January Books

 Thanks for stopping by today.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday!

January is always filled with the 

hope of rejuvenation, restoration and renewal.

I think the elaborate holiday decorations, 

celebrations and sometimes

indulgences makes us

ready for a clean slate

once all the decorations are put

to bed for another year.

With this in mind my January book selections

are filled with great ideas 

for renewal of your garden

(although my thoughts always go

to spring and summer planting)

and renewal of your personal success plan

whether that be in the area of career,

health or personal life.

Up first is "The Winter Garden" by Emma Hardy

$17.74 on Amazon.

Ms. Hardy displays a wonderful collection

of over 35 ideas on gardening during the winter months.

These are easy step by step instructions on a 

variety of indoor & outdoor projects.

I also appreciate that these are for small spaces.

You do not need an acre garden or a

large porch/outdoor area to display these projects

so even those that are in apartments or town homes

can join in the fun.

 The photography is outstanding and the 

"you will need" section of each project makes it

easy to gather your supplies.

Depending on your zone, some of these

maybe Spring projects outdoors.

 I am looking forward to a few indoor plant projects

for myself this year.

The second selection is from author Jack Canfield,

"The Success Principles: $15.05 on Amazon.

I saw him on an OWN

Super Soul Sunday episode.

You may know Mr. Canfield as the

co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

This is the 10th anniversary edition

so you may have read this title already.

I was impressed with his ideas

and his discussion of the elements

that are needed to lead a successful life 

during his interview with Oprah.

I'm Joining:

Celebrate Your Story

http://celebrateanddecorate.com/celebrate-your-story-link-party-2/

Metamorphosis Monday

http://betweennapsontheporch.net

The Scoop at:

http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/

Inspire me Tuesday at:

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Wow Us Wednesday

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

December Books

Thanks for stopping by!

Here are my December book selections:

 In what may become a Christmas classic

Author Glen Beck writes the true meaning of Christmas

thru the telling of what Santa Claus really represents.

Or that's what I got from the reviews of Mr. Beck's latest

book "The Immortal Nicholas".

I thought it would be a good December read.

Next I selected "The Story of Alice"

by Robert Douglas-Fairhurst

after seeing it profiled on Sunday Morning on CBS.

Author Douglas-Fairhurst profiles the relationship

of Lewis Carroll, author of "Alice in Wonderland"

and the real life family friend Alice Liddell

whom the tale was originally told.

It is the 150th anniversary of the Alice in Wonderland book

and learning more about Carroll and

the meaning of Wonderland seemed both timely & interesting.

What's on your night table or book shelf this December?

I'm Joining:

Metamorphosis Monday

http://betweennapsontheporch.net

The Scoop at:

http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/

Inspire me Tuesday at:

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Wow Us Wednesday

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Feathered Nest Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Simple & Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

November Books

Here's my November book

selections.  I picked

two titles that were home living/decor

mostly because I'm still reading

my October books and

because November has so

many great holiday magazines!

Both of these books would make ideal

holiday presents as we all look

to freshen up our spaces 

in January.

Carolyn Roehm at Home in the Garden

is a mammoth masterpiece.

I have all of her other books and loved

all of their photography,

but Ms. Roehm has out done herself

in her current book.

It measures a whopping 

11.4 by 14.2 inches and weighs 7.4 pounds.

Yes I looked that up because

I could not believe how big this book was!

It's an investment to add to your collection~

a Christmas or Birthday wishlist for sure!

On Amazon it is listed at $46.75.

She is also featured today on One Kings Lane.

You can visit Ms. Roehm's blog at

http://carolyneroehm.com/.

Eddie Ross' Modern Mix

is a delightful combination

of vintage and new items, 

just as the title suggests.

I have been mixing vintage

and new for over 20 years,

and followed Mr. Ross on his blog

and now instagram for great inspiration.

One Kings Lane had this on sale

a few weeks ago, which is where I picked up

my author signed copy,

but you can get it on Amazon for $29.83.

The blog link for Mr. Ross is http://eddieross.com/blog.

Happy Reading!

My Father's Daughter Giveaway Winner & Tassel House Giveaway

We have two winners of the book give away - but I have to keep you in suspense one more day b/c I left the names at the store! Wanted to let you know as well that Susan is giving away a tassel from The Tassel House at her site Between Naps on the Porch. These tassels are wonderful!

I've shared a few pictures below but you need to checkout Susan's site as well as the etsy store for more great tassels.

I think the rooster is my favorite, but I love the bird too!

Hope you having a great day -we made it 1/2 way through the week! I'll be back tonight to share a red, white and bbq table.

Feature Friday - Platters & Trays

For this Feature Friday all platters are on sale 25%. Just a few are shown below, but there's more at the store so come on by for a visit! Also, tomorrow is our tent sale with 25-50% all items in the tent.

Also, don't forget tomorrow is the last day to enter the book giveaway ~ an autographed copy of Gwyneth Paltrow's My Father's Daughter!

Beeutiful Table

When I leased the lobby space at the Head House I knew I wanted to put a round table there and share some of my most favorite tablescapes. Honeycomb depression glass bowls, vintage sugar and creamer and cut glass goblets were a must for the table.

