Marie's Maison

Aqua Blue Vintage Bottles

2012-02-01T20:11:00.000-08:00

I think I may have mentioned from a previous post that I started collecting vintage bottles last year.

Well, this collection is growing...

Most of these are antique bottles dug up from different parts of the US. Oh and I have a couple from Europe too!

I think they look so pretty adding more light and sparkle to my living room.

I picked up some spring flowers from my front garden. They make the bottles even prettier.

This is an old Irish soda pop bottle

I have two of these little ones, they read "Eiffel Tower Fruit Juice" and these are from England.

These yellow beauty are broccoli flowers. They turn into pretty flowers in the spring. Oh but they still smell like broccoli, not the best smelling flowers.

Simple and pretty!

Breakfast in Bed

2012-01-29T16:03:00.000-08:00

It is Sunday, and how lucky am I to wake up to this! The most beautifully arranged and sweetest scent of breakfast in bed.

With English Breakfast tea of course, and a perfectly cooked 3-minute egg!

You must be wondering where all that fresh sweet smell of jasmine coming from? My front porch, where else?

Pink Jasmine exploded all around!

We've been so fortunate with the weather this week, it feels like spring bordering into summer almost. It's just so inspiring to get out, do some styling, and take photos.

Sending you all lots of sweetness and beautiful weather from Sunny Sun Diego!

Linking with:

Terri and Martha's Tea Cup Tuesday

Cielo from House in the Roses' Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Vintage Typewriter Obsession

2012-01-11T20:18:00.000-08:00

Pinterest is seriously my new "go to" place for inspiring images worth drooling over. I keyed in vintage typewriters on the search box, et voila - look at the many cool ways vintage typewriters are being used!

Wedding Decor

Garden Decor

Office Decor

Bedroom Decor

Valentine Decor

Marie's Maison Decor (for sale at etsy)

Happy New Year!

2012-01-08T19:51:00.000-08:00

Hello dear friends! Finally returned from a nice vacation and now back to blogging again. Mon cheri et moi went to visit our best friends who live in Salt Lake City, UT. We took our nieces with us on this road trip and stopped by in Las Vegas. It was a nice relaxing and wonderful trip overall, but it's always good to be back in the swing of things.

Here we are at the Bellagio in Las Vegas

This is a display cake at the patisserie inside the Bellagio. The Grinch is made of 100 lbs of fondant, and 100 lbs of chocolate. It took them two months to make this incredible display.

This is our view from our hotel room. We stayed at the Loews Hotel in Lake Las Vegas.

This one is my shot of downtown Park City, Utah. It was not snowing at all.

Mon cheri ice skating with the girls.

It doesn't get any better than this, acting like little kids with my best friend.

We got to taste a different kind of coffee brewing called "siphon" coffee.

And got to visit this beautiful pastry shop in SLC inside the Grand America hotel.

Their boxes, displays and pastries reminded me of "Laduree".

Celebrated New Year's eve in Las Vegas and got to watch the fireworks.

New Year means new projects. I painted and reupholstered these pair of Louis chairs, covered them with linen and burlap.

Speaking of burlap, for Christmas, I purchased six pairs of Tom's shoes and gave them out as presents. Of course, I bought a pair of "burlap" shoes for moi et mon cheri.

Lastly, New Year also means new listings in my online etsy shop. Come check out this wonderful vintage blue manual typewriter. It's really a great find!

Happy New Year everyone! I have a feeling this year will be amazing!

The Twelve Doors of Christmas

2011-12-11T20:13:00.000-08:00

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...well, you know how this song goes. But I thought it would be fun to show you my collection of old salvaged doors that I have acquired this past couple of years. With my ideas, these old doors have been recycled to 12 different projects inside and outside Marie's Maison.

1- These were the very first ones I've acquired and now serves as my headboard

2- I have two pairs of these doors which were found in an old chateau in France. They are now the doors to my closets.

3- These salvaged doors are now used to enter my bathroom

4- These two doors are hanging in an arbor in my garden.

5- This is when I went nuts and literally went on a hunt everyday looking for old mismatched doors. My true love built this version of greenhouse in our garden.

8- This was an old closet door in our home before we renovated. I gave it a couple of coating of chalkboard paint and is now in my kitchen.

9- I found these pair of old doors from Country Roads in Old Town Orange.

10- Couldn't resist picking up these doors, they are my favorite color.

11- More old doors now in my patio. Found this blue Martha Stewart chalkboard paint color at Michael's.

...On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...our latest project which my true love just finished this weekend. This old door converted to an arbor is all made from salvage parts.

I just want to take this time to thank all my followers, readers, fellow bloggers and those special friends out there who have purchased from mon petite boutique either in person, online or thru Etsy. What a fabulous way to meet new friends!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noel! Feliz Navidad! Buon Natale!

