2011/11/03

Falling In Love Again

I finally took the courage to go out by myself today for a walk. I went to Michael's for some shopping which is a walking distance away. On my way I couldn't help but to think, everything is not the same anymore.

I miss walking by the Promenade des Anglais

The music is now replaced by busy motorists in a hurry. No more friendly smile of this Monsieur .

There are cacti everywhere....

....rather than bright colored tulips.

I must face it, the world is not perfect.

But every thing has beauty in its own way.

Today, this view gave me a reason to embrace my new home. I fell in love with the incomparable beauty of the desert's sunset.

Linking to:

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Weekend Flowers @ Tina's PicStory
Pink Saturday@How Sweet the Sound

2011/11/02

Wedding Leftover #2

You have probably seen my blog about my Wedding Left-Over. I thought want to share one more leftover.

I was on my bed, and I gazed my eyes on the open closet door. At the top shelf of, I saw the white purse with white plastic roses my niece used for our wedding. We did not intend to use artificial flowers for the wedding. So here's the story behind it.

I guess sometimes problems in wedding arises when we least expect it. My mother-in-law was furious when she saw the flower for the flower girl! It was ridiculous! There was no time to lose! She got to think quick!

So she called a friend to the rescue who at the very last minute made this flower purse. Phew!

Ok so,I found this beautiful rustic looking vase while scavenging through my husband's old bachelor stuff. Where he got it or when, I don't know, but I like it! I used the artificial roses and put some plastic onion leaves with it.
This is the very first flower vase in the house!

Linking to:

White Wednesday @ faded Charm

Whatever Wednesday @ Momma Hen's Coop

Time Travel Thursday @ The Brambleberry Cottage
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday @ At the Picket Fence

Furgalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

2011/11/01

French Country References

Sometimes I had one of those days, feeling dry and seemed to ran out of inspirations. I have to admit I cannot always rely on my memory to remember each and everything of my experiences living at Southern France. Good thing I have my souvenir photos to help me with that.

A wine cellar in the kitchen really caught my eye. Image Via Provençal Interiors by Betty Lou Phillips

But I thought, I need a little more professional references for my Provence obsession.

This is my one of my favorite kitchen look. Image Via Provençal Interiors by Betty Lou Phillips

Looks dreamy. Two colored garden would do. Image Via Provençal Interiors by Betty Lou Phillips

Thankfully, I found out that a public library is only a walking distance away from our apartment. I excitedly borrowed these two books called:

Provençal Interiors by Betty Lou Phillips

This book has a lot of beautiful french inspired room designs from Entrance through Gardens

and

French Country Kitchen by Linda Dannenberg


This is what I remember about Provence. The old town near where we live is full of souvenir shops selling such as these! If you are wondering about that porcelain bug, it is a cricket not a fly. Suppose to be a lucky charm. Image Via French Country Kitchen

I like the latter book more. It doesn't only offer a variety of French country kitchen inspirations, but also has some authentic Provençal recipes

I rummaged through pages of this book as soon as I had it in my hands. I found interesting designs for my dream French home.

I hope you all are having a great day!

a tout a l'heure

2011/10/31

Crock Pot Desserts and Candy Recipes

After my successful Crock pot lava cake attempt, I just found these deliciously looking pictures of

desserts at Pinterest. All of them were made using a slow cooker. My favorite method!

Apple Butterscotch Crisp. Looks soo good!

Image Via Crock Pot Ninja

Image Via My Recipes

Rocky Road Chocolate Cake

This is probably my most favorite on the list. What can I say? I love Rocky Road!!!!

Source: bystephanielynn.com via Emilee on Pinterest

See a compilation of 40 more Crock Pot Desserts and Candy Recipes at Stephanie Lynn's blog

Under The Table and Dreaming

This page is so going to my Window's bookmark.

2011/10/29

Changes

That's right!

There's gonna be some changes around here.

Can you guess it yet?

I am so excited to show-off my new blog button created by Cindy of Whimsical Musings


Blog Button

When it comes to blog buttons or header, I think there's no one else can do it better than Cindy! You have seen me do some graphic designing, But honestly I rather trust my blog button to the hands of a pro. I have seen her creations and I loved every single one of them!

Besides as a very talented mixed media artist with a keen eye for good art and turning something shabby to something fabulous, this wonderful woman is a very creative writer and has become a very treasured friend of mine. She is one of the reasons why I keep blogging :)

Check-out her newest creation of header and button for Sue of Scrumplescrunch!

Her button for her up-coming Victorian Christmas. Doesn't it look elegant?

So if you need a header or a button, pay her a visit if you need to see more of her designs or just simply say hi!

2011/10/28

French Friday #5

Hello everyone!

I might be late to post this but technically not too late for my French Friday.

I started this design this morning. But since my brother-in-law came today all the way from Quincy IL to visit us, so I had to set this aside until tonight to finish it, while we have a fun-day with my beloved brother-in-law! We took him mini golfing, go cart, and laser tag.

Do not be distracted, but I was aiming for those cute mini town!!

As you can see we are having so much fun. We get along together so well. But don't worry. No brother-in-law harmed during the photo shoot

For my French Friday, I want to present to you my newest wall art design, inspired by a French recipe called Coq au Vin.

I saw this gorgeous colorful rooster and decorative french frame at Graphics Fairy (awesome link by the way). I thought would be perfect for this concept!

I used the same color I used with my Herbes de Provence design. The text you see at the background is the recipe for Coq au vin.

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

a tout a l'heure

Linking to:

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Brag Monday @ Graphics Fairy

Tuesday Tent @ Under The Table and Dreaming

Whatever Wednesday @ Momma Hen's Coop

Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts

2011/10/27

When In Rome

What determines the value of art? The amount of hard work put

into it? The cost medium used? Or by name of a well known artist?

Or could it be rich story behind it that brings an art into life to

moving pictures inside our heads. It enables

mind to imagine and somehow inspires us to create our own

masterpiece. Perhaps write a story of a father and son getting to

know each other for the first time

or a story of a celebration 25 years of overcoming hardships of

marriage in an open air cafe in Rome.

***

I combined two of my photos to create the image I want using GIMP. This is how I remember walking on the streets of Rome

This is an actual scene, actual people from two photos I took on our trip to Rome.

I can't wait till I can print this one day for our home. It plays a very significant memory of our stay in Rome.