Reader Giveaway: 3 Books***3 Winners

Publisher Ryland Peters & Small is once again participating in a Cocoon Home Blog reader giveaway.  This time  with not just 1, but with 3 beautiful home decor books.  Each one focuses on different approaches to interior design,  but all share a philosophy of personal style.   Take a look at these books and learn how to enter to win one below:

"Reclaiming Style" shares images and ideas on the use of salvaged materials to create an elegant home.

Mark & Sally Bailey, authors of "Simple Home "explore spaces that are both sustainable and stylish.

In "The Natural Home",  author Hans Blomquist shares his love of nature in revealing how organic elements can live in a sophisticated, eleclectic home.

Enter to win one of these books by leaving a comment on which one of them suits your home decorating style best and why.  Be sure to check out Ryland Peters & Small's Facebook page here.

All entries must be submitted by Friday December 15th.  Good luck!

Many thanks to KM at Ryland Peters & Small!

Moving Mode: Holiday Inspirations For Our New Home

I've started  gathering Christmas ornaments from the past and acquiring new ones that will fit in nicely with our mid-century home's decor.  A touch of pink, or rather, dusty rose,  a little blue and some glitter will give the evergreen garlands and the tree just the right touch of vintage & glamour.   Take a look:

We're heading to the Santa Cruz mountains this Saturday to cut down our tree.   I'm looking forward to a family weekend of decorating and creating new holiday traditions.

Have you begun to deck your halls?

Off The Counter: Red Lentil Soup

This week's Off The Counter is inspired by my current obsession with red lentils.  I recently found a great recipe on Pinterest that combined this high protein legume with chick peas, coconut milk and Indian spices resulting in a creamy and comforting winter soup.  Take a look at my interpretation of the recipe:

I followed all the instructions listed here but decided to substitute half of the required water amount with vegetable broth.

Let me know if you give this hearty soup a try.  You won't regret it...

4 Holiday Decorating Tips

 

I'm getting ready to decorate our new home for Christmas.  With more space to cover both inside and out,  I need to be sure of keeping things simple, pretty and festive.  No going overboard.

Take a look at a few tips I will be following this year:

What are some of your holiday decorating secrets?

images: 1/2/3/4

An Impromptu Lunch With A Good Friend

Yesterday, I had lunch at my mother-in-law's new place in California.  From the moment I walked in I felt reassured by familiar objects, family photos and a sense of quiet comfort. Like Boston, her California home is a total expression of who she is and all she experienced.  The lunch was delicious and for the first time since we've moved, we both felt relaxed and at home in her new abode.  I'm looking forward to showing you the way she lives, but for now take a peek at how she works her magic on even the simplest of things:  an impromptu midday lunch.

Thank you, Natalia,  for a wonderful afternoon.