You are my Sunshine

I am back in Dallas after a a brief stint in glorious California.  I have had nothing but sunshine for the last couple of weeks and can't tell you how great that is.  The weather in France is okay now, but when I left we had had three months of rain.

photo credit southshorewoman.com

To celebrate the sun, I have gone to the park to see the gorgeous azaleas. I have also gone to the nursery to buy plants for my balcony. Mine do not look quite like this but they will, I promise. Having a balcony garden is fabulous, you can just walk out the sliding doors and water your plants, so easy..................... 

Of course shopping for Spring is compulsory, isn't it? Here are a few of my favourites.

                                                

     Diane von Furstenberg IPad case 

                                                               

Cute, cute transparent raincoat from Valentino.  I love it.  Sometimes when the sun is shining a few raindrops come your way.  Now you are prepared.

Transparent raincoat

         

I love this book, it is beautiful and so inspiring.  Makes you want a balcony garden even if you don't have a balcony.

     Rooftop Gardens                                                            

No one does it better than Martha Stewart.  Here is her step by step guide to Spring Planting.

                  Martha's Spring Gardening Book

Click on any of the blue writing to get more information on the items you might be interested in.

Have fun, enjoy!!!!!

A Bientôt

Audrey

Hooray for Hollywood

The Hollywood Sign is a landmark and American cultural icon located in Los Angeles, California. It is situated on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills area of the Santa Monica Mountains. The sign overlooks the Hollywood district of Los Angeles

I am here in the Hollywood Hills for a few days, just in time for the Oscars.  I couldn't get home today because our road was closed to prepare for the Oscars tomorrow night.  They were setting up tents and the red carpet for the big event on Sunday. I can't wait to see all the gorgeous clothes on both the women and the men. I didn't mind the detour, it was exciting to see the prep for the big event.

Jennifer Lopez photographed by the NY Daily News last year.  I am excited to see what she will be wearing this year.  I am usually a big fan or her choices but not always her hair styles.  Regardless, she is gorgeous.

It looks like Jennifer may be wearing something like this on her lips.

Chanel Glossimer lip gloss

If these gorgeous ladies do wear color on their lips, very often it is bright red.  

Chanel red lipstick

The Official History of the Oscars

This book is fabulous, a complete history of the Oscars and so beautiful. You will love it. 


Click on any of the above links, highlighted in blue,  if you would like to purchase. 

Some of my favorite things to do while I am here is to eat things I don't eat in France.  So, a trip to In and Out burger is a must.  Simply the best.

Courtesy of fineartamerica.com

from swmn.com

They also have yummy veggie burgers which truthfully, I prefer.  I love the fries, they are perfect.

Avoir from Hollywood.

A Bientôt to all.................

Paris Mini City Guide

Spending a few days in Paris is always wonderful before I head home to Dallas. I get away from my country home and enjoy the city life.  My last taste of France before hitting Big D.

This time, unfortunately, there was a lot of rain but I didn't let it stop me.

I started the day with coffee in the lobby of my favorite hotel, Le Hotel Costes on the Rue St. Honoré.  This beautiful hotel was designed by the famed Jacques Garcia,  a French architect, interior designer and garden designer, best known for his contemporary interiors of Paris hotels and restaurants.
He also designed the fabulous Regent Hotel in Bordeaux.  His style is romantic, opulent and gorgeous.

The lobby of Hotel Costes

The beautiful chandelier, one of many.

I walked, took pictures and tried to stay dry between the rain drops.

Even when it is not Valentine's Day, this shop has roses, roses and more roses.

I walked down the Rue St. Honoré and there were more flowers than I thought possible.  The beautiful flower shops in Paris are unsurpassed, in my opinion, anywhere in the world.  They are gorgeous.

The iconic macaroon at Laduree is in the most beautiful shop ever, it takes this lovely cookie to another level completely.

I got so cold and tired of walking in the rain and pondered my next move.  An oasis in this storm appeared before my eyes and called me in.

It lived up to everything I had ever hoped for in a spa retreat.  The treatments were superb and just what I needed to perk me up.  Looking at the beautiful hand made flowers covering every wall was amazing.

I ended the day by going to the famous bakery Poilane to bring home the best bread ever.

The fabulous signature loaf weighs over two pounds.  Heavy to carry but worth it.

We had a family dinner, my French family that is, at the lovely Bistrot de Paris on the rue de Lille.  It was everything one would want in a beautiful, traditional French restaurant.

Photo courtesy of Parisrues.com

Paris is Chanel and what better thing to own than a Chanel bag.  I found this great place that sells authentic pre-owned Chanel bags at a fabulous price.  I am featuring two here.

Chanel authentic pre-owned handbag

 Chanel authentic pre-owned handbag

The next writing will be from sunny Dallas.  What a glorious change of weather.

A Bientôt

Happy Valentines Day to you

            Wishing you love on this Valentines Day

The shade of the red has a meaning as well. Bright red means love, burgundy means unconsious love,  A red rosebud symbolizes youthful love and beauty.

Here is to your youthful love and beauty whatever age you are.

     

A very beautiful book

A Bientôt                                   

I love Turquoise

My new favorite colour

au.lifestyle.yaloo.com

Gorgeous turquoise Supergas

Straw Tote

Michael Kors bangle

So cute, slip ons

Copper sink

Love these barefoot sandals

The Turquoise coast of Turkey is not to be missed.  It is simply gorgeous. Book a gulet and off you go. A gulet is a traditional design of a two-masted wooden sailing vessel from the southwestern coast of Turkey, particularly built in the coastal towns of Bodrum and Marmaris; although similar vessels can be found all around the eastern Mediterranean. Usually they are quite luxurious depending on the company you choose.  I like Odysseus cruises as they have a high ratio of staff to passengers so the service is impeccable.

Don't be blue, just enjoy the color the way I do.  If you love any of the above, just click on the BLUE letters next to the item you like.


A Bientôt

Pictures from Chablis

These photos are from a private wine cellar.  It goes back fourteen generations, hard for us to imagine. An unbelievable treat and I was thrilled to be there. 

This past weekend was spent going from banquets to wine tastings and more wine tastings in and around Chablis.   I saw the most beautiful private wine cellars that you can imagine.  Unfortunately photographing in a cave does not produce the best pictures but I think they are worth sharing.

The village of Prehy France hosted a giant wine tasting festival.  The whole town participated in making paper flowers and they covered almost everything with them.  Gorgeous.

This is how you walk around tasting different Chablis wines.  A lovely Porte-Vin around your neck to hold the glass.  Clever, huh?

Of course there was a marching band, this one came in from Belgium.

A good time was had by all.

A Bientôt

Audrey