If you love Garden and English Country styles this book is a must for your library. It includes information about color and fabric to hanging chandeliers and dealing with contractors and everything between. It also includes a wonderful index that is easy to refer to after you've enjoyed reading it cover to cover. It is written in Alexandra's fun and personal style with bits of wisdom from many of her favorite authors. Don't miss this book!

This book is one of my all-time favorite design books. I read it over and over again. Alexandra's positive style of writing and emphasis on the personal statement a person makes when beautifying one's home is a joy to read. I am converted to her beleif that all homes should have wood floors and a personal collection. Her experiences with various clients are funny and interesting, and her enthusiasm is so catching! A must read!

Stoddard is an interesting writer. She is well-read and her work usually reflects her general rounded background. This book, unlike most of her others, gets down the the nitty-gritty of design. The illustrator does an amazing job rendering the different pieces of furniture, so that the reader can actually decide what style he or she prefers before wandering into stores. Stoddard gives tremendous detail about the basics and the essentials of design, as well as the practical point that if you don't like it you shouldn't do it.

This book is indispensible for people who are decorating or redecorating their home.

I am so disappointed this is out of print! Obviously the "powers at top" haven't used this book in their daily lives, as I have for 3 years! It is a perfect journal size with beautiful, colorful pages, that don't overwhelm, and insightful quotes fill every page. Travels well, and the pages can handle any type of ink with out bleeding through. On top of it all, a lovely purple ribbon to hold your place every day. Another of Mrs. Stoddard's wonderful works of art!

For the past two years I have kept this book as a daily journal. I love to keep journals & yet as a college student with heavy course loads I do not have much time to devote to a journal. The space that I am limited to by the format of this book allows me to focus only on what I truly appreciated and gained from each day & it enables me in retrospect to see what truly makes me happy & what I value in my life. There are also potions of this book designated for lessons learned, funny memories, personal information, inspirational quotations, & what is important to those people who are important to the reader. I cannot tell you how many friends & strangers have complimented my journal & I have encouraged to begin their own. Within the past year I have been unable to find this book in any stores & was gravely upset. It is truly a companion of mine that is irreplaceable. I cannot tell you the joy that I have received flipping through the memories of the past years & those moments that would have otherwise been fleeting. I whole heartedly encourage anyone to begin keeping for themselves a similar record of this coming year. You will find yourself greatly rewarded.

This is a book about having the courage to choose a life instead of letting whatever comes along make the choice instead. It made me want to take a closer look at what I'm doing to see if I am making real and earnest progress toward what I most want to achieve in life. This book helped me to realize that what I want takes time and gives some helpful suggestions on where to find missing hours. The book talks about how debilitating it can be to live passively. I really enjoyed this quote from the first chapter, "The person who passively sits back, who waits and sees, will never feel too terrific about life because there will never be much electricity, satisfaction, or fulfillment in it. Nothing works out when nothing is going on." So, if you occasionally feel that you could be sitting in a huge vat of peanut butter unable to get what you want, this could be the perfect book for you.

I recently read this book and am buying it for my daughter as she sets off for college this fall. It is by far a book I will always treasure. It brings such contentment when reading. Such grace, as all Alexandra Stoddard books do. It truly is a book everyone should read. It is very thought provoking and really has some beautiful quotations throughout it.

Over the years, I have read many of Alexandra Stoddard's books, but to my way of thinking, she has really outdone herself in this one. I found Gracious Living very inspirational and do-able because she really advocates simplicity and living in the moment. To her, life is not a problem to be solved, it is a sensual experience to be savoured. All of it--even what you might have previously thought of as a chore. Her descriptions--verbal snapshots really--of some her lifetime experiences are so well-written you can live them with her and, of course, recall your own. I read one section each morning as a 'wake-up call' and really found this got me out of bed 'on the right side.' This book is especially useful if you (or your friend) suffer from perfectionism and feel your life looks better on paper than in your heart.

