happy!

Our last day that we spent with the cousins was spent at our "home" for a fun afternoon. Husband and I threw together a little french lunch--including an introduction to Barefoot Contessa's Macaroni and Cheese--which was a new dish to them --but one that young and old alike enjoyed (the guests also  included a 3 year old and an 80+ year old grandmother!).
While some took naps, we enjoyed La Moulin's gorgeous garden and played pétanque  ( a game where the goal is, while standing inside a starting circle with both feet on the ground, to throw hollow metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball). There were also trampolines and badminton to play and it was a very happy ending to our trip.

Back to reality and looking forward to 2012! Count your blessings and give hugs to those you love (or a kiss on each cheek if you happen to be french!)

Avignon, France

Avignon is where the pope was at one time in history so it's a pretty big deal and this palace is also a big deal. It's beyond huge and when you follow the tour you are truly walking in footsteps of the past; although it's hard to comprehend that this city has existed for thousands of years before any boats made it over to America. Where everyone was living in huts or teepees. I guess they had Leonardo Da Vinci and we had Steve Jobs. Too much champagne for the night.

in love with Lourmarin

Lourmarin, I love you. I hope my hometown will understand how your charm and beauty made it too easy for my heart to dance when I walked your streets. One day I will see you again and wrap my arms around you.

road trip through Provence -part 1

This is Moulin de la Roque where we are staying. It is an estate from the 1600's that used to be a flour mill. The current owners have spent the last 15 years remodeling the buildings into rooms and homes for people to stay. This is the front of the building and when you go through the arch there are several out buildings where guests stay.

This is the view from our kitchen window. The grounds are gorgeous and there is also a swimming pool, trampolines, and games for summer weather at the far end. Our home that we are staying in is below. It was the original flour miller's house and has been remodeled to include all the modern conveniences. The owners tell us it's gorgeous when the wisteria is in bloom during the warmer months and creates a canopy over the terrace.

So not to be your Aunt Rose with a slide show of our trip; I'll break this up in a couple of posts. Our first stop is Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue. The guidebooks tell you that this is the Florence, Italy of Provence with water and canals that surround the city. We were lucky to hit a market that are common on different days in the surrounding cities throughout the year.
 

 This one is for Ruby. Look closely and you'll see Geese, bunnies, chickens...and they happen to be nibbling on baguettes.

 One of the canals in the town. There are very few decorations or advertisements to remind you that it's Christmas...and a big reason why visiting a foreign country at this time of year is a bonus. Plus; many of the villages on our road trip were basically tourist free (except for us!).

with love from Provence

What is it about french handwriting that makes a menu looks delicious?! And the meal was excellent as well.

~Saint Remy de Provence shopping~

A day trip to Avignon

Our cousins Claude and Nicole..seriously; how cute are they?

snapshots of Paris

Bonjour everyone! Our time in Paris was wonderful but ended too quickly for me. Here are a few shots from around where our apartment was; we enjoyed the rain and everyone with their umbrellas; shot of husband in a cafe in the Marais...vintage leather chairs and a real boho vibe; cheese, pastries, the girls all in black with tights, leggings and black boots. everywhere. And Bon Marche...such a hustle bustle on the weekend. We begin our time in Provence now...more to come

bon voyage

We take off on Wednesday and I can't wait to see it all once more. I hope to post while I'm there but depends on the internet connection and how much time is available. Happy holidays and enjoy your friends and family...give lots of hugs and kisses this year.

good goods

Are these just the sweetest cards to give (or receive)? By Rifle Paper Co., a boutique stationery brand featuring Anna Bond and her hand-painted illustrations and lettering. Gorgeous cards, prints,calendars and so much more (check out the custom invitations Anna does...swoon!)

My daughter received this heirloom recipe card box from Rifle last year for Christmas. It takes local craftsmen 3 months to handcraft locally salvaged hardwood trees and is truly an heirloom to be handed down to generations to come. And speaking of...

