Romantic Gift Style at a la parisienne

Gift Wrapping ~ A la Parisienne

If you haven't met Mandy at her blog A La Parisienne by now, I hope you will today as she shared her Holiday ~ Romantic gift wrapping . Look! She used one of those store-bought bows but in all the right ways. Mandy is one of my incredible friends who I have met through blogging. Over the months she has become one of those blogger friends I really would love to meet in person, I know she would be even more wonderful in person. We could wrap together! She is gorgeous, sweet, adorable, generous, supportive, and full of talent and her Parisian taste just keeps evolving. As a stay-at-home mom bursting with creativity, Mandy really is inspiring and I hope she knows this. I watch her explore, design, and create and I think to myself.............boy, do you remind me of myself in my younger years when I too was a stay-at-home. Except I didn't have blogging and Etsy to keep my creativity so well-nourished. I am going to love watching her talent grow and blossom.

Mandy blogs, designs fabulous blog headers, blog embellishments, and Etsy shop banners for a growing list of admirers and her latest creation is her newly-launched Etsy shop. Gorgeous fabric layered flower brooches with exquisite fabric choices and perfect details. I love how she tucked this gold fabric pin into this Versailles pocket for her Etsy shop photos. I meant to order these as gift toppers (how fabulous would that be?) but I didn't act act enough because I noticed this style is sold out. Not to worry though.......


......I found this vintage-faded creation and this will do beautifully! You can wear it (on a denim jacket as Mandy suggests) or in your hair, but I have to say if you are giving one of these creations, attach it to the top of a wrapped gift and you have one breathtaking presentation. Buy as many as you can (this one is 16.95) because I suspect Mandy is working to save for a trip to Paris. We really have to help get her there as I believe she must have lived there in a former life. Next door to me I think. I am sure of it.


Mandy used seam binding (very affordable ribbon by the way) and cut offs from her floral brooches to make these exquisite and sparkly hand-stamped gift tags. Mandy emailed me a few days ago and wrote " ugh.......how do you do this wrapping thing everyday". Oh Mandy didn't you know? I get all my inspiration from other bloggers. You included.

Which reminds me, I better get back to my own gift wrapping, the helper elves are back.

All images from a la parisienne

An Etsy Find........and my inner flower child

Jodi French ~ Etsy

I always tell my younger friends " I would love to be a 20 to 40 year old right now". Strictly in a fashion and style sense of course, fashion is crazy fun right now. There is benefits to every age (as you shall see) but the benefit of being younger is and always has been that you get to have total fun with exploring fashion. So if you are in the 16 and up group, I hope you are mixing it up big time and styling yourself to the hilt. Mixing vintage with new, playing with your hair like crazy, adding layers of jewellery, pulling on mile high boots, trying it all and seeing what works. I entered my teens in a most interesting time in fashion history. Parents were dressed in Mad Men style, teens were uniformly dressed in a boring frat style (which didn't suit me at all), but lucky me, the whole world shifted mid-way and I queued right into the Age of Aquarius so I did get to explore my inner fashionista (artsy, wild-child).......long wild hair, going braless (mistake) in halter tops, wearing granny dresses, capes, maxi coats, mini skirts, fringed leather vests, puffy tie-dyed shirts, platforms, boots , and bandanna style head scarfs, and what fun to see it all coming back and merging in it's current re-styled fashion. If I hadn't explored that hippie explosion of unrestrained style while I could, I hate to think how I would be trying to relive it now. I truly believe if you embrace the age-appropriate fashion while you can and should, you don't feel compelled to wear it again and for good reason. The rule is you don't wear a trend twice and I for one think this is true. That means no leggings for me in public. I did those in the 80's.

It was these fabric chokers with their ribbon tails that got me thinking about all this. I used to wear these in my flower child phase. A reader named Jodi French emailed me her Etsy shop link {click here} and I loved the idea that I could wear this gorgeous floral choker with a open shirt, jeans, vest, a couple long strands, tie this around my neck and feel like I am adding a youthful and stylish touch without too obviously trying to relive my past. I would love the look of these flowers on with an open collar. Just a small flower child detail. But if I was younger, I would so be wearing these a number of ways, but for sure with a strapless or one-shouldered dress for a night on the town. Or maybe even in some wild hair.



Wouldn't these make a lovely and affordable gift ( 29.00) for your stylish friend? I would buy her a lovely book, wrap it up in a pretty paper and tie it up with one of these floral chokers as a lovely embellishment. Two gifts in one.

I love these faded neutral flowers over this gorgeous wrap. Perfect over any number of clothing options and at any age. 85.00.

Love the fringe.

Feeling all cozy and warm. Jodi French made this cowl as a modern day version of the Irish Fisherman's sweater. 29.00.

All photos from Jodi French ~ Etsy

An Etsy Favorite

Got a little over-aggressive in trying to get up to last fall's 10-14 km on the outdoor cycling over the past few days. You may remember my Blogger Butt post a few months back {click here to read}. As I said then "it works like crazy" in slimming down your hips and weight like no other exercise I ever did. I keep trying to email Oprah and tell her that but so far she hasn't responded! So as the intense try-out day evolved yesterday my jelly legs have progressed to bit of a sore hip so I will be taking it easy, along with taking care of my son and father, both who are not feeling well. You know how this all happens at once. So I'm leaving you a lovely series of photographs from Jacqleen Bleu at Etsy. The 4"x 6" or 7" x 9" prints are all mounted on a 8"x 10" so suitable for framing and are $21.50 each. Exceptional value and I like her eye.

I hope to have the fabric linen gift and it's wrapped variations by Wednesday, but it may be Thursday. And yes, it's back on the bike today, just a bit shorter and slower.

Ready and Waiting.....until next year

Photo by Chris Everard

I'm ready and waiting for outdoor planting season, have my hose, my boots, my hat, my gloves, my sunscreen, and .....

Photo by Broomhill at Etsy

....... all my planters ready to be filled. But there's a messy problem this year. I normally do about 30-50 of various sized planters in May for the porches, the veranda, and a gorgeous 15' stretch of window boxes under our dining room window. I don't want my annuals to suffer this year so I will limit the amount and place for impact instead of volume. I usually get asked incredulously "How much did you spend on these flowers this year? and I always reply, "How much did you say your golf membership was this year? Off he goes, quickly I notice.

That's my grass in the bottom right corner of our corner lot. I know you think I am whining when I talk about the road construction that is going to ruin my summer.....and I promise this will be it once and for all. We have a really long driveway that I hose down each week after tending to my planters. I even wash my car all by myself. It's a whole clean-up routine that I do on Sunday mornings while my husband golfs and for some reason I love these sunny and productive outdoor tasks (my neighbors think I'm crazy with the driveway thing). Our newer street is a cul de sac that runs off from an older village road and it does need the work.....I just wish they would come back in October. This is the second year of this disruption. Absolutely no respect for my mental health!

This is my veranda where my fair-skinned spouse and I read the paper, eat meals, drink wine, chat and watch the birds. Many days I work out here, rain or shine, some of my best ideas evolve here on a simple artist pad. It usually does have more colour, but this shot was for a house tour and just slightly ahead of planting season. I have a great teak table with a huge iron mirror now on the far wall. We were going to further gussy it up this year and put in outdoor sofas, a smaller table, lamps, lanterns, a fire pit, an outdoor sound system and lots of colourful potted planters. I have this vision of reading outside at night, mosquitoes don't bother me at all and I love summer evenings, the best part of the day. Right now the constant dust is so thick, we can't possibly use it this year. By the way, those very-affordable sheer drapes are easy to do and machine washable if you have a spot. Even the rain doesn't hurt them and they look so pretty when the wind comes along.

I will just have to visit other outdoor gardens. This one in Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown, DC looks like it's worth the road trip. Gorgeous wisteria. Image from Southern Accents.

Photo by Broomhill at Etsy.

A tranquil park setting here in Canada at Halifax Public Gardens. We usually have geese and goslings, dozens of them in our backyard each spring, with all the disruption they are likely hiding, poor things.

