Look at that sea, girls

“Look at that sea, girls--all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn't enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds.” 

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

 

(Images Crush cul de sac)

Madame Chic

Hello dear friends. I'm sharing a few things today. First up is Lessons From Madame Chic by Jennifer Scott that I uncovered via The New York Times and which I'm truly enjoying.

A good balance between practical tips and her real life experience while living in France, this makes a personable and interesting read. Although there is some resemblance with French Women Don't Get Fat, ( snacking between meals is SO NOT FRENCH!),  it's written from an outsider's perspective which makes it most appealing. I highly recommend it, if only for the wonderful section about healthy eating habits.

** Jennifer just advised me that her book is currently off sale on Amazon as she prepares a hardcover version to be re-released in the fall. I promise to keep you informed about that!**

 Also, there's a great article in The Guardian about artists and  suffering. I'm a big proponent in trying to be ( and remain) happy so this article definitely struck a chord.

Have a great day!

Lovely Book: The Dinner Party Diary

 

 

 

 

 

Do you like to keep a record of your dinner parties, take notes about seating arrangements, favorite recipes and choice suppliers? The Dinner Party Diary is the perfect book for you!  It even includes some witty quotes and extra pages for inspiration.

I had the opportunity to ask its author, Deborah Greenspan, a few questions about her book:

1-Where did you get the idea for this lovely & practical book?

I kept my own spiral-bound notebook for years. I’m absolutely Type A, and so I take great comfort in being organized! Plus, it would drive me crazy when I couldn’t remember my neighbor’s favorite drink or the delicious chili I had served the winter prior. So I got in the habit of taking notes on the events I hosted, including the guests that attended, what I served, and those dishes that people loved (or not). Friends commented on how much they liked the idea, so I tried to find one for hostess gifts. But there was nothing that contained the information I knew was important in the price range I was looking for...so I decided to make my own!

2-What would be your #1 tip about seating arrangements?

Disregard the old tradition about sitting at the head of the table. In fact, I suggest that you sit right in the middle! That way, you can engage the whole table in a discussion (if the table is small), or you can direct your attention to a side of the table where conversation may be a little lacking.

3-What are your top 5 entertaining do's and don'ts?

5)      Use Post-It Notes to mark the serving pieces you will use for each dish. You’ll never again be taking something out of the oven and suddenly realize the only large dish available is in the attic.

4)   If children are invited, let them eat first. I have three young boys, and I know my only chance of having an adult conversation is if they are not in the room. So I usually feed the children first, and then set them up in another room with a movie.

3)   Serve more than one course. Nothing is more frustrating than spending days preparing a meal, only to have it devoured and done in 15 minutes. I usually serve salad or soup first, and clear it away before I serve the main course. That way the dinner is more drawn out and leisurely.

2)      Never clear the table right away! My favorite dinner parties have guests lingering around a candlelit table for hours, just dwelling in the pleasure of good friends and conversation.

1)      Relax. Your guests will remember the energy of the evening far longer than they remember the dishes you served.

4- Do you have a favorite recipe when you have guests over for dinner?

My favorite recipe for the winter holidays is a brisket recipe that a friend shared with me many years ago. It is absolutely delicious and incredibly easy. Be sure to save the leftovers for brisket sandwiches!

·  4-5 lb brisket

·  4 tsp. Kitchen Bouquet Browning & Seasoning Sauce

·  6 oz. orange juice

·  1 12-oz. jar of chili sauce (I use Heinz)

Combine browning sauce, orange juice, and chili sauce. Take 2 long pieces of aluminum foil and place them in a 9x11” dish so that the foil pieces make a “t.” Place brisket in center of foil and pour mixture over brisket. Pinch together aluminum foil pieces at top and on sides so that it makes a foil “packet.” Make sure the mixture does not leak out the sides and into the dish. Cook for approximately 3 hours at 325 degrees or until done.

5- What was your favorite dinner party and why?

My favorite dinner party was for my 40^th birthday. I always like to celebrate special occasions in my home and add to the memories there. I had an all-girls event—women of different ages and backgrounds who have supported and inspired me throughout my life. We ate. We drank. We laughed. We danced. It was perfect.  

Thank you Deborah!! You can find her book here.

You can participate in my first book giveaway!

(Images via here)

The Fashionable Writer

Hello mes amies, sorry for not posting yesterday, I've been hard at work on a few things, including a new blog: The Fashionable Writer! I hope you will enjoy, follow, and comment as interview fashionable writers and host lovely giveaways!

I also offer a wide variety of writing services, so please feel free to drop me a note.

Finally, I will be looking for sponsors, books to review and giveaway goodies so please drop me a line if you have an interest!

Merci!

Splash into Summer Book Giveaway!!

The Splash Into Summer Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Page Turners. It will take place from May 25th to 31st.

In connection with this hop, I am giving away copies of J'ADORE NEW YORK along with a surprise vintage book from my personal collection.

