Any day now...Jeanne d'Arc Living MAY issue

                                          
                              The photos in JDL speak volumes.....

                                                       Love, Love, Love!

Boston...An Old Soul

                    We are Praying for you and your People

Boston has an old soul...amidst the Big Dig with new highways, tunnels and bridges..one still senses it. 

We are one hour south of Boston and were in the city on a Saturday afternoon recently.  A small Italian restaurant with rave reviews coaxed us in to town.  As we waited in line outside in the cold surrounded by tenements, people were ambling about carrying laundry on their heads while some with it in carriages.  Clearly it was wash day for many of these working people who did not have washers or dryers in this old part of town.

After dinner we made way to my favorite and very charming and cultural 'North End' where lines of people waited to get in to one of many Italian pastry shops!  As much as we would have loved a cappuccino and cannoli, we passed it up for lack of parking anywhere.  

 

Now, we are praying for this lively town so trodden down by sadness and fear.

 Boston...Love will prevail! 

Sunny Spring Finds

Hello!   The sun is shining brightly in the cottage today and it feels so good!

I've added an ironstone bowl of pale blue 'Easter' eggs to the buffet with a pair of chicks and new found little farmgirl doll for Spring.  You can find the eggs here.  I've had mine for a few years now and love them!!

 

I found her for $2 at a church treasure sale recently.  She may be Greek because of the design on her apron...such a pretty hand painted face!

The chicks make me smile with the other reds in this vignette for Spring and Easter.

As for the white onion/cheese boards.....I have been searching HIGH and LOW for a vintage one to no avail.  I managed to find a couple of new ones but if you know where I can find an old one ...please...drop me a line.

I hope your Spring and Easter are Happy and Blessed! 

xo Roberta
 

Arrangements...

 

Oh that I would dare to cover a wall with photos like this!  And cozy up on this very cool sofa... I must be craving some color and texture in the beach cottage.  I usually do in the wintertime...and it's such an easy fix with throws and pillows, but I just haven't gotten around to it... 

 

 INSTEAD...

 

I found these very nice gray linen panels from Ikea!

 

 

As soon as I got them home, in the washer and dryer they went.  And the beauty part?  I didn't even iron them.  They'll look so much better once I move them higher and cover all the casings...but for now, here they are. (on spring rods)  I'm trying to create the illusion of bigger windows and higher ceilings, but it is a beach cottage...

 

At $50 for two 92" panels, the price is right and I love them!  And, I don't think you could make them for that price!

 

In other news over here...

 

My dear 89 year old Mother has moved in with me.

Here's her spot in the waterfront room.

 

 

 

 We were so pleased that her twin bed fit in the small space that was once my office.  These vintage panels have been used in so many places.  I think they are perfect here.

 

 

 

It's been a few months and we're both happy with the arrangement.  I get to keep an eye on her and she has company!

 

Hope you are well and happy:)

 

xoRoberta

Wish I could post some pics of Fairytale Easter JDL

The Fairytale Easter book from JDL has arrived and as much as I'd like to post some new pics...blogger will not allow me to.   Some have said that Google Chrome is needed.   I've downloaded it and still...no pics....what now? 

Anyhow...the book is a beauty jammed with pretty spring like photos and as soon as I figure this thing out, I'll put up some pics.

Any suggestions?

COZY UP FOR WINTER

(above pic from the WINTER issue of Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine)

If I do nothing else this winter but go for a cozy horse drawn sleigh ride I will be very happy!  I'll bundle up in my RL red Tartan throw, pack a thermos of hot chocolate and bring along the camera.

If you know of a good old fashioned sleigh ride in MA, RI or NH let me know!  And if I have to drive to Maine....I will!!

For some cozy wrapping ideas...look no further than Ikea!

Looking forward to the first snowfall... it is always the best:))

Merry Christmas!!

Happy Wrapping and Sleighing!

xoRoberta

Christmas Jeanne d'Arc Magazine & 2013 Subscription

 

 

The Jeanne d'Arc Christmas issue is enroute to the USA and will be here any day now...I have a few remaining here.

 

There are also a few subscriptions available for 2013. 

Order once and I will send the latest issue to you first thing every month!  No muss...no fuss...:)

 

 

 

November Pre Christmas Jeanne d'Arc Living 2012

While We Wait...gotta love it!  They say this is their most popular issue of the year.  I say...
                                        I love them all!

I've noticed lately that pricing for this publication is all over the map so I thought I'd lower my price to $18.00.   Fair enough?  That includes shipping and it's wrapped with love in a pretty rayon ribbon! 

 

And...while I have your undivided attention...I'd like to boast about my little Petunia's 1st Birthday coming up.

 

 

Look at that little smirk.

 

I had all my girls visiting from the west coast last week.

 

 

And my beautiful Russian Dolls from sunny LA!

