Bordeaux

Having trouble uploading to my blog on my iPad, so now trying a third blogging app in an attempt to post something! Although we are nearly home!

Bordeaux was lovely, although it rained most of the time we were there, and many of the monuments either weren't ever open to the public or were only open during the high season. I really don't think I captured the charm of the place, and it is made especially difficult with the narrow streets common throughout France.

Old Theatre in Bordeaux.

They love chocolate in France. This was in a shop window.

We went on a winery tour to Saint Emilion, one of the best wine regions of Bordeaux (or all of France). The landscape was just amazing.

Next stop, La Rochelle!

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Hello everyone. I am sitting in the train between Villefranche Sur Mer and Bordeaux, which for the record is running 75 minutes late! Yay. I had to take the time to tell you all about the beautiful Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild at Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, just around the bay from Villefranche. It was built at the turn of the 20th century by Beatrice de Rothschild and her husband. She was an avid art and artefacts collector and used these items in her (then new) home. She has incorporated carved reliefs, fabrics, tapestries, painted panels, etc into her home, collected from many historical places. This includes a rug from the chapel at Versailles for example. As you enter the house, there is a large 'patio' (made to look like an enclosed courtyard) and the doors to rooms leading off this patio are all different, having been collected from a range of old buildings.

The following photos show the boudoir and bedroom. The magnificent bed is Venetian, and I'm not 100% sure, but I think the dress is 18th century.








The picture below shows part of what I think I think is a dress. It was exquisite but difficult to photograph in dim light.


This picture is a view of part of the French garden. Baronness de Rothschild was also into gardens.


This picture shows part of the house exterior, with the entryway visible behind. It wasn't a huge house, given these people obviously had huge amounts of money.


If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend a visit. It was so lovely. It has given me so much inspiration for my own mini French chateau and I fully intend returning one day, hopefully with a really fancy camera for better pictures! And the hot chocolate in the tearoom was to die for!

And PS also on the band-wagon with the new Blogger interface dislike. It's so clumsy. I don't understand why you'd make it so complicated and non-intuitive.

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Hello from Villefranche-Sur-Mer!

Bonjour everyone. My husband and I are here in Villefranche for a week in total, which is now half over. After a cold and damp start in Paris, we are enjoying the sunny (although a little blustery) days. Of course the architecture is one of the first things we look at, and we have not been disappointed. Although it's not a great photo, here is a stunning mansion to drool over (due to the hills, it's hard to get close-up photos).


Just around the corner from our street, there is this cute little building - no idea what it's for. I had some idea that it was a garage, but on second glance, I don't think it is.


There is much to see down this way. We've spent a bit of time exploring the old town, the waterfront, the old forts and citadel and also went into Nice (for the record, something we could've happily missed in hindsight).

Across from where we stayed in Paris was this boulangerie - it was just so pretty. I took many photos, trying to get the perfect one (I missed the perfect opportunity the very first morning we were there, with all the lights on inside and a wet footpath, but never mind). Also below is a picture of the interior. Just gorgeous. One to make in miniature without doubt.




Hope you like the photos! Will try to post again when I find something else awe-inspiring!

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The Easter Shop

A very long time ago, I started this little shop, made from the Old Time Store kit (I don't endorse this store, never bought anything from them, but it was a convenient link). Anyways, it is one of the first minis I ever started. Then as usual for me, I either couldn't decide on how to finish it, or couldn't find the right materials. So I grabbed it out 2 weeks ago to finish. I haven't finished as you can see, as I got sent away for work for 2 weeks, but I did get the panelling on the window display installed and made a few decisions on how it will be finished. As per the title, it will be filled with Easter goodies.









I just can't decide how to finish the panels along the top of the windows and door. My initial thought was to put wreath embellishments, but now I think I might put writing on them (e.g. what the store stocks). Also, I really want an etched glass door, but I don't think the Houseworks (??) ones would fit. So might just put writing on the door too, and leave it clear.



Anyways, enough on that! We fly out to France in 12 days, and it has come around very quickly. We will also be visiting London for the Kensington Dollshouse Festival for 2 days and then Hong Kong on the way home (staying at Disneyland! Can't wait!). So might try to post some pics on our trip!


So lastly, in case you are ever in need of some great music (with cute videos), I thought I'd spread the Darren Hanlon love. An Australian with an incredible talent. Check out his other videos too.

Falling aeroplanes (no fancy video but fantastic song)

Butterfly bones
See you all soon!

Some of my dresses I've made!

Just thought I'd post some photos of the dresses and tops I've made so far! It takes a while to list things on Etsy, so they're not all listed yet, but I'll get there. Have a great day!

5 months? Are you sure?

Gee I have been lazy haven't I??? Monica gave me a bit of a shove this last week so thought I'd better write a post. Well, it has been a busy 5 months. My husband and I had 2 gorgeous weeks of holidays in Queensland in November whilst we had cornice (or crown moulding) installed in our house. It has been one of those things that has really irked me about our house since it was built, so decided we'd get it done when we were on holidays. It wasn't finished when we got home, so we had to stay at my mum's place for a week. But it was worth it. I've attached a photo of the cornice and my new dolly cabinet in the lounge room (note that the cornice isn't painted in this picture!).



We had Christmas, of course. Just a quiet one - me, husband, mother and sister. Husband and I were on stand-by, so we had to be at home (or nearby) and the rest of our family aren't nearby so we didn't go anywhere. Here is my table set for dinner!


I decided after Christmas that I would cut back work hours so that I can start my clothing business. I had had enough of being miserable all the time at work, and decided the money wasn't worth it. With a re-jig of finances, we've figured out we do OK and can still make all of our regular payments/savings, so I don't really know why I didn't do it sooner! I have my store on Etsy but haven't yet listed anything - will try to do this Wednesday.

We also got a super good deal for high tea at the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne. The Windsor is one of the last old grand Victorian era hotels and have run their afternoon teas since 1883. It's on my bucket list.







And lastly just some work I've done on my Chantilly. I have dressed the bed, although I haven't finished the bolster and need to add another cushion I think.



Here is a shot of a dining chair. It is a Rosemarie Torre cast resin one, as is the dining table in the background. I'm not overly happy with the chair. It needs another layer or two of paint for a start, but also I think the fabric printed too light. And the seat isn't puffy enough. Might need to redo. That's essentially why I haven't finished the other 5 - can't decide if I like the fabric!



And I have pretty much finished the spare room in my French shop. It is about the only finished room. I am so close to finishing this house, I don't know why I don't. (Well, I can't find all the parts I want to complete it, but it's getting there!)



So, that's about it really. I need to get a push on and finish a few projects as I'd like to start some more! Always so many ideas, and not so much execution!

Found it!

Here it is! The printable books I was wanting! Thank you to Carrie for offering great printable books. And thank you also to all of you that responded to my question! It is much appreciated.

I now have another question! I received these pieces with the Chrysnbon hall stand kit. I think the piece still attached to the frame thing is a door stop. Not sure what the others are though. Anyone know?



On other non-mini news, we booked our flights to Paris last week! Very exciting! It is a long way off - 7 months! - but some of the places we wanted to stay are already booked out! Crazy! So we are going ahead and booking our accommodation now too. In the search for great places to stay, I found this picture and thought you might be interested:



It is a seaside residence in Saint-Malo.

And lastly, a little bit of interior inspiration, which popped up in a google images search:



So pretty! I am definitely reproducing this room. Not sure which project though.... there are of course too many! Have a great Friday everyone.