Linking to:

Nita's Mod Mix Monday

Le Birdcage Chandelier

2011-11-15T18:53:00.000-08:00

J'adore birdcages! I collect them and use them as interior and exterior decor items. After my dreamy - once in a lifetime, luncheon at Le Cirque in New York city, just couldn't help but obsess about the birdcage chandelier they have in their powder rooms! As soon as I returned home, I knew it's something I must have. So immediately got online to see if there is one that is affordable out there.

Simply love these from Restoration Hardware! But it cost over $3000 each, and it's too big for my tiny home.

These white birdcage lamp is cute too, from Viva Terra, I think.

This is the one from the powder room at Le Cirque, my inspiration piece. So I thought, well I could make one...

Found these pair of rustic brown metal birdcages from Ross...bargain price at less than $12 each!

This crystal blue mini-chandelier is already in my guest bathroom.

I simply inserted the chandelier inside the birdcage and voila...my new DIY and very inexpensive birdcage chandelier!

This bircage lamp in my living room is something that I already own...bought it from Urban Outfitters.

And here's another recently bought cute birdcage, just can't resist the urge. Looks perfect under my vintage ladder.

Chirp-chirp...Tweet-tweet for now!

Living the Good Life

2011-11-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

I was in the East Coast this week for a business trip, but did a mini-vaca and visited my lovely cousin who is living the "good life" that most of us can only dream about, in one of the wealthiest neighborhood in Connecticut. You know that song by One Republic called "Good Life," that goes:

♪ Oh this has gotta be the good life
This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good good life ♬

Well, I keep hearing that song in the background while observing her lifestyle...sigh.

While driving around Connecticut which Manhattanites call "the country," I got to see the beautiful "autumn" trees that we don't have here in SoCal.

For one day, I got to hob-nob with the "Richie Rich's" in the Upper East Side. Here are a few photos I took using my iPhone (no, I did not bring my Canon EOS Rebel as I didn't want them to think I'm a paparazzi and get kicked out). We had lunch at one of the best known restaurant in Manhattan, Le Cirque,WOW!

Of course I devoured this chocolate souffle for dessert

And this ultra heavenly floating island!

Isn't this birdcage chandelier the cutest light fixture? They have this in all their bathroom stalls. I might just have to make one myself.

When I found out that they now have a Laduree in New York City, I just had to get there pronto! It's not as beautiful as the Laduree's in Paris, but one bite of their famous macarons instantly satisfied my craving. I know, I look fat and pregnant in this photo, but I'm not pregnant, just fat and happy ;-)

In addition to a couple boxes of macarons, I also took home some of their best selling scented candles

I was only in CT and Manhattan for two days, but my very sweet cousin sure gave me a taste of the lifestyle I sometimes...OKAY - ALWAYS, wish I could have. So if your life is this good, really, what is there to complain about?

Speaking of a good life, my friend Tracie from Fishtail Cottage is having quite a number of giveaways.

Today, her giveaway is a trio of Beachy Blue collection donated by moi, yours truly. So please, head on over her blog at Fishtail Cottage to check out this giveaway and her others. Just follow her rules and this Beachy Blue trio could be yours!

Wishing you all a good good life!

Signs of Fall

2011-10-31T07:03:00.000-07:00

It's finally starting to look like Fall here at Marie's Maison. Whenever these golden senna/cassia shower shrubs start blossoming, I know that the Fall season has finally arrived.

These shrubs always come with lots of these fat caterpillars that blends in just like the flowers (can you spot all three?). Even the butterflies turn yellow just like the flower petals.

The greenhouse in my backyard is now decked out for autumn as well. I also just realized that the color "yellow" is a staple in my garden during this season. Unfortunately, the typical purple/orange leaves during autumn is non-existent here in Southern California.

Welcome to my outdoor bistro! I am ready for some hot spiced apple cider, so please join me. Also made pumpkin and apple cupcakes, plenty for all to share!

These pair of creamy milky color teacups and sandwich/dessert plates are wonderful. I love the gold border and design, which to me looks like leaves and acorns, just in time for Fall.

I'll be travelling to the East Coast next week, so I will have a chance to look at the beautiful colors of the autumn trees they have there...just keeping my fingers crossed that "no snow storm" while I'm there.

Linking this post to:

Terri and Martha's Teacup Tuesdays

Trish at Tea Party Tuesdays

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

For the Love of Ladders

2011-10-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

What is it about vintage ladders that I find so irresistible? I mean we've all seen it in pages of magazines and blog posts over and over again, and yet it's hard not to do a double take when we see them. Is it just me, or do you agree?

(First three photos above via Poetic Home)

Let me show you another ladder I bought (my third...yikes!) at the Irvine Flea Market recently. Some of you may have seen my second one below where I did a post last August.

