Book: "Mudbound" by Hillary Jordan

Reading this book is like feeling a storm build. You know there will be damages, you just don't know how bad they will be.

A woman is forced to endure the rough farm life that comes with living in rural 1940's Mississippi while she becomes enraptured with her husband's emotionally wounded brother just returned from the war. Meanwhile he develops a prohibited friendship with a black man also back from the horrors of war, who wants to start again.

Racism, revenge, alcoholism, hate and passion rule the lives of these characters while they struggle with feeling trapped in the mud. I couldn't put this book down and once I did, there were tears in my eyes.

Inspiring Quote:

"I write to find out what I think"

Joan Didion

Blog: froufrouu.com

Nadia uses herself for visual poetry. Amazing.

Blog: The Neotraditionalist.com

I adore this beautiful blog written by interior designer Katie Armour. It is o so inspiring and delicious. Girly girls who love art, design, fashion, beauty and travel will crave a daily fix. She posts several times a day so there is much to explore. I especially enjoy her quote of the day and pre-nuptual musings.

Visit this exquisite site at: http://theneotraditionalist.com/

Movie: And now ladies and gentlemen

She is a jazz musician and he is a jewel thief; both escape to a foreign land to forget their past. It is a savage and intimate old world love story set against the backdrop of Morocco. There is one line from this movie that has continually resonated in my head since I saw it 3 years ago. As much as I love a great love story, it is her quest that made this movie unforgettable for me. If anyone ever says "They don't make movies like that anymore", just refer them to this movie as proof that thay do.

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.