Rappelez-vous ces derniers ? ? ?

Do you remember the "Kitty-Cat Klocks" back in the day?? They were those adorable black and white clocks where the eyes and tail of the cat moved every time the clock tick-tocked.

Well, I happened to come across a reproduction!! Lucky me, huh?

I have always dreamed of creating my own retro-meets-vintage '50s style kitchen, formica table and all. I think this will be a great addition, don't you??

Un Petit Oiseau m'a par le passé indiqué...

I created this windchime one afternoon in an art class I had taken last summer. It had been a white canvas for awhile, until I decided over the weekend to gather my ribbons, decals, and glitz and turn it from something drab into something fab. The birds have been adorned with pearls, vintage buttons, and inspirational sayings, and at the top of the wind chime lies a little nest. Since birds are a favourite in our house, this was a real crowd pleaser!!

Bijoux De Cru

Living in a small town has a lot of perks....one being tiny little shops around the corner. Forget about the big shopping malls and department stores...you will fall in love with the European flair these family owned shops offer.

When my mum and I do our weekly Sunday afternoon shopping downtown, we are sure to stop in to at least one of our favourite vintage jewellery stores to see what latest items the owners have purchased on their travels.

I may not have been around the world (at least not yet), but my jewellery has, and it tells of many travels. While I love my vintage costume jewellery, I also love my red carpet worthy jewels...this includes my Chanel bracelet and Vera Wang diamond studded rose bracelet and matching ring. I love the uniqueness of these pieces from eras I would have loved to have lived in (and some I think I have!)

Displayed on a French vintage envelope and key rack I purchased at a local shop, my jewellery waits patiently to be shown off on its night on the town!

Quelques Petites Choses Plus jolies...

Since my last post, I have had my eyes glued to these two stunning books my mum gave me on my birthday. The collage jewellery in "Pretty Little Things" and the crafty hobbies in "The Artful Spirit" are so beautiful and inspiring.

Je ne suis pas en ligne commencer à créer quelques jolies petites choses !

Joyeux anniversaire à moi !

Today is my birthday! I woke up this morning to balloons hanging from the chandelier in my bedroom, presents, and a birthday breakfast...I've been admiring the bracelet on my wrist and the necklace around my neck all day...not to mention my beautiful altered art gifts and orange roses! Then came home to one of my favourite meals prepared by my mum and chocolate cake to seal the deal. A wonderful birthday spent at home with family filled with love, laughter, stories and memories to treasure....what more could a birthday gal ask for?

Mon "pour faire" la liste à Paris

The city of Paris has a certain je ne sais pas...it has always inspired me. This is my list of the Top 10 things to do in Paris:

1.) Admirez la grace et l'élégance du Tour Eiffel

2.) Visitez une boulangerie et appréciez les croissants français de délicatesses...croissants, bagettes...

3.) Marchez par les marchés en plein air, des marchés aux puces, des musées et des objets exposés d'art

4.) Passez les heures dans un vieux magasin antique de livre

5.) Voyagez la ville par l'intermédiaire du bateau, du train, du pied, et de la voiture !

6.) Folie chez Chanel et Dior

7.) Jetez les penny de cuivre brillants dans une fontaine comme le jour de Doris Day en 'Avril à Paris

8.) Achetez un béret et jetez-le dans le ciel comme Mary Tyler Moore

9.) Marchez sur des rues de caillou

10.) Regardez fixement la tour d'Eiffel comme elle est allumée la nuit !

Quel est votre "pour faire" la liste à Paris ?

Journal De Découverte

Last summer, my mum and I worked on our "Discovery Journals", and managed to finish the entire book during a warm afternoon spent outside in our garden patio. Surrounded by baskets of magazines, stamps, vintage photos and postcards, we let our imaginations run wild. Occasionally, we went inside for lemonade and sandwiches...but aside from that, we never left our "work station". By the time the sun had set, we had created a visual autobiography of our authentic selves. We had explored our authentic style, spiritual journal, dream vacations, dream gardens and the last edition, "Someday"...

Que rêvez-vous de faire un jour ?

Aimez-Moi, Aimez Mon Chien

Mon petit chien - un battement de coeur à mes pieds

~Edith Wharton

Beautés Oranges

Gardening has always been a favourite past-time. As a child, I can remember spending every morning, noon, and night out in our garden planting flowers and tending to our vegetable garden. I always anticipated the evening, when my brother and I were able to pick our favourite vegetables and then watch our mum craft them into a delicious dinner.

I am counting down the days until I can begin gardening my favourite plants...tulips, sunflowers, pansies, snapdragons, lilies, cosmos...and vegetables...green beans, beets, brussel sprouts...

In the meantime, I decided to pick myself up a dozen of these orange beauties. They remind me not only of the richness of our gardens, but of the richness of my wonderful childhood.

Ange De Neige

The snow has been falling here all morning, but that doesn't deter Ben from wanting his walk to the park. Luckily for us, he is use to the camera and stopped to 'strike a pose'! Doesn't he look like a little Snow Angel?

Êtes-vous un chocoholic ?

