Magenta

If you like white ceramic with a dash of chalkboard you'll go mad for the Magenta Home and Entertaining line available at Nordstrom. Below is a sampling

   

Adorable breadbasket

"Take Note"

White Pear Measuring Cups 

via

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"Never argue at the dinner table, for the one who is not hungry always gets the best of the argument."
Voltaire 

Hi There!

I suppose a touch of the flu is life's little way of telling me to slow down.  However, the upside to being bedridden: a chance to share some CDJ's for the first time in months.

Original watercolor of London via Etsy.  Perhaps I should commission a cityscape of DC...

Mesmerized by the watercolor wallpaper via Black Crow Studios.

I wonder if it smells as good as it looks.  Via 

Cirrus Clouds wallpaper by Celerie Kemble for Schumacher  for my bedroom ceiling?

 White and gold table lamp for my living room, from Horchow.

The use of light in this oil on canvas is captivating.  "Cotton" by Andrea Nutt via Etsy

Add this trim to the skirt of a sofa or chair for gorgeous detail.  

'

I adore the fabric (Channels 516) by Groundworks, which will look fabulous in my dining room.

Kelly Wearstler used it in a Lee Jofa showroom.  Stunning!

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them."

~ Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

Happy Friday

Pitcher and Glasses

Beach Radio 

Monogrammed Playing Cards

Bike

Patio Gown

Cocktail Swatches 

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"The rhythm of the weekend, with its birth, its planned gaieties, and its announced end, followed the rhythm of life and was a substitute for it."  ~F. Scott Fitzgerald

Wanderlust

Currently my thoughts resemble a flowchart.  We have quite a few big decisions to make and each is contingent upon another.  You know... that whole cause and effect theory.    With so many balls in the air, I'm feeling somewhat out of sorts.  What better way to get you back on track than a map. 

Binoculars, DC Baby Quilt, Book Box Set, Hey Hey Su Illustration, NYC Street Map,  Luggage, "Maps" Book, Camera  

If you happen upon detailed directions for life please send them my way. 

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson 

The Summer We Read Gatsby

While in Mexico I breezed through a charming novel entitled The Summer We Read Gatsby, by Danielle Ganek.  If you're like me, a fool for anything Gatsby, add this to your reading list.

In a pursuit to uphold the saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words," here is my attempt of a pictorial summary.

Sources:
Society Social "The Madison Mixer" Bar Cart
"The Four Seasons Book of Cocktails"
Jackson Pollock Book
Hat
Cocktail Cigarettes
House of Harlow Sunglasses  
Polka Dot Glasses 
Set of 8 Red Glasses with Carrier 
Pink Stripe Bikini 
Throw Blanket 
Zebra Printed Towel and Leather Holster 
DVF Ping-Pong Set
Ring
Gem Coaster Set
Green Glass Goblet 
Printed Kaftan Gown
YSL Red High-Waist Bikini  
Ruched Mesh Swimsuit 
Striped Wedge
Lilly Pulitzer Gold Wedge 
Halston Halter Dress
Karl Lagerfeld Black Fan Purse
Straw Fan
Gold and Tourmaline Ring

Rainbow Backgammon Set

The Hungover Cookbook

Cheers!
Elizabeth

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." ~ Marilyn Monroe 

Studio Tullia Pillow Giveaway

Ladies (and gentlemen) this is thrilling! Suzanne Fortescue, owner of the Etsy shop Studio Tullia, is graciously sponsoring today's giveaway.  One lucky CDJ reader will win a signature ribbon trim pillow in the color of their choice.  This charming online boutique offers a variety of colorful and contemporary pillows all reasonably priced.  From Schumacher to the Signature Ribbon Trim, the perfect pillow is just a few clicks away.

The ribbon embellishment for the natural cotton signature pillows are available the following colors:

aqua, red, fuchsia, spring green, brown, black and white.

 The elaborate ribbon pillows are available in yellow linen, pink linen, gray cotton, and charcoal cotton.  Pair with white, black, or orange trim to create a customized look. 

Envisioning silk or a specific color trim?  Work with Suzanne to create custom pillows.  Additionally, Studio Tullia is preparing to launch a line of curtain panels and duvet covers/coverlets with coordinating ribbon edge.   My head is spinning with the possibilities!

