Tuesday, January 28, 2014

in love with...Lavender

Lavender....one of my all time favorite plants...I love everything about it...the color..the smell and the way it seems to overtake your senses, when viewed growing in fields of southern France. I picked up a few pots yesterday & I knew I had the subject for my next blog. Living in southern Cali, we get it early...the garden spot almost sold out by early afternoon....lavender pairs so beautifully with my French finds...I use it often through its season. I googled searched lavender and I found Lavandula (common name Lavender) is a genus of 39 species of flowering plants in the mint family, is native to the Old World and is found from Cape Verde, southern Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India. I remember having lavender jelly in Provence for the first time several years ago, it was delicious & a gorgeous color. I love it in pots, dried & in cuisine...Sharing with you a few of my fave lavender finds...

love the lavender in this vintage urn from dear lillie...

the lavender fields are beautiful & smell heavenly...

the color is intense blues & purples...

Rue 27 Maison

beautiful & fragrant lavender adorns a votive...

al fresco in the fields...

delicious lavender jelly....

lavender cookies...via matochvanner.se

fig & lavender cake via ascensionkitchen

always refreshing lavender lemonade...

lavender fields in Provence...

beautiful urn with lavender...via Mayflower


charming setting...foto via Sheenalu

Cheers until next time....♥

Thursday, January 23, 2014

the beautiful simplicity of the French Country table....

When I first dined in the countryside of France...I was expecting delicious and fabulous French cuisine and I was certainly not disappointed...every bite was heaven! The delight of dining in the countryside was not only the food, but much more..the relaxed ambiance, the perfect...imperfect. I love the simplicity & beauty of the French country table, simple yet grand at the same time...well worn arms on the chairs & table, freshly laundered beautiful, simple linens, always fresh fruits & flowers...white ironstone plates, antique silver, heavy clear glassware, candles..always stunning & very charming. Each time I have been fortunate to have visited France...especially the countryside, I look forward to the rustic, delicious French meals and I am always eager to revel in the ambiance of country dining...Sharing with you my joys & pleasures of French country dining ambiance....

love the relaxed feel of this setting...

simple & fabulous...

country French dining...via Crown Cottage

monogram napkins...

fabulous French dining...from Frank Delmarcelle

beautiful French linens...

old Paris dinnerware..via Jean Liu Design

antique cutlery...

french country place setting...

love french white ironstone...

always fresh herbs...

rustic french table...

local wine & cheese...

beautiful details...

Until next time....♥

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

collecting....Florentine ♥

Florentine...when I looked up the meaning of the word, such a beautiful word, that slides easily off one's tongue...I found the meaning, to be from or related to Florence, as in Italy, one of the most beautiful places on earth or a hand rubbed gilt finish. In the culinary arts, the word Florentine, or the term à la Florentine, refers to a recipe that is prepared in the style of the Italian region of Florence. (delicious) Florentine also is a style from several hundred years ago, a heavy Italian design. The Florentine we see today is antique or vintage from Italy, in wood or papier mache, furniture, boxes, trays, that are very collected. I love seeing florentine trays used in entertaining and they look wonderful on a desk or vanity. Florentine nest tables always are good accents pieces, as is the many styles of florentine boxes. Many times, I have added a folded antique linen napkin and served rolls, cookies, etc. from my florentine boxes. The large umbrella stands, standing jewelry boxes & the larger chests are more difficult to find. The trays & boxes are very affordable & both add that Italian country chic feel to any room. Florentine can be colorful as well as neutral with gilt and fit well with many design styles. I love them in my French country home, I have a friend who uses several pieces in a modern setting & it looks fabulous. Sharing with you, some of my fave florentine finds!