It's been way too long

After close to year away from this blog I am back.
It is strange reading again some of the older posts how today I still love the same things. I lost my inspiration and will to share as my family fell apart but creativity and appreciation are slowly coming back.

This is me again.

On the side of the French Mountains - Part 1

I've just returned from Europe this week. I you have read the news you know that most of Europe is under snow, Paris, London, Berlin and more.

This very much brought me back to my childhood days where leaving in Paris snow meant going skying in the mountains.

White Bowls

The power of white in the kitchen is something that I cannot get enough of. It is clean and crisp and the many shades of whites makes anything but borrowing.

Take a lot at bowls for example featured by www.countryliving.com. I am a fan and collector of Ironstone. The shapes, sizes and shades are endless. And whether you have antiques or new pieces it all works together. Change the pairing of your displays, fill them up, stack them, leave them empty it does not matter ;you have a brand new look every time.

A taste of yester years

I am finally back from New Hampshire where I was privy to a taste of yest er years. I stayed at the Wentworth by the sea hotel. Built in the early 1900's overlooking the ocean in Portsmouth New Hampshire. While staying there for business reasons I could only imagine the old days where people where all dressed up and this was a privilege location. As the snow fell on the ocean and on the hotel , the moment was truly magic.

Gracefull Cleaning

These are so beautiful, I feel like cleaning!

lovely, just lovely

If you follow my blog you know that my house is covered in Vex from C2paint. That color works with everything and the quality is just fabulous.

But I have to admit that the new collection from Restoration hardware is just lovely:

2010 - Looking forward

I know that every year people make new year's resolutions only to let go of them. As a result nothing earth shattering that I will not be able to keep but it will take some effort and commitment on my part nonetheless.

So here it goes:

1. Take better care of myself (see my doctors more often and follow their order)

2. Find a better paying job that will make me happy

3. Spend more time at home (work from home?)

4. Send Camille to a great College

5. Entertain more and see friends more

6. Take a great family trip

7. Do the back garden

8. Redo Estelle's bathroom

9. Finish furnishing the house (living room/library)

10. Start work on the basement (outfit l'Atelier 153)

11. Take an interior design class

and finally

12.Win the Lottery (OK a girl can dream right?)

Hope you succeed with whatever your goals are in 2010!

Until next year

Unfortunately the holidays are over. January has started and we will head back to the office Monday and the girls back to school.

So today the tree has to come down. All the ornaments have to be neatly wrapped and stored waiting for next year to dazzle us again.

I will add new antique ornaments found along the way throughout the year eagerly waiting to put them on a new fresh cut tree next year. Until then my sweets rest well, thank you for a dazzling and beautiful display.

Wishing you the best

Had way too much fun last night. Hope you did too.

Happy new year!

Give

As we are still house bound while Estelle is getting better, house cleaning has been in order. I feel so proud, some of the closets are looking better but not all.
So far 5 bags went to neighbors whose girls were delighted to see so many hand me downs and I dropped off 3 huge bags at St. Michael's. There is a lot more to clean up in the future I am ashamed to say but, it feels good to share, good to give to someone in need.

Approaching 10 degrees

The weather today is brutal. We started at 33 and went down to 10 in a matter of hours. What makes it worst? The howling winds.

Our 15 year old started getting sick last night and by mid day water was starting to make its way to her lungs. So following a visit to the doctor's ans some strong medicine she now is in bed.

To make her feel better? A warm cup of tea

A warm cashmere throw ( I love these from William Sonoma Home available at http://www.wshome.com/)And two great books that I love:

And when she finally decides to get up her faithful Ugg Sleepers will be waiting.

Good thing we are all on vacation this week.

Taking the time

Taking the time to do nothing on a Monday afternoon. Taking the whole week off. Sleep, eat, spend time with my girls , watch the snow fall, cuddle with the cats, having fun conversations with hubby.

Pure luxury for the mind and the soul.

Need to get organized

Christmas is already over and the house is quite a mess. We all received so much we need to get organize and purge sad to say.
But before we even get to the bedrooms and their respective closets my current craft space (the office for now) is crawling under glass glitter, glue and ribbons of sorts. I need to get organized and return this room to its original use. Pencils, card stock, glitter , ribbons and more have to go into hiding just for a little while . So here are so storage ideas that would make any space look organized and yet practically pretty.

Joyeux Noel

Joyeux Noel!

Time to rejoice and feast. Take the time to celebrate and enjoy what you have.







Foie Gras sur toasts blancs

Gingerbread cookies

French Macarons au Chocolat

Christmas Eve Traditions

As a child I was never home for Christmas, I was always sent to ski as my mother continued on working. As much as I longed for a Christmas at time it did create some amazing memories as well. One of the most magical one was the "descente aux flambeaux" down the mountain before heading to Midnight Mass. The whole village would get together, the best ski teachers, all volunteers and the best of the resort would be handed lit up torches and we would watch them go all the way up the mountain. It would take a while but the village was so busy and the mood happy. After a good 30 minute wait we would watch the procession start. It was by far one of the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. A trail of warm fire glowing in the dark and yet reflecting on the snow. Everyone quiet just taking in the sight, mouth wide opened smile on their face. As the skiers come down they go towards the church followed by all of us, Christmas mass starts we all sing as the church fills in and the snow falls. Christmas night is magic.

A paper Christmas

Some people are just so creative. Go to http://www.etsy.com/ and take a look... Wendy Addison started the rebirth of the trend.