To enter, become a follower of this blog, leave a comment below. For additional entries, follow me on Twitter.

There are many other giveaways so please visit the other blogs as well.

Winners will be announced on May 31st. Good luck!!

(Images via Dust Jacket Attic, This is Fashion, Brocante Home)

Happy Monday + Book Giveaway!!!

Hope you had a great weekend!! Today is the official launch of my novel in Germany! To celebrate this event, I will be giving away three copies of J'Adore New York.

In order to win a copy, simply become a follower of this blog and for additional entries post this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter.

 For twitter posts, please use this:

Just entered to win a copy of Isabelle Laflèche's J'Adore New York  http://bit.ly/h6wZiy    @pinklemonade08

Winners will be announced on Friday, good luck mes amies and have a lovely week!

Book of the week: The Encyclopedia of the Exquisite

I have a confession to make. 

I bought myself an advance Christmas gift last week. From me to moi...(the best kind!) to celebrate a great year and to help with some research. 

I was smitten as soon as I opened the pages of this gorgeous book. Written by a fashion journalist at Vogue, W and Women's Wear Daily, it highlights lovely delights such as frilly lingerie, confetti, love notes, origami, pillowbooks and perfume. Exquisite it definitely is.

“…with searching, beauty can be found in the most unlikely places, folly is essential, and luxury doesn’t mean spending lots of money.”

 

- Jessica Kerwin Jenkins, Encyclopedia of the Exquisite

(image via Wedluxe)

Book of the Week

Illustrator, author and publisher Leanne Shapton stumbled upon a tree catalogue published by the Canadian Forestry Branch in 1917. Seeing the beauty in these straightforward landscape pictures, she translated them into her own The Native Trees of Canada. Here, a few paintings from the book.

I found it posted as book of the week on Tory Burch's website, what a great selection!

I apologize for the lack of posts today....I'm moving!

Whoever said that moving is the third most stressful life event doesn't have my library and closets!

Gorgeous Book: American Dior

 

Christian Dior lived the American dream. From the first time he set foot in New York, the legendary designer had a special relationship with the United States. With the introduction of the New Look, Dior quickly became American fashion’s ultimate agent provocateur, playing on the country’s appetite for French savoir-faire.

 The author, Kate Betts, is a contributing editor at TIME magazine where she has written about the worlds of style and design since 2003. Betts is also a columnist at The Daily Beast. Until this year she was also the editor of TIME Style & Design, a special issue published six times a year in the United States, Europe and Asia.
  

This book is simply stunning and is going on my Christmas wish list!

Happy Monday!!!

Hope you had a great weekend! I picked up Leo my new dog, can't wait to share some photos!

(images via Neo-Traditionalist and Just Be splendid)

Some Exciting Upcoming Cultural Events

1-Louis Vuitton Trunks

 

What? Their iconic trunks and luggage are brought together for the first time in an exhibition showcasing the history of the Parisian luxury House.

Why? Louis Vuitton has embodied the art of travel since 1854 when the very first store opened in Paris. The exhibition covers the evolution of the monogrammed trunk, the high profile stars that owned them, and even reproduces the beautifully designed labels slapped onto them by luxury hotels from Hotel de Crillon in Paris to the Adelphi Hotel in Singapore.

When? “Voyage en Capitale, Louis Vuitton & Paris” runs 13th October – 27th February at the Musée Carnavalet, “the most Parisian of the capital’s museums.”

 2-Words After Dark by Paragraphe Books

Paragraphe Books in Montreal is hosting a series of talks with some amazing authors as follows:

October 25th: John Ralson Saul at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

November 18th, Kathy Reichs at the Paragraphe Bookstore

November 23rd, David Sedaris at the Paragraphe Bookstore

3-Denis Gagnon at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Starting October 19th, Quebec Designer Denis Gagnon will be exhibiting free of charge some of his fantastic collections and work.

On the walls, close-up photographs show the raw materials
Gagnon uses: lace, leather, a zipper. The clothes will testify
to the designer’s ability to transform inert material, whether
natural or industrial, into a particular garment. In the middle
of the gallery, on a high inverted pyramid, video sequences
will show the clothes in action, in shows and on the street.

For more details, read here.

(Louis Vuitton Photography by Alexandra Mendes, second image via We heart it)

Vogue Japan + My Tuesday Essay in Globe & Mail

I received my first ever copy of Vogue Japan as a gift this week, and boy what a treat for the eyes it is!  These are pictures styled by the legendary Anna Della Russo, creative director for Japan Vogue. It appears from reading her blog that she's launching her own perfume in a shoe like bottle, what a hoot!

Also, I am sharing an essay I wrote for the Globe & Mail.  Hope you will enjoy reading it!

Have a great weekend!!

Wishing you all a truly fabulous weekend!

May it be filled with some nature...

A bit of shopping, and...

Some great reading!

(images via tweexcore  and Polyvore)