Friday's Favorite: French Flair

I don't know what it is about this time of year, maybe it's an early case of Spring Fever. Whatever it is, I've been yearning to get away. Lately, Paris has been on my mind. Oh to sail in the moonlight, down the Seine River and bask in the glimmering lights all along this Parisian riverbank. I enjoyed visiting this wonderful city some years ago. Since then, I've had a fascination with objects, art, books, anything really, that reminded me of my stay. I picked up this fleur-de-lis sculpture sometime last year. This piece is a favorite of mine, a hint of travels greatly treasured. Happy Friday!

House Tour Tuesday

Welcome to House Tour Tuesday! Please come in. Today, we're touring the dining room. It won't take long (it's pretty small). Adjacent to our living room, you might call it the dining area rather than dining room. It serves the purpose, though.

We have a table that will seat ten or twelve, probably. Seriously, it has three leaves. We just have eight chairs, though-six chairs around the table and two chairs in the living room. Funny story (Jamie, please don't be mad): The day we moved in, Jamie's parents and my parents were here to help. My mom and I went out to pick up dinner (KFC). We get home and Jamie has all the leaves in the table and all eight chairs around the table. The table is stretched out into the living room. My mom and I laughed, Jamie didn't know why we were laughing but, you can bet we ate our KFC on paper plates around the dining room table. If you had seen it, you would have thought it was funny, too! Our china cabinet fits perfectly along one wall and showcases our lovely china, stemware and a few other things. And, that's about all there is room for. 

Here's what I love about the dining room: the chandelier, our china displayed in the cabinet, the backs of the chairs and that the table, chairs and china cabinet belonged to my great-aunt, Gladys. Here's what I'd like to improve: the artwork, the tablescape and certainly we need some window treatments. 

Thanks for dropping by. I hope you'll come back next week for some more. If you missed last week's living room tour, you can check it out here.

Note Worthy

In our modern age of texting, chatting, instant messaging, and emailing, note writing has become somewhat of a lost art. Yet, there are few gestures more personal or thoughtful than a hand written note. My grandmother, Mama Sis, instilled in me a deep appreciation for this extinct etiquette. Whether is was a note of encouragement,  a letter of correspondence, a thank you or condolence, a hand written note was one of her hallmark traits.  Peggy Post, Emily's great-granddaughter-in-law said, "the ability to write a letter that the recipient treasures is a gift." How true that is. Mama Sis certainly had that gift. She wrote with eloquence and ease. Her notes always made me smile because I could hear her voice through the words that she wrote. As I've grown older, I have worked to become a skilled note writer in hopes of carrying on a part of Mama Sis. Today, I thought I would share a few tips on note writing, specifically thank you notes, that I have learned along the way. It may seem silly, but people do appreciate a well-written thank you note. After all, if they have gone to the trouble to think of you and get you a gift, the least you can do is show your appreciation by taking time to write a thoughtful note.

First, in order to execute a skill, one must have the proper tools. So, stationery is a must. I am a fan of personalized stationery. Whether it be a letter, monogram or name, there is something so simple and lovely about personalized stationery. It is an investment you won't regret.

Secondly, start your note with something personal-not thank you. For example:  

Dear Soandso,

     I enjoyed seeing you at Christmas. What fun it was catching up.

Then, add your thank you. You don't have to start with: Thank you for the ____.  Instead, you could say, I love the earrings that you gave me. I know I will think of you each time I wear them. Then you can say, thank you for thinking of me. Just remember, be sincere so your voice is heard. Don't be fake!

Finally, conclude the note. Something like: I hope we can get together again soon.

This note writing recipe is sure to help you express your attitude of gratitude in a smooth and sophisticated way. For some examples of well-written notes, check out Emily Post's Etiquette by Peggy Post. 

This post is written in memory of my grandmother, Mama Sis. Today would have been her birthday. 

Friday's Favorite

An Upholstered Headboard

As I've mentioned before, my mother-in-law does upholstery work. Not only that, but she and my father-in-law are quite handy. A couple of years ago, I saw a picture of a slipcover that loosely fit over a headboard. Well, I had an extra headboard that had a nice shape, so I thought a slipcover would be a nice idea. I showed the picture to my MIL and she obligingly made the slipcover. It did not turn out as I had imagined. Not because of her, but because it just wasn't what I wanted-go figure. I loved the shape of the slipcover, though. 

This summer I asked her if she thought she could take the slipcover and cut some wood and stuff it (don't you like my technicality) to make an upholstered headboard. She, along with my FIL agreed to give it a try. A week later, I had myself an upholstered headboard. Of course, it wasn't as simple as I made it sound. But, they are really good at this kind of thing! I couldn't have asked for anything better. It is exactly what I wanted. I just love the shape, so feminine and tailored. Definitely a favorite! Happy Friday!!!

House Tour Tuesday

I've promised a house tour for quite some time. I decided I had put it off long enough. Now, everything is not perfect. But, when is it? Even so, I do hope you will join me each Tuesday as I welcome you into my house, room by room. First stop, the living room.

This is our entryway as seen from the front door.

A close-up of the entryway. If you are a faithful blog reader, you may notice that I move things around on this dresser. My lamp is always here, but I rotate the accessories when the mood strikes me-and it strikes often.

Here is the view as you continue in from the front door.

And, another shot.
Here is the living room from a different position. You can see the couch a little from this shot.

And, a little more from here. 

I'll leave you with a close up of the fireplace and mantel. 

So, there you have it-the living room. As you can see, it is still a work in progress. On my never ending, to-do list: window treatments and mantel accessories (perhaps a mirror and I'm not sure what else). Well, that concludes our tour for this Tuesday, more to come next week. Thanks for stopping by! 

Love Letter

No, not that kind of love letter. The letter L. It is the initial of my first and last name, lucky me. So, I have quite the collection of Ls. 

The picture above is my first L. I bought it the summer Jamie and I got married. 

Of course, I have Ls on my towels.

And, Ls on my napkins (thank you, Cinsee).

I received this L from my parents for Christmas this year. You can get one here.

This L I got from Hobby Lobby more than a year ago. They still have them.

This is the newest addition to my collection. I picked up this little L in Marietta last weekend while my mom, sister and I were shopping.

And, I still have this L I need to get framed. Jamie gave it to me for Christmas. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope your day is filled with love!

Friday's Favorite

I love the looks of books. 

Books here,

Books there,

Books, books everywhere!

Just so you know, I actually enjoy reading books, too. 

Bloggy Blues

I am so ashamed that I haven't posted in two weeks-sorry Mama and Cinsee. I've had the bloggy blues, I guess. I haven't done much decorating or rearranging and I haven't had any projects to work on. I've been in a funk. But, not to worry, I've got some ideas for things to come. I'll be back tomorrow with a Friday's Favorite, hope you'll join me!