From Ladurée NYC with Love

At what lengths would you go to show your family that you love them?

The other day I received a call from my cousin who was spending her last few hours in New York City before flying home. Mandy, she said, "Go check your email."

And when I opened my email, there were two new messages in my inbox.
One read "See, We Love You!"

The second, "We Love You"

There was no text in the emails--Text wasn't necessary...Just attached images:

Yes, my two favorite cousins (wink;) wink;) took time out of their short trip to NYC to stop by Ladurée to pick up a box of macarons for me!!!!!!!!

Even after several visits to Paris, I've never been to a Ladurée, and honestly, I had never really heard of Ladurée until I started blogging over three years ago.

In just a handful of days I will be visiting my cousin, now that she's back home, and I will get to see the coveted Ladurée macarons with my own eyes, and taste them for the first time. Fresh from the patisserie or not, makes no difference to me.

I'm also looking forward to having the sweet Ladurée box and bag. I know, I know. Silly, silly things make me happy, and my sweet cousins were kind enough to humor my strange request.

(And I know only my blog followers can understand my obsession with macarons and my adoration for the Ladurée style!)

Their willingness to do me this favor was such a wonderful display of love and kindness...and as it turns out, although I had full intentions of repaying them for the macarons, I was told "It's a gift. Don't worry about it."  

Wow! Gratitude. That's what's in my heart.

(If they are reading this post, here's my direct message to them: "Thank you! I love you!!

Love, Your favorite, cousin;)"

_{image 4 via Habitually Chic; images 1,2,3 via cousins of à la parisienne}

Nature Calling

We have been enjoying a most splendid spring with lots of rain and cool weather, and I couldn't help but share a few artistic graphic designs that I've created that draw upon nature for inspiration and for, shall I say, a bit of humor.

I designed the Homestead Antique Flyer above--I styled it (alongside the owner,) photographed it, and created the final graphic design. These were made into postcards and sent out as advertisments for thier upcoming spring antique fair.

Two years ago I shot these last three photos for a nature-inspired line of postcards (back when I still sold items in my Etsy store).  My neice and I had quite a bit of fun tweaking the text and overall graphic design of the cards. I actually spent quite a bit of time creating this line, but in the end, even after hours of work, I realized that while these cards reveal the quirky, nature-loving side of me, they did not fit my over all style, so they were just filed away into a folder on my computer. I'm sure we all have folders full of ideas that never made it past our personal computers.

Typewriter Tango-- Just a silly picture-- nothing spectaluar, but I can't help but imagine tango music while watching these two intertwining worms.

My very favorite postcard: Texting is 4 grubs:)

This postcard was my very favorite design as it gave me the chance to vicariously poke fun at technology via a curious, hungry caterpillar. (And I had to resist adding LMAO at the end of the phrase...)

I could go on and on about how texting gets on my nerves, but I guess I'll save that for another post, another day.

I hope spring has also been treating you well.

I'm off to finish preparing for Amelia's 4th birthday party...


I'll be back soon!

_{images by à la parisienne}

My Spin on Homespun Style...{The Guest Bath}

There are many titles I could have given this blog post: Decorating with Color, Cheerfully Charming, or Artist's Loft. For many years, I've been working toward creating a look that I call Artist's Loft in Amelia's room, which consists of these principle things:

an open airy room-- preferably with white walls/floors (I may have to wait on that one), floods of natural light, oil paintings--preferably florals, artist's supplies on display, vintage furniture & finds, a few industrial touches and quirky handmade items. 

{See my Artist's Loft blog posts and Artist's Loft pinboard on Pinterest for more visual inspiration.}

I recently purchased the book, Homespun Style, by stylist Selina Lake, which helped me to better understand the look I'm trying to achieve.

I was so inspired by the colorful and charming homes in Homespun Style that I decided to try my hand at homespun style in Amelia's (our guest) bathroom.

_{inspiration board for guest bath}

First, I needed an inspiration piece--and a color palette, so I chose this original watercolor painting that was hanging in an obsure place in Amelia's room.  I immediately knew that this painting would work wonders in the light gray and white bathroom---gray, violet, yellow---a beautiful mix.

(This painting is hanging in the room but is not visible from this angle. I will share it in a future post.)

_{a charming vintage white sheet with yellow roses serves as a shower curtain and adds softness and charm to the room. A line of vintage black and white dominos tucked between the window and the bead board offer playful, unexpected interest}

To offer more color to the room, I needed a new shower curtain, and then I remembered that I had a vintage flat sheet that was sweet grandmother's, handed down to my mom, and then given to me. I love it's cheerfulness and the sentimentality it adds.

Here are a few detail-oriented close ups:

_{vintage book titled The Language of Flowers--a sweet addition to the room}

For this "photoshoot" I purchased a handful of simple Fuschia chrysanthemums for $4.00, which was not my flower of choice, definitely not appropriate for the season, but fit the color scheme well.

Unfortunately, all of my flowering plants are between blooming stages and I don't live near a flower market...

