Dreaming {by invitation}

Dreams are such a fun thing.  I have so many but there is one that keeps jumping out at me.  I think it maybe more of a wish than a dream but I am truly not sure what the difference is any more.

 I dream of having a wonderful place in France to spend time in with my family, when I say time I mean real time where we eat together outside, we cook together, take hikes and walks and learn about the surrounding areas.  A home base to travel to new worlds together, just us, just for fun!

 

This beautiful home would be filled with my favorite of all favorites!  Astier de Villatte dishes and furnishings mixed with amazing French finds from Brocantes and local artisans.  Things would be striped down and natural just like the surroundings and the food.  It would be amazing we would cook and read.

We would ride bikes around just so we could see everything and stop anywhere. 

Eating outside as often as possible would be the norm..

My mind might even be free enough to have time to create some new classics based on old methods.

 

I would have the time and patience to learn how to draw and possibly paint.

A girl can dream right!

What about you what do you dream about?

Please take a minute to stop by and see everyone who participated today!!

MARSHA HARRIS

http:www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/

TISH JETT

http://afemmeduncertainage.blogspot.com/

YVONNE PRATT

http://stonegable.blogspot.com/

CHARLOTTA WARD

http://spaceforinspiration.blogspot.com/

GREET LEFEVRE

http://belgianpearls.blogspot.com/

CATHERINE ROBINSON

http://www.catherinerobinsoncashmere.com/

ANNIE BOUTERSE

http://plumsiena.blogspot.com/

COTY FARQUHAR

http://cotyfarquhar.blogspot.com/

DEBORAH PETERSON

http://www.dumbwittellher.com/

DUSTJACKET ATTIC, Debra

http://dustjacketattic.blogspot.com/

TINA

http://theenchantedhome.blogspot.com/

MONA THOMPSON

http://providenceltddesign.com/

FIFI FLOWERS

http://www.fififlowers.com/

JACQUELINE MUMFORD

http://home-biba.blogspot.com/

KARIN JANSKY

http://lapouyette-unddiedingedeslebens.blogspot.com

VICKI ARCHER

http://frenchessence.blogspot.com/

CECILIA GONZALEZ

http://desdemventana.blogspot.com/

RENEE GRANIER & ANGELA FOSTER

http://underspanishmoss.com/

LISA

http://amidprivilege.com

FRANCINE GARDNER

interieurs.com blog

CHRISTINA FLUEGGE

http://greigedesign.blogspot.com/

STACEY BEWKES

quintessence.com

LEANN SHULTZ

http://linenandlavender.blogspot.com/

LENE

http://theessenceofthegoodlife.blogspot.com/

SHARI MILLER

http://www.littlebluedeer.com/

SHARON SANTONI

http://myfrenchcountryhome.blogspot.com/

KAREN MALAN

Pas Grand-Chose Blog

http://athousandmiles-k.blogspot.com/

Also don't miss your chance to enter our giveaway!! 

 
images via bippity boppity boo, roost, french house, pinterest and the chair artwork is a piece made for greige/mysparrow by Patricia at PVE. 


 

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Artwork Love

Just wanted to show you my latest crush . . .
See that painting over my fireplace - suffice it to say I'm quite smitten.

I commissioned this piece from one of my favorite artists, Ashley Terrell.  

I was introduced to Ashley last Spring by one of my clients who hosted a party to show off this wonderfully talented lady's work.  She is a Mobile native, but has lots of ties to Birmingham and does come to visit quite often.  So, if you're looking for a way to freshen up and add some modern touches in your home, you really should consider Ashley's work.  

I think artwork is such a taste specific thing.  

You have to get what speaks to you.  

 This particular piece has pencil markings and touches of gold paint with an overall grey palette.  As most of you know, I like to change things up seasonally in my home.  So while I love the idea of artwork with bold specific colors, it just would not work for me.  It would simply tie me down to a color scheme.  

In this close up you can see some of the detail, but you are still not able to see the texture of the paint.  

OK, so now for some confession time.  I think it is very important to keep it real - no one has a perfect house with all the right accessories, furnishings, etc.  If you are thinking your house is not perfect, just remember you are the norm, not the exception!  

