The Sandcastle Project

"Build me a castle,
a magic sandcastle,

in the sand, 
on the shore, 
by the sea."

As a little girl I would often lull myself to sleep by decorating homes in my head.  Now that I own a decorating business, when I'm not plotting work for a client, my own fantasy projects have become much more specific: decorating an escape by the sea.  And thanks to the magic of Blogger and Pinterest, I can now create whole worlds of wonderful destinations in which to live, laugh, learn, listen, read, decorate, dress, eat and entertain--and share them with you. I've got the ideas, plenty of them, ranging from sweet cottages to boho beach shacks, to sleek modern retreats. And I've got a a definite idea of the kind of town I'd like to live in, although I wonder if it actually exists?  Well, perhaps you can help me with that part.  Off we go, ideas and images flying through the salty air, The Sandcastle Project has begun.


Image from an archive copy of Coastal Living Magazine.  As for the quote, I'm honestly not sure if I heard this somewhere, or made it up myself, but it popped into my head one day intact.

KEEP CALM AND DREAM ON

And so, along with the rest of the world, we take a royal break today and imagine just for a moment that fairy tales do come true.  A royal wedding:  can you imagine the logistics of planning that event? Let us hope it is filled with the magic dreaminess we're all hoping for.

Back next week with a continuation of our entertaining topics (one month was not enough!), plus oh so much more.


Image via Hannah Pempus and Claudia Strasser on Pinterest.  Original source unknown ... but I'd love to give credit if anyone knows.

I LONG FOR SALT AIR IN MY HAIR

Oh yes I do, yes I do.
How 'bout you?

Art & Words by Katie Daisy.  

For more of her charming work visit The Wheatfield on Etsy.

Discovered on Lovely As A Dream

THE SLOW SEDUCTION

"There is magic ... in the deep-jewel-colored room,
warm and mysterious, where you discover its many beauties
as you sit, seduced slowly."
-- Billy Baldwin

There are days when I want everything white, bright and simple.  Clearly this is not one of those days. Let me sink deep into garnet velvet sofas, caress gold silk tassels, bathe in amethyst light and turquoise glass, become bedazzled by bejewled headboards.  I'm in that kind of mood.

Photos 1 & 2 from Style Maniac's print archives. Credits lost at the moment, but I'm searching for them.  Bottom photo via Paris Hotel Petit-Moulin.

BEAUTIFUL BOOKS: What's On Your Coffee Table?

"The best decoration in the world is a roomful of books." 

-- Billy Baldwin

Sometimes, I admit, I do judge a book by a cover.  Whether art, photography, fashion, food, design, "coffee table" books can add spectacular color, life and interest to your home, for a smidgen of what real art would cost. In keeping with this month's theme, and continuing our seasonal series of reader's favorites, please share in the Comments section some of the beautiful books you display in your home. I'll then list your pretty picks, along with your blog link if you have one, in the Style Maniac Amazon Boutique (if offered direct by Amazon).  Looking forward to meeting some gorgeous new selections.

Currently on my table: Degas by Robert Gordon & Andrew Forge

A GLORIOUS MESS

"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the
mess created in the living room on Christmas day.
Don't clean it up too quickly."
- Andy Rooney 

After all the planning ... buying ... wrapping ... rushing ... it all comes down to spending time with those you love and enjoying every small moment.  I'm off to do just that and I hope you are as well.  First, just want to thank all the bloggers and photographers who have brightened my month--and year--with beautiful inspiration, images and words. And thanks to each of you, dear Style Maniac readers, for visiting, commenting and sharing here.  It's a wonderful gift you give me every day.  

See you just before New Year's Eve.  Merry Christmas.

Quote discovered on Belle Maison. Gold Glitter image by Shandi-Lee via Flickr.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS {part 2}

The other thing I want for Christmas:

a House-Cleaning Robot

{a girl can dream, can't she?}

Hope you get at least some of what you want this Christmas.

image via Anne Taintor Inc.

DON'T DRINK & FLY

Happy Halloween Weekend! 

cocktail napkin photo by Doreen Creede

WHO's THE BOSS?

Addison Graves, age 4, is a genius.

Kate Harper Designs Kid Quotes card from Style Maniac's archives.  Discovered at Target.

WHAT IT's ALL ABOUT

FAVORITE A holiday filled with family & friends.  Merry Christmas.


Bob's Your Uncle witty and offbeat line of cards available from Jack's Cards.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

If only ...

FAVORITE: Femme fatales with attitude and style

"Femmes Fatales" notecard from the Curtis Publishing Company Saturday Evening Post collection discovered at Head House Books.

A DASH OF DARING

"Elegance
is good taste
plus
a dash of daring."
-- Carmel Snow
legendary editor-in-chief
Harper's Bazaar
1933-1957

A genius editor who discovered and encouraged genius talent such as Richard Avedon (photo above), Martin Munkacsi, Alexey Brodovitch, Christian Dior, Diana Vreeland, Truman Capote, Lauren Bacall, Cecil Beaton, Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Jean Cocteau, Cristobal Balenciaga, Brassai, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Andy Warhol. For more on her iconic role in American fashion and photography click here or here.

Photo via ?? so many websites I've researched on the topic I've lost track.

THE NITTY-GRITTY SIDE OF LOVE

A fitting way to end the month's quotes on love and laughter. My niece Kaitlin (then aged five) announced this at a family dinner a few years ago...and I have not stopped laughing about it since.

EVERY DECORATOR'S DILEMMA

"Marrying a man is like buying something you've been admiring for a long time in a shop window.
You may love it when you get it home, but it doesn't always go with everything else in the house."
--Jean Kerr

Luckily my husband, Kevin, matched just fine. Some of his furniture was another matter....

From Have Some Sand: The Gritty Side of Love. See 2/1/09 post for review.

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS DATING

"You have to kiss an awful lot of frogs before you find a prince."  --BBC Radio 4

From Have Some Sand: The Gritty Side of Love.