My Mélange

Miss Expatria: The Interview and Book Giveaway

 

I have recently had the pleasure of getting to know Christine, better known 'round the Internets as Miss Expatria. She writes the blog of the same name, as well as the hilarious blog, Unfortunate Hotels, which is a collection of the worst hotels on the web. 

For me, it was love at first read, because she loves travel (check), France (check) and Italy (checkmate).  She actually divides her time between France and Italy.  We haven't had the pleasure of meeting in person, yet, but that will all be changing, because as luck would have it we will both be in Rome at the end of May. So, be afraid Rome, be very afraid!! 

Christine has written a book, cleverly titled Miss Expatria, about her experiences leading up to and living in Italy and she was gracious enough to agree to an interview and give away a free copy of said book here on My Mélange- cause that's what we do here.  

And let me just say, that I think you should all run out and buy a copy of this book!  Now.  For those of you who don't want to wait, you can buy a copy of Miss Expatria in my Amazon Store.

Without further ado, here is our interview:

MM: Give us a brief synopsis of the book, if you would.

ME:  You know, I am a professional writer and this is the one thing I find so hard to summarize, because it's about ME. Let's give it a shot: In 2002 I broke up with my boyfriend of seven years, and moved to Italy two days later. Miss Expatria chronicles my time spent first in an empty palazzo by the sea, where I got my act together; and then in Rome, where I met the Gay Mafia; dated a Count; ate the most incredible food and lost 60 pounds; and fell in love with a writer who lived in the South of France and whom I met up with in Barcelona, Venice and Paris, among other places.  Then I lost my job, and was forced into exile in New York for a year. The book ends not only with my triumphant return to the Continent, but the epiphany I had upon stepping on Roman soil again about what is important in life.

MM:  How did the name Miss Expatria come about?

ME:  From my boyfriend, the aforementioned writer from the South of France. He's a master of brainstorming.  I wanted to call the book Cambio Change Wechsel, both because of the prevalence of the signs in popular tourist destinations and my addiction to changing everything from the layout of my bedroom to the course of my life. But, the name has come to personify for me who I want to be, who I am at my happiest moments, and who people that do not live the life I live perceive me to be.

MM:  Why do you refer to yourself as a travel guru? Why do you love travel so much?

ME:  Travel guru - that's just on my LinkedIn profile!  To use an ever-so-charming British term, I was taking the piss. I'm not good at being serious.  I prefer the tagline on my blog - The Internet's leading enabler of travel addiction - because I have the awesome power to make people make rash, fabulous travel decisions, and I am totally and completely drunk with that power.

Why do I love travel so much? I'm not sure why.  I was on the move from every three days to every six weeks or so during a significant portion of my childhood, when I was in two national touring companies of Annie; and then I didn't travel anywhere until I went to Paris when I worked for Ralph Lauren in my mid-20s. To me, being able to travel where I want, when I want and for how long I want is a huge, huge part of being a grown-up, while being strongly connected to the part of me that as a child fell in love with travel.

MM:   Why Italy?  What made you want to move and live there?

ME:  I first went to Rome in 1999, and it felt like home.  I left determined to move there.  But you'll have to read the book to find out more about that!  Cheeky, I am.

MM:  If you could give one piece of advice to expats, what would it be?

ME:  Learn the language.  Whether you're more comfortable assimilating or joining the expat community, it's absolutely essential you learn the language of your new home country.

MM:  What surprised you about living in Italy?  How does the real thing differ from what you had expected?

ME:  I had researched the hell out of living in Italy so nothing surprised me too much, nor did it differ greatly from what I was expecting.  However, if I had to name something, I would say the thing that continues to surprise and delight me is the utter kindness of the people I've met there. It stops me dead in my tracks and humbles me in a way nothing else ever has.

MM: You happen to divide your time between the two places on earth I am passionate about - France and Italy.  Could you tell me one thing you like and dislike about each of them?

ME:  Italy:  I love the people. I've met exactly one Italian I didn't care for. LITERALLY, ONE.  The thing I don't like about Italy, which has nothing to do with the country per se but is more the result of my being an ex-New Yorker, is the lack of 24-hour bodegas that sell everything you could ever need.