Well here's the latest addition to my ladder collection (what...who collects ladders??? I have a sickness!!!) This one is honest to goodness vintage. I love the "X" factor on its back side (hah!).

I love how there's so many layers of paint drops all over...I can't even imagine how many rooms this baby has painted!

And love, love, love it's metal handle/carrier...I haven't seen this style before so, can't help but carry her home with me, now residing in mon cheri's man cave.

By the way, wishing you all a nice Halloween celebration.
Happy Halloween!

Source

Sharing this post with my friend Nita's Mod Mix Monday

Another Special Pre-tea Party Cake

2011-10-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

Bonjour girlfriends! How was your weekend? Mine was another crazy weekend making cakes. Ah oui...I was crazy enough and attempted to make cakes inspired by a Louis Vuitton handbag, plus a purse and a hat.

Do they look pre-tea?

I made so much cake, that I had enough batter to make cupcakes which fit perfectly inside my teacups.

Here's how it all started -

I crumb coated my lemon and butter cake

Rolled out lots and lots of fondant

This is the purse inspiration and all the parts for the cake which I prepared a day early. They are all made of fondant as well.

Here's the wallet

The hat

And the purse (handle cracked - sigh)

Aside from the craziness of it all, I had a blast making these cakes!

Wishing you all a pre-tea party week!

Joining the following party links:

Trisha from Tea Party Tuesday

Terri and Martha from Tea Cup Tuesday

Camp Cupcakes

2011-10-10T20:55:00.000-07:00

My cousin's baby boy turned 1 year old last weekend and I made 4 dozen "camping" themed cupcakes...yikes!

The pretty invitation card below was my inspiration for the cupcake decorations. The cards are made out of bark - created by Courtney Barker
Courtney has an etsy shop, and will be launching her business and blog soon.

These decorations are made of fondant and gum paste.

Then I kneaded and marbleized the fondant, and shaped them using these molds

And of course did a whole lot of cutting and shaping into very little pieces

Here's the family - my cousin, her cute baby boy and that's really Papa Bear inside

And as you can see from the pictures below, all my 14 hours of hard work paid off...Baby Milton LUV'd my cupcakes!

Making 4 dozen cupcakes is hard work indeed! So after 14 hours of standing up, it was time for me to rest my poor swollen feet and truly enjoyed a big cup of iced chai tea latte sans cupcake...no for me, this simple cheese tart was my reward.

Linking this post to Trisha from Sweetology's Tea Party Tuesday

Wedding A La Mode

2011-10-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Is it really October??? It really is, isn't it...and I'm still hibernating (sigh). Well this weekend, I mostly stayed home, watched lots of movies...one of them is called Bridesmaids...HILARIOUS!

While this movie cured some of my gray glum, it also inspired me to do a lil bit of "wedding" a la mode. The photo of the beautiful bride and her bridesmaids below is my inspiration. I love the color of the bridesmaids' dresses, and j'adore the color of the bride's gown!

(Source: Style Me Pretty)

Here's my wedding inspired tablescape.

I just can't get over how pretty this teacup is! Not microwave safe of course because of those pretty flower crystals.

And isn't this mug heavenly with the pretty quilt/pearl beads?

I like the shape of this white teapot

And look...even the spoon rest is decked out with sparkles!

This aqua bird cage of course inspired me to make cupcakes and decorate them with birds

These are made of fondant and gum paste

Wishing everyone a cozy October!

Linking to:

Terri and Martha's Tea Cup Tuesday

Trisha's Tea Party Tuesday

The House in the Roses: Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Hard to Say "Goodbye Summer"

2011-09-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

Why does it take a minute to say "Hello" and forever to say "Goodbye?" - Author Unknown

For me, this summer FLEW BY! It came and went, and I am not the least bit ready for the new season. Fall always makes me feel melancholy, so I apologize if it sounds like I'm dragging and having a hard time letting go of the last summer days.

Although the foliage of mon petite jardin is still looking green, flower blossoms have started to fade, just a few colors remain so I tried to capture what's left before they are all gone.

After a long search, I finally found a vintage iron crib at a recent antiquing expedition. I turned it into a daybed and now it is a perfect fit in my outdoor room.

My dear Mama was the one who did the sewing of the mattress and pillow covers.

Oh and let me also show you these cute teacups found at the same antiquing expedition.

"'Tis the last rose of summer,
Left blooming alone;
All her lovely companions
Are faded and gone."
- Thomas Moore, The Last Rose of Summer, 1830

By the way, please forgive me for being absent lately. I have been feeling "blah" these last couple of weeks, so I have been uninspired and feel that I really have nothing to blog about. I don't know why, perhaps I just need a little tune-up and soon I'll be back in the swing of things again.

Linking to:
Tracie's Cottage Flora Thursdays

Terri and Martha's Teacup Tuesdays

Buried Treasure

2011-09-05T07:56:00.000-07:00

Alright, so we've all seen these antique apothecary bottles that have fossilized. They are usually from the 1800's to very early 1900's and are highly collectible. We use them as display items in our homes because of their charming appeal and character.

