ANNECHOVIE ABSTRACT?
In the past few months, I've been working in an entirely new style for a change and as an exercise to "loosen up" and explore some different avenues artistically speaking. It's very different for me, but fun and freeing at the same time. I decided to finally (and a bit sheepishly) show this piece via the blog. It's larger than most of my work at 30 x 15 x 1.5" and far more textured with many layers on the canvas.
LIFE ENHANCING DISCOVERIES
This stuff I discovered at Costco is phenomenal......notice my 2 lb. jar is empty......it lasted me for a couple of months. I force myself to ration it.
Pandora is my go-to when I'm on my PC.....which is a healthy chunk of my day. My 2 favorite stations I created are currently Kathryn Scott and Stan Getz.
One of my healthiest friends has pointed out that almonds with this much ahem, "seasoning" lose some of their nutritional value, but I can't help it.....these are just so good.
photo courtesy of the Food Network
Sauteed Spinach with garlic is something I eat several nights a week. I buy a giant tub of organic spinach every week and am earning the nickname "Popeye" in a hurry. Ina Garten (whom I wish I could adopt as an aunt, she is so utterly likable) has a terrific recipe here, although I substitute canola oil for the butter (so I can can meet my butter quota while eating the toffee in the top photo, without having to get my pants altered!)
So, what's making your life better these days? Any great finds to share with me? Have a nice weekend!
GREENPIECE
As many of you may know by now, I have a distinct fondness for chairs and have to stop myself from painting them continually. Once in a while I give in and here is a painting I just finished! The original is available now in my shop and so are prints!
MORE PERFECT PEONIES.......
In the vein of my ongoing obsession with peonies, today these amazingly authentic looking beauties are available on One Kings Lane. Go here to join for free and purchase.
TIFFANY BLUE RE-DO
From this to
THIS
I bought this shelving unit at West Elm several years ago - it's a great workhorse as it holds a LOT and I never get tired of the clean lines and simplicity of the design. The finish was a little worse-for-wear and I thought it was time for a little color. I found a color that was "Tiffany box-ish" yet not too strong. It turned out well and I was very pleased with the semi-lacquered finish and the dose of color it gives to my studio space. The only drawback was that there were a million flat surfaces to cover with my small roller and many coats to apply. Shampoo, lather, repeat and so on......BUT the results were worth it! Are you contemplating a furniture re-do in the near future?
A PERFECT MATCH FOR YOU
I am now offering personalized monogram matches in 2 different designs!
The popular orange chair silhouette design and the red chinoiserie chair. They come in sets of 9 boxes each and are perfect to have around the house or give as a one-of-a-kind gift! Get yours here.
ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!
FRENCH PERFUMES and PAINT BRUSHES
I just wanted to share a commission I recently completed for a client who created 2 signature fragrances, Ellie and Ellie Nuit, with a second-generation French perfumer who has worked with top French design houses Dior, Hermes and Rochas.
These exquisite bottles and perfumes are made in France and sold both abroad and here in the US at places like Fred Segal and Henri Bendel. You can find out more at her website here.
Whether it's your home, child, pet or a perfume you created, I would be honored to capture the beauty of it for you. Contact me for more information here.
NEW & BLUE
Welcome to August! There's a lot going on this month for me and I hope that the rest of you are enjoying what remains of the Summer (or Winter, for all of you readers in the lower hemisphere!)
NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT.......
I recently discovered this great little tissue holder for the car. Keeps your tissue in a convenient place without cluttering up your console or requiring you to go hunting and hazard your life/other lives in the process! This fetching design, along with a myriad of others, is available here.
Also, when you purchase something like this from an indie Etsy crafter/artist you are supporting creatives who would otherwise go mad from working some sort of inane job and suppressing their creativity. Thereby, I think it safe to say that you just might be saving their sanity or, dare I say, their very life......you never know. Regardless, it makes you feel a little more heroic while you spend money.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
JCREW FALL SPLASH
I am a longtime fan of J Crew and an even bigger fan of color! I'm not one of those who believes that color should be reserved for Spring & Summer and that we should be limited to dreary hues the rest of the year. Non-Summer is when you most need a spark of life and warmth in your daily routine. Pretty stupid to go with the archaic mindset of a Winter drab uniform and deny yourself a little cheer. Here are a few new pieces from J Crew for Fall/Winter that caught my eye and would add a little punch to the grayer months. Check out the Fall scene at J Crew.
