Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Paris...part one

We arrived in Paris around lunchtime at our adorable apartment on Rue de Sevres (on the border of the 6th and 7th arr.), such a great location. We had many markets, bakeries, etc. within short walking distance, the metro was across the street and the boys could see the tippy top of the eiffel tower from their loft bedroom.  After we carried our 12 bags up 4 flights of spiral stairs, we passed out! That night, the first thing we did was take a walk to the eiffel tower. Did you know it sparkles? 
On the hour - it was beautiful!

The agenda for the following day was a full one.

The Louvre




Such a gorgeous museum.
We saw the Mona Lisa and a special Leonardo da Vinci exhibit that was there.


After spending a couple of hours at the museum, we headed through the Jardin des Tuileries.



So pretty and peaceful, I could have spent hours in one of these chairs.



It looked like spring, but didn't feel like it. The weather was a little cool most of our time in Paris.




We continued our walk to Place de la Concorde and stopped at our first crepe stand in Paris.



One very happy girl!



Beautiful architecture along the way!


The Laduree on the Champs Elysees


Arc de Triomphe




284 steps to the top...we made it!








Wouldn't want to be caught in that traffic circle!




We began heading back towards the apartment and stopped for dinner. The kids (only 2 out of 4 of them would try it) had their first taste of escargot. They loved it.
Me? I couldn't do it - it's a texture thing.




Pretty flowers on the way home...



to be continued...part II HERE.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Our French Adventure

We have just returned from 2 weeks of heaven in France. Our first time there and it was just perfect.
It was my daughter's dream to go to Paris for her Sweet 16.  My husband and I are also celebrating 20 years of marriage this June so we thought it was the perfect time to go.  I have so much to share and once I organize the 1,500+ photos we took, I will be posting about our adventure in the next few weeks.




Such a beautiful city and country!

Saturday, April 07, 2012

Joyeuses Pâques

                                                      Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!!

Luxembourg Garden, Paris

Monday, March 19, 2012

Dresser Makeover - Old White with a touch of Coco

Loving this Annie Sloan chalk paint combo, Old White and Coco. Wish I had a place to keep this one.  

The mirror with those little drawers are my favorite part.


New "Antique" Bronze hardware.


You can find her for sale at Lavender Fields in Pt. Jefferson, NY. She's in the front window on display.

Remember her before?

(Thank you Susan!!)

Check out some more furniture inspiration over at
Miss Mustard Seed's 2012 Furniture Makeover Highlights.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Giveaway Winner!

We have a winner!
Congrats to Dottie of Gathered Over Time!




And thanks to all who entered.  I learned that you all love our planters, ribbon and painted signs.
All of our favorites too! You never know when we will run another giveaway!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Last day to enter our giveaway!! $100 Gift Certificate and a GORGEOUS book!






Just a reminder to enter today if you'd like to win a book of decorating inspiration - "Hers", along with a $100 gift certificate to our shop.  Maybe a little something new for the Spring!
See this post for all the important details and good luck to you all! The winner will be announced tomorrow.




Wednesday, February 29, 2012

A Giveaway...$100 Gift Certificate and a book called "Hers"

$100 Gift Certificate

I wanted to do something to say "thank you" to all of my readers, customers, facebook fans (well over 1000 now :) So I thought a giveaway was appropriate.  I am giving away one $100 Gift Certificate to my shop.   I choose or create the products I sell to assist YOU in creating your vision for your event or to decorate that special space in your home.

I thought this book by Jacqueline deMontravel was an appropriate companion to my gift certificate.
I'm a huge fan of hers and just love the ideas in her newest book.




Reprinted from HERS by Jacqueline deMontravel. Copyright (c) December 13, 2011


"Whether you are happily single or a mother of four, having a room that pleases you is a common fantasy. After all, what woman doesn’t want a modern, romantic, feminine, grown-up space that she can call her own—where she can listen to opera (or eighties music) and engross herself in the pages of Jane Austen (or the latest celebrity gossip)?
 
Hers offers hundreds of stylish ways for creating your own private retreat, even when your bedroom doubles as your living room or when delicate furnishings don’t seem compatible with kid-friendly living. With some thoughtful rethinking of your home’s layout and some imagination, you can dedicate part of a shared space to your own interests, and Jacqueline deMontravel will show you how. 
 
These interiors celebrate the beauty and comfort of feminine design with color, furniture shapes, and attractive accessories." 
Quoted from the book "hers" by Jacqueline deMontravel


Reprinted from HERS by Jacqueline deMontravel. Copyright (c) December 13, 2011





Reprinted from HERS by Jacqueline deMontravel. Copyright (c) December 13, 2011.  Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, a division of Random House, Inc.

I just had to share a pic of those gorgeous shoes!!

My hope... is that the winner will find inspiration in Jacqueline's book to choose something special in my shop and create a space she can call "hers". 

