THE BEAUTY OF THE INTERNET

It's crazy to think that a decade ago assembling elements for a decorating project required driving to furniture stores, begging for photocopies and waiting weeks for catalogs to arrive in the mail.  Now after a few hours browsing the internet you can emerge with a pile of options to choose from.  Although pricey, for pure inspiration my search often starts at 1st Dibs, a site that does not exaggerate one bit when it states it carries "the most beautiful things on earth."  Especially the lighting.  Above, one of my all-time faves: Sputnik, a 1950s Austrian Chandelier from 1st Dibs dealer Orange.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/white
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SIESTA KEY

THE BEACH:  Siesta Key, FL Oh, yes, the water sparkles aqua and seafoam on this island on Florida's West Coast.  But it's the dazzling white quartz, never-ever-gets-hot sand that completely captivates me.

THE BOOK: Travels With Alice by Calvin Trillin  Trillin's tales of travel, food and family have delighted me for decades.  Worth re-reading every summer.

THE LOOK:  The atmosphere of the entire Siesta Key Village rates a mention here.  Just love the laid-back vibe, beach stores and kitschy touches like a neon-signed outdoor laundry and friendly giant lobster.

LET'S {not} COOK:  When my parents, who live in nearby Sarasota, come to Siesta Key they head to Turtles for the Grouper sandwiches and views of the Intercoastal Waterway.  Now they'll also be frequenting the colorful new Pita Shack, just opened by their good friends.  And the last time I visited my dad couldn't resist heading to Big Olaf's after we saw a little boy pass by with a towering tie-dyed swirl of Superman Ice Cream.  We gave it a try and guess what that crazy concoction of colors tastes like?  Vanilla.

Top photo via BeachHunter.net  All other photos by Doreen Creede. Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/white
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SUMMER MORNINGS

A soft breeze teasing filmy curtains, that tinge of coolness before the humid heat of day arrives.  The world seems bent on pushing every season, forcing me into Fall when Labor Day's still weeks away.  But I'm clinging to every last wonderful bit of summer.

Photo courtesy Patricia LarsenSource URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/white
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SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY

Can't believe it's been six years ... seems like just yesterday Kevin and I shared the most wonderful wedding day with our family and friends ... and soon after departed for a glorious honeymoon on Antigua, the most relaxing week of my life.  Happy anniversary, honey!

(And sweet wishes to our friends Denise & Lane, who share our anniversary date ... looking forward to our celebration tonight.)

An adorable gift for a friend who is about to get married:  FlipFlops that leave romantic imprints in the sand.  From Forever Memories.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/white
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FIRE ISLAND CHIC

The Fire Island beach home of West Elm's creative director Alex Bates as featured in Country Living.  Patio chess ... the bags and hats gathered on the front porch ... the serene yet not at all boring white on white scheme ... I could happily stay here all summer.

Images via CountryLiving.com.  First seen on The Neo-Traditionalist.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/white
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FRESH

In the mood for something fresh and clean today.  This masterful example of sustainable luxury architecture fit the bill.  Turns out the architect, Rob Mills, and the house both hail from guess where? Yes, apparently my Aussie enthrallment continues.

Image via Brocade Design Etc.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/white
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SNOW WHITE

Sometimes, despite my love of color, I dream of living in a pristine all-white space.  Then I realize once you inject life--newspapers, people, dirty shoes--the effect would be akin to a city snowfall:  gorgeous and dreamy at first but soon turned a dingy gray.  Unless of course one has a housekeeping staff constantly cleaning up, as at the hotel suite above.  And I may be able to afford one.  Just this morning an email came through advising me that a sheik has left me 3.5 million pounds and I only need provide my bank account to claim it.  Oh, lucky day!


Image of Hillside Su Hotel in Antalya, Turkey via brocade design, etc.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/white
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MOONLIGHT COCKTAILS

With a quick change of accessories the brunch set-up featured in yesterday's post transforms into a sexy cocktail lounge--complete with glamorous outdoor chandeliers and a gleaming disco ball. (The chandeliers were an end-of-season find from Urban Outfitters and the disco ball comes from my secret supplier of all things wild and whimsical. So secret I won't even tell my business partner where her birthday gift came from.) Some of you may remember the entire vignette from the Summer in the Citi event Gina and I created for Citibank last summer.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/white
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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/white
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SPECIAL DELIVERY

Last week I returned home from a lovely (and lately all-too-rare) stay at Resort Mere et Pere to: a leaking sink, balking garage door, stuck blinds, tax returns and a broken TV. All after a 6-hour airport delay and a jittery flight through lightning and rain. The only nice thing greeting me: a surprise package from Cassidy. That lovely niece of mine sent me an incredible book called My Secret, a collection of postcard art/confessions from teens and young adults compiled by Frank Warren the founder of the Post Secret blog. The book stopped my moping cold, reminding me that as tough as it is to be an adult sometimes it's a whole lot better than being a teenager. It's also a great argument for the idea that an artist lurks inside each of us, we just need the courage to set it free (even if we do so anonymously).

READ: My Secret (the book) and PostSecret.com (the blog). Be forewarned: the entries contain uncensored and emotionally raw language, imagery and topics.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/white
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SNOW DAY

Sunday night we heard of a storm brewing and headed out to our country retreat--well, really our good friends' home in the 'burbs. Slept late, drank bloodies, and sledded through mounds of fluffy snow covering the hillside. Who says you have to be a kid to enjoy a snow day?

Photo by Doreen CreedeSource URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/white
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MANIAC FIND: The Perfect Pasta Bowl

This blog ain't called Style Maniac for nothin'. It's almost frightening to think how much thought, effort and searching I will put into finding the perfect [--fill in blank--]. Thus is born the "Maniac Find" where I save you all that time and grief and deliver the goodies straight to you.

First up: the perfect pasta bowl. Given the fact that I am a complete pasta-holic, this is an item that will be used every day, sometimes twice a day. Or three times, depending on the weather and how disinclined I am to go food shopping. So the pasta bowl had to pass a strict Goldilocks test and be just right:

...not too big, not too small; not too deep, not too shallow;



...not too fragile ('cause I drop things a lot); not too rustic ('cause it has to go with all my china). Dishwasher safe, of course. Reasonably price would be nice.


After years of searching I found it: Crate & Barrel's Large Bistro bowl (8") . Set 6/$29.95 or $5.95 ea. (Oh, and it's great for salads, too.)

Photos by Doreen CreedeSource URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/white
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