Here is a picture of this room without the new painting . . . .
Yes, that is a very large hole alcove with a very old vintage TV in it.   (btw, I took this picture awhile ago and so, I've moved some furniture around since then - always moving furniture around.  But, hopefully you get the idea). 

At the moment, the painting is simply hanging on nails in front of that alcove!  Yes, it is very inconvenient for my sweet husband to watch TV.  But the goal is to come up with a clever way to enjoy both the artwork and the TV.  After all, a room has to work and be beautiful, right?


So, I'm thinking about something that will allow you to slide the artwork to one side when you want to watch TV or maybe something that allows you to lift the painting up from the bottom?  I have an amazing handyman I am confident can figure it out for me.  In the meantime, I think this is such a nicer view!!

Also, I have one more little tidbit for you.
This stunning piece is sitting in my dining room as we speak . . .

The plan was to use it over a client's fireplace in her living room.  The colors were absolutely perfect, but it was just too small for her massive fireplace (the piece is 47"x 35" which is still a really large painting).  She is going to need a larger piece.  This just happens sometimes - part of the decorating process.


So, if you think you might have a spot for this beautiful piece, please contact me for pricing.

Otherwise, it will have to go back to Mobile and some other lucky girl will get to take it home!

 If you have solved a similar problem to my TV alcove dilemma, I would love to hear from you.  Please share your ideas - I'm confident I'm not the only person who could benefit from your thoughts!
See you tomorrow. M.  

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Mila's Moustache party

This year, Mila celebrated Halloween in France wearing the Batgirl costume I had put in her suitcase amongst other things. So I don't have photos to share but I realized that I never posted the photos of her Moustache Birthay party! Initially it was supposed to be an Ugly Betty party but it turned out that she was the only little girl to watch Ugly Betty with her mum and none of her friends knew who Betty was so we settled for a Mr Mustache one.

We put some smarties in little paper boats, some pretty straws in the Owl Vase, a lovely Rob Ryan bunting and lots of white balloons in our lounge. I made some delicious chocolate brownies, the girls played games, danced, jumped on my sofa, sometimes the moustache fell off but everybody had a great time!

Paper boats from Dutch company Jurianne Matter, window sticker with star from Brume, Rabbit lamp from here & black masking tape from there, Kids with mustache borrowed (just kidding)

Cette année, Mila a fêté Halloween en France déguisée en Batgirl, le costume que j'avais glissé dans sa valise parmi d'autres petites choses. Et du coup, je n'ai pas de photos mais je me suis rappelée que je ne vous avais pas montré les photos de son anniversaire Moustache! Au départ, cela devait être une birthday party a la Ugly Betty mais il s'est avéré qu'elle était la seule petite fille a regarder Ugly Betty avec sa maman et que ses copines n'en avaient jamais entendu parlé donc on s'est rabattu sur une fête déguisée en Mr Moustache.

Nous avons mis des smarties dans des petits bateaux en papier, de jolies pailles dans le vase hibou, une guirlande de Rob Ryan et pleins de ballons blancs dans le salon. J'avais fait des delicieux brownies au chocolat, les filles ont jouées, dansées, sautées sur mon canap', parfois la moustache tombait mais tout le monde s'est bien amusé!

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The Bridal Circle {giveaway}

One of greige's newest sponsors The Bridal Circle is offering a wonderful giveaway for you- our lovely readers today as they celebrate the launch of their new site! 

The Bridal Circle (TBC) is here!  In celebration of our new launch, we are having a cash gift card prize giveaway to help you kick start your wedding planning and to our readers and or vendors who spread the love about our launch and new website. “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to win a $150.00 American Express gift card. 

It’s simple…just click the Facebook “Like” button, follow us on Twitter, and retweet the phrase below and leave us a comment below You are now entered to win! 

Tweet the following phrase:

Win a $150.00 American Express gift card by "liking" us on Facebook & following us on twitter. RT to enter: http://bit.ly/nc2syS #giveaway

The lucky winner will be selected randomly and announced on The Bridal Circle’s Blog on December 21st, 2011.

  

**Don't forget we have to be able to contact you...  Please leave your name and some type of contact information if you are not able to be contacted with your profile** 

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