France: Love the bakeries. The only thing I can't stand about France that includes the entire country (Paris is perfect, and therefore normally excluded) would be the open contempt sales people have for their customers, whether in a store or on a customer service phone line.

MM: Espresso or cappuccino?

ME:  Ha! Neither!  I'm actually not a coffee drinker. But I do go through phases where I MUST HAVE  a latte macchiato in the morning - a tall glass of steamed milk with a shot of espresso, and enough sugar to kill a horse.

MM:  Wine, beer or cocktail?

ME:  Never beer; can't stand it. Wine, wine, wine or Veuve. But I do love me a good cocktail.

MM:  Favorite pasta?

ME:  My favorite pasta dish, hands down, is cacio e pepe. It's the chicken soup for my soul. I've had a lot of fancy and ridiculously good pasta dishes in my time, but cacio e pepe is the one I could eat every day for the rest of my life. I usually have to make someone take it away from me, because I'll eat it until it's gone - no matter how much of it there is.

MM:  What places are on your list to visit that so far have eluded you?

ME:  That crazy blue of Alaskan glaciers looks so fake in pictures that it's something I will have to see with my own eyes to believe.  I want to stay in one of those cottages that stick out over the water in the South Pacific. I want my friend Anu, who understands the complexities of my Golden Days of the Raj obsession, to show me India. 

Three big things on my list - Sicily, the Italian lakes region and the lavender fields of Provence - I'm visiting this summer!

MM:  What one website or blog (other than mine of course) do you have to visit everyday and why? You know, the one you would die without?

ME:  I absolutely cannot live without Free Will Astrology. I've been reading it every Wednesday since before the Internet was invented, back when it was printed in the Village Voice. Rob does away with the "You'll fall in love next Thursday" crap and instead feeds my constant need for inspiration.

***

Now for the deets on the contest.

All you need to do is leave a comment on this post between now and midnight on April 1st!  I will select a winner using the Random Number Generator on April 2nd.  The winner's copy of Miss Expatria, with its sexy black cover and hot pink text will be on its way shortly after!

Thanks to Miss Expatria for the interview and the book- and good luck to you all!!  Now get commenting!

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Oh, and before I let you go, I wanted to let you know that Miss Expatria needs your help with something.  She has entered a contest to win her dream assignment, but she needs enough votes to qualify.  You can help by clicking this link, signing up and then VOTING!!  And tell all your friends to vote too!!

My Melange Sent Me Round Up

Well, I am happy to report that my idea wasn't a total bust!

We did get two, count 'em two whole entries for the My Melange Sent Me event.

Sure, one was a dual entry, but hey, whose counting?

So, without further ado I present the round up, slim as it may be.

First, we have Meredith, who lives in the beautiful South of France.

She is the author of the blog, Poppy Fields.  Isn't that a lovely, cheerful name for a blog?

She submitted this glorious photo taken in Aix en Provence.  It shows the Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins.

Jessica, who authors WhyGoItaly and Julie who authors WhygoFrance sent a dual photo from Jess's kitchen near Portland Oregon.  Thanks to the BootsnAll crew!

Jessica was quick to point out that both Italy (the pizza) and France (the Provençal tablecloth) were represented!  And check out the tri-lingual sign!  Impressive, girls!

And who could forget Joe, who originally sent this photo.

Thanks too all who participated!  

I'll started a Flickr group so that if I receive new entries from time to time you can check in and see where people have been.

I wonder where My Melange Sent Me will send you next?!

It's a Pizza Throwdown!

Yes, sir! My sister challenged me to a Pizza Throwdown.  And it wouldn't be like me not to accept.

So this past weekend, we met up at my Mother's house, secret recipes and ingredients in hand. 

It. Was. On.  Eat your heart out Bobby Flay!

Mom and Chris were to be judges- and we would all eat the entries for dinner, with wine of course.

Sis never actually revealed her exact recipe- so the info I have is from sight and info that my mom has sneaked me about her pie.

Some basic notes first.

