Paris Love.. guest post:Si from French by Design

While in Paris I thought it would be fun to have some of our fellow bloggers share their love for the city with us.  Si from French by Design will be in Paris for part of my visit as well!  We are hoping to meet up while we are there! Please enjoy her lovely recommendations for this amazing city...

Bonjour! This is Si from FrenchByDesign! I am a French girl living on the East coast USA and enjoying my expatriate life here… But of course, I miss France and my friends there, so poor me, I have to go back there often to recharge my batteries [and eat stinky cheese but that’s another post…]

Christina is headed to Paris, ah Paris, the City of Lights… Just the name makes me want to sing Edith Piaf’s “La vie en Rose”… Such a romantic place… I lived in Paris for 5 years when I was a student. There were great parts about life there, but as always you don’t enjoy things when you have them around all year. I probably walked by the Eiffel Tower a hundred times while living there and barely noticed the lady. Now, when I go visit Paris, my friends make fun of me because I literally stop and stare at her for a few minutes. They say I’m weird. But then again, they might be right…

So Christina, here is a piece of advice for you… If you want to look and behave like a true Parisian, don’t stare at Madame Eiffel. But do go visit her late at night and wait for the 20 000 lights to come off, around 2 AM, it's quite magical to say "bonne nuit" to the Eiffel Tower. Also, go get yourself an ice cream cone at Berthillon, my favorite ice cream shop in the city or a Nutella crepe made right in front of you Rue de Caumartin. And block a day to visit the Marais, my favorite quarter in Paris. Tiny paved streets with independent clothing designer shops or interior design concept stores. And of course, have a croissant every morning. Calories don’t count while you’re in Paris! Bon voyage!

Mid day loveliness....

I love these moving images!  So very greige!

images via

Weekend settings

On weekends I try to relax and lately I use the time in the morning to have a quiet breakfast, while my children are still sleeping in and my hubby is long gone to play soccer - very early in the morning!
I read the paper: This morning's New York Times Style magazine is a sheer indulgence in spring fresh interiors!

I answer a couple of e-mails, and indulge in a breakfast I usually do not eat:

Buttermilk scones with jam and a cappuccino!


While browsing blogs I have not seen before, a wonderful past time of mine, I found a few things I would want to share with you!
I fell instantly for this look!
For I was not yet permitted to use the image, I would encourage you to have a peak at the
Jak & Jil blog!
Also I enjoyed a reading at Live.Like.You. A fabulous design firm and a great blog!

Image  
My friend Patricia from over at PVE recommended her site to me and I am enchanted! Thank you!


While browsing I found Reggie Darling's blog, so enjoying his smart and dedicated posts and fabulous observations! Just read it!

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I smiled at the wonderful images from My French Country Home ...She has treasures on her hands!

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...and was only too happy to stop by at The House Of Beauty And Culture! 

Image Margaret, Duchess of Argyll (1912-1993) via HOBAC.


I dreamed a little with Zaire from over at Little Emma English House! Her blog is just lovely!

Ahhh....


And of course I did a little tour of my most frequently visited blogs on my hotlist...


Good morning, you all!
The sun shines so bright and promising through our windows, foretelling a lovely day! 
I wish all of you a de-lightful weekend!


XX
Victoria




Breakfast image by V.Zlotkowski, all others as indicated.

Bright Finds: Canon EOS Rebel Camera

Today's Bright Find is the Canon EOS Rebel camera. If I could give Etsy Shop owners only 1 tip for success, it would be to "take great photos". If you have a wonderful product, but the photos do not show them well, you will not sell. It's just that simple. It is also just as important as a blogger to capture good quality shots.

Invest in a good quality camera if you are serious about growing your business. I love my Canon because it takes wonderful interior shots even with low lighting.

Other Bright Finds: Beautiful Towel Sets, Modern Mouse Pad

More Bright Finds and

Mo

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The old homestead

We visited lovely friends over the weekend up in the Catskill Mountains. While driving to and fro between small hamlets I saw many homesteads, some seemingly abandoned, some lovingly preserved!

There was one at the roadside to Phoenicia and I was touched by an apple tree next to the house, full of fruit left hanging from the last harvest season.


Birds have a winter feast ...

I found this lovely poem which reflects all my feelings seeing this old, forgotten place!

THE OLD HOMESTEAD

'Tis an old deserted homestead
On the outskirts of the town,
Where the roof is all moss-covered,
And the walls are tumbling down;
But around that little cottage
Do my brightest mem'ries cling,
For 'twas there I spent the moments
Of my youth,—life's happy spring.

