Hello, Friends. Can you believe we are saying goodbye to September already? I really like September, and I might be more sad to see it go, but October is great too! This weekend, we are thinking about driving to Giverny to see Monet’s Gardens. I hope there are still some flowers in bloom. I’m sure it will be lovely either way. What are your plans?
I hope you have a marvelous weekend! I’ll meet you back here on Monday. I miss you already.
kisses,
Gabrielle
P.S. — I think I’ve shared the image at top before (taken by Paul), but I saw it again today and had to repost. I am still amazed we get to live where we do. Feeling blessed!
On my mind right now: Altitude Design Summit. I love it! Alt Summit might be my favorite event of the year. Because it’s my people! My favorite design and lifestyle bloggers, gathered together to talk about all things social media. Have you been? Are you coming this year?
If you’re serious about a career in design or lifestyle blogging, it is THE place to be. Classes cover everything you need to know — building a website, photoshop, blogging etiquette, FTC guidelines, securing sponsorships, weaving your personality and “personal brand” into your blog posts. Best of all, you’ll meet the coolest people! In fact, some of the best collaborations I’ve seen have come from friendships formed at Alt Summit.
Alt is Awesome. I think you should totally get your ticket today. Because it’s the last day for early-bird pricing and once again, it looks like the conference is going to sell out. Go for it!
P.S. — I’m responsible for the content (including panel topics and speakers) at Alt Summit. With over 500 applicants this year, it’s a great big satisfying job!
There’s an unmistakable chill in the air in these parts, which means sweaters and cider and scarves. It also means tights season is now upon us, which excites me almost as much as late-afternoon hot cocoa breaks. Almost!
I’ve always been a fan of tights, from cable-knit to colorful opaques to just plain black; I must have dozens. But what are your thoughts on layering tights? I’m thinking of pairing some of my bright opaques with a sheer textured pair over them. Like this.
Today’s 2nd giveaway is sponsored by Pop & Lolli. They’re offering a $150 gift certificate!
Pop & Lolli creates giant wall stickers with such a big impact! Made in the USA, they’re removable, reusable and reposition-able. This week, they’re launching four new lines: Ahoy Matey!, Build-A-Bot, Fanciful Fishies, and Circus Train. I think these would be fun in a kid’s bedroom, or play room, or even a classroom.
To enter, visit Pop & Lolli, and leave a comment below. The lucky winner will be announced on Monday. Good luck!
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Melissa Ph is the lucky winner. Thanks for playing!
I’ve got two excellent giveaways for you today! The first is sponsored by Modern Mural. They’re offering Two Rectangle Canvases (size: 34” x 18”) with your choice of images printed on them. They’re worth $196!
Modern Mural has an huge library of gorgeous images. You can have them printed on one big canvas. Or have the image split up and printed across 3 or 4 canvases. Won’t it be fun to browse their catalog and pick out images for your prize? I’m loving this image and this image and this image.
To enter, visit Modern Mural and leave a comment below. The winner will be announced on Monday. Good luck!
It’s pear season at La Cressonnière, and I can’t wait to make these caramel pears for some of our friends and neighbors. I’m always on the lookout for simple, homemade, and epically delicious gifts to share on a whim with those I like an awful lot. Just because are two of my favorite words together.
Do you have a go-to foodie gift that makes you feel like a rockstar giver? I’ve made these a few times; they’re adorably tiny and sweet to package up, melt-in-your-mouth treasures that will make everyone in any room a little happier. I promise.
I must warn you that every single post and photo on this brilliant blog is edible and positively irresistible. You will gain three pounds just by reading it.
I read this article by Mindy Kaling for the New Yorker today (I saw it being passed around on Twitter) and couldn’t stop laughing! It’s about female stereotypes in Hollywood. One of my favorite lines is the last one:
“There are, like, nine people in the entire world who are architects, and one of them is my dad. None of them look like Patrick Dempsey.”
It makes me excited for her book. Did you read the article? Are there any stereotypes she missed?
To my expectant friends, have you heard of Asos Maternity? I just found out about them. So many cute choices! I love that stripey tee — if I was pregnant I would want to wear it every day.
P.S. — How do you feel about wearing stripes on your belly? I wore them here.
