Monday, June 10, 2013

Cupcakes, Clipshades and Caribbean Style!


Hello everyone! I hope you all have had a great week-end!  Here in Australia we have had the Queen's Birthday holiday today so have actually had a lovely long week-end!  Something I could get used to!  Anyway, my week-end has been very full starting with Andrew taking me to the movies on Friday to see "The Great Gatsby"... we loved it!


Then on Saturday Georgiana and I baked cupcakes and boxed them up in some of my Laduree boxes and delivered them to my mum and dad!  We wrapped the boxes with cream ribbon and popped a little orchid in the top!  


There is nothing like the smell of freshly baked cakes ...


we used these gorgeous Martha Stewart cupcake holders and they had a cute little scalloped edge to them. We used a French raspberry jam in the hollow and then whipped cream with vanilla and dusted icing sugar ...





I also did some with Persian fairy floss and a little piece of dried rose petal on the top ...


Unfortunately I didn't make the macarons but they did look lovely next to my cupcakes...


I have been very busy with work and am just about finished this home study office for a lovely client.  Using the Imperial Trellis wallpaper in aqua, white bamboo desk and shutters .... it gives it a very fresh feel.  








I also used these antique lithographs that I found about 10 years ago at the Sydney Antique Centre and have always wanted to use them.  So I put them in a floating glass frame with white bamboo and love that it gives the antique lithograph a fresh twist to go with our Caribbean theme.


I am also thrilled that my clipshades for our bedroom chandelier have arrived and I am so happy with them .... 





more of the office ... have you ever used the Imperial Trellis ... I know it has been used quite a lot in America and I have always loved it!  I am keen to use the silver one as well.  Anyway, my last picture is of a gorgeous house with pink paint in the alcoves which is delicious!  I think this image came from Judy at Verandah House Interiors ... thanks Judy love it.  On Sunday I actually caught up with some work and then we had a dance dinner for Georgiana's dance school so it was lovely to relax and catch up with people without madly running around trying to sew sequins on or fix tiaras!


now it is Monday afternoon and even though we are in winter it is so lovely ... we have cold nights but pretty much the days are beautiful with blue skies and sunshine.  That is traditionally the type of winters we get here in the Tropic of Capricorn although we have had more rain this winter since 1908!  I think that is it for this post and am now contemplating dinner ..... I think a good Italian spaghetti bolognaise sounds good.  I cooked beef stroganoff on Saturday night with ribbon pasta and it was perfect for a winter's night.  Have a lovely week everyone!

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Monday, June 3, 2013

Carolyn Quartermaine


I can never get enough of Carolyn Quartermaine' fabrics and her art and design work!  Perfect for a Monday ....





The use of flowers antiques and chandeliers on a white background is so beautiful ..



This is a chair I upholstered in the pink Irish linen script fabric and played around with the orange signature script for a 
photoshoot ... 


delicate placement of the flowers on the china ... 


This is one of my favourite images of Carolyn's work ...


My Louis Script ...


These interiors are of a beautiful hotel in France and it reminds me a great deal of Caroyn's work ... 




Gorgeous Louis 16th style chairs in script ... 
have a wonderful week ...

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Pretty!



I have decided that I will save my "N" "C" and "E" posts for next years party at Anita's!  I have been so busy so it will have to wait till next year! These gorgeous confections are divine and so beautiful ... the attention to
detail is exquisite!



I think these divine pieces come from a Laduree Sweet Table blog .. I am still trying to track it down because I love these images!




a little snippet of Suzanne Kasler's work .... love the abstract!


this chair has such elegant lines ...


the interior of the stunning Louis 15th Alain Ducasse restaurant at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo ....


we could eat some gorgeous confections here 



I love this dressing table ... another of Suzanne Kasler ... the mirrors , the chandelier, the champagne drapes .... gorgeous!  I am off to see a lovely client so will be back later!









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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Simply Irresistible ~ "A" ~ Arc de Triomphe!




