Copper Love

Chefs say that a copper pot is the quintessential cookware because of its superior heat conduction.

But is it really worth the price tag?

Until yesterday, I didn't think so.

I just wasn't willing to pay the price.  After all, I'm not a cook!

So, when I saw these copper pots at Homegoods, I couldn't pass them up because the price was unbelievable!

Made by Palm, they are obviously not the same quality as Mauviel copper, but I don't care.

The largest pot was priced at $49, the small sauté pan at $29, and the price for the others was in-between.
Score!

I'm enjoying their beauty for now atop the stove, along with all the other cooking utensils and accoutrements.

In due time, they will be broken in and well loved.

Don't you think it looks like a serious cook lives here?

My Galvanized Water Trough Raised Bed Garden

I'm so excited about these galvanized water troughs that I just installed at our vacation rental.

Also called stock tanks, they are perfect for the wine country, and are a great way to have an instant raised bed garden.

Never mind that there isn't anything growing yet!

I have plans to plant herbs in the trough next to the porch and tomatoes, zucchinis, and cucumbers in the other two next spring. 

Or, I might plant some flowers for fall in the meantime.  

Either way, the galvanized troughs give a whole new look to the rental!

I wanted whoever is staying here to be able to walk right out the door and pick fresh veggies straight from the garden. 

Although these stock tanks look great in the country, they would also be perfect in an urban setting, along a backyard fence or a side yard.

Just be sure to drill holes for drainage and add several inches of gravel before filling with rich soil.

Then plant whatever your heart desires!

I'm joining Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday.

Tortoise On My Radar

Why did the tortoise cross the road?

Obviously to get to the other side, but he was very slow at it and in danger of getting run over.

So, we stopped the car on our way to Asti and helped him out.

Just look at his beautiful markings!

And his cute little face!

Made me think of all things tortoise in the design world...

House Beautiful

Tortoise was the inspiration when Miles Redd refinished this Regency breakfast table.

Tortoise seems to go with everything!  

Notice how the tortoise wall covering marries well with the leopard rug in this dining room designed by  Andrew Howard.


A bookshelf comes alive with tortoise fabric, designed by Albert Hadley.


As does this room with a Victorian faux-tortoise bamboo chest.
I die!


Bunny Williams takes the whole tortoise thing a step further.
I'm not sure how I feel about that giant shell, but it is a beautiful curiosity.

Traditional Home

Tortoise has been around forever.
It is certainly not a trend, but a lasting design element, dating back to the 18th Century.
Just start a tortoise box or tea caddy collection and you will see what I mean.

Looking around my house, I realize for the first time that the few bamboo pieces that I own mimic tortoise with their mottled finish.

The Victorian bamboo cabinet in my bathroom is an example.

The Victorians were enamored with tortoise!

No wonder I love these shades in the living room.
And Mr. A's fishing box!

All because the tortoise crossed the road!

Tartan On My Radar

With fall around the corner, I find myself gravitating even more than usual to tartan plaid.

Case in point:  this plaid bag I just scored on eBay.

It reminds me of a school bag, and I intend to carry my laptop in it.

The seller said her daughter bought in in Paris a few years ago!

Sounds good to me!

I found this darling hat in Carmel a while back and although I probably won't wear it, it looks good on the hall tree...

...along with this tartan hat that I'm probably not brave enough to wear either!

Tartan on my hall tree!

Next to the hall tree is a little cabinet that holds bar accessories, including this tartan flask from Pottery Barn, last year.  You can find a similar one here.

A tartan ice buck that I scored on One King's Lane lives underneath, at the ready for a party!

Another recent find are these handmade fingerless gloves by Moe Munroe.

When I saw the plaid detail and "peace" buttons, I just had to have them.

The other glove says "world."

But what I'm really obsessing about are these faux antler plaques from Horchow.
I love how they are displayed and would love one of each, but must choose one.
Only one!
I'm leaning towards the red tartan.
Which would you choose?

If that's not enough, here are a few more tartan obsessions on my radar:

September Musings

Can someone tell me when September happened?

Seriously, where did the summer go?

After being "unplugged" in the wine country for four days, September snuck up on me!

September has always represented that back to school mentality to me. 

 Even though I'm not going back to school, it still gives me that little bit of anxiety.

And sadness.  Sad that summer is coming to an end.

"The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze."

John Updike, September

Mozo's Antique Search And Rescue

It seems that antique stores and collectives are slowly disappearing, thanks to eBay and online shopping venues like One Kings Lane, etc.

So I was pleasantly surprised to see a new store open in my town.

Just around the corner from my daughter's house is Mozo's Antique Search and Rescue.

I stopped in for a look-see and was so happy to see my two old friends, Moe and Lisa!

They have always been hunters and gatherers, so it just seemed right to them to partner up and open a store.

Moe is one of the most creative people I know.  She owned a very successful clothing boutique in town for over 35 years and designs her own line of fingerless gloves (above), so she knows a thing or two about selling and merchandising.

I have several pairs of her gloves and even bought a new pair while there.

Lisa is also very creative.  

She had her own catering company for years and has a design business called DaisyBrady Design and Artifact that will be opening in the back of the store soon.

They have gathered a collection of fun, beautiful, eccentric antiques and collectibles that caught my eye, like this old print...

...and this Jeanne d'Arc statue.

How cool is this bottle?

I seriously considered buying it and adding it to my amber bottle collection.

Or even adding it to my bar that I set up in Asti (here).

Notice the spider web?  It would be a cool Halloween decoration too.

 I left it behind and can't get it out of my mind!

What I didn't leave behind though is this antique wicker trunk.

Now, where to put it?

No worries, I will definitely find a place.  

I'm thinking it will make a great coffee table or be fabulous at the foot of a bed.

Or, it could be a toy box for my granddaughters when they come to visit.

While I caught up with Moe and Lisa, my eye wondered, taking it all in.

There is a collection of cool necklaces and little artifacts...

...shelves of little collectibles.

Just a lot of really cool stuff.

I can't wait to go back and will probably be their most loyal customer!

I believe that even though we can find what we're looking for or collecting on eBay and other online sites, people still want to experience the thrill of the hunt.

Don't you?

Country French Magazine

 Run, don't walk to your local grocery store for the latest edition of Country French magazine.

It is one of the best ever, starting with the amazing cover featuring living room styled by Bonnie Broten and photographed by John Granen.

 Mind you, the whole issue is great, but I was especially interested in this home as I've seen it many times on Pinterest and heard about the shoot from Bonnie herself!
It was the first time John and Bonnie worked together since they did my photoshoot of Asti for Tuscan Style.

 I remember the first time I saw this kitchen, I was in awe.  I especially love the open shelving and the green subway tile...

 ...and this gorgeous stove, set into a nook.

But also, they have a glass front refrigerator!

 This is the lovely home of blogger and designer Desiree Ashworth, located in Utah.
Her blog is the popular Decor de Provence 

I love the neutral bedroom with its canopy bed, linen bench and those amazing silver lamps.

Coffee table styled by Bonnie!

The feeling in this home is quiet elegance, featuring timeworn, weathered and French of course.

I love the contrast of these shiny mercury glass urns with the raffia upholstered chairs.

This issue of Country French is a keeper!

And bravo to both Bonnie and John for a beautiful cover!