Well, they can't take away my peonies, they are shooting up like crazy this year.
I will enjoy them more than ever. Image from Southern Accents.

Ok, that's it......I'm done whining for the summer.
Anyone need their driveway all spic-and-span every Sunday morning?

Enjoy your planting this next few weeks!

Gorgeous File- Turquoise on Monday

Vogue photographer Arthur Elgort captured the vintage mood right down to the well-manicured canine companion with his highly-civilized owner. Taken in 1999 at the Patisserie Cadorin in Paris. Image via Conde Nast.

Just a glimpse of a silk strap..... The Strap ~ an image by Jane Heller at Etsy. She loves to photograph the small, unnoticed details of life with a dreamy quality and grainy blur. Not so unnoticed at all.

I love the look of a chunky necklace with an open shirt collar, when it sparkles even better. And I love the delicate hint of colour in this JANIS necklace by Janis Savitt, it would go with everything.

Of course I can't wear it category, but isn't this Tulip Dress dreamy with these funky coloured eyeglasses. Silk Fabric Petals layer in a dreamy Robin's Egg Blue by Sarah Seven at Etsy.

Look how these patterns work together, who would have quessed? And keeping that shameless look of well-worn upholstery on the head and footboard, it's so glamorously shabby chic. Photo by Polly Wreford.

Dogwood photograph by Kristy Bee at Etsy

This Carmen Marc dress and that Janis Savitt necklace shown above?

Perfectly glamorous.

Jay Strongwater designs always capture my attention and this Krya compact is one of the loveliest I've seen. I'd be checking the lipstick every chance I got, yes.... in public! A perfect and personal gift for a wedding attendant or the bride. Much better than a cakeplate.

Ghost Story photo by Jacqleen Bleu at Etsy.

More petals, this time by Valentino. Wouldn't this Petal Dome Bag look great with

the pool-lounging outfit below? It even looks wet.

This photo makes me smile and want to buy pool toys, great big fun ones.

And I don't even have a pool. Photo by Emily McGregor (no source found).

Working beads from Amy Butler Studios.

If someone gave me this aqua leather Symthson sewing kit, I would learn to stitch properly once and for all. I borrowed this sewing kit from Stylecourt who had it on her blog last week. So tidy and gorgeous, I just couldn't resist.

I love it when dogs turn their head and look at you like this way.

This bulldog looks positively glam sitting in this well-appointed entry

from Domino Mag Files at Flickr.

I was never too fond of verdigras as I thought the faux application got so overdone way too quickly and in all the wrong places, but I would change my tune pretty fast if I got my hands on these gorgeous sconces. And look at that stone tub (comfy?) so gorgeous and perfect in this distressed setting by New Orleans designer Ann Dupuy of Holden & Dupuy (via Southern Accents). I take my verdigras-bias back but only because this talented designer has done it perfectly.

Everybody can have a piece of John Derian these days, a limited collection of his tray designs are available

in melamine at Target. The Paris Crystal Dome paperweight is the real thing that collectors covet. $60.oo on his website.

Though there is obviously a photographic colour adjustment here, I love my hostas even if they aren't this turquoise colour. It also reminds me they are well-overdue for a splitting as they got too big last year. When this road construction is over I plan to add other hosta varieties and get my garden splendor back. Photo by Lisa Cohen.

Mother's Day ....every week or month

Taken at a local museum by Jane Heller at Etsy, this surreal and beautiful photograph depicts underwater life as it would have been a few thousand years ago. The 8" x 12" print is $35.00.

