Step Four

Could have been the nativity, or the presents, and the ten million things still to do,
but it'll simply be wishing you all a good Christmas, even to those of you who do not celebrate it. Be merry.

Béa & Réré

Step T(h)ree

'Ambiencing' the house. Getting you in the mood. Decking the halls. Whatever you want to call it. Dressing up your house. Be bold, be bright, be generous, be merry.
Now, don't go putting the flashy reindeers and their far too bright red neck ribbons because I said so. Don't inflate those ugly and costly Santas. My point is (though I am not the best lesson giver) to stick to one material, one theme or one predominant colour.
In my case, you've seen on the Xmas tree : white, silver and pink. not very original, I agree, but I like it!

My first soft tree...and the whole story behind it (in case you have some time to kill) :
the first time I ever read a 'blog' was by accident.
While browsing the internet couple of years ago, I bumped into Two straight lines if I remember well. It was her version of the famous soft trees, following Stephanie's pattern from little birds's blog. Voilà, there I stept into the amazing and at times abyssal of craft blogs....
Few months later, a fabric store was closing (story far to common) not far from my place. I got several yards of beige felt and hadn't tried the soft tree pattern yet. Now it's done! Circle completed!

thanks you ladies (why not dreaming they'll read this one day)!

From Russia with Love

You have seen them everywhere in stickers, plastic, felt, as keyholders, boxers, planters (I'm sure, okay, I'm guessing for the two latter) these past years, but if you have had enough of Matriochkas, here are few version you CAN'T miss.

1. La poule's keyholders.
2. Rosehip's lovely matriochkas. THE absolute cutest, hands down, according to me.
3. ThePrintemps 'Slavonic Christmas' displays in their stores 18th/19th centuries handmade fabric dolls from Eastern Europe, fascinating.
4. The Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik where 2009 guest country is Russia
5. One of my fave books as a child (and another one years later-you'll reconize...)
   
   Quatre Matriochkas Ed Rouge et Or Coll. Rouge et Bleue
   

Project no Pink

I can't take a picture to save my life but this is evidence.

No pink this year!! Quite an achievement for me.

This looks much better in real life if I may say so.

Roll on Xmas!!

Love the plaid stars. Step 2 complete on both side of the Atlantic...yeah!!!

sunshine

While Step 3 and 4 are still cooking, just a 'pop of sunshine' suggestion to brighten up our grey winter, courtesy of Victoria's Secret. Don't know about you, but I would put it on straight away.

6 Décembre

.....Saint Nicolas!!!!
For those of you who are not familiar with him, Saint Nicolas rewards children with candies, clementines and sweets. It is still a vivid tradition in Alsace and the Eastern/Nothern Europe.
Bigger than Christmas for kids in the Netherlands, where he is said to come back from Spain early December with his Zwarte Piets helpers, it is Sinterklaas who brings gifts to children. (once heard from a kid on dutch tv, because gifts are cheaper in Spain...)
In Alsace, naughtly children get treated with a tour in Hans Trapp (scary guy)'s big hessian bag...
In Slovakia, naughty children on the other hand, find a full bag in the morning just like the nice ones only...loaded with coal....ohhhh, cold revenge...
Anyway, on that day in Alsace, you drink hot cocoa, eat lots of Wienacht bredele (Christmas cookies) and the one day special Mannala (lit. little men)...yummmy.
I got treated with Mannala specially baked by my significant other. oh yes, I've been a goood girl.

Each baker has his/her one recipe, from Kouglopf to challahbread, with chocolate chips or raisins, so I'm not putting any particular one here, browse the net.
The shape is really what makes it unique.

Step Two The Christmas Tree

You are all guessing from the font colour that the Step 1 was mine (Béa) and so is Step 2! hopefully we'll get to see Réré minimalist style in action...okay, maybe...alright, one day...fine. back to our subject.