I remember how I used to
Swing upon the old front gate,
While the robin in the tree tops
Sung a night song to his mate;
And how later in the evening,
As the beaux were wont to do,
Mr. Perkins, in the parlor,
Sat and sparked my sister Sue.

There my mother—heaven bless her!—
Kissed or spanked as was our need,
And by smile or stroke implanted
In our hearts fair virtue's seed;
While my father, man of wisdom,
Lawyer keen, and farmer stout,
Argued long with neighbor Dobbins
How the corn crops would turn out.

Then the quiltings and the dances—
How my feet were wont to fly,
While the moon peeped through the barn chinks
From her stately place on high.
Oh, those days, so sweet, so happy,
Ever backward o'er me roll;
Still the music of that farm life
Rings an echo in my soul.


Now the old place is deserted,
And the walls are falling down;
All who made the home life cheerful,
Now have died or moved to town.
But about that dear old cottage
Shall my mem'ries ever cling,
For 'twas there I spent the moments
Of my, youth,—life's happy spring.

By Paul Laurence Dunbar

I love these verses!

xx

Victoria

All images by V.Zlotkowski

Etsy Finds: Rainbow Sherbert Inspired

Bring on Spring 2011 with the bright and beautiful colors of rainbow sherbert... yum!

inspired by a treasury curated by linnea heide

photos and links:kimono style robe spring tulips watercolor painting, shampoo and conditioner bars, vintage glass jewel earrings, yellow orange flower

More Etsy Finds

and

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A beautiful new way to display art and photographs

I was recently introduced to Fracture, which is "A one piece picture and frame made from printed glass that mounts directly to your all quickly and easily." When I was offered a chance to try it out I was really excited because I have so many great photos from Chris and my travels and it was something different than a typical framed or mounted print. Other than being glass, the most striking part about a fracture is how rich and glossy it is. The printing process makes vibrant colors really pop.

You can upload your digital images, which really means you can have anything printed. You could design a pattern and even create your own glass tiles or a unique wall mosaic. I also think fracture is a good solution for areas or rooms with high humidity, like the kitchen or the bathroom. I am going to mount mine in the bathroom because it is small and gets very steamy - also the blue of the wall really pulls out the blue in the print.

Here are some photos of Fracture in my space -


Here's the original digital photo, as seen in a previous post from my trip to Morocco last winter.

The photo printed by Fracture - it looks and feels like a glass tile, with tidy beveled edges.

A side view so you can get a sense of the thickness. The glass has some foam mounted on the back to act as cushion, and comes with everything you need to hang it.

Aside from the depth of the color, the details are very crisp too. I think fracture would look particularly good in modern interiors.




What do you think? Good idea? Currently Fracture offers 5 sizes -all the common sizes of digital photos, and 3 different shapes. To see all the options and more prints, visit Fracture.

Disclosure: I received fracture as a sample

Happy {Wintery} Friday

Sometimes black and white just says it better... Happy {Wintery} Friday!

photos by Laura Evans Photography

Mo

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A Cozy spot and Abstract Art

What a cozy spot for relaxing, reading, or taking an afternoon nap... and I am loving the cool abstract art on the walls... just love it!

via Photographer Mikkel Vang

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Don't forget to enter the fun giveaway!

Remembering Portugal..

For some reason this weekend I am missing travel so much. It is nice to revisit some of my favorite trips through photos.  Portugal was amazing- the architecture, the cliffs along the coast and the inspiring gardens..  It was a wonderful trip that I am so longing to take once again..  Maybe some where else next time...  Have you been dreaming of travel this fall?

images via me

Twig chandelier

What a great composition in this space!  Loving the mirror and the reflection, not to mention the texture!

image via arabella mcnie

Blayne Beacham's Dress up Series

When I first saw Blayne's Dress Up series I was in love!  Her pieces capture something so natural and elegant that I can hardly explain how they make me feel.  Blayne is so wonderful to work with and you can really see why these pieces are so special when you talk to her.  Her blog is a must see to really get to know this great up and coming talent!

We are so lucky to be able to offer these pieces here for you to have for yourself...

Don't forget that today is the last day to enter to win in our giveaway!

images via Blayne Beacham

In the dark...

I love the feeling of these photos from Tine K Home..Such dark shadows.

Castle Gibson

I find it simply amazing that places like this exist! I love it! I had no idea that locations for photo shoots and events were available until I entered the blog world. Now I am thinking what a wonderful idea! And the props are amazing.  Please visit their blog and site and see what they are all about. 

images via castle gibson

One room three views...

I fell in love with this room in the first picture.  Then I found the other photos.  I am not sure I love it as much in the second and third picture.  Why is that?  How do the photographers do that?  Just cut out the extra things and make it more quaint and warm?  How about you -  Do you like it?