The Rustic and the Pretty

Hello my friends!  Just a quick post tonight to share with you a few pics of the new {old} caddy I bought recently...

it was used to collect grapes in a French vineyard...and I fell in love with it the instant I saw it!

for now, it sits on my dining room buffet...



I love mixing rustic pieces with something more delicate and pretty...I think it adds a lot of interest to your decorating when you do that.



I filled the inside with some of my ironstone collection, some gorgeous ranunculus I got at Trader Joe's, vintage spoons, a family heirloom doily, and one of my favorite French bottles from Dreamy Whites...



Thank you so very much for taking the time to stop by!

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend ahead!!!

I'm hoping for nice weather at the flea market on Saturday :))

Tracey

Texture lovin...

{peeling paint}

Happy Tuesday!  Today I am linking up with the fabulous Kim Klassen and her Texture Tuesday Blog Party.

I have not been in Photoshop to "play around" in quite some time, so I thought this would be a great chance to get in there and have a little fun :))

{organic}



We are supposed to show you our favorite textured photo {using some of Kim's amazing textures}, however, once I started editing and playing with my photos, I had a hard time choosing which exactly was my favorite...so I figured I would just show you all of the images I altered yesterday!

I've noted which of Kim's texture I used under each picture.

{vintage}

Sometimes I left the texture at close to 100% for an obvious look, and other times I dialed it way down for a more subtle look...I like having a mix of both...

I would love to know which is your favorite?



{layers}

{primmed}

{boutique}

{vintage}

{platinum}

{warm sun}

{warm grunge}

{warm sun}

{platinum}

 

{burnt edges}

To see more links to Texture Tuesday, or to play along yourself, visit

Kim Klassen Cafe

Have a great day!

Tracey

A Beautiful Blog...

Warm weekend wishes to all of you!  I know I have been rather absent in blogland lately, and my posts have been rather sporadic over the last few weeks...well, that is because my husband and I have been working on doing some renovations to our kitchen...

and as home improvement projects tend to go, it hasn't all gone smoothly...

so amongst the chaos and lack of a functioning kitchen, it's been a little hard to post...hopefully we will be able to finish up this weekend!!

So while I am finishing up my kitchen redo {pictures to come in the next week or so}, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to and feature one of my favorite blogs...

Frl. Klein - Yvonne B.

Yvonne's gorgeous photography and beautiful styling have been an inspiration to me from the very first time I visited her lovely blog...

She has such a talent for photographing flowers, and food, and her many travels...and, well, just about everything...

always keeping that pretty softness to her photos that I just love!!!

If you haven't yet had a chance to visit Yvonne's blog, I hope you will head on over there and take a little time to stroll through her blog...you will see why I think she is so inspiring...

In the meantime, I will leave you with a few more of her amazing images...

All photos courtesy of Yvonne B.

Have a great weekend!!!

Tracey

Fresh Bread and French Jam

Hello and Happy Weekend!  Just a quick post to share with you a few new French gourmet products that I am carrying in the SHOP...

Les Confitures a l' Ancienne French Jams...

My family and I have been a little obsessed with these jams lately :)  I love adding it to the whole wheat dessert bread I have been making for a special treat.

In an effort to be a little healthier, but still satisfy my sweet tooth, I have been making Whole Wheat Banana Bread...I follow this recipe *HERE*

and I change it up sometimes and substitute the bananas for applesauce {pictured below}...for that I up the cinnamon in the recipe to 1 tsp.  I also like to use my Vanilla Sugar in place of the brown sugar in this version.

Both recipes are very good and I often eat them plain with nothing on top, but my girls like a little extra something to flavor and sweeten theirs up a bit...

My 3 year old loves for me to warm a little of the L'Abeille Occitane honey and drizzle it on top...

and my 9 year old favors {okay, loves} the Pear with Vanilla Jam on her slice...

I am also carrying Olive Oils, Fleur de Sel, and the most delicious Butter cookies...all from France, in the Specialty section of the shop!

And, yes, it is a little dangerous carrying food items that you LOVE!! :))

Tracey

p.s.  French bottle carrier from Dreamy Whites Online!

p.p.s.  the new issue of Jeanne d' Arc Living is up for pre-order in the shop and will be out by April 8th

here's a peek...

{photo, and below, courtesy of Jeanne d' Arc Living}

Awaiting Gardening Season...

Hello!  Happy Friday!!  I don't usually post on Fridays, but the week has gotten away from me and here we are at Friday and I am first posting.  It's been a busy week, but I wanted to at least check in and wish you all a Happy Weekend!!!

I created a small vignette that reflects my longing for gardening season to finally begin...maybe in another month it will be warm enough to garden, at least I can hope :)

I took a few store bought herbs and wrapped them in some vintage burlap..they are so sweet and put a smile on my face every time I see them!  Definitely brightens my spirits!!

No Winter lasts forever;

No Spring skips its turn

~ Hal Borland

Enjoy your weekend!

Tracey

Bonjour Spring

Happy March!  There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel, right?!  Although March is still a cold month here in the Chicago area, at least I know the worst of it is over...and I am anxiously awaiting Spring!

Just a few Spring inspired images for you today...

I gathered up the last of my quince branches that had leafed out and some hyacinth that I bought, and grouped them together in the lovely lavender bottles that I bought from Dreamy Whites...and then added a few of my vintage maps and an ironstone platter...

And I am waiting for my forsythia branches to open up...I think they are pretty even as little buds :)

Have a great weekend! 

Tracey