Lofty Thoughts

Do you ever think about what you would do differently if you had the opportunity to redecorate a new space or a new home? Or, more realistically, what design style you would follow if you were able makeover any room in your home? For a short time, my husband and I tossed the idea around of adding an additional room onto our home for a guest/homeschool room.

While that dream room, where I may explore this new design style, may not come into fruition for several years, I have been dreaming up the design:

an artist's loft look

with an all white palette~~white walls, molding, and a glossy white painted floor

clean and crisp

a sophisticated blank canvas to hold Amelia's art, my art, our family's art.


I love the ultra chic look of this room. The pale pink accent wall, the frilly pillows, the mirrored table, and the white tables, chairs and shelving all add an air of romance to this blended design of an urban/industrial loft. Of course, I would have to tweak this design. I don't think I could live with a concrete floor.

The "bones" of this room make my heart smile. I love everything about it. I would, however, have to change the style of furniture; it's a little too contemporary for me.

Once the school supplies and art were added, I imagine that the colorful additions would draw the eye upon entering the room {as the pink settee and lamp in this image lure the eye and leads it up toward the floral painting}. I think playing with color would offer endless possibilities to making this dream room a creative and chic space.

This all white kitchen has a more casual air, yet something about it reminds me of a European apartment kitchen: oddly shaped, small with soaring ceilings but oh so charming.

While all of our dream spaces may seem so far in the future, it is always enjoyable to dream about their possibilities, to collect images of desirable designs, to share our thoughts...

_{images via Pinterest}

Autumn Palette: From Nature to Wardrobe

Fall has a way of convincing a person to love warm colors. Normally, I am a lover of cool and neutral colors-grays, blushes, lilacs, aquas, but when the crisp fall winds arrive,

I am hypnotized by her seasonal hues: burnt oranges, mustard yellows, mossy chartreuse greens, teal, bare branch grays, and browns the color of acorn shells.

I am invigorated as I survey my fall sweaters and scarves and always enjoy dabbling on the warm side of the color spectrum. My fall wardrobe reflects that part of me that loves warmth, that part of me that loves texture, that part of me that enjoys trying new things...

_{images and design by à la parisienne}

Ladurée-inspired fête~~le menu, la table, et le thé

To all of you who have attended my Ladurée-inspired party thus far, thank you for your sweet comments regarding the invitations and décor. Now on to the most important element of my party planning-the food. Pretty invitations and a romantic atmosphere are nice but a delicious meal enhances the entire experience. An when throwing a Ladurée-inspired party, one must serve authentic French cuisine.

Months before the party I carefully planned the menu. Then I designed an actual menu to place on the table. Perched on top of a small, ornate easel, my French menu gracefully greeted each guest. I created mini menus, as party favors, and placed them at each table setting.

_{romantic table setting~shiny silverware, soft white napkins wrapped in rich champagne satin ribbon, and miniature menus}

I began planning this party nearly a year ago with a Ladurée theme in mind. I envisioned an all white table with gold accents. I wanted white linens and classy antique white plates with gold rims. Even though I searched for a year, I never found the plates that I was looking for...until YESTERDAY...yes, yesterday I found the set for which I'd been searching-three weeks after the party...C'est la vie.

Our lunch was a leisurely five course meal...comme les français, bien sûr.

All of the food was homemade by me-the day of the party-except for the crème brûlée. I want to thank Renée (my other sister-in-law) for helping me prepare the plates in between courses...You should have seen us scurrying around in the kitchen:)

LE MENU

L'entrée :

_{la soupe à l'oignon gratinée {French onion soup with cheese}}

This French onion soup was made following Rachel Ray's Recipe: French Onion Soup with a Sicilian Twist. I love the fresh rosemary cooked into the soup and the large homemade crouton {from a French baguette} that is covered with grape tomatoes and basil from the garden. This makes a delicious lunch all on its own.

La salade:

_{une salade verte au chèvre chaud {Warm goat cheese salade}}

When I studied abroad in France about 10 years ago, I remember eating warm goat cheese salads everywhere I went. This was my first attempt at bringing this salad to my home.
Simply slice chilled goat cheese, roll slices in flour, then roll in Panko crumbs and fry in the skillet with some olive oil.
Add fried goat cheese to a bed of green lettuces that have been tossed in a French vinaigrette-et voila! a classic French salad.

Le plat principal:

_{la bouchée à la reine {Chicken Friand}}

I never had Chicken Friand {la bouchée à la reine}in France, but it is my favorite dish at La Madeleine-a country French café chain here in the United States.
If you love puff pastries, chicken, and mushrooms, you will LOVE Chicken Friand!

Click here for the recipe.
And here's a little secret for a great tasting Chicken Friand-use a rotisserie chicken for the best flavor!

Le fromage :

Our cheese plate included:
gouda - not very French but delicious;
le fromage aux noix {cheese with walnuts- The BEST tasting cheese you will ever eat!}
and chèvre {goat cheese}

La crème brûlée:

My sister-in-law, Renée (the one who made Amelia's aqua birthday cake with white chocolate sea creatures) made the creme brûlée, and we all enjoyed torching the sugar on top~
It was so delicious we had to restrain ourselves from licking the ramekins clean.



Later that afternoon, we enjoyed un pause-thé {a break for tea}. We enjoyed drinking fresh loose teas such as Jasmine pearl tea, Imperial Pu-erh, and Earl Gray.
And as a gift, I gave each guest a vintage teacup and saucer as a party favor and souvenir of our special day together.

Along with our teas, we had homemade French macarons.
I enjoyed creating the uniquely flavored macarons just for the party while staying with the classic pale Ladurée color palette.

_{macarons by à la parisienne}

I used a butter cream base for all three macaron flavors:
pistachio-lemon;
cinnamon with fresh ginger zest;
& lavender/rosemary infused honey

By the end of the day, our souls were replenished not only by food by but also through convivial fellowship, and I was so thrilled (and relieved) that our fête surprise à la Ladurée had been a success.

I hope you have enjoyed your virtual glimpse of the party. I appreciate your visits and kind words of encouragement, and Felicia appreciates the birthday well wishes. Merci.

_{images by à la parisienne}