STYLE & SIMPLICITY BY TED KENNEDY WATSON & GIVEAWAY!!!

I wanted to share my new favorite book with you!  It is a book written by Ted Kennedy Watson called
“Style and Simplicity” An A to Z Guide to Living a More Beautiful Life.

 

Ted’s book is an easy guide to the art of living well everyday.    It’s a book to read, savor and read again!  He shares wonderful tips and ideas to make life special, but more importantly he shares a bird eye view of his own artful and charming lifestyle.    

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Peruse Kennedy Watson’s website and you will read Ted’s definition of himself as a finder, shopkeeper and curator.  I would add a gentleman, designer, and one of the nicest people I have ever met to that list as well.  He has a way of making people feel special with his thoughtful gestures.   Ted is a lifestyle retailer and blogger.  He got his start as part of the team for Melinda and Bill Gates wedding.  He then went on to open a successful wholesale showroom called The Watson Kennedy Collection with well known clients such as Gumps, Barneys and Neiman Marcus.   Then the unexpected happened!  The store location that Ted had always admired came available, so he opened a retail shop.  It was so successful he opened a second location and then closed his wholesale showroom.

Ted inaugural shop, Watson Kennedy opened in Seattle’s in Pike’s Place Market, at First and Spring Streets in 1998.  The shop has the feel of a shop on the Left Bank with a carefully curated selection of the finest assortment of bed, body and bath products.  There are also French and English goods and antiques, gifts and array of unusual artifacts, art and furnishings.   The store is artfully arranged in Ted’s signature style.  The shop is named for his late father, Kennedy Watson, only Ted decided to invert the names.  Ted’s life’s work pays homage to his  Dad’s #1 lesson to Ted, which is “make your life’s work is something you love.”  Ted did more than listen to his Dad, he too heed.  His entire life has been focused on creating his life around things he loves.   Watson Kennedy is a curated example of things Ted loves.  Visitors to Seattle always put Watson Kennedy in Pike’s Market on their itinerary. 

The first shop was so successful a second shop located in historic landmark, Holyok Building First Street in 2001 offering the same fine gifts and home furnishings of the original store.  Both stores offer a wonderful service of shipping carefully curated gifts uniquely wrapped and shipped to fete a special someone by calling their 1 (800) 991-9361 number. 

(You can thank me later for sharing this well respected designer resource for special gifts!)

Ted captures his refined sense of aesthetics in the beautiful photographs used in the book.  

 

We are so lucky Ted has willingly shared some of his secrets for gracious living with us.   I am listing a few of my favorites of Ted’s tips, but you must buy the book to read all of them.

There are simply too many to list!  

Love the “no texting or tweeting allowed” footnote on this tip!

Ted’s love of flowers is evident in the book.  He shares many tips and ideas for creating

beautiful yet simple flower arrangements as well as his favorite flowers for the seasons.

I know Ted isn’t southern, but when I read this tip, he connected with this southern girl.  

I ask, “who doesn’t love a fresh tomato sandwich”?

Ted shares little thoughtful sentiments from his past and then tips for today.  He has a gentle way of mixing the past with the present in this book

Ted talks about how the mere act of lighting candles can serve as a meditation.  He takes 

the mundane and elevates it to an act of celebration.

Do you know what ephemera is?  If not, you need to buy the book and read

 Ted’s definition and tips about it.  You will never feel the same way about an old 

concert ticket, postcard or receipt.  

Truly, this book is one to keep and treasure.  I’ll leave you with a quote that Ted includes on his page about “ephemera.”  I think it also sums up the heart of Ted’s book and his life.  

 

 

For added entries sign up to “Like” or “Follow” Lisa Mende Design on:

 

  Leave a comment in the comment area of the blog and tell me

 where you are following Ted or me and I’ll put an extra entry in for you!!!.

 

Giveaway ends at Midnight  Friday, August 1st!!!

Ted is a “go to” for creating an “extra special” package.  Call, give him a price point,

 name and address and he will take care of the rest!  Your recipient will be

 love their package and sing your praises!  

 

 

Ted’s book is a great hostess or birthday gift.  

It’s also the perfect size to keep handy, for quick reference.

 

Please Ring Here:

1 (800) 991-9361

 

 

Ted’s book makes a great hostess or birthday gift.  

It’s also the perfect size to keep handy, for quick reference.