Fabuleux Friday!

Simply Seleta is hosting a Fabulous Friday post in her blog, so I thought I'd join. 

This Friday will be fabulous pour moi because I'm having tea this afternoon at.....

...the Laduree in Paris??? (I wish)

But that's me two years ago, writing on my travel journal inside the Laduree Tea Salon in St. Germain

But today, I have a tea time reservation with my daughter at the fabulous Paris in A Cup in Orange, CA

This tea salon is my fav so far in Southern California. The decor is very much my style and their tea selection is immense. They even serve authentic french tea from the "Thes des Palais" imported from Paris. J'adore visiting this local tea salon.

So, TGIF and bon weekend mes amis!

Spring Fever

I have a serious case of the bug...the spring bug! Mon cheri came home from work two nights ago and brought me sunflowers and said "it feels like springtime!" Ever since then, coupled with the perfect weather here, I've been bitten. So yesterday, I sneaked out and went to the local nursery for some garden therapy.


Sunflowers from Mon Cheri



Planted some "Peaches & Cream" nemesias in front of my fountain



Also planted a variety of snapdragons



I added the shabby looking white garden gate and metal planter bag



Picked up this book from the library

And added some purple/lavender hybrid ranunculus on my "jardin" wall planter

Here's how they look like from the outside

That's the Hongkong Orchid Tree on the foreground which we planted last November. It has not stopped blooming since then.

Since I still have the bug, I think I'll sneak out again and get some "iceberg roses" to plant in front of the picket fence.

And finally, we gotta get rid of that water waster grass.

Domino Mag

Kelli Djulus from "A Rendez-vous with Style" is hosting a Domino book giveaway. As many of you know, Domino Magazine will no longer be in circulation, which is a sad, sad thing pour moi and others. Kelli wants to hear a story of how Domino has inspired me...tres bien, ecoutez Ms. Kelli:

Because they can whip up inspirational rooms like this

And mix up modern and country cottage furniture pieces like this

And blissful baths like this

And an enchanting outdoor space like this

And this is the lovely Ms. Kelli...isn't she gorgeous! Go and check out her website and blog. 

And as for me, I have been a Domino subscriber for two years. I will definitely miss une inspirational magazine. Au revoir Domino!

Mardi Gras

Here are a few photos of Mardi Gras celebration around the world! Someday, I would like to be a part of one in either Nice or Nola!

This one is in Nola (New Orleans) and Val Kilmer reigned as King Bacchus in the parade

This is in Rio de Janeiro


This is in Nice's French Riviera

And a pretty cool one in Germany of all places

Check out Dixie's blog in Wordless Wednesday who initiated a post/link about Mardi Gras.

And don't forget that today is Ash Wednesday (for those who are in the Catholic faith).

Une Jolie Petite Maison!

Someday, if or when, I ever own mon petite atelier, it will look something like Tumbleweed & Dandelion. My daughter took me to a popular street in Venice, CA called Abbot Kinney. Well lucky me, I stumbled upon the prettiest cottage home and garden shop, so had to stop in. Come take a look inside:

Seriously, I could live here! Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to look around because we had tea time reservation at another sweetheart of an establishment on Abbott Kinney called Jin Patisserie. I'll post pictures of this tea shop plus tard.

Happy Oscar Weekend!

On Sunday, Feb. 22nd, it's Oscar Night! Watching the Oscar's is a big deal pour moi, because I just j'adore the glitz and glamour of it all! Everything about it, from preparation to after parties, just seem so dreamy. Here in Southern California, lots of fans have Oscar Parties (kinda like the Superbowl but female version). I would probably set-up my party this way:

Have a red carpet from the curb to the front door of my home

Put up this Oscar poster sign at the door

Here's a party in a box to set the mood

And if I could afford it, I'll definitely have Chef Wolfgang Puck there for my guests

I think I would have the party outdoors and set-up a huge projector

Who could forget Marion Cottilard's performance in

La Vie En Rose

I would invite Mr. Jackman of course (ok maybe Nicole too)

And the girls of course

J'adore Cate so she has to be there

Yep...Brangelina too!

What a fantastic night it would be...ce qu'est une nuit magique!

Decisions....Decisions!

As the designer and homeowner of this master/bath en suite remodel, it is sometimes overwhelming to make decisions on every single detail of the project. Particularly when the contractor asks for something that has to be decided right this minute.

Et alors, now I have to decide on lighting/switches location. I did not really like some of what was on the architect's plan so I'm making minor changes. Instead of one light above the mirror, I would like a pair of sconces on the side. But lighting, wow! There are so much choices out there and I just cannot decide...

What will look good with my sink vanity?


And with my mirror that sorta looks like this...



And this...(I forgot to take a photo of the vintage mirror I found at a "brocante" in Carlsbad Village, but will add it soon)


There's this sconce called "Paris Flea Market" which is c'est jolie


Here's a capodimonte sconce, but way over my budget



And this one which is kinda sweet and simple



But sometimes I think, should I go eclectic and pick something
art-deco glam like this



or modern glam


or modern femme

Or should I go with the same color as my fixture which is oil-rubbed bronze

And then I saw this Victorian looking sconce

Vas-y Marie...stop the indecisiveness and just pick one already!