A Perfect Robin's Nest

Lots of nesting going on around our house. We found this nest in the corner of backyard swing. What a place for a nest! The eggs inside are the most beautiful Robin's Egg Blue. Great inspiration for my nest paintings.

Simply Baby's Breath

One of my favorites - never used to be.   I used to toss the baby's breath from my flower arrangements. Now, I love it on it's own. So pretty, like lace.

Last weekend we celebrated my daughter's First Holy Communion. Thought this would make a pretty entrance to our backyard party.  Would be beautiful for an outdoor wedding too.

Simple, inexpensive, and elegant.

In a gate basket...

In a wire basket with burlap on a farm table (of course)...

I have used them in mason jars placed inside a wood planter...love!

It also makes a beautiful flower wreath for a special Communion girl.

Still working on more photos from France!  Coming soon...

Paris Flowers

A pretty display from Paris to brighten this rainy day here in NY!

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.

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!

Joyeuses Pâques

                                                      Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!!

Luxembourg Garden, Paris

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.

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!

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.

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!!

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??

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!