Wishes for the New Year

Lynda with me at a New Year's Celebration two years ago

This has been a year of mixed emotions. I watched my best friend willow away from cancer and die in May. Only ten days later my Daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The roller coaster of emotion has played out all the way through as I've thought of my friend Lynda's vivacious smile so many times in the recent days - and I've enjoyed the fresh beauty and million watt grin of my Granddaughter.

Life is full of unexpected journeys and they all touch our hearts in different ways.

To my beautiful friend Lynda :: I miss you so much. My life and heart is richer because of you. I love you.

To my incredible Daughter :: I can never thank you enough for sharing with me your experiences as you became a Mother, the absolute joy of watching the birth of your Daughter and the bond that we have shared grow stronger every day. You are an incredible woman. I love you beautiful.

To my baby Granddaughter :: I love being a Grandma because of you. I'm looking forward to watching you grow and explore. You make my heart sing. I love you baby Kya.

To my Son :: you are awesome. A gentleman - smart, noble, sensitive and kind. The world is yours to grab by the horns and you are going to rock the world at your new business venture. I love you sweetie.

To my Honey - Richard :: YOU are everything I ever dreamed of and I'm so excited about sharing a brand new year with you. I love you Honey.

Being a Grandparent has been the highlight of the year.

 Wishes to everyone for a joyous New Year filled with love, happiness and good health. Happy 2011.

Warmly,
Katherine

Christmas Past

What is it about Christmas that makes us think of the celebrations we had as children? Every year when I start unpacking the lights and decorations I remember when I was a little girl and the magic that was our Christmas tradition.
My Mother was a Girl Guide Leader, so we made many craft ornaments and gifts for give away at the local seniors home.

We made snow shakers like this from old jars.

Crackers made from empty paper towel holders and wrap.

The traditions and crafts continued with my own children. My Daughter earned her bakers badge at Brownies making 'Chocolate Thumbprints'; and they are still her favourite cookies to make.

  

We had an aluminum silver Christmas tree - we were up with the trends (ok, so maybe we had a cool tree). My Mother decorated it with red and blue balls. I love a traditional old fashioned style to Christmas, but truly this aluminum tree for me evokes a special time when I was a little girl. 

The Aluminum tree was a big trend in the 60's.

Now of course I'd decorate it with a different influence ...... maybe a bit of turquoise to bring a hint of Tiffany in to the room.

Christmas Wreath

I'm trying to find among the thousand of pictures I've taken, a photo of last year's Christmas wreath. For now I've submitted the image from Martha Stewart.

I fell in love with this soft, cedar draped design and thought 'I can do that'. I was so proud that the wreath turned out like the picture. I used an over-sized soft draped B.C. cedar wreath (from Terra Nursery) to add more of a lacy effect. I bought several sizes of silver balls and wired them on to the cedar wreath, then tucked eucalyptus in among the branches and silver ornaments.

The wreath was so robust that it filled the door of the historical house we lived in last winter. People constantly stopped at the front of the house to tell me how much they loved the wreath. I could have sold it a dozen times over.

Martha Stewart Christmas Wreath

Romantic Spot

This post is for Fiona (Chateau de Lille), who I can tell is a romantic at heart. My postings of pretty spots in France seemed to have touched on her dreams to explore beautiful boutique hotels. And honestly, this gives me the chance to re-visit this pretty hotel again.

Dare to live your dreams.

Main Lounge :: Hotel Particulier

Main Lounge Area

Bath :: Hotel Particulier

http://chateaudelille.blogspot.com/

L'Hotel Particulier

We visited a beautiful boutique hotel two years ago in Arles, France. I had discovered the spot online when we were planning our trip throughout France and was excited about staying there. L'Hotel Particulier is a romantic hotel hidden in the little cobble streets of Arles, a city that was once home to Vincent Van Gogh.
The hotel is a gem in this dark little town. Madame, who owns the pretty spot, has lovingly decorated the multiple historical buildings that link to create an elegant oasis. The large black double doors open in to a pretty courtyard that showcases traditional Parisian style windows, an oblong splash pool and abundance of greenery. The winding staircase is original stonework and leads to the second floor terrace and guestrooms where we stayed.

All photo's below are my own.

L'Hotel Particulier - Arles, France

staircase to upper terrace and guest rooms

The rooms at the hotel are decorated primarily in white creating a tranquil atmosphere throughout the buildings. Decor elements highlight the individual character of each room, but the common ground is the soft white elegance that whispers throughout the hotel.
We enjoyed the newly opened restaurant that featured the skill of a young chef who hailed from a Michelin restaurant in Cannes. The food was incredible and the ambiance of the room created a spot to linger over breakfast in the morning or another bottle of French wine with a meal.