1.  We both used already-made dough bought from our local store, which is above average.

2.  We used a pizza stone to cook the dough.

Sister's Pizza

Newman's Own Tomato Sauce

Sliced Red Peppers

Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Lots of Chopped Basil

Sliced Mushrooms

A blend of Goat, Mozzerella, and two other *mystery* cheeses

*VS*

My Pizza

Smashed Grape Tomatoes

Red Pepper Flakes

Fresh Garlic

 Baby Arugula

Kalamata Olives

Salt and Pepper

Shaved Pecorino-Romano Cheese

Good Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar for drizzling

Some tasting notes:

**  My sister's dough was excellent!!  She is an awsome dough-thrower, she would put any Italian pizza thrower to shame!  She literally slams the dough onto the counter about 30 times to get the air out and then takes it in her hands and stretches it, round and round until the disk is large enough.  Her whole process took about 30 minutes, but her dough was as impressive as her skills.

I could shoot myself for not getting pictures of how cute she was making the dough.  They would have made a great addition to this post.

** My dough was horrible.  A downright hot mess! Chris usually rolls our dough and yes we use a rolling pin- but since he was under the weather, and didn't want to contaminate the pizza, the rolling duty was left to me. Big Mistake.  After struggling to morph the dough into any recognizable shape- the cavalry (my sis) had to come in and save me.  It took her several more tries to rescue my dough and by the time she did, I am afraid it was overworked and tough.

** Both pizzas tasted very good.  Both judges agreed that they were too different to judge in the same category.  If you like your pizza crunchy, healthy and light- like a salad on a crust, then you would like mine. If you like your pizza crust a little softer, but loaded with bold flavors and cheesy, then you would like my sister's.

Honestly, I liked them both.  Very much.  But for very different reasons.  The judges called it a tie.

If I had to pick, I would have picked my sisters, especially because of the crust.  But I will surely make mine again.  And again.

Which do you think you would pick?  What's on your favorite Pizza?

World Nutella Day 2009

Can you believe it has been a year already since the Nutella events of 2008? 

We gather here today as lovers of Nutella, the chocolate-hazelnut spread that is worshiped by those who indulge 'round the world!

People all over the globe are celebrating today in whatever fashion they choose.  Some may be shoveling it in by the spoonfull-straight from the jar, others have slaved over step-by-step recipes to produce an elaborate Nutella dish.

In our house, Nutella goes so quickly, that we would rarely have enough to make the necessary cut for a recipe.  If we are actually thinking of what to do with Nutella, we usually just do something simple and uncomplicated.  Like spreading it on slices of apples, or using it as the filling for a crêpe.  

Sometimes, it just takes glimse of the label, enticing me to partake by calling my name from the pantry. On stressful days or days where the craving is so great- often the spoon just dives right into the jar and into the open mouth. 

Look- I never said is was pretty- just damned good!

Today I will be sharing one of my favorites, Grilled Nutella Sandwiches. 

Requiring only three ingredients makes them easy-peasy to make, yet delicious to eat.

Grilled Nutella Sandwiches

Italian Ciabatta Bread

Strawberries

Nutella Spread

Cut 2 slices of bread for every sandwich- 1 inch thick.

Heat a grill pan over high heat.  When very hot, place bread diagonally on the pan.  Place another heavy pan atop the bread to ensure you get those purty grill marks.

Meanwhile, slice your strawberries and set aside.

Turn bread when grill marks appear and grill the other side the same way.

Remove bread.

Spread gobs of nutella on both slices of bread while bread is still hot.  This encourages melting.  Place sliced strawberries on one slice of bread. Place the other slice on top and cut in half.

Mangia!

There is just something about the combination of the crunchy ciabatta, the sweet berries and the thick ooey-gooey finger-lickin' melty goodness of the Nutella that make this something extra special.

Oh, what say you?  You don't like strawberries?

No problem- why not substitute bananas?

Today, however you indulge, and indulge I hope you do, enjoy your Nutella!  And lick every morsel from the tips if your fingers...cause this stuff's so good- you would never want any to go to waste!

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And don't forget to tune in for the Nutella Round-up!!  On Monday Februrary 9th you can see all the fabulous entries submitted for World Nutella Day 2009 by visiting both Bleeding Espresso and Ms. Adventures in Italy.

