leaving soon...

Saturday I am leaving to New York, I am exited to meet my husband there (who was on a business trip and we decided to add some days for the two of us). I must say that I am really not fond of flying, even though in the past I flew to Hong Kong and Australia, Mexico and the U.S., it seems that the older I get, the less fond I am of flying ,but okay, I got myself a sleeping pill, so that I can get some shuteye, otherwise I will be awake for a full 8 hours and be tense.

I am looking forward to eat out and to shop, of course the dollar being low helps. My luggage is packed, it doesn't take that much time, and my camera is ready. Got my new Oprah magazine, and Interior magazines, I will of course post about New York upon my return, so I will take a little blog break, and be back here about 10 days from now.

Do take care girls!

Solange

a touch of paint

I usually have a strong need to give things a lick of paint in my house. Last week, I was tired of my white wall, white cupboard and decided to paint the chest of drawers with a light grey colour, that made the white of the wall stand out more. I am happy with the result, even though the photo doesn't show the change of colour so strongly.
photo: after
photo: before

Things have been moved, the Christmas tree is gone... yes, yes, it might be a bit early, but snce I am leaving in a few days for NYC, I didn't want to clean everything one day before leaving.
The house seems strangely empty and tidy without the decorations, the tree, the postcards, but it also gives me a sense of order and new beginnings.

I don't know about you, but I don't make any new year's resolutions, since I can't keep to them and next to feeling the pressure, I also feel I fail if I don't keep to them.
For now, I will enjoy some more leftover chocolates...and enjoy the weekend to come!

take care girls,
Solange

looking forward to a new year

Well, Christmas was wonderful, full of family celebrations, good food, presents and most importantly many warm memories with my beloved ones. My son was spoiled and we were all realizing how lucky we are to have so much in this part of the world.

I received a beautiful Burberry pashmina scarf, it's so warm, a big jane austen collected novels book, a dvd, chocolate, a silver chandelier for my dining table and a book of Marie Antoinette, from the Paris exhibition in march 2008, were I had been earlier this year. I couldn't feel happier!



The weather on the the other hand has gotten so cold, I am not used to such temperatures any longer... brrrr.....chilly, and cold, I am leaving in 2 weeks to New York, which is probably even colder. So good that I got a nice scarf.

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas days and that we can continue visiting each other in the new year to come.

take care! Solange

1 year 'Celebrating my Home' !

I just realized that my blog was 1 year old on December 14th... ah, I can't tell you how much joy, creativity and many blog friends I have found. All your nice comments, the advice, our common passion for interior and so much more, has brought a lot of happiness.




This week has been a bit mad, since I have a cold, my husbands family is arriving the 23rd and on boxing day we'll be 15, so I am preparing food, presents and organizing the house, er, well, with a soon to be 3 year old, who just likes to 'redecorate' behind me...




These beautiful flowers were a gift from my husband, and I love the combination, of white tulips and the pale colours of this winter bouquet. The candles you see add a touch of warmth and romance in the darkness and the starry chocolates...well, they are just a necessary ingredient for Christmas!


The Christmas crackers will look nice on everybody's plate and give an extra festive look. I wish you all the best for the next days, busy but joyfull!!

take care! Solange

a gift and more

And so Friday I found the beautifully wrapped gift from dear Lynn, from www.sea-angels.blogspot.com In the gift I found a beautiful paper girl, a linen cushion decorated with a bird and a letter from charming paper, wrapped with rope. It all makes me so happy that this gesture comes from my blogfriend. Thanks again Lynn!

I have bought a big chandelier to put on the christmas dinner table, I think it will give an elegant and cozy look together.
These days I have a lot to do, I ordered a 4 kilo (!) turkey and I am tidying the house, making space for our guests to come. I guess all of you are also busy with a thousand things... it's why I am a bit slow with posting these days.

I wish you all a wonderful sunday ahead, take care,

Solange xx!

lights and cutlery

The week has just started and yet I feel quite tired. There have been many things on my mind these days and as Christmas is coming, we are all busy and preparing one thing or another. The ligths in the above picture are going all around our spiral staircase... it's beautiful in the evening.


I had a look this morning at my cutlery, for Christmas I like to set the table with all my precious pieces. Usually on sundays and weekends I do use my things, not just for Christmas, it's such a joy to eat with fancy cutlery!



Villeroy and Boch is the cutlery set we got from various friends and family for our wedding, but I have bought myself a lot of pieces here and there, just to compliment it and I like the different pieces all together.
As you can see on the pictures, I didn't have enough place for all the cutlery in my box, so I wrap them in paintbrush pockets, very easy.

So you see.... a lot of silver polishing to do this week!!

wish you all a nice week and enjoy all the preparations for christmas :-)

Solange

Christmas touches here and there

Christmas is coming and the festive month has started. I have put up the tree and plan to enjoy it this year. Last year I just enjoyed it for 2 weeks, so this year in our new home, it should accompany us for a full month or so.



I didn't put too many baubles and decorations in our tree, since my son's little hand are quick to 'redecorate' our tree!

Today I will also start with my gift list, and the writing of the christmas cards, every year I finish just on time and every year, I decide to start earlier, we'll see how far I get.
Yesterday I found a some gorgeous little gifts, in a small store, just full of christmas goodies and coziness.

Hope everybody is enjoying their preparations and christmas atmosphere at home.

Solange x!