymScbU/s1600/Marrying+styles+3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDGlqZAuxMI/AAAAAAAADjs/RcUwuymScbU/s400/Marrying+styles+3.jpg" /></a><br />
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Adroit pairings of the natural and the synthetic, plenty of wood and brick, punched up with a little stainless steel...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDGlqkgWy7I/AAAAAAAADj0/cM0N3_ptSN4/s1600/Marrying+Styles+4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TDGlqkgWy7I/AAAAAAAADj0/cM0N3_ptSN4/s400/Marrying+Styles+4.jpg" /></a> </div>
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Serene, calming surfaces and contemplative vistas...the kind of place where one would be inspired to write an opus...would it begin, perhaps, with "....she rented a house, away from the crowds - to be alone with her thoughts and to write that poem..."</div>
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Hope you are all having a smashing summer!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credits: Marieclairemaison.com</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-86027148981260466932010-06-19T08:00:00.002-04:002010-07-11T11:01:31.382-04:00Saturday Haiku~<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAn_Q5Y3G1I/AAAAAAAADgE/uMiGeQxwXUM/s1600/Lon+Fong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="303" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAn_Q5Y3G1I/AAAAAAAADgE/uMiGeQxwXUM/s400/Lon+Fong.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">perched on a blade of straw</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">metallic skin taut</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Iron Frog</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: Lon Fong (Flickr)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-57142971129045466262010-06-17T20:27:00.000-04:002010-06-17T20:27:10.963-04:00Fall Shmall....<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBq7jMdr03I/AAAAAAAADi8/gbuyst9UHlY/s1600/Recently+Updated40.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBq7jMdr03I/AAAAAAAADi8/gbuyst9UHlY/s400/Recently+Updated40.jpg" /></a> </div>
...but seriously, Summer has not even officially begun and I am already asking: "are YOU ready for Fall"???<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBq7j0-cmzI/AAAAAAAADjE/eoWDqFWDK6c/s1600/Recently+Updated41.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBq7j0-cmzI/AAAAAAAADjE/eoWDqFWDK6c/s400/Recently+Updated41.jpg" /></a> </div>
You would be very much <em>en vogue</em> come this leaf-dropping-season in these jaw-dropping Celine creations (one of my favourite designers...<span style="font-size: x-small;">4 photos above</span>)....minimalist IS the look for Phoebe Philo, in her second season at this venerable design house....<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBq7kB79QNI/AAAAAAAADjM/PqWA0WBSkEA/s1600/Recently+Updated42.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBq7kB79QNI/AAAAAAAADjM/PqWA0WBSkEA/s400/Recently+Updated42.jpg" /></a> </div>
And how about 'em boots ~ from one of my other favourites - Bruberry Prorsum - leather and stretch lace - now that is a vavoom combination....<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBq7kZFrmNI/AAAAAAAADjU/6aYCIPtpnO0/s1600/Recently+Updated43.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBq7kZFrmNI/AAAAAAAADjU/6aYCIPtpnO0/s400/Recently+Updated43.jpg" /></a><br />
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Some think it plebean but I do like the look of brown and black together...with the right tones and textures...<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">All photos: style.com</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-16117340780693229062010-06-16T13:55:00.001-04:002010-07-13T07:06:09.325-04:00Goodbye, Tobias Wong..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Canadian-born, New York-based designer, Tobias Wong, was only 35 </div>
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when he took his own life a couple of weeks ago... <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBkN8eWXwrI/AAAAAAAADis/r4pPTVbT4nA/s1600/TW+puzzple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBkN8eWXwrI/AAAAAAAADis/r4pPTVbT4nA/s400/TW+puzzple.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBkNX4DmpxI/AAAAAAAADic/UW2VvFQLY4A/s1600/Tobias+Wong+Ring.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBkNX4DmpxI/AAAAAAAADic/UW2VvFQLY4A/s320/Tobias+Wong+Ring.bmp" /></a></div>
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Born and raised in Vancouver, he studied art and design in Toronto before moving to New York in 1997...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBkNjVQuNBI/AAAAAAAADik/Xm7WpcaVUVo/s1600/Tobias+Wong+spoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBkNjVQuNBI/AAAAAAAADik/Xm7WpcaVUVo/s320/Tobias+Wong+spoon.jpg" /></a></div>
