Homesick or My Other Love

I am a wholehearted believer that everything happens for a reason, but I often think that the universe made a small mistake in the course of my life.  My parents met, got married, had two beautiful children and then one night in Paris, they made me.  Everything was pretty much right up until the day I was born in Lima, Ohio - the armpit of the universe. 
You see, I'm positive I was supposed to be born in some French hospital in Provence or Burgundy to two wealthy American ex pats who had escaped to France to lead a simpler life, buying a modest chateau to raise their three children.  I was to attend French schools, summer in Brittany and speak English only with my father, whose eyes would glaze over everytime an all French conversation ensued.
Since I left France in June of 2009, I haven't stopped missing it.  I regret nothing and am grateful for everything.  I have a charmed life, a wonderful family and more than I will ever need, but sometimes when the five o'clock sun hits my face just right or the sky is particularly blue, I think of other days.  French days.  I think of weaving through the hills along the Cote d'Azur.  I think of the long walk home from school, perfect for talking or saying nothing at all.  I think of the people I met, the food I ate and the soundtrack of my French life.  I think of those things and my heart hurts just a little.

The view from the balcony in my room

Floats at Nice's Carnival

Mount St. Victoire behind the house I always tried to paint

On the way home from class

Mimosas at the flower market

Retro Charm

No matter how hard I try, I can't stop loving retro.  My roommate (aka husband to be) loathes the stuff and I've attempted to kick the habit, but it won't go away.  So in keeping with my New Year's resolution, I am going to celebrate my tastes and preferences, no matter how inconvenient they may be.  I think you would all agree that these rooms just wouldn't be as good without a little retro charm.

Image DesignSponge

Image DesignSponge

Image DesignSponge

Image Domino Magazine via http://www.marligrace.blogspot.com/

Image courtesy DesignSponge

                     Image courtesy Lonny Magazine

                            Image courtesy Elle Decor

Image Domino Magazine via Decorology

Image courtesy Elle Decor

Image courtesy House Beautiful





                         Image courtesy Lonny Magazine

                             Image Domino Magazine

Image Domino Magazine



Mmm... Madeleines

Attention fellow foodies, home cooks, gourmands, and food enthusiasts:  Run, don't walk to pick up your copy of Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan.  Perhaps I am late to discover this gem of a cookbook, but I am just thankful I discovered it at all (Thanks, Mom).  It is absolutely fabulous.  I am literally going to work my way through it one mouthwatering recipe at a time.  Today, I made the Classic Madeleines and oh mylanta.  I take a bite, close my eyes, and pretend I am still in Provence.  Mmm.

Classic Madeleines

"These are the madeleines you find in just about every pastry shop throughout France.  To make 12 large or 36 mini madeleines, whisk together 2/3 cup flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, and a pinch of salt.  Put 1/2 cup sugar and the finely grated zest of 1 lemon in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl and use your fingers to rub them together until the sugar is moist and fragrant.  Add 2 large eggs to the bowl and beat, using the whisk attachment or a hand mixer or whisk, for 2 minutes, or until the batter is light colored, fluffy and thick.  Beat in 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, then, using a rubber spatula, fold in the dry ingredients followed by 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) melted and cooled unsalted butter... You can use the batter now, but it's better if you give it a little rest.  Or, for real convenience, you can spoon the batter into buttered-and-floured madeleine molds, cover, and chill, then bake the cookies directly from the fridge.  In either case, press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface of the batter and refrigerate for at least three hours or overnight.  

When you're ready to bake, center the rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 400F... Bake large madeleines for 11 to 13 minutes, minis for 8 to 10 minutes... Just before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar.



Follow the fascinating Dorie Greenspan through all of her delicious French adventures at http://www.doriegreenspan.com/

Forty Dollar Kitchen Makeover

I was going to wait to do this post because I just did a before and after, but I just got too antsy!  As you know, we are in the midst of "redoing" our home.  The kitchen is one area that is constantly bugging me, mostly because I spend more time there than anywhere else.  This past weekend, on our DIY binge, we were visiting our local Lowe's store and decided to pick up a can of countertop paint.  We had talked about this before, but never got around to doing it and since we're going to replace the coutertops anyway, we thought, What do we have to lose?  So we went for it and I am personally loving the results! 

BEFORE

AFTER

I removed the cabinet doors, which was obviously free.  The paint was $20.97, the brushes, etc. were about $10.00 and we bought a can of spray paint for the knobs, which was about $5.00, so it's actually a $35.00 kitchen makeover, but forty sounded better.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

I love me a good before and after and I have a whole mess of befores in my possession, but not so many afters.  Well, we started the new year off right this weekend and decided to finish up a lot of projects that have been in limbo.  So now, for your viewing pleasure, our first before and after.  Enjoy.

Before

I picked up these little fellas at a local estate sale this summer.

I snagged this lovely lady at Goodwill for 40 smackers.

After

Not quite ready for a spread in House Beautiful, but it's a nice little spot in our bedroom for reading and enjoying some tea. 



The Color White

No matter how beautiful and tempting colors and prints are, I always take sweet solace in the color white.  There is something so warm and enveloping about a color that could seem so cold.  Call it a passing craze, but lately I long for all of my rooms to be covered in a sea of white.

         Image courtesy Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell

Image courtesy Lonny Magazine

Image courtesy Lonny Magazine

Image courtesy Lonny Magazine

       Image courtesy Classic House Interior Decoration

Image courtesy Country Living

Image courtesy Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell

                                   Source unknown

                                 Source unknown

Image courtesy ELLE Decor

Image courtesy Lonny Magazine

                     Image courtesy Lonny Magazine

                                   Source unknown

Image courtesy RUE Magazine

Image courtesy RUE Magazine

Image courtesy RUE Magazine

Source unknown