I got to thinking about Mother's Day this week and what it means to us as mothers. I have a 27 year-old son who is here for the next few months, he spends the days studying, I spend my days working, but every morning when he first sees me, he always says to me "come in for a hug Mom" and I think about how that is the best part of my day. I love his fun-loving and affectionate nature. We all love gifts, but truthfully all we want as a mother is to know our kids are happy. And to know when they are not. In other words, the more you talk to us the better we feel, we aren't fussy on whether it's good or bad, it's our job to help make either better. It's a year of low spending for lots of families, so I got to thinking about a less-expensive way to send your mom a gift (especially if you haven't taken care of it yet, or want to send a little extra) every week of the year. I posted about this product before {click here to read} and was reminded of it when I wrote this week about the mini books.....hmmm, how wonderful would it be to email your mom every week (or month) with a colourful reminder of how you feel about her. Simply go to the Iomoi website and sign up for a email stationery yearly subscription for $15.00. You will have dozens of templates to use and can change the design each time you send your mom her little e-note. For a total of $30.00 you can order her an email stationery subscription too. She can email her friends and family in style, giving her a bit of stylish hi-tech fun all year long. You might have to show her how to use it but she loves it when you teach her something too.

Translation ~I love my mom.

This touching image is a flat postcard but I would take this

and frame it with a wide white matt as a gift for a new mother.

A lovely nursery gift.

Available at Sarah Jane Studios at Etsy.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day with lots and lots of good hugs.

Top photo from Jane Heller at Etsy/Middle photo from Iomoi/Bottom photo from Sarah Jane Studios at Etsy.

Mini Thoughts...all tied up

Pink and Brown Mini Books tied with Hand-dyed Silk Ribbon.

An Etsy find ~ 3 books for $14.00 US

Write a poem. Draw a picture. Send a letter. Announce a celebration.

Or hide them.....to surprise someone.

I happened across these at a little Etsy shop called Little Put Books and just love this idea. I would use it as a greeting card gift that would fold out to all the all the reasons you love, like, or admire that person. No excuses that you didn't have the budget for a gift, this could be the gift, one they can keep beautifully tied and open whenever they want to be reminded how special they are to you. Wouldn't this be a wonderful Mother's Day gift? Or as a thank you to that friend who always helps you out? If you are worried about your handwriting (and I wouldn't be, it will make it all the more special) you can do a cut-and-paste too. It appears there are 14 accordion pleats so 12 lovely thoughts, leaving 1 top line for their names and 1 bottom line for yours. A package of 5 assorted mini notebooks is $20.00, that's a lot of positivity to send some one's way. It would also be fabulous used as a wedding card......list 12 reasons why the newlyweds are perfect for each other.

Examples:

1. Because your kids will be gorgeous.

2. Because you always look for each other in a crowd.

3. Because you hold hands when crossing the street.

4. Because you both talk about each other way too much.

5. Because we can't picture you with anyone else.

6. Because you finish each other's sentences.

7. Because you tease each other so lovingly.

8. Because you love both your families.

9. Because you work at your relationship.

10. Because you know the value of humour.

11. Because you know the meaning of romance.

12. Because you make us all want to be in love.

Look how pretty this Cherry Blossom series is when all folded and tied up. Gorgeous colours and patterns.....gorgeous thoughts.

All photos from Little Put Shop at Etsy

" La La Loves You" Gift Giveaway

Wall Sculpture by South African artist Brett Murray

Unless Oprah calls and says "Sande, we want you to be our exclusive gift wrapper and we're going to order 1,000 gifts this month (I'd be ready, but I don't see that happening anytime soon!) I better get my Oooh la la Cadeau website in order. I feel I have been a bit unfair........I wrap and post items that I say will be on the website soon and then have been slow in getting these products photographed and up for sale. But truth be known, your comments and this blog have been so helpful in defining what my gift website should be as it shifts once more. I'm gearing up for a big re-do but I have been stalling.....and I'm not sure why. Life has changed, the economy has certainly changed forever, so my instinct is that you still want gifts, but smaller choices, petite cadeau, still beautifully wrapped of course. It isn't that what I'm doing isn't working, I'm just getting a vibe that it needs to shift. Maybe I'm too extravagant in my gift wrapping? Do you want simpler wrapping choices? Maybe you even want to wrap your own, should I offer you the Wrap Room section I have been mentioning? Rolls of gift wrap with coordinating ribbon so you can do your own thing? I would love to know what you want in your gift giving and how to give it to you. I believe in thoughtful gifting because it makes women feel so special, I also believe I can do it well. I just want to do it better.

Maybe Oprah would say to follow my instincts,

but I would love to hear from you.