Hello, my name is Kate…and I’m a chocoholic! I don’t know about you, but I love chocolate…I even dream in chocolate. Yesterday while I was running some errands, I stopped in to my favourite chocolate store and picked up a few items I was in dire need of….milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate with caramel, pecans, hazelnuts, coffee flavoured, marzipan-rum, vanilla truffle centre…ahh the selection! So, the next time you walk by a chocolate shop, stop in a say hi to an old friend…chocolate never disappoints!

P.S.- Can you tell I got a bit hungry? Hey, blogging is hard work!

Petites Choses Françaises

If you're a regular vistor to my mum's blog, you will already know that we are avid garage-salers...in fact, we're known as the "Garage Sale Queens" in our neighbourhood! We each keep an eye out for shabby-chic/French inspired decor, vintage accessories such as postcards, photographs, stationery, and antique books. On our travels we've picked up everything from a vintage wire shoe, to a large walnut dining room table that looks amazing covered in vintage linens. There's always bound to be a diamond in the rough, you just have to keep an eye out...and remember, sometimes the last things on our "want" list are the very things that we've wanted all along!

Maman De Joyeux Anniversaire!

"Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again"

Menachem Mendel Schneerson

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!

A Wish for Your Birthday...
Robin solos...
Gentle breezes...
Strawberry sweetness...
Blue skies...

Wishing you all good things on your birthday!

Thank you for our friendship, for your unconditional love, your kindness, your support...thank you for being you. I love you so much! Hope you have a wonderful birthday filled with love, luck and laughter.

Love always, Kate xoxo

And They Lived Happily Ever After...

A close friend of mine recently got married, and when I was shopping for her wedding present I realized what a rarity homemade gifts have become. In our fast-paced lives, we often resort to store bought presents with little meaning and creativity behind them. So, when I purchased a few gifts she had posted on her wedding registry, I thought I'd throw in my own personal touch and create a shadow box in celebration of her wedding day. The appreciation and gratitude expressed by friends and family when they are presented with these homemade items are worth all the time, effort, and creativity you have put forth.

The greatest gifts are the one tied with heart strings...

Une vieille version avec une nouvelle torsion !

An old version with a new twist...I take my mum's tried, tested, and true recipes and kick it up a notch. Some of my favourite childhood memories revolve around the kitchen and baking with my mum. I recall telling her that the reason her treats tasted so good was because she blew kisses into the bowl as she stirred the batter...I'm pretty sure she did, and this is what still makes them taste so good! As she made homemade treats for us to enjoy, I would mimick her, standing behind my Fisher Price kitchen with my apron and oven mitt (for some reason, I always took things out of the "oven" with the hand that didn't have the mitt...go figure) and used playdough to create my "treats". My love of eating these comfort treats soon evolved into a passion for baking and using her basic recipes, I add my own flair. One favourite recipe is our Cranberry and Pecan Biscotti, a combination I have dabbled with until I think I have created a unique and delicious version. I won't let all my secrets out, but I like to take one end of the biscotti and dip it in white chocolate (because what doesn't taste better with a little chocolate!) I've been persuaded to enter this recipe into a cookie contest, so wish me all luck! If it's a winner, I'll post the recipe (and if it's not, I'll still post it, and you can tell me if I was cheated!)

A Celebrity in the Blogging World...

If you're a regular visitor to my mum's blog, you are sure to have seen the beautiful photos of our beloved black lab Bentley, who I'm sure by now, has become a celebrity in the blogging world. I couldn't resist posting this one my brother Alex took after Benny had spent the afternoon in his pool last summer...a child's pool, nonetheless, but the next best thing for Ben when we are away from the lake. I don't think anyone can resist those soulful brown eyes!

Mon Chambre à coucher Français-inspirée

My French-inspired Room...a haven from the daily stresses of life. This is where I find peace, tranquility, calm and rest. Almost everything has a history behind it, and each piece is infused with sentimental value. A white-washed antique dresser that is over 100 years old, black and white photography, hand-crafted items by my father and beautiful French linens and duvet my mum found tucked away in a shop on one of our weekend getaways. Scattered throughout are silk pillows, pictures of friends, family and pets, and the piece de résistance: a crystal chandelier. I wish you sweet dreams tonight as you find peace in your "chambre" tonight.

A Book in Progress....

A few months ago my mum and I were thrift shopping (a favourite pasttime!) and stumbled upon a vintage book shop. To my joy, I came across this vintage French book. As soon as I saw its robin's blue egg crackled cover and began turning the pages, I was inspired to create an altered journal...a place I could transform each page into my own little minutia - thoughts, dreams, inspirations, and creative expressions.



My collection of stamps, vintage French papers, watercolour pencils, sea shells, and of course, glitter (gotta add some glitz!) all came out to embellish each page...and each page has come to tell a story. It's still a work in progress, something I know I can find comfort and enjoyment in each time I return to it.













If you happen to come across an old book, spend some time embellishing it with your own creativities amongst pages filled with histories and add to the author's creation!

I Heart Paris

I Heart Paris

"Life is either a daring adventure - or it is nothing"

Helen Keller

One of my New Years revolutions was to start a blog dedicated to all things French and French-inspired, and put my passion for Paris and the open market experience in Europe in print. After months of hearing my mum talk about blogs she visits, and then seeing her take the "plunge" and starting one up, I decided to follow. I'm looking forward to sharing all my collections, inspirations, creative endeavours, and adventures with you. You can also visit my mum at http://posted-from-home.blogspot.com