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He was widely recognized as an artist who helped bring forth what is today taken for granted in contemporary culture....he shone a "tongue-in-cheek" light on what we consider obvious...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBkOG2nSS9I/AAAAAAAADi0/P_4KYToJm_s/s1600/rtemagicc_tobias-wong-smoking-mittens-front_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBkOG2nSS9I/AAAAAAAADi0/P_4KYToJm_s/s400/rtemagicc_tobias-wong-smoking-mittens-front_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Goodbye, Tobias - your talent and sense of humour will be missed....</strong></span><br />
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Above: 1. mirror puzzle 2. diamond ring 3. McDonald's (gold) spoon (became a staple among coke-heads) 4. smokers' mittens...<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credits: google everywhere....</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-59719147100257840702010-06-14T04:55:00.004-04:002010-06-14T07:44:37.347-04:00Chateau de la Verrerie<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBXoyFpieEI/AAAAAAAADh0/DJsAZKmCyeU/s1600/Interior+Design7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBXoyFpieEI/AAAAAAAADh0/DJsAZKmCyeU/s640/Interior+Design7.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>This <a href="http://www.chateaudelaverrerie.fr/">magical place</a> describes itself as a "Bed & Breakfast"...I call that "an understatement of the century...."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><br /> </em></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBXoy0okxkI/AAAAAAAADh8/s-GLcKVGQ6Q/s1600/Interior+Design4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBXoy0okxkI/AAAAAAAADh8/s-GLcKVGQ6Q/s640/Interior+Design4.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>If someone were to try and soothe my currently-ruffled-soul in the Blue Room, I say I would emerge positively "charmante" and "sympathique"....</em></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBXozLrmVXI/AAAAAAAADiE/m4jMfQEXKSs/s1600/Interior+Design6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBXozLrmVXI/AAAAAAAADiE/m4jMfQEXKSs/s640/Interior+Design6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>..and to make me positively "contente", on the second morning of my delightful and perfectly medicinal stay, that someone would move my suitcase into this Violet Room......(and don't forget the croissants, PLEASE!!!)</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></em></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBXoztRKavI/AAAAAAAADiM/I8FvAtNK59s/s1600/Interior+Design5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TBXoztRKavI/AAAAAAAADiM/I8FvAtNK59s/s640/Interior+Design5.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Pretty close to paradise in my book.....complete with magnificent gardens and the obligatory (and oh-so-indispensible) statues of putti....</em></span><br />
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<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">All photos courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.chateaudelaverrerie.fr/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">www.chateaudelaverrerie.fr</span></a></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-13154773642390404782010-06-12T08:00:00.003-04:002010-06-12T08:00:05.688-04:00Saturday Haiku~<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAn74SvoMlI/AAAAAAAADf8/PP-kziZd-jM/s1600/judo+dad1954.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAn74SvoMlI/AAAAAAAADf8/PP-kziZd-jM/s640/judo+dad1954.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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An oily summer lake</div>
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his feet are wrinkled</div>
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carefree abandon</div>
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<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: judo dad1954(flickr)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-52504219828952105232010-06-08T07:30:00.000-04:002010-06-08T07:30:05.446-04:00Time for Purple!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TA4i6T3m1NI/AAAAAAAADhE/H7rxE8BCnXk/s1600/julesoflondon.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TA4i6T3m1NI/AAAAAAAADhE/H7rxE8BCnXk/s640/julesoflondon.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Yes, I needed a purple recharge!<br />
Purple makes me whole..<br />
Purple makes me smile..<br />