Well, at my latest flea market adventure, I met a man who actually hunt and dig looking for these buried treasure. He calls it an obscure hobby because he would literally knock on people's homes, show them a map from the 1800's and asks if he can dig under their property to look for buried bottles.

Hah...I can imagine how many slammed doors he gets for every one that says "sure, you can break through my concrete driveway, why not?"

Talk about a passionate hobby!

Speaking of treasures, here are a few more I found at the flea market...

I had to have this turquoise demitasse cup with grape background

Why...well it's made right here...in Californi"a"

Have you got any treasures you'd like to share? Would love to hear about it!

Linking to: Terri and Martha's Teacup Tuesdays

Pam and Wanda Lee's Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesdays

Farmhouse Fantasy

2011-08-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

Ever since I've opened my Etsy shop, I have been introduced to shop owners from different parts of the world. A few of my faves and are in my circles are from France (bien sur). Two of them are from the french countryside running their Etsy shops from their exquisite farmhouses. This of course got me to fantasize how fabulous it would be to live in my own farmhouse!

I would be happy in this cheerful looking farmhouse for sure

With the most ideal farmhouse kitchen

And a charming grapevine covered outdoor dining room

Although, no matter where my farmhouse is located, I would always bring my very useful hoosier cabinet with me...

...well equipped with my farmhouse industrial chic kitchen accessories

Are you like me...do you ever fantasize about your dream home and where it would be?

Linking to Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Par Avion

2011-08-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

What is it about mailboxes...why am I obsessing about them lately? I think it's because I hardly get any "real mail" anymore inside my mailbox. Bills, bills, bills, oh and junkmail...that's all I get nowadays! Remember these two mailboxes I posted about here and here? Well, I found two more mailboxes at yard sales this weekend. Transformed them of course from their original rusty ugly look - this time, after I painted them, I simply applied some cool graphics found from Graphics Fairy!

Here are the mailboxes before -

Here they are after - this is the Eiffel Tower side

And the french letter side - quelle romantique!

I simply enlarged the graphics and printed them using clear blank labels bought at Staples

By the way, the mailboxes are sitting on top of this old ladder I found at my local thrift shop...the best part...it was already painted blue!

Sexy, non?

It's an excellent bookshelf

Where I can easily grab my fave design books

Of course I have to mention that those pretty pale pink geraniums all came fresh from my window boxes. They are thriving so happily right now.

Speaking of mailboxes, etc. (haha!)...mon petite boutique has gone "par avion" - international style. A dear sweet blogger, Celia from Atteatude and Chocolate found the two pieces below when she clicked on my boutique tab. She liked them so much, she ordered them just like that! It was rather fun shipping two big boxes to Canada, that's where she's from. Celia, like many of us has such a great life story to tell in her other blog Falling Off a High-Heeled Life. Check it out here...her story is one of those inspirational must read, really. Merci beaucoup dearest Celia!

Linking to the following parties:

Tracie from Cottage Flora Thursdays

http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/2011/08/mod-mix-monday-12.html

http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/

Summer Pickins'

2011-08-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

Mon cheri et moi have been enjoying the last few dog days of summer here in SoCal. While he's out fishin', I go pickin'...fortunately, the downtown areas where I go antiquin'/thriftin' are mostly within a few blocks from the beach or pier, so it's a win-win for us both!

Here are a few of my finds this weekend:

This was the the pier where Chris went fishing...it's in Dana Point Harbor, very popular spot to paddle boarders.

While we were there, this pirate looking ship was getting ready to take off

Let me show you these...not sure if they are tea cups, but these dainty pink cups have two handles. They are too small to be soup bowls, so I will totally use them as tea cups.

I was so excited to find this cast iron balance scale with a pair of copper plates. It's in mint condition for a very low price. The mark reads HCo.

How cute are these primitive pharmacy bottles???

The bottle in front with a cork top reads "toilet water"...what was that for?

This particular one still has the oil inside (which I will toss - eeewww), and the box

Speakin' of pickins...I had to pick the last few of my mophead hydrangeas. They are burning in mon jardin during some intense heat these last few days of summer.

And a few last picks from my veggie garden...my yellow pear tomatoes

Sweet corn which never got big enough

And some hot hot hot jalapeno peppers

Finally, remember these heirloom punkins that I planted from seeds just a few weeks ago...look how fast they're growin'???

Seriously...WHAT IS WRONG WITH BLOGGER??? It's frustrating to blog lately so I'm considering changing to wordpress...any thoughts?

