Archive for the ‘BOOKS’ Category

I was in my library the other day organizing my books… and tweeting and instagraming a ton of pictures… there was just something about these two piles that made me post them. One is a stack of crumbling books from my grandmother’s library. I think the price on the Lolita was 50 cents or something crazy… the other is a stack of some of my favorite writers: Milan Kundera and Gabriel García Márquez. I just love how they looked visually…

I don’t care what any one says, you cannot replace the joy of reading actual books with a kindle.

Whats in your library?

I was perusing Kelly Wearstler’s blog the other day when I came across these images of some books that KW found at a bookstore. You see, when KDubs shops for books, she manages to find the chicest books on earth, not just brand new books or smelly used books that are in tatters (all my books look like this, I sometimes drop them in the bathtub! Even though I barely have time to read anymore.)

Then I saw the After Matisse rug by Sonya Winner, and I knew I had to pair them up. This is like color blocking on steroids.

 

I need to go buy all of these books by Camus NOW. And the wallpapered room is pretty fab too. Reminds me of the  vintage skirt I wore the other day!

Book photos via My Vibe My Life, Rug via Contemporist, Black and White Room via Black. White

How much prettier is this than a Kindle? And yea, I really like doing these room to outfit, books, art posts… they are fun! 

Hemingway, of course. He has been on my mind quite a lot lately.

First, I stumbled into the Hemingway African Art Gallery a few days ago, where I met the owner, who used to be partners with Gregory AKA Gloria Hemingway. (A FASCINATING story.) Gregory’s son still works there sometimes…. and apparently I can meet him if I go in on the right day!

Then, I ate in Cafe Select for lunch today, which reminded me of “The Select” in Paris, where Hem and the rest of the “Lost Generation” expats hung about cafes drinking, smoking, writing and people watching. Sounds so fabulous.Hemingway is one of my favorite writers. And I’m not just saying that. I read all his books, twice or thrice. (I have an interesting habit when reading books: I read everything one writer wrote all at once. Then I move on to their friends or fellow countrymen. Or I read the first novel of every writer I like in a row, kinda like I am in still in school.)

I did some googling tonight and found these  pictures of his homes in Cuba. For those of you who dont know, Hemingway was the ultimate manly man. Hunter, fisherman, skier, bull runner, war veteran, etc. (although he writes a lot about emasculation -Poor Jake Barnes!) so the wall mounts and bullfighting posters are not surprising. I love the first picture of the dining room!

And in case you didnt know, he killed himself. And so did his father, his two siblings, and his granddaughter… Not including  his son Gloria, who also had a strange death. WOW. Those are some scary genes!

In my search, I also found the apartment of blogger sisters Hollister Hovey. Here it is with black walls. Looks like Ernest would fit right in.

Here it is after a recent paint job: So in conclusion: I love Heminway and you should reread all his books, and this apartment is making me reconsider my former treatise on antlers and taxidermy. Actually, I think I’m still a no on the taxidermy.

AND, Surprise! I am going to Paris next month with hubby! Woo hoo!!

Photos via Hemingway’s Paris, Apartment Therapy and Holister Hovey.

My penguin book cloth covered classics.

Im getting the whole collection! Read the interview with designer Coralie Bickford-Smith at Design Sponge.

I know how to design a bookcase, I know how to buy the books, I know how to read the books…. BUT I sure as hell don’t know how to style them!

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