Gathering rosebuds.....

We get a very limited amount of sunlight through our windows because of the woods, but in the winter, when the trees are bare of their leaves, the sunlight streams in...

Much like this morning....it cast shadows over the lower terrace, and the iron garden set filtered its rays to create a lace pattern on the snow...

I had a million things I could be doing, but decided to stop and savour the moment...
One of those...stop and smell the roses kind of moment....

One of the things that will be a top priority in the renovation will be larger windows, so that we can experience more sunlight indoors and views of the garden and the surrounding woods will be maximized...

The sunlight filtering through the milk glass gave it a translucent quality...

Even the stopper on my olive oil bottle adopted an alabaster look....

Every little detail and relief was at an advantage...

Everything looks so much prettier with the sun shining on it...

Even this vintage bark cloth slipper chair in the kitchen looked softer....

It gave a gossamer quality to the organdy curtains in this window....
Sunlight in the winter is so different, I think it is the reflection from the snow that adds to its
particular beauty this time of year....

This whimsical vintage funnel was painted some time ago, but it's message is timeless...

....Gather ye rosebuds....

On a day like today, with the sun shining through the windows.....
moments to savour and record for another time....

Wishing everyone a most Happy Valentine's Day.....


N.xo

More romantic notions....

I think, without actually counting, I have watched Sophia Coppola's film, Marie Antoinette a few times, perhaps three, maybe four!
The romantic and tragic poignancy of Coppola's depiction of this legendary heroine keeps me going back for more.  I think it is my love of detail, that I devour every bit of it here, which she does not spare in any way in her film....

This precious little figurine, beckoned me to take it home, from the thrift store..

I am not supposed to be doing that, I'm editing...

The need to get going on a few mock ups for events this Spring, in the midst of packing boxes and editing??? I made a few items for contemplation....
these will be presented for approval or tweeking...

I have been attempting to recreate vintage boite livres a l'ancienne, book boxes,
cache pots, tresor keepers... for a bit now....
a sample I made this week....

....not so perfect stitches....

...a bit French, a bit primitive, a bit Victorian.....

The shoes in the movie, were made by Manalo Blahnik and Pompei,
and the exquisite costumes by Milena Canonero, who won the Oscar for Costume Design as you may remember...

My attempt at making a centerpiece design for an upcoming ladies event, I cannot mention right now, it is still in the works, but promise to share at a later time....

....moss, sneaking in there again....and birds....

Hope you enjoyed me sharing some work related brain storming this morning...
The sun is shining today, and the sky is that beautiful French blue...

Nature gets it right every time...

....very romantic....

N.xo

Still plagued by blogging issues, yukkk....

Romancing the Garden

I'm such a romantic soul, it is no wonder that this month, my thoughts turn to romance in any vein, but of course, mainly through the garden. This image from a gardening book I have had forever, comes from The Romantic English Garden.  What I have always wanted mine to look like, but alas, as I have said before, my garden has a mind of its own!!

It is difficult to stop a gardener with a vision, I grew roses in the shade of a hardwood forest....and then abandoned them when time became too precious, and I had to attend to more pressing matters of life....

...attending to my dear Mom, who throughs love and wisdom I grew a garden in the first place....a story for another time....

Even in its icy beauty and dormant, it inspires me every day.

I am so fortunate to be able to buy flowers from local growers. The Niagara area is rich in resources for green house grown flowers and produce. Recently these beautiful anemones were made available to me, and I cannot get my fill of them!
I grow Japanese anemones in my garden, but of a different variety.
The flowers are pale pink on long, wavy stalks....

These beauties were remnants from the nests I made for a baby shower last week, and because we were having dinner guests Saturday, I was still able to use them,  just beginning to open and in gorgeous jewel tones. I prefer a softer colour way normally, but these are lovely....

You can see garden inspiration here, everywhere....the turnip candles are from France,

Pointe a la Ligne, one of my favourite....

Cabbage leaf plates, and tiny clay pot napking rings, and of course always, the colour green....

A romantic image....on an English water jug, the blue colour way looking lovely against the jewel toned flowers.... 

The green, branch inspired candles, reminscent of the woods and gardens....

Garden images can translate into many forms, whether in a grand or simple way.
Each one of us interprets them in a personal way, from which we can learn and explore and appreciate one anothers thoughts and ideas....

The above image is from the most adorable book, In and Out of the Garden, by Sara Mida. Her watercolour illustrations are exqusite, whimsical and so telling of ones love of the garden...so romantic.....

N.xo

I have been struggling with blogging issues like the rest....my posts do not seem to be updating on everyone's side bars. I have taken all the prerequisite steps, and nothing is helping....but, please visit, as I am posting!

Thank you Carole!

Dreaming of Paris....

Two years ago for an anniversary celebration, my husband and I flew to Paris to celebrate. It was our second trip to this beautiful place and we decided to spend four days in Paris and then travel to Bordeaux for some wine tasting.

There are so many beautiful images of The City of Lights, mine just do not do it justice, as most of them were taken from the tour buses that navigate the city.

The landmark department store, Au Printemps.

...and not to be missed, some Christian Laboutin shoes....

This beautiful, rather baroque looking interior, was in a restaurant not far from our hotel on the Champs Elysee.

Vintage French and velvet overkill at it's best!

Still, I found it charming.

...and of course hidden little gems to be discoverd, like this tiny flower shop.

What made me stop immediately and go inside was that they sold my favourite plant...

Maidenhair ferns... here... in Paris, just like the ones in my garden!!

The interior was so special and more charming than the outside...

A tiny little cubby hole of a shop, full of character....look at the stone walls...
and stone, mosaic floor....

So beautiful!

I wasn't blogging then, so I don't have many detail pictures, which I surely would have taken!

...and here my obliging husband, at Laduree sipping his beer, while I enjoy my macarons and cafe!

This is my very "pedestrian" approach to Paris.  My dear friend Jermaine, from the beautiful blog French Kissed is hosting two trips to Paris this spring. They promise to be exquisite. As she so knowingly admitted, blogging has a way of opening doors for us that we never anticipated.  It is up to us to decide which ones we wish to walk through. Simply, the wonderful bonds and friendships which are undeniable through blogging are gifts enough, but when other magic happens for us, let the magic begin!

Please be sure and visit Jermaine at her blog French Kissed for all the delicious details!

http://french-kissed.com/archives/11592

info@french-kissed.com


N.xo