Book Review: Great Destination Reads

via The Selby

In case anyone is planning a trip to a great destination coming up (or wishing you could go there), I thought I'd provide some of my favorite destination-based books that I have enjoyed over the last few years. 

I have to warn you - these are not light, easy-reading books.  Rather, these are stories that (hopefully) will really draw you into that location and time...which is, to me, what makes a book really worth reading.  Here goes:

Shantaram by David Gregory Roberts - set in India.  One of the best books I have read in a long time, but also very edgy.  It really shows the underbelly of India, so it's a unique read.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett - set in civil-rights-era South.  If you haven't read this already, you MUST.

The Spies of Warsaw by Alan Furst - set in World War 2-era Poland.  Great intrigue, colorful characters and lots of politicking!

Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende - set in Chile.  A South American woman's transition to America, composed beautifully.

Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See - set in China,  It's about Chinese foot binding rituals and more.  My feet hurt as I type this!

Winter in Madrid by C.J. Sansom - set in - obviously - Spain, during the Franco dictatorship. Very mysterious and intriguing.

Rebecca's Tale by Sally Beauman - set in England covering two timeframes in the 20's and the 50's.  A beautifully written mystery and love story that also examines the changing societal norms in England during that time.

I could be pretty darn happy curling up here and enjoying a good book!

If you want to see ideas for cozy reading nooks, you can look here.

What is the best book you have read lately?  I'd love to know!

Vintage Travel Posters

I love using vintage travel posters to add interest to a family room, mud room, laundry room, office - even a boy's bedroom or a young bachelor's first apartment. To me they evoke the time when travel was truly an adventure, and they bring about a romantic, exotic feel to travel that is (sadly) long gone. 

I know this has been overdone in some cases over the years, but I think if they are carefully chosen for uniqueness, this look still has a lot of mileage.  It would also be fun to choose them based on your own travel destinations as a memento, or places you haven't been to...YET.  :) 

Take a look at some of my favorites I found on eBay:

What do you think of vintage travel posters?

Would you use them in your own home, or for a client's home?

Les Indiennes

Today while perusing Canadian House and Home I discovered fair trade Les Indiennes textiles from India that use organic cotton and vegetable dyes.  They are gorgeous!  Even if you aren't into bohemian or ethnic looks, small quantities of these could be incorporated into many different interiors for interest (or exteriors on patio pillows, for example).  The catalog was so artfully presented I enjoyed that also!  Here are a few of my favorites:

What do you think?