Linking this post to:

Tracie's Cottage Flora Thursdays

Terri and Martha's Teacup Tuesday

Paris Trunk Show

2011-08-01T01:30:00.000-07:00

Going into seven months of owning mon petite shoppe and learning more about the retail business, it's my responsibility to know what my customers like...what items sell immediately and what stays unwanted (sigh!).

As predicted (and you probably guessed too), pieces that go flying out these doors items related to "Paris, Eiffel Tower, French, and Euro" style.

So without further a-deux...here they are, french-inspired goodies available this month at mon petite shoppe inside Olde Ivy in Carlsbad Village!

My own version of Le Paris Trunk Show...
Ooh la la!

Madame Marie Antoinette Pillow

This bangle bracelet reads "I'd rather be in Paris"

Magnetic calendar with thermometer

Farmhouse milk bottles with wire basket. These bottles are quite big, has a fruit logo and reads "frutta del pratto"

Les Fleur vintage-inspired frame art

J'adore this french grocery list! You can point to items you need to add to your shopping list and even works better if you can read french.

This box reads "candle box" but really, you can put any mementos you want inside this frenchy box!

Violettes vintage-inspired art frame

This old mailbox was originally painted grimy green, but I repainted it and added the Paris street name.

This box will knock your socks off - haha! Really, it's a box to organize your socks, but I use it to organize my price tags.

And what queen doesn't want a crown? Enchante', your highnesses!

A sign inspired by the world famous Paris Flea Market, bien sur!

And a french "Bakery" sign, perfect for someone's kitchen

Keepin' my fingers crossed that these pickins' go flying out the door of mon petite shoppe at Olde Ivy. Wish me "bonne chance" mes amis!

P.S. I will be giving away one of these "french-inspired" items from mon petite shoppe. Stay tuned for the announcement...soon.

Fabuleux Finds

2011-07-24T19:52:00.000-07:00

Does it make you feel fabuleux when something you have been hunting for is suddenly found, right there, in front of your very eyes? Please don't think me shallow, but this is how I felt this weekend, it's like hitting the mother lode!

I have found the treasure
That lies at the Rainbow's end;
Wealth beyond computing
Is mine to give or lend. - Agnes Hayes Post

This sweet no handle pink footed teacup is a rare find.

Oh how I've searched far and wide for this vintage french enamelware lavabo!

When I found this hanging vintage kitchen scale, it was a terrible rusty red. I gave it a bit of a modern life by spray painting it coastal blue.

Happy hunting! May your finds be fabuleux!

Linking this post with these wonderful party hosts:

Tracie's Cottage Flora Thursday

Kathleen's White Wednesday

Terri and Martha's Teacup Tuesday

Trisha's Tea Party Tuesday

Nita's Mod Mix Monday

Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage Monday

A Lil Bit of This - A Lil Bit of That

2011-07-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

While at Anthropologie last week, I found a collection of vintage softdrink bottles they have in their home decor section. Supposedly, they were from an "old bottling factory" in England. I thought they were cute, so for $16 bucks each (ouch), I only bought one.

The thing I like about this bottle is the color of course, but also that there's a marble that rolls around inside.

The color of the bottle blends well with my collection of vintage Ball jars

And I thought it specially looks nice with my not so old trompe l'oeil wall decor which is a vignette on the right side of my bed.

This is the wall that I look at when I turn to my right side of the bed.

Another vintage find I bought recently is this kitchen scale. For an old scale, this is in such mint condition so at $30 greens, it was a good buy for me.

Talking about vintage, let me introduce you to the newest dealer at Olde Ivy Antiques, she's located on the left side of my booth. She has an awesome vintage/antique collection and at her first month as a dealer, her pieces are flying off her space!

Meanwhile, my space is still doing well (thank goodness), and I always keep it full especially this time of the year since we get many tourists here in Carlsbad Village by the Sea.

The collection in my booth is always a mix of vintage and modern, a bit of eclectic mix for everyone. Just like my home, I have a lil bit of this and a lil bit of that! Here's a new piece I added recently, a cute garden gate armoire.

And a couple of vintage metal ware, like this 50's metal cake carrier

Then more modern decor items like these beach theme which the tourists like to take home

And lastly, a vintage men's washstand that I sort of modernized by changing the paint color from the old mahogany brown to fresh cottage blue.

Merci everyone for visiting, hope you enjoyed reading this post! I'm sorry about the lack of posts and comments. It's been so crazy busy for me this season and I'm really struggling about keeping up with my blogging. I hope you understand.

Linking this post to my dear friend Nita's Mod Mix Monday party.

Sip and Shop

2011-07-04T19:07:00.000-07:00

There's nothing more fun than spending time with friends and catching up. How about joining moi in my new garden getaway? Come visit with me for a sipping tea party after a long day of shopping, mes amis!

Finally, when fate hands us lemons, why let's make some lemonade, lemon pie, lemon cake, or better yet, give them away! My tree is producing so much lemons, I can't keep up!