If you have a few spare moments over the next 2 weeks and can drop in to my gift website {click here}and have any thoughts, suggestions, input, ideas, or even criticism on what you see, I would be thrilled to hear it (even the bad stuff said in a nice way). If you are blog comment-shy, feel free to email your comments to support@ooohlalacadeau.com, I will still enter you in the giveaway. Keep in mind I do promote other gift sources in the interest of being blog impartial, so no I don't have any guilt asking this favour this one time. But, I don't expect feedback for nothing, so now the really fun part...

La La 8.5 x 11 Poster - Sparkle Power at Etsy

" La La Loves You" Gift Giveaway

If you comment on this blog post in reply to this feedback request before April 30th, your name will be entered in a giveaway draw at which time one of you gals will be the happy recipient of a Oooh la la Cadeau gift. If you comment and already are or become a new follower, you will get 2 votes - double the chances of winning! I will blog announce the winner on Friday, May 1st. And no, it doesn't matter where you live, the gift will find you. It's my son's birthday on the 30th so I'll let him do the honours. I can promise it will be totally decadent and extravagant! A box full of exquisite gift-wrapped treats.! You can even pick the wrapping style if you have a favorite style from my blog. It's quite simple........I could really use your feedback.

A la la gift sample full of lovely gift-wrapped treats.

Now go have a great weekend.

Top photo via New York Social Diary/Bottom photo from Sparkle Power at Etsy

Janet Hill Studios

I met artist Janet Hill via a favorite blog called Beautiful Things To Share where I head for daily doses of all things gorgeous, go visit Charmaine {click here} she has a remarkable beauty-radar and colour sense to her blog posts. To my surprise, Janet Hill is located in Stratford, Ontario, a few hours drive from me. In blogger world that's like being right next door and I'm delighted to tell you about my talented new Canadian neighbor. For Janet Hill who was told by one of her professors where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts that "it is almost impossible to be a full-time artist unless you were prepared for a lot of rejection and a lot of hardship", she has discovered that the world of technology and art can successfully merge. "For a while I struggled with the idea of selling online because it didn't seem serious enough" says this artist but "I figured that if the Impressionists could pull away from Realism, I could embrace modern technology". Thank heavens for us that she re-thought that prof's advice.

Irises - original oil painting. Sold

Janet Hill is entering her second year of full-time painting, before that she owned a gift store in Stratford, Ontario for six years which was located in a historic building with great wall space. "I started hanging my paintings in the shop, mostly to create atmosphere, but people started to buy them, then coming in to just look at the paintings". The decision to paint full-time coincided with the popularity of Etsy, the popular global marketplace where the creative crowd can individually sell their artistic wares. Janet Hill Studio started small on her now-popular Etsy shop, offering 3" x 5" paintings and "they slowly started to get bigger as they sold". And yes, though located in Canada, she does ship to the United States and elswhere.

The Seduction Print- available on Etsy

Her original oil paintings go fast. She posts her canvases on her blog where they are often sold before they hit her Etsy shop. It's best to follow her blog and act quickly or contact her if you have a favorite image. She paints quite quickly it appears and many of her popular images are available as prints, the Seduction Print above sells for $10.00 and fits a 8" x 10" frame. I think a cross section of her gorgeous interior images would make for a gorgeous wall collection. Not all images are available in print format, she says some just don't convert as well as you would guess, so again, act fast if there's an original oil canvas you just love.

Janet is just starting to offer her work in the form of single notecards. I'm hoping she offers more soon. Real soon.

Two Red Sofas - 16" x 20" Original Oil.

An recent and original oil painting posted last week on her blog and now for sale for $280.oo US in her Etsy shop. Get moving, it's still for sale I think.

Perfume - Original Oil Painting. Sold

I found this little favorite of mine in her blog {click here} archives from 2008. Spend some time to go through her blog archives for a look on her creative progression and view "I call these painting my oil sketches because they are quick impressions of people, interiors, table settings and other household objects". She blames the Canadian winters for her "strong interest in the beauty of interiors", I think her fabulous talent would show up in any climate.

All images from Janet Hill Studio.