Blog it Forward Series ~ The Enchanted Home

Hi dear friends!

I started blogging in May 2011 as a kind of birthday gift to myself and to find an outlet for all the ideas that were milling about my very active mind at the time.  Actually, I did not know much about blogs at all, so it was a major discovery for me. I know, I know, a wee bit behind the times, but here I am at last!

Like so many other bloggers, I made a very tentative entrance into blogging, wondering who on earth was going to read my scribblings?? Anyway, I wrote a post, and saved it to draft, deleted and thought, no ways, went to bed, got

back up, re-wrote it  and hovered nervously over the "Publish" button. Oh darn, I thought.... it could just be an on line, scrapbook, if nothing else....

Well, a few months later, and I was hooked, met some amazingly talented, generous and supportive people that I could ever imagine to find anywhere...I honestly did not expect to forge such close and wonderful friendships. Bloggers have such a generous spirit of caring and sharing. Whenever I got stuck on blogging jargon or techno stuff (phew!! lets not even go down that road!), all I did was ask and I got emails after email educating me!

So, I have decided to share some of those wonderful bloggers and their blogs with you and to give you a peek at who they really are. A Blog it Forward Series to share my blog love.

So, I compiled twenty random questions for them to answer and then, I selfishly reserved the best bit for myself...I got to select some of my favourite images from their blogs to share with you!

Well, someone had to do it! Might as well be me:)

First in my lineup...

 One of my favourite  ( we spell it like this over here!)blogs and a very special blogger!

Many of you will know her ....so without further ado, get ready to be enchanted and meet...

Tina from The Enchanted Home

I will include the link at the end of the post.

Tina's enchanting blog features the building and now the decorating of her dream home. I love the way she writes her blog and from the very first time I started reading it , I was hooked! Who wouldn't be... ? She also won the Blog on Fire Award and when you head over to her place, you will see why!

 She writes honestly, openly and from her heart sharing all her building dilemmas, choices, as well as small and large victories, milestones and of course her other  wonderful posts of where she finds her inspiration.

The  very very....Enchanted Home

So here goes...enjoy friends.

 How do you pamper your soul?

Knowing when to take time out when I am stressed or exhausted and doing something for me. Well, a vacation or getaway is the very first thing that comes to mind, but if that's not in the cards, then... it could mean taking the day "off", just staying home and totally relaxing, getting engrossed in a great new book, meeting up with a good friend, taking in a movie or play, having a quiet dinner with hubby, or a long walk with Teddy, and on occasion a little retail therapy doesn't hurt!

Above, is Teddy in his new dream lodgings. Please note Teddy's elegant water bowl! By the way, since, I too have a pug, don't you just love the fabric on Tina's chairs!

I am in love love with this room! The colours are magic, warm and all aglow!

 Name three things on your bucket list that you would like to do or that you have done.

Write a screenplay, live in Tuscany or Provence for a few weeks or even better, a month one summer with my family and start my own company (have a few ideas)

Sigh...of delight... I agree with Provence and Tuscany!!
PS: I often doodle on Google finding just the right spot to rent somewhere near Gordes or Siena. A gal may dream? When I do, Tina, you will get an invite for sure!!

Tina's Butler's Pantry equals....divine, delectable, delightful... and I could move into this room alone!

 What is on your bedside table?



Packing tape, Poland Spring, my watch,small frames with pictures of my family, iPhone, a few old Southern Accents and, The Chosen by Jerome Karabel (loved it) and The Paris Wife (waiting to be read)

A girl on the move...with that tape...lol!

This image is from a blog post that Tina did and I found it saved on my computer! I was in love with the wall treatment, and of course the rest is stunning as well.

Opulent elegance... 

 If you were a drink, what would you be?

Humm..good one! I will go with iced tea with a sprig of mint in a beautiful etched crystal glass.

Have a peek at the rest of Tina's treasures in various stages of being unpacked....here. I loved this post!

I just adore the brass light in this room. It just pops! Smart decorator!

 Secret indulgence?

Really? Here? Now? OK if I am to confess it is..chocolate, pasta, cheese, fresh crusty bread from the bakery, I could go on and on but chocolate is a big one.

Are you gasping in delight with me at this entrance?? I feel like breaking into a dance with a huge puffy ballgown here...

 Favourite decor shop?

Safavieh, D&D ( a building) and several antique stores and small boutiques in my area.

 Is that a staircase or what?

Your Favourite magazines?