To enter the giveaway, follow these rules: 

1.) You must register or be a registered follower of Covet du Jour.

2.) Then, enter a comment on this post between, Wednesday, February 15th and Sunday, February 19th .  A winner will randomly be selected and announced on Monday (2/20).

3.) Do any or all of the following: (each worth an additional entry) 

• Share a link to this post on your Facebook.  Return to Covet du Jour and let me know by posting another comment. 
• If you have a blog, share a link to this post.  Then return here and copy a link to your blog post in the comment section.
• Tweet about this giveaway post and add a comment below for another entry.
• Follow me on Twitter - @CovetDuJour. 
• "Like" Studio Tullia's Facebook Page.  Return here and let me know in the comment section.

Cheers! 

Elizabeth

"Trifles make perfection, but perfection is no trifle."  ~ Michelangelo 

Lovin'

My Covet du Jours.

This collage, by Jan Eleni, is genius!  It's the perfect way to blend your two selves: mom and decorator.

I am a sailboat kind of girl, but my tune would change if this yacht, Prometej, was my (motor) vessel.  

Seriously!!!

These photographs are by the talented Douglas Friedman.  To view his portfolio click here.  

So clever and cute - a book dock charger for an iPhone or iPad, by Rich Neeley Designs.  

One of my dreams is to publish a book.  My kids like my stores and poems, but accompanying illustrations would capture their attention.  DC based artist Becca Kallem works with many mediums, but her animal illustrations are my favorite.  Her charming and whimsical use of pencil and watercolor would bring my characters to life, exactly as I imagined them.  (Well, her work is even better than I could envision.)

To view more of these delightful creatures or adopt one as your own, visit her Etsy shop 

by clicking here. 

See you Monday to announce the winner of the giveaway!  

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“Look after the senses and the sounds will look after themselves”  

~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Z Gallerie

Below you will find a smattering of CDJ's, all from Z Gallerie.  My two favorite are the mirror and the elephant jewelry dish.  

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."

Edgar Degas

A Tiffany State of Mind

This weekend will be fantastic, because we are visiting my cousin and her husband. In our family any gathering requires cocktails, conversation and cuisine, non of which are done in moderation.  This weekend will be no exception.  They will prepare delicious meals, we will overindulge in spirits, then gab about topics which are likely to leave us with moral hangovers.  

The trip will be absolutely lovely as usual.  However, if it was just us girls we would have an extravagant jaunt. To our dismay our husbands, the voices of reason, bring us back to reality.  We are not even allowed to bring each other hostess gifts anymore.  Can you imagine?  

On to my CDJ's - Yesterday's post left me craving a little Holly Golightly glamour.  Dahling, humor me and peruse my musings...

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Have a marvelous weekend and sweet dreams, my huckleberry friend!

sleep mask

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"If I could find a real-life place that made me feel like Tiffany's, then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name." ~Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany's, 1958, spoken by Holly Golightly

Smile Though Your Heart is Breaking

Have you ever had a weekend that started with high hopes, but ends with you feeling totally defeated?  Well, that's the kind of weekend I had.

Here are the low-lights:
Many projects started, nothing completed.  Hence, the house is in disarray 
One of our cars broke down.
My youngest son pulled over a plant stand and broke one of my favorite pots.  (silver lining is he did not get hurt)
I was minutes late to an antique mall and missed out on four vintage faux bamboo yellow Henredon chairs, at a marvelous price.
Drove 30 minuets to a supposedly great flea market.  Literally the biggest waste of time in my life.  
I paid a visit to the local urgent care place for a UTI - sorry if this is TMI. I've never had one before, but super painful!

The Highlights:
My amazing husband sanded and primed a bed I am going to paint.  In addition, he helped me rearrange some furniture.  Plus, he arrived home early from a business trip.
My boys had a marathon dance fest to that song"You're Unbelievable", they giggled for 15 minutes pushing around a laundry basket, and countless other moments that made me smile or laugh.
Scored a giant vintage lamp, a pair of mid-century brass dancers and 2 1/2 yards of the fabric below, all  for under $75:

I have not found a home for these, but the possibilities seem endless.