Purple makes me..(<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">fill in your own blank</span></em>)~</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TA4i66iK9oI/AAAAAAAADhM/Dn5bbMzpDFw/s1600/wip-hairport.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TA4i66iK9oI/AAAAAAAADhM/Dn5bbMzpDFw/s640/wip-hairport.jpg" width="590" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TA4i7OFB8vI/AAAAAAAADhU/UmUnRWzhe5o/s1600/ragamuffinview.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TA4i7OFB8vI/AAAAAAAADhU/UmUnRWzhe5o/s640/ragamuffinview.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TA4i7T68mgI/AAAAAAAADhc/ZMLj-1mrCnk/s1600/cheekhoward.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TA4i7T68mgI/AAAAAAAADhc/ZMLj-1mrCnk/s640/cheekhoward.jpg" width="512" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TA4jTs5z6NI/AAAAAAAADhk/k5VlmLrfdss/s1600/Purpletree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TA4jTs5z6NI/AAAAAAAADhk/k5VlmLrfdss/s640/Purpletree.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TA4jZFB4_jI/AAAAAAAADhs/Q9arO54Zy_4/s1600/Birdman+of+El+Paso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TA4jZFB4_jI/AAAAAAAADhs/Q9arO54Zy_4/s640/Birdman+of+El+Paso.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy Tuesday, All!</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Photo credits (in order of appearance): </strong>julesoflondon, wip-hairport, ragamuffinview, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">cheekhoward, purpletree, birdman of el paso (all flickr)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-24529182046448585042010-06-07T07:46:00.000-04:002010-06-07T07:46:55.585-04:00Leafy Sea Dragons<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAzXngeO-8I/AAAAAAAADgc/bplG9T8xjGc/s1600/MikeJonesPhoto.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAzXngeO-8I/AAAAAAAADgc/bplG9T8xjGc/s640/MikeJonesPhoto.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Sea dragons are some of my favourite creatures on this planet!<br />
They are actually fish and siblings to another weakness of mine~seahorses <br />
(I won't be able to resist a separate post about them)!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAzXn1Jzs_I/AAAAAAAADgk/wcwkUOSdC9U/s1600/kentsmith9.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAzXn1Jzs_I/AAAAAAAADgk/wcwkUOSdC9U/s640/kentsmith9.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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These magical creatures are found along the southern and western coasts of Australia. Their leafy protrusions are not used for propolsion at all - they serve as camouflage only - sea dragons are trying to pretend they are seaweed...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAzXoNMd84I/AAAAAAAADgs/Dp5WiFwPcBQ/s1600/Matt+Tworkowski.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="433" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAzXoNMd84I/AAAAAAAADgs/Dp5WiFwPcBQ/s640/Matt+Tworkowski.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Female sea dragons lay 250 bright pink eggs - through a long tube, they deposit them on a male sea dragon's tail and he cares for them until they hatch...then, the male shakes his tail gently, including against rocks and weeds, to help the little ones leave their eggs....</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAzXovEbjqI/AAAAAAAADg0/p7DJcW0ZG7w/s1600/Sea+Dragon+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAzXovEbjqI/AAAAAAAADg0/p7DJcW0ZG7w/s640/Sea+Dragon+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Despite the fact that they eat tiny fish and shrimp, they do not have teeth!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAzYDIeXFmI/AAAAAAAADg8/Kt0OXUAstgU/s1600/WilliamBullimore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAzYDIeXFmI/AAAAAAAADg8/Kt0OXUAstgU/s640/WilliamBullimore.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Hello, Beautiful! You can come and live in my bathtub any time! </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credits: MikeJonesPhoto(2), KentSmith9, Matt Tworkowski, William Bullimore (all Flickr)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-69721898930327909802010-06-05T03:18:00.003-04:002010-07-13T07:07:24.721-04:00Saturday Haiku~<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAn54OcNwWI/AAAAAAAADf0/d3FqvIsz9aA/s1600/P1037065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAn54OcNwWI/AAAAAAAADf0/d3FqvIsz9aA/s400/P1037065.jpg" width="343" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>What is beauty?</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Spring garden in bloom</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Poenies bow their heads</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit: AJ</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-67176134839642076482010-06-03T19:28:00.001-04:002010-06-03T19:36:15.487-04:00Sally's Sea Shore Home<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAg2HEYO0pI/AAAAAAAADfE/8_VudvInjAw/s1600/celebrity-homes-photos-meg-ryan-HP4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAg2HEYO0pI/AAAAAAAADfE/8_VudvInjAw/s640/celebrity-homes-photos-meg-ryan-HP4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Who can forget the-one-and-only Meg in "When Harry Met Sally"??<br />
