{Giveaway is Closed}
Blogging has had some wonderful perks for me and one of them is that I get asked to do book reviews on beautiful books. Books that I might never come across otherwise.
This new book, Stealing Magnolias: Tales from a New Orleans Courtyard, recently landed in my mailbox and it is truly a beautiful and inspiring coffee table book that I think you will love.
Especially if you enjoy visiting New Orleans. I’ve been to that historic city a handful of times and always enjoy the architecture, food (can you say beignets?), and ambiance.
Author Debra Shriver is an Alabama native, who now splits her time between New York City and a historic old home in New Orleans. She’s an admitted Francofile, and avid photography collector, a devotee of jazz, and a passionate preservationist. 
Whether it’s food, gardens, decor, decoration, architecture or design, this book engages the reader to experience every element of one of the world’s most romantic cities. 
Debra shares pics of her own Vieux Carre home in New Orleans that she has lovingly collected for and decorated.
Readers will find themselves enthralled by exploring a unique and lavish compilation of original works by more than twenty photographers and artists who share her vision, such as George Rodrigues (known for his Blue dog paintings)and best-selling author and “Queen of Junk” Mary Randolph Carter.
You can find copies of the book here, if you’re interested in purchasing.
From Stealing Magnolias by Debra Shriver, copyright © 2010, published by Glitterati Incorporated. www.Glitteratiincorporated.com
I’ll be going to New Orleans again in just a week for the first time since Katrina hit. My niece is having a wedding shower down there. She moved there last summer, after getting a job and apartment and promptly got engaged to a guy she went to law school with and has been dating for well over a year. Her wedding is coming up in March and she will settle with her new hubby in New Orleans. I’ll definitely be sharing the wedding details with you too.
This truly is a beautiful book that you would be proud to own. The editors are offering ONE of my readers the chance to enjoy your very own copy of Stealing Magnolias (retail value $60).
All you have to do is leave a comment! Have you been to New Orleans before and what did you enjoy MOST about this historic city?
I love the beignets and can’t wait to sit at Cafe Du Monde nibbling on those delicate treats and a creamy cup of coffee.
How can I limit a New Orleans visit to one thing? These are musts for me: Magazine Street antiquing, beignets at Cafe du Monde, and dinner at Galatoire’s. After experiencing those three things, I can relax and enjoy the city in a stream-of-consciousness fashion.
My husband and I were fortunate enough to visit New Orleans before Katrina hit. My heart just ached for that city and all the wonderful people. I loved the streetcars, the houses, the food, the muscians, the carriage ride, the cemeteries…….but most of all I loved the courtyards. The beautiful little worlds with wrought iron details, bistro tables and chairs, lush greenery….very enchanting! I bought a print to hang in my kitchen so I can always remember that trip.
We have been to New Orleans, this past April and we loved it! If I had to narrow down one thing I loved, it would have to be the history and architecture! And the beignets!
Barb
I would love to win this book – it looks beautiful and although I’ve never been to New Orleans, just the glimpses of it make me want to go!
Mr. B’s Bistro B-B-Q shrimp (best dish in the world); Schwegmann’s french bread in a bag; flash fried buffalo shrimp at the red fish grill; Zulu coconuts or “golden nuggets”; Pat O’Brien’s hurricane; street mimes; Jazz festival; pralines; above ground tombs; Canal Street; trolley cars and on and on….so colorful, so tasty, so rich with history….what a wonderful place!!!
New Orleans is like no other city in America – the very best blend of heritage and creativity. It’s the only Euro-Cajun-yet-oh, so-American city. And, a city so blessed with amazing architecture, fabulous food, remarkable diversity and rich with culture – plus a determined spirit like no other.
I love New Orleans — the French Quarter, Riverwalk, the wonderful old buildings and the outstanding cuisine. It is a fascinating place with a captivating history. Café du Monde is one of my favorite places to eat. I would love to have this lovely book to remind me of fun times in New Orleans. I look forward to your blog everyday. You have such fun and innovative ideas. PS. I sent some friends info about your garage sale! Wish I could be there.
I love everything about New Orleans…..the food, antiques, shopping, looking at the historic houses, parties, Mardi Gras, the people and their music. Hope I get lucky and win this beautiful book.
Thanks
Linda
I love New Orleans! It is such a friendly place. The first time we visited we ate at chef Paul Prudhomme’s restaurant. We happened to mention that we were fans of his. The waiter came back in a few minutes and asked us to follow him. We followed him to the chef’s small testing kitchen where he was sitting on a stool stirring a big pot. He talked to us while he stirred. What a wonderful experience for us!
New Orleans, just to say those words make my heart go pitter patter!!! We LUV NOLA…we are actually headed there this weekend. Should be great weather and a perfect way to spend a Valentine’s Weekend with my special honey! I’d love to have the book, and if by some coincidence I don’t win (ha ha), I will have to check out buying this nugget! Laissez le bon temps roule!
I love the cover of the book as well as the pages you’ve shown. New Orleans is a fabulous city. My husband and I were there a couple years ago for a week. I love drinking coffee and eating beignets at Cafe Du Monde, listening to New Orleans jazz, eating great food and walking through the beautiful garden district and touring the gorgeous homes. The people are so friendly, too! I would love to go back one day soon.
What a gorgeous book! I’ve never been to New Orleans but it is on my Bucket List! Perhaps owning this book will
get me there faster……learning more about this fascinating, exciting city!
Please count me in on this giveaway…..I have my fingers and toes crossed!
Georgia
Grandma G’s
I was born & raised in La., so whenever I tell people this, they usually think of NO. I’ve actually only been there a handful of times, the last being at Christmas, with my parents, for the LHSAA football championships. Unfortunately my alma mater lost but it was a great trip anyway. We walked & gawked at the Christmas decos in the Garden District, stood in line for an hour in freezing temps for beignets at CdM, rode the street car & walked through Audubon Park. I really love the street performers, but the best part is always the shopping!
Have lived in the Southeast all my life, but have never visited New Orleans. Hubby and I hope to go this spring. Would love to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity, Rhoda.
I would love to win this book! I would give it to my sister and her husband. They both meet in New Orleans and fell in love!! They have been happily married over 39 years. She invited my mother and I to come and visit her in New Orleans (1970) to meet him. They took us everywhere (sightseeing, great restaurants, the food was fabulous, etc.) it was a wonderful trip……….I still treasure the memories today!
This book looks awesome–I love coffee table books! This would be my first since getting married! 🙂
I enjoy visiting your blog daily. Would love a chance to win this book. Thanks.
What a beautiful book, it is time we see the beautiful pictures of New Orleans, so many images in the last few years
cloud our minds. God does send beauty after the storm!!!
We try to get back to NOLA every other year, I think I left my heart there the first time I visited. There is a beauty there that just speaks to me. Thank you for the chance to win this lovely book!
I have only been to New Orleans once, but my favorite memory is my realization that what I initially thought was a dirty, run-down city was actually a very old city, full of history and interesting places to see!