A great use for old books...

What a great idea, all you need is glue, pages from old books and... lots of patience!  This lovely idea is from the new Anthology magazine, their motto: print is not dead! Yeah!

Speaking of books, this is your last chance to participate in the giveaway for my novel at Sogni e Sorrisi, so don't miss out!

Happy Monday!!!

Happy Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! I certainly did! Had a fantastic birthday weekend, celebrating with loved ones, family and friends. Thank you for all your lovely wishes, the giveaway winner will be announced in the middle of the week so there's still time to participate. 

I am looking to adopt a puppy, we are leaning towards a goldendoodle, please let me know if you've had any experiences with this breed, I'd love to hear from you...

I must admit that this is truly my favorite time of the year, with the light breezes and lingering afternoon sunlight, perfect for any outdoor activities or lounging in a park reading a good book....speaking of which...

I had a wonderful time signing books at the various This & That Axesoir stores this weekend. I met with old childhood friends and new readers ...what a treat! A special thanks to my friend Julie who made this happen.

Have a great week!!!

(images from here, House Beautiful Magazine and personal pics)

The Book of Awesome

Having a really awesome week and so I decided to pick up this book today while stopping in at Chapters Indigo. Major bonus: it was signed by the author and autographed with a series of colorful pens that totally put smile on my face as soon as I opened it.

And as I started reading, more smiles kept coming...Little things, it turns out, are extremely important to happiness, and The Book of Awesome will remind you of a thousand little things that will make you happy!

some examples:

Wearing underwear just out of the dryer: Awesome!

Hitting a bunch of green lights in a row: Awesome!

Watching the Price is Right when you're at home sick: Awesome!

Perfectly toasted toast: Awesome!

Getting your ID checked when you're way over the legal age: Awesome!

And one that happens to apply to me this year: When your birthday falls on a Friday or Saturday: AWESOME!

You can visit the author's website: www.1000awesomethings.com.

Great American Style+Chick-Lit Debate

I really love this quintessential American style of dressing: always have and always will. I'm also a big fan of baseball caps, I have some in every color...

If you are curious about Montreal design, why not check out Festival Mode Design that is happening this weekend.

Here's an interesting article about chick-lit: Light does not mean stupid. I wholeheartedly agree with this point of view. Just because a book is a fun read written by a woman with a main female character, it doesn't make it poorly written or a lesser genre...au contraire....

Have a great weekend mes amies!!

(Images via Everything Fabulous and Brocante Home)

WordFest

Had a great time at the Knowlton WordFest this weekend! Met with lots of great authors, including Francine Ruel, Anthony Di Nardo and the amazing Louise Penny. It was Knowlton's first annual WordFest and, based on its success, not the last!! Most of the events took place in the lovely Carpe Diem art gallery and it was a blast. You can view some pictures on my website.

Also stay tuned for another book giveaway!

(image via we heart it)

Gorgeous Book: The Hermes Scarf

This book by Thames & Huson looks wonderful. Written by Nadine Coleno, a French author whose previous works include works on fashion, jewelry and contemporary art, it sounds totally dreamy and would make a stunning coffee table book.

The following books are published by Chronicle Books, one of my favorite publishers. I was sad to miss the Book Expo in New York this year as their stand is always a delightful treat. Here are some lovely gift suggestions from their recent book and stationary collection:

White Magic

                                                  

I'm having a major white moment.

Seriously thinking of painting my bedroom furniture white. I'm sure it would make it look more airy and light...I feel that my home has been neglected somewhat in the last two years since I spent so much time slaving away on my upcoming novel.  I had to put aside many other interests and passions to get it completed. I'm now itching to get back into a bit of decorating! 

(first Image via This is Glamorous, second Just be Splendid, third,forth and fifth Atlanta Bartlett, sixth via Yvestown, seventh and eighth Elle Decor and last via Elements of Style)

Pick me up

It's snowing here in Montreal today, so I thought I'd post some pick me up images below to put a smile on your face to beat the February blues! Going shopping at a local flea market and will let you know and post pictures of what I find!

(First image, we heart it, second The Sartorialist, the third and fourth, Just Be Splendid fifth, This is Glamorous, last via Elle)

More fabulous reads

Here are some more great reads. They are from Chronicle Books, one of my favorite publishers. Aren't the covers just fabulous? Have a great weekend!

Happy Books

It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.  ~Oscar Wilde

Book Lovers

(Miss alisha Jade)

Vita Prada taking Italy by Storm

Vita Prada, an unauthorized biography on Miuccia Prada which was released in Italy just before the holidays, is reportedly a bestseller in the country. The book, written by journalist Gian Luigi Paracchini, who covered fashion for twelve years at Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, chronicles how Miuccia first met future husband Patrizio Bertelli at a trade fair — he was selling bags, and she told him: "You're ripping off my bags." And of course, the infamous moment when Patrizio, known for his temper, reportedly smashed the mirrors in a Miu Miu store "because they make everybody look fat" is included. Miuccia's reaction to the book? Apparently: "I don't think I'm as big a b*tch as you think, but I had fun reading it." [Opera Chic]

I hope it gets translated into English!



(via Fashionologie)

Committed, the follow-up to Eat, Pray, Love

Elizabeth Gilbert's follow-up to Eat, Pray, Love is out! I can't wait to read it, especially knowing that she was unsatisfied with the first draft and threw it out before rewriting it entirely! How bold!

There are a number of reviews, including this one in Elle and Marie-Claire.

Advice to a new writer

"ADVICE TO A NEW WRITER: There are no rules in this profession. Do what is good for you. Read books and watch films that stimulate your writing. In your writing, go where the pain is; go where the pleasure is; go where the excitement is. Believe in your own original approach, voice, characters, story. Ignore critics. HAVE NERVE. BE STUBBORN."

Anne Rice

(text via Just Be Splendid, image French Elle)

Christmas Book Ideas

(via Harper's Bazaar)