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!
Hello Heather
Congratulations on your Awards and "well deserved"
Karin's blog La Pouyette is one of my favourites.
Thank you kindly for mentioning my blog in your post.
I love your tapestry – it exudes warmth. Your mirror is also beautiful and full of character.
Ben's face just made me smile and he looks so contended and why not, he is loved very much.
To a great weekend.
Helen xx
Congratulations on all of your awards Heather you truly deserve them. Always fun getting to know more about our blog friends. Love your tapestry and what a great buy! Ben is a cutie and Dylan has a mouse too only his is yellow, loves it! Enjoy your weekend!
XX
Debra~
Oh, we're big fanboys of Judith Ross in this household. Quite aside from all the readily-indentifiable reasons for admiring Judith and her writing, we (and even my parents have remarked on this) are remarkably awed by her having twice interviewed endlessly-dithering me (for "Talking/Writing" magazine) and somehow managing to construct a coherent article from all my meanderings.
It couldn't have been an easy job.
I should add that Judith's was the first interview I've read in fifteen or so years without wincing or cringing even once.
Admiringly,
David Terry
http://www.davidterryart.com
Hooray! Thanks everyone for enjoying the fun of this. I too am off to get ready for a lunch date so this will have to be shorter than I would like but I hope that everyone is having an excellent weekend!
We all have to start somewhere! I still am so excited for every single new follower.
Just missing my Mom and Sis but will take the plane next week! Hooray!
Ben doesn't look that different from me! In this cold windy weather, who's to know whats lurking behind all those layers!
Very jealous of the tapestry, perfect for an Arlesian apartement, tres chic! I'll let you explain the blog link, I need to get ready to meet you for lunch! Quelle bonne chance! A tout a l'heure
Heather, thanks a million …..it is fun to be part of the under two hundred club and recognized for it! Off to check out the company….and try and get another post up.
hugs Heather
Oh Heather, I am blushing! Thanks so much, you are so sweet and I so enjoy our blog exchanges. Glad to see that you are getting some well-deserved recognition for your delightful musings. Congratulations! And Ben! Such well deserved praise for muddling through the cold with panache. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend and thanks again for the kindness and support! XOXO Jeanne
Your awards are so well deserved Heather! The depth of content in your posts is always appreciated. Interesting subject matter, written with sincerity and warmth.
Speaking of warmth….Ben looks like he is coping very well with the cold weather. The burqa is a nice touch!
Have a wonderful weekend.