I will be partying with these wonderful ladies:

Tracie's Cottage Flora Thursdays

Kathleen's White Wednesdays

Terri and Martha's Teacup Tuesdays

Pam and Wanda Lee's Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Trisha's Tea Party Tuesday

Visit to the Getty Villa in Malibu

2011-06-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

Is it moi, or is "blogger" a bit of a pain lately? I can't figure out why, but it's been a struggle for me to post photos the past few weeks....aargh!

Well, anyways I wanted to share with you some photos I took from my visit to one of my fave museum, the Getty Villa in Malibu. This is the original museum, before the Getty Center by the Hollywood Hills was erected. The Getty Villa was J. Paul Getty's own summer home and he put in so much detail in its architecture and garden which is why I love visiting this place.

As soon as you walk in, the first thing you see is this huge reflecting pool right smack in the middle. This is the view as you enter the loggia looking at the villa.

This is the view from the villa. Beyond the red tiled loggia and behind those trees...

Is a perfect view of the Pacific Ocean

On each side of the reflecting pool, you walk through this super long hallway of trompe l'oeil murals. Each hallway is painted with symetrical murals. I swear, I was in awe the first time I saw this about over 25 years ago. It was my first exposure to the art of trompe l'oeil and trust me, these two hallways are super long! I thought I died and went to mural heaven.

Then you look up the ceiling of the loggia and you see these...

And these

This open ceiling reminded me of the open dome at the Pantheon in Florence, Italy

Amazing, non?

Since the Getty Center was built in Hollywood Hills, most of Getty's art collection was moved there, and the few remaining art pieces here in the Getty Villa are concentrated on Greek and Roman Antiquities. So really, I come here for the inspiring architecture and garden.

How awesome is this herb garden?

On one corner is this arbor of grapevines

Lots and lots of lavender

And multiple ponds with various colors of water lilies!

My photos don't do this inspiring place justice, so you have to see it for yourself. Anytime you're in Malibu in Southern California and you love Roman-inspired architecture, don't skimp, make sure to stop by the Getty Villa!

Shoppe Talk

2011-06-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

I did it! I'm in! I am now a proud online shop owner via Etsy. Oui oui mes amis! Yesterday I took a few photos of my recent found objects from different places and have posted them in Etsy. Still experimenting though such as the payment part. Haven't done paypal so for now, the only method of payments acceptable are personal checks and money order. I'm just testing the waters so if you have time dear friends, please check out my Etsy shop and let me know if you have any suggestions about anything. It would really be a big help for moi. Merci!

Here are my first seven items for sale via Etsy:

Just added today:

These last three pieces are not in Etsy, but they are for sale in my space at Olde Ivy Antiques in Carlsbad Village.

My Secret Hideaway

2011-06-19T20:21:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, I went antiquin', thriftin', junkin' with my Mom huntin' for the perfect salvage doors...again! Well, this is for a special purpose...my birthday is coming up this weekend and mon cheri volunteered to build me an outdoor room. Let me repeat that, oui oui, mon cheri volunteered to build me something as a birthday present. For the longest time, I've been talking about a green house, something like a conservatory, but since his carpentry skills are quite basic, we came up with a pretty simple design.

Come take a peek inside my new hideaway made of old salvage doors!

These pair of doors were a steal so I also bought them even if they won't work for the outdoor project. They're staying indoors for now and I've got plans for these.

These old doors however are perfect!!!

Stack of new treated lumber from Home Depot for flooring

Now we're cookin'

After a couple hours, mon cheri finished the deck for the room

And a few more hours later...

We're not quite done yet, still have to come up with a solution for the top cover and also I will paint the floor, but for now, I am 99.9% happy with the result. Some girls like jewelry for presents, I however love love love this present from mon cheri. Isn't he the best?

Sharing this post with my friends: Tracie's Cottage Flora Thursday, Mary's Masterpiece Monday, Nita's Mod Mix Monday and Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage Monday.

Jardin D'amour

2011-06-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

How would you like to have une affaire in your jardin...oui l'amour affaire?

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Seriously, pourquois pas? I would love to host a wedding or even a bridal shower in my own garden someday and style them just like the photos above.

By the way, I would like to say a huge "merci beaucoup" to all those who joined my poll and giveaway this month. I have decided to look into Etsy and may start selling online through them. How cute is their HQ in Brooklyn??? Also, the winners of my giveaway are Laurie from Heaven's Walk and Sarah from My Yellow House. Congrats ladies and please send me an email with your mailing address.

Linking this post with Tracie from Cottage Flora Thursday

Random Garden Post and Meet Madame French Girl

2011-06-08T20:36:00.000-07:00

I have a few species of lavender in my front yard; French, Spanish and most recently planted English lavender. The English lavender just started blooming this year and their flowers are certainly very different than French and Spanish. English lavender has pointier and spiky shape, and also much more fragrant.