ESPRESS YOURSELF.......
Welcome to a new week! I cannot believe it's already the last week of July....
I hope that you had a nice weekend. Things on my end have been very busy, to say the least.
Today I am adding a brand-new quote print to my store - in 4 different color combos.
*It's also available framed - just purchase a frame a' la carte here with your print and it will arrive framed and ready-to-hang!
PRIMELE
I have always loved stationery and the accoutrements that go with it. Growing up, I was far more attached to office supplies, stickers, paper and art materials than any doll or stuffed animal. I guess that nothing much has changed and I am still just as much a sucker for such things. Take this gorgeous custom address stamp from Etsy seller Primele available here. Absolutely beautiful!
HERE'S HOPING THAT YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
HERE'S HOPING THAT YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
PEONIES ON WEDNESDAY
Hope you're having a good week! Just sending along a snapshot of some prized peonies I was able to get my hands on last month. I enjoyed every moment of their fleeting beauty!
WE HAVE A WINNER!
Congratulations to Bette of Ideezine blog! She has won the Saffron Marigold give-away and was chosen by random.org. She will be receiving 2 cushion covers of her choice. A huge thanks to Saffron Marigold for sponsoring this give-away and for all of you who participated!
HAMPTON DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE
Photo by Julie Fitzgerald
This week marks the opening of the 2011 Hampton Designer Showhouse presented by Traditional Home Magazine to benefit Southampton Hospital.
This year’s Showhouse will take place in Bridgehampton, NY and will open with a Gala Preview Cocktail Party on Saturday, July 23rd and will run daily from Sunday, July 24th to Sunday, September 4th.
The honorary chairman of this year's showhouse is Mario Buatta, with co-chairmen Jamie Drake and
Alexa Hampton. I won't be able to make it, but look forward to seeing photos, especially since one of my favorite designers, Meg Braff, is involved in the design! Go here for more info and directions.
AMAZING BOOKS, STELLAR DEALS
If you're a fan of great books, like me, check out some of the amazing deals today on Joss and Main right here!
AUSTRALIAN CHAPEL
I wanted to share a recent commission I completed for an Australian client who also happens to be a fellow blogger. This is the charming country chapel where Nicole of First House on the Right was married. I'd like to thank Nicole for the very gracious post she wrote!
Please remember that I am available for commission to paint the church or venue where you married, as well as your home, pet or favorite person! Please don't hesitate to contact me for details and pricing here.
Have a great weekend and don't forget to relax a little!
SLIM GOODBODY
I am loving this new line of tables, shelves and desks from Room & Board - The "Slim" Series.
The cheery colors, the clean lines, the minimalistic chic, all add up to great style. The real predicament would be narrowing down the choices. Check out the whole line here.
Here are many more great choice for living room furniture online as well.
SAFFRON MARIGOLD GIVE-AWAY
Saffron Marigold is a luxury, handmade linen company that prides itself in hand workmanship, fair trade practices and traditional style. Each piece of linen is painstakingly hand printed from wooden blocks that are created by hand in a labor-intensive carving process. All of the handcrafted linens sold on Saffron Marigold have sound karma, meaning that, while Saffron Marigold is a for profit small business, they are fully committed to arts and crafts revival and Fair Trade as a means to safeguard traditional crafts, create employment, and promote economic self-sufficiency. They have graciously offered to sponsor a give-away for my wonderful readers here on Annechovie . The winner will be given their choice of two gorgeous cushion covers.
All you have to do to enter is to visit the site and look over their range of gorgeous textiles for the home. While you're there, check out the cushion covers and come back here, leaving a comment letting us know which 2 you love best and become a follower of my blog, or let me know you already are. Make sure that your comment is linked to your email address, or I will not be able to contact you if you're the winner
The Winner will be chosen by Random.org at Midnight EST on July18th (U.S. addresses only, please).