Shabby Chic Interiors; My rooms, treasues & trinkets - by Rachel Ashwell

I have been a long time admirer of the princess and creator of `Shabby Chic` Rachel Ashwell since I first discovered her `Marie Antoinette meets Southern California` style in California several years ago while visiting my mom. What I love about this book is not only her `yummy & squishy` interiors, but her passion for the old and shabby historical details that are key notes in her symphony of shabby theatrical bohemian castles on the beach. Her palette of soft pinks, whites and sea glass is edible, and each page is a scrumptious treat that she and photographer Amy Neunsinger showcase with their self-described ``unspoken language``. She shares the interiors of her own home and beach house that she rents out to friends and celebrities like Pamela Anderson and Brittany Spears. Also featured are Marilyn Monroe`s once lived in ``innocent and pure`` feeling home, Amy`s family tree house, and the home of Rachel`s neighbor where her kids would gravitate because of its unprecious interiors. I love the surprises in this book such as her daughter`s sexy fashion drawing to finding out that Rachel`s love of flea market hunting comes from her parents; and specifically her mum who would restore and resell antique dolls. I love her passion for the simple and theatrical, and so does Betsy Johnson whose bathroom shows their shared love of all things girly and pink. This book feels personal and made me feel a connection to this soulful British decorating poet.

Domino: The Book of Decorating, a room-by-room guide to creating a home that makes you happy

I was sad the day the Domino mag died, but thank god for this book that captures the best of their interiors. This book shows how the design experts do it; from their inspirations, planning, shopping, and finally to how they put it all together.
Domino Magazine taught me a new way to look at decorating by finding inspiration from the traditional and not so traditional. By mixing multiple styles you can create a new one. From what I call granny chic to rock n`roll glamor, they revealed a fresh take on decorating that changed my creative life. In the book, they teach you how to achieve many styles such as as vintage modern, ladylike lux, urbane organic etc. They break it all apart for you and put it all together room by room in a way that inspired me to create my own style based on what I love. It will be a resource that you refer to over and over. I love this book!

More good news is of course the launch of the on-line magazine Lonny that is equally groundbreaking and inspirational. The great thing about Lonny is that most items you may fall in love with are linked to the website where you can actually purchase them; which is a little dangerous for us shopaholics, but very useful.

Book: The Comforts of Home

The cover of this book had me salivating for that pink couch! This book is about going back in time to our grandmother`s era to a simpler time where less was more. The author tells us how they used each room to create a welcoming, functional and organized home. I love the glamorous and feminine farmhouse aesthetic, but the writing was a little too strict for my liking. Organization is a nice thing to aim towards but I find it difficult to attain in real life. I guess that is why I find these books so meditative, they bring me calm in crazy world. This book in particular is one that will stay on my coffee table for a long time. Enjoy!

Movie: Adam

This is a special movie. I am particularly excited about discovering the actress Rose Byrne. Adam stars the adorable Hugh Dancy and the lovely Rose Byrne as 2 New York neighbours who meet and after some very endearing attempts on his part at wooing her, eventually develop a relationship. The challenges are that he has Asperger's Syndrome, and she has family issues involving her wealthy father played by Peter Gallagher. I loved watching their relationship develop as they both struggle through life and not only find solace in each other, but learn the rewards of facing your fears.

Movie: Tenure

Tenure stars Luke Wilson, Gretchen Mol and Dave Koechneras as University Professors who will do anything to attain tenure. It is a quirky and original comedy for all of you who love subtle humour and characters that reveal how surprising and sometimes odd people can be. I don`t want to give anything away but I highly recommend this movie for those of you looking for a few laughs and a reminder that the journey to success can be more interesting than actually achieving it, at least to those of us who get to watch you try.