Well Read...

It's been a while since I've read a book that really moved me and made me think hard…. until this book came along...

… a 369 page roller coaster of emotion… I finished it over a month ago and yet it still lingers...

LOL

I love it when my guy returns home from the States with a big stack of books and magazines for me to dive into; which happened this past Friday….

Based on the recommendation of a couple of friends; I've been anxious to read "Cold Tangerines" by the inspiring Shauna Niequist.   Here's what she writes on the back cover "I want a life that sizzles and pops and makes me laugh out loud.  And I don't want to get to the end, or to tomorrow, even, and realize that my life is a collection of meetings and pop cans and errands and receipts and dirty dishes.  I want to eat cold tangerines and sing loud in the car with the windows open and wear pink shoes and stay up all night laughing and paint my walls the exact color of the sky right now.  I want to sleep hard on clean white sheets and throw parties and eat ripe tomatoes and read books so good they make me jump up and down, and I want my everyday to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift."

Oh, how this resonates with me!  Here is how mine would read…

I want a life that sparkles and fizzes like champagne and makes me laugh out loud.  And I don't want to get to the end, or to tomorrow, even, and realize that my life is a collection of folded laundry and Pinterest pins and nice outfits and clean floors.  I want to eat pimento cheese and take long walks and go barefoot and stay up all night laughing with fine lines on my face taking residence where all those smiles have been.  I want to paint my walls the exact color of the Mediterranean right now and take naps on clean white sheets and hear the sound of my family and friends' voices in my home.  I want to eat dinner by candlelight and listen to music that makes me dance or cry with joy and I want my everyday to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift… even of an ordinary day. 

Yours?

Beauty at Home...

Over the weekend, I was able to steal away a couple of hours to read "Beauty at Home" by one of my favorites... Aerin Lauder...

In addition to all of the beautiful images of her homes and office was a very endearing glimpse of her life in her own words..... capturing a refreshing down to earth style and love of all things family.  I was especially charmed by her sentimentalism in filling her breakfast nook with her children's art and preserving sweet objects in acrylic boxes.... an idea I plan on incorporating in my home asap.  Found some good box options here....

What I'm Reading..

I've reluctantly just finished reading this "delectable" book recommended by a friend... a compilation of, yes, mouth-watering recipes, but more importantly, stories of celebration, community, healing, and love found when we take the time to gather around the table.

So much of the Ms. Niequists words resonated deeply... perhaps because some of my best childhood memories involve big family gatherings around a kitchen counter crammed with Aunt Linda's camp stew, Mamaw's cornbread and peach tarts, or my mom's chocolate cream pie all washed down with jugs of sweet tea..... or maybe because now as a mother myself; my favorite time of day is when I light the candles and call the family to dinner.... when we sing our grace and share our day and a few (ahem) uninterrupted minutes together....

"I want you to stop running from thing to thing, and to sit down at the table, to offer the people you love something humble and nourishing, like soup and bread, like a story, like a hand holding another hand while you pray.  We live in a world that values us for how fast we go, for how much we accomplish, for how much life we can pack into one day.  But I'm coming to believe it's in the in-between spaces that our lives change, and that the real beauty lies there"

spilled milk and all... I agree, the beauty lies there.

book club...

Cold, grey winter weather seems like the perfect excuse for staying indoors and curling up with a cup of coffee (or a kid or two) and a good book.  

Have you ever read a book that you were enjoying so much that you didn't want to finish it?  That's how I feel about this book.... I've been savoring it like a nice glass of wine.... sip by sip.

A few other reads that I'm looking forward to getting my hands on are:  this new travel magazine to scope out our next adventure; this tome by the editors of Garden & Gun (you can take a girl out of the South, but you can't take the South out of the girl); and the newest tale of my girls' favorite fashionista.... Birdie.   

I'd love to snuggle up in this gorgeous pink chair with one of my little ones for that one...

source

Read anything good lately?

The Gift of Nothing....

Being home last week for Thanksgiving was wonderful.... a great reminder about what is truly important in life.... time spent with friends and family; hugs; a meal shared..... laughter. And, following the literal onslaught of commercialism just experienced with Black Friday and Cyber Monday... I find myself craving something simpler.  It made me think of my favorite book....

.... a heartwarming reminder that sometimes no "thing" is the best gift of all.

That Blue Hue....

