Friday, May 31, 2013

The Parisienne ~ A Favorite Piece



Favorites on the 1st


 Favorite Works of Art



The Parisienne 

Work By

 Mitsy Easley @ Bliss Following



Collaged Quote Photographed On A Building In San Antonio, TX

My husband and I have long considered 

art to be one of the extras in life that feeds our souls.


To single out a favorite piece is impossible.




Instead, I singled out a piece that hangs in my office.

It's special for several reasons.

~ The Artist, My Friend Mitzi ~

~ The Subject, Paris ~

~ The Incredible Layers of Details ~






This piece started with the 

painting of this darling French girl.





Layer by layer, Mitzi added in 

fun details with paper, oils, acrylics, and inks.




~ Pops of Red ~




~ An Audrey Quote ~




The frame is a 

piece of art in its own right.





Even Mitzi's 

signature is a mini work of art.




June 1st

~ A Perfect Time To Plan A Trip ~




~ Yes, Indeed ~

"Paris is Always a Good Idea!"




Joining




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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

All I Need is My Flirty Pink Poodle Skirt!





It was this distinguished hare 

in his Courtly Check collar that caught my eye 

in one of the booths at Round Top last fall.  




Drew me right over to this 

charming table right out of the 1950s.




Yep, that's a set of 

Homer Laughlin dishes from the 1950s.




Some of my favorite themes!

~ Black and White ~

~ Plaid ~




Seriously tempted 

to take this set home with me.




Even the alphabet blocks!




Decided to leave it for one of the 

younger set who are mad for Mid Century Modern.

Really!

I gave up wearing my black and white saddle shoes 

and flirty pink poodle skirt before high school. 

Joining
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

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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
Centerpiece Wednesday @ Style Sisters

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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

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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














This Giveaway is now closed. 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.  

Joining
Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life
Happy List @ Art At Home

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