You can also follow along on Twitter @NutellaDay, World Nutella Day Group on Facebook, and you can see photos at the Nutella Day Flickr Pool.

Happy Nutella Day everyone!!

It's Coming...World Nutella Day 2009

Today, I am taking a bit of a breather on the blog.

Actually, all the work is being done behind the scenens.

Tomorrow is World Nutella Day, and Nutella lovers all over the world are preparing today.

Yep, planning our recipe, shopping, baking, taking photos and writing our blog posts for the big event tomorrow.  Oh and lots of samplin' going on!

So, while the work is being done, I will offer you a few Nutella related tidbits to entertain you!

Read my entry last year for World Nutella Day 2008.

Bleeding Espresso has written  Top Ten Signs Your Are Addicted to Nutella.

What say you?  Never tried Nutella?  Well, Ms. Adventures in Italy has a piece for Nutella Virgins on 50 Ways to eat Nutella.

See you all tomorrow for the Big Day!!  It'll be all over the web.  On Twitter, on Facebook, on blogs and even on Flickr!  

Come visit tomorrow, and spread the word like you spread your Nutella- generously!

Do you love Nutella?  Are you participating tomorrow?  Are you ready?

Contests and Giveways Galore!

First and foremost, I want to again thank Claudia for giving her time and for coming back to try and answer all of your questions.  I love that about her.  I think we both consider ourselves nice and helpful people who like to conversate with our readers!

Next, I would like to thank all of you who stopped by to read the interview and enter to win the book. Honestly (and I know that Claudia feels the same way) I wish I could send each and every one of you a copy of her book- you sure deserve it!  Really, you do.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of your lovely and inspiring comments.  I know some of you are new to my blog and I intend to visit each and every one of your blogs (if you have one of course) in the very near future.

I just *love* making new friends.

But, alas, for this contest anyway, there can only be one winner. I will not make you wait any longer.

The winner, as selected by the Random Number Generator, is Pam!!!

Congratulations Pam!  

Pam, please forward me along your full name and addy { please email me at mymelange(at)yahoo(dot)com} so that we can get your signed copy of The Paris Apartment in the mail for you.  Hopefully, you will have it in time for Christmas. 

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And because we are all in the giving spirit, the giving continues...

 I was lucky enough to win a darling necklace from my friend Shelbi.  Shelbi has an Etsy shop, called ShopMarigold and she makes the sweetest jewelry.  You can have a little looksie here at my prize, which I can't wait to wear around the holidays.  

And while you are at it, why not have a little peekie at her other jewelry for sale.  You just might find a little bauble perfect for a holiday gift  Or better yet-for yourself!

It just so happens that a blogger is hosting another giveaway for something in her shop, a beautiful pair of blue cloisonné earrings!  So, head on over to Shelbi's blog, The Keeper of the Chocolates (what a scrumptious name for a blog, don't you think?) to find out the details of that giveaway.

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Oh, no, we can't stop now.  We are on a contest kinda roll.....

My Italian lovin' blog buddies, Joe from Italyville and Maryann from Finding La Dolce Vita are hosting a special food blog event to virtually celebrate the traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner.  It is called Seven Fishes Feast.  

You have until the 18th to make and send a fish recipe and photo in.  Once you do, you will be entered into the drawing for a delicious fully-stocked basket of authentic Italian products and a copy of the book, The Feast Of the Seven Fishes.  

Happy shopping, cooking and contest entering everybody!

And one last note.  There is so much left to do before the holidays.  There is shopping, baking, decorating wrapping and of course, partying.  In order to get it all done, I have to ease off  the gas a bit, before I have a Christmas Coronary. 

 I will not be sticking to my regular 5 day a week schedule from now until after  the New Year. I will still be posting, but it will be less than 5 days and it will be random days.  That being said...

I will be back tomorrow for Travel Tip Tuesday.  I'll give you some stocking stuffer ideas for travelers!