Me identifique totalmente con este libro.encontre mis momentos zen al leerlo cuando hacia la cola de espera para buscar a mi hija de 4 años al colegio.y definitivamente el capitulo que se titula ESTAR AHI, me libero porque soy una madre que trabaja a tiempo completo y dudaba si estaba siendo buena madre y me di cuenta que si,porque siempre que mis hijas (tengo otra de 2 años)lo han necesitado siempre estoy ahi. gracias alexandra por este libro que ma ayudo a disfrutar totalmente de la enorme y maravillosa labor de ser madre mi crecimiento interior a sido enorme gracias,gracias gracias. desearia que todas las madres del mundo gosaran de esta liberacion y regocijo. que dios bendiga tu maravillosa forma de expresar tan bellos sentimientos.

agradecidamente.

MIRIAM DAS MERCES:madre de ARANZA y ARIANA

I read this book several years ago, shortly after its release in hardcover. Always an avid letterwriter, I found in this book several reasons to remain one in the electronic age. I recently gave a copy of the paperback version to a friend, and it changed his way of looking at letterwriting. He sent me a letter to thank me for it - something he could more easily have done in person or over the phone, as he only lives across town from me. The only complaint I have is the myriad of references to sources for letterwriting accessories and stationery which either sell exorbitantly priced goods or are in far-flung locations the average reader will not likely visit. Even this would have been all right if it had been balanced with more references to mainstream sources. Overall, however, a marvelous read.

Gift of a Letter was recommened to me by a couple of online friends. I have been a letter writer all my life, and couldn't resist buying the book. And my, I'm so glad I did. The book is such a pleasure to read, from start to end, about the pure joy of writing and recieving letters.
I took the book with me on one of my business travels, started to read it on the plane, could hardly put it down during the meetings I had to attend to, and read again at the hotel. The first thing I did next morning was to find a stationary shop where I could buy paper, envelopes, cards, new pens and so on, then (after more meetings) I sat down in the nearest coffeeshop to write letters.

The art of letter writing is almost forgotten today, it seems so much easier to make a call, or write an SMS or an e-mail. But nothing can be compared to the joy and pleasue of finding a real letter in your mail box.

For Alexandra Stoddard letterwriting is not just letters to your mother when you are away, letters to your boyfriend or letters to oversea friends. What about a thank you letter to a good friend after a nice party, or a letter to an old teacher, or an old friend. The book has given me so many new ideas of whom to write, and what to write about. The only negative thing I can think of is that the book talks about letters as something you can write in a few minutes, so lack of time is no excuse. This is only partly true. For me letters are also the letters you spend hours to write, hours because there are so many things to tell a close friend, hours because you just want to spend of your time with your penpal.

Though I have been an avid letter writer since I was a little girl, this book has opened up a new world for me when it comes to.....yes, you're right ....letter writing. I have to book on my desk and know I will read it again and again, and I will write letters as long as my hands and my eyes allow me. And I will keep on writing letters every day, spending all my extra money on stamps.

Britt Arnhild Lindland

This book was a great inspiration for me to return to letter writing in the era of email. Nothing brightens a persons day more than a hand written letter that can be read over and over again. I highly recommend this book

I bought this book years ago when the cover was different, and it cost only $12.95 in paperback, and I still use it for ideas, although some of them are a little off-the wall or even impractical for me. It's the kind of book where there is a culture clash with some of the things she suggests: "Put strawberries in a bowl and leave two, with stems on, on the table next to the bowl.." Why? Or "Put eggs in an old wire basket." Well, I'm afraid they won't last too long like that, and with the organic eggs I buy costing over $2,00 a dozen, it's the height of impracticality for me. Then there's "Make lobster, avocado, and wild rice salad for a picnic." Two problems: a) tell me how, and b) maybe this is no problem for a New Yorker or Connecticut resident, but for a landlocked Oklahoman that's a mighty pricey picnic! Statements like these make her seem very Martha Stewart, like she's from another world. Certainly not mine, anyway.Still, there are many, many parts of her book where she makes perfect sense, such as buying in season, and that people buy too much food, and taking the television out of the bedroom is a great idea I've completely taken to heart! So to sum up, this book that gives you food for thought, if you don't choke on some of the grace notes!

