It's The End of The World As We Know It.

Giveaway Winner And Show House Snaps.

Congrats to Kayduh - you are the winner of the Shabby Apple dress giveaway. Email me at hellogorgeousblog@gmail.com so I can get your pertinent info. Thanks for playing. And thanks to Shabby Apple for offering a gift to HG readers.

I've been meaning to post this for over a month but I've been too busy. My husband (dragged kicking and screaming) and I went to the Red Cross Show House in West Palm Beach in early February. The photos didn't turn out so well but I'll post the few that did for those wishing for a vacation and dreaming of early spring.

The outside space was one of my favorite things.

Here, a closeup:

The Master:

That's really it. Hopefully I'll be able to post about South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach soon because there are antiques shops galore!! Dozens and dozens! And Mecox Gardens (which I took pictures of and some turned out so hopefully I can do a post soon). Also, S. Dixie Hwy. was featured in the current issue of Coastal Living. So grab one and take a look.

P.S. I never say snaps.

Last Day for Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway.

You may have seen their dresses on the Today show or in Marie Claire magazine...and you may see one in your own closet if you win this giveaway. Shabby Apple is an online dress boutique with a great, well-priced collection of dresses, swimwear, jewelry and aprons. Oh, yes, I said aprons. Remember, you are talking to the former pie queen of the midwest. Someday if you're good I will teach you how to make the best pecan pie ever.

I went to the Shabby Apple website, stuck in my thumb and pulled out a plum-colored dress. Love the classic style of Amethyst (with the boots!). The wrap-style suits all kinds of body types and the rich plum color suits everybody. Go take a look at their website here and leave a comment with your favorite dress or item from the website by midnight on Monday, March 14 and I'll select a random winner from U. S. readers next Tuesday.

While you're on the Shabby Apple website you'll notice there are reviews for the dresses, which is very helpful as well as a section helping you choose the best dress for your body type. You will also notice that they donate 5% of their profits to Helping Women Worldwide (read about it here). And because they're so awesome, they're offering 10% off any order with the coupon code hellogorgeous10off.

Also, if you go here and "like" S. A. on Facebook, you will be entitled to special discounts and promotions.

Happy shopping!

Oh, Yes I Did.

God, I have missed having a truck (sorry Al Gore, Earth and my other car, the Prius). So, look what I came away with after a night of drunken bidding on eBay. Is there any other kind of bidding on eBay? If so, I am not familiar with it.

I have loved this car ever since I saw Baby Boom while I was pregnant with my child. Now I feel like I need one of those bumper stickers that says, "Wag More, Bark Less."

I think so.

Friday Flashback and Forward.

My Old Girl.

She's 17 today.

We have been through a lot together.

She's mostly blind and deaf but she's happy. And hungry. My husband (who is ordinarily very politically correct) has renamed her Helen Keller.

Please address your cards, letters and negative comments to him. His name's John.

As for Shy? I think she deserves a party.

(P.S. I reposted this from 2 years ago!)

Move, Veuve.

There's a new girl in town and her name is Rose. She's bubbly and likes to party.

I had this on New Year's and it's my new favorite. Super yum. Try adding a sugar cube with a few drops of bitters and 1 oz. of Grand Marnier (to 3 oz. champagne) in a sugar-rimmed glass. Buzz and sugar buzz.

I Am a Beekmaniac.

I've been tweeted!! I'm so excited!

Visit their store here and buy their stuff!!

I am certain that I am way late to the party. The Beekman Boys party, that is.

While shopping at Terrain a couple of weeks ago, I picked up a book, The Bucolic Plague. I bought it for my husband for Christmas because I loved the idea of the story and it's his dream - goats and all - to become a gentleman farmer.

Meanwhile, I found myself flat on my back with no reading material so I picked it up and read it straight through. It's very funny and sweet and charming and fabulous: Two boys from New York buy upstate mansion with farm; goats happen, comedy (and fabulous dinners cooked from farm-grown goodness) ensues.

Anyway, this story is adorable, as are its characters (Farmer John, anyone?). I totally related to the fact that Josh, the author, from Wisconsin, got his start detasseling corn (as did I and Cindy Crawford [I like to compare myself with Cindy Crawford whenever possible]). Note to Josh: You detassel the female corn so the male corn doesn't fertilize it, thus ruining the hybrid.

Because of the book and my new obsession, I discovered that they have a shop here where they sell beautiful goat milk soap from their farm as well as goat cheese (cleverly named Blaak) and handmade letter-pressed cards, among other things. They have even renovated an empty hotel in their little town, Sharon Springs, into a storefront shop so we can visit!

They also have a show about to enter its second season on Planet Green called "The Fabulous Beekman Boys." I have watched the episodes available on On Demand and now am in serious love with these boys.

I love the idea of the sustainable farm (it's the future, people!) and the goats and the boys and the town and the small-town goings-on. I am ordering goat milk soap today and some Christmas cards for next year (actually, I already missed the boat on that). Here's the link if you're inclined to do the same: Beekman1802.com. If you do, just know you are supporting a small farm and community (also the future, people!).

Fa La Latte...

Compliments of my awesome girl: Full-time art student, part-time barista.

Thank You, Apartment Therapy; Book Giveaway Winner (And More I.T. Madness...)

