image from Chanel apartment

I’m a lover of biographies and it’s a double interest when the story is about someone who also happens to be one of my idols. We all love Chanel for her creativity and undeniable influence in the Haute Couture world, but in the new reissue of Jean Leymarie’s 1987 Chanel book we can get to know about how Chanel contributed to the international arts scene by creating costumes for actual production and how sometimes she was a patron to not-so-fortunate directors. It was quite difficult to get a hand on the first edition, but now it’s available again, published by “Abrams” in the US. I already bought my copy and I can’t wait to read about how and by whom Chanel was influenced and how she mingled with some of the greatest artists of her time. You can purchase the book here.
“I always felt a solid sense of friendship toward Picasso. I believe that he felt the same way.” Chanel

Also, I want to thank the stylish and talented Kristy and Beth at Design Chic and to Maureen at Ecletic Revisited for awarding me with Stylish Blogger Award. It’s an honor and a satisfaction to always receive such a chic award. In the past I had posted 7 things about me, to see them you can click here and here. Without further adieu I now pass along this award to:

Teresa at Splendid Sass, Alcira at Nero Chronicles, Tabitha at Bourbon & Pearls, Pretty Prowler, A Casa da Va, Roost.

After receiving this award you have to pay it forward and follow the rules:

1) Thank & link back to the person who awarded you.
2) Share 7 things about yourself.
3) Award 10 great bloggers that you recently discovered#4) Contact those bloggers and tell them about the award

You know that when a book has such a romantic and dreamy name as Stealing Magnolias: Tales from a New Orleans Courtyard, it has to be good. And when you find out that its part love letter and part scrapbook that illustrates the story of its author Debra Shriver finding and restoring a beautiful house in the French Quarter of New Orleans’ just two months after Hurricane Katrina, you know you have to have it.

Giveaway details

It’s simple.

1-Leave a comment on this post telling me what you like most about Debra Shriver’s home featured in House Beautiful.

2-You can leave a comment between today and Saturday 15.

For extra entries

3-Add a link to this giveaway on your blog or side bar. Come back and let me know that you did.

4-If you cannot add the link you can make a second comment and it’ll be counted as a second entry.

The winner well be announced on Monday, January 17 and the book will be sent directly from Glitterati Inc.

The book can be purchased here.

I wanted to share with you what a cold but great weekend we had here at home. Over the weekend we invited to dinner a few friends we didn’t get to see during Christmas. I wanted to create a cozier atmosphere and dine under candle light so I moved the dining table close to the open fire in front of my gorgeous bookcase. Did I ever say bookcases are one of my favorite things? I used a generous remnants of Edo fabric by quadrille as tablecloth, took out a few of my amethyst candle holders and got some hydrangeas at Whole Foods. The Capiz Shell placemats are from Crate and Barrel and they are really beautiful. We had a wonderful time in good company and hope we get to do this more often.

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all images by/for Julie.