A Few Beautiful Things

  

I am beginning my weekend early, my mom is arriving today for the weekend which will include wedding dress shopping (I can't believe it!), making our spring themed save the dates and a dinner with my parents-in-law to be!  Before I leave you, I thought I would share a few beautiful links for your reading pleasure. I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

A wonderful article written in the New York Times by an editor that used to live in Paris. He reflects upon his life upon leaving this magical city. He sums it up beautifully stating that when you visit or have lived there you develop a 'lifelong yearning to return'. I couldn't agree more.  

Speaking of Paris, these dahlia's from the Jardin des Plantes are just stunning. 

I just discovered the blog Shine by Three and was blown away by both the fashion and the photography.

I loved this glimpse into makeup genius Bobbi Brown's life shot by the talented Alice Gao.  

These Apple Dumplings look delicious and easy, they would be a perfect fall dessert.  

This Pomegranate Parfait looks divine and the photography is just out of this world.  

So happy for Kristen that she has launched a beautiful home collection combining vintage and new pieces. She has  a white chair and a blue chair that I can't seem to stop thinking about!

This meal is a feast for the eyes and the stomach. 

*Image via Shine By Three

Garden Dreamer:: Miranda Brooks

I have long been a fan of landscape architect and Vogue Contributing Editor Miranda Brooks for how she can take a piece of land and turn it into something ethereal and magical.   As I was flipping through the January issue of Vogue, I was taken back by her newly renovated townhouse not too far from me in Brooklyn.  Her garden is nothing short of beautiful, she even raises chickens with her daughters.  My favorite part of her home was her greenhouse and work space on the top floor that is bright and sunny;  it is no surprise that she surrounds herself by beautiful things to get inspired.  Here are some of her other works that are making me dream of owning my own piece of land and turning it into something as wonderful as she has done.  

A Tuscan Picnic

Open-air dining is one of the highlights of summer.  Lingering over meals that extend into the evening are definitely a favorite past time. Dining al fresco with the rolling hills of Tuscany surrounding you, is for me, the ultimate idea of a perect dining location.  These images come from just one of my favorite food blogs, Jul's Kitchen. Her photography is stunning and the Italian food that she prepares makes my mouth water.    Hop over to check it out!

All images from here

A Floral Idea

I am always looking for ideas on how to display flowers in unconventional ways.  I found this idea here and think it is genius - displaying single stems in test tubes. I especially love the chandelier arrangement and the way when a few are combined creates a beautiful table setting.  

Cake Crush - Pink & Gold

How gorgeous is this cake? I just love the combination of pink and gold and how delicious does that layer of pink frosting look?  Looking at this makes me really want to schedule time for that cake decorating class that has been calling my name for some time now.  I hope that everyone has a great Saturday!

Hints of Petal Pink, Mint Green and Gold

If I am looking for a color match made in heaven it would have to be the combination of gold and a pastel, thus when I discovered this dessert table overflowing with gold, peach and mint green, I just had to share it.   The petal pink ombre cake is just gorgeous especially when combined with gold utencils.  To be quite honest, I just cannot get enough of table settings like this! Happy Friday to all!

All images from here

Golden China

I urge you to make a mad dash over to One Kings Lane, the extraordinarily dangerous  website (similar to Gilt) that features the most amazing pieces for the home.  Starting yesterday, brilliant interior designer Kelly Wearstler is being featured in quite a few shops, my favorite being these gorgeous golden china dishes.  

Top: Teacup/ Coffee Tea Server/ Sugar Bowl

Bottom: Sushi Tray/ Individual Coffee Server/ Creamer

Greece Through It's Vibrant Colors

The colors found in Greece are other-worldly.  They are pristine, vibrant and all the while incredibly soothing, whether you are in the Plaka section of Athens or the bright white hill tops in Oia, Santorini.  I love how the buildings and houses perfectly age - how the paint chips here and chips there and ultimately creates a pattern that could only be achieved over time.  Here are some of the color palettes that I discovered, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. 

*All photographs by Alison

A Summery Tablescape in the Perfect Palette

There are so many gorgeous elements of this table setting, I am not sure where to start.  Perhaps it is the vintage wooden fruit boxes filled with peaches or the lush pink peonies in full bloom. I also love how there are bouquets gently hanging from the ceiling and how gorgeous wrapped paper soaps greets each guest - truly magnificent.

All images from here

Marbled Paper

Walking around Florence, Italy you quickly become enchanted with the amount of paper shops that sell gorgeous hand-made paper.  One of my favorites was a marble design picked up at a tiny shop steps away from the Ponte Vecchio.  Three years later, I still have it rolled-up where I can just stare as it, as I find it too beautiful to use and plus when I use it, it will be gone.  However, when I saw this post on the step-by-step process to achieve these gorgeous swirls, I was enticed, and this project has officially been added to my ever expanding 'DIY: list to try'.  

Gorgeous Hand-Glazed Bowls

I recently stumbled across these beautiful hand-glazed bowls and I had to share them with you.  These beauties would make an excellent gift, especially for Mother's Day.  I love how they are painted to create an abstract flower print. I think that these bowls are a great way to welcome Friday!