Your Tuesday Headless Giveaway!

Hello, hello. I have a special treat for y'all today. Remember the black wrap skirt I was obsessed with? The one that sweet Lucia made for me, exactly to my measurements? Yes. Well. We have collaborated to present a giveaway! And I think you're going to like it. Lucia -- who has a new website that you should immediately go visit -- kindly mailed me the giveaway piece to model for y'all, and I am happy to say that I love it. Like, LURVE it. LOAVE it. It's a black off-shoulder mini dress, made of the softest jersey, and sewn to your own custom specifications. The dress is loose enough to feel modest, with that one drapey side, but then there's that exposed collarbone on the other side that gives it some edge. (My mother would die if she knew I said "sexy" on this here website, but let's be honest: it is.)

I also love it because it is so comfortable, and so versatile. 

You can wear it as a t-shirt, with jeans and tennies:

Top/dress: Larimeloom / Jeans: Madewell / Shoes: Converse

Or as a dress, hiking it up as high as you dare (I didn't really dare very much):

Dress: Larimeloom / Sandals: Missoni

I have also been known to wear it as a bathing suit cover up, in my yard, when it's 75 degrees out and I'm pretending it's summer.

ANYWAY. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here (don't forget to enter your email address!) and then go hit "Like" on Lucia's Facebook page, located here.

I will choose a winner at random next Tuesday. Hooray!

Oh, wait, there's one more thing: Lucia is offering a 10% off coupon code in her Etsy store for the duration of the giveaway, so go get your shop on! Use the code ABCHAO10 at checkout. Hooray, hooray, extra hooray!

UPDATE: The winner of the giveaway is commenter #27, Anastasia! Please look for an email from me soon! Congratulations, and thanks to Lucia and to all who entered. 

Mini Camp Atlanta Added to Schedule!

Good news, ATL! I am coming to your town the first weekend of April to teach y'all some STUFF. This super-fun mini camp will be held on Saturday, April 6 from 10 - 5. Location TBA, as I'm still scouting spots. (If you have something in mind, get at me!)

Now, I need at least 10 students to make this thing go, so sign your little selves up now! The 10% off coupon still applies -- use code FRIENDS10. (NB: That coupon is good for all camps through the weekend!)

Hooray! I am excited. Hey, do y'all think Ludacris will come?

You Need This Book: Stealing Magnolias

Here's what the jacket description of Stealing Magnolias: Tales from a New Orleans Courtyard says:

In this dreamy and seductive entree into the magical city that is New Orleans, author Debra Shriver, a twelfth-generation Southerner, Francophile, passionate preservationist and jazz devotee creates a book that is part love letter, part scrapbook, and gives readers a rare tour behind courtyard walls and private gates of this enigmatic city, which is often considered the Paris of America.

Yes, yes. Those things are true. This gorgeous book is indeed part love letter, part scrapbook, part courtyard tour. But what you really need to know is that I read the thing from cover to cover. 

The photographs are gorgeous, of course -- and I am usually into coffee-table books like this just for the pretty pictures -- but the text is just as captivating. Each chapter tells a different story of New Orleans -- the Mardi Gras Indians and the Zulu parade; falling in love with the city; choosing and decorating a a house; throwing a magnificent party, complete with recipes; the incredible musical history of the city; and fun sidebars with information about things like correct party attire and local traditions. 

There are quotes from various New Orleans natives scattered throughout. They are all quite charming, but my favorite is the one from Justin Lundgren:

It takes a special kind of person to choose New Orleans over most of America. You have to be the kind who can dance at a funeral and spend thousands of dollars on plastic trinkets just for the privilege of throwing them off a tractor-driven float to complete strangers.

Yep. Sounds about right for me.

And there is, of course, an entire chapter devoted to the monogram, which caused me to stand up and salute my Leontine Linens.

All photos from Stealing Magnolias: Tales from a New Orleans Courtyard by Debra Shriver, copyright © 2010, published by Glitterati Incorporated.

I did not need to be sold on New Orleans, of course -- it's my favorite place on this entire planet, and I plan to one day live there. But I leave you with this warning: if you buy this book, you will likely find yourself, one day, as my neighbor.

Your Tuesday Headless Photo

I took this at Luquillo Beach last week in Puerto Rico, which makes me sad, because I can't believe it was only a week ago that I was basking in the sun with my magazine and man repeller swimsuit. And this week I'm all gross and snotty and sick in my dirty bath robe. Oh, what a difference a week makes.

While the photo shoot went well, I am heartbroken to inform you that an Elle Decor magazine tragically lost its life during the session. We offer our deepest condolences to the Hearst publishing family, and are keeping the March 2013 issue in our thoughts and prayers.

PS, Don't forget about the super awesome FRIENDS DISCOUNT I'm running this week. Grab a friend and come to camp!

Camp Notes: Denver Going Mini!

Los Angeles Camp!

Happy Monday, y'all! I have a big old giant LA camp recap coming up later in the week, but today I just wanted to give you some camp notes, along with a fun little coupon. Hooray!

1. Denver! Due to my ongoing lame-brainedness and lack of scheduling prowess, your camp is now a Saturday-only mini camp. It's going to be from 9-4 on March 23, and you're going to learn so many things and have so much fun that your brains will spin. UPDATE: Camp will be located at Blue Dot Studio in Denver, just south of downtown.

2. To make it up to y'all, I'd like to offer a coupon for new signups and for those of you who have already signed up: if you sign up with a friend, you will both receive a 10% discount, using the coupon code FRIENDS10. Just put your friend's name in the PayPal comments box so I'll know y'all are legit. Heh. PS, This offer is good all the way up to the day of the Denver camp.

3. ATTENTION: The friends discount applies to ALL camps through the end of this week -- Friday, March 8 -- so get on it! 

4. I'm thinking of adding a mini-camp in Atlanta in early April. What say you, ATL?

5. If you've signed up for a camp recently and haven't received a confirmation, fret not! It's on its way.

OK, I think that is all I've got for today! Y'all have a great Monday. I will be over here in my sick bed, as I woke up with Mongolian Body Rot. It's pretty gross.