This giant navy and cream lamp is going on my husband's desk, for now.

I am going to use this fabric to make window treatments for the playroom.  It looks fantastic with the Benjamin Moore "Polo Blue" walls and the zebra print rug.  

I'll admit, this post's title is a little melodramatic. Now that I look at the weekend pros, it does not seem so bad.  Sometimes a girls' just gotta vent.  Here's to a new week and a cheery disposition!

Cheers!
Elizabeth


"The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief. " ~William Shakespeare, Othello

Nursery

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I just wanted to share some ideas I was working on for a (gender neutral) nursery.   Together, these pieces create an eclectic and youthful space.  However, many of the accessories and furnishings can grow with a child or be used in other parts of your home.  

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"There was never a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him to sleep."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The World Is Your Oyster

Attending the Christmas Parade in St. Michael's, MD is a family tradition.  We bundle up, scout the perfect side walk spot (near hot coco, coffee and bathrooms) and cheer on the parade participants.  It's your typical small town parade including horses, antique cars, and floats.  What makes it unique is the nautical nod.

If you are not familiar with St. Michaels, it's a charming town on Maryland's Eastern Shore, know as "The Town that Fooled the British" (click here for history).  The main street is lined with locally owned shops and restaurants.  At the end of town is the gorgeous Inn at Perry Cabin where part of the film Wedding Crashers was filmed (and worthy of its own post). 

I digress...  I could ramble all day, as I've been visiting and sailing to St. Michaels since I was a few months old.

Now to my point.  In typical fashion, last year's parade was followed by lunch and shopping.  Our first stop was one of my favorite shops, London, where I spied a beautiful pink oyster plate.  Since Christmas was just two weeks away, I could not justify purchasing it as a gift for myself.  That did not stop me from dropping not so subtle hints that it was added it to my holiday wish list.  My darling husband did not disappoint; the oyster plate was under the tree.  Additionally, I received a beautiful dark blue plate just a few weeks ago for my anniversary.  I suppose I am an oyster plate collector now...

These colorful plates remind me of jeweled buttons on a beautiful cardigan or a fantastic statement necklace. One could add just the right amount of color and whimsy to a space in need.  

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“Why then the worlds mine oyster, Which I with sword shall open.”  ~ William Shakespeare 

Seasons: Spring Fever

Spring is a season filled with inspiring colors.  The gloom of Winter is washed away with warm showers.   Sleepy trees awaken to sprout buds.  Bulbs planted in the fall peek though the soil.  People emerge from hibernation to enjoy the beauty of the season.

Well, I've got spring fever big time!  Bundling myself and the kids up to walk 30 feet to the car is getting real old.  I miss flip flops, eating dinner outside, going on the boat, fresh vegetables from the garden, farm stand fresh fruit and open windows.  OK, I may be jumping ahead to summer, but once the sweaters and heavy coats go into storage it's all the same to me.

Here are some things that have me thinking bright colors and fun in the sun!

If I were I car, I'd be this pink Jolly Car

So many options to choose from, but a classic - Queen Bea Monogrammed Half Moon Bag

This Lilly Pulitzer Steinway Piano is a little over-the-top.  I imagine it to grace a Palm Beach grand salon of an eccentric billionaire.  

Trina Turk Pillow (I have blue cocktail napkins in this patten and love them)

The Claire Faux Bamboo Mirror comes in 4 colors, but nothing says Springtime more than bright green.

Check out Amanda Nisbet 's website to get the 360 degree tour of the porch.  It's worth your time!  If I lived here, the interior of the house would not matter, because I would never step inside.  

All the colors of the ocean unite in this Hamptons living room StyleAtHome.com

Halsea

The living room of this delightful beach cottage brings Spring inside. Design by Krista Ewart.         Photo courtesy House Beautiful 

Best Cocktail Napkins I've seen in a long time! by Dransfield and Ross via House Beautiful

I know why God gave me boys - so I would not go bankrupt furnishing a girl's wardrobe with adorable dresses like this.

Classic Patio Umbrella - Z Gallerie

The list goes on and on, but I'll tuck them in a file for a rainy day.

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”  - Coco Chanel