Children's Illustration: Trina Schart Hyman

Trina Schart Hyman has been my favorite children's illustrator since i found her in the second grade in the library of my elementary school. I remember being fascinated by the beautiful pictures and deciding all I wanted to be was a Children's book illustrator. I used to sit for hours in my room trying to copy her work and wishing I could draw as well as her.

In my adult years I have been collecting her books. Birthdays, Christmases and any other excuse I can think of brings me one book closer to a complete collection. It has gotten expensive seeing as most of her books have been out of print since the 70's, but what is 140 dollars for a battered children's book if I look at it at least once a week.

I recently decided to blow up some prints of her books to display in my home. I chose a few of the paintings from Repunzel and Swan Lake, and it brings me so much joy to look at them every day.

If you have Children I highly suggest buying these books for them to enjoy especially if you have girls my nieces love to look through my book and reenact the stories for me.

Trina Schart Hyman was an incredible artist and if I ever have millions of dollars I will erect a wing for her in a museum somewhere so that her work can be viewed as the incredible work of art that they are and thousands of people will be able to enjoy her work as well.

Downton Abbey: a Tale of Aristocrats and Servants

Downton Abbey is the tale of aristocrats and servants at the end of the 1800's facing a changing world. It follows the family of Earl of Grantham, and the family's servants. Beautifully written, costumed and acted. One of my favorite actresses, Maggie Smith, plays an aged dowager mother, witty and vicious.

Christopher and I laughed more then we expected to, but the drama made us hold our breath as the stories unfolded. Maggie Smiths quips about American's living in Wigwams had us laughing while handsome Thomas the valet had us shocked at his bad behavior, and wondering what devious trick he would be up to next.

The grounds and rooms of the house "playing" Downton Abbey are glorious!!! You find yourself saying wistfully "I wish I had that wallpaper."

Look out for this handsome Turkish devil!!! He is up to no good.

Anthropologie's Launches Wedding Dress Line: BHLDN

Anthropologie is launching its new wedding line Valentines Day! BHLDN. I could not be more thrilled and excited. I have the highest hopes that it will be stunning, elegant, and sophisticated. A day of love celebrated with a day of glorious wedding dresses!! Let us all go to bhldn.com and be tantalized and entranced together.

Jazz Game 100 Club

My sister who was recently married graciously gave us her Jazz game tickets while she and her husband were in the Caribbean. Christopher was so excited and we had an awesome time yelling, cheering and taunting Tony Parker.

Part of the tickets was a dinner beforehand in the dinning room at the top of solutions arena Christopher and I filled up on tenderloin and crab waiting for the game to start, my favorite part was a large waffle cones of gourmet ice cream.

It was really fun to watch all the antics of the mascots and be right there in the game.

We were by some super obnoxious and loud guys who taunted Tony Parker so much that he looked over and smiled and waved at us. I was soooooo embarrassed and just wanted to die. I really started to pay attention to the game which I never had before and it was better then I thought it was going to be. I think I may be able to get into basketball games after all.

Why Christian Dior Rules the Runway and My Imagination

If you've met me you know that I adore pink, flowers, and the ultra feminine apparel. You will never find me sporting the androgynous look it's simply never going to happen. I love designers such as Chanel and Versace as well, but Christian Dior captures my fascination with luring designs, candy shop colors and storybook looks.

The use of fabric, embroidery and texture makes you think that anything is possible. These are dresses that have escaped from fairy tale!! You know if the Queen in Snow White had been wearing any of these dresses she would always have been fairest in the land.

I find that these Dior designs capture my fascination for gorgeous fabrics. The drama is a simple celebration of everything that is fantastical, feminine and luxurious and I personally applaud it. I dream of the day I can own somethings as remotely beautiful as these dresses.

Is it so wrong that I want this dress more then a baby???

Coco Chanel famously accused Christian Dior in the 1950's of locking women in a prison of uncomfortable clothes after she had spent all of the 1920's trying to free them. Well madame Chanel if this prison... LOCK ME UP!!!

All images from style.com from the Christian Dior collections 2009, 2010 ,2007

Let's talk about .....Eva Franco

If there is a designer I think will should all get chic and fabulous with it's Eva Franco! This Label will make you swoon with joy as you wrap yourself in thick, rich, high quality fabrics. These vintage designs are extremely feminine and remind you why being a girl is the best.

Large scale bows, ruffles and flowers oh my!Is this what we'll be wearing in heaven? .... well we will in my heaven.

I adore the vintage inspiration and the kickbacks to the 50's with large adorable polka-dots and puffy skirts. So lets us all stand and clap for Eva Franco and thank her for her marvelous designs. With that introduction CHECK OUT MY NEW SKIRT!!!

Gorgeous Chairs From Target

I am really loving these chairs from Target, especially as most of them are on sale!!