~and here is she, some years later, still looking fabulous-darling and..<br />
here is her fabulous sea shore home in Martha's Vineyard, the product of her work with Marsha Russell of <a href="http://www.satinwood-ltd.com/">Satinwood Ltd</a>., an interior-design firm in Bedford, New York.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAg2HYlcGHI/AAAAAAAADfM/k-nuoXrj2jk/s1600/celebrity-homes-photos-meg-ryan-05.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAg2HYlcGHI/AAAAAAAADfM/k-nuoXrj2jk/s400/celebrity-homes-photos-meg-ryan-05.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Who can be unhappy waking up to a view like this?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAg2HpzUyVI/AAAAAAAADfU/jDhUBH2XEbQ/s1600/celebrity-homes-photos-meg-ryan-03.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAg2HpzUyVI/AAAAAAAADfU/jDhUBH2XEbQ/s400/celebrity-homes-photos-meg-ryan-03.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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When Sally, I mean Meg, found this barn-like home, it did not look like the operatic aria she was able to achieve through sheer work and vision - parts of it had collapsed and the cedar-shingled roof was in need of desperate repair....Sally to the rescue!<br />
She said of her find: "..<em>the post-and-beam design is about seeing the skeleton of the house. I needed walls - I had to come in and add the skin."</em></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAg2H92S1AI/AAAAAAAADfc/Xx0IwGcPEzs/s1600/celebrity-homes-photos-meg-ryan-02.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAg2H92S1AI/AAAAAAAADfc/Xx0IwGcPEzs/s400/celebrity-homes-photos-meg-ryan-02.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Meg very skillfully maintained the open and airy aspect which can only come with homes of this height and structure..stunning!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAg3EaAra8I/AAAAAAAADfk/R8CNM8Pdbxk/s1600/meg-ryan-house-bathroom-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAg3EaAra8I/AAAAAAAADfk/R8CNM8Pdbxk/s320/meg-ryan-house-bathroom-1.jpg" /></a></div>
...ahh, to dream in a tub like this....I am afraid I would never leave....</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credits: elledecor.com</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-8831948822824823842010-05-30T08:50:00.000-04:002010-05-30T08:50:26.472-04:00A Part of Me<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAJdm1Q67mI/AAAAAAAADe0/LbCRiUj6un4/s1600/20100524094349.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAJdm1Q67mI/AAAAAAAADe0/LbCRiUj6un4/s640/20100524094349.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
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Gardening completes me..it's very much a part of me...it's a creative process in which I have a partner ~ Mother Nature ~ she guides me and I surprise her from time to time, with cheeky ideas, colour combinations and notions....</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAJdnkymDMI/AAAAAAAADe8/bUk1xQtWkB4/s1600/20100528081749.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/TAJdnkymDMI/AAAAAAAADe8/bUk1xQtWkB4/s640/20100528081749.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
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I cannot draw or paint but my garden is my canvas. My symbiosis with all things green and growing is part of the reason I dislike the winter so intensly....</div>
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..so now you can see a little into ME!</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">All photos: AJ</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-28107049480777188162010-05-28T06:16:00.000-04:002010-05-28T06:16:00.593-04:00Design Friday*<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_-Vb5YOYzI/AAAAAAAADdM/OQMkRWRUTtI/s1600/Modern+Rustic.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_-Vb5YOYzI/AAAAAAAADdM/OQMkRWRUTtI/s640/Modern+Rustic.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
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Ahhh, the weekend is here!~enjoy, Darlinks!~</div>
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Literally thousands of Ontarians will be hitting the roads in several hours, heading for their cottages ~ some of them even in my neighbourhood (Kevin and I live in "cottage country" but in a real, grown-up house).</div>
