The Things We Love About Summer

Catching fireflies in open fields ... sea-tousled hair and sun-kissed cheeks ... backyard brunches, easy glamour, charming gardens ... tie score, bases loaded, bottom of the ninth ... cool cocktails on hot hazy nights ... flip-flops, road trips, shark tales, lazy mornings, long days, ocean sunrises, bay sunsets.  That delicious school's-out feeling that never leaves, no matter what your age.  These are the things we love about summer.  And we'll be celebrating them all month, on Style Maniac.

Photo above and in this month's masthead via Marter del Universo on Pinterest.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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PERFECT PARTY PRESENTS: Style Maniac's Spring Gift Guide

From bridal showers to baby showers, barbecues to birthdays, find the perfect present for this spring's parties and occasions--plus pretty ways to wrap them up--with Style Maniac's Spring Gift Guide. All this week ....

p.s. I caught a case of royal fever this weekend!  Did you?  Check out my wedding coverage on the Style Maniac Facebook Page.

This photo has been all over the blogosphere but I couldn't resist showing it here.  After tracking from several Pinterest sources it seems the photographer is Oliver Schwarzwald via On Blue Pool Road.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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LIGHTS. CAMERA. PARTIES.

Come for cocktails, stay for dancing.  We're having a party this month on Style Maniac and you're all invited.  What are we celebrating?  The elements of entertaining itself, as both a hostess and a guest.  LIGHTING:  How to create a killer ambiance, with tips from one of the world's premiere lighting designers.  CAMERA:  How to look great in photos.  PARTIES:  What to wear, what gifts to bring, and how to enjoy your own soiree.  Hang on to your hats, girls, it's going to be quite a ride.

Photo above and in this month's masthead via iPhone Backgrounds app. Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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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
Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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HELLO, GORGEOUS

And so we step into a new year, full of mystery and promise ...


Doorway, Villa Guilia by Betsy Bart
Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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GLITTER, GLAMOUR, GIFTS ... with a twist

Suddenly I'm in the mood for glitter, glamour, gifts  ... all with a twist.  So, this month, take a break from the mad mad rush of the season and stop in to enjoy all kinds holiday treats, tips and finds assembled just for you, dear smart, fun, stylish readers.

FIRST TREAT: One of the prettiest pics I've seen all year (which is saying a lot). By stylist Nancy Queller as discovered on French Frosting.  (A snippet of this image also appears in the masthead this month.) Doesn't this just make you want to dress up and celebrate?Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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DUST & CHANDELIERS

Behind-the-scenes.
Before and afters.
Tips, tricks and pretty pics.
We'll be delving into decorating 
(plus dollops of some other goodies) 
all month on Style Maniac.


Why dust and chandeliers? 
Because, as I like to say:
"Things usually have to get messy before they get pretty."

NOTE:  Dust & Chandeliers is also the name of a new blog I recently created for my decorating business, The Redecorators LLC, to offer an in-depth look at our projects and transformations.  If  you're crazy about decor, you might want to check it out.

Purple Chandelier image courtesy Cyan DesignSource URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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THE THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT FALL

After a week of soaking rain and gloomy thoughts, I awake to a day that reminds me why I love Fall.  Brilliant sunshine, gleaming sky and air filled with the enticing mix of coolness and promise.  I head out into the city, perusing flea markets and partaking of festivals and think of all there is to come:  jack-o'-lanterns and crackling fires; goblins, ghosts and fashion shows; tailgates and road trips; barn sales and BLT cocktails; paisley wool shawls, suede leopard boots and chocolate leather totes; and perhaps a ramble down a country path, a halo of crimson, gold and orange dancing overhead.


"Autumn Drive" (Tammouth New Hampshire) courtesy AJ MessierSource URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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WORK & PLAY

Work & Play.  In your life, do they merge and blend? Or remain distinct?  And do you like it that way?  No matter where you land on that spectrum, there's ways both bold and subtle to make any job just a bit more delightful.  Such as this frothy concoction of a desk.  So absolutely fabulous, it would perk up the dreariest of tasks.  Stay tuned all month for more ...


Tutu Desk by Black & Spiro via Absolutely Beautiful ThingsSource URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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THE BEACH, THE BOOK, THE LOOK, LET's COOK

THIS MONTH JULY & AUGUST ON STYLE MANIAC: Beautiful beaches, ravishing reads, fashion fun, decor delights and easy entertaining.  Stop back every week for a new waterside destination and feel the cool ocean breezes sweep away this sweltering heat.

While you're here, check out the great summer book selections recommended by Style Maniac's smart and stylish readers.  Thanks Lee, Susan, Trish, Lou, Cassidy & Andrea for getting us started. (If you haven't added your pick yet click here.  For the full list go there.)  Enjoy!