Meanwhile these deep purple gladiolas are all blooming too fast and are so heavyweight that they are all leaning down so close to the ground. I ended up cutting them all.

Oh and I got new pair of gloves that match my garden boots

I make it a habit to wear garden gloves especially when it comes time to pruning and bringing in my cut flowers. Helps prevent chafed hands and scratches.

Before I forget, let me introduce you to the new staff member at Marie's Maison.

She's French and c'est chic. Here's her head shot...

And body shot...oooh la la!

I'm pretty sure Madame French Girl can pull her weight around here. Today she carries lavender, tomorrow maybe a baguette or some croissants.

Sharing this post with Tracie from Cottage Flora Thursdays

Beach Mementos

2011-06-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

We finally had our first full blown summer here in Carlsbad this weekend. Which means the beginning of the tourist season is here...welcome "Zonies" (our nickname for visitors from Arizona) which we get a lot. It's always such a joy for me people watching at the beach and I'm getting pretty good at differentiating the locals from tourists. Again, "bienvenue" and I hope you visit mon petite shop in Olde Ivy Antiques at the Village.

Here are some beach shots and a few shells I picked up this weekend to add to my collection.

Mon cheri...my ever hopeful fisherman

He's quite an expert catching these little guys...don't worry, we toss them back to the ocean.

Now that I have mon petite shop in Carlsbad Village, I often meet tourists visiting from all parts of the country, some even from France, which of course gets me so excited!

Because we live in a beach community, a some tourists like to take home our seashells or nautical mementos as souvenirs. What a coinkidink! I live here and I can't stop collecting shells. What is it about them that's irresistible?

Here's my growing collection...all picked up from walking at my local beach.

These little guys are my picks this weekend. Isn't that bleached sea rock amazing??? Looks like a pearl inside the big clam shell.

Again, I live here and still I buy touristy things like this hat decorated with shells and lace.

I think I'm gonna sell this jar half filled with collected shells so either a tourist or a local can just add to it. I might even add some kind of note or poem about the sea. Watcha think?

There's still a few days left to join my poll and giveaway. Don't miss it! Click on photo to join.

Marie's Maison Giveaway

Fresh Produce, Free Flowers

2011-06-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

The best reward I get from hours of work in mon petite jardin is when it's "harvest time." It's the best feeling especially for a novice gardener like moi!

Here are a few of my first harvest this season - the veggies were from seeds, and the violet gladiolas are from bulbs.

The grape leaves around mon potagerie are growing like crazy wild monsters!

From "le potagerie" to the faux kitchen scale

Remember these two raised veggie beds I started in my front garden just beginning of April? Look how they've grown!!!

Beautiful violet gladiolas I planted just last March

From seeds to these is such a rush! So addicting - so my garden boots and moi are just gettin' started!

Here's another raised bed I just added last weekend in my front garden.

I'll be planting more organic and heirloom veggies. Oh how I wish I could send them your way!

Happy Summer Gardening all! Hey - and can you believe it's June? June is my fave month of the year. Lots of happy events are celebrated in June; weddings, graduations, my birthday ;-)

Speaking of my birthday, I hope you'll join my birthday giveaway. I'm doing a poll and to express my gratitude, there will be two winners. Please click here or on the photo below to learn more. Merci beaucoup for joining everyone!

Marie's Maison Giveaway

Linking to Tracie's Cottage Flora Thursday

New Things, Old Things, Blue Things, A Poll and A Giveaway

2011-05-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

O mon Dieu! I seriously have the case of ADD - attention decorator's disorder. Are you one of those who gets bored easily with a certain part of your home and always itching to change something? C'est moi...that's me! I made un petite change to my dining room which now looks different from what was published in Romantic Country Magazine recently. This is what it looks now.

I found this old grayish blue salvage door and I just couldn't resist it's decaying beauty.

Then I found these pair of blue shutters, they're new. J'adore the upper metal part and thought the three pieces together looked well - a combination of old and new.

It was still missing something though, so I added this "oeil de beouf", a quintessential french mirror, which I already own and was in mon boudoir.

Voila!

Here's another new and old combo that looks good together. My two vintage milk bottles which I often use as fleur vases, and my new mini vintage inspired milk bottles in a metal carrier.

I think they alll look wonderful together!

Here's the before photo of my dining room as shown in RC magazine and photographed by none other than Mr. Mark Lohman.

Here's what it looks like now - well, at least for a few days.

Can you believe June is here??? My birthday is coming up so I've decided to celebrate and give this item to one of my lucky followers. There are 6 mini milk bottles (or test tubes look alike) inside a metal carrying case.

