0 A Giveaway From Timeless Settings

It's giveaway time!

I'm happy to announce this exciting giveaway from Timeless Settings, an online home decor store you are going to love!

I have spent the last two days perusing this wonderful store which is full of treasures, all reasonably priced! In fact, there are over 600 unique items!

Here is a sampling of what you will find at Timeless Settings, my personal favorites, hand selected by moi!

Melamine French feedsack tray, a must for the summer months. Perfect for schlepping those drinks outside!

Or perhaps you like this rustic painted tray instead to carry your beverages.

And won't your beverages look gorgeous in these "Bienvenue" etched goblets?

A set of six retails for $32. I couldn't resist!

Who can resist these etched glass votives. Also perfect for entertaining outside this summer...

...just add these little succulent votive candles!

A set of six retails for $8. I couldn't resist these either!

There are so many unique frames like this turquoise one, decorated with metal flowers.

This frame also comes in a soft apple green color. A tough decision....

There is a huge selection of wall art to choose from. This burlap matted botanical is one of eight in a series.

Another botanical, which is one in a series of six. I actually have this print and am looking to add to it. How fun would these be in a powder room!

This hand painted mirror would also be perfect in the powder room!

I love this memory board. Perfect for your post card collection!

Are you liking what you see so far?

Good, because Donna from Timeless Treasures has generously offered a $50 gift certificate which you may spend on anything your heart desires in her store!

All you have to do to enter is visit her store here, and select your favorite item.

Come back and leave a comment, telling me what you chose.

If you are a follower of Vignette Design, you get a second chance to win, so "follow" me if you don't already. (See my sidebar.)

If you're "into" Facebook or Twitter, share this post for a third chance!

The winner will be announced Tuesday, May 2nd.

This giveaway is only available to U.S and Canadian residents. You don't have to be a blogger to enter, but please leave me your contact information should you win.

Thank you Donna for offering this fabulous giveaway!

Speaking of Giveaways....I am the lucky winner of the $100 gift certificate to Anthropologie, from Suzanne at Privet and Holly. Thank you so much Suzanne! It was my lucky day!

0 Pulp Fashion

photo: Legion of Honor

The art of Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave is being featured at The Legion of Honor in San Francisco, and I had a chance to see it yesterday.

All of the costumes above represent the Medici and are made entirely out of paper.

Paper is her medium, textiles and costumes are her muse.

photo: Legion of Honor

We were all amazed the way the artist manipulates and paints the paper to create such detail! It is hard to believe they are not real, more like trompe l'oeil. Of course we weren't allowed to touch, but also no cell phone photos were allowed.

photo: Legion of Honor

This costume of a Neapolitan woman was inspired by the painting in the background by Stanzione, ca 1635. Even the chicken is paper.

photo: Andreas von Einsiendel

Detail of an Elizabeth I court dress. Doesn't it look real?

photo: Legion of Honor

19th century dresses.

photo: Legion of Honor

The Fortuny Tent was my favorite. She was greatly inspired by Fortuny, and this tent pays homage to his art and fabrics. The diaphanous curtain panels are made from lens cleaner paper.

I think this would be the perfect replacement tent for my backyard!

photo: Creations Isabelle de Borchgrave

The artist at work.

The Legion of Honor is the first museum in the United States to dedicate an entire exhibition to Isabelle de Borchgrave's work.

The exhibition runs to June 5th. If you are planning to visit San Francisco, this is a must see! The museum alone is worth the visit commanding views of The City, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Ocean and Marin Headlands. For more information, visit the website for the Legion here.

0 Your Roses Look Tasty!

While planting the tomatoes a few weeks ago in Asti, I looked up to see this young buck staring at me!

There were two of them.

Luckily, we are completely deer fenced, or they would eat my white Iceberg roses down to the ground. It's like crack for them!

What magnificent creatures though, don't you think?

0 Tuesday Inspiration: Succulents

I'm a sucker for succulents these days!

I love them for their organic and rustic feel, and for how they always seem to be perfect planted in unexpected containers like above. Once a sconce for pillar candles, now repurposed to hold succulents.

Sandy Koepke

In fact, seeking out the unusual containers to hold these wonderful plants is half the fun.

I'm inspired by how Sandy Koepke uses succulents in her design.

Sandy Koepke

Here, she used colorful California pottery to hold a collection of succulents outside.

Sandy Koepke

An outdoor room designed by Sandy Koepke, using succulents. These plants were made for our climate in California!

My friend Lisa displays organic succulent arrangements on her windowsills. A collection of branches, moss and succulents, they are a wonderful juxtaposition to the silver collection in her formal living room. She retrofitted the sills with soapstone to accommodate them!

The first time I saw a succulent wreath was at Lisa's house. She knows a talented florist who specializes in succulents and will make just about anything. However, the wreath above is from Viva Terra and can be purchased online for $89.

They have two versions available.

It's hard to resist this little guy! Viva Terra again for $79.

I'm loving this driftwood container from Viva Terra! At $89 though, I don't think so!

They also have a trio of little plants for sale in cement containers. The three for $79.

I picked up my trio of succulents for my kitchen window at Home Depot! Only $5 each, they are so sweet in their crackled pots.

I just planted this container with succulents. It looks like it's made of stone, but is actually resin. I found it at Jo Ann's Fabrics of all places.

A similar version of my "rock garden" is available at Viva Terra online.

In the wine country, succulents are perfect because of the dry, hot climate most of the year.

We planted quite a few containers last year, including the cement pillars outside the living room doors.

I had these cement containers from Ballard Designs forever, and when I planted them with succulents, they came alive!

When I found this cement suitcase in an antique store, I knew it would be perfect for a succulent garden in Asti. It has held up well through the winter.

Succulents allow you to be creative. After all, how many plants can you make a wreath out of that will last almost forever! It's also fun selecting different varieties for arrangements. They come in so many different colors and sizes--all needing very little water!

Stephanie Williams Photography

Succulents have even become popular for weddings.

Stephanie Williams Photography

This particular wedding used succulents entirely. Click here to see one of the most beautiful weddings ever!

Martha Stewart

A wedding, or also a garden would be lovely with a succulent "kissing ball!"

Cottage Gardens of Petaluma

Succulents and flowers mixed together make for a lovely centerpiece for the holidays.

So why are succulents so popular? The "The Queen of Succulents," Debra Lee Baldwin says it is because they are easy to care for and draught tolerant. And because of their rosettes and geometric shapes with striking colors.

I couldn't agree more! Her two books are a must, and a great place to begin if you are considering succulents for your home and garden. Both books are available on my sidebar from Amazon. Just one of the many conveniences I offer!

So, how do you feel about succulents? Are you as crazy about them as I am?