Elizabeth Lyons......... Magnolia Chandelier

Award-winning sculptor and glass artist Elizabeth Lyons brings her inspirations of nature into her one of a kind hand blown, sculpted glass and forged steel lighting designs.

Visit her studio http://www.lyonsglass.com/

I love the contrast that Elizabeth has created in her studio space using the the Magnolia Chandeliers and her work space. My only problem now, is I want three of these fabulous chandeliers.....not just one.

Hermes...........

Timeless.......no need to mess with perfection!

Add something new to your table.......New Juliska Pewter Dinnerware

Love love the new pewter ceramic dinnerware from Juliska. The finish......better than real pewter........ looks fabulous mixed with other patterns. Chargers, serving pieces, etc. create a sophisticated eclectic look ........with an organic feel. Dishwasher and microwave safe!!!

An American Artisan Frances Palmer

Here is a a photo I took last year in the studio of one of my favorite American artisans, potter Frances Palmer (a Conncecticut resisdent no less). Don't you just love the creamy white and black contrast? Perhaps we might she her designs on the White House Table?

In Friday's Wall Street Journal, Dominique Browning writes about artisans she hopes to see in the White House:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123206925413188425.html - for the complete article
Mr. Smith said in a press release he plans to bring "20th Century American artists to the forefront." Let's hope he also turns to America's artisans, such as potter Frances Palmer, weavers Jamie Gould, Elizabeth Jackson and Angela Adams, and designers Stephanie Odegard and Katie Ridder. But for now, you can expect to hear lots of talk about shopping at Ikea and West Elm, at least for the girls' rooms; Mr. Smith is savvy enough to know that it isn't in the Obamas' interests to give the impression that they have launched a bailout for the high-end design industry.

Yes, You Can!

http://www.obamicon.me/ is a Web app that lets you put your image (or anything for that matter) in the style of the famed Shepard Fairey Obama poster. Just upload a photo or use your webcam to snap a pic, then give us some words. Express yourself.......on this exciting day in history! All will be rendered red, tan, and blue and you can save it to the site for all the world to see.

Magnolia Leaves.......

The only trace of Christmas past is on my dinning table. I can not seem to part with it just yet..... a beautiful bunch of simple magnolia leaves. The rich green leaves with the velvety brown unders seem to last forever........ When they are fresh the deep green against the brown is the perfect contrast and even as they dry with with time, the muted colors continue to be forever pleasing to the eye.

Now this is Cool....Where to Eat? Ask Your iPhone

OK....this may be my deciding factor as to what my next purchase of a cell phone will be. If you are not familiar with http://www.urbanspoon.com/ , you should check it out...... and if you have an iPhone you really need to check it out.

Urbanspoon on the iPhone is part "Magic 8 Ball" part slot machine. You shake your phone and it finds a good nearby restaurant for you. Keep shaking it until it comes back with something you want to try.

It is pretty amazing....I watched my son shake his iPhone letting it decide where this feeble family should eat dinner. Perfect at the end of a long day when the brain is worn out and no one wants to make a decision. The application is available (free) on the iTunes Apple Store.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/blog/27/Urbanspoon-on-the-iPhone.html

Simplicity........

The new mantra for 2009 is "Keep it Simple".

Back to basics..........

simple GREAT food..........

simple CLASSIC dress..........

simple TIMESLESS accessories...........

the hunt is on!

Happy New Year!

Our New Timeless Style Icon........ Michelle Obama

Our soon to be First Lady Michelle Obama has the effortless ability of championing high-low fashion by showing us that it does not have to always be about the price tag. She is modern, yet timeless, with a cool sense of style. How fortunate are we to have this breathe of fresh air to follow and watch become an important part of our history.

Follow the fashion of Mrs. O. and get a regular look at what and who she’s wearing. http://www.mrs-o.org/