2009 Your Best Year Yet

For those of you wanting to make 2009 Your Best Year Yet, I highly recommend this book - Write It Down, Make It Happen . I am deliciously writing in my new Moleskin notebook with my yellow Lamy fountain pen all the wonderful things I want to happen in my world in the New Year. Make 2009 your "Best Year Yet" by getting clear about what you want to happen. 

Moleskin is the legendary notebook used by Van Gogh, Chatwin, Hemingway, Matisse and Céline.
There is a whole Blog devoted to the "Moleskin. You can check it out here.

 

I received this new video by Louise Hay, You Can Heal Your Life, for Christmas and we all sat in front of the TV and watched it after Christmas dinner.  A number of luminaries in the fields of self-help and health and spirituality and new thought—including Doreen Virtue, Gregg Braden, Wayne W. Dyer, Gay Hendricks, Esther and Jerry Hicks, Leon Nacson, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Candace B. Pert, Cheryl Richardson, Dr. Mona Lisa Schulz, and many others share their personal stories about Louise’s impact on their lives. The Movie, which is hosted by Louise, offers not only an intimate look into her moving and inspirational life story, but also a special segment devoted to helping you apply Louise’s affirmations and groundbreaking wisdom to heal your own life and the challenges that you face.

Wishing you all a very happy 2009, and may it be a year filled to over flowing with all the good you desire!!!

Postscript Jan 4, 2009 Patricia of PVE Design has recommended this book: The Art of Influence: Persuading Others Begins With You (Hardcover)

                                                                                                                   Thanks Patricia

 

My friend and fellow Blogger MARYAM who lives in Marrakesh, Morocco and  writes the wonderful Blog: My Marrakesh, is a finalist in the 2008 Weblog awards for the category Best Middle East or Africa Blog. Please take a minute and visit her Blog and vote for her here.  The contest closes January 13th, 2009.

 

My friend and fellow Blogger Jen who writes the Travel Blog Folie a Deux,  is a finalist in the 2008 Weblog awards for the category Best Travel Blog. Please take a minute and visit her Blog and vote for her here.  The contest closes January 13th, 2009.

 

 

 

Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, and "What's HOT" in the world of Design, as well as sneak peaks of her work.. 
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So Very Clever!

Isn't funny how people who are creative at one thing, seem to be creative at many things? The people of Ferm Living also have a cool blog that I just discovered. (Excuse me if this is not news to you). I am completely infatuated w/ this idea of wallpapering the inside of a lampshade w/ this amazing wallpaper. Just think of the possibilities!! Sconces, giant pendants....I'm so excited thinking about it! Now I just have to decide which pattern I like best. What's your pick?

We Had A White Christmas!

The snow was a few days late, but Liam didn't seem to mind! Especially when he was able to catch some snow flakes on his tongue. The only part he wasn't counting on was that snow is REALLY COLD! I guess I forgot to mention that part:)
But, it is nice to be back home, in balmy Houston.

Merry Christmas!!

I want to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas and holiday. I apologize for being AWOL, I've been spending time with family, but I haven't forgotten all of you. 

May God bless you!

Carolina

A Merry Red Christmas Eve

I am planning my virtual outfit to wear on Christmas Eve. This year has been very special and there is much to celebrate and to be thankful for. Red seems appropriate and just feels right for this time of year. In a perfect world this is what I would love to have in my closet and jewelry chest. What do you think?

Lida Baday silk skirt & Donna Karen turtle neck

Cartier "Le Basier du Dragon" 18K white gold & ruby earrings based on Art Deco style. The lucky thread is tied, as when making a wish.

Manolo Blahnik shiny red sequin heels trimmed with satin piping

         Cartier Ruby & Diamond Ring                       Cartier Classic Diamond Watch with red crocodile strap

And to finish off the outfit Cartier Delices Perfume

Wishing you all 'Sweet' dreams for a Merry Red Christmas!

Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, and "What's HOT" in the world of Design,
as well as sneak peaks of her work.. 
While you're here, subscribe to this feed so you don't miss out.

Sunday Abstraction: Flamenco

Photography: Amanda Pratt
Via Maris NYC

Photography: Eugenio Recuenco

I've always had a thing for
a man in a bullfighter's uniform
I'm sure none of you
wanted to know that about me.

The Ultimate Hostess Gift

The wax is comprised of a unique blend of soy, maple and palm waxes. The vessel is inspired by the organic floral structure and elements of art deco design.  The packaging is stitched in Burmese silk.  The satin ribbons are imported from France and the tissue that wraps each bowl is hand pleated and imported from Switzerland.  And the scent is pure heaven:  French Tuberose against an earthly and delicate scent of Woodland mushrooms.