 

 

                   Posing in their room with the dresses my daughter bought while in Russ*a.
Here's a link to Bethany's blog Positively Orphaned.
 

Savoring A Summer Day

 Good morning!  I awoke to a stunning bright orange sun rising over the bay this morning at 6 o'clock and by 7 the sun was already high in the sky...

         Notice the two small boats on the narrow strip of beach....

  My last day of vacation...six weeks and back to work on Monday.

I've enjoyed every single moment of the summer with no plans or time restraints to adhere to.  It has been wonderful! 

My daughter and her family are staying for a week in September so I made curtains out of two vintage tablecloths for the bedroom slider hoping to block some of the bright morning sun.  (which obviously didn't work:))  

Of course I kept my favorite tattered French sheet in the middle of the two.   I like the added fullness.

One of the tablecloths has two monograms facing opposite directions.  The other monogram is under the fold at the top.

They both have pretty floral crochet corners.

The tablecloths are identical except for the monogram on one of them...I wonder why...any idea?

Making curtains from vintage sheets, tea towels and tablecloths is the easiest ever since all the edges are finished and with one fold over and a tunnel stitched for the rod...you're done!!  And if you don't sew even a straight line, you can use curtain clips!! 

       Voila!  And now I'm off to savor this fine summer day!
                             Thanks for stopping by!
                                         xoRoberta

SEPTEMBER Jeanne d'Arc Living!

The SEPTEMBER JDL is ready for preorder!  Gorgeous cover...always beautiful and inspiring content! 

 Love, love, love this room with the bookcase surrounded window and leather sofa!!  Gorgeous, casual and comfy!

Decorating with Old Books

 I love a used book sale and am always on the lookout for books with colorful and interesting bindings to use in decorating. 

I just picked these up at our local library for less than a dollar;  a gray one and a pretty periwinkle one to go with my beach cottage decor and bottles.  Love the titles, 'Acts of Faith' and 'Memories of Midnight'.... 

 My bottles found a new home on the driftwood shelf above the t.v.

      This next photo is before I switched the loveseat and t.v.  It was a little cramped with the oversized teak coffee table.

                                     
And after...more leg room all around.  For now, I've placed a beachy white chair in the corner and my books on the floor while searching for a bigger bookcase.

For the new slipcover, I used the reverse side of the fabric for the body and the 'right' side for the cushions.  I'm really happy with it!

I learned a little trick of the trade when Mark L was here with Fifi last year for the photo shoot....Turn the lamps on even if it's sunny.  Mark replaces each bulb with a very low wattage bulb. 
Try it the next time you are styling and photographing.  It makes all the difference in the world!
           
I hope you are enjoying your summer.  Thanks so much for stopping by! 

                                        xoRoberta

A Hydrangea Wreath & Beach Glass Summer

I've been wanting to make a Hydrangea wreath for a while now and it's so super easy!  Just cut the stems on a sharp angle and stick them in a grapevine wreath.  TaDa!

                               On the stone fireplace...

'Hortensia' was introduced to the Azorean Islands of Portugal and they are now very common, particularly on Faial, which is known as the "blue island" due to the vast number of Hydrangeas present there.  My grandmother is from Faial.  Every year they have a big feast and everything, and I mean everything, is draped with Hydrangea.  Very pretty!

In a 'galvanized gray' wash tub...

                                         Or hanging on the deck...

Oh, and found on my beach walk...white and aqua beach glass! 

The best color combo for a beach house!

Summer Olympics!

Are you enjoying the Summer Olympics?

London did a superb job for the Opening Ceremonies and the Road Race this morning had some fabulous views of the English countryside, beautiful cottages and famous landmarks!!

By the Sea ~ A Day Filled with Grace

By the Beautiful Sea...

Late yesterday afternoon, a huge thunderstorm rolled through and soon afterward the sun shone and later set over Little Bay Cove.

These two 'skiffs' were made by a neighbor who regularly digs for clams and little necks here.  When I was a kid, the fishermen stood while rowing these heavy boats in. 

While enjoying and riding out the storm, I lit my new 'Cristal' candle.

Divinely scented with notes of Mandarin, Peper, Lily, Opoponax, Jasmin, Moss, Vetivert, Vanilla, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli & Amber.  A pricey English candle for a song ($7.99) at Homegoods! 

This morning, I woke up naturally at the 'crack' of dawn thanks to my seriously threadworn French 'holy' sheet as a curtain.  
                                 I sensed a Day of Grace.

Love me a little wooden sailboat....

A gorgeous summer day to just sit and watch as the marsh pool filled with the incoming tide...

   Accompanied by a sweet summer breeze, birds flitting and chirping...and big white puffy clouds floating over the bay...almost surreal...Grace Bestowed.

A reflection of the bay ~ overlooking Falmouth

A Day of Grace By the Sea