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Many of these cottages are as modern as the incredible examples in these photos - lots of wood, glass and natural stone....an eclectic mix of rustic and modern..</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_-VcdVid2I/AAAAAAAADdU/koMx-KbAeqI/s1600/Modern+Cottage.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="540" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_-VcdVid2I/AAAAAAAADdU/koMx-KbAeqI/s640/Modern+Cottage.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Loove the overall fluidity of this design....the chairs off set the rigid, geometric edges of the rug, furniture and windows.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_-Vch48fmI/AAAAAAAADdc/NxfhO9ByM-c/s1600/Modern+Rustic+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_-Vch48fmI/AAAAAAAADdc/NxfhO9ByM-c/s640/Modern+Rustic+2.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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A stunning combination of wood and stone...the hues are warm, inviting and straight from Mother Nature...It's ok to mix wood types and finishes....I give you permission <br />
(and so does the designer above, wink)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_-VcxPNTiI/AAAAAAAADdk/MFg3nJE7DoM/s1600/Modern+cottage+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="540" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_-VcxPNTiI/AAAAAAAADdk/MFg3nJE7DoM/s640/Modern+cottage+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Now, I could really spend the weekend on this serene patio but wait, I have my own serene patio and photos of it are coming sooooooon!<br />
Have a splish-splashy weekend, All (heatwave still here!)<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">ox</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photos: HouseandHome.com</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-48585089038685811832010-05-26T16:01:00.000-04:002010-05-26T16:01:51.247-04:00Heatwave<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_19MsLcgXI/AAAAAAAADc0/61K4DuObSGQ/s1600/Majdy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_19MsLcgXI/AAAAAAAADc0/61K4DuObSGQ/s640/Majdy.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We are in the middle of one - HURRAY! and it's only the end of May - HURRAY again!<br />
It's so hot, our cats are feeling around for zippers to take off their furry coats!<br />
It's so hot, I had ice-cream for breakfast this morning!<br />
It's so hot, we slept in our birthday suits last night! (wink)..<br />
xoxoxox</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit: Majdy (Flickr)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-35790906198087371312010-05-24T10:22:00.000-04:002010-05-24T10:22:45.054-04:00Hooked on the North<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_qJwd0b4LI/AAAAAAAADas/yR41jawrN_E/s1600/Skabelonloft-007553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_qJwd0b4LI/AAAAAAAADas/yR41jawrN_E/s400/Skabelonloft-007553.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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My latest obsession are blogs from the North - Norway, Sweden, Denmark....I am preparing a longer post about them as, in my view, they are a genre all their own but in the meantime...on one of them, I learned about <a href="http://www.tinekhome.com/">Tine K Home</a> and fell in love...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_qJwzVGq7I/AAAAAAAADa0/-7PMNfos1o8/s1600/Skabelonloft-007414.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_qJwzVGq7I/AAAAAAAADa0/-7PMNfos1o8/s400/Skabelonloft-007414.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_qKQTGvaGI/AAAAAAAADbM/fG_wz3y27ns/s1600/TineKHome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_qKQTGvaGI/AAAAAAAADbM/fG_wz3y27ns/s320/TineKHome.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_qKXddpJmI/AAAAAAAADbU/fB09uEBFi4E/s1600/TIneKHome3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_qKXddpJmI/AAAAAAAADbU/fB09uEBFi4E/s320/TIneKHome3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_qKcYSK_nI/AAAAAAAADbc/-lT0vsNr5pk/s1600/TineKHome4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_qKcYSK_nI/AAAAAAAADbc/-lT0vsNr5pk/s320/TineKHome4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_qKhKjbo9I/AAAAAAAADbk/UtGLZp0fhwc/s1600/TineKHome2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_qKhKjbo9I/AAAAAAAADbk/UtGLZp0fhwc/s320/TineKHome2.jpg" /></a></div>
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AND Happy Birthday, Queen Victoria! (being celebrated in Canada today with a day off work, to play and read and garden, yaaay!)</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photos: TineKHome.com</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-24308970674577462002010-05-20T16:06:00.000-04:002010-05-20T16:06:28.761-04:00Tickle your Senses<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_WVfBOnSpI/AAAAAAAADZQ/6wX9q1xFSh8/s1600/h+koppdelaney.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="460" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_WVfBOnSpI/AAAAAAAADZQ/6wX9q1xFSh8/s640/h+koppdelaney.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
