A New Friend...

Kelli and I in the Tea Salon

Bonjour Friends! Before I forget; I wish you all a very happy Fete du Muguet and send you sentiments of health and happiness! Happy first of May.

The front window

I am very excited about my post today. I met with Kelli from A Rendez~Vous With Style on Wednesday at a charming little tea salon called Paris In A Cup located in the wonderful and historic Orange Circle in old town Orange. It was so nice to finally meet her in person and get to know her. I was so nervous, I don't know why but I was. I had a delightful afternoon! Kelli is so down to earth and so real. She was exactly as I pictured her to be ( I hope I was too). She drove a very long way to meet up and I appreciate it so much. She is such a sweet and intelligent woman. Being in Orange brought back many fond memories of my Mom and poor Kelli had to endure story after story about her as I reminisced. Thanks for listening Kelli! I really hope I didn't bore her to death!

Inside the boutique

The tea room was fabulous and so charming. We indulged in the most delicious tea, sandwiches, soup, and of course macarons! The decor was so cute with chandeliers (my favorite) sprinkled everywhere and the essence of Paris in every nook and cranny. We had a blast shopping in the boutique afterward, it was so hard to restrain myself from buying up everything. I knew that I was in the heart of antique paradise and wanted to save up for whatever treasures wanted me to take them home!

The boutique hosted a case with the most tempting goodies! These cupcakes are featured in Romantic Homes

After tea Kelli had a long drive home and had to leave. I had some rollover babysitting minutes saved up so I decided to stay and see if I couldn't find some treasures.

Mmmm...mmmm! These look irresistible! The macarons are delish and made by a local French woman with imported ingredients & made exclusively for the tea salon. I just acquired her phone number and I wonder if she will make some for a party!

While I was strolling around the picturesque streets lined with antique stores and old buildings, I realized that after spending the afternoon with Kelli she made me realize a lot of things. After hearing Kelli speak French and talk about old haunts, I realized that I had forgotten so much of that beautiful language. I was totally insecure about even attempting to speak a language I had used exclusively for 3 years (although a very long time ago). I need to start practicing and re-learning my French!

I also realized that the Paris that I know is most likely not the Paris I will visit again. So much has probably changed over the years and I am such a different person now. The things that interested me then are not at all the same as what would interest me now. How did I never think of this before? I would have a much deeper appreciation for the beautiful city now. Well, that's just more motivation to get me to really push hard and try and go to Paris with Claudia in August/September! Now I'm extra determined! It did make me a little bit sad to miss Paris so much and come to the realization that I had forgotten so much. Maybe a trip down memory lane with my old photos will help.

This dress form covered in bows was in front of a shop owned by two fun sisters! I had to post this because it reminded me of Sande from A Gift Wrapped Life! So pretty!

Shopping was great and I found tons of things I wanted to bring home. I was very good and only purchased a pair of....you guessed it...light fixtures! I'll save that pic for last though! :)

I was walking along and saw this plaque on the ground. ??? It made me smile :)

Such pretty buildings and homes where everywhere I turned.

This store had TONS of old windows, doors, and hardware. Dreamy to say the least.

I instantly fell in love with her! She was some sort of mini broom, her skirt was made of the bristles!

This trophy was so pretty in person. It had to be at least four feet tall.

I'm a sucker for feathers

This hat was too cute and in it's original box, never worn! The original receipt was tucked into the tissue paper as well. Darn if I didn't look to see how much it cost back in the day!

This kiosk had tons of sheet music but I just about fell over when I saw this beautiful cover.

She was tucked away in the downstairs portion of a store behind ridiculous amounts of furniture and random stuff. She is so pretty she should be out showing off! :)

It was love at first site for me! I love the Orange sherbet tattered velvet on this settee. I wrestled with the idea of giving a good and loving home for quite some time.

Finally!!! My Chandelier illness made me do it! I got in trouble when I got home from the hubby but I don't care! Feathers, crystal, lighting, and a great memory of a wonderful day and meeting a new friend! How could I resist? I don't know if it was the feathers, an overdose of imported tea, the euphoria of spending a child free day antiquing, or having just met Kelli, but I had to take these home with me! I forgot to pick up some macarons on my to the car so this is a small consolation!

I would love to get together again with Kelli and if anybody else who wants to join us! We can meet here (it's right next to the tea salon). It's called PJ's abbey and it is a wonderful restaurant that used to be a church! They say eating there is "heavenly"! It is so cute inside and it's quite an experience.

Until next time!

xoxo

Judith~

Hello Friends! I just wanted to pop in and do a quick post on this very busy day.

I wanted to send out a HUGE thank you to all of you! I must receive the sweetest comments in blogland! :) I try so hard to get back to everybody but sometimes time (and a small child) do not permit me, so I wanted to just say a simple "Thank you" from my heart, I truly appreciate and cherish you.