Interview and Book Giveaway : The Paris Apartment

This is quite a surreal experience for me.  I have owned, no worshiped, the book The Paris Apartment for the last 8 years.  I have referred to it on many occassions.  Then one day the author made a comment on my little ole blog on a post about the Vanves flea market in Paris.  I was tickled pink, though I had to pinch myself and shriek like a little girl whose Daddy just bought her the pony she'd always wanted. I had to call Chris over to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

I answered her comment.  Soon we were emailing back and forth and a fast cyber-friendship was born as only could be in the world wide bloggosphere.  I remain both grateful and stunned.  Really.

One of the reasons I love Claudia (yes, there are many),  is that she is my poster child for successfully managing many facets of a business.  She is an author, business owner, designer, blogger, Flea Market tour guide, consultant and a fellow Francophile.

As someone who has many creative passions, but grew up with others judging me, telling me that I was too scattered-brained and that I needed to focus on only one thing-I appreciate that she has proven those naysayers wrong!  It is ok to have your eggs in more than one basket.  Frankly, I know myself well enough that I would be bored doing just one thing-as I am sure Claudia would too.

I feel in this respect we are kindred spirits.  Soul sisters, if you will.

So, without further ado...

As promised, here is my long-awaited interview with Claudia from The Paris Apartment.  Don't forget to read all the way through to the end, where you will find the details of the contest and book giveaway.

***

What is the first memory you have of being creative? 

Rearranging my bedroom furniture at around 9…my parents were shocked I’d moved some pretty large pieces!

How did you fall in love with Paris?  

Ah, true love…I guess it started while traveling with my family (dad worked for Air France), then sank in after college when I discovered the fleamarkets.  

What can I say, I’m human, and her spell was cast! It’s definitely a love affair that hasn’t faded in the least.

How old were you when you made your first trip there and what spoke to you most on that first trip? 

Most of my early memories were kept alive cause my Dad took films of our travels. I think seeing them over the years has planted a seed cause it was pretty picturesque. 

He got us at the top of Notre Dame, sitting on the gargoyles, and sailing boats in the fountain at the Luxembourg Gardens.

When did you know you could make a living from your passion? 

As soon as I thought of the name! It helped me define my direction and point of view. Up until that point, I had a mishmash of ideas but nothing specific.

How did The Paris Apartment come about?

In 1993 I quit the corporate world and rented a store in NYC. I had no idea what it would be, other than Claudia’s Clutter and it was a hodge podge of furniture from my parent’s attic and the flea. 

Once the name hit me it was like I knew exactly what to do. The store was only 300 square feet so I had to focus on something specific. I was fascinated by all things boudoir and saw it as a fun, untapped niche market.

What was harder than you expected when you first went into business?

Keeping Books!

There are so many facets to your business.  You ran a retail store, you do flea market trips, interior design consults and makeovers, you wrote a book, you write a blog and now you are designing and selling your own furniture. Which is your favorite and why?

It’s sort of a curse cause I only put a layer on each here and there. It’s a part of entrepreneurship I guess, so much to do with only so much creative time. 

I wish I could focus more on each cause I do love working on them all. My blog is the most fun probably, since it’s interactive and my bloggers give me so much love.

It’s a great creative outlet for no reason at all except pleasure.

What are you currently working on?  What is new and in the works? 

I have about 6 books in the works, everything from Apartments in Paris to Bachelor Boudoirs. I never seem to finish any of them which is a bit frustrating! 

Officially in the works is a furniture line called Boudoir Noir, based on designs from old movies and stills. We hope to debut it at the Maison et Objet next year. 

The new web boutique will be launching any day and we’re introducing a line of unfinished furniture. The list goes on and on, everything’s a work in progress!

What is one thing you haven’t done, but hope to do one day? 

Have a great partnership and create an affordable organic furniture and bedding line with a major manufacturer. 

Your work inspires many, including myself.  Where does a talent like you get your inspiration? 

Wow, thank you! I get inspiration everywhere, from nature to magazines, graffiti and architectural details.

I read everything I can and watch old films, listen to 20’s music and surf the web. I love to learn about other cultures’ dances, traditions, colors and heritages. 

What advice can you give other creative souls out there about making a career out of doing what you love? 

