Emma

I love reading but I’ve decided lately that my literary repretoire is lacking in the “great classics” department!  I really like Jane Austen so I decided I would begin expanding my list wth “Emma”.  So far it is very good and I highly recommend it.  You can purchase it by clicking here.  I enjoyed Persuasion and Pride & Prejudice when i read them a couple of years ago… all of her books have such a romantic feel with an added dash of wit!

 

I also picked up a book about Madame du Pompador since I enjoy learning about European (especially European royal) history.  I need suggestions on other classics to add to my “need to read” list though…

Clip Masterpiece?

Most clip art I see around looks child-like and is often colorful and simple.  I recently found this amazing site published by Florida’s Educational Technology Clearinghouse.  You can find it here.  The clip art is more like tiny masterpieces.  I love diagramatic, realistic art which these clips certainly are.  I hope you all enjoy!

 

 

 

French Macarons

 

I decided I MUST attempt to make the French macarons that I keep seeing in magazines and on movies (Marie Antoinette, anyone?).  I’ve never even had one before!  I got the recipe from Martha Stewart and used her modifications to make pistachio and chocolate flavored meringues.  I also used her chocolate ganache recipe for the filling and made my own recipe for a cream cheese pistachio icing for the pistachio macarons.  They turned out wonderfully!  I highly recommend this recipe which can be found here.

Laduree of Paris supplied the macarons for Marie Antoinette.  If you are in the area, you may want to stop by… I have heard their pastries are heavenly.

Romantic Home

I became familiar with this blog, My Romantic Home, when I found a YouTube video with photos of her house that linked to her site.  This woman has amazing taste… and yes, its very romantic.  There are some great pictures (like the ones below) as well as TONS of content that could take forever to look through.  Enjoy!

 

 

Savon de Marseilles

 

Martha Stewart- you either love her or hate her.  I happen to be a huge fan!  I came across this idea on her website when I was thinking about making homemade Christmas gifts for my husband’s HUGE family.  I ended up not using the idea but I plan to sometime in the near future and wanted to share it here as well.

 

This page shares some information and a recipe for making your own “Savon de Marseilles”-  basically, just fancy, French soap!  The green clay in it is supposed to be very good for your skin.  The ingredients can be found at Majestic Mountain Sage who carry many other  little goodies you may decide that you cannot live without!

For any readers who decide to try it, let me know how it turns out because, inevitably, you will probably get around to making it before I do!

One Pashmina, Two Pashmina…

 

I’ve had a yearning for a pashmina (or two, or five!) but I definitely don’t want to pay the high price they are usually sold at.  I decided I’d try a couple from ebay since they can be had at a steal!

 

I ordered the gray one from seller zenjen and it is a pashmina/silk blend to make it extra soft.  The peachy colored one is from seller tmserwin  and I purchased it for even less than the gray.  It is 100% pashmina but still soft and has a sheen to it.  To be perfectly honest, when they each arrived I was a little unimpressed with them… expecially  to see them flattened in the plastic bags.  After a gentle hand washing, they both fluffed up and smelled nice and I am very pleased with both (although the gray is my fav)!  The more expensive gray one is a bit thicker/warmer so I think I’ll stick with that seller for basic colors or ones I plan to wear often.  I’ll probably order trendier colors from tmserwin though since I’d rather not invest as much in a color I may not wear for long.  I have one more cream colored one on the way so I’ll update when I receive it!

 

Transport Yourself…

I’ve found myself absolutely enamoured with period films lately and the music that goes along with them.  I wish I lived such an elegant life!  I’ve been stuck on Pride & Prejudice for some reason and found this website that allows you to listen to the entire soundtrack.  I always feel transported back in time… check it out. 

 

And since I’m a jewelry lover, The Three Graces is a website with many beautiful Georgian pieces- the same period in which Pride & Prejudice takes place.

Antiques & Things…

I stumbled upon this site while scouring my fav design blogs.  The shop carries very interesting antique and vintage pieces such as hotel silver and chandeliers.  They even have this beautiful French CROWN!

 

I would buy everything in her shop if I could.  She also has a blog that is linked on the shop’s site.  This is definitely a site to keep your eye on!

 

I’ve also been swooning over this print at William Sonoma Home.  I love this type of art!  There are 2 other drawings in the series as well.

Good Tea & Good Food

Last night, my husband and I had dinner at the River House Tea Room… by far my absolute  favorite restaurant in the area! The atmosphere is great for the ladies but the food is good enough to keep the men coming back as well.   Anyway, they brew different flavored iced teas every day… I believe they are all Harney & Sons.  I always stock up on quite a few bags of the peach, black currant, blueberry, and raspberry. They’re just so refreshing!  If only I could get them to sell it to me at wholesale pricing! teehee

Check out both sites and please stop by the the Tea Room if you are ever in the area!

Hello!

Hello World!  Welcome to my blog!  I started this with the intent of using it to keep track of my design inspirations but I think I’ll also blog about all things beautiful, classy, or domestic. 

I’ll start with a few facts about myself…

I live in Texas but am not a Texan at heart.

I love classy things like pearls and pashminas.

I plan on traveling ALOT and experiencing other cultures.

I love tea… both iced and hot.

I married my best friend on May 17, 2008.

I love to cook… I think the best chefs are the ones who can throw together a  meal with just random ingredients and no set recipe.

I have a sewing machine that cost a small fortune… but I don’t know how to sew.

My least favorite chore is washing dishes.

I love formal decor.

 

That’s all for now…