Meet Mr 'I want to be a Christmas tree' fungus tree.
Yes, its real name is Mr. fungus tree only because this branch was cut off by one of our garden trees itself (whose name I don't know) for having fungus (typical behaviour of the species I was told). It is happily standing in 36kg of concrete all year long in our living room.
The picture does not render its beauty and the pride with which it shows its Texan identity. Yes, people outside of Texas decorate their Xmas tree with stars too.....maybe just somewhat smaller...and even I'm not sure.

Beautiful tree.

I'll try my best to show you mine.

The plan is a white and red colour scheme this year.

I have a sneaky feeling some pink will creep in. Watch this space.

Step One, The Advent wreath

Grödby candles on sale for 1.99$ at IKEA....
Metallic painted pebbles brought back form SoCal.
Various bulbs from past years among which the fake brushed metal one from OBI (French equiv. of Home Depot).
Cactus decal on the wall from Gali Art.

ps : pourquoi ça pixellise tellement ces photos?? si vous avez un tip, je suis preneuse...


PPS : another Advent wreath I simply adore.

Let them know it's Christmas time....

A little bit of recycling....while preparing the 09 trend.
from Bea's world famous 08 Xmas collection... in case you missed it. note : you = approx. the whole mankind minus a handful of persons who received a gift from me...

metallic flowers from punched champagne bottle collars. -easy peasy.

A few weeks ago Béa challenged me to making a pair of earrings and I failed shamefully.

I was so impressed with Béa's creation that everything I tried afterwards seemed dull and boring. Her idea was simple and effective. Spot on.

So this is my attempt at simplicity. Yeah right, as if!!

one year already!

Some inspiration from last year*...while packing for few days out of town.

Pour les Frenchies qui ne peuvent participer au concours Michaels, pas d'excuses pour ce concours de déco de Noël...Marie Claire Maison!


*polka dot heart made by/gift from Réré

dreams are for free...

Hey Réré, what's on your list to Santa is this year?

I reckon this is a cunning plan to get me to actually write a post.

What I want, what I really really want...

I read somewhere that Victoria Beckham owns 100 Hermes Birkin bags. 100!!!

Why can't I have one?

So Santa, if you read this, just remember I have been a very good girl...

(me too! me too!)

Shiner, TX

Feeling adventurous this year?
Try this :

Because it is too hard not to promote a good design (love the moss grey-green against the cherry red) and always makes you feel good to shop local....
The above link to the article on Shiner Cheer is from the Die Line that I have to mention.
Even if you don't fancy beer but often shop (especially wine in the US) just for the package, rush to their website.


Pour les amateurs de Krony (eh oui, ça date!) qui sont aux US....'flavored with peaches and roasted pecans'

Hiroshige

Few days ago, at Anthropologie (yes, again), this amazing Can you imagine puzzle had already caught my attention.
Now this brilliant puzzle made from an Hiroshige reproduction really got me.
Love the picture and the adorable tiny geisha pieces.
But also that their puzzles are made in the US!

fine with me!

(from Gloss, a supplement to the Houston Chronicle)


Hot Spice Cider and Glühwein....
bring them on.
(maybe not all at once, responsibly of course)

any recipe suggestions welcome!


[edit : just read on Good.is article that 'Star anise contains shikimic acid, the active ingredient in Tamiflu, one of only two antiviral drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating swine flu'.
If that doesn't read 'drink Glühwein'....]

Handmade Holiday Contest

Yes, it is a little early to talk bulbs and garlands but come on, admit it : you are already started thinking about this year's theme, gifts, recipes or decor, too.
I have and am positive Réré has as well.
So, for those of you who are in the US and feel like sharing with everyone your jawdropping 'creation of the season', Martha Stewart and Michaels have handmade holiday ornaments contest.
Register here.
These little yarn wreathes are Tami B. of Marysville, Ohio's submission. my favorite so far, and my 5 snowmen vote.

