THE LATEST ADDITIONS....

I have now added 2 new sets of notecards to my Etsy store. Both feature my Blue and White Ginger Jar painting on 8 cards/envelopes. There are the bordered, folded note cards (above) and the flat scalloped note cards below.

Both make great hostess gifts or, even thinking ahead, stocking stuffers! You can find them here. 
Have a wonderful weekend!

YES, I HAVE SOME BANANAS......

I HAVE SOME BANANAS TODAY!
One of the perks of living in a tropical climate - bananas right outside my bedroom window. I couldn't believe it! I knew this was a banana tree, but guess I underestimated what a little Miracle Grow could do. I didn't really expect an actual clump of bananas to grow on it. The best part is that I've got some avocados on the other side of the house that are THE best avocados I have ever tasted. I happen to have an avocado obsession, so that's making me a happy camper. Thanks for your patience while I glory in the local flora. Do you have a garden or any trees that produce for you?

ARTISTS WHO BLOG

I want to thank artist/blogger Stephanie Levy for featuring me last week on Artists Who Blog. Stephanie is an amazingly talented American artist and very prolific blogger now based in Munich, Germany. Keep up the great work, Stephanie!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS & SUPPORT

My beloved Grandpa

Me, Grandpa and Grandma

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have written with your support for me and my family as it was publicly announced today that my grandpa, Ernie Harwell, has been diagnosed with incurable cancer. The last few weeks have been a tough time, as we learned of his condition and prognosis. It's so difficult to imagine life without someone who has always been such a strong and loving presence in my life. I am just grateful to have had him all of these years and want to cherish his remaining days. Grandpa remains his ever positive and inspiring self, reassuring us all that he has total peace, knowing that this path will lead him into the place he longs to be - God's presence. Thanks to all of you for your thoughtfulness, prayers and support - it means more than you know. And Grandpa......I love you more than I can say and could not be prouder of you than I am now!!

MERCI BEAUCOUP!!

Tiled Moroccan fountain (photo - Anne Harwell)

A special thanks for the recent blog mentions - Shannon at Sit.Relax.Gossip,

Margaret at Paper Pastries, Sidney at Eclectic Interior Design and Sarah at Apothecary Fox. I so appreciate your support and kind words! Check out these great blogs and for all of my US readers - have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend (and the rest of you have a great weekend, too!!)

BUZZ KAPLAN INTERVIEWS SUZANNE KASLER

If you haven't checked it out already, you need to read blogging buddy Buzz Kaplan's new interview with celebrated designer Suzanne Kasler. In addition to his weekly column on antiques, Decorati is now also featuring his weekly interviews with top designers. You won't want to miss this series!!

ARTIST'S PORTRAIT * LAURA TREVEY

Where were you born?
Roanoke, Virginia
What are your earliest memories of being involved making art or wanting to be an artist?
I have always wanted to create things, even as a little child.


Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab

What inspires you most as your subject matter?
I love the Caribbean, and the Keys. The water is so crystal clear ~~ and the colors of the flowers are so vibrant!
Tell us about your family? Where do you live?
I have been married for 15 years, and we have 3 beautiful children ages 7, 11, and 12. We live in Richmond, Virginia.
What are some of your favorite things or things that are essential to your success/well-being as a person and artist?
Love yourself and your family, don’t take anything for granted, and enjoy the world around you! There are so many beautiful things to see.

A grouping of Laura's colorful and whimsical paintings.

Tellaro, Italy

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

By the ocean. The calming powers of the ocean inspire me!
What are the most challenging things for you about being an artist? I love to paint every day. So for me, the most challenging thing about being an artist is finding time to get everything else done, ie: laundry, cleaning the house, dinner, etc…
Thanks so much to Laura for taking the time to share a bit about her life and art with us. Be sure to check out her blog and Etsy shop!

GIVE-AWAY FROM PAPER PASTRIES

Click here to enter a give-away on the Brighter Side Project from Paper Pastries! Entries must be received before September 8th.

RELAXATION IS SO UNDERRATED!

I found this Blythe photo by Rebecca Berger on her Flickr site and it "spoke to me" as they say. Hope to get in a little of this over the weekend. How about you? Any plans? Whatever you are up to, I hope you have a refreshing 2 days off!

SALE AT CLAYTON GRAY HOME!!

I don't know about you, but I think this bird cage chandelier at Clayton Gray Home is so chic. Chic in the "I ditched builder-grade or typical chain home store generic choices - in favor of something more unique and creative" kind of way. The kind of thing you'd find at a chic little boutique or antique store somewhere far away from a mall. I totally love it! A mini little art installation on its own.....

Congratulations to Annechovie sponsor Wendy Garraty and Clayton Gray Home on the opening of her new bricks-and-mortar store in Tampa. She also has many new items online, as well as a SALE! Don't forget, she ALWAYS offers free shipping as well. Now that's hard to beat!

ANNA SPIRO'S CHAIR

New "Anna Spiro's Chair" scalloped note cards, as well as chair prints, are available now in my Etsy shop!

The first time I saw this chair in Anna's home, I was smitten.......