Charcoal painted canvas adorns the restaurant wall

Old black & white films played on the wall of the restaurant during breakfast

Foyer entrance to restaurant at L'Hotel Particulier :: love the painted canvas

We visited wineries in the area and enjoyed wine with cheeses back on the terrace outside of our room. It was such a tranquil spot, I thought we could just stay there forever. Mmmmm, wonderful wine, great cheeses and candlelight with my Honey.

The main room(s) at the hotel lounge area feature white walls, soft gold gilded trims and a mixture of modern lines with antique pieces.

The etched glass staircase in the main lodge winds its way to the lower level were the cave like spa is snuggled away. The soft elegance of white continues and you are encased in a room that offers a private retreat for water therapy and massage :: one of the best massages I have ever experienced.

I must admit that the pictures of the original kitchen at the hotel are something I sneak a peak at often. I fell in love with the room and have considered modeling a kitchen for our house after the style.

Notice the monks encased in glass domes on top of the black cupboards. It's the wonderful touches that Madame inserted from the abundance of French antiques that brings warmth and whimsy to each space. 

Original kitchen at L'Hotel Particulier :: I so want this kitchen.

Looking into the reception area

View of kitchen looking into the main lounge area

It's so beautiful and elegant :: sigh!

http://www.hotel-particulier.com 

Welcome December

We don't have snow yet. This pretty picture is from our lawn two winters ago. December baby, in all of her charms, usually brings at least a dusting of snow and sometimes a beautiful blanket like this one. 

Eat My Words

About six years ago, a pretty robins egg blue hat box wrapped with taupe grosgrain ribbon was delivered to my office. The decorated box was pretty in itself, but the real surprise was inside....... delicious cupcakes. This was my first introduction to Eat My Words, a creative baked goods treat experience.

Jeanne Grierson is the founder, creative genius and the generous driving force behind the business of yummy cakes, cookies and cupcakes. Recipients of the elegantly presented treats are left speechless when they open the hatbox of delectable cakes. I discovered many times since that first experience, these delicious treats are the perfect gift for any occasion and are happily received by both women and men (everybody loves cake!).

www.eatmywords.org

Sasha cupcakes :: a perfect gift for anyone, anytime of the year. I love sending these cupcakes instead of flowers.

Eat My Words is a labour of love with profits assisting the Stephen Lewis Foundation (supporting community-based organizations that work to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa).
The mantra for the company is :: 'Eat My Words, where the predominant taste is kindness'. It is because of the hard work and kindness of Jeanne and her team that communities in Africa have benefited.

Confetti Cakes :: Celebrate the New Year

Custom cookies for Santa and the little elves in your life

GingerBread Cake House :: filled with cake or more cookies

Add a Monkey Biz creation to your Eat My Words treat

 Images generously provided by Eat My Words and Monkey Biz

Old Hollywood Style Fashion

No matter how you refer to this era of fashion :: Vintage Couture :: Old Hollywood Style Fashion, there is no mistake that the look is worth revisiting. This Dior gown is my all time favourite dress. Looking at this elegant gown I can hear the skirt whispering as I imagine it floating across the floor. And of course it would be an old wood dance floor where a big band is playing soft jazz. I was clearly born in the wrong era.

 

Dior Dress Dreams

Soft Romantic Elegance

The swish of a full skirt gown is the most incredible feeling to wear. You can't help but feel feminine and glamourous as the skirt floats with every step you take.

The Ultimate in Couture gowns

A wonderful combination of lace and taffeta.

I had the opportunity to briefly meet Penelope Cruz several years ago at a Film Festival event I was working on. She is charming, delicate, very sweet and she wears fashion with an incredible sense of romance added. Penelope has a wonderful style and she knows the charm of bringing back old Hollywood style dressing.

pictures shown above are not my own

A room fit for a Princess

 

Six months ago today we welcomed our new baby Granddaughter. She is by far the cutest baby in the world :: I know that most Grandparents would say that, but my Daughter literally gets stopped every time she is out with Baby K. She is like a little beam of light shining.

I had the pleasure of painting the nursery, and I stood in the little room and cried :: I was so excited and filled with joy at the thought of my first Grandchild coming into our lives. I will never forget the warmth in my heart as I stood and looked at the pretty mauve walls thinking of all the adventures yet to come for Kya.

My Daughter and I searched for the perfect things fit for a Princess and decorated the nursery together. And then she invited me into the labour and delivery room to share with my baby girl, the birth of her baby girl.

the sock drawer waiting for little toes to emerge

a colourful little friend

Happy Six Months Baby Kya. 

Congratulations to my beautiful Daughter :: you are a wonderful Mother.

You can never have enough frills

My first hug with Baby Kya

Our cute little Lady Bug