Jolies Fleurs Blanches

You've probably already realized that there are a few things I can't pass up: chocolate, InStyle, fancy papers, stationery and wrap.......and jolies fleurs blanches, or, "pretty white flowers". When I saw this, I couldn't resist!

"La terre rit en fleurs"

(Earth laughs in flowers)

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Gâteau De Livre De Citron

One of my favourite cookbooks is "Back to the Table", written by Oprah Winfrey's personal chef, Art Smith. And let me tell you, his Lemon Pound Cake Recipe is pour mourir pour! (to-die-for!) It may take awhile to bake, but it is well worth the wait. Add a dollop of whipped cream and some fresh berries...I promise you'll go back for seconds! It may take 1 cup of butter and 1 cup of sour cream, but I don't think it counts if you eat it standing up...at least, that's what I tell myself!

"Un régime est quand vous la montre ce qui vous vous mangez

et souhaitez pourriez manger ce que vous observez"

Lemon-Sour Cream Pound Cake

Makes 12 servings

Art Writes: Sour Cream is the secret ingredient in many a pound cake. This one is based on a lemon pound cake from my family's recipe collection.

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3 cups sugar

6 large eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Grated zest of 2 lemons

1 cup sour cream, at room temperature

Lemon Syrup

Zest of 1 lemon

1 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup water

2/3 cup sugar

1.) To make the cake, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Butter and flour a 10-inch fluted tube (Bundt) pan, and tap out the excess flour.

2.) Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together; set aside. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a hand-held mixer on high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then the vanilla and zest. On low speed, add the flour in 3 additions, alternating with 2 additions of the sour cream, beginning and ending with the flour, and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl often with a rubber spatula. Spread evenly in the pan.

3.) Bake until a wooden skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 1/4 hours.

4.) Meanwhile, make the syrup. Bring the lemon juice, zest, and sugar, to a biol over high heat and cook until it is reduced to 1/2 cup, about 15 minutes. Allow syrup to cool before drizzling onto the cake.

5.) Transfer the cake to a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes. Drizzle half of the syrup over the cake. Invert onto the rack and brush with the remaining syrup. Cool completely.

Bon appétit!

Une valeur de week-end des trouvailles...

Look what I found....

This past weekend, mum and I visited the gift section of our local Chapters bookstore, and came across some of the most elegant and beautiful items. First up was Papyrus glitter tissue paper...c'est manifique! Papyrus is one of my favourite companies, and has the most spectacular and inspirational stationery, cards, wrap, invitations, entertaining and gift ideas. Then, we found a beautiful teal and silver gift wrap from the same company...perfect for last minute gift wrapping. And lastly, we came across a silver tin filled with vintage-inspired papillon (butterfly) postcards with the words 'Carte Postale' written on the back designed by Cavallini & Co., another favourite.

So, the next time you're all out shopping for presents, keep these companies in mind...you're sure to be inspired to order their latest products. And, if the birthday girl (or boy) doesn't like their gift, they're sure to LOVE the wrapping paper!!

Nate est grand

Nate is great. He is one of those designers who impresses you first with his looks, and then with his talent and style! With blue eyes like that, no wonder he's got an eye for design! You may recognize him from Oprah, where he's transformed spaces into oasis. I picked up this book recently, and I have to admit, I did judge the book by its cover (wink, wink)! The spaces he's created are elegant, sophisticated and timeless...a recommended read. You will definitely be inspired, especially as we get 'Spring Fever' and want to change our spaces around or polish our look.

Dans le modèle convient à mon modèle !

This morning mum and I went out for breakfast at a local cafe where they also sell flowers, newspapers, and magazines...so, of course, you knew what caught my eye....the new March edition of InStyle! And...with one of my favourite actresses on the cover, Sandra Bullock. Did anyone see the movie Crash? One word...amazing, and she was briliant in it. Looking at all the spring trends and seeing the snow melt outside has put me in a shopping mood! Look out VISA, you and I have a date!

Peinture sur la soie

"Chaque artiste plonge sa brosse dans sa propre âme,

et peint sa propre nature dans ses images"

-Henry Ward Beecher

This morning, as I was rummaging through the basement, I came across this beautiful painting of a mother and her child. Its artist used a piece of silk as their canvas, and the result is stunning. My dad told me that when he and my mum visited Quebec when they were dating, he went into his mum's storage cupboard where she had kept many of her parents antiques. This particular painting, which once belonged to my great-grandparents, caught their eye. I'm looking forward to one day hanging it in my own home and enjoying its beauty.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul,

and paints his own nature into his pictures"

-Henry Ward Beecher

Tulipes Roses

Mum picked me up these absolutely gorgeous pink tulips. After our snow storm yesterday, we weren't able to get out and splurge on the usual Valentine goodies, so when we went out this morning the first thing we headed to was the flower stand. I was surprised (well, not really) when I turned around and saw them waiting in our basket...mum had snuck them in! So now, on my night stand, are these stunning petites tulipes roses. When the alarm goes off in the morning, they will be the first things I see. Aren't I a lucky gal?

