GOOD READS AND COFFEE TABLE ENTERTAINMENT

At it's best! I enjoy coffee table books....I have a small love affair with one of mine- KELLY HOPPEN "HOME-From Concepts to Reality" . I am constantly drawn to it over and over! A hard cover, and 192 pages to drool over...She is one of my absolute FAVORITE designers and this has been one of my beloved design books....EVER.

Kelly Hoppen is a high-end interior designer, celebrated in the pages of Architectural Digest, In Style, and the New York Times. Her cool, modernist aesthetic is at once timeless and at the cutting-edge of style today and KELLY HOPPEN HOME offers readers a chance to learn from the world-renowned British designer's chic design philosophy. Giving a clear picture of her approach at every stage-from the conception of an idea, through preparation and decision making, to implementing plans and achieving a reality-Kelly shares her insider secrets and reveals how to get the most from a living space.

Kelly's skill in understanding how a home works is illustrated in a portfolio of projects from the UK, United States, Israel, and Switzerland. Architectural plans and drawings, alongside stunning photographs of her latest work, help explain how to reconfigure a space by transforming ideas into workable schemes. Insightful text, practical tips, and information from expert consultants help explain how readers can become their own interior designer. That's what made me fall in love with her book and her design style.

Maybe you will find a new love interest in one of the coffee table books below! If not, at least enjoy looking!

NEW PHOTOGRAPH/ARTWORK JUST ADDED!

/I just added some new photography to my Fine Art America page! Here's my favorite one...I'm going to put this one on canvas and hang it in the dining room!

Last weekend, my husband and I decided to visit our local Farmer's Market (here in Claremont). It was such a beautiful day. We had a delicious breakfast on an outdoor patio- while people watching. Then, we made our way to the local market, featuring organic and home grown vegetables, fruit, homemade honey and bread...can't you just smell it! There were also a few vendors selling succulents and other plants. I was drooling over all of the succulents and snapped this shot. 

SWEET RETREAT!

I don't know about you, but I ♥ a relaxing outdoor space! I tend to lean towards modern designs with natural landscape. We still have some work to do in our yard, and these inspire me to get it finished soon, so we can relax in the spring!

modern patio design by los angeles architect Design:X

modern patio design by new york architect Dufner Heighes Inc

modern landscape design by new york architect pulltab design

asian landscape design by san francisco landscape architect Van De Voorde Elemental Design Group

THANKSGIVING ENTERTAINING TIPS & IDEAS

Yep...whether you want to admit it or not, you should be making your Thanksgiving plans by now! If you haven't already started, let's get to it!

Dinner Table
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a white tablecloth and polished-silver event to be elegant. Small, thoughtful touches are all that guests need to feel the Thanksgiving spirit. Here are a few ideas to spruce up your table decor:

Classic

Formal

Using fruit can be a nice touch and inexpensive (especially, if you already grow them).

Use pears, acorns, persimmons, crab apples, etc.

Bring a bit of nature in for a more organic look (and inexpensive). Search your yard for autumn leaves, twigs, branches or use your sweet gum trees for decorating your table.

Personally, I LOVE the idea of using natural decorations like fruit and foliage because you don't have to store them!

And we can all use some extra storage space!

TIPS:

Start the day with a list of kitchen tasks. In general, begin by assembling the stuffing, mashing potatoes, and making pie crust. The cook can rest and dress a couple of hours before guests arrive, while the turkey roasts and the pies bake. As guests arrive, you can be caught preparing appetizers, salad dressings and opening wines, social activities that allow you to chat and prep at the same time.

Sounds  like a lot of work, right?! Well it doesn't have to be.... try sharing the duties by having a pot luck (welcome to 2010). If that's the route you go, then you (the host/hostess) should make the main dish (turkey, ham, etc) and allow your guests to bring the mashed potatoes, stuffing, pies, etc. Instead of using name cards on the each place setting, use the name cards in front of the side dishes to let everyone know who brought what...for example: "Aunt Gina's Creamy Mashed Potatoes" or "Mom's Corn Bread Stuffing".

Host/Hostess Do's and Don'ts:

You have the menu, the decorations, the guest list -- the biggest variable left is your stress level, and stress has a funny way of making us morph into those beings (or other B-words) we don't want to be. Relax. Or you could just find yourself behaving like...

  

The Invisible Hostess: Having failed to start on time, or having decided to make difficult, last-minute dishes, you're in the kitchen, alone-all night. Very bad! As is jumping up to start cleaning while your guests are still at the table eating dessert.
BAD PLANNING=NO VISITING...AND THAT'S WHY YOUR GUEST ARE THERE....SO SIT DOWN AND VISIT!!

The Insecure Faultfinder: Do not start telling everyone whats wrong with your food dishes before they even pick up their silverware. If you're one of those that sit down and say...."So no one thinks the soup's too salty?" or "Sorry, but the turkey is probably really dry", or "Are the mashed potatoes are too lumpy"....Really, what can they say?! Stop worrying! Let your guests decide what's good....and unless your preparing Thanksgiving dinner for Emeril, you shouldn't worry about your guests critiquing the entire meal. RELAX and let them just enjoy the food!

The Child Chaser: Okay...okay...we all know your house is GORGEOUS....but do you really need to chase all of the kids around with paper towels and glass cleaner? They're guests too, and they also need to be "entertained". So, keep things "kid friendly" and "house friendly", by setting up a special kids table. Use butcher paper as a table cloth so they can draw or write messages. Set up some crafts/activities or have Thanksgiving themed coloring books on hand. This will keep them entertained and keep their parents happy too!

The Bickersons: It's a challenge to have people over when you and your spouse or significant other are in the midst of a squabble, but it happens. No matter what, avoid nit-picking at each other and rehashing any long-running arguments. Your guests WILL feel the tension and become uncomfortable. So, put it to rest before your guests arrive and enjoy each other's company.

The Depriver: A good host/hostess always has some wine or other alcoholic beverages available for their guests. Just because you aren't a "big drinker" doesn't mean you should deprive your guests from what they enjoy. Just avoid the KEG....you DO want everyone to be responsible, so too much isn't always the best way to go either....Need a festive beverage idea? Here's one I found that looks perfect for turkey day!

Cranberry Martini
Ingredients:
Serves 2

• 1 lime wedge
• Red sugar
• 8 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce cranberry juice
• 1 teaspoon vermouth
• Skewered fresh cranberries (for garnish)


Directions:
Rub the rims of 2 martini glasses with a lime wedge, and then dip each rim into a saucer of red sugar, rotating gently to evenly coat. Chill in freezer at least 10 minutes. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake vodka, cranberry juice, and vermouth until chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain into chilled glasses, and garnish with skewered fresh cranberries.


So, that's all I have for you today....happy planning!