Late week musings and a giveaway!

Grab another cup of coffee...this is one of those long posts that is somewhat all over the place!!

Hi there and happy Friday..boy this week has flown. Woke up to another 5+ inches of snow with this latest system and its still coming down. School is closed and this is getting old. Very old.  I have tried to make it a productive week and have gotten some things on my very very long list of to do's checked off. Here is what I woke up to.....(took with my iPhone)

Despite the snow, I do feel excited knowing spring is on our doorstep, though to look outside, it is hard to imagine! I generally love the notion of spring cleaning, getting organized, really making a concerted effort to make a practical list of to do's and getting them done. Winter, I consider hibernation period (after the holidays that is). I cannot believe my online stores one year anniversary is on Sunday!! I am offering a giveaway today and another one on the actual one year anniversary on Sunday. All details on the bottom. Hope you have had a good week....so here's whats new here this week.......

A new blog I am just obsessed with. I think the pictures say it all. To me they represent heaven....this couple lives in the French countryside and seem to spend their time making the most beautiful meals, visiting local specialty markets, picking form their garden, playing with their kids and pups...sounds like a dream life! Baked chicken never looked so elegant...he is a photographer so every single picture is award winning. This blog makes me feel like I away in the country with them...just marvelous in every way!! Did I mention that every family member also looks like a model? Here's a quote that is commonplace on her blog...sends my senses in overdrive!  "Since I have been living in Médoc, it has become a habit of mine to cycle around. I enjoy buying my daily baguette and groceries, taking the scenic route through the forest. It is so rewarding to look at all the peaceful surroundings, saying bonjour to the local sheep, donkeys, horses and cows. It is often during these bicycle trips that I get inspired for a dish. Last Friday, I came back home with a big pack of sausages from my local charcuterie."   Heres a sampling of what is on the blog...click here to visit!

    Spring. I am soooooo longing for spring. More this year than ever before. Maybe because another snow storm has descended upon us. It feels like forever away. But in the meantime I am dreaming of beautiful clothes, light springy colors, soft fabrics....ahh I can feel it already. Here are some spring lovlies that I have my eye on.....loving this cutout/lace trend that I am seeing a lot of, and you?   Big fan of Delman shoes, own lots of their flats..these are just darling!

 

Adorable in pink too....

And really like this tote from Antropologie.....such a great neutral......

 Do these  have my name all over them or what? If I didn't have such a aversion to wearing heels (except when I m must) I would indulge.  Both styles from LK Bennet of London! Love them!!

 A new book. You know I love my books. I believe you can never ever have too many great design books and one which I preordered I know is going to be fabulous if her first book is any indication. I love Cindy Rinfrets style, her shop and design aesthetic. Her new book cover was calling me.  And finally, just finished Rules of Civility and I  have to say I really really enjoyed it. Enough to talk about it and recommend it! Click here to order Cindy's new book on Amazon. 

 

  Do you like products? I do and love discovering something new, even better when its new and awesome. I was at a store the other day and struck up a conversation with a fellow shopper who really looked like she knew her stuff and as it turns out she is a freelance makeup artist who has done a lot of work on some pretty major movie sets! If I wasn't hurried for time I would have stood there trying to get the lowdown on some of my favorite stars:) But one thing she did tell me about is a great line of makeup that apparently many "pros" and those in the know use...so you just know I came home and googled it and actually took the plunge and ordered some of the products. In case you are like me and a serial product junkie..heres the scoop! Judith August is known as the queen of covering up everything from everyday blemishes to rosacea. Click here to visit her site.  

 Any product called killer cover is a product I want to know about!   Also went trim/fabric shopping, I am such a kid in candy shop when I go textile shopping. Two of my favorite stops are Clarence House and Samuel and Son. The trims are sooo scrumptious! I am unstoppable when it comes to selecting beautiful trims.......its better than choosing hand dipped chocolates at a candy shop. Well, on second thought, almost as good:) Look how gorgeous these were at Clarence House...... 

 I am sure you can see why I was practically hallucinating!! Everything was sooo stunning! And here is what I came home with for my "living room table project".......

  Here is one of current projects (the table) and this  is what I am going for....

 And on the home front, hung these beautiful Trowbridge prints in my bathroom.....

Just added this beautiful green tole lamp on a small table...love it!

And added this stunning tole lamp to another table in my sitting room of my bedroom, also hung these pretty prints....

 And put my beautiful white cherry blossoms on this console.......

This is random and again I am sure I am especially drawn to this because I am really craving spring but isn't this a beauty.....the light blue isn't seen often and is so fresh looking

   And last but certainly not least...can you believe my online shop is going to be celebrating its one year anniversary on Sunday!!! I am amazed, excited and quite stunned that its been a year already! I am so incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement my readers have given. And to celebrate I am going to be offering a big giveaway on Sunday!! I am also very excited to be adding an entire new batch of gorgeous lamps to my lamps section, some beautiful new porcelains and some stunning new silver items! Have a look at some of what is to come....... 

   And all these beautiful lamps are now on my site, visit here.

     And some of the stunning new silver additions.....All the new scalloped pieces are all ovenproof and are the ultimate oven to table serving pieces!  I have owned serving dishes from this company for years and they go from the refrigerator to the oven straight to the dishwasher and add elegance to even the simplest of meals! (These will be added to my online shop by the weekend if not later today)

 Love this large scalloped serving tray

And this beautiful coordinating scalloped casserole dish

How about this absolutely gorgeous horsebit tray?

 And this very large scalloped casserole dish.......

   And finally the giveaway!  I will be offering up a giveaway today and another one on the actual one year mark, Sunday, in celebration. Today's giveaway is for this absolutely darling pair of mini blue and white Staffordshire dogs.......they measure about 6" and are sooo sweet!!  Who couldn't find a special place for this cuties! To enter just leave a comment here after visiting my online shop () and telling me one item you would love to buy for your home (or yourself). Want a second chance....leave me a message on Ana laila's facebook page, click here.  IMPORTANT- To my dear subscribers who often comment directly via email, this does not make you eligible for the giveaway. Instead when you get my post in your email box, CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THE POST, this will take you directly to my actual webpage. On bottom you will see "Kindly leave your comments here", you can sign in with google, just put your first name and last name initial or even sign in anonymously. Remember if you just use your first name please also include a last name initial. Thanks and good luck....... 

  So that is what is happening over here!! Hope you have a wonderful Friday, a great end to your week and thanks as always for stopping in to say hello:)   

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