New Bench for a New Season

For the past couple of months I've been telling myself that spring is definitely coming, hoping to sound convincing enough to talk myself off the ledge from booking a last minute trip to Florida :).  This winter-- for all of us, it seems-- has been long and cold and wet, and any excitement over more snow or snow days has long since faded.  But now, here in Louisville there is a hint of hope that temperatures will rise, the birds will return and things will actually start blooming again-- and I couldn't be more thrilled!  I have to confess, I have been in serious hibernation mode for ages, and the cold and snow and dark days have done a number on my motivation to do pretty much anything except stay warm and stay home.  

But now that spring is in the air (if not yet showing much on the trees), I'm getting excited about projects and decorating and yard work all over again!  

Remember all of those new plants we installed this fall?  Soon we'll start to see the back yard come to life and begin to bloom.  Aaaaaahhhh-- I can't wait for all of those hydrangeas and roses!!  I feel like a kid who can't sleep the night before Christmas:)  We are already enjoying the warmer weather and sunshine, especially since this new garden bench arrived and has given me a new favorite spot to read and relax for a few minutes every day.

Happy (almost) spring!

xo

Liza

The Parisian Dream

I have just returned from Paris and could not be more in love with a city. I was only there for just a brief weekend, but am sure it was love at first sight. 

"Paris is a seminar, a post-graduate, a course in everything."

-James Thurber 1918

When I am traveling to a new city I have two goals in mind, GO LOCAL & BE A TOURIST. When my dear friend Jane offered me a chance of a lifetime (a weekend getaway in Paris), I knew right away there were two things I wanted to hit: the Paris Fleas (local) & The Louvre (tourist). 

FIND OUT WHAT I DISCOVERED.......

At the top of our agenda was to hit the Fleas, Paris' most famous flea market, on Saturday morning. Thankfully Jane is a fabulous travel companion and had already mapped out our destination, MARCHE BIRON. 

I say, if you want to know the locals of any city head to the local flea market. There you will discover their past and culture treasures. Paris' version offered us vintage fabrics, clothing, furniture, and jewelry. I was so impressed and was wishing I had the entire weekend to shop this place. 

 Jane discovered some new vintage fabrics for here little ones.

 For the love of chairs, there were so many to choose from. I was wishing I could just throw a few in my suitcase.

 ODDS & ENDS

I love finding quirky, cultural buys, too. I bought a few things in this stall and thought to myself, this is so Brooklyn. 

LIGHTING & REFLECTIONS

The French know how to guild ANYTHING, especially mirrors. I loved window shopping and taking photos for inspiration. 

I don't know much about the history of lighting, but what I do know is I have been mistaken to think that Americans have the market on vintage industrial lighting. Restoration Hardware, eat your heart out. Could you just die? And that wall paper?!!!!

DON'T FORGET TO EAT

My goal in terms of food was to partake in as many parisian sandwiches, pastries, and cafe creme.  I also didn't want Jane to pass out, since she is pregnant. So, we were sure to stop for crepes and any other tasty delights along the way. 

Mil Besos, 

M

A Birthday Wish......

Hello Monday!

I thought I would share a few more birthday details with you all today. Henry's birthday was so much fun to pull together, once I knew what theme we were going for. Like I have said in the past, I usually build the party around the invitation's design, and since our elephants had such a vintage circus look to them, I knew to head in that direction.

I don't know if I shared with you all, but I accidentally ordered too many birthday invitations. I was kicking myself for making such a silly error, but then it occurred to me to use the extra invitations as decoration.  A friend helped me cut out the extra elephants, and I used them as cake toppers and banners throughout the house. This little mistake tied our theme together!

A FEW MORE DETAILS.......

GOODIE BAGS

TABLE SETTINGS

Happy Monday!!

Mel