"A" ~ ARC de TRIOMPHE ~ I am so late with this post for the party but as I always say "better late than never"!  Today we are strolling along the fabulous Champs-Elysees so come with me as there is so much to see.  The Arc de Triomphe dates back to 1806 and is neoclassicism at its finest.  The architect was Jean Chalgrin and it was built in honour of those who fought for France especially during the Napoleonic Wars. It truly is breathtaking to see it in all its grandeur! 


but I also have a little surprise for you..... you know how exhausting it is walking the Champs-Elysees... as fun and wonderful as it is .... you sometimes need a respite!


so as a treat I have booked us into the Hotel George V on Avenue George V.  It is just a stroll off the Champs-Elysees and is just heaven!  Our France party must have a stay at a luxury hotel on the agenda so I have booked for everyone!  Isn't the ceiling in the foyer gorgeous and there are little sweet treats for you when you arrive in your room...



these stunning arrangements fill the centre of the foyer so as we walk in we feel like we have entered a sanctuary!



after you have all freshened up I have ordered drinks to be served here in the courtyard under the most divine purple and white stripe tent I have ever seen!  It is a Manuel Canovas fabric and is just perfect teamed with the black!


chandelier of course and Alex is pouring the drinks ....


Andrew and I are waiting for you and it is just so beautiful ..... dinner will be perfect!





 cheers and bon appetit from my boys!


now get a good night sleep as tomorrow is going to be HUGE but I won't tell because I don't want to spoil the surprise! 


bon nuit


and a little present from me from the florist across the street ~ "au nom de la rose"
Make sure to link back to our host Anita at wwwcastlescrownscottages.blogspot.com
for more wonderful French posts!

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Monday, May 20, 2013

Simply Irresistible "R" ~ Royalty!


One of the most controversial queens in history Marie Antoinette. Of Austrian birth she left her homeland to become the child bride ....


In 1770 she married Louis Auguste who would become Louis the 16th and she the Queen of France ....


this time was the last of the royal reign of kings in France for revolution was brewing 


Marie Antoinette's Coat of Arms!


Versailles which started out as a hunting lodge under Louis 13th became the central seat of power in France.  Louis the 14th known as the Sun King created a palace of extraordinary proportions. We must meet here for drinks before dinner ... the sunsets are spectacular!


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Sunday, May 19, 2013

France ~ Simply Irresistible ~ Join the Party!



FRANCE ..... Firstly, I want to thank the gorgeous Anita for hosting this fantastic party!  France ~ Simply Irresistible!  Secondly, I want to apologize for my late arrival!  I have had huge problems with blogger so have been held up so I am arriving fashionably late! So pass me a glass of champagne and get this party started!!!!!!
For my week of France I am taking each letter each day and creating my idea of my French Paradise!
So today is "F" for Fashion!!!! 


For me France is the capital of the fashion world and is absolutely the grand dame of everything that is beautiful, creative, elegant and whimsical!!!!


I have a love of everything Chanel!  I can't help myself starting right from the one and only Coco Chanel .... her amazing life and how she came to be the head of such an extraordinary dynasty .... her story is so inspirational ..... and her legacy enduring!


The pink quilted chanel bag .... iconic ...


The Marie Antoinette inspired collection that was filmed at Versailles .... gorgeous,  frothy confections the colours of mint green, duck egg blue and shell pink .... heaven!


Karl Lagerfeld's genius is extraordinary ..... French Fashion is Exquisite!


so come for a walk with me through my France this week ...


we will have a wonderful time and don't forget to put on your best coat and maybe bring some bathers as we will be heading south to the riviera of course .....


This bag is a must to bring but could I borrow it perhaps!



so close your eyes .....


and we will escape to ....


MY FRENCH PARADISE


this is just the beginning and I have so much more to show you so we can dream together and live the magic of France!
images ~ pinterest, chanel, dior, perrier jouet


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