Hmmm, let's see...to enter this giveaway; 1- just leave me a comment here, and/or 2- talk about this giveaway on your blog, and/or 3- become my newest follower. For an additional chance to win, click on my boutique tab (under my header), view the items I sell in my space, and let me know your thoughts whether or not I should open up an online shop by joining the poll I've set up on the right side of my blog. Leave a separate comment by clicking here, to let me know that you joined the poll. Of course, merci beaucoup for participating in this giveaway.

Hope these instructions are ez enough and you'll help me decide whether or not I should expand mon petite shop by selling smaller items online. Poll and giveaway ends June 15, 2011.

Sharing this post with:

Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday

Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday

Nita from Mod Mix Monday

Cielo from Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Smiling Sally from Blue Monday

Hydrangeas and Blue French Enamel Lavabo

2011-05-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

My young hydrangea shrubs in mon petite jardin are happily blooming this season. Yeay! I must have done something right. I planted two colors last year - white and pink. Also, someone told me that if I add acidic fertilizer to pink hydrangeas, they will turn blue but not sure when to add the fertilizer, before or after they start to bloom. Has anyone tried that yet?

I thought the white hyrangeas are cute placed on my blue french enamel lavabo which I purchased in Chelsea Antiques during my recent vaca in NoCal.

It was "l'amour" ar first sight as soon as I saw this piece. At first it was just a quick glance, then I glided towards it closer, circled around, checked out the price tag and "walked away." Oui, bien sur I walked away coz she's priced a bit high. Strolled around the entire shop and bought a few items, but no, I did not pick up this piece. I even felt good as I was walking out of the shop without her - BUT - oui BUT - that "Tiffany" blue color kept haunting me. "When will I ever find something like this again, I asked mon cheri?" So we searched google in our iPhones, and true enough, this is a rare piece, circa 1920's. Et voila, she went home with moi, including her rust and dust.

So pretty and worth every penny!!!

Next week, I will be sharing mon potagerie (veggie garden's) first crop of the season. Here's my first strawberry, tiny and pretty in pink!

Sharing this post with

Courtney from Feathered Nest Friday

Tracie from Cottage Flora Thursdays

and a new linky party this week - Friday Pretties

Visual Merchandising

2011-05-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

"Visual Merchandising" is an art form that I have yet to learn and master. Perhaps one of the best example who knows a great deal about visual merchandising is Anthropologie. Just look at this amazing display -

Why am I concerned about learning the art of visual merchandising? Well, the exciting news is that my space in Olde Ivy Antiques has now doubled. The challenge is merchandising it well, so my goods look attractive enough to those who visit it and buy a piece or two for their homes. Here's my new space - it is bigger, but given some considerations and limitations, I can only do so much. Any thoughts?

Speaking of beautiful spaces and someone who is a talented and seasoned stylist, I visited a blogger friend's space (whom I admire) at Country Roads. The lovely Kate of Salvage Dior and moi finally met. She is one of those women who instantly makes one feel comfortable! We hugged as soon as we met and immediately we were chatting like we're best buds. She gave me some suggestions about what I could do with my new space. I picked up a few things from her and this hutch is one of them -

It's now in Marie's Maison, I changed the knobs and voila!

Thanks for checking out my new space at Olde Ivy's and appreciate any comments or input you want to share on how it could look better. Au revoir for now.

Wicked Plants - Consider Yourself Warned!

2011-05-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

Mon petite jardin is nothing to be proud about in its current state. We've had so much rain here the past three days that everything is overgrown and messy.

(click on all photos below to enlarge)

I need to do some SERIOUS pruning which is a gardening chore I always put off. All my shrubs are needing some TLC.

Even a fave plant of mine, the foxglove is also asking for some love. Which brings me to the meat of this post. I learned something about foxgloves and other plant favorites of mine during my recent visit to San Francisco's Conservatory of Flowers.

No, not this conservatory, although this was inside the real conservatory.

I'm talking about this conservatory!

They have a truly wicked and most informative exhibit while we were there. It is called "Wicked Plants" - plants and flowers that are toxic (sometimes deadly) but at the same time very common around us. It shows the botanical rogues and assassins

Foxglove, again one of my favorites, turns out is pretty toxic when ingested

And so are delphiniums, angels' trumpet, oleander, sago palm and a lot more plants and flowers that we can pretty much find in our own neighborhood and worse, our own backyard.

This special exhibit is presented so well, like an eerie Victorian Garden, it was hard for me to leave. I mean as soon as you walked in, you were greeted by this, a gramaphone playing old songs from gang and horror movies from the good ol' days. It's really brilliantly done!

I also love how they used these old fashioned signs

Lastly, here's a very cute part of the exhibit. A bottle collection that keeps the seeds and mushrooms of the poisonous plants.

Sharing this post with Tracie's Cottage Flora Thursdays

Provence? In Sonoma County

2011-05-17T20:40:00.000-07:00

Bonjour à tous! Finally getting back into the swing of things here after a two week vacation and playing catch up at work and