Beautiful Bride: Alicia Keys

A gorgeous backdrop for Alicia Key's wedding photo.

The singer married producer Swizz Beatz in Corsica this weekend.

Another bridal coup for Vera Wang, who also designed Chelsea

Clinton's wedding frock. I think Alicia looks pretty and very her.



Photo courtesy of CBS News

Book of the Week: The Postcard Killers

James Patterson has written a ton of books, but I've never read any, so I was intrigued when I received a review copy of his latest effort from Hachette Publishing. The storyline of The Postcard Killers is interesting, as is the way the book was developed. Patterson is no stranger to collaborating on stories and it was he who approached best-selling Swedish novelist Liza Marklund to work with him on this thriller. While it can be seen as a capitalization on the recent Scandinavian craze, nonetheless it works. I can't comment on what this book is like in comparison to Patterson's other efforts, but I enjoyed the interesting--if uncomfortable--subject matter and the fast pace.

When we meet NYPD detective Jacob Kanon he is in Europe, except he's not sightseeing. The tough cop is coming apart at the seams after the recent murder of his daughter, Kimmy, and her boyfriend in Rome. Now Kanon is hellbent on catching the killers who are systematically murdering couples across the continent while sending postcards to local newspapers first. When Swedish reporter Dessie Larsson receives one of the postcards it brings Kanon into her life and it isn't long before they team up to solve the puzzling crimes.

There are parts of the story that are a little far fetched, yet overall I enjoyed The Postcard Killers (which will be available in August) and would seek out more Patterson material in the future. Have you read any Patterson or Marklund books?

Read an excerpt here. 

Happy Holiday Monday!

I hope all those with the day off are enjoying themselves!

I'm taking a little break today.

Maybe you'd like to check out some posts you may have missed...

My new appliances! Now I just need the kitchen...Two guest posts at two fabu blogs...Chartreuse love...Greek key and ikat...A clutch obsession...Straight-from-the-runway Gossip Girl fashion and a product review! Plus beautiful bride Chelsea Clinton in Vera Wang.

Also, if you like receiving real mail (a rarity these days it seems) and would like to get to know your fellow bloggers better then head over to Melissa's blog Oh, My Darling where she's organizing a pen pal mail swap.

I'll be back tomorrow to tell you all about a book that totally sucked me in

 (this one is an engrossing detective thriller).

What else can you expect this week? 

A fab new Getaways guest blog post (think European, fashion, lights...)

Some great food for thought. Or just food, as the case may be.

A new Love It! post all about the item I'm loving, wanting, craving right now.

An amazeballs giveaway from the very talented and generous

Beth of Sweet Nature Designs (plus the winner of the Dr. Perricone

Cold Plasma giveaway--enter if you haven't yet!)

Hope you're enjoying the summer sun lovelies! A domani!

Photo by Garance Doré