Marlowe, my three year old, serenaded us for hours during our road trip last week; singing "Forever in Blue Jeans" from the third row.  Then yesterday, when I exclaimed "You found your blue bow!" (which I'd been looking for for months); she cheerfully replied.... "actually, it's navy". :)  Oh my!... it seems she's destined to follow in her mother's footsteps..... with an appreciation for the classics (thank you Neil) and a penchant for all shades of "le coleur bleu".  Here's a few things catching my blue eyes lately....

photo/chevron ginger jar/pendant/french bistro chair/ribbon/book/decorative tile

Have you been following One Kings Lane recently? Good stuff.

What I'm reading....

Here's what you'll find on my beside table these days...

1/2/3/4/5/photo

..... my stack is threatening to overrun the space as my enthusiasm for books continues; yet my ability to eeek out more than a handful of pages before dozing off each night continues as well (any other sleepy mommas out there?)... 

pretty soon, I'll need to add some "storage" to my bedroom like the beauties in the photo above.... 

now, that would be a shame, wouldn't it? :)

Read anything good lately?

By the way..... the grilled pimento cheese sandwich.... yes, it was all that.... 

summer reading list....

.... here's what you'll find on my bedside table or in my beach bag this summer....

Read anything good lately?

In (Joy)

By far, the best 20 minutes of my day these days are those spent with my 7 year old; listening to her read from "James and the Giant Peach" each afternoon.   She has fallen in love with the magic created by Roald Dahl and we've resolved to go on his adventures together by reading each of his books aloud....

..... it seems even places as ordinary as my own sofa.

What I'm Reading......

.... or wanting to read, I should say.  One of the things I miss most about my town in the States is the abundance of bookstores and the ability to spend an hour or two browsing the aisles and stocking up on new reads.  (Surprisingly, bookstores are hard to come by here in Geneva).  Thank goodness for Amazon!  These are the latest titles peaking my interest.....

Foolproof, 36 Hours Europe, Things We Love, This is How You Lose Her, She Matters

....and it has been so long it seems since I've posted a beautiful bookshelf.  This one makes up for lost time, I think! :)

source

Read anything good lately?

What I'm reading.....

One thing I've been missing since our move to Switzerland is all of my books.  I love having books in every room.... constantly being tempted and tempting others to pick one up at any time.  Alas, however, it didn't seem prudent to ship my entire collection across the ocean for just a few years.  Luckily, my guy graciously brought me back a huge stack of magazines and these new reads from a recent business trip to the States.  I hope to get started on them this weekend.  

This looks like a cozy place to enjoy a cup of coffee and a couple hours of alone time on a Saturday morning.....

Marika Myers Interiors

Have a great weekend everyone!

"It is a great art to saunter".....

..... said Henry David Thoreau...... and I plan on perfecting that art over the next couple of weeks as we enjoy what is likely to be our last U.S. annual beach vacation in a while.  

In addition to one mother, three daughters, my guy, and an insane amount of sunscreen and beach toys..... here's what I'll be packing for our daily adventures toes in sand style..... 

The classic:  LLBean tote

JCrew sunhat - you will never catch me by the pool or at the beach without this on

JCrew bathing suit - I practice what I post.... this is the one that came home with me this year

Vitamin Water Zero.... my favorite form of liquid refreshment

Baggu - for wet suits and such

Chanel lipgloss

White sheet - In my opinion, the absolute best thing to lay on at the beach..... reflects light and is cool, quick drying and easy to shake off and wash..... it's just like jumping into a freshly made bed with the ultimate view

Kayce Hughes tunic cover-up..... I couldn't resist this one this year....... nor anything currently available in her shop

Baby powder:  The only thing I don't enjoy about the beach..... taking the sand with us where it is not wanted..... I plan on trying this trick this year

Net for catching shells and such..... to add to our collection at home

The Darlings.... and a stack full of magazines that I've been looking forward to enjoying sans other technology beckoning for my attention.

I'll catch up with you when I return!  

What I'm Reading......

I was so moved while reading this book by fellow blogger Stephanie Nielson.  Her triumph over terrible tragedy through faith, hope, determination and love is nothing short of a miracle and is truly inspirational.....

Up next:

Have you read any great books lately?

For the love of books......

....... tis true, I love to read.  Books are the gift I most like to give and receive.  Books are the things most likely to adorn any flat surface in my home.   Stacks of books delight me.  Bookstores give me a rush.   Turning the first page..... excites me.  I like my books.  I have favorites.  I like to revisit them.  I like to share them with a friend.  I will likely never buy an e:reader.  Instead, I, like many others (bloggers especially it seems), will long to cover each and every available inch of spare space with bookshelves.....

off the kitchen, yes!

over windows and doorways, yes!

under the stairwell, yes!

in halls, yes!

in the bedroom, ofcourse!

every little nook and cranny.....

