BLOGSTRESS CONVERSATION

This month on The Blogstress Network we're featuring the Philadelphia Blogstress chapter. * Last week our newest members Denise, Denine and LeAnne were featured; this week it's the founding blogstresses:  Lee, Barbara and yours truly.  Come visit us and find out a bit about why we started our blogs and how the network has helped us in the post "Continuing Conversation."

*By the way, we have a loose definition of chapter: basically meeting once a month for cocktails or coffee to offer each other support, advice and encouragement about our blogging endeavors.  If you are interested in organizing a chapter in your part of the world please email me or theblogstressnetwork@gmail.com.

Why the lips?  It's part of our logo and Blogstress Network motto:  Leave Your Mark on the World. (Studio 65 Boca sofa miniature via Vitra)

THE RED LIST: From Cute to Clever to Couture

From couture to clever to cute, here are a few more delights on my hot list this month:  

The Spring 2011 collection from Christian Dior.  Inspired by the drawings of Rene Gruau, stunning, sublime and yet wearable, too.  The New Look in a whole New Way.  (See the runway show, here.) .... Someone at Swanson Vineyards has a delightful sense of humor, adding clever names and bold, witty packaging to tasty wines.  The series includes choices for various holidays, but the "Expensive" Christmas Wine remains my fave .... When my 10-year-old niece, who devours books like candy, spied Henley: A New York Tail by Julie Muszynski amongst a stack of review titles in my office she immediately snatched it up.  We both agreed:  thumbs up for the cute tale of a prince of a pup living the good life in New York City.  With charming illustrations and interactive elements.  Yes, you could call it Puppy Love.

Christian Dior collection first spied on Nicolette Mason.  "Expensive" wine bottle image by John McJunkin courtesy Swanson Vineyards.  Henley: A New York Tail available through Glitterati Incorporated and Amazon.

RED HOT

Wishing each of you a red letter day, filled with love and sweet surprises.  And especially Happy Valentine's Day to my husband (that card above is for you!). 

I've written before about my preferred way to celebrate V-Day, and last year my sister contributed her recipe for a Family Dinner.  How about you?  What are your plans ... thoughts ... opinions ... on this holiday?

p.s.  If you haven't entered Style Maniac's red hot giveaway, be sure to do so by midnight tonight.  Good luck!

Card from Target.

THE SLOW SEDUCTION

"There is magic ... in the deep-jewel-colored room,
warm and mysterious, where you discover its many beauties
as you sit, seduced slowly."
-- Billy Baldwin

There are days when I want everything white, bright and simple.  Clearly this is not one of those days. Let me sink deep into garnet velvet sofas, caress gold silk tassels, bathe in amethyst light and turquoise glass, become bedazzled by bejewled headboards.  I'm in that kind of mood.

Photos 1 & 2 from Style Maniac's print archives. Credits lost at the moment, but I'm searching for them.  Bottom photo via Paris Hotel Petit-Moulin.

RED, SHE SAID

"Girls in red dresses?" he said
"With new social networks and couture fashion houses," she said.
"Romance and flowers?" he said.
"Stacks of books, abstract art, movie idols, chic sunglasses," she said.
"Wonderful blog posts to bring us from winter to spring?" he said.
"Red," she said.

{This month, on Style Maniac}

Photo here and in February masthead:
Gordon Parks for LIFE via My Vintage Vogue

RAMBLIN' RED

Forget flowers.
Here's what I want for Valentine's Day.
How about you? Tradition aside, whether wild and daring or sweet and simple,
what would you truly like your loved one to surprise you with this year?

Ramblin' Red by Patricia Burns