Carol's Kitchen ~ Sunny Side Up!

It may be minus 8 degrees outside but it's toasty and sunny in Carol's kitchen!   She emailed and asked if I'd like to go by, adding that something was soon coming out of the oven.  Well, when it comes to an invitation to savor something wonderful baked with love from her country French kitchen, she doesn't have to ask twice...I'm there, no matter what the temp outside is.

She brewed a pot of her delicious 'Mariage Fereres' French  tea and served it in a generous ironstone mug along with a 'Sunny Side Up' ~  made from scratch puff pastry with poached apricots, pastry cream (yum) and a delicious glaze; a Julia Child recipe.   So pretty, so tasty!

There were three more on this 'cool' vintage cooling rack but let's just say that the three of us really enjoyed our mid-day 'tea'.  (her hubby joined us)

And..if that wasn't enough...she sent me on my merry way with a beautifully wrapped box (yes girlies, those are her initials) with strict instructions that "they must be eaten before the day is done" and a warning that "they will not be good tomorrow!"

As French music played I felt as though I was whisked away to a little bistro in Paris!

Delicieux!

 "I hope you ate yours tonight too Carol!" 

Thanks a bunch Dearie!

the attic

heading up to the attic for some fresh bounty

I had to smile when I found this pic since this is what I do at least once a week!

Exactly what my attic steps look like in the beach cottage.  However, you won't find me going up there in a white frock.

image souce: evalindh.se

atmosphere and vibe

atmosphere...vibe....it's all about it, no?  look at these pics, can you feel it? 
oh, if I could only get this in my decor.  the soul of decorating.  the vibe.  it's like magic...the balance of color, age, texture, lighting...

                                         
                     sometimes it's as simple as a rumpled slipcover with lots of pillows

sometimes it's raw and textured ~ combined with over the top luxe ~ grounded with

smooth utilitarian and peppered with a speck of color.

just enough to make your heart sing

sometimes it's gray and white, no fuss, only muss.

sometimes chalky, moody, organic...

sometimes a story...

                                                     and sometimes weepy...

There are so many moods that we can translate through our styling..stay tuned for more.

images #1 ?shabby chic #2 house beautiful #3 mikkel vang #4 voor haven #5? #6 sibella court

White outside, white inside...

C'mon in and see what's going on since the walls have been painted white.



There were white slipcovers on the Ikea loveseats, but when I discovered these on sale for 20 dollars, Carol and I flew to Ikea and literally ran through the store to get the last two before they were gone forever! I called every other day for two weeks and it was worth it. They're soft and comfy with white roses on a tan background and subtle enough to go with everything. Love these for winter and I'll switch back to white for summer.




As much as I ADORE the Scandinavian all white homes such as Annette's, my place beckons for a blast of color in winter and this vintage pillow was happy to oblige. There is a magenta orchid on the t.v. which doesn't show in this pic. Window candles are welcoming and charming all winter long.



The tree is still in place, sans Christmas decor, and I'm loving that too! The tall vintage window with frosted and etched panes was a happy find for 10 dollars at a church thrift shop. A little scrubbing and it provides perfect height in the corner.

This is the living room before the walls were painted, new curtains and slipcovers added. Sand dune. See the pinkish tone? Oh, and I've replaced the mirror with Ruth Orkin's 'American Girl in Italy' which doesn't show up in the bottom pic because of the glare.

Favorite mercury lamp with etching was the third try before I found the best one for this corner. The painted round wicker table has a pretty sheer netted cover which graces the floor for a touch of softness, while still allowing the texture and beauty of the table to show.

Here's a close up of the 'London Stripe' curtains, which are perfect for the casual beach cottage look that I was going for. Nubby linen and pale stripes ceiling to floor disguise the small cottage windows.

Now I'm searching for a vintage French clock (bigger) to replace the one here or a Mora clock for the corner where the tree is. I'm open for suggestions...

Well, it's always a work in progress and that's the fun of it. Thanks for visiting.

It was so nice having you!

xo Roberta xo

candle of hope

for the orphaned in haiti...

(read more in my daughter's blog, Positively Orphaned)

update 1/19;   53 orphans were rescued and brought to the USA.

A Most Wonderful Day!

I've just spent the entire last day of my vacation,
decorating the 'January' mantel...
blogging...
editing pics...
and listening to a mixed bag of tunes....
Oh joy, a full day in comfy clothes with not a thought of going out into the windy, snowy outdoors! A perfectly happy day in my world. Hope you've had your favorite kind of day!
xo Roberta

(click on the pic to be taken to the mantel)