Don’t judge it by how much money you make, judge it by whether you want to do it everyday.

I’d suggest getting someone to do the books while you’re out being fabulously free and focused on your art. 

Follow your instincts and you’ll create a signature that’s completely unique.

Get as much publicity as possible and try to focus on something specific you can be known for. Be a big fish in a small pond!

Can you share a debacle or a lesson you learned from a bad experience? 

Oh, well I face and try to dodge debacles everyday! I guess my greatest lesson is to put things in writing.

Quality control has been my biggest challenge because I manufacturer all over the world and can’t always see the finished product before it goes out.  If there’s an error, it’s a domino effect creating mega debacles.

And I loathe debacles! 

We all know you love flea markets.  Which is your favorite and why? 

I adore the NY flea but it’s in peril and may close this year. In Paris I’d have to say Clignancourt cause after all these years I’ve finally learned all of the nooks and crannies. 

Now I know where the bargains are, and they’re the best in the world!

It’s a city of its own with a history and heritage that’s treasured by Parisians. I’ve been collecting early pictures of it for a book…See, just another work in progress!

What has been your most fabulous, most extraordinary, deal of the century bargain from a flea market?  What did you do with it? 

Everything at the Paris fleamarket is an extraordinary deal of the century in my mind! But for the really wild stuff, I always seem to find those pieces when shopping with clients. 

I try to be gracious not let them know I’m freaking inside! Last week I finally scored a pair of chairs for $20 each from a ratty FL thrift shop. 

People were offering me hundreds for them on the way out but  I think I’ll enjoy them at home for a while. 

How about the strangest thing you have seen at a flea market?

Fleas are microcosms for strange things aren’t they? For me it was a  70’s photo album of a woman who was a sort of sex symbol wanna be. She was lounging all over her very fancy and frilly apartment.

The one consistent prop in every shot was her taxidermy stuffed cat. She put it everywhere from on her lap to the top of the highboy. Seeing it in the same position over a hundred times was a dead giveaway!

When you see something you love when shopping for a client, do you have a hard time parting with it?  Do you often keep it and look for something else for the client instead?

I’ve tried not to get too attached to things and if there’s one then there’s probably another somewhere close by. I always let the client have the piece cause I can’t keep it all! 

Where else have you lived besides NY and Florida?  Do you ever dream of living in Paris? 

I grew up in NJ (my parents are still in the house) and went to college in PA. I lived as an au pair in Paris after college but since then I’ve been stateside. 

I do dream of living there, or at least having an apartment when I visit! But then again, everywhere I go in the world  I think, “I could live here”!

Are you fluent in French?

Not at all, but somehow I manage, it comes pretty easily. I brush up before I go by watching French movies and listening to it on the radio.

What are the things that you can’t miss doing when visiting Paris? 

Laduree,  hitting every single flea, the Marais, croissants, BHV, a picnic on the bridge, exploring a new neighborhood, and riding the bus aimlessly.

What is your favorite area/arrondissement of Paris?

I’d have to say the Marais because it has so much history as it’s the oldest part of the city. It feels like a little village and has at least 3 glorious mansions that were homes to the great Salon Hostesses of  the day. 

What is your favorite food to eat in Paris?  

I love sandwiches on baguettes. I usually get tuna or egg and tomato. Not sure how I don’t gain weight cause everyday I get a croissant,  a café au lait, an entire baguette and bottle of wine.

Sometimes I share that!  I love to cook when I’m there so I make pasta salad or fish if I’m renting an apartment.

Do you have a favorite restaurant or café? 

I love all the Costes Brothers’ restaurants and cafes. There are a few at the Hotel Costes, the Louvre, and Le Boudoir on Rue de Rivoli.

There are tons of others too, we find them everywhere. Some are designed by Jacques Garcia so there’s the double pleasure of beautiful decor and a great meal.

If you could have dinner with one person dead/alive who would it be and why? 

Tough question! Probably Josephine Baker. I love her life. Her spirit and struggle and the way she broke barriers and boundaries inspires me. 

I’d like to ask her about her life and times. Of course, Madame Pompadour ties with her and I’d ask her all the same questions!