Photo by Tony Cenicola via The New York Times.com
Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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FROM CITY TO SHORE

Perhaps you've noticed:  each month I choose a theme for Style Maniac, around which all the blog posts, most of the Facebook entries and many of the Twitter musings revolve.  Usually the theme pops into my head weeks before and the only challenge is to edit ideas down to a manageable amount.  But this month I found myself stumped.  Should I celebrate the staycation fun of summer in a city?  Or do I escape to the balmy breezes of days at the shore?  And then two unexpected invitations arose in one week that made it click:  why not do both? And so this month on Style Maniac we travel From City to Shore, with stops at some wonderful small towns in between. The car's decorated, The Avett Brothers and Frank croon on the radio ... won't you join us for the ride?
Video discovered on Some Teachers Are Cool.  (Thank you, Christy!) For more of  The Avett Brothers amazing music click here .  VW Bug photo via Kris' Color Stripes. Nantucket Beach House via CountryLiving.com.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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SPRING STYLE IN ANY WEATHER

Although spring in my corner of the world oscillates wildly from wintry coolness to summer sultriness, this year I'm determined to celebrate spring before rushing headlong into the next season.  So come visit this month and discover Spring Style in flowers, music, art, special celebrations and the first ever Style Maniac Spring Gift Guide.

Photo from A Passion for Flowers by Carolyne RoehmSource URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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APRIL ... NOT IN PARIS

Anyone interested in paying a hard-working blogger to travel to Paris this month and write about all the chic and stylish spots? Non?  Vraiment??

Guess I'll just have to amuse myself by finding the best things about Paris--art, romance, outdoor cafes, the perfect bistro, fresh fashions, good books, a stroll along the banks of a river as the lights of the city illuminate before you--right here in Philadelphia ... and ask my Francophile friends to find a touch of Paris in their hometowns as well. Allons-y.

ABOVE: "Bar Tabac," by Philadelphia artist and photographer Estelle Carraz-Bernabei.  For previous posts on her work click here and here. Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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MARCH MAKEOVER MADNESS

Who doesn't love a good makeover?  Whether it's a total room transformation, dramatic movie magic, the smallest change of accessories or just a fresh way of looking at life, we'll be exploring all kinds of makeovers this month on Style Maniac.  Stop back often and discover lots of goodies ... including how a boring brown table became the crazy and colorful kids' celebration shown above.

p.s. Don't miss a word (or image) of Style Maniac.  Subscribe for free via email, RSS or Google Friend Connect (also known as Blogger Follow) and have new posts delivered straight to your door computer.  Simply click on one of the buttons in the right column.


Photo by Doreen Creede Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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LOVE SONGS, LOVE STORIES

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Yippee! It only took a year but I finally figured out how to publish an audio playlist on this blog.  (Not sure how y'all feel but it  makes me happy, at least!) Just discovered this Mixpod format last night. It has some quirky video selections and doesn't list every song I wanted* but that iPod icon's so friggin' cute (and the controls actually work--click on the arrow to play) I had to post it.  Enjoy these (mostly) love songs sung by many artists ... all written by Bob Dylan, master of telling stories in song.

LISTEN: Queen Jane & Friends
Playlist originally compiled from Kevin's CD collection and iTunes. *Wish I could have included Joe Cocker's version of Just Like A Woman; Forest Sun's version of She Belongs to Me; and the trio Mary Chapin Carpenter, Roseanne Cash & Shawn Colvin singing You Aint' Goin' Nowhere. For a graphic version of my original playlist check here.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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WINTER WEATHER

  

I love winter ... from exactly December 21st to January 1st.  After that, after a White Christmas and flurry of festivities and crisply sparkling New Year, I'm whining wishing for warmer weather. Unfortunately, I live in the wrong part of the country for those wishes to come true.  And since I don't currently have means to escape until the spring equinox, my only choice is to embrace the season.  Embrace it, teeth chattering, toes numb, brain dangerously deprived of sunlight, with style.



Winter on the banks of the Beaverkill.  From family archives.

Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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FAVORITE THINGS ... IN RED

Take a break from the holiday swirl of shopping, cooking, planning and parties and stop in at Style Maniac this month for a refreshing peek at pretty pictures, fabulous finds and a selection of my favorite things ... in red.

FAVORITE: Vintage posters

Image by Erte for Harper's Bazaar, 1920, via Harper's Bazaar.com.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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THERE's NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Decorating dreams, architectural aesthetics, lazy breakfasts, crackling fires, rainy day reading, frantic fits of cleaning, family, friends, movies, work, play, dirty dishes, clean socks, love, laughter, life ... it all happens in the place we call home.  And we'll be talking about it all month on Style Maniac.

Photo by Doreen Creede Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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A GREAT BEACH & A GOOD BOOK

We were pretty lucky with the weather in Philly last month, with glorious days and cool nights instead of the usual oppressive heat. But August has arrived and a thick blanket of humidity now enshrouds us. Which turns my thoughts from "Summer in the City" to "Escape to the Beach." Whether you are planning an escape of your own or just looking for a virtual vacation, stop by Style Maniac this month for a glimpse of some tantalizing beaches, along with suggestions for good books to read (on a beach, near a beach or just daydreaming of a beach).

For more on the beach above check back later this month.

Photo by Doreen Creede
Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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SUMMER STYLE

This ranks as one of my favorite photos ever. No surprise really, since it's a shot of my grandmother, Jean Naughton, who happens to be one of my ultimate style icons--and was also my very good friend. Jean knew how to wear a dress (and a bathing suit); work a camera; talk books, politics, and romance; enjoy a good Scotch and an uproarious laugh; charm any man in sight and make everyone around her feel touched by a bit of glamour, even if they were just sitting in the Plainview, Long Island Republican Club at midnight --or a city beach at high noon. With Jean in mind, Style Maniac kicks off a month celebrating Summer Style wherever you happen to be: city, shore or even indoors.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20themes
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