KATIE D.I.D. BLOG

Now that the Holiday Season is over, I am asking myself, what is the next excuse for a huge dose of outrageous fun? It occurred to me that Marde Gras in New Orleans was what we all looked forward to all year when I was living in Louisiana studying interior design at LSU. It was the yearly celebration all of my design student friends looked forward to. Whether it was the colors, the originality, the creativity, the music, or just the great excuse to forget about studying and party all day and night, it didn't matter. New Orleans was calling....and calling loudly....with a big trombone leading the band.

You can imagine my delight when it all of the Southern pageantry, a juxtaposition of beautifully elegant propriety and campy costumes in drag came tumbling back into my mind when I received a copy of a stunning new book .....Stealing Magnolias. Author Debra Shriver, chief communications officer of Hearst Corporation, debuts her first book with passion and obvious love for this one-of-a-kind pearl of a city. It is written in a way that is approachable and extremely informative, especially about the things that matter most in this graceful and bewitching town. All that visit cannot escape without losing a part of themselves.

Stealing Magnolias is made up of the best bits of Debra's New Orleans experiences....there are beautiful photos of the home she and her husband renovated and decorated not long after Katrina..there are delicious Southern recipes with photos that simply make one's mouth water in anticipation....there are gardens and architectural treasures, all shown through that filter of light that can only be found in this place. That light that sweeps in from the side, bouncing off courtyard walls and underneath iron balconies and finally through gauzy sheer covered windows.

New Orleans is decidedly French, but oh-so American....home of jazz and the mint julep, world famous Cafe du Monde, and voodoo shops..the cultural diversity buzzes with energy and mystery.

Debra captures it all and gives you a brilliant glimpse of the heart and soul of New Orleans. With it's fabulous photography, snippets from taste makers who have been touched by it's gorgeous decadence (Anne Rice, Dave Matthews, Mark Twain, Alexa Pulitzer, Tennessee Williams, Patrick Dunne and Cole Porter are just a few who's impressions are quoted throughout) and all of the extras of what and how to enjoy this city, Stealing Magnolias will take you away on a fabulous adventure.

Did I mention the Preface by Blue Dog artist, George Rodrigue, the Forward by best-selling author Mary Randolph Carter, and Introduction by the one and only Roald Dahl? Icing on the cake my dears.

This book is unforgettable and perfect for those who have been and want to rekindle fond memories.....for those who have yet to go, it will get you out of that easy chair booking tickets in time for Marde Gras...for those who love jazz...or find that all things French make them smile inside and out.....and what a gift for those you love!

So.......I am so very excited to be partnering with Glitterati Incorporated in a

GIVE AWAY

of Stealing Magnolias!!!

Here are the rules:

1) Head on over to the Glitterati Website HERE and take a look around. You might just find another book you must have!

2) Become a katiedid Follower by clicking on the Google Follow button in my sidebar.

3) Leave a comment here in the comment box about your favorite memory about New Orleans....real or imagined.

4) You must include your contact information to win! And that means an email address so I can email you with the great news and thereby retrieve a mailing address.

I will announce the winner January 26th, two weeks from today!!