My Newest Venture: My Fashion Column in PFM & a GIVEAWAY

So I've had a few surreal moments over the last few months participating in a few things that I would have never imagined possible.

Picture a stay at home mom heading out to do a photoshoot for the cover of a magazine!

Or imagine a stay at home mom assembling an entire fashion column from start to finish with no prior experience and no budget- just armed with a vision, a camera, a model, a photo editing program, and a connection to the Internet.

It's been an interesting few months since, Angela, Parisienne Farmgirl, contacted me and asked me to write for one of her fashion columns in Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine!

_{a sneak peak of my fashion column in the premier issue of Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine- styling, text, and layout by à la parisienne}

As many of you know, I love color. I love mixing colors and creating beautiful combinations. So this task was definitely enjoyable. But imagine a newbie like me trying to funnel the world of color down into one fashion column...very daunting. But also very rewarding as I was able to feature a handful of very talented Etsy artists.

It also took a leap of faith when I made my color selections in the dead of winter for a spring/summer fashion column. How can one be certain about a color trend 6 months down the line? So my premise was to revolve two colors around a summer basic---white.

And, to me, summer whites look amazing with cobalt blue and with a zingy yellow, and one of these two colors is bound to look beautiful on any woman, any age.

This gorgeous girl was my model, and isn't she perfect? She has that type of beauty that can be city chic and country charming all in the same moment.

I took this extra shot during our fashion shoot for a play on color. It didn't make the cut in my fashion spread, but I just love the way the orange and cobalt blue complement each other.

_{Premier Issue Cover of Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine- photography by à la parisienne}

I was elated that Parisienne Farmgirl handed the honor of the cover shoot to me. Angela sent me a simple concept sketch (and that fun fluffy can-can skirt) that she and her mother, Savvy City Farmer, had envisioned, and I scouted a location and shot the photos---super fun! You should have seen me crawling around in that grass-not very parisienne-like, but it got the job done!

I used the same beautiful model in the cover shoot, and she actually brought the pair of boots and the pink scarf, which added the perfect touch of farmgirl and parisienne to the frame.

~~~~~~~

Many of you have followed my "artistic" journey for years via my blog and some of you have just recently joined me, and I want to thank you for all of your encouraging words. Like most people, a little bit of encouragment pushes me a long way. Without your applause along the way, I know for certain, I would have chickened out on this opportunity. I would have felt very inadequate and anxious about doing so many new things at one time!

But here we are; the first online issue has already been published and I have flipped the magazine and through my column many times...in disbelief!

Which leads me to say, thank you Angela for these amazing opportunities! And the magazine is gorgeous!

I would love for all of you to see my fashion column, Everywear Chic, in PFM, and if you are a subscriber to the online magazine, I would love to hear your feedback.

GIVEAWAY

For those of you who haven't subscribed yet, Parisienne Farmgirl has allowed me to offer a giveaway for a one year subscription to Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine.

To enter, simply leave a comment below.

To increase your chances at winning, post this giveaway to your Facebook or share it on your blog. Leave a separate comment for each entry.

The giveaway will close on Wednesday, April 11th at midnight CST.

And the winner will be selected randomly and will be announced on Thursday, April 12th.

Merci!

_{images #1 & #3 property of PFM; image #2 by à la parisienne}

Any Hour May Hold a New Adventure

I just needed something beautiful to look at, so I sifted through some older photographs and found this image that I took several months back of an upcycled alarm clock turned picture frame.

It's funny how we make plans and prepare ourselves for things not knowing our path ahead.

This was one of the last creations I offered in my Etsy shop when it was open.

I remember scouring flea markets and yard sales for old alarm clocks, hoping to create more of these...I have a couple put away in storage, never used, just sitting there...

I never really "planned" to put my Etsy on permanent vacation...

I never imagined that my drive for selling handmade flowers and upcycled vintage accessories would literally disappear overnight, but it did.

I just felt the desire to have less stress even if it meant no income, less spending money. I didn't care. I just wanted to be able to spend more time with my husband in the evenings rather than sitting under the lamp at my desk in our room cutting flower petals-oh how those flowers seemed to take forever to make!

I wanted to start homeschooling Amelia, and I knew that it would be hard to juggle both.

From time to time, I've felt inspired to talk with you about being an entrepreneur and the ebb and flow that's tied to running your own business:

The times of high enthusiasm and energy and the times of rest and lack of motivation.

Right now, I'm in between - graphic designing here and there, participating in something new and exciting, trying to "reinvent" myself. Nothing that consuming but somewhat important to me.

Who knows what lies ahead- My Etsy on an extended vacation, little jobs here and there, a new endeavor??? Je ne sais pas.

Either way, I'm happy.

_{image by à la parisienne}

Merry Macarons!

I just wanted to share with you a fun little photo I took of my pistachio lemon butter macarons that I made a week ago for our ladies' church Christmas party.

I couldn't help but add the new French macaron images to my banner for some added Christmas spirit!

I am in the thick of several Christmas projects, and of course, I am behind {I can be an awful procrastinator}! So, off I go to finish my projects. And I appreciate your sweet comments about my handmade Christmas tree!
I hope you are all enjoying all of your Christmas gatherings and wish you safe travels!

Joyeux Noël!

_{image by à la parisienne}

Pink Vows-Wedding Centerpiece & Winners

Here's a little wedding centerpiece inspiration for you, which will conclude my series of pink inspiration-at least for a while.

The lucky winners are listed at the bottom of this post.

The most important part of a wedding are the vows-the promise of life-long commitment between a man and a woman.

This centerpiece is composed of the simplest of elements: an antique glass compote, water, Scrabble letters, and a single floating pink peony. I layered this look with the same vintage floral platter as used in my previous pink tide post.

Okay, now for the winners of my first giveaway by color-PINK:

1st place winner:

#76 Jojo

2nd place winner:

#18 CJ

Please email me at alaparisiennedesigns@gmail.com to claim your prizes.
un grand merci to all who entered. I appreciate all of your sweet comments and support. Also, thank you Divinagioielli for participating in this giveaway with your gorgeous vintage-inspired earrings. {I also love the pair I bought for myself.}
There will be another giveaway by color soon, so stay tuned!

_{images by à la parisienne}

Pink Tide~~~Romantic Fête Inspiration

Who says seaside-inspired celebrations such as weddings and parties have to be blue or white?Words, textures, and objects can all evoke the rhythm of the tides no matter the color.
I felt inspired to photograph of few of my ideas and wanted to share them with you.

Seashell pink, one of nature's most beautiful colors makes a beautiful color palette for a seaside party. Alone they are beautiful, but how about tucking in a few peonies? or even a few ruffled chiffon flowers or vintage millinery buds?

And layering the centerpiece with a vintage rose adorned platter offers added charm and romance.

Have a beautiful week and Happy July 4th to my American readers!

GIVEWAY:

Just a couple of days before the romantique pink giveaway winners will be randomly selected.

Click here to enter.

_{images by à la parisienne}