Of all my accomplishments, I am proudest of…

Hmmm, that’s interesting cause it’s a bit therapeutic. I guess I should feel I’ve accomplished something, so let me think. 

I guess that I haven’t given up and have managed to work on this just about every day for over a decade. 

And it’s been a job I created and maintain, so there’s that.

There’s so much I want to do and don’t seem to ever really accomplish much of anything in my opinion. Maybe I’ll rethink that, thanks!

The economy has taken a sharp downturn here in the US, what advice can you offer folks on a tight budget about decorating rooms in their homes in The Paris Apartment style?

*Minimize and edit. It’s a good time to downsize to just the things you adore and have meaning to you.

*More than adding to a room, sometimes what’s needed is to take something away (same principal when Coco Chanel says to take off one piece of jewelry before you go out)

*Even in a bad economy you can have the best of everything. Start with your bedding.

*Satisfy your shopping urges by supporting the fleamarkets where you can get bargains on vintage pillowcases and linens.

*Shop for linens and dishes at places like Marshall’s and Ikea for staples like rugs and bookshelves.

*At local fabric shops, cottons, velvets, shirting are just a couple dollars a yard. You can completely change the vibe by making curtains yourself (use ironing tape if you don’t want to sew).  If you’re in NY then there’s the garment district, in the burbs there’s Wal Mart or Jo Ann fabrics. 

*Paint your ceiling an old traditional color like turquoise or Chinese red, or just pearly over white.

*Add a great plant to set a tone. Potted Bamboo is really striking and mod.

*Rearrange what you have and use items you normally save for special occasions. Everyday is one!

***

Thank You so much Claudia, for agreeing to the interview.  It was a pleasure learning more about you!  We have so many things in common (keeping books!?), it is no wonder we are friends.

Now comes the fun part.  It is your turn to leave a comment or a question for Claudia below and you will be entered into the drawing.  Claudia has graciously agreed to give away a signed copy of her extraordinary book, The Paris Apartment!

You have until midnight EST on Saturday, December 13th.  The winner will be announced on Monday December 15th!

Bonne Chance!

Fun with Words

Or should I say Wordle.   My fellow francophile friend Claudia over at The Paris Apartment had these cool word clouds over on her blog. I decided to play around and these are a few my creations.  

This is too cool.  But consider yourself forewarned.  This is addictive.  You could spend hours playing around on this.  

Perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon!

Wanna play?  Please do.  And if you do, please tell me so in the comments so that I can come see your Wordle Word Cloud!

Have fun playing!!

Just back from.....

 
                                                photo courtesy of gonewport.com

Newport! 

That's right.

It was Newport, Rhode Island. 

Janie was the clever girl who guessed it first.  Your little gift will be on it's way amica mia!

Thanks to all of you for your participation!!

Since there is so much more than one posts worth to tell about Newport (and only about 200 photos), I think I will have several Newport features over the next few weeks.

Stay tuned!

Gone Fishin'

Well, maybe not actually fishing.  But, I am celebrating the Fourth with a four day weekend away.

Whoohoo!!   Lord knows, I need it!

The picture above was taken a few years back in Booth Bay Harbour, Maine.

It is not where I am, but it is quite similar. And you know how I love a good guessing game. 

So, I thought we might have a little Fourth of July fun (yes, I know it's the fifth), but bear with me. 

Here are some clues to my whereabouts.... 

• 22 other cities in the US share it's name
• There are multiple lighthouses
• The first US circus was held here
• A famous icon lived and was married here
• I'll be able to stroll along the street where the first gas illuminated streetlamp stood
• Lobsta and chowda grace almost every menu
• Tennis, Polo and Golf have been enjoyed here by the wealthy
• Home to one of the oldest surviving taverns in the US
• My America's Cup will runneth over

So, there you have it. I hope I have given you enough info, but haven't given it away!  

Think you know where I am? 

Leave your answer in the comments. The first person with the correct answer wins a little prize. Maybe it will be a little souvenir from my trip.

And of course, I will give you a full report on my weekend destination when I get back.

Have a great Holiday weekend and good luck!!