Southern Accents, Traditional Home, Town and Country, Quest, Veranda and Vanity Fair.

 Please tell us which city you live in and then which is your dream destination.

Long Island, NY is where I live and for a dream destination to live in, it would be Napa Valley.

A winter wonderland...

What makes you laugh?

A lot... I love to laugh, funny things my kids say, my husband doing an imitation, a great movie or book, a cute commercial, or a friends running commentary of her life which is a reality show (she knows who she is)! Nothing like a good laugh....

Sweet intoxication...what does this phrase evoke in your mind?

I will scratch the very first thing that came to mind, but on a more serious note, walking through a beautiful garden filled to every inch with magnificent flowers in full bloom on a perfect spring day with a beautiful bench awaiting me to sit down and revel in the beauty, with just the sound of birds chirping announcing the arrival of spring!

Me thinks this kitchen is sweet intoxication enough!

Any hidden talent?

Hum..well I can act, and I can design clothes (preferably beautiful clothes and dresses) and have actually got many compliments when I wore them.. in my next life I might just pursue that!

Your signature dish in the kitchen?

Its a toss up between my linguine al vongele, Beef Bourguignon, Cologne's sauce and my chicken gumbo... hows that for a range:) Depends on which family member you ask!

What does luxury mean to you?

Being able to enjoy something to my hearts content and having the freedom to do what makes me happy. that's a luxury to me.

If I was to make a movie about you, who should I cast to play you?

Charlize Theron (for looks) and Sandra Bullock for her fun vivacious personality, Maybe you could cast both and make me a glamorous modern day "good" Sybil?

Thrilled that our local lass Charlize got the nod here...I would have a Oscar winner on my hands with that combination for sure...now what could I wear for the red carpet...?

I am giving you one day off from your daily responsibilities...what will you do?

Start with a freshly made cappuccino, take a long and leisurely bubble bath, read a little, enjoy a long decadent breakfast, hang out in the house in my cosy new cashmere robe for a bit, then head off to meet friends for a long leisurely lunch, maybe a little shopping for the house, come home, meet up with my family, go out for a lovely dinner (yes, long and leisurely) and come home to watch a movie in bed.

Can you imagine indulging in your ablutions in  here in candle light...?  

Summer evening are for...

Eating alfresco, bbq'ing, candles burning inside and out, lobster rolls, eating as much seafood as my heart desires, homemade brushetta with toasted crostini, a warm tomato  slice with a drizzle of olive oil and sea salt, going to a beach house for a few weeks and forgetting the word "routine" means, lacrosse tournaments, yummy summer cocktails, summer parties, bonfires at the beach with my kids and friends and informal get togethers.

Your favourite gadget or appliance?

Either my coffee maker ( can't live without it for a single day) or a washer and dryer ( I mean, can you seriously imagine having to wash clothes...ugh!)~

That is probably apart from this grand lady, above!

What influences your style?

Beauty, history, culture, nature and France.

Shoes or handbags?

Can I have both? Please!!! Given a choice, would have to go with handbags, I am a handbag junkie (husband will totally attest to this) but make no mistake I do love my shoes:)

A gal after my own heart... 

The best part of your day is...

...either right when I wake up and the house is asleep and I make my coffee, get on my comp, get to see the sun rise, or later at night, after taking a shower, getting into my favourite soft cotton PJ's and jumping into my delicious bed!

Now friend, let me  just say, that I have only just scratched the surface of Tina's gorgeous blog in this post. So please head on over to her place to continue being enchanted by the blog, the house, Teddy, but most of all by the lady herself! Please CLICK HERE and enjoy!

The best is yet to come as Tina settles into her home and begins to decorate. I for one, can't wait to continue this charming journey with Tina. By the way folks, one of the parts I am most looking forward to is to see what Tina has installed for her porch or rather loggia as I would like to call it! 

A huge big thank you to Tina for taking the time to participate in my new series. She is one busy lady but always enthusiastic and game for anything. Even though is is snowed under with boxes and heaven knows what else, she still found time to answer my twenty question! I am totally in awe of how this girl rolls!!

THANK YOU TINA! 
Wishing you many happy and wonderful years with your family in your new home. Congratulations on achieving enchantment, both in your home and on your blog and most of all thank you for taking us along for the ride and involving us in some of the decisions!

All the images in this post is from The Enchanted Home

Thank you for your company

Live Well

Veronica

xxx

Please regale me with a comment in the comment box below....I am all ears!