Potagerie

We had a great weather this weekend and after all that rain we got last week, our soil was soaked, which means an excuse to garden. We planted a few vines and hydrangeas all around different parts of the yard. Although, I was most excited about the potagerie that Mon Cheri started late last summer which I blogged about here. We're so excited about how much this herb garden/kitchen garden has produced that I decided to add a few more embellishment.


This was when we started, around late September last year.




I've recently added an arbor to the gated entry and made this sign. Also hung a candlelier to add a bit of romance.



Planted a bareroot seedless grapevine in this french pot hoping that the leaves will climb all over the arbor by next summer



Added a couple of trellises for the Roma tomato plants



Found this clay pot where I planted herbs, and inserted it on my unused patio chair which was missing its seat cushion.




But seriously, look at how much the veggie beds have grown from this



To these











Et voila! Fresh home grown veggies from our potagerie.



Gardening is so rewarding, isn't it???

Red Carpet Fantasy

Well ladies, tis the season for awards in Hollywood...the Golden Globe, SAG, Academy, etc. And if you're like me, I don't really care much about who wins, it is about who wore what!!! J'adore looking at the celebrities' whole ensemble, but my fav is always their jewelry. Luv looking at their multi-carat, multi-million, almost royalty, display of jewelry.

Speaking of the finest jewelry, my new favorite is now Harry Winston (sorry Tiffany's). I've been in there new salon in Southcoast Plaza and their collection is just unbelievable...c'est magnifique!!! Their sales associates are all very knowledgeable, down to earth and patient. They let me try on "blings" that cost more than my house...I was in fantasy land, and felt like I was going to walk on the red carpet with Diane Kruger and Fergie.







I'm not kidding when I say (or brag) that I got to try on this pear shaped 26 ct diamond ring, worth $4M with two very charming security guards standing next to me.



Tried on this rare yellow diamond (oh yeah), worth $285,000.

Mon cheri got to try on this limited collection jeweled watch ($56,000)


But my most fav of all, and possibly my future ring (10 year anniversary is next year, mon cheri), is this 1.25 ct cushion and micropave eternity diamond ring (attainable, affordable and more realistic). What???



In addition to Harry Winston, also got to try on a few Christian Louboutin shoes which the celebrities always wear. I often wondered what the fascination is with these thousand dollar shoes, well, now I know why...they make a woman feel SKINNY :)

Here's Julia wearing a Christian Louboutin clutch



Kate Hudson and Amy Adams wearing Christian Louboutin shoes.

Fairy Tale Cottages

What is it about fairy tale storybook cottages that we love so much? I often fantasize what it would be to like to live in such a charming place.

Take this quintessential fantasy cottage for example. This was called the "Rosehill Cottage" from a cute movie "The Holiday" that came out about 3 or 4 years ago, starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. This house didn't really exist, although the set was actually built in Surrey, England.


Although the cottage above is pure fantasy, I refuse to believe that there are no real and livable fairy tale storybook cottages out there, so I searched and found a few that just j'adore.


This lovely cottage, I'm very proud to say, is located within walking distance from my house, nestled in an exclusive and gated beach community called Saint Malo Village. The community and French Normandy style homes mostly built in the 1920's are modeled after a small fishing village in France. Although I cannot afford to buy any of these homes, I enjoy admiring them from a distance during my regular walks to the beach.



The next three storybook cottages below are called "Comstock" homes located in Carmel, CA. Talk about fairy tales, the history of these cottages surely is romantic and worth reading.










Happy to announce that Mon cheri and I will be going on a mini-vacation next month to visit Carmel. We will be staying in one of Edgemere's cottages. Soooo excited!




This one is the "Fig Tree" Cottage located in Australia. It is a vacation home that can be rented if you happen to need lodging in Queensland.





And here are a few more charming cottages I found located in various parts of England. I don't mind living (or vacationing) in one of those either.

Le French Countryside

J'adore daydreaming! And today, I'm dreaming of the french countryside and all its beauty.


The color and scent of the lavender fields in Provence



Setting my sight on the timeless beauty of the french chateaus












And admire all of its rustic touch


















Ahh oui...I'd rather be in the french countryside.

What Time Is It?

My favorite vendor of furnishings and interior supplies just informed me their shipment from Europe has arrived recently. I am always in awe of the treasures they bring back. Look at these architectural clocks for example, absolutely gorgeous! I wouldn't mind being late staring at these long lost timepieces.





















Quelle heure il est???

Le Sculptor

As a Christmas present, mon cheri got me a few sessions of figure sculpting classes from our local professor of sculpture, Lynn Forbes, located in my neighborhood's art village. Well I started my very first class last night and I had the best time. Because this was the first time I've ever done something like this, I was overwhelmed and felt restricted in the beginning. But w-o-w, the feel and touch of clay is so therapeutic to my brain and hands, that by the second half of the class, my hands and fingers just took over.





First, Lynn gave me this heavy 25 pounder block of clay to start with.



But then I decided to do a bust instead, so she gave me another block. Oh boy, what to do???




We had a live model, who has the perfect classic face and body. After looking at her for two hours, here is how my two blocks turned out.







I know...I know...it really looks like an alien. But it's a good start and I have 4 more sessions to make her look better. And you know what, I'm having fun! Who knows, I might even make Degas proud.