Floral | From the Garden

Pluck stems of blossoms from the garden and place them in jars/vases, clump them together to create a beautiful natural impact on your table top. The best part, it's free! 

Sources:
Beautiful blue dress via here
Flowers in mason jars here
Flowers at differing heights via here

Inspiration | Outdoor Wedding Invitation

There is something so modern and completely beautiful about these invitations. The look feels warm, tactile and therefore very welcoming. They're "crafty" but sophisticated best suited for an outdoor wedding. Which one is your favorite?

Sources:
Transparent Envelope Design via here
French Garden Party Wedding here
Woodland Wedding here
Hazel Wonderland here

Shop | White Swimsuit Cover-Ups

Are you looking for a classic swimsuit cover-up? Anyone of these would offer you a chic cover-up option for years to come. Shop all three on Matchesfashion.com 

Petite lotus sweetheart maxi dress 

Vix cut-out linen kaftan

Tes gauze maxi dress

Make | Carmelized Onion & Goat Cheese Tart

Sometimes (often), one (me) is very much lost in the French language. I'm trying to grasp this complicated language and this effort I've been told is slowly showing signs of improvement. But there are many moments here in France when I slip up. For example, when it's your turn to order your fruit and veg at the local farmers market and there is a huge line-up behind you waiting in the rain, you may fumble with your words. You may ask for 12 onions instead of the 2 you were originally interested in. I walked home the proud owner of a dozen onions. Time for an onion tart! 

Recipe here.
I've made a couple of changes to this recipe:
*I added green olives (about 12 sliced).
*I also used a roll of goat cheese, sliced pieces and placed them on top. Make sure each slice gets a piece of cheese.

Shop Accessories | Nature Rocks

It's hard not to admire the beauty of nature and its ability to create the most stunning artifacts. 

AW13 photographer Darroch Putnam

From left hand side top:

1) Rough Cut Aquamarine Earrings 

2) Blue Agate Ring by LMV

3) Earth & Ore Cocktail Ring by Adina Mills 

4) Earth & Ore Cocktail Ring by Adina Mills 

Have a Great Weekend

Hello lovelies,
How was your week? Mine was full of appointments and last minute chores before I depart for Canada next week. It's amazing how many details and appointments are involved in having a baby.
We're off to Paris this weekend for a short break. We've booked our stay at a different hotel to switch things up a little. You can check it out here.

Here are some links to kick off your weekend:

Check out some amazing guacamole recipes for Cinco de Mayo

These beach towels are so cool

A snail costume you can make at home for your little one that will melt your heart

I made this chocolate cake recipe for Marc-Antoine's birthday this week. It was so yummy and moist!

Have you watched "The Story of Stuff" it is worth a watch!

Create the perfect looking picnic basket

Shop tote from image here

Look | Clean & Simple Lines

Keep it simple, keep it chic 

Simple clothing silhouettes hanging and photography display via here 

Carrot water and others by him

Merci notebook, shop Merci, Paris here

Gabriela Artigas Rose Knot Cuff

Ovo High Chair by CuldeSac

Rosy-Cheeked Coupes 

"Wire Elephant" by Alexander Calder 

Ten Awesome Things #3

(1) This woman because she looks effortless chic and stylish (2) Muller Van Severen, brass and marble bookshelf (3) Murano Glass Light (4) Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date (5) A hammock at Hacinda Uayamon, Yucatan (6) Black Dolce & Gabbana Classic 50's Swimsuit (7) Thonet, 20th Century Rocking Chair for my nursery (8) Mango Wood Bread Boards (9) Black Tea Scarf (10) Cushion Gradient 

Decorating | Vintage Inspired Wall Decals for The Nursery

I've noticed that many parents are using wall decals in the nursery and therefore it is very much a growing market. I find them pretty ugly (sorry to be frank). Poorly executed and often lacking a touch of creative wisdom. Until I clicked on Love Mae, the cutest wall decals I've ever seen. I love the "wild" girls and their different outfits, or the horses breaking-free from the carousal, or the pirate ship with attacking octopus. Are you using wall decals in your nursery? If your not, would you consider using them? I could be swayed by Love Mae. 

Make | Inspirational DIY Outfits

A Pair & a Spare is a wonderful D.I.Y blog and not your regular crafty-crunchy one either. She makes the most amazing things with existent pieces of  clothing-- I mean cool right?! Check out her blog for more inspirational projects. She makes me want to sew! 

Make | Spinach & Cheddar Muffins

Hungry? These Spinach and Cheddar Muffins are oh-so-good and easy to make. The recipe made a dozen, enough to share with a few people and keep for my lunches. These little guys make the perfect accompany to a big bowl of soup. 

Recipe is from Food Beam

Shopping | Milapinou Paris

"A touch of vintage, with the hippy spirit of the 60's and 70's.  A romantic blend of Renaissance and Woodstock. This is Milapinou."--website

I would like to share some serene images from Milapinou Paris Spring Summer 2013 Lookbook. Designs are created by a young mother for baby and mom's-to-be. 

Shopping | A Little Girl's Tutu

As a little girl I always dreamt of being a ballerina, well that and a vet. Any one of these pieces would have made me melt. How beautiful is the clothing from Tu Tu Monde? Sparkly and fabulous creations for your little girl. If she dreams of tulle and tons of sparkles then one of these pieces could be your next purchase for her.  

Make | Simple Rhubarb Stew & Gâteau au Miel

Last Sunday we went to Marc-Antoine's parent's cabin, about a 45 minute drive outside of Strasbourg. I actually had asked for the invite via Marc-Antoine -- I missed being amongst the trees. The cabin is a simple place and feels very serene. We enjoyed a fabulous lunch prepared by his father and then went for a two hour walk in the forest. You can see some of those photos on my instagram. As a token of my appreciation I made a Simple Rhubarb Stew and a Gâteau au Miel for dessert. 

6 month bump

The honey and rhubarb were purchased from local vendors at the farmers market. 

I wrapped everything up in kraft paper (my fav) and filled a re-purposed jam jar with the simple rhubarb, we then hit the road. 

Baked Rhubarb Recipe 

Cook Time: 30mins | Total TIme: 30mins 

Ingredients:

- 1 cup of sugar

- 1/2 cup of water 

- 1pound of rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces, about 3 cups 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a saucepan combine sugar and water, stirring until sugar is dissolved. 

Place rhubarb in a baking dish; pour syrup over rhubarb. 

Cover dish and bake for 30 minutes.

Chill and serve with what you desire.