My Stencilled Wall

Just when you thought it was safe to view this blog without seeing more Imperial Trellis, Apartment Therapy digs up the I. T. stencil project from the recesses of the H. G. archives. Thanks for the link and mention, A. T.!

I'm also sorry to tell you that the madness has spread to several intrepid readers who've taken on the insane stencil project with great success. A gold star to all of you for your efforts. Here are a few photos of their work:

First up is Amy. She stencilled onto panels so she can take them with her when she moves (if she isn't sick of I. T. by then!).

Next up is Molly of the blog Molly's Musings. She took a kitchen in a plain white wrapper and trellised it up:

And, last, is Erin's dining room. She started with the long wall and decided it would be too busy, so she STARTED OVER on the smaller wall with beautiful results. Here's the first attempt:

And the final result:

And, last, congratulations to Stefan of Architect Design. You're the winner of the Kelly Wearstler book, Domicilium Decoratus. Please send me your mailing information so we can get the book out to you. Thanks to Boxwood Home for sponsoring the giveaway. And remember: 20% off their new online store for HG readers until Christmas Day.

Book Giveaway!! Plus Home Tour Porn.

The awesome folks at Boxwood Home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, had such a great time with our last giveaway that they're doing another giveaway.

An oldie but a goodie...no, not Kelly Wearstler, but her fab book, Domicilium Decoratus. It's over the top with style and Kells Bells is a'posing in all manner of fabulous frock - it's a must-have for decor libraries.

Leave a comment below and I'll randomly select a winner on Friday. And don't forget to visit Boxwood Home's store here to get 20% off* beautiful merchandise like the Isabella chest from Bungalow 5 (use code BLGD):

(it's covered in lacquered moss green grasscloth, y'all)

And now for the home tour porn part: John, the beauty brains behind Boxwood Home, lives in a perfect little historic home in Lewes, Delaware, which was on the Christmas House Tour on Saturday. He was kind enough to share photos of his gorgeous house from the tour.

The perfect little kitchen. Wait, it gets better:

Look up. That's the kitchen ceiling.

This photo is not from the tour but earlier in the fall.

It's the eating area off the kitchen.

How perfect is that? House Beautiful was right when they asked "Is Small the New Big?" So, go visit his shop here, his blog here and leave a comment below to be entered in the book giveaway. I'll meet you back here on Friday.

*From now through Christmas Day

Prints Charming.

I stumbled across this website by accident while I was searching for pictures of Brett Favre's penis (okay, not really, but tell me you didn't look...and weren't disappointed :).

Vintage Printables is a very cool website that offers free, mostly public domain vintage images. And while they offer primarily botanical, scientific and naturalist prints, there's a pretty wide variety of images. Some frames from Target (or nice, antique frames) and good printing paper and you've got a nice gift for a friend or for yourself (you know, one for you, one for me).

I would like to see a sweet set of botanicals like this:

A great little number from Art & Design:

The one that got away...

Kitteh cocktail party!

You can just hear the sound of the crashing surf.

Happy printing.

And The Winner Is...

Sarah of the blog Just Getting Started. Congratulations! Just send me your mailing information and we'll get that Stag candle out to you right away.

I'd also like to thank those who stopped by the Boxwood Home website and made a purchase. Don't forget, the savings for blog readers continues until Christmas Day. Just use the code BLGD to get your 20% off.

A Gorgeous Giveaway! And 20% Off! And Free Shipping!

To get you in the mood for the holiday season, my good friends at Boxwood Home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, are offering a nice little giveaway: Patch NYC's festive holiday scented Stag candle - a beautiful combination of siberian fir, cilantro, citrus, raspberry, it smells like a lovely walk in the woods on a winter day (after having just overflown Florida!). Seriously, it's my favorite holiday scent and I have one burning as we speak. It's 100% soy with a 72-hour burn time.

If that weren't enough, Boxwood Home just opened its online shop and Hello Gorgeous readers will receive 20% off your entire purchase through Christmas and get free shipping for a limited time! Just punch in the coupon code BLGD and get 20% off your entire purchase through Christmas Day (while supplies last).

Here are some of the fine (my favorite!) things you'll find in (virtual) store:

The Iron Beaded Chandelier is so unique and makes quite an impressive statement at 46 inches high.

The Burlap X Screen, made of whitewashed mahogany, is great for hiding a mess or dividing space in a large room or small apartment. Here's a shot of it in the store:

The Isabelle chairs (also shown above in a gray wash with burlap fabric) fit in with so many styles of decor. Here's another shot of one in the store (taken with my phone):

If you look closely at the chair, you will see this Thomas Paul alpaca throw in gray. It's super soft - perfect for cuddling in front of the fire.

And a new favorite, the acid-washed cowhide in brown and white with gold. Looks great over a seagrass rug.

The Octavio Octopus print from Natural Curiosities has the appearance of an antique, hand-colored etching.

Here it is in the entryway of my beach house (again with the lamps stolen from my bedroom - still on the lookout for lamps!):

Those are just a few of my favorites. There's so much more from John Derian to Barbara Cosgrove. Just go to the Boxwood Home virtual store and tell me what your favorite thing is. Leave a comment below and I'll randomly select a winner on Cyber Monday (Nov. 29).

Happy Shopping! And have a great Thanksgiving.

Please Note: Some large items have limited delivery to the mid-Atlantic area.