HYACINTHS FOR THE SOUL

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Something Fishy

PATRIOTIC CHALLENGE

Let's Dish

With Cuisine Kathleen

Something fishy here!

This table isn't exactly patriotic.

But it definitely celebrates

Red ~ White ~ Blue

Swim on up and

hook yourself a fish.

A Vietri fish

in their Fish-Fish Pattern.

The collection was inspired by the

work of ceramist, Giovanni De Simone.

These new designs are an update from

the original collection that was introduced in 1990.

The fish plates look as if they are swimming when

stacked atop the vibrant Vietri Marina Blu dinner plates.

The rattan chargers, with their beaded

edges, remind me of a sandy beach.

Both echo the bright colors of this happy pottery.

The cabana stripes and the chevron

design are a perfect fit for the beach theme.

As is the

sea blue glassware.

Just for fun,

more fish swim across the table.

With the occasional

piece of branch coral.

These colorful hand painted dishes

come in several sizes and shapes.

Though I took these photos at a local shop,

the hand painted pieces of Fish-Fish are available

here at www.Vietri.com

A special thank you to my friend Grant

for allowing me to share his beautiful tablescape

created to display Fish-Fish by Vietri.

Memorial Day

A time to honor all those who have given selflessly to their country. From the Civil War soldiers to those fighting today on foreign soils, we remember the men and women who have died while serving in the US Armed Forces. In addition, this year we remember all in Texas and Oklahoma who have recently suffered great loss with the recent tornadoes.

Joining

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen

Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here

Be Inspired @ Common Ground

Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Tea Time

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic HOme

Festive Friday Fiesta @ The Home Girl

Say G'Day @ Natasha in Oz

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Pretty Things @ TwelveOeight

Tuesday Treasure @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With An E

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Friday, May 17, 2013

Mon Petit Plaisir

Mon Petit Plaisir

~ My Small Pleasure ~

Hyacinths for the Soul

is about the extras in life,

the little pleasures, that feed my soul.

Petit Plaisir ~ the French attitude
that one should occasionally indulge in
a small extravagance from time to time.

Here in the states, I treat myself to a

Starbucks
Coffee Frappuccino Light

~ While in Paris ~

Angelina's Le Chocolat

a Ancienne Dit "L' Africain"

~ Angelina's Salon de Thé ~
226 Rue de Rivoli, Paris, 1st

"Much more than a simple patisserie or tearoom,

Angelina is a luxury brand with a prestigious

image that symbolizes the French way of life."

This legendary tea room offers the perfect indulgence.

~ Thick, Rich Liquid Chocolate, Like No Other ~

~ A Light Afternoon Snack ~

For Monsieur

~ Tri Colored Quiche ~

For Moi

~ Club Sandwich ~ French Fries ~Mesclun Salad ~

~ A Mont Blanc to Share ~

An Extraordinary Cake

~Meringue ~ Whipped Cream ~ Chestnut Cream Vermicelli

On the Way Out ~ An Assortment of Gifts

For Mes Amis Stateside

~ Chocolat ~

Oh La La, Paris in the Spring!

The winner of the
Paper Blossom giveaway.

Congratulations to Christine!

Christine's Home and Travel Adventures

Please contact me with your addy, and this beautiful book and box of note cards will be on their way for you to enjoy year round. Thanks to each who entered the giveaway. I wish I could send each of you a copy of this beautiful book.

Celebrate France with

Anita and others who adore all things French.

France Simply Irresistible @ Castles, Crowns, and Cottages

Also Joining

Oh, the Places I've Been @ The Tablescaper
Festive Friday Fiesta @ The Home Girl
Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings
Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Pretty Things @ TwelveOeight
Tuesday Treasure @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Your Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With An E
The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Paper Blossoms

~ Flowers and Butterflies ~

A Lovely Spring Day

A Casual Lunch

With Girlfriends

~ Capiz Shell Chargers ~

~ MacKenzie-Childs Taylor Series ~

~ M Studios' Flower Bowls and Plates ~

Each place setting

intended to mimic a flower.

At first glance, I knew these flower shaped

bowls and plates would be a perfect

compliment to the fluted rimmed McK-C plates.

The stack offers a beautiful mix

of organic textures and shapes.

Beautiful

from any angle!

~ French Crystal ~

~ Pastel Linens ~

~ A Touch of Silver ~

~ Casual Elegance ~

Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable

I like the rich patina of the dining room table to be part of the ambiance, so I use coasters under glassware to protect the table from moisture. Be creative and use something fun. Here a simple linen cocktail napkin serves as a pretty coaster. Small plates, saucers, and butter pats can serve the same purpose. So don't hesitate to pick up that odd little plate when you find one at a market or thrift store. It's fun to have a mix of things!

And of Course ~ Sweet Endings

~ Chocolate Brownies ~

~ Lemon Bars, Tart and Rich ~

Recipe Here

Spring Bouquet ~ Photo Courtesy of Ray Marshall

Did you notice the simple,

yet very creative and elegant centerpiece?

It's one of the five paper bouquets within

PAPER BLOSSOMS,

A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL BOUQUETS FOR THE TABLE

Ray Marshall,

an incredibly talented paper engineer,

is the genius behind this stunning pop-up book.

Available here on Amazon

CPAC Luncheon Table ~ Photo Courtesy of Ray Marshall

PAPER BLOSSOMS

was recently used as centerpieces for a

ballroom full of tables at the spring luncheon of

San Francisco Child Care Planning and Advisory Committee.

To read more about the luncheon, learn about the process involved in creating this book, and for pop-up projects you can download and make yourself, visit Ray Marshall's site.

raymarshall.com

GIVEAWAY

In celebration of the beautiful spring we are having here in Texas and in appreciation of all my faithful followers and readers, I'm giving away a copy of Ray Marshall's beautiful pop-up book, PAPER BLOSSOMS, and a set of his pop-up flower note cards. For a chance to win, leave me a comment telling me you'd like to be included along with the name of your favorite spring flower. That's all there is to it. Just be certain I have an email link to reach you, if you are the winner. If you would like to share this giveaway on your blog and or Facebook Page, let me know in a separate comment, and I'll enter your name twice.

Winner will be announced Friday, May 17th.