I felt obligated to post my review because, as cheesy as it may sound, Alexandra Stoddard's book, Living A Beautiful Life, actually changed my life -- for the better. I'll agree that all of the Grace Notes are not for everyone -- they are merely suggestions. Neither do I try and do everything that she recommends. But she did succeed at getting me to look at life and its daily routine in a different way. She's also introduced me to wonderful authors, such as Madeleine L'Engle. Alexandra's writing has helped me to live a more beautiful life "in the moment" by appreciating every blessing and using every moment to add more beauty to it. Now I try and celebrate every little aspect of life, if possible, by not keeping anything mundane. My life greatly reflects my passion for life and I am now more aware of the beauty involved in simple existence. Alexandra has written other great books (which have helped me tremendously) on relationships, family, interior decorating, the lost art of letter writing, etc. Remember, it's all about what works for you. I'm currently collecting Alexandra's books and highly recommend them all. Alexandra, thank you very much. By sharing your passion, you give a wonderful gift. :)

This book is full of ideas on how to make every day life more enjoyable. It is not a recipe to be followed exactly, but it certainly caused me to think about how I do things. Suddenly, tidying up the house wasn't such an ordeal, and I wasn't so quick to do a sloppy job at my daily tasks. I highly recommend this book to any lady who would like to enhance her life.

I am a newlywed...married 3 months and I found this book to put alot of things in perspective for me. Ms. Stoddard encourages you to take time out and invest quality time in YOURSELF, which I have always believed to be important, I just didn't know how to convince my husband! This book helped me find those words! Once you have yourself taken care of, then you can concentrate on your relationship and it will THRIVE! My only complaint is Ms. Stoddard writes as if we ALL live in Manhattan and drink cappucinos everyday...I found her comments like that throughout the book to be annoying and assuming. Overall, the book makes sense....and has made me a more relaxed person!

This is an enjoyable, relaxing read. It reminds us how we should enjoy life and how nice it is to be respectful and caring to others. A Sarah Ban Breathnach fan would love this.

Alexandra Stoddard has become a sort of guru to my husband and me over the years. Her advice is inspirational, and she is full of suggestions to add beauty to your life in many different ways, some simple, some involving more commitment. Reading her books, and this one in particular, has changed how we view our home and our relationships. The added "Grace Notes" on every page are culled from a wide variety of sources and never cease to be interesting. I have given Ms. Stoddard's books to many, many friends and family.

J'ai pu consulter ce livre qui est d'une richesse iconographique sympathique.

I love this book. When I got it- I read it cover to cover. It is beautifully written and a delightful informative read. Since I initially read it, however, I have referred to it many times. If you need to know how to hang a chandelier, solve storage problems, and a million things you only think of when the issue comes up - you can use the very helpful index in the back and find the information needed. For those who love Garden and English Country styles. This is a must have for your library. This is the most useful book I have ever purchased.

I found this book to be very educational. It is also very thought provoking. Learn to view your rooms and decorating practices with new insights. As always Alexandra's writing grabs you, stimulates you, and soothes you at the same time.

I have read other books on perfectionism, as well as scientific research papers on this topic, and this particular book was somewhat helpful but not really what I was looking for. Nevertheless, if you are different from me and you like her style, you may benefit greatly from this book on an important topic about which too little has been written. So I have given this book 4 stars even though it didn't fit me very well, because I think it may help a lot of other people. It is definitely not a concise, scientific book on perfectionism. I found that each significant point that she made seemed to take a lot of pages, and many of her points were repeated, so I found that my mind kept wandering. Also, I was somewhat disappointed in her long section on death, because I am a Christian and I have much more hope in an afterlife than she does. Her belief seems to be summed up by the following quotation which she gives from Peter Megargee Brown: "The memory of you with those you left behind is perhaps your ultimate immortality." Finally, I am a male reader but I think her writing style would appeal much more to women. Regardless, she made some excellent points, especially in the first three chapters, and I did benefit to some extent from reading this book. But for my personality, the best book I have found on perfectionism is "Too Perfect: When Being in Control Gets Out of Control" by Allan Mallinger.

I really enjoyed this book, as with a few other's of hers I have read. Stoddard's books are so easy and relaxing to read. She doesn't use any scientific methods or any research studies. She explains simply how, by changing our attitudes, and our environment (home, office) we can enjoy the little things in life everyday. And by doing this, we can enrich our lives and become much happier people, even though we all have difficulties and hardhips.

"Appreciative of the beautiful" describes this book and Alexandra's insights into life. I would read this book before bed and I would wake up in such a good mood! A positive, motivating and quaint little book. I loved it!