Life's little Instruction Book, page 120 + a few photos . . .

Such a clever use of space.

Thanks for stopping by the cottage for your visual tour and daily dose of inspiration. It is hazy, hot, and humid morning in New Jersey. It's going to be a scorcher. So far, I have not turned on my central air at all this year. I just pretend I am in Alabama on days like this. Webster has never been there so he just goes under the bed which must be the coolest place in the house. Enjoy. ♥Rosemary

Inaugural ball gowns ~ What will you be wearing? . . .

Isn't this photograph the best? Twins with twins at a debutant ball in Paris. Their dresses by Dominique Sirop would be perfect for the many inaugural balls tomorrow.

What's in your closet?

Red Leather-Bound Blank Notebook Embossed with Didot Font from Assouline . . .

DIDOT NOTEBOOK RED ~ $90.00

"Editors turned up at front rows toting this neat notebook. Stationery has become the new status bag." FASHION WEEK DAILY

- Leather-bound blank notebook
- Embossed with Didot, Assouline's signature font
- Cotton marker ribbon
- 144 pages with silver foil edges

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This is the companion notebook for the Assouline Didot Type Tote Bag.

Fabulous designer typographic laptop bag in leather . . .

Leather Bag designed by Assouline made by Cole Haan - $450.00

Beautiful genuine-leather unisex bag, ideal for carrying books or laptop computer. Embossed with numerals from the Didot alphabet. The inner canvas is lined with convenient zipper pockets. Made by Cole Haan for Assouline.

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Liking very much . . .

Currently loving these lamps.

And these wall organizers.

SPEND LESS and GIVE MORE this holiday season . . .

This is a screen shot from my computer. You can enlarge the picture but it is not a live link. Please watch the YouTube video below and learn about Toms Shoes plan to give away 30,000 pairs of shoes to children in Ethiopia in just 30 days. For each pair you buy, Tom's gives away a free pair to these needy children. Open up your hearts. This is a win/win for everyone. You get a pair of shoes with free shipping for yourself or someone on your gift list and an Ethiopian child gets a pair too. So you get and give at the same time!

Please watch!

UPDATE...GOAL REACHED...37,000 pairs sold!

Please post about this wonderful humanitarian endeavor on your blog and choose one of their many banners to display in your sidebar. Mine is at the top and will stay there for the whole month of December.

This holiday season, SPEND LESS AND GIVE MORE!
Visit Toms Shoes today.

UPDATE ~ Other bloggers who are posting about this worthy cause.

Sabina at Barefoot in the Orchard

Tina at Gal Friday is displaying a banner in her sidebar.

Let me know how you are participating and I will add your name to the list.

Friends of TOMS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to mobilizing, connecting, and empowering individuals who want to give further aid to communities served by the TOMS One for One mission.

If you would like to donate to their movement to eradicate Podoconiosis in Ethiopia, you can send your donations to:

Friends of TOMS
3025 Olympic Blvd.
Studio C
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Free Coffee for Voters at Starbucks 11/4 and More . . .

Tuesday (11/4) is a big day for our nation. We all have the chance to make a difference by choosing to take advantage of our democratic right to vote and now Starbucks has joined the slew of businesses offering up freebies for the election-conscious. Tell your barista that you voted and they'll serve you up a tall cup of brewed coffee on the house.

FREE ICE CREAM!
Ben & Jerry's is celebrating YOU, the voting population of the good 'ol USA for taking part in the election process. Stop by your nearest participating Ben & Jerry's between 5-8pm for a free scoop!

FREE DOUGHNUTS!
Not to be outdone Krispy Kreme is also showing some love for anyone with an "I voted" sticker. Stop by your nearest doughnut shop for a special star-shaped patriotic treat complete with red, white, and blue sprinkles.

Don't forget to get your "I Voted" sticker after you vote.

Thanks to: Daily Dose of Freebies

D-Day at Target Sunday, Sept. 7th . . .

Just a reminder! The John Derian items will be offered for a limited time beginning Sunday, September 7th. The weather here in New Jersey should be fine tomorrow after the Hanna aftermath blows over.

For a while today, it was raining sideways! All of my inside window sills were soaked and as I was wiping them off and closing the windows a light bulb went off in my head. Since everything was already presoaked, it would be a good time to wash the part of the sill that touches the screens. I had done them earlier in the year but they needed it again.

I got a stainless steel bowl, squirted in a little Dawn dish soap, added some really hot water, grabbed my favorite round fat paint brush and a cloth, and off I went. I did 19 windows in no time at all. I was really racing to get finished before dark. No need to worry about the soapy liquid running down the outside of the house either. The rain washed that off too. I am thrilled that I tackled that chore.

Late on a Saturday too ~ how pathetic is that?! Made me happy though...that's all that counts.

John Derian items at Target on Sept. 7th . . .

Fans of John Derian will be sleeping in the parking lots of Target stores on Sunday, September 7th to snap up choice pieces in his lower-price line.

See The New York Times article dated August 20th: "John Derian’s decoupage paperweights, vases and serving dishes — one-of-a-kind pieces covered with layered images of flowers, animals and antique script sealed under handblown glass — may be coveted both uptown and downtown, but they come at a price: the paperweights start at $30 and larger items can cost several thousand dollars.

Starting Sept. 7 Mr. Derian’s Old World aesthetic will be available to a much wider audience, when Target introduces a lower-price line of John Derian stationery and home décor. The coasters, photo albums, plates and wrapping paper, which are digitally printed to resemble decoupage, lack the visual depth and delicacy of Mr. Derian’s studio work; then again, the most expensive item in the collection is about the same price as a small paperweight in his original line."

The photo above is a page I have been saving in my clippings drawer from a very old Town and Country magazine. Since I collect and sell antique prints, his creations have always appealed to me. My friend Jill used to borrow authentic 18th century hand-colored engravings from my flat file to scan for decoupage lamps. She gave me two for a house-warming gift. One day I will show them to you; they are really spectacular.