Do you ever...

* Take a big mug of coffee or tea into the bathroom with you in the morning to gingerly sip while you are getting ready?

* Work out in the AM so it is out of the way? (And perhaps watch a little Joe Scarborough... or yesterday's episode of Oprah??)

* Spoil yourself on Sunday by lounging, leisurely cooking with your family, reading a good book, etc?

* Take a bath with a glass of wine, light some candles, and listen to great music during the middle of the week?

* Splurge on a really great pair of jeans that are the perfect fit for you?

* Look forward to a good rainy day and a bottomless cup of tea or coffee?

* Make a summer to do list of all the things you want to do?

Do you ever...

* Eat donut holes in the afternoon? (I must admit, I have a weakness for them - that, and a great big cup of Earl Grey - right around 3 o'clock!)

* Flit about your house on a Sunday afternoon... in your robe or PJ's... cup of tea in hand... reveling in little nooks you've created... finding inspiration for your next weekend project?

* Sing REALLY LOUD, but only in the car? (BTW, I recently ran across a great CD called Happenstance by Rachel Yamagata... We've got this one on repeat right now!)

* Keep a standing date night with your hubby? John & I do this almost every week... We literally plan it right into our schedules. It brings us calm & balance amidst all the lovely chaos... (Mind you, it's also a great reason to get glammed up during the week!!)

* Tuck a hand-made card into his suitcase for him to find when he's traveling? Or leave love notes strewn about his favorite haunts, before you leave on a long trip??

* Hang a sumptuous mirror in your favorite room... and then stare at its reflection, imagining how grand it would be if the room layout were reversed - or doubled in scale - for a day?? (I've honestly done this... a bit Alice in Wonderland of me, I know......)

* Tell your parents (or children) that you love them? Every day?

* Squish your toes into cool, wet sand? (Pretty much doing anything without socks is fabulous in my book!)

* Eat grocery store birthday cake & ice cream - even when it’s not your birthday?

* Plan a weekend brunch with your grandparents?

* TiVo Oprah so you can watch her early in the morning?

* Send your mom or sister a little goodie "just because"? (It's always nice to be remembered throughout the year... not just holidays & birthdays!)

* Keep framed photos of your loved ones at work? Even unframed will do, to keep them close to your heart! If your desk is rather petite, try a small ribbon memo board instead. These are great so you can add & subtract new photos and other bits of inspiration on a whim... Of course, as you know, we're big on the galvanized steel and magnets gig here at the studio!!

* Encourage your kids to catch fireflies in mason jars? (Ahhh... summer can't get here fast enough!!)

* Get lost in a local bookstore?

* Plan your April Fool's gags weeks in advance? (Maybe it's just us.)

* Have an impromptu picnic lunch for two in the middle of the week?

* Wear cocktail rings to type? You'll often catch me raiding the jewelry bin here at the studio if I forget to wear one to work... No lie!!

Do you ever...

* Have to try on any new purchase once you get it home and rummage through your closet to see what else it goes with??

* Make up lyrics to songs? Or make up your own songs?

* Really look forward to Sundays? Tasty pastry in hand, that extra cup of coffee (or tea, in my case)... paper... PJ's... no set schedule...

* Stay up way too late reading a great book you just can't put down?

* Sing at the top of your lungs when you are alone in the car? (Or sing at the top of your lungs when you aren't alone in the car!?!?)

* Pretend to be on American Idol when you are the shower? You know, planning out what song you would audition with... what your answer would be to the question "why are you here"...?

* Keep tearsheets from your favorite magazines in a file to inspire you?

* Plan a stay-at-home date? Complete with cocktails, fabulous music, dim lights, and cooking...

* Take a mini weekend vacation? Whether at home with no agenda (other than to spend the weekend with your loved one)... or at a bed and breakfast where you can get away and relax...

* Light a candle (or many) during the work week when you get home?

* Have NO TV nights... where you make conversation the program of the evening?

* Get dolled-up... for no reason at all?

* Ask your grandparents or parents the story of how they met and fell in love?

* Ask yourself what goals you want to accomplish in the next 5 years... and then figure out how to get there?

* Take a good long walk by yourself with nothing but your thoughts?

Do you ever...

* Send a letter to someone who doesn't get much mail? Talk about feel good!

* Put Snickers bars into the freezer and then cut them into thin little slices? Ooohhhhhhhh.

* Buy a cool jacket and also use it like a blazer? (This is what I love about our Modern Vintage Coat...) Hello, pretty!

* Make your own IN & OUT list? When I was a teenager "W" magazine did these... I always loved doing my own just for fun!

* Order a birthday cake for someone in the shape of a wedding cake? (One 8" circle, with one 6" circle on top... Charming!!)

* Send a thank you note, just because?

* Give a new coffee table book to a friend who may be coveting it?