 Ruby has this limited Alphabet illustration created by Anna Bond

up in her room. Art for all ages!

mix and match

The BEST story on the black/white coat...I "added" it to my cart at the Anthropologie website but thought how I would never pay the original $499 retail for it. A couple of months later back on Anthro and click to my cart...it had been marked down to $99 and wasn't available anywhere else on the website--SOLD!

a better woman than I am...

weekend thoughts

Making a list and checking it twice...so many "don't forget" places to see and explore. This weekend will be a blur with packing, laundry, and last minute details before our trip. Hope yours is magical!

auction fever

 Not sure if it's the holiday season or just dumb luck that I've stumbled across some over the top auctions as of late. Take this 2006 John Galliano Christian Dior wool coat with embroidery giving a rock and roll, gothic vibe to an amazing piece of fashion. The belt is a bit over the top but I suppose you could switch it out to tone down the runway feel. An investment piece to be sure but one that you could enjoy now and perhaps hand down to upcoming fashionistas in your future?

hustle bustle

We're down to a few days before our flight to Paris and I'm feeling a bit crazed! Closing up orders with DOTS, working eight hour days at school, choosing the best shoes and clothes to bring, packing, and normal day to day life activities (laundry, cooking, cleaning) I'm hoping to fit it all in. But then. then. Paris. The City of lights. I'm over the moon.

push here

Feet. We don't really think about them unless there's a problem; but they deserve all the TLC we can give them. One of the sweetest things my husband does for me is massage my tired dogs after a long day when we're hanging out watching TV and it weighs in as best thing ever.

winter weekend

We got snow dumped on us this weekend and a certain pup was loving it. A perfect playground thanks to a nearby golf course allowed Lola to run and play puppy games in the fresh powder.
*oops! totally apologize for the instant-on of this video.

cozy weekend

What's shakin for the weekend? I'm loving this room..gorgeous colors and mix of patterns, textures, and cozy factor through the roof. Snow is predicted for the weekend along with lots of town Christmas festivities (which we hope won't be cancelled with the snow). Enjoy!

*image here

best gift guide

If you've just begun looking, on the search, or at your wit's end...this is it. The best gift guide I've seen. One of a kind, independent sellers and boutiques, and all around amazing. Get to Gifted and check it out.

good morning!

Let's all get some donuts to start the day, shall we?
During my college years when my girlfriends and I would make sure the bars were safely and securely closed for the night (don't judge) we would swing by the local donut shop.  It was about 3 AM or so when the donuts were whizzing by us on the conveyor belts and we were drooling as each one would go by and the owner of the shop would look at us, shake his head, and bring out a dozen or so for us to feast on. Heaven.

sunday movie

What's it about?  In modern-day Paris, a journalist finds her life becoming entwined with a young girl whose family was torn apart during the notorious Vel' d'Hiv Roundup in 1942. The film uses a little known event from French history as a starting point for a deeply affecting drama about guilt, redemption, family secrets, the comfort of strangers, and hope in a time of war and madness.
Sound too dark and depressing? I thought so too, but it ultimately proves to be something of an uplifting tale of redemption and forgiveness. Searching for the truth concerning Sarah kept me interested until the final minutes of the film and the performance of Kristin Scott Thomas was excellent as I have come to expect from her in other movies I have her seen her in.

*Based on the best-selling novel by Tatiana de Rosnay

color me crazy

 

Let me explain. I love to dress up. The kids and adults at my school also seem to enjoy what I wear so I thought "well if they do...maybe others would...I have a blog...why not?"

Now here's where the problem lies--I don't really like to have my picture taken. I'm uber critical about how it turns out but I also love a challenge. That being said; I decided to snap a few pics and see what would happen.

These are all done on a tripod, on a timer, with no one else around to get the groove of playing model. And yes; color me crazy. What I found out was that models have a talent. It's not just good face but knowing how to place your body to get the best result...it's really difficult.

The last shots with the dress and black jacket were on top of the parking garage in our town. Early morning before work and thinking I wouldn't run into anyone. Wrong. The police pulled up and I had to explain...classic.

happy thanksgiving

Time to gather with friends and family and be thankful for what we have. what we had. what is to come. Happy Thanksgiving!

3 weeks

Ran across these and felt the flutter of anticipation...