....and then some.... :)

Next up on my "must-read" list:

sources

Food: Trader Joe's

...... speaking of Trader Joe's..... I LOVE it there!  ..... and No, I don't want to marry it (I have that old kid's taunt stuck in my head) BUT if I could buy stock in the company, I would.... (alas I've looked and it's not publicly traded).  If you've been shopping there; you know what I mean and if you have one close by and haven't tried it out.... I strongly encourage it.  Think.......fresh, friendly, fast (although I could spend a long time there), surprisingly affordable, and dare I say.... fun.

This year I'd like to expand on my "like" of cooking as well as continue on that lifelong resolution to eat healthier by relying on Trader Joe's for help.  Just before Christmas, I stumbled upon these cookbooks at my local Barnes & Noble.  Although, not officially "endorsed" by Trader Joe's (i.e. you can't buy them there)..... they are full of delicious looking recipes, full color photos, wine recommendations and yes, nutritional information.  The authors (2 moms from California) also have a website featuring vegan, gluten free and low fat recipes here.

Not surprisingly, Trader Joe's has their own website as well featuring recipes I'd love to try too.  My goal is to try one new recipe a week..... I'll keep you posted on any real winners with the family.

Bon apetit!

Memoirs: Christmas' past

Christmas Memories

A couple of years ago; we were vacationing with some friends and my girlfriend pulled out this book:

.........she was updating hers from the previous Christmas and we got the best laugh as she read aloud some of the funny events from years past.  I was immediately reminded of how quickly my memory lapses following such a busy time and I became taken with the idea of chronicling my own family's Christmas dinners, visitors, gifts, Christmas card and other special happenings. 

Capturing 20 years of Christmas memories; this book allows you to record customs and traditions unique to your family.  Granted, it may not be the most "stylish" of tomes on your bookshelf (a business opportunity for someone so inclined to "spruce" the idea up a bit!); it has already become one of my most treasured heirlooms.  

A great gift to give your own family this year or for the sentimental gal (like me) on your list! :)

Inspiration: Jacqueline Kennedy

I just ordered this book:

barnes and noble

because I missed the ABC News special last month that broadcast these conversations taped a mere 4 months after the assassination of her husband and recently released by her daughter, Caroline Kennedy.

I, like millions of other folks around the world, have long admired Mrs. Kennedy as the First Lady, a style icon and respected editor.  But I find myself recently most inspired by her role as a mother.

"If you bungle raising your children; I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much"

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

What an encouragement to us "stay-at-home" moms who may sometimes feel like our accomplishments don't always add up in the eyes of the world.  Here, a woman who had a strong pedigree and the power and influence to do anything she wanted treasured being a mother above all else.  Love that!

images via:  life.com & house of marlowe pinterest

Rules of Civility

Coming on the heels of such amazing books as The Help and Unbroken; my expectations for this novel were relatively low.  However,  I was wrong.  This novel, the first by author Amor Towles (an investment banker by the way); had me mesmerized by a world of intrigue, love, deception, social status and chance encounters.  Set in New York City in the 1930's; it is filled with glamorous descriptions, witty observations and charming characters reminiscent of The Great Gatsby. Although not quite the page turner as The Help or Unbroken; it was a novel I enjoyed lingering in and; like a long walk on the beach at sunset;  I was satisfied but disappointed that it was over.

Amazon

Let's Bring Back....

Written by Lesley M. M. Blume; a journalist and author of a column by the same name in the Huffington Post; "Let's Bring Back" is described as "An encyclopedia of forgotten-yet-delightful, chic, useful, curious and otherwise commendable things from times gone by".  This book is entertaining, informative and quite amusing at times as it reaches back over a century to include entries such as "white tennis balls at Wimbledon", "kewpie dolls" and "shoo fly pie" (there's even a recipe included).  Blume also includes entries from a host of designers, artists, journalists and style-makers such as Kate Spade (needlepoint belts a la my post earlier this week) and Jacqueline Kennedy's social secretary, Letitia Baldridge (party-leaving etiquette; who knew?).  The perfect gift for the lover of nostalgia in your life....you can get it here:  Amazon.

....and while we are on the subject; one thing I'd like to bring back are these oldies but goodies:  Tretorns.  I think I'll try and start a kicks revolution by trading in my Converse and going old school with these.  I was happily surprised you can get them here:  Lands End Canvas

What's on your "Let's Bring Back" list?

image source:  tumblr