The Sweet Life: Reflections on Home and Garden

San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2001. Cloth, 80 pages, colouir illustrations; 20 cm. Tight, clean copy. First American Edition. Fine DJ. "Laura Stoddart has a devoted following who love the humor and idiosyncrasy of her exquisite, tiny drawings. Now, in this prettiest and wittiest of anthologies, she puts drudgery in its place and elevates the charms of lolling about to new heights. What could be more pleasurable than puttering into the garden, trowel in hand? Perhaps puttering back out, with a cool drink in place of said trowel. Ms. Stoddart's droll little figures toil and tarry their way across page after page of ironic quotations and elegant verse. From Jane Austen to Benjamin Franklin, from Oscar Wilde to oft-quoted "Anonymous"--everyone has something to say about the pleasures of a well-kept house, the charms of an overgrown garden, and the surprisingly refreshing effect that five minutes spent on a patch of green grass can produce. This delightful primer on all things sweet is the perfect house gift--guaranteed to gain all indulgent souls direct entree to la dolce vita! / Laura Stoddart who was the youngest artist to be awarded the prestigious honor of designing Britain's annual Christmas stamps, and her work has appeared in World of Interiors, Gardens Illustrated, and Vogue Entertaining , among other magazines. She has also illustrated packaging, notecards, and stationery for such clients as Kate Spade and Crabtree & Evelyn." - Publisher.. 1st. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. Illus. by Stoddart, Laura. 8vo. Collectible.