I reached out to Blair of the wonderful wise craft blog almost immediately after seeing her home featured on Apartment Therapy. I must have scrolled through her tour three times. It wasn’t just the artwork she’d chosen or the colors she’d painted the walls or how she had arranged the furniture that impressed me; it was the sheer thoughtfulness of it all. I’ve always believed that our homes and everything we’ve chosen to put in them and keep around us are often the truest reflections of our personalities. After a week of generous and kind emails from Blair, I can tell you that thoughtful doesn’t even begin to cover it.
She and her husband, Peter, along with their two children and a beloved cat named Gracie, have made an artful home in Seattle, Washington, in between running a brand consulting agency, creating a line of chocolate bars with flavors like Savory Ramen and Apple Pie and Graham, and being…artists!
Enjoy the tour. You’re going to fall in love with Blair and her home, too. I just know it.
I’ve watched this clip more times than I care to admit. Each time, my eyes well up, my heart skips a beat or two, and a flood of memories rush back to me.
If you closed your eyes right now and thought of your favorite memory, what would it be? I’d love to hear about it. Just promise you won’t make me cry!
I’ve never been one to live in the past, but this was pretty wonderful, wasn’t it? Kisses to Refinery 29 for making my day. And if you’re interested in similar videos, I found a few here asking New Yorkers, Louisianians, and Londoners where they’d like to wake up tomorrow and what they wish will happen by the end of the day. So brilliant.
Here’s a beautiful new book to add to your list. It’s called A Zeal of Zebras and it was created by the talented folks at Woop Studios. The book takes you from A to Z with “collective nouns” for different animals — an embarrassment of pandas, a troubling of goldfish, a kaleidoscope of butterflies — [...]
When my friend Emily was visiting last week, she taught Maude and Olive how to make hollyhock dolls. Such an adorable little craft! They would be fun to make at a birthday party with a fairy or woodland theme, and they’re perfect for a low-key Sunday afternoon. Emily’s mother is a naturalist and an artist. [...]
On Friday, a big thick issue of Little One Magazine came in the mail — all the way from Australia! It’s a gorgeous publication, and printed on such luxurious paperstock. I spent Saturday afternoon reading the clever ideas and taking inspiration from Aussie kids fashion. If you have access to Australian publications, you can find [...]
Image by Fresh Vintage. Hello, Friends! I’m not sure what it is, maybe the change of seasons, but my mind has been racing all week with new ideas and projects and plans. It feels like my body is connected to some sort of adrenaline drip. A few minutes ago, I even stepped away from my [...]
Question: My dining room is newly painted, new table and chairs, but nothing on the walls… because of the busy pattern and unusual shades of green in the dining room chairs (which I LOVE). I’m at a complete loss for what to use as wall decor. If you have any suggestions, I would be thrilled [...]
Do you polish your finger nails? I don’t. While my toes are always painted, my nails never are. My hands are too busy, and the longest period of time I’ve been able to keep polish on and unchipped is just under two minutes. Even so, it’s one of the first things I notice about other [...]
I’m so happy about today’s giveaway! Paloma’s Nest is the sponsor and they’re offering an heirloom chair from their gorgeous new Menagerie Collection. Such a neat collection! It includes child-size tables and chairs — handcrafted in the Paloma’s Nest studios. There are 4 different chair shapes available: giraffe, gorilla, rhino and elephant. If you win, [...]
Did you see these paper teacups by Ann Wood? I think they’re wonderful to look at. She shares the template and tutorial here. I suppose they’re meant to be purely decorative, but I would probably end up storing tiny earrings or kid treasures (like pretty pebbles) inside. Do you ever make things just because they’re [...]
Our big news of the day: Maude’s braces are off! She said her teeth feel big and slimy and she can’t stop running her tongue over them. Do you remember that feeling? P.S. — For those of you who are curious, Ralph’s will come off in November. Share and Enjoy:
Every time I pop into a flea market or antique shop, I’m tempted to buy old suitcases. It must be the “Ooh! What’s inside?” reaction I get whenever I see one used cleverly, from craft cases to nightstands and whimsical party decor. While browsing through Pinterest boards last week, I spotted this medicine cabinet case. [...]
My name is Gabrielle Blair. I'm a designer and mother of six (our new addition was born last May). We are spending a year abroad in France. I post on where design and motherhood intersect.
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Here's something fun. Our family was featured in an episode of House Hunters International! Spoiler: we choose the gorgeous French Farmhouse. It's called La Cressonnière and we take pictures of it all the time. If you're curious, try these links:
