Red Hot Kitchens

The perfect place for cooking up something hot and spicy.

Image 1 - My Home Ideas Image 2 - Martha Stewart Image 3 - House & Leisure Image 4 - Aimee Herring Image 5 - Unknown Image 6 - Douglas Friedman

the top ten essentials for an inner joie de vivre...

Last week I wrote about the top ten beauty essentials from a practical point of view. These physical treatments and routines are useless without a level of inner well-being. Nothing makes us look and feel more beautiful, more womanly and more desirable than a positive and happy outlook on life. True beauty is never exclusively about appearance or material goods...I think we all know and appreciate that...but knowing something and finding our way is not always one and the same. How is it that some woman manage to achieve a level of beauty that transcends the physical? There are certain attributes to admire and to strive for and if we manage to incorporate some of these in our daily lives then we are well on the way to finding our hidden beauty.

Number 1...Caring

The person that cares about others radiates beauty. Loyalty, compassion, interest, patience and time are invaluable ways to show that we are not purely self-seeking and self-interested. Taking the time to maintain our friendships is an easy neglect. How often do we have all the best intentions but fail on the follow through? Communication is the key to relationships and relationships are the key to our intellectual, spiritual and emotional happiness.

Number 2...Contentment

If there was one virtue that I would like to conquer it would be contentment. To be contented with ourselves is paramount in our quest for beauty. Every year my resolution is to be more accepting of myself, of others...bury judgement and criticism... no one is perfect and least of all ourselves. 

Number 3...Happiness

A happy woman is a beautiful woman. A smile instead of a frown brightens the face and engages others. Happy people are contagious, we all want to bask in their light, benefit from their personality. Happiness can sometimes be elusive and sometimes we forget how to be happy.....Happiness requires work, it's not a given and it should never be taken for granted.

Number 4...Self-Confidence

The really big one. A self-confident woman is the most attractive of all. This is where the French girls have it all over us, they radiate self-confidence and even if underneath they may not be as robust as they appear, self-confidence, begets self-confidence. Confidence and the exuding of it is a cycle and sometimes a viscous one; the less confident we appear, the less confident we become. Confidence is about security; a lack of self-confidence is about insecurity. Break that cycle and beauty is in the palm of our hands. 

Number 5...Laughter

Is there anything more lovely than hearing laughter? Is there anything better that a good laugh? Giggles, hoots, weak at the knees, side splitting, bellyaching laughs are as rejuvenating as any spa treatment. Even medical researchers have found beneficial links between good health and laughter.

Number 6...Learning

Learning should never stop...it's not a privilege of the young nor a badge of the old. Learning should happen on a daily basis... we should be inquisitive and exercise our brains and challenge our minds. The subject matter of what we learn is less important than fostering our curiosity. Learning means we are active contributors in our lives and the lives of others and that promotes better communications, stronger friendships and greater self-confidence. 

Number 7...Flexibility

Mental flexibility is as equally important as physical flexibility. Change - making it and facing it - is a positive. To embrace change is empowering, to be frightened means our lives remain static....we are the losers. Change enriches our lives, keeps our thinking young and our minds stimulated...A joie de vivre is nothing less than beautiful.

Number 8...Generosity

Generosity means giving selflessly and from the heart...not giving to reap our own rewards. Generosity in every part of our lives means being intuitive, simpatico and sensitive to the needs of others. Easier said than done..Like a moth to a flame, a generous soul is the most tantalising.

Number 9...Communication

Talk, share and connect with others. No talking means a lack of understanding and that is when misconceptions, doubts and insecurities arise. Communication is a two sided coin...to talk means to listen and there is nothing as irresistible as a good listener.

Number 10...Centred

To find our inner well-being, our equilibrium, our centre... is to amalgamate all of the above. A calm and centred woman is a graceful woman.

If we manage to practice all or any of these qualities then our good fortune will be a guaranteed success....add in a few French wardrobe basics, a couple of extra extravagances, an essential treatment or two and our beauty will know no bounds...

Note to self...read what you write...and start working....xv

my daily click HERE

image  - vicki archer

Love .... Anglepoise Lamps

Image 1 - Douglas Friedman Image 2 - Elle Decor Images 3&4 - House & Leisure Image 5 - Angus Fergusson Image 6 - Rebecca Duke

I Love

I love these stylish patterned paper bags from Sweet Estelle's Baking Supply. They would be great for holding candies, treats and small gifts. The best part is you get 30 for only $7.50 {what a great deal}...Happy Shopping Everyone!

Currently Loving: Artesian Bar by David Collins

London-based David Collins is one of my favorite designers in the world.I usually don’t think twice about a person calling his or herself a decorator or a designer, but for anyone who might be wondering, Mr. Collins is a designer in the true sense of the word. He doesn’t just plan and decorate spaces, he also designs furniture, lighting and offers branding and architectural design as part of his services, creating something beautiful from nothing. The man is a creative genius. Time and time again, I am blown away by the sophisticated, glamorous spaces her creates. I constantly look forward to seeing new projects from him and it always feels like Christmas when I come across a new project of his. The Artesian Bar at the Langham Hotel in London is no exception. Every last detail in this bar is stunning from the lighting to the lavender color palette and the Asian influences that are evident throughout the space.

Take a look at the gorgeous details in this shot. The mirror inlay on the walls is beyond! Everything is so rich and sumptuous. Other cities should take note as London has some of the best design hotels, restaurants, and bars in the world and the Artesian certainly falls into that category. Perhaps Mr. Collins should take his talents to cities like Madrid which offer a very small selection of design destinations as I recently discovered while planning our upcoming trip.

Things take a slightly more classic turn in the Artesian’s bathrooms where Mr. Collins has opted for clean lines and timeless finishes. Is anyone else feeling inspired to hop on a plane to London to experience this gorgeous space in person? I’ll be at the bar!

 

{Image Source: David Collins Studio}

Reflecting on the Outdoors

Another place for a beautiful mirror - outside!

Image 1 - New York Times Images 2&6 - Unknown Image 3 - Elle Decor Image 4 - Atlantic Interior Design Image 5 - House Beautiful

Love .... Regina Relang

Dabble In The Fall

The Fall issue of Dabble Magazine is now live. Make sure to check out page 24 for three ways to add new life to your bookshelves...Happy Reading Everyone!

Dream Home: Arianna Belle

I have loved seeing the ways in which everyone who has participated in the "Dream Home" series since last December has taken rooms that are either new to us and even some we've seen and loved for some time and have made them look completely fresh and exciting within the context of their dream homes. I am in love with the post that Arianna of Arianna Belle Organized Interiors has put together for us today. Many of these images are new to me, while others are old favorites and they all look absolutely perfect together. I love the classic, romantic sensibility of this home. Fabulous job, Arianna! 

 

Thank you Paloma for inviting me to participate in this series. Putting together this post was such a fun exercise! My dream home would have beautiful curb appeal. I love the exterior of this home (below) though I'd probably add a bit more to the landscaping (maybe roses or hydrangeas) to make it a bit more lush...

The entry door would be painted a fun color (maybe blue like the one below) and would have beautiful little details like a unique knob...

The "formal" living room would be bright and inviting...

The kitchen would have white cabinetry (with glass front upper cabinets), marble counter-tops, pendant lighting, and a big island in the middle with some seating, since the kitchen always tends to be a hang out spot...

There'd also be a little breakfast nook in the corner surrounded by windows to allow for lots of natural light as well as views of the backyard greenery...

Speaking of backyard, just outside the kitchen would be a garden where my husband and I could grow our own organic veggies and herbs. There would also be an accompanying garden shed...

Back inside, the dining room would be perfect for entertaining. It would have a long table enough to seat at least six, white framed chairs, a chandelier (or two!) and a fireplace...

The living room would also have a fireplace, as well as framed artwork, elegant lighting, cozy throws, and comfy seating...

A blue George Smith sofa just like Sofia Coppola's would be perfect!

My home office would be a bit glam with a mirrored desk, a lucite table lamp, gold accessories, and fresh flowers...

Framed artwork on the walls and gorgeous drapery framing large windows would make for a beautiful hallway...

The guest room would be serene and fresh...

A bright clean guest bath would be adjacent...

The nursery {for my hypothetical kid(s)} would be soothing yet bright and cheerful...

There would also be a colorful playroom with toy cubbies, bookshelves, a window seat, and lots of floor space...

The master bedroom would be tranquil and have a king sized plush bed with luxurious sheets...

A balcony would be accessible through the bedroom and would be the perfect spot for enjoying a cup of coffee in the mornings or simply a few moments of fresh air...

The master bath would have double sinks, floor to ceiling white subway tiles, a rainshower, and most importantly a luxurious tub...

There would be two walk-in closets. One for me...

one for him...

Both beautifully organized of course ;-)

The library would be a quiet refuge with cozy spots for reading and unwinding...

The sunroom would be another great spot for relaxing...

as well as the hammock out on the backyard...

Last but not least, my dream home would have a beautiful outdoor living area. Something like this...

...with a pergola, flowers everywhere, a fireplace and comfortable seating, would be the perfect spot for enjoying evenings with good company.

image credits: exterior - gleysteen design; entrance - domino; formal living room - photography by stacey brandford via house and home; kitchen 1- via milk and honey home, 2- design by jennifer dyer via mar/apr '11 issue of lonny, 3- unknown; breakfast nook 1- pin, 2- pin; garden - martha stewart; garden shed - better homes and gardens; dining room -via prudential douglas elliman real estate; living room 1-william sonoma, 2- house + garden magazine; office 1- photography by norman jean roy, 2- shot from the devil wears prada; hallway -blumenfeld interiors; guest room - via style at home; guest bath - country living; nursery (all) - sarah richardson; playroom via design revolution; master bedroom - photography by melanie acevedo; bedroom balcony - via oliveaux blog; master bath 1- photography by jose picayo via house beautiful, 2- elle decor, 3-photography by jose picayo via house beautiful, 4- via oliveaux blog; her closet - jan/feb '11 issue of lonny; his closet - martha stewart; library 1-shot from something's gotta give via architectural digest 2-unknown; sunroom - unknown; hammock - french country home by jocelyn sibuet via dress design decor; outdoor living area - better homes and gardens