_{vintage millinery violets tucked into a handmade cone made by my Felicia, my sister-in-law}

I love the shades of purple in this bundle of vintage millinery violets, and, of course, I like how it is reminiscent of vintage fashion.

_{lavender hand cream resting on a vintage alluminum soap container}

While scavenging our home for shades of purple and yellow, I found this tube of lavender handcream--beautiful and funcitional.

_{view of bathroom upon entry-Notice the three sunny paper lanterns hanging in the window}

Since the guest bath is small, it is basically impossible to share with you its design without including the commode in the frame...I know, probably a major faux pas in the blog world and in photographing home décor...

Three years ago, my sweet husband repainted this bathroom for me (It was a shade of pale blue---My tastes had changed and I wanted something neutral to work with.)

And for three years, I've struggled with this room. I've tried a Marie Antoinette look, a simple gray, black, white, and pale pink look...all of them just never came together.

Finally, I like the way this room looks, and I like how it welcomes both adults and children.

 

The best thing about this decorating redo is that it only cost me $4.00 (for the fresh flowers).

Everything in this room was already in my possession, and many of the decorative items had been tucked away in a closet or cabinet.

This room is by no means complete. This is not one of those after shots; it's really just the beginning.

Here is the same image with a few design notations of things I still would like to add.

_{My design concept "to do" list}

This is just one view of our "homespun" guest bathroom.

There's still the sink, the mirror, the main wall, the shower, and the door....

As soon as I complete more of the design, I will be sure to share.

_{2nd image via SelinaLake; all other images by à la parisienne}

I am in no way affiliated with the book Homespun Style; I just wish to share how the book has inspired me.

Just Add Pink...(or better yet, Magenta)

I don't know about you, but I am constantly trying to revitalize my wardrobe.  At times, I get tired of the of the clothes I see hanging in my closet, but then I'll have an "ah-ha!" moment where I create a fresh look by just fashioning new combinations. That's what I did yesterday morning with this simple gray dress. 

I added a bold, feminine magenta scarf and belt.

That's why I keep accessories in all colors on hand (and rarely get rid of any of them) 

and that's why I have my accessories color coordinated.

 (And, no, I am not one of those hyper organized people--trust me:)

If I grab a pink belt, there's also a handful of pink accessories right beside it for possible pairings.

*The simple gray dress is from Ann Taylor Loft--one of my favorite clothing chains.

*The vintage magenta belt came from my Granny's closet. She let me sift through her vintage accessory stash a few years ago, and this magenta belt was one of my prizes. Most likely she bought it at Goodwill. My Granny and Goodwill are the best of friends.

*The vintage magenta and gray scarf is a flea market find, which cost me 25 cents.

Nothing expensive. No major brand names. Just a couple of colorful accessories. But I like the way the outfit came together, and it made me feel pretty. (That's is the point isn't it??)

That's just how pink makes me feel.

_{image by à la parisienne}

Our New Babies

This morning I took a little trip to the local feedstore to pick up the newest members of our family~~four baby chicks.

For a little over a year we've been talking about getting hens so that we can have fresh eggs. We decided to wait until this spring to take the plunge, and here we are!

_{Our four little chicks: one Rhode Isand Red; one Buff Orpington; and two Ameraucanas}

In preparation, I've been reading several books about raising chicks, and I must admit all of the information put me in overload and made me feel overwhelmed and anxious!

The only pets I've ever raised were cats, and I've only had a handful of experiences with chickens. Luckily, I have some friends and family members who have been raising chickens for years, and they reassured me that books always make thing seem more complicated.

_{Buff Orpington - over a week old, with sweet pale yellow feathers}

I have also visited the feedstore on several occasions to buy supplies, and I'm pretty sure that I looked like an idiot in there. Definitely out of my element! But the owners were so gracious and helpful. That's the nice thing about living in a small Texas town-friendly customer service.

_{Ameraucana chick- a few days old}

We still haven't decided on any names yet, but I'm sure as their personalities emerge, it won't take long. Within 10 minutes of meeting the chicks, Amelia already suggested naming them

"Spotty, Wotty, and Totty" but that was after I discouraged the idea of naming them

"Amelia, Daddy, Mommy, and Zena."

Kids are so funny.

_{Ameraucana - a few days old}

I know it's probably really bad to have a favorite chick since I am technically their momma now, but I just love this little Ameraucana chick (picture above). She looks like she's wearing eyeliner- such a little beauty! And look at those patterns on her fluff!

_{Rhode Island Red - over a week old}

Two of the chicks are over a week old, and the other two chicks are just a few days old and actually arrived to the feedstore just this morning from the post office! That alone amazes me-little chicks in a little Priority Mail box.

_{Amelia gently welcomes new chicks}

Soon, I hope to show you the completed poulaillier {hen house} that Mr. à la parisienne has meticulously created~~~

In the meantime, Amelia and I will be paying the little misses frequent visits, gently stroking there soft down, singing them little songs, watching them peck and scratch around, and listening to them cheep cheep cheep in chorus.

_{images by à la parisienne}