Lisa Borgnes Giramonti, the gimlet-eyed blogger behind A Bloomsbury Life is back for a second stint on our Editors' Blog. (See her previous blogs here.) This time around, she's sharing her resolutions for 2010—and the elegant accoutrements she's found to help her achieve them.
Part Five: I resolve to keep moving towards color.
During one stage of my life I wore black because I considered my
personality to be colorful enough. (Oh, the hubris.) Now I embrace color
in all its shapes and forms. I carry a peacock blue purse. I have a
weakness for yellow ranunculus flowers. And when it comes to a great
shade of red, I’m a goner. Vibrant hues impart such intense joy, I
think: a room becomes more alive, a wardrobe becomes more spirited, an
inner spirit becomes visible. The effect is palpable and infinitely
intoxicating. More, please.

Imagine padding around in these every morning—wouldn’t even the most
quotidien household chores take on a glamorous allure? I’m ready to try.
Handmade with super-soft leather and durable leather soles, these
colorful babouche slippers for men and women are perfect on those days
when a little added glamour can make the difference between staying in
bed and facing the mess in the kitchen.
moroccan-palace.com

True confession: I’m obsessed with ArtQuiver, the new gallery that
revolutionizes buying original artwork online. See something you like?
They’ll ship you a free life-size print to test-drive at home before you
buy. Change your mind? They have a lifetime guarantee with free shipping
on purchases and returns. They even let you curate your favorites into
your own virtual collection: Hall Groat II and Patch Somerville, I have
my eye on you.
artquiver.com

What is it about a new lipstick that puts a boost in your step and a
gleam in your eye? Cult beauty maven Poppy King knows. Her Lipstick
Queen collection offers delectable shades ranging from ultra-sheer tints
to opaque mattes. I started my journey with Medieval, a barely-there red
that made my lips look ever so slightly tinted and have recently added
Rose Sinner to my repertoire, a lovely blushing crimson that makes feel
like I know something I shouldn’t. No wonder it’s been proven that women
who wear red lipstick smile more often.
barneys.com

If sketching isn’t your abiding passion, it will be once you feast your
eyes on this stunning colored pencil set. Honestly, have you ever seen
anything like it? It’s like the sculptural love child of Tom Ford and Le
Corbusier. From the polished brass stand to the 25 elegant wooden
pencils in only the chicest hues, I think it’s a serious design
masterpiece. Architects, fashionistas, amateur doodlers – I can’t think
of anyone who would be immune to its charms.
greenergrassdesign.com

I’m successfully rehabilitated from my It bag addiction, but every once
in a while, one comes along that makes my mouth go dry and my heart pump
like a jackhammer. This is that bag. Brick-red calfskin leather,
gold-tone hardware, it’s achingly elegant but not so over-the-top that
it wouldn’t fit in at my son’s Little League game. I love those rolled
handles and that white side edging; it’s those kinds of perfect details
that get me dangerously close to falling off the bag wagon. Chloe Marcie shoulder bag
net-a-porter.com

I know you’re all design sticklers, so come on and admit it: How many of
you are irritated by those unsightly white plastic tubes on sconces and
chandeliers that are desperately trying to pass for real candles? Well,
an innovative Dutch company named Kaarskoker has done something about
it. They make these ingenious patterned candle sleeves that instantly
give a humdrum light fixture a chic new look and custom-made feel
(without the accompanying price). I’m definitely intrigued.
shadesoflight.com

I have always steered clear of beer; it’s just not my raison d’etre.
Then I tasted Framboise Lambic. Intrigued at first by the color – a
divine rosy red – I was struck mute by the unexpected taste: fizzy,
clean-tasting and with a sweet-tartness that’s redolent of champagne and
raspberries. Brewed in Belgium, it’s seasoned with fruit instead of hops
which obviously makes all the difference. Who knew?
shopwinedirect.com

Oh, the everlasting appeal of a colorful soap. Portuguese company Claus
Porto has been creating fragrant works of art for almost 120 years,
milling their creamy soaps not three, not four, but seven times and
imbuing them with karite butter and a host of natural scents like wild
pansy, honeysuckle and verbena. And let’s not forget about the
stop-in-your-tracks packaging. I’ve gifted my share to hosts and
hostesses over the years and trust me, there is no faster way to get to
the top of a guest list.
lafcony.com

I am a huge fan of Timorous Beasties, the Scottish textile and wallpaper
company with a Robert Burns-meets-the-Sex-Pistols design aesthetic. I
have their wallpaper in my kitchen; now they’ve expanded their range to
include rugs as well. This “Thistle” rug, hand tufted with the purest of
New Zealand wool and manufactured by carpet god Christopher Farr, makes
me want to go traipsing through the brae and the moors or, failing that,
just lie down upon it and dream about them.
christopherfarr.com

Sometimes all you need to revitalize a room is something with a little
soul, a little personality and a whole lot of punch. It’s all here in
this glazed turquoise jar. First, the color: if I ever go swimming in
the Azores, I’m sure the water will be exactly this seductive shade.
Then, the craftsmanship: I love the sculpted patterns and the streaks
that give it a sense of movement and life. Lastly, the shape: it’s
strong enough to stand on its own, but I can also see creating a whole tableau around it. Oh, for the love of blue.
jaysonhomeandgarden.com
See all of Lisa's previous W posts here.Check out her blog, A Bloomsbury Life.