Snippets of Spring...and looking ahead!

5/27/2014

Bonjour mes amis!

Spring at my house is quickly slipping into Summer...

I had a ball adding Eggs covered in scores of music and french book pages...

And Flowers...

And pretty White things...

And, of course, there were bunnies...
And my birthday gift from Jewelius and Ms. Emerald...by Julia Child!  (I LOVE having a Spring Birthday)!

And, there were French things on my birthday Scale from Ms. Sapphire...

And I'm so proud that I've kept this little Baby Tears plant alive!

I'm grateful to see flowers coming back outside, too.  We actually have had a wonderful Spring here in Texas.  Not too hot, and we've had rain, which we always desperately need!

But, it's not all about the decorating and the weather!  We have had lots of "people" time in there this Spring.  Just recently, we also enjoyed Jewelius' final piano Recital with his teacher of about ten years!

Jewelius loves to play the piano, so he will continue lessons throughout the Summer, which makes his teacher very happy!

But now, that Summer is approaching, I have two Graduates...one from High School, and one from College!  Here's a Sneak Preview, because...

I'm getting ready for an Open House to honor them both, coming up soon.  I love planning the decorating...

...but I really need to get planning the Menu, too!  I'll share more on this later...

Wishing you a "Jewel" of a Day!
Jan

Man-made Wonders...

May 19, 2014

Bonjour mes amis!

Okay, y'all know about my fascination with all things French...

The Architecture alone is a draw for me!

When Dr. J told me to get looking for a plane ticket to France, I was so thrilled.  As soon as my ticket was booked, I wrote emails to three dear friends in France!  Right now, I don't even care about getting to new sites in France, although that would be quite a perk to my trip.  But, I really want to see the people I haven't seen for about nine months.



For today, I thought I'd just share some awesome man-made Wonders from time spent in Paris...

From the majestic Arc de Triomphe!

And this graven site with the Eternal Flame right in the middle of the busy Roundabout!

To the beautiful Paris Apartments...

To the "wonder"ful Lamposts!  Such artistry!

And those Louis Vuitton Windows are ever changing, but quite sculptural...

The Renault Dealership is pretty colorful and awesome...and ever changing, too, with modern wonders!

And I do still drool at all the Gates in Paris...

Okay, so I really want to see friends, but I do have to admit that I'm hoping that viewing some man-made Wonders are also part of my trip this year!

Until next time...
Have a "Jewel" of a Day!
Jan

Vertically Verdant!

May 14, 2014

Bonjour mes amis!

Are you shocked to see me here again?  Well, I have complete motivation for blogging now, because I will be making a return trip to France this Summer, and I just about can't wait.  It's got me reminiscing, and writing to all my friends there to let them know I'm coming!

For today though, I want to tell you about something new, fun and beautiful that completely fits in with the...

"French style of Decorating"

...that I love, and it just so happens that I received two gifts recently from my Son and Daughter-in-Love (the Diamond Duo), that will help introduce my post for today...

First, I was given this beautiful Vertical Planter for my Birthday!  That's a real succulent, and I just love the sweet little frame!  My daughter-in-love made this!

Then, this past Sunday for Mothers Day, I was given this beautiful Cage Terrarium with Air Plants!  Notice how they know me so well, since the cage is sporting a Fleur-de-Lis!  The Air Plants are also real!

Today, I want to brag on my Daughter-in-Love (DIL)...

She has started a great new business, and yes, I'm going to shamelessly advertise here for her online business!

www.verticallyverdant.com!!!

Check it out!

It's framed foliage for your wall!

Just over a week ago, I helped my daughter-in-love at a Gift Market for Mothers Day!  I was so honored that she asked for my help.  We had a fun day together.  Don't get me wrong!  It was hot, and we worked hard, but it was so worthwhile to see her excited about her new venture!

We each brought things from home and set up a little booth to show off all the beautiful Vertical Planters that my DIL makes!

The Planters were just beautiful and got lots of notice, especially by the other Vendors!

We're not sure the Market was well enough advertised, because there wasn't a big crowd...

But honestly, it was a great start for doing these kind of Events!  She still sold quite a few planters!

Vertically Verdant is mainly an online business, and they ship anywhere in the U.S.!

But who knows?  Maybe we'll get to do another Market together sometime!

I certainly had a great time!

These Planters make great gifts!  Obviously, I'm very pleased with the ones I've received!

There's the little business woman herself!  She can even take credit cards!

One of the older neighbors nearby came by the booth three times to gaze at the beautiful items.  She kept telling my DIL that her creations were pure Art!  Such a lovely compliment!  She herself was a gardener, so she would know!

Go ahead and click the link to the website...

That's www.verticallyverdant.com!

It's beautifully framed foliage for your wall!

You will receive care instructions with your purchase too!

These beauties don't take much care though!

Such a clever and unique idea!

And she's got more ideas for new creations, so who knows how far she'll go with this!?!

Hmmm...now which one do I want next?

Have a "Jewel" of a Day!
Jan