breathtaking books covers . . .

As an interior designer I dream of having all my books look aesthetically pleasing in the space I'm decorating, but it doesn't happen very often. Often times the books I love the most don't have beautiful covers. Well, leave it to Coralie Bickford-Smith to do a fantastic job re-creating the covers of some of my favorite F. Scott Fitzgerald books - who doesn't love The Great Gatsby? These reads are definitely going on my wish list to fill in my bookcase!

*photos via Coralie Bickford-Smith

Blogger's Summer Reading List

There is something about summer that makes me want to lay in the sun and enjoy a wonderful new book. Maybe it’s because summer is all about relaxing? Maybe it’s because I’m lazy and don’t want to work? But I’m all about a good summer read. So, I asked some of my favorite bloggers to chime in on their favorite reads for this summer – if you don’t already have a stack of books on you're bedside table, your bound to have one after you read these reviews. Enjoy!

Caitlin

The Help: My mom handed me this book and said “It’s so good – you won’t be able to put it down.” I knew it had to be good.

Beginner’s Greek: A couple days before our wedding I headed over to our local book store for a stack of books. I felt lost (had a lot on my mind, wink wink) – a girl my age working said “since you have ‘Girls in Trucks’ in your hand, you’ll enjoy this as well.” I couldn’t put it down on the plane.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: I’m still smiling and thinking about all of the wonderful characters. If I had the time, and of course the money, I'd be booking a trip for Guernsey right this very minute.

Erin

The Happiness Project: I was told it's a great book to read in your first year of marriage

Chelsea Handler - My Horizontal Life: This was a bachelorette party gift - so I could live vicariously through Chelsea's exploits. It's damn funny.

Vogue Italia: I bought it in the Marco Polo airport on our way homefrom the honeymoon just so I could keep drooling over italian fashion and try to keep up my italian vocabulary now that we're back home!

Daniella

All You Need to Be Impossibly French: Full of entertaining interviews and the author's own experiences in France, this book is full fabulous french secrets and all you need to know about that certain "je ne sais qoui". It's a really great read!

French Women Don't Get Fat: A favourite of mine, complete with delicious french recipes, I love reading Mireille's take on life and living it to the fullest - the french way of course. I could read Mireille's books over and over again and still learn something new about french culture.

Entre Nous: A Women's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl: My latest read, Entre Nous, is about the french girl in all of us. I loved how much I could actually relate to this book... plus, the author includes all kinds of helpful little lists, along with book and movie recommendations.

Sarah

Stuff Every Woman Should Know: The perfect, light read, with easy-to-understand instructions and insights into some of the most common things, such as changing a flat tire, selecting a signature scent, throwing a cocktail party, and much, much more!

The Fabulous Girl's Guide to Grace Under Pressure: Extreme Etiquette for the Stickiest, Trickiest, Most Outrageous Situations of Your Life: This book is exactly how it sounds—a lovely, slightly humorous read with real-life scenarios, offering the proper way to deal with even the most unnerving situations. Perfect for the modern businesswoman, who wishes to have grace…

A Thousand Days in Tuscany: The cover sold me. The words “Days”, “in” and “Tuscany” had me. I picked this up in the airport and cannot wait to begin reading it…

*And, an all-time favorite romantic read, Summer after Summer: The Blue Castle

Anne

Early Dawn by Catherine Anderson: A damsel in distress, a rogue cowboy...the perfect summer escape!

Where We Have to Go by Lauren Kirshner: The debut novel by a high school friend of mine, this coming-of-age tale takes place in my hometown. Toronto represent!

Clean by Alejandro Junger: If Gwyneth Paltrow tells me to read a book, I'll read it. And if she says it'll make me a trim and radiant as she is, I'll read it twice!

summer reading . . .

Last weekend I finally started on my small stack of summer reading, but I'm still searching for more must reads. I'm currently reading Italian for Beginners - it feels as though I've been transported to Rome every time I turn a page. What's on your bedside table right now? I'd LOVE any book recommendations you have. It's my favorite time of year to read, well that's a lie - I love reading on a cold rainy day.

{photo courtesy of kate spade}

dreaming of sunshine . . .

Yesterday, if felt as though it was January - rain pouring down in every direction, umbrellas turning inside out and layers of clothing needed. Usually May isn't too bad, but this is beyond acceptable. I’m longing for sun filled days, light pouring in my windows, and days reserved for reading. Ahh . . . wouldn’t that be nice. For now, I’ll be waiting patiently for the sun to peak out from under the gloomy clouds.

{photos courtesy of skona hem, this is glamorous and We Heart It}

Summer Has Come to the Bay

Now that Labor Day weekend is over, summer can officially start here in the Bay Area. We’ve had some cold days this summer which required winter coats and puffy jackets. However, while the rest of the country is gearing up for crisp fall weather, we’re going to be getting some warm days. I’m crossing my fingers as the weather this week is looking amazing with some days in the 70’s and hopefully a few in the 80’s. My ideal weather!

More to come this week.

{photo courtesy of flickr}

Not to be Missed: Summer Reading

The Glass Castle is a beautiful and heartfelt memoir by Jeanette Walls. She recounts her childhood as they move like nomads from one small town to another. Growing up with an irresponsible, unstable family is sad, but through the heartfelt stories you can imagine what it was like. It’s such a compelling story that it makes you never want to set the book down.