D.L. & Company candles available from Griffen Trading.

Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, and "What's HOT" in the world of Design,
as well as sneak peaks of her work.. 
While you're here, subscribe to this feed so you don't miss out.

Tough Decisions.

Recently, Apartment Therapy has been kind enough to sign me up for frequent emails. I'm not completely sure how I feel about that, but I did enjoy seeing there post about the best L.A. house tours. The hard part is deciding which one I like the best. So difficult! The first home belongs to photographer Sharon Montrose. Her attention to detail is amazing. Nothing is out of place, but it still feels quirky and fun. I love everything.

So, my second choice it the home of Sherry and Miguel. Although, it is filled with a lot of vintage furniture like the first home, it is much more free-spirited. I especially love the "Delicious" sign in the kitchen. I totally agree that this house is indeed, very delicious:)

Comfy, Cozy....

Photos via Toast Home and Bodie and Fou

Photos via Laurie Frankel

I don't know if its because I'm trying to fight off a cold or because its actually cold in Houston, but I can only think about wanting to be comfy. Warm blankets, comfortable beds, and pajamas. Ahhh, that's what I need right now. Just as long as I can find a cup of hot chocolate, too!

Gold in contemporary settings

Gold interiors
I absolutely loved the composition of this photo by Meher Samoud in Tunisia.

Gold bathroom interior Design

Gold bathroom

Gold, as a colour , in various forms/applications is redefining contemporary design and decor which has shied after from this particular mettalic. In recent times, the midas touch has found its way into most homes where a touch of gold iridiscence accentuates a luxurious setting. Muted tones of grey serve as the perfect foil for this metal’s inherent magnificence.

Gold Bathroom Tile

Gold bathroom tiles

Yum, Yum!

These ornaments are so yummy looking, I don't blame anyone for giving them a nibble. Found via Kate Sutton's Etsy store. (P.S. I like her blog too!)

Sunday Abstraction: I Know I've Mentioned This...

But, David Byrne Is My Hero!

An oldie, but ...you know.

Beauty is as Essential as Bread

There is an old french adage that says: 
"If you have a dollar, spend fifty cents on bread and fifty cents on flowers."

 

Photo via Cote de Texas    
Jeffery Bilhuber Designer

Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, and "What's HOT" in the world of Design,
as well as sneak peaks of her work.. 
While you're here, subscribe to this feed so you don't miss out.

Christmas Decor: Keeping It Simple.

Just so all of you don't think I'm a total Scrooge, I thought I would post some lovely Christmas photos.
So, any of you who read this blog regularly know I have to keep it simple.
I've always felt that simple and natural elements at Christmas are so inspiring and special.
Who can decorate better than nature?

Links: M.A. Belle, Bo Bedre via Door Sixteen, and Trifolium.

Deck out your Holiday Home like a Pro

A display of nutcrackers at the home of interior designer Patricia Gray

Kim Pemberton, Vancouver Sun 

When it comes to decorating for the holidays, who better to ask than local interior designers who have decked out their own homes in style?

Avoiding stress at the holidays is the main point for interior designer Patricia Gray. Her secret is starting early in the season in order to enjoy visiting with friends and family throughout December.

Gray typically picks the last weekend in November to haul out the decorations and gets her tree up by the first week of December. Although she was tempted to get a seven and a half foot artificial tree this year she opted to stay with a real Douglas Fir tree - mainly because the fake tree wouldn't fit into her car.

"I don't mind artificial trees. A lot of my clients in condos are not allowed to have live trees. The one I wanted looked so realistic," says Gray, adding the Home Depot tree was a bargain at $299 with 1,000 lights on it.

She suggests using clear white mini lights and plenty of them in order to make the ornaments stand out on the tree.

"My tree is decorated with silver and red balls and 10 strings of mini lights. I find the more lights the prettier the tree. I stuff them into the depth of the tree close to the trunk then bring them to the outside," she says.

Gray has become somewhat of an expert at tree decorating after completing one for the Canucks Children's Hospice fundraiser at Sutton Place Hotel. For that tree she and her staff, at Patricia Gray Design, began making gingerbread cookies in August representing children from around the world holding their country's flag. To make the icing long lasting, they used glitter glue instead of using real icing.

"Making your own gingerbread and hanging them on the tree is quite a nice thing to do. You don't have to go to the extent we did. You could do something simple and just have the glitter embroidery glue on the edges [of the gingerbread man]."

Keep it simple, keep it fun and just enjoy," she says.

Postscript December 12th, 2008
My partner in the tree decoration at the Sutton Place Hotel was Linda Sale Interior Design