Giveaway details:

  1. Visit my Website or Etsy Shop and simply leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite item is.
  2. You may receive an additional entry if you share our giveaway on Facebook (can easily be done by hitting the share button on my facebook post about this giveaway or clicking the facebook button at the end of this post), Twitter or your own blog. You must leave a separate comment for each (with a link to your post for confirmation) - telling me you did so.
  3. Winner will receive one $100 Gift Certificate to my shop and one copy of the book hers.  
  4. One winner will be chosen at random.
  5. The giveaway closes on Sunday March 11th @ 10pm eastern time.
  6. Winner will be announced on Monday March 12th.
  7. Please make sure I can get in touch with you if you are the winner. If your profile is not public - I will have to choose another name :(
Good luck to all!!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Spring weather + new designs + pink tulips = photo shoot

It felt and looked like spring today at my house.

Rustic Lace Planter

Playing with my new camera (I do have a bit of learning to do)...
I just had to share these gorgeous pink tulips.







It's been such a mild winter on Long Island - we are going to be in the high 50's the next couple of days!

Rustic Planter in Coco




So, you feeling like SPRING??


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Shop news...

These gorgeous new ribbons came in today.
Country French Floral on Blue Linen


I'm like a kid ripping the boxes open!

Vintage French Floral Linen


You see I have a ribbon addiction, always have. That is why I had to start selling my inventory.

French Script in Grey on Linen

I couldn't possibly use all of the ribbons I have bought over the years.  But I have found that many of you (all over the world) love ribbon too and the selection in your local craft stores are just not that great.

So, I get to buy more ribbon!


Wishing you a Sweet Day!


Happy Valentine's Day!!
My quick version of the Sweet Heart Cupcakes



Don't you love their packaging?


Friday, January 20, 2012

In the studio...

A great new dresser is next in line for an Annie Sloan paint treatment. This beauty will be done in Old White with a little distressing and a dark walnut top.  When she's all done - you will find her on display at Lavender Fields - fitting right in with the store's fresh new look for the new year. On my way there now to work with Lori - creating some gorgeous new vignettes!  My idea of a perfect day!




Sunday, January 01, 2012

New Year's Wishes

Happy New Year!


Wishing YOU a year of...

Happiness

Good Health

Inspiration

Creativity

Thanking YOU for a great year of...

Patronage

Friendship

Inspiration

Wanted to take this time to say YOU are much appreciated!!



Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Top Project of 2011

Rhoda from Southern Hospitality is having a link-up party sharing our favorite projects of 2011. This was an easy one for me to choose. It took much of our time to complete and I am still enjoying every bit of this room.
Our Laundry Room Makeover:


This is also the time of year many of us want to work on organizing our homes - so I hope you get some inspiration from some of my ideas. Enjoy!

Click HERE for Part I of my post ~ the room tour.

Click HERE for Part II of my post ~ the resources.

Make sure you visit Rhoda's party link for more bloggers' top projects!



Saturday, December 24, 2011

Holiday Wishes and a Shop Message

Just a reminder:
We will be taking a little break to spend time together with our family.
All new orders will be shipped the week of January 2nd.
Thanks so much!

Coming up:
A New Year's Giveaway Announcement!!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Christmas around the house...



The decorating is done ~ cards, shopping,wrapping and baking ~ still working on that! But I'd love to participate in the home tours going on all around blog land. I like to keep it mostly natural but I do change things up a little from year to year.

So welcome to my home...


My standard front door basket filled with cut evergreens, berries and crystal stems.



The porch - more fresh greens and white lights. I also have candles in all of the windows. Wish I could show you but I don't know how to take a good night pic.



Another favorite decorating piece of mine is this etagere filled with greens and oversized ornaments.
Have to have a little sparkle!




We  have many different types of evergreens on our property - so it's this time that they all get a good trimming. Some types shed less than others.


But I just love how easy it is to make empty pots and planters look festive. This one could use some pinecones on top but I do love it just like that!


As you walk in the front door, here is my entry. More greenery with whites and silvers and a touch of red in my french script ribbon.



Are you spotting the bird theme here? 


I really love these white ones with the birch feathers that I found this year.





Love the glow of the mercury glass.



You can easily make your mirrors festive with a little greenery and ribbon.



The urn is a simple arrangement to recreate - white painted sticks, greens and pine cones. 


We are still painting our dining room furniture but I can show you a little corner of the room.

This tree is wrapped in a coil of grapevine and baby's breath is tucked all around.
 
Love these crates and they also get some greens.


The mantle in the family room is very simple this year. We will be working on that room next. Shhhh....don't tell my husband.
Mason jars filled with snow (epsom salt), cranberries and battery lit candles. Too much greenery around there - I was worried about my candles catching fire.


I filled one of my rustic planters with greens (there is a mixture of artificial and real in there), white lights and sugar cones. They are huge! I also tucked in some sparkly caspia.

This vase receives some sticks and greens from the yard and tall berry stems.


I set the table - just for you. A really festive, and inexpensive centerpiece you can create and eat! All using items from the market. Pomegranates and green apples with more greens and pine cones.









More snow and cranberries in my new Matthew Mead Jelly Jars.

My grapevine wreaths with preserved cedar decorate my cookbook cupboard and the backs of the chairs.









 I hope you enjoyed my tour.

Make sure you stop by the following parties featuring so many gorgeous Holiday Home Tours!

And if you have one up - please let me know so I can visit you too!