There is still room for cute things (if you ask me).
By the way, do you remember Danielle Thompson garlands? That's how we got to know her and year after year, season after season, we still love them....
My epiphany happened yesterday (right after visiting Anthropologie) at the next door Goodwill. Can't say too much yet, but only show you the cute bulbs that were waiting for me...

Tis (almost) the season to be merry....
(why should I be the only one enjoying this song looping in my head?)

Monomaniac?

Before starting this blog, Réré and I agreed we were not to keen on in sharing things about our private lives.
But it is no news I change easily of opinion and HAVE to post here something which I would best describe as my out of this world experience of this afternoon.
And it is also no news I have got a thing for Anthropologie, and their stores decor.
And it is also no news (too) to anyone who has ever visited Houston, urban planning is not the city's forte.
So picture myself WALKING, yes, walking, not driving down the modern architectural streets of the new upper town and country area and entering the new Anthropologie store...
For a moment, I struggled to refrain from telling the employees they had to give me political asilum...but they would have most likely only got the 'asilum' part of the sentence....
I mean, apart from two blocks in midtown, in Houston, a street means a road, pedestrians are an optical illusion and cyclists an endangered species
...ah, nice buidings, with architectural tropical plants, shops and restaurants, people idly strolling in the sun....just add an Obama sticker somewhere, a gallery or two and you'd believe this is California...(keep dreaming girl)
Anyway, the store if filled with arsty displays (not even for sale, just for you to enjoy the experience) which are truly inspiring.
That is if you like girly shabby chic (ouch, I hate this fourre-tout term), bobo+fairytale+folkore crafty style.
And do believe I do NOT have any commercial agreement with the citycenterhouston developers nor Anthropologie, much to my regret.
It was worth giving a shout-out for once that something newly built meets my architechtural taste!!!


To make a long story short : I still consider asking Anthropologie for political asilum and am ready to hear any agreement from them :-)
I can be very easily bribed with clothes.

Dia de los Muertos

Could not let November 2 pass without mentioning the much celebrated around here Dia de los Muertos.

And the incredible crafts, altars and papel picados created for this occasion.

Two examples from etsy :

Lamps from Broken Brushes

Jewelry from Bionic Unicorn

Some might not be familiar with this and find it gaudy or macabre.
Not more than Halloween if you ask me...


(comment laisser passer l'occasion de parler du Jour des Morts. la tradition est bien vivante (elle) ici et pretexte a de superbes creations. kitsch? macabre? perso, j'adore le cote art populaire et ultracoloré. et le fait de dedramatiser la mort. voilou!)

pioupiou

Bon, here they are, les voila!
J'avais dit soyez indulgentes. c'est une première en matière de BO et ici, c'est Réré la diva de la FIMO....
Finalement, ce sera deux ptits zoiseaux et rien de l'autre, pas de branche, feuilles, strass ou nœud en velours - enfin pour l'instant. vieil or sur du doré classique.
(....ouai, I know, ça fait très Noël ces couleurs...trop tôt le matin...)

Ah tout le monde n'a pas la chance d'habiter près d'un magasin la Droguerie. alors c'est avec les moyens du bord...et les minces compétences de Béa :-).
Mais bon, si vous omettez le pyjama de la photo, avec un pull col V plongeon noir et un jean, ça devrait le faire. Qu'en dites-vous?
SVP, copiez et améliorez, j'aimerai beaucoup voir.

Cheers les filles, je file admirer toutes vos créas!!!



[FIMO white, Flexa paint VT collection 'feest', hoops Nine West @ Ross]

LES BO! LES BO! LES BO!

Yeahhhh, today is the big reveal.
I signed up (yesterday) for this fun challenge from dukibrille : create earrings...the theme :'hoops, hoops hoops' let me start the day and i'll be back later today!

Bon, pour les frenchies, juste le temps que je me reveille (et oui, on vient juste de changer d'heure ce we ici donc a nouveau 7 heures de decallage) et j'arrive!

oh, and just a reminder for the english readers, BO stands for Boucle d'oreilles (earrings), not........

Cheers...
A+