An inspiring image, don't you agree? I want to reach out and touch it....<br />
See more <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/h-k-d/">here</a>...<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">credit: h.koppdelaney(flickr)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-84433241443659037692010-05-19T15:39:00.001-04:002010-05-19T16:16:01.966-04:00Magic by Karim Rashid<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_hcE_-9fI/AAAAAAAADYA/YA6PO4klJqs/s1600/Kurve+Rest+NYC.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="337" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_hcE_-9fI/AAAAAAAADYA/YA6PO4klJqs/s400/Kurve+Rest+NYC.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Kurve Restaurant in NYC</span> <br />
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Truly magical designs by <a href="http://www.karimrashid.com/">Karim Rashid</a>.<br />
I love everything about them...the fluidity, the colour, the George Jetson-ness...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_hcXSMeeI/AAAAAAAADYI/amtwGK3O-9k/s1600/6-KarimRashid-Prizeotel.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_hcXSMeeI/AAAAAAAADYI/amtwGK3O-9k/s400/6-KarimRashid-Prizeotel.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Prizeotel</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_hcsY27-I/AAAAAAAADYQ/fQ79b7cK2Is/s1600/The+Semiramis+Athens.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_hcsY27-I/AAAAAAAADYQ/fQ79b7cK2Is/s400/The+Semiramis+Athens.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> The Semiramis - Athens</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_hdCPcnGI/AAAAAAAADYY/MZZN5mynmqg/s1600/Jean-Geroges+Market+Rest+Atlanta.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_hdCPcnGI/AAAAAAAADYY/MZZN5mynmqg/s400/Jean-Geroges+Market+Rest+Atlanta.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Jean-Georges Market Restaurant - Atlanta</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_hy7jpztI/AAAAAAAADYg/TlRXke54Tng/s1600/7-KarimRashid-Majik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_hy7jpztI/AAAAAAAADYg/TlRXke54Tng/s320/7-KarimRashid-Majik.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Majik Restaurant</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_h9X5fvqI/AAAAAAAADYo/hdtlThqI5Ac/s1600/Silk+Road+Rest+Vegas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_h9X5fvqI/AAAAAAAADYo/hdtlThqI5Ac/s320/Silk+Road+Rest+Vegas.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Silk Road Restaurant in Las Vegas</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_Q-McXXujI/AAAAAAAADZA/NN0tngCLd7M/s1600/karim-rashid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S_Q-McXXujI/AAAAAAAADZA/NN0tngCLd7M/s320/karim-rashid.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> The Master Himself</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photos: courtesy of karimrashid.com</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-19303561659906863542010-05-17T08:00:00.001-04:002010-05-17T08:00:10.958-04:00Maldoror Low Couture<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_bK-Tzw1I/AAAAAAAADWo/0Ah-D9ztztc/s1600/Maldoror1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_bK-Tzw1I/AAAAAAAADWo/0Ah-D9ztztc/s640/Maldoror1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Poland's Fashion Week just ended in Lodz (it's where I was born, by the way). <br />
The shows were divided into two sets of presentations: Off Shows and Designers' Alley.<br />
The Off Shows included <a href="http://www.maldoror.pl/">Maldoror</a>: - an up-and-coming design shop presenting their Asphyxiation line (F/W 2010). Vaguely reminiscent of Mr. McQueen's prowess, this design house includes the following statement in their manifesto:<br />
(<em>translated by me</em>): "Real beauty lies in the unattainable".</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_cdNvpaXI/AAAAAAAADXI/fo3U55Ru-ZE/s1600/Kevin+Best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_cdNvpaXI/AAAAAAAADXI/fo3U55Ru-ZE/s640/Kevin+Best.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div>
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Definitely raw and visceral, these creations betray a spirit of rebellion and non-conformism. They are not what I would chose to wear but I do appreciate them, and very much so, for their depth of vision, their form and play on texture.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_bLO_VXZI/AAAAAAAADWw/_oWSbJReyDs/s1600/Maldoror2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="443" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_bLO_VXZI/AAAAAAAADWw/_oWSbJReyDs/s640/Maldoror2.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_de0O10AI/AAAAAAAADXQ/xT-35uZud4s/s1600/Mald+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_de0O10AI/AAAAAAAADXQ/xT-35uZud4s/s640/Mald+6.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div>
