KEEP CALM AND DREAM ON

And so, along with the rest of the world, we take a royal break today and imagine just for a moment that fairy tales do come true.  A royal wedding:  can you imagine the logistics of planning that event? Let us hope it is filled with the magic dreaminess we're all hoping for.

Back next week with a continuation of our entertaining topics (one month was not enough!), plus oh so much more.


Image via Hannah Pempus and Claudia Strasser on Pinterest.  Original source unknown ... but I'd love to give credit if anyone knows.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

CHARM & MAKE BELIEVE

“There seems to be within all of us an innate yearning 
to be lifted momentarily out of our own lives 
into the realm of charm and make believe." 


-- Dorothy Draper {interior decorator, fabulous hostess} 


Isn't that what the best parties do? 

Image via Erin Woolsey on Pinterest.  Original source This Is Glamorous.
Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

I LONG FOR SALT AIR IN MY HAIR

Oh yes I do, yes I do.
How 'bout you?


Art & Words by Katie Daisy.  
For more of her charming work visit The Wheatfield on Etsy.


Discovered on Lovely As A Dream
Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

THE SLOW SEDUCTION

"There is magic ... in the deep-jewel-colored room,
warm and mysterious, where you discover its many beauties
as you sit, seduced slowly."
-- Billy Baldwin


There are days when I want everything white, bright and simple.  Clearly this is not one of those days. Let me sink deep into garnet velvet sofas, caress gold silk tassels, bathe in amethyst light and turquoise glass, become bedazzled by bejewled headboards.  I'm in that kind of mood.

Photos 1 & 2 from Style Maniac's print archives. Credits lost at the moment, but I'm searching for them.  Bottom photo via Paris Hotel Petit-Moulin.
Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

BEAUTIFUL BOOKS: What's On Your Coffee Table?

"The best decoration in the world is a roomful of books." 
-- Billy Baldwin


Sometimes, I admit, I do judge a book by a cover.  Whether art, photography, fashion, food, design, "coffee table" books can add spectacular color, life and interest to your home, for a smidgen of what real art would cost. In keeping with this month's theme, and continuing our seasonal series of reader's favorites, please share in the Comments section some of the beautiful books you display in your home. I'll then list your pretty picks, along with your blog link if you have one, in the Style Maniac Amazon Boutique (if offered direct by Amazon).  Looking forward to meeting some gorgeous new selections.

Currently on my table: Degas by Robert Gordon & Andrew ForgeSource URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

A GLORIOUS MESS

"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the
mess created in the living room on Christmas day.
Don't clean it up too quickly."
- Andy Rooney 



After all the planning ... buying ... wrapping ... rushing ... it all comes down to spending time with those you love and enjoying every small moment.  I'm off to do just that and I hope you are as well.  First, just want to thank all the bloggers and photographers who have brightened my month--and year--with beautiful inspiration, images and words. And thanks to each of you, dear Style Maniac readers, for visiting, commenting and sharing here.  It's a wonderful gift you give me every day.  


See you just before New Year's Eve.  Merry Christmas.


Quote discovered on Belle Maison. Gold Glitter image by Shandi-Lee via Flickr.
Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS {part 2}

The other thing I want for Christmas:
a House-Cleaning Robot
{a girl can dream, can't she?}

Hope you get at least some of what you want this Christmas.

image via Anne Taintor Inc.

Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

DON'T DRINK & FLY

Happy Halloween Weekend! 

cocktail napkin photo by Doreen Creede
Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

WHO's THE BOSS?

Addison Graves, age 4, is a genius.


Kate Harper Designs Kid Quotes card from Style Maniac's archives.  Discovered at Target.


Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

LIVE IN THE SUNSHINE, SWIM THE SEA, DRINK THE WILD AIR

Oh how I love this quote.  Captures so well the lure and joy of the beach.  And serves as a good reminder for a city girl that even on days when I can't soak in salt water and "drink the wild air" I can get outside and step into the sunshine.  (Also reminds me I need to read more Emerson.)


Image by Doreen Creede
Thank you, Coastal Living Magazine for bringing this quote to my attention. Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

RAMBLE ON

"Real travel requires a maximum of unscheduled wandering, for there is no other way of discovering surprises and marvels, which, as I see it, is the only good reason for not staying at home.”  - Alan Watts
Quote discovered on Brave New Traveler.  Image via The Bottom of the Ironing Basket.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

WHAT IT's ALL ABOUT

FAVORITE A holiday filled with family & friends.  Merry Christmas.


Bob's Your Uncle witty and offbeat line of cards available from Jack's Cards.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

If only ...

FAVORITE: Femme fatales with attitude and style

"Femmes Fatales" notecard from the Curtis Publishing Company Saturday Evening Post collection discovered at Head House Books. Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

A DASH OF DARING

"Elegance
is good taste
plus
a dash of daring."
-- Carmel Snow
legendary editor-in-chief
Harper's Bazaar
1933-1957

A genius editor who discovered and encouraged genius talent such as Richard Avedon (photo above), Martin Munkacsi, Alexey Brodovitch, Christian Dior, Diana Vreeland, Truman Capote, Lauren Bacall, Cecil Beaton, Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Jean Cocteau, Cristobal Balenciaga, Brassai, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Andy Warhol. For more on her iconic role in American fashion and photography click here or here.

Photo via ?? so many websites I've researched on the topic I've lost track.


Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

PARTY PLANNER HUMOR

From, appropriately enough, a cocktail napkin.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

PATIENCE IS NOT MY VIRTUE

"I'm very patient ...
I can always wait until I get my own way ...
as long as it happens now!"
Possibly the only thing I like more than this femme fatale's philosophy is that dress ... and those drapes! (Very Trina Turk/Palm Springs chic, don't you think?)

"Femmes Fatales" notecard from the Curtis Publishing Company (formerly of Philadelphia) Saturday Evening Post collection discovered at Head House Books (fortunately still in Philadelphia). Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

PEACE. LOVE. MUSIC. ART. BABY.

Seems my April theme of Art & Rock is popular all over. These would look great on a white sofa backed by black (or chartreuse) walls.

Cotton canvas double-sided pillows $60, from Room Service.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

COLOR THERAPY

Kate Harper Designs Kid Quotes card from Style Maniac's archives. Available at Target.
Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

THE NITTY-GRITTY SIDE OF LOVE

A fitting way to end the month's quotes on love and laughter. My niece Kaitlin (then aged five) announced this at a family dinner a few years ago...and I have not stopped laughing about it since.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

EVERY DECORATOR'S DILEMMA

"Marrying a man is like buying something you've been admiring for a long time in a shop window.
You may love it when you get it home, but it doesn't always go with everything else in the house."
--Jean Kerr


Luckily my husband, Kevin, matched just fine. Some of his furniture was another matter....

From Have Some Sand: The Gritty Side of Love. See 2/1/09 post for review.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/quote
Visit The Soap Box for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection