Recommended springtime reading: "French Country Cottage Bloom"

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Have you all taken a gander at the prices of magazines lately? I was at a Barnes & Noble over the weekend and came across a gorgeous magazine that was packed with pretty photos, but it was $28! I stood there and thought, "Nah, I can get a book for less than that." And in fact, I recently did: French Country Cottage Bloom by Courtney Allison, a gloriously beautiful hardback, was on sale for $23 on Amazon. I loved her French Country Cottage Christmas book, and I just knew I would like this one, too, but I didn't know how much I would absolutely love it!

The author actually lives in California, but she loves the French Country aesthetic and is a great believer in using flowers in her décor. I was swooning by the time I got to these lilacs …

And these teacups among the camellias …

And these roses and dahlias in a vintage pitcher …

And more roses and dahlias! I was delighted to see all of the pitchers and glasses and teacups and plates she uses in her floral images, and I've been flipping through this book every evening, just savoring all the loveliness and deciding what I can plant that might give me a taste of this. She has a new book coming out this fall, and now I can't wait to get it as well. This Bloom one, however, may be the prettiest book I've seen in years, and I just know some of you would love it too!