Ah, the decorating domino effect. We really have been careful about what we bring into this new apartment as we already have too much of muchness, especially as far as art is concerned. But when I found this Gobelins tapestry for, I’ll admit it, 15 Euros (since several of you have asked), I couldn’t resist. As it is gigantic, there was only one place for it that really worked, above the fireplace in the bedroom. We still haven’t had the moment to gallery hang it but are thrilled with the peace that it brings. Similarly, I am loving the soft light emanating from the mercury mirror that has now by default been shifted to the living room. Win, win.
Speaking of winning, I was recently given two awards for Lost in Arles. Hooray! The incredible Karin, a veritable one-woman walking Wiki of good taste, was kind enough to give me the Blog on Fire Award in January. Do you know her blog, La Pouyette? To give you an idea, she recently constructed an imaginary dinner party for 12. Her invitées included Frederick the Great, Karl Lagerfeld and Oscar Wilde. Impeccable. Merci, Karin!
As part of accepting this award, I need to tell you five things about myself that you may not know:
1) When I am as homesick for the States as I am right now, I admit that given the opportunity to have either an authentic Sunday Brunch or a menu degustation at a Michelin-starred restaurant, I would, without hesitation, chose the brunch. Tragically, I would probably also pick peanut butter over foie gras.
2) I have a built-in radar that can hear a champagne cork popping within a five-mile radius.
3) I once sang “Summertime” for a tribe on Tanna Island in Vanuatu in the Pacific to thank them for performing a dance for me.
4) Secret talent: Killer yoga toes.
5) To my shame? I have the worst memory for faces of anyone I know. Not such a big deal while living in Manhattan when the chances of running into someone you know are slim but in a small town like Arles? Very, very embarrassing.
Natalie Rapoport lives in Toronto but is a world-traveller who loves to share those special moments, les petites bijoux, that we come across as we go. Hence her charming blog, Jewel yet to find. I love her patient eye and her attention to detail so was very excited when she decided to send me the Liebster Blog Award. Wow! Thank you so much, Natalie.
Something wonderful that both of these awards have in common is that they are in recognition of blogs with under 200 followers. So I am happy to pass on the baton to five of my favorite small blogs and am awarding them BOTH the Blog on Fire Award and the Liebster Blog Award.
*For the winners, please see the “rules” at the bottom of this already crazy long post.
1) I dream of. With such a title, I knew that I would be hooked but Jeanne’s blog has instantly become one of my favorites. Why? She has so much heart, as corny as that sounds, not to mention oodles of talent. I am predicting here that she will become a darling of the design blog world.
2) Looking Glass. Clare is a classic beauty, a model and an actress but that is where the classicism stops. She always has surprises up her sleeve, including a very frank series where she interviewed burlesque performers. Have to love that Aussie mix.
3) Shifting Gears. Judith Ross is an accomplished writer whose intelligence and authenticity never cease to inspire me. This blog is dedicated towards “navigating middle age and beyond” and she does so with a light hand.
4) oh-fancy that. Four really funny and fabulous ladies that have an amazing take on DIY, fashion, food (a favorite post is the recipe for pecan, bourbon and butterscotch bread pudding). Just read their “About Us” and try and not be addicted. For sure they will be wondering “An award from who?” but I love your blog!
5) Concrete Jungle. Heather doesn’t post all the time but I never know from what part of the world she will when she does. Girl gets around. An interior designer based mainly out of Thailand, she puts her trained eye to good use, no detail is too small. To boot, she has formed a great charity to help out at home.
There are few other blogs that were awarded at the same time I was otherwise, they would be on this list and are well worth the gander:
and Helen Tilston Painter, who, I am assuming has already been given both of these awards…
Additionally, I would like to give Ben, my Golden Retriever, the Siberian Survivor Award for handling the European cold snap with panache. True, he slightly resembles Ben in a Burqa but a dog has to do what a dog has to do to stay warm.
The Rules for the Winners
To keep these awards going (and I realize the slightly chain-mailedness of that phrase), please recognize blogs with under 200 followers and…
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog
2. Choose five blogs to nominate and let them know by leaving a comment
3. Request that the chosen blogs pass the Award on to their favorite five
4. Copy and paste the award on your blog post
5. List five things about yourself……
2. Choose five blogs to nominate and let them know by leaving a comment
3. Request that the chosen blogs pass the Award on to their favorite five
4. Copy and paste the award on your blog post
5. List five things about yourself……
Number 5 is just for the Blog on Fire Award, so if you don’t want to divulge (it really isn’t that painful), there is always the Liebster Award…
Thanks to all of you that have stayed with me this far…et bon weekend!
Your post has given hope to people like me who have but 'double digit' followers. . .love the awards. Congrats!
Congratulations, Sister! I think you are SISTER on fire!!! Beautiful writing, amazing photographs, spreading love – it all makes me very proud of you! Now get those yoga toes over here and let's get us some Sunday brunch!!! : )
Wow!!! Thank you Heather so VERY MUCH!!! You're too generous to a blogger debutant like me. I'm honored to be in such a fine company . I'm singing with delight.
Thank you for sweet words and stop by for the next post, I'll make it special for you.
Going to check your nominees.
PS: tapestry looks fantastic, it's glowing.
Natalie
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!WOW……..two awards in one day?!!
I just ate a peanut butter snack!I'm with you on that one too!Tapestry looks GRAND……..good job with placement!Keep BEN warm on all accounts…………he is special.
xoxo
Aww, Heather! You're the sweetest. Thank you, thank you , thank you. I will definitely post a thank you on my blog, 5 things about myself & pass the awards along. I'm now off to check out the other fab blogs you've awarded 🙂
~ Clare x
PS: Ben is too cute in that burqa!!
Heather, thank you so much for the award!! We are honored — be on the look out for our thank you in OUR award post!! xx.
Oh – Fancy That.
You are the SWEETEST!!! Thank you for awarding "Oh – Fancy That". It means so much to us. You've made all of our days. 🙂
Oh – Fancy That.
Congratulations Heather, your writing transmits a warmth and charm that we all enjoy. So sad to her that you are feeling homesick … life's too short 🙂
have a good weekend
Sharon
xx
Oh my, what an honor! Thank you Heather! And this has the added bonus of giving me something to write about for what so far has become a weekly post.
Tell Ben that his counterpart in Massachusetts likes to stay warm not just by getting into bed with the human 'rents in the morning, but by actually burrowing under the down comforter with them. Because her fur is oh-so-soft it makes leaving the bed in the morning painful for all three of us….. and weirdly enough, she is usually the last one to emerge.
Bravo, et félicitations Heather! Yes, you are on fire (and no, it's not just that new camera of yours 😉 Thank you for mentioning French Girl in Seattle in your post. I did indeed receive the Liebster blog award but have not been as diligent as you have in "passing it forward." I did thank Natalie, though, so that takes care of #1 on the list. Phew. Will tacke #2,3 and 4 asap. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle) PS: Please give a big hug to that furry popsicle of yours. I love the Burqa look on him!