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The Asphyxiation line was presented in an old factory, further emphasising the organic, raw quality of its components. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_dmHUqCyI/AAAAAAAADXY/Y7_6NUYgglo/s1600/Mald+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-_dmHUqCyI/AAAAAAAADXY/Y7_6NUYgglo/s640/Mald+7.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div>
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Just a tiny sample of Poland's vibrant and talented design pool.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photos: Maldoror.pl, google (Lodz Fashion Week)</span><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282647799141942476.post-59075108439947429932010-05-15T07:52:00.000-04:002010-05-15T07:52:06.648-04:00Provence<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-6C3rPs4oI/AAAAAAAADVw/zA0EYSb9FSU/s1600/Feuillu.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-6C3rPs4oI/AAAAAAAADVw/zA0EYSb9FSU/s640/Feuillu.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Some facts about Provence</span>:<br />
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1. The rustic and incredibly beautilful scenery of this region of France inspired Paul Cezanne to produce some of his best works. <br />2. The inhabitants of Provence still speak its traditional language: Provencal, which is similar to Catalan or Spanish. Many street and landmarks are named both in Provencal and French.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-6C4K3w5fI/AAAAAAAADV4/6Ib5F4RORnw/s1600/CatChanel.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-6C4K3w5fI/AAAAAAAADV4/6Ib5F4RORnw/s640/CatChanel.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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3. Originally a Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis, this area of France was close enough to Rome to be referred to, over time, as "provincia", hence its current name. </div>
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4. The Roman influence remains visible even today, particularly in the region's architecture.</div>
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5. Provence is known for its memorable cuisine, with fish at its centre. Many dishes also feature the liberal use of herbs (including thyme, rosemary, oregano and basil), with local vegetables, all cooked in olive oil.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-6C48wv1fI/AAAAAAAADWI/XbUefFhicZg/s1600/Vince+Arno.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-6C48wv1fI/AAAAAAAADWI/XbUefFhicZg/s640/Vince+Arno.jpg" width="452" /></a> </div>
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6. Provence is not uniform in terms of its landscape and themes. Here, you will find medieval, cobbled streets and Roman inspired arenas but also the almost-cosmopolitan bustle of cities like Cannes and the commercial business of ports like Marseille and even Menton.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-6DMG2pt6I/AAAAAAAADWQ/a4kqeEI8Mu4/s1600/matzR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fmWYunbtb8I/S-6DMG2pt6I/AAAAAAAADWQ/a4kqeEI8Mu4/s640/matzR.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div>
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7. Provence is well known for its vivid, purple lavender fields and the lavender industry is an important component of Provence's economy. I have resisted including photos of such fields because you have seen them before and I wanted to show you other, less known faces of this incredible region.</div>
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7. Whether you are looking for vibrant nighlife, quiet serenity, or incredible wines and cuisine, Provence will please. I have very, very fond memories of all my visits to Provence, whether spent travelling all over the region or settled in on a sailboat in Menton.</div>
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And now, I am nurturing my own little Provence, in my garden....My darling lavender plants whose still tender leaves are reaching up to the sun and gathering energy to grace my garden with purple deliciousness...</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Photo credits</strong>:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Flickr) Feuillu, CatChanel, duncansapien, Vince Arno, matzR, La Route</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Collage: AJ</span><br />
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