A began with bees of course, since that's the "mascot" if you will of Beeutiful by Design. These wonderful bee hive towels and bee towels by Mary Lake Thompson and bee and teapot napkins were the perfect additions.

I layered yellow terra cotta rimmed plates, on purple round placemats on a black and white toile tablecloth. I like the punch of purple between the yellow and black & white.

Now as you reach the 2nd floor of Head House a cherry table is waiting to greet you!

I'm joining Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch!

Be sure to make a comment on every post this week for a chance at an autographed copy of Gwyneth Paltrow's newest cookbook "My Father's Daughter". See more details here.

"That's Entertaining!" Book Signing

I'm very excited to announce

this coming Saturday, March 26th noon-2:00PM

Tim Laird, Chief Entertaining Officer (CEO)

of Brown Forman will be at Beeutiful by Design to meet and sign copies

of his new book "That's Entertaining!".

Tim Laird is an authority on wines and spirits with more than 20 years experience in the hospitality industry. A connoisseur of fine wines, spirits, and champagnes, Tim is also a gourmet chef and a master at entertaining and execution. Tim is a veteran of television and radio having appeared on both approximately 100 times in the past year including: The Tonight Show, CNN, FOX News Network, Fox & Friends, The Today Show, CBS Early Show and CNBC. Tim also hosts Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs and Secrets of Louisville Chefs Live, a weekly TV show shown in the Kentucky region.

I understand many of my blogging friends do not live

near the Louisville, KY area.

However, do not worry, I remembered you too!

I am giving away one copy of Mr. Laird's book "That's Entertaining!"

To enter, simply comment to this or any other posts this week

as we lead up to Saturday.

If you comment to more than one post,

you will be entered more than one time.

In addition, if you contact me at jhta1@aol.com I can ship you

a signed copy for $35, plus shipping costs.

This would make a lovely birthday, mother's day or

early Christmas gift!

Cute as a Bug

If summertime is all about bugs then it might as well be about cute bugs right?I recently setup this table at the booth full of bugs.

I love this ladybug egg plate - great for your next bbq.
These little bean bag bugs would make great tie ons for packages.

Isn't he cute? Yep cute as a bug!

I love bees and these bee tea light candle holders were beeutiful!

Butterfly bubble necklaces are perfect for little girls outdoor playtime.

During your next outdoor gathering,

cover your favorite dish with this bee screen.

Hope you enjoyed your visit!

Favorite Christmas Inspiration

Welcome to the first "official" day of Christmas preparation. I know many of you have begun your preparations months ago, some of you may have even started the day after Christmas last year, but for many of us the day after Thanksgiving begins the holiday season. Did you spend the day unearthing boxes of Christmas delight? Did you remember where all those lights and ornament boxes were stored from last year? I am always remember one last box that did not make it upstairs with the group.

As today is the first official Christmas prep day, I thought I would share a few of my "go to" books when thinking about my decor for the holidays.

I always pull out Carolyne Roehm. She epitomizes elegant style and inspiration to me. I review "Presentations" for ideas on gift wrapping.

Then I flip through "A Passion for Parties" Christmas section to refresh my memory on her divine ideas for the perfect party.
Then I grab "Winter Notebook" (pics above and below) to indulge in more pictures of Christmas delight.

After I return from the kitchen with my hot cup of tea, I pull out what was my first Christmas inspiration book loaned from my public library the year I got married, "Martha Stewart's Christmas". It was my go to for many of my first years decorating. Remember her giant gingerbread house replica of Turkey Hill, handmade wrapping paper with her daughter Alexa and homemade presents for her family and friends? Long before Ms. Stewart was the multi-media queen she is now, she was delighting me with her unique ideas.

Above, Martha Stewart instructs how to make homemade sugar cookies for ornaments to hang on her kitchen tree. I emulated Ms. Stewart by baking gingerbread cookies and strung them with red plaid ribbon to hang on my 2 foot tree in the kitchen of our first home (a rental) on Klonway Drive in 1990.
I cannot blog about Christmas books without mentioning the divine Ms. Garrity. Her books "Christmas at Home" and "O Christmas Tree" are both chocked full of glorious ideas for holiday decor.



While I do not own a copy (yet) of her newest book "O Christmas Tree" (images above and below) I have stood in the book store admiring it several times now. I must admit it has been on my Christmas wish list since I first heard of it's publication back in the summer time.

What a cozy fireside decorated with natural elements intertwined with the silver pieces.

I love her tabletop trees and the cloches below them!

A final book to mention is one I found quite by accident. Valerie Parr Hill, most known for her product line on a shopping channel, has a charming book entitled "Decorating for the Holidays". It is filled with some wonderful ideas and Christmas decorations.

I hope a few of these titles may be new to your library and if added will bring you the Christmas cheer they do me each season. Now lets get decorating!

A Tour of Nell Hills

Online recently I found this great website Retail Superstars, which lists 25 of the best independent stores in America. Who was featured as one of the 25 but Ms. Mary Garrity! See below for pictures of Nell Hills found at this site.

It is T-minus two days to departure for our road trip to Kansas. Have you packed your bags?