I started blogging as a place to put some of my thoughts down. A place to keep a running list of musings in my head. I never could have imagined that I would meet some of the finest, most warm hearted, eloquent, funny, and talented people. I never really intended for or thought that anybody would read anything I posted, however, I am so happy that I started doing this because I found a great place for some "me" time and I have met you! I find inspiration from you everyday and have grown because of this. I think it is very fitting to say that you enrich my life.

I have had a lot of new people commenting and visiting, a lot of people from all over the world dropping in, & a lot of tried and true friends that I continue to grow with, and I have to say thank you to all of you! You make my day...everyday!

So with that being said, I'm off to race against the day and try to fit more hours into it than humanly possible. I promise to get back to posting some more Frenchified posts! Lately, I start to write about Paris or some other fabulously French topic and I get a pang in my heart! How I would love to be in Paris, or Versailles, or Provence, or Nice, or...well, you get the picture!

xoxo

Judith~

Hello My Friends! Today is the day! The new Coco Avant Chanel movie is being released in France today. Those lucky ducks! If you do not speak French you may be waiting a while for the subtitled version. I cannot wait to see this movie. I am a huge fan of Coco Chanel. Not as much for the fashion (which is amazing) but more so for her life story. Very inspiring, very controversial, very real.

Audrey Tautou (of Amelie fame) is playing the young Coco. The stills from the film are stunning.

I can hardly contain my excitement!

What I wouldn't give to walk the back areas of the atelier! Who has Karl's number, I need a personal tour!

The photo shoot in Coco's apartment on Rue Cambon. I did a post on Chanel and her apartment many moons ago. Here it is if you are interested.


Some fabulous pics of Audrey for you.

I love this one! Very reminiscent of another Audrey to me!

Wow! I thought she was a great fit as the young Coco. Then I saw this image of Coco and Audrey next to each other. Definitely a match. I can imagine this is close to what Chanel looked like in her youth.

And, of course an image of the legend herself! If you are lucky enough to view the film, I would love to hear how it was. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Until next time!

Modern Marie

Bonjour My Friends! I just spent the weekend celebrating and today recovering! Champagne is such a delight (on occasion)!!!


I am still feeling quite festive and I think these photos are too much fun. What better way to celebrate all things pretty than with a post dedicated to Marie Antoinette...correction...a Modern Marie Antoinette. We can all use a dose of pretty in our lives and I can't think of anything prettier right now! I hope you enjoy! I am not trying to be historically accurate or anything, just having fun with some Marie Antoinette inspired eye~candy.

For Her Wardrobe~



Every Queen needs some bling! This extraordinary necklace by Ranjana Khan is perfect! I love the color and the size of it!




These sassy silk covered bracelets are from Thistle and Clover. Sure to make you feel girly.




All of the handmade hats from Hey Sailor! are beautiful. I chose this one because it is reminiscent of the ship hat Marie Antoinette famously wore. How stinking cute is this!?!


These little doozies are from Faire Frou Frou. Who I adore! They have some of the most exquisite lingerie and they are the ultimate in customer service. To visit their store is heavenly! When I lose those last 10lbs. I am rewarding myself with a trip there!



Feathers! Every Modern Marie needs some feathers. I found this cute and different feather fan on Etsy.

For Her Chateau~




I am loving this picture! How fabulous is this? The Lila Canape is so quirky and whimsical. Definitely Modern Marie.

I picture some of these LoooLo Anna Linen pillows from Design Public (there are a few style and all of them prettier than the last) strewn about. These pillows are made from organic fibers, dyes with the least environmental footprint and Looolo textiles products can be safely composted at the end of their useful life. Pretty and good!

Of course you have to have a chandelier and matching sconces from the new Paris Apartment Boutique! Claudia just recently launched her new boutique and she has some of the most incredible lighting! Marie wouldn't have been caught dead without her chandeliers!

A mirrored vanity from Neiman's for a flashy girls boudoir! P.S. I love the rug in the photo.

There's that rug again! I need one asap! I just love this bedroom from Graham and Green

I just love the mix of styles in this photo.

This pic is from Martha Stewart. I love the wall to wall folding panels of mirrors. Breathtaking!

Of course the Louis Ghost chair! Every Modern Marie needs at least one of these. A set for the dining room is even better! I like it in Black as well. You can find both at Design Within Reach

This picture has it all. The chandelier, the yummy pastries, the chaise lounge, the fabulous wall covering! I love it!

Wall decals are so popular right now. I personally haven't gotten "into" them for my home but if you have commitment issues, you might like them! These are from Celio and they have lots of really fun things!

This is also from Celio. I love the tonal colors and the simplicity.

What a fantastic bath!!! Those wall tiles are gorgeous! The mix of styles and that chair. I could live like that! :) I don't have a clue where this is from but wall tiles look like fun.

And...Last but not least...don't forget your fresh flowers! I'm sure the palace was always drowning in them (if not for their beauty but to cover up the stench in the palace). In our homes it will be for the beauty of them!

Au Revoir my Modern Marie's!!!