Design Inspiration: Black & White

 
I’m enamored with interiors comprised from two simple colors – black and white.  This timeless color palette instantly creates interiors that are dramatic and classic, understated and chic, and often used by iconic designers such as Dorothy Draper, Miles Redd and Mary McDonald.  By incorporating patterns, pops of color and other elements, visual texture is created which keeps the design from becoming too stark.
 
I love the color combination layered with various patterns using the color combo… and Helmut Lang’s print of YSL’s Le Smoking is just as classic.

Fashion Inspiration: Parisian Chic

 
I hope your 2015 is off to a great start! Did you have a good new year? I enjoyed having time off with my family to celebrate the holidays. 2014 was wonderful but I love the idea of a fresh start and setting new goals.
 
It was no surprise to me that I was gifted this book – How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits.  Have you heard of it?  It’s a book meant to be entertaining rather than teach to you how to be French al a Coco Chanel and Catherine Deneuve.  Although not a new topic, it’s a cute book and light read by model Margaret de Maigret and that delves into the lives of four stylish friends who give you lifestyle and fashion tips of French women, places to dine and explore whilst in Paris, along with some beautiful photographs.
 
While we’re on the topic of the French and fashion.  I’ve compiled some photos that encapsulate Parisian Chic.  Parisians are known for that je ne sais quoi.  Almost always dressed in neutral colors, sleek and sexy, with one element that gives the wow factor.
 

New Year, New Beginnings

Hello, I hope you had an impossibly merry Christmas and New Year!  As we enter 2015 with new goals and a fresh start that each new year brings, I reflect fondly on 2014 with  memories of happiness that was spent with loved ones.
 
 
Here’s to magical new beginnings filled with adventure, prosperity, love, and happiness.  Wishing you all the best in 2015.
 
x, B

The Night Before Christmas…

A quick hello and sending the warmest holiday wishes… I hope you’re surrounded by love and laughter.
 
 
Thank you for your friendship throughout the year.
 
Un Joyeux Noël à tous,
 
Brenda
 

Bon Weekend

Bonjour mes amis!  I hope you had a lovely week.  I’m wrapping up my final project for the semester and ready to begin the holiday season in full swing beginning this afternoon.
Do you have a fun weekend planned?  We have plans with friends to see Christmas displays and lights, a romantic dinner for two, and time for repose…
Holiday Cocktail

 

1 part chilled chardonnay

 

2 parts chilled cran-apple juice

 

1 part chilled sparkling water

 

Apple slice and mint sprig for garnish
 
Mix wine, juice, and water in a pitcher or punch bowl. Pour over ice and garnish with apple slice and a sprig of fresh mint 
Tip: freeze some of the Noel Spritzer in a mold to use for the ice in your punch bowl).
Wishing you a beautiful December weekend!
xoxo,
B
Photo here, recipe here

Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Christmas Charm

This charming 1920’s Scandinavian home with its dark red exterior has the appearance of Christmas all year.  On the inside, one is greeted with an enchanted winter wonderland of Christmas past in traditional Scandinavian style, the homeowner’s native.  The decor includes tin hearts, a magnificent gingerbread house with glittering white frosting and splendid windows, evergreen trees and candlelight.
 
A warm white-on-white palette with hits of natural greenery.
 
A charming gingerbread house stays on display all through the winter.
 
The green on white theme complements the natural pine floors.
 
The antique corner cupboard was inherited from the homeowner’s grandfather.
 
For a romantic touch, a moss-covered wreath lit with faux candles hangs over the coffee table.
 
A beautiful nativity scene is nestled between two wooden bell towers.
A hand-made Christmas ornament fashioned from an antique tart tin adorns the Christmas tree.
 
A tiered candelabra on a table is decked with traditional Scandinavian tin hearts, angels and coloured candles.
 
An antique French armoire with touches of beautiful decorations from Sweden.
 
I love the trailing houseplants growing up and over the window, creating a garland effect.
 
