I love my iPad, but there are times when I enjoy reading much more if I have a real book in my hands.  I love the way books feel and the smell of old books, old book stores and libraries…it takes me back to visiting the library when I was young…checking out books and bringing them home to enjoy.  I just discovered that there’s a candle made by Assouline that evokes the scent of a fantasy library through the scent of paper…Maybe I’ll give it a try!

My dream home would have a library filled with old books and an overstuffed chair…

image via sweethomestyle

It would also contain a music library that included sheet music and a grand piano…

image via goo.gl

What does your dream library look like?

image via unknown

image via beautiful-libraries

image via freshhome

image via theglamourai

Ever wonder why old books smell?  Here’s a quick explanation…

Interesting, right?

Which image do you like best?  What is your favorite old book?  Where is your favorite spot to read a book in your home?

image via

Happy Friday, everyone!  The weather has been “California-like” this week in Dallas!  My plans this weekend are to spend as much time outside as possible and enjoy it before the Texas heat begins to burn!

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I love planting herbs this time of year.  In the past I’ve stacked terra cotta pots for herb and flower gardens, but I’m loving the look of these galvanized buckets for a more industrial look.  Perhaps this year’s basil will get a new look for it’s home!

image via

I really want to do a pallet garden like this one that’s been pinned on Pinterest a bagillion times!  If you have any old wooden pallets in the Dallas area and want to get rid of them, give me a shout!

OK…I’ve decided to try a new Friday series and I would welcome your feedback.  During my romp around the web during the week, I find many exceptional things that I don’t share, simply because I don’t have time to put together a complete post, so I thought I would share several links that I feel are highlights from my web travels…

This sweet kitty is ready to come to your defense!

I’m swooning over Eden & Eden’s vintage folk cushions!

Wallpaper that looks like scrap wood  - Check out a similar look on the walls of Highland Park Village’s new Five and Ten

Could possibly be the perfect dress for this spring and summer

Anyone care to join me at this retreat?

Hmmm…Where shall we brunch in Paris?

Easy changes for less toxins in your home!

It’s on!  Cover the night today! 

Let me know what you think about the quick links and if it’s something you like, I’ll continue every Friday…

Have a great weekend, ya’ll!  XO!

Who doesn’t love Adele after Sunday night’s Grammy’s?  Don’t you just want to call her up and meet her at the pub to chat about the night?

I love that she swept the night with her voice.  No team of dancers, over the top set design or outrageous costume necessary…  I have tremendous appreciation for creative expression, but Lady Gaga has got to be rethinking sitting there all night with that net over her face… I would have had that thing off after the first act!

Another highlight for me was Sir Paul…  My first thought (and FB status update) after watching his last performance was “I’ll have some of whatever Sir Paul is having…”  Seriously!  I’m not young and he could be my dad! I think he’s pretty amazing!

So what was your favorite Grammy moment?  What could you have lived without?  Did any of the performances cause you to download anything from iTunes?

images via MTV and Hypervocal

There’s not many things I love more than my sweet German-shorthaired Pointer, Princess.  She was a gift from my ex-husband and absolutely the best gift I’ve ever received.  After many years of pointing and retrieving birds during hunting season during her early years,  she’s now a full-time snuggle buddy and very best friend that shows me unconditional love on a daily basis!

Princess is the reason that I love dogs as much as I do and I enjoy finding cute products that promote great causes…like these cute tees from Vaute Couture!

Princess is 14 and I can’t bare to think of life without her…but I also can’t think of life without a dog, so when the time comes to get another dog I’ll likely adopt.

Have you ever adopted a dog or cat?  What organization did you go to for adoption?  Tell me about your precious pet!

via milestostyle

This would pretty much make my day…in case anyone is interested in making my day…just a few presents pilled high on a cute little car pulling up in front of my house…sweet dreams…

via lolo

Anyone need a snow day?

Oh, well…at least it’s Friday!  TGIF!

What are you doing this weekend?

Dudes – This is a fail-safe gift for the over-rated V-day!  She’ll get a ‘sweet’ little Valentines gift and you’ll get away with an easy purchase that leaves her feeling like you’re a true Renaissance man!

Claim it was your idea!  Let her know that you researched the perfect book of love and chose this especially for her…  I’ll never tell…

Find it here.  Do it now!  V-day is exactly a month away.  I promise, you’ll thank me later!

I propose that we replace all street lights with chandeliers…

Who will second this motion?

image via Abbe Fenimore’s pinterest board

It’s time to drink champagne…

dance on the table…

sing Auld Lang Syne…

wear something sparkly and accessorize with big bows or stars in your hair…

toot your horn…

and kiss the one you love at midnight!

Oh, and don’t forget to eat something sweet, because we’ll all resolve to be skinnier next year!

I can’t wait to do 2012 with you!!

Images via (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9)

The future’s so bright, you’ve got to wear shades!  That’s the outlook I have for 2012!  German artist, Nina Nolte’s series entitled The Best Is Yet To Come, that I just spotted on Luella & June, is the picture perfect representation of my feelings about turning the calendar year!

I’m moving into a new year that is full of changes and I couldn’t be more excited!  I love that the women in this series are more mature (notice I didn’t say old…), glamorous, seem to be gazing at beautiful sights and are with their girlfriends…again, very representative of where I am.  As I grow older, my friends become more and more important and enjoyable.  I hope that some time this year I’ll be sitting in the sun with a my girlfriends planning the next adventure.  I just hope that our jewels and scarves are as beautiful as these beauties!

See the entire Nina Nolte series here.