(photos via Absolutely Beautiful Things)

I had to paint it - and I did. I sent it to Anna and she was kind enough to post on it yesterday, along with photos of it on some more beautiful upholstered pieces in her shop. I adore Anna's bright, cheerful style and celebration of color. She is definitely one of those "kindred spirits" you meet in life and, more specifically, through blogging. Thank you, Anna!!

Prints and note cards of Anna's chair are now available on my Etsy site.

BACK TO SCHOOL LIST AT DOMESTIKATED

When I was kid, the back to school season brought mixed reviews for me. I was excited about catching up with friends and getting some new shoes, clothes and notebooks. Remember those "TrapperKeepers"? I was always obsessed with school and office supplies and one of my favorite childhood acquisitions was a mini red swingline stapler - go figure. Despite the "newness" of an impending school year, a large part of me hated to say goodbye to carefree Summer and the homework-less zone. The gracious and uber-creative Kate van Geldern over at DomestiKated Life has been featuring some fun fantasy back-to-school lists by bloggers lately and you can check out mine here if you're curious (or bored!).

PAPER PASTRIES - L.A.

Paper Pastries is a Los Angeles-based stationery company that I recently read about on Beach Bungalow 8. Owner/Artist/Blogger Margaret Haas creates some very cool vintage inspired designs, such as the typewriter above.

I was left awe-struck by her lovely calligraphy - she will custom design a handwritten invitation just for you! I love the pairing of hand calligraphy with blue ink on this pink-y floral envelope.

This camera is just one of several designs included in her "Classic Cameras" stationery set available in her Etsy shop. I loved it! Also, don't forget to visit Margaret's blog, too.

MY HOMETOWN

Me - your tour guide!

Come along with me as I take you on a mini-tour of some of my hometown's architectural hotspots today. Yansy Checa of Designing Life graciously invited me to participate as a part of her ongoing"City Escapes" feature. Check it out here and have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. the quote print sale continues on my Etsy site until the end of tomorrow!

ARTQUIVER

ArtQuiver is a new and unique online art gallery. They believe that "everyone deserves to be surrounded by beautiful, inspiring works of original art. And that the marriage of the traditional art gallery with technology, transparency and the reach of the web makes this possible like never before." Their mission is to deliver an art buying venue that helps people find that perfect piece of original art. ArtQuiver uses technology and the web to successfully bridge the consumer-artist gap, helping buyers make their own unique artistic statement, while giving artists the worldwide reach they deserve. ArtQuiver is offering the first 5 Annechovie readers who order off the site a $100 dollar gift certificate, so be sure to visit and see what this new concept is all about! To receive your $100 off purchase price, apply this code during checkout: ac412

Visit ArtQuiver now and check it out for yourself!

THE INGLENOOK DECOR

I would like to introduce Annechovie's newest sponsor, The Inglenook Decor, a modern vintage decor site specializing in chic finds for your home.

Here are just a couple of items from The Inglenook Decor that caught my eye - these antique white lidded jars in a set of 3 - perfect for the kitchen, bathroom or anywhere you need some great looking storage!

How chic is this Shanghai Links pillow? Classic, yet cutting-edge at the same time.

The owner of The Inglenook Decor, Maureen Toribio, also authors a great blog, Ingletalk, with decor and design tips and inspiration.

These photos give you an idea of Maureen's style and her gift for mixing new with old and creating hip settings with flea market finds and stylish accessories. Please take a moment and visit The Inglenook Decor and shop their expansive selection.

Maureen's warm and inviting living room

Thanks to Maureen and The Inglenook Decor for their support and sponsorship! I am very excited to have them on board!!

QUOTE POSTER SALE!!!

This week only!! All quote posters are reduced from $25 to only $18!! Custom colors are available for an additional $5 - convo me on Etsy or email me here for custom orders. Sale ends August 22nd at 12:00 PM EST. Hurry and get yours now at my Etsy shop.

ROSY AT THE RINGLING

I snapped my mom last Summer on the Veranda of the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida. The entire estate is painted a beautiful rosy shade and the use of marble everywhere borders on the obscene. The architecture is stunning and the works of art by major Masters are amazing.

DON'T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN!

Lounging in the sun? Better think twice - at least it looks like he's been using SPF 70 on his face. I guess he doesn't look too bad, considering he's been around since 1581.

This shot was taken from my balcony looking down into the street - you can spot him in the center (bottom)

See what the elements can do to your skin when you don't protect yourself? This photo is of an ancient statue in Rome, Italy. It was located directly across the street from a flat I stayed in on via de Babuino. We referred to him as "Mossy Guy", but he is known as "il babuino" or "the baboon" because of his less-than-attractive appearance. He's located on the corner of via del Babuino and via dei Greci and is just one of a multitude of fountains in the city. You can read more about him and his fascinating, uniquely Italian history here. I hope that you all have a fantastic weekend!

BRIGHT, BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL

Thanks to the gracious Laura Trevey for her post this week on my work! Laura is a talented artist and blogger herself. Look for her upcoming feature here on Annechovie and, in the meatime, visit her lovely blog.