Outdoors, a layered exterior vignette is arranged with candlelit outdoor lanterns, evergreens and ornaments strung on bare branches, all on a backdrop of freshly fallen snow.
 
xoxo,
 
B
 

Holiday Soirées: Glamorous Hair


Chic and glamorous hair for those elegant holiday soirées and romantic dinners for two.  Always fond of timeless hairstyles, especially fond of the chignon du cou,” meaning nape of the neck and referring to a large, smooth twist, roll, or knot of hair, worn at the nape of the neck while neatly pulled together, messy, styled centrally or to one side… especially would love if accompanied with jewels. Reminding me of Grace Kelly, polished Parisian ladies, and pretty ballerinas.
 
Partial Up do
Glamour Waves
Fancy Ponytail
Rope Braid Up do
Rose Chignon
xoxo,
 
B

Delightful Indulgences: Favorite Christmas Recipes

Have you started your holiday baking?  I haven’t yet.  I have a final this evening and a big project due on Friday {I may be a little scarce this week}.  After that, my schedule will free up quite a bit until Christmas.  I’m looking forward to baking some of my family’s favorites and trying a few new recipes.  When my kids were little, I spent a lot of time with them in the kitchen, especially during the holidays.  Below are a couple of our favorites, plus new ones we will be baking this year.
1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 ||
xoxo, B

Design Inspiration: Traditional Meets Modern Glamour

Hello, I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  We’re in the holiday spirit and had fun enjoying Christmas events around town.  I love the sense of community and everyone coming together to celebrate, especially this time of year.  The weather was a bit cold but it didn’t stop us

I’m in love with living room design… Black, white, and gold is my favorite color palette – classic and elegant.  If you’ve been reading the blog for awhile, you will know this is the style I tend to lean towards most –  the perfect balance between traditional and modern, with a touch of glamour.  However, it’s not to say that I don’t love all design styles, I do.  I’m especially drawn to the gilded mirror in the photo.  Incorporating elements such as the mirror and bust add interest, which is essential in any design.  Antique French mirrors are one of my favorite pieces in any room, and a room always looks more inviting with a beautiful bouquet.  I created an “inspiration look” below featuring some of my picks to recreate this design.

Get the look:
Traditional Meets Modern Glamour

1, also love this one || Love this faux one 2 || 3, also love this || 4, this one also || 5, this one and this one || 6, and this one

xoxo, B

Inspiration photo via here

Bon Weekend, Plus a Festive Cocktail Recipe

Bon Weekend, I hope you had a great week and a better weekend planned!  Christmas festivities are in full swing and I’m almost finished with school for the semester… that calls for a celebration itself.  My little guy was under the weather for a couple of days but is feeling much better.  We’re hoping to partake in a couple holiday events around town this weekend.
A delicious cocktail for your soirée…

Cranberry Ginger Fizz Cocktail
            

Ingredients: 4 cocktails

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup water

1 cup fresh cranberries

1 lemon, cut into wedges

½ orange, cut into slices

1½ cups dry gin – Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater or Tangueray suggested

1 cup chilled Ginger Ale

4 mint springs

Instructions
  1. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; pour off all but one cup of syrup, reserving any extra for another use.
  2. Heat the syrup to a boil and then reduce heat to medium. Add the cranberries and simmer for 2-3 minutes until they just begin to burst. Remove from heat and let cool in syrup.
  3. Place 2 Tablespoons drained cranberries and 6 Tablespoons cranberry syrup in a large pitcher; add the lemon wedges and orange slices.
  4. Using a muddler or wooden spoon, vigorously mash the fruit.
  5. Stir in gin and let steep for at least 5 minutes.
  6. Strain into a medium pitcher.
  7. Fill 4 glasses with crushed ice and ¼ cup ginger ale.
  8. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and then pour half the cranberry mixture into the shaker and shake vigorously for 10 seconds, strain liquid into two glasses. Repeat.
  9. Mound additional ice on top of each glass and garnish with 3 candied cranberries and a mint sprigs.  Cheers!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!  

xoxo, B

Photo via here and recipe here

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