Quelle meilleure manière de commencer le matin que regardant des fleurs ? Rappelez-vous de prendre du temps de sentir les fleurs dans votre vie

Le Jour De Valentine Heureux !

"Love puts the fun in together, The sad in apart, The hope in tomorrow, The joy in the heart"

- Anonymous

Doesn't it look beautiful and romantic in the language I love so much:

"l'amour met l'amusement dedans ensemble, le triste dans à part, l'espoir dans le demain, la joie au coeur"

- anonyme

Spent the morning baking cupcakes and other valentine goodies, watching romantic movies with French subtitles, as well as creating Valentines in celebration of this day of love. I am all in for a holiday that revolves around celebrating chocolate!

"The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart"

- Helen Keller

Serez-vous la mienne?

Un déjeuner Reminicent d'enfance

Doesn't this look delish? This afternoon my mum and I decided to make one of our favourite lunches...a veggie sandwich much like the one we used to get when I was a child from a favourite lunch bistro downtown, and my favourite soup. After we'd visit the bistro, my mum would always buy me yogourt covered raisins for dessert. The bistro moved a long time ago, but we still have the wonderful memories of enjoying a homemade meal there. Our family loves to recreate the meals we've had when we've travelled or visited favourite restaurants, because eating those foods is like travelling back in time and remembering all the wonderful times we've had together.

Quelles nourritures rapportent des mémoires d'enfance pour vous ?

Livre Français De Composition

Mum and I handcrafted embellished composition journals this afternoon after visiting one of our favourite local craft shops. While we didn't need to buy anything (we have wooden boxes FULL of ribbons, buttons, French paper, shells, and enough glitter to make anything sparkle!), we managed to fill a small shopping basket with a few little tidbits we couldn't resist! It's not our fault they get a new shipment in every Sunday!! After taking Ben to the park, we quickly got started...if only you could see our craft table now!

Collage Français

Quelques unes de mes choses de favori dans un ensemble. Est ce ce que vous obtenez quand vous prenez quelques choses que vous les aimez et présentez entre eux !

Le voyage d'une femme est son legs

"J'ai voulu une fin parfaite. Maintenant j'ai appris, la manière dure, que quelques poésies ne riment pas, et quelques histoires n'ont pas un commencement, un milieu et une extrémité clairs. La vie est au sujet de ne pas savoir, doite changer, prenant le moment et faisant le meilleur d'elle sans savoir ce qui va se produire après."

-Gilda Radner

This quote, and many others equally as inspirational, grace the pages of my "A Women's Journey is her Legacy" journal my mum gave me as a present. I've kept a journal for as long as I can remember. Not only are they perfect for jotting down your thoughts in the present, but they are wonderful to go back and read through thoughts and memories of the past. The journal has been divided into sections: spirituality, believing in your power, reaching goals, romance, the beauty of friendship, family, health, overcoming adversity and pain, dream and wish repository, joy catchers, home, finances, reaching out...and a very appropriate last section: whatever tickles you.

"A woman's walk in life is determined by destiny and enhanced by the roads she chooses. Her life unfolds and becomes meaningful through living, self-discovery, transformation and rebirth. Throughout her unique journey an alluring soul emerges unlike any other. Her life - a treasure. Her being - her legacy."

-Nita Howard

Maintenir dans le modèle avec InStyle

My mum and I share many things...clothes, jewellery, a passion for garage sales, a love for desserts, and MAGAZINES!!! I, much like my mum, am a magazine fiend. I must have my InStyle every month, and anticipate it hitting the shelves once a new month begins. I thought I'd share a few of my favourites. I keep them in a large French armoire in my room (and a few in baskets, under my bed, on my bedside table, in my closet...well, I think you get the point).

Je me demande ce que la prochaine issue de mois apportera?

Neigent Beaucoup D'Amusement

Benny doesn't seem to know it's -30 outside, because to him, it's snow much fun!

Ayez le courage de votre désir

Have the Courage of Your Desire.

This is the quote on one of my Sid Dicken's tiles hanging on the wall in my room. I love the European look of the tiles combined with its aged effect, crackled and engraved with beautiful, inspiring quotes. They are perfect to wake up to and a wonderful way to begin my day.