The Lisa Porter Collection

10/21/11

A Gracious Gift

Tuesday, October 18

Dear Mom,

One of my favorite blogger friends is coming to Phoenix on Thursday. I’m not sure what your schedule looks like but I was wondering if you would enjoy meeting her? You know the blog Velvet & Linen? Yes, it’s Brooke Giannetti and she’s in town for one day signing copies of her newly published book, Patina Style….

Thursday, October 20

“Lisa, it was soooooo much fun meeting Brooke...she is everything you said she would be. A very warm and genuine person....a true gem! On our next trip to California together it would be such a treat to see her again. And the bonus of meeting Brooke was discovering Sweet Salvage & Laura Ingalls Gunn from Décor To Adore!

Brooke signed our copies of Patina Style & yours is on its way. What a fun day!

Love Mom”

Friday, October 21

Dear Mom,

I’m thrilled that you took the opportunity to stop by Sweet Salvage and say hello to Brooke! I knew you would love her. I also want to take a moment here to remind you how special you are and to say “thank you.” Taking time and taking care are two graces that you always carry with you. They are also gifts that you give to everyone that you meet. Your taking the time yesterday made everything so much more special and memorable for everyone involved.

I love you.

Thank you, Brooke, for your friendship and also taking time & taking care. xo

Thank you, Laura Ingalls Gunn, for introducing yourself & Décor to Adore, and for telling my mom that you read my blog. xo

Thank you Sweet Salvage for a wonderful day & extraordinary shopping event!

Oh, There’s More……

Thank you, Joni Webb, for hosting the most fabulous giveaway for Brooke & Steve Giannetti at Cote De Texas!

Hurry, the contest ends tonight, Friday night at 11:59!

I’ll be waiting up for this one with my fingers crossed.

Remember also, if you want to order the book Patina Style, click here!

Have a wonderful weekend!

p.s. Did you notice the fabulous necklaces that those three gorgeous women are wearing?

10/4/11

Good morning, I mean afternoon!

Hello Sunshine!

You look marvelous and I’m so glad that you are joining me.

The stylish Marsha Harris from Splenderosa is hostessing a fabulous & a growing group of women from all around the world to join in a monthly conversation.

Based on a quote, a poem, or maybe a casual saying, the conversation will be different every first Tuesday of the month!

I love visiting with all the warm & friendly & super-smart bloggers who received invitations and are here today!

Vicki Archer from French Essence and

Tish Jett from A Femme d’ Un Certain Age

have chosen a wonderful message…

Iomoi

The invitation arrived with one of my favorite sayings first penned by Gustave Flaubert, the French writer best known for his novel Madame Bovary,

"Le Bon Dieu est dans le detail".

Translation…

Whatever we do, should be done thoroughly and to the very best of our abilities. The details are what make all the difference...

In her book, A Passion for Detail, Charlotte Moss notes...

“You look at the details and a world unfolds.” Charlotte Moss

And I love this quote from Margaret Russell, editor of Architectural Digest.

New York Times

“Perhaps that’s the secret recipe for effortless elegance: It’s a carefree sense of confidence, lightheartedness, a lack of pretension, and a mindful appreciation for comfort and care.” Margaret Russell

Me, I personally believe that each day you create yourself anew through choice.

My post, Repose of the Soul, is one I’m most proud of and reminds me & many of my blogger friends that…

By paying attention to the details, your authentic gestures, you give expression to the most personal of all the arts: making your own imprint on life.

"Le Bon Dieu est dans le detail".

Repose of the Soul

Lisa Warninger Photography

Before I go, I would be remiss if I did not thank my beautiful friend Coty Farquhar for extending this lovely invitation all the way across the pond.

1 A flower a day - Coty Farquhar Australia4

Her stylish blog title reads, “Specializing in the delicate art of imagery and presentation” I’ll say!

Coty is known by many as an award-winning stylist, photographer, costume designer, blogger and so much more. I’m privileged to call her my friend.

Click here to read her post on what "Le Bon Dieu est dans le detail" means to her.

Thank you so much, Marsha, for including me here today. My apologies for being stylishly late. I look forward to visiting Splenderosa and reading all of your fabulous guests' interpretations of such a wonderful message!

Click the invitation to link.

9/29/11

Best of the Best

When I’m looking for the best of the best for Mr. Porter, one place I like to go to is the Robb Report online.

It’s a great source for all things new & noteworthy especially for men with great style!

Tonight I was looking at the Robb Report’s The Best of the Best 2011 for advice on picking the best cigars. On occasions when the MR. is allll relaxed & enjoying a late evening out on the patio with friends, he loves to enjoy a really good cigar.

Shhhhh…..I want to surprise him to celebrate a recent accomplishment. Padron Family reserve No. 46 might be just perfect! Hmmm, natural or Maduro?

Now, look at who else I found relaxing on the patio.

The incredibly talented outdoor furniture designer Richard Frinier and his Drift Collection.

What a perfect combination. I think the only thing missing from this fabulous setting is the MR. & Me, good friends, and the Padrons!

Drift Collection by Richard Frinier for Brown Jordan

These beautiful sectional lounge chairs, matching ottomans, and cocktail tables also from Richard Frinier’s Drift Collection are produced from plantation-grown and weathered teak.

I first wrote about Richard & his wife Catherine here. Catherine Frinier is principal and managing partner of FrinierAtelier and the Richard Frinier Collection.

Like I said, the best of the best!

Just one more new & noteworthy mention.

There is another MR. PORTER!

A fabulous website!

I loved reading The Report: High Flyers about ABC’s new show, Pan Am.

Grab your Samsonite & your Ray-Ban’s and before you go, enjoy Mr. Porter’s very swell video!

9/24/11

To market, to market…

To say that Santa Fe is colorful would be putting it mildly.

They call it the “Land of Enchantment” you know.

One of the best ways to get a feel for Santa Fe is to take a drive.

We love to take a slow easy drive through the soft-brown foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains 10 miles north of Santa Fe to the quaint village of Tesuque.

Tucked quietly away behind low adobe and stick walls under the shade of cottonwood trees you’ll catch a glimpse of beautiful old compounds. Sitting high on the mountain ridges you’ll find stunning estate properties featuring traditional Santa Fe architecture and sweeping views.

Initially, Tesuque drew in artists because of its affordability and beautiful setting. Later, the more affluent caught on to its “back to nature” appeal and began to seek out its peaceful environment.

Today it’s home to famous artists & local families & celebrities & civic leaders like Ali MacGraw.

It’s also home to the world-famous

Tesuque Village Market.

“Think chic general store with a hipster aesthetic” TVM

It’s a good spot to pick up provisions if you live in the surrounding hills - or do as we did, have a wonderful long lunch and keep an eye out for Ali.

Oh, I’ve only mentioned Ali MacGraw on my blog how many times? Meanwhile, my mother runs into her here at the market!

I would be remiss if I did not mention that their Tortilla Soup with cotija cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo and tortilla chips are the best in the world!

Remember, “Land of Enchantment?”