* Keep a stash of perfectly sharpened pencils on your desk at home or at work? (No idea why this inspires me, but alas... it does!)

* Add splashes of color to your home with new accessories? Throws, pillows, lanterns... easy, quick... and who doesn't love that??

Do you ever...

* Write a letter to a lovely older soul? I have a few pen pals that are in their nineties... three of them actually. I am entirely delighted with our correspondence and I know that for them to receive a letter, or a box of chocolates, or any thoughtful goodie, makes their day (and mine)!

* Use Style Secrets fashion tape? Double-stick strips to hold clothing in place... These are a lifesaver at parties, etc., when you are wearing something that will just not stay in place. Peace of mind in a simple tape strip. So smart!!

* Shop this site? (www.artisanalcheese.com) I love, love it!!! Since we are getting ready for the holidays, and special goodies are a must, this site will just have your mouth watering! I happen to love a good stinky cheese (as I have mentioned before)... These guys have it really figured out. BTW, they also happen to have a few great NYC restaurants... you can read about them on their site. I have eaten at both and they are perfectly delectable!!!

* Dream about the next big thing you want to do? You know, sort of let it percolate... find tear sheets to inspire you... write little ideas about it down on paper... keep tinkering with it. This is how John and I end up making changes on our house or garden, and how we think about things like our barn or pond, etc. We have a few things right now that we are toying with. No rush on any of them... just letting them swim around a bit. Then magically they really do all fall into place... gentle planning and a good dose of fantasy thinking helps. It's fun for us as a couple also... gives us even more to have in common and talk about on date nights and all.

Do you ever...

*Drop tiny tealights into your glassware? Try a mix of heights and colors and styles... very elegant to be sure!

* Go to the bookstore and check out sections that you wouldn't ordinarily? It’s entirely worth doing. I could live in a bookstore... I find them so incredibly inspiring.

* Go to the dollar store? I LOVE the dollar store. Oh, the treasures you will find. Mind you... lots of wading through junk. But still tons of good little juicy tidbits to discover. Especially at the holidays!!!

* Surf European websites for inspiration and/or gifts? I love The Conran Shop.

* Use a pretty side chair for more than sitting? I think chairs are the ideal pedestal for a stack of antique books and a few bits of aged silver. Gorgeous in a foyer, near a desk, bar, or hallway.

* Hang two chandeliers next to each other at staggering heights? Perhaps too decadent for you? Or impossibly elegant??

* Load your guest room up with new magazines and other goodies? Stock the medicine cabinet with tiny pampering goodies... Don't forget bottled water and all those perfume samplers that are sitting lazily in your bathroom.

* Take a nice hot cup of mint tea to bed with you? (I like mine with a touch of sugar and cream.) Oooooh, this is really too good. (Especially with a small slice of warm apple pie on the side!)

* Buy brand new fluffy white towels for your bathroom? I have this thing for white towels... and really, the old ones just need to go once they aren’t fluffy! A nice simple luxurious treat.

Do you ever...

* Wear scandalously chic shoes with jeans? I love dressing high/low... more eclectic... more interesting... more fun to pull together!

* Read Dominique Browning’s monthly editorial column? She is the editor-in-chief of House & Garden. I love her heartfelt writings and down to earth approach. Truly lovely. She also has several beautifully written books.

* Buy Middle Eastern pastries for parties? They are one of my favorite things to keep in the freezer and they are scrumptious! Try them (www.mepdelight.com). p.s. I always go with the mixed tray... you know me, I love variety! Put them on a pretty platter, and you are in fact good to go!!

* Use a mirror on your tabletop as your centerpiece? This is one of my favorite tricks... I then put lots of candles on the mirror... beautiful... shimmering... glimmering!!

* Go to bed with your hair wet? For me this is the easiest way to get some volume into my stick-straight hair. (No time for hot rollers in my world!)

Do you ever...

* Have poached eggs on buttered toast for lunch on Saturday...with a little side salad? (It's my favorite comfort food.)

* Try XM radio station The Loft? I love it. When I'm at home it's my main station... In fact, we just got XM in the studio and now I love it here as well!

* Take your slippers with you when you travel? I always do... that and my big comfy Polartec. (p.s. On that note... buy new slippers! Oh, how I love new slippers! Here's a particularly darling pair...

* Carry a smaller version of your perfume in your purse? I love it for a quick pick me up!!!

* Wear a big cocktail ring during the day? I do most days... no matter what I am wearing... it's just an elegant thing to do. (Check out our fun & fashiony assortment...)

* Take a big stack of catalogs and magazines onto your bed? Just spread them out, notebook in hand... searching out things to do, places to go... I love doing this!

* Make this? Savory spinach and artichoke bread pudding by Emeril... It is to die for!!!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/
0,,FOOD_9936_26639,00.html?rsrc=search

* Light candles at your dinner table? I know it's small... but really, it's so lovely.