True Colors by Kristin Hannah

I've read the most marvelous book lately; True Colors by Kristin Hannah.  Now it is a cliche to say of a book, "I couldn't put it down,' but in this particular case, it was the truth.  The book was riveting, marvelously written, the characters were engaging, and I was so engrossed in reading it that I was oblivious to everything around me.

True colors is the story of three sisters.  The characters are nuanced and drawn by the author with finesse.  I found myself really caring about what happened to each of them.

Kristin Hannah also has the most wonderful blog, which I will link you to here:

http://kristinhannah.com/blog/index.php

I strongly recommend this book.  It is a good read.  Keeping up with good books is one of the ways I live life beautifully.

                                                               Elaine

Snowy Tidewater Virginia

It rarely snows in the Tidewater area of Virginia. yet is has snowed now for two weekends in a row.  As unwelcome as snow can be to a region unused to it, the velvet cloak of white turns ordinary things, such as the leafless tree branches, into a wonder of sculptural beauty.

Joseph, Dudley, and I are snuggled in our home in Olde Towne, as the flakes fall outside.  Think of Dudley and me sharing a McVitie's Digestive Biscuit, as I drink my tea and he sits on my lap.

Enjoy the pictures below from my neighborhood.  Keep warm wherever you are and remember that sparkling snow falling to the ground helps us live life beautifully.

Elaine

Everything Old is New Again

It is difficult for me to articulate how I become inspired to decorate a room or a home. A good portion of this creative process is my knowledge of the client, which colors they prefer, and their lifestyle. I think about their ages and how they dress. The rest is rather indefinable, but there is a restlessness I feel until I have the concept complete in my mind. When I’ve got it right, I feel wonderful, elated, and fulfilled.

I’m decorating a penthouse for a gorgeous young Greek-American couple. The space has amazing views of Norfolk’s working port, with container ships, tug boats, and barges busy at all hours. The quality of light in the home is spectacular. This couple enjoys a sense of simplicity and peacefulness in their home.

I am working with the client’s coffee table and console, which has a sand-colored travertine top and dark wooden legs. There are large velvet sofas in a graphite color and a fabulous modern wing chair covered in the Dominique Keiffer fabric. The kitchen is quite open. The color scheme for the entire space is in slate, gray, off white, and a lot of browns. My client loves touches of lavender, which I’ve included in some pillow fabric.

I’d been considering the carpet and finally decided on a custom pattern with a “wrapped look” which one our suppliers is creating for us. Soon after placing the order, I read a “trend alert” in Elle Décor about wrapping as a concept in textiles and fashion. I suppose it is a trend, but some design concepts are also timeless.

The avant garde artist Christo was innovating with wrapping as artistic expression a generation ago, as he wrapped the coast of Rhode Island, the German Reichstag, and the Grand Canyon, among other locations. http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/. All things are made new again.

So I listen to my inner voice, keep current with trends, know my classic influences and this is how I help clients live life beautifully.

Elaine

Burlesque - The Movie

When I was in LA back in September, I visited with my dear friends, Martin and Mary Samuel. I’ve known Martin since I was a young girl in London. Martin and I grew up together; we danced at the same clubs. Mary and I are kindred spirits, like sisters in our hearts. Martin and Mary have been happily married for forty years

Martin is a hair stylist for television and the movies. He won the BAFTA, the British “Academy Award” for the hair design, wigs, and extensions for Pirates of Caribbean. That's Martin pictured there with Johnny Depp. 

Martin also does the hair design for Tracey Ullman’s program on Showtime. Tracey embodies the many quirky personalities she creates and Martin designs all the wigs to bring these various characters to life.

Martin rang me up last week to talk about his most recent adventure, working with Cher and Christina Aguilara on the upcoming movie, Burlesque. He’s bound by a confidentiality agreement, but was able to me that Cher is a joy to work with and that the choreography is truly amazing. I can’t wait to enjoy his hair designs and to see the 63- year-old, yet ageless Cher, dancing in the upcoming film.  You can see Cher and Christina walking along in front of the movie posters in the top pic.  (thanks to Celebrity-mania.com)

With Martin’s help, they’ll be living life beautifully up on the big screen,

Elaine

The Young Victoria

I wonder if you've seen The Young Victoria yet?  If not, you must!  This was a truly wonderful movie.  The costuming was marvelous and the cinematogrophy luminous.   Most of us hold that iconic vision of the stout old Queen, aging and beloved monarch, in our minds.

You will see a different Victoria in this movie.  This film shows Victoria and Albert as the passionate lovers that they were.  Despite the common understanding that Victoria was a prude, she was passionately in love with her husband until the day that he died.

Martin Scorsese and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, produced this film.  Sarah has long been interested in Queen Victoria, the direct ancestor of her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie.  She also wrote a book about Victoria and Albert's life at Osborne.

Don't miss her splendid Cavalier King Charles, Dash!

Seeing this movie is another way to live life beautifully,

Elaine

Beauty is Eternity Gazing at Itself in a Mirror - Kahlil Gibran

My mother was very particular about clothes and makeup.  "Put on your makeup, even if  you're just taking out the trash," was something she often said to me.

One of my treasured possessions is my mother's Art Deco style triple mirror.  Back in November, we had a terrible storm which damaged a good portion of my bedroom and dressing room.  The process of recovering insurance costs has been time-consuming and frustrating.  Fortunately, my mother's mirror and my dressing table that you see pictured here in this blog entry were not damaged.

Every woman should have a well-lit and beautiful location to check her hair and apply her makeup.  This is a touch of glamour which can be affordable for everyone.    A dressing table hearkens back to a former era when women took time with what was called their "toilette."

Think about where  you apply your make up.  It is easy to make this area neat, pretty, and imbued with glamour.  And that's part of living life beautifully.

Elaine

The Party

Last night, Joseph and I had an Open House for neighbors and dear friends to mark the end of the holiday season. I find that the holidays can be such a frenetic time to entertain. Sometimes there are so many obligations that one doesn't always enjoy oneself. Many have office parties and family commitments before the New Year. Our post-New Year gathering was relaxed and casual, with wine, appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, and some glorious desserts. There was football on the telly, lots of laughter, with friends chatting everywhere; perched on the arms of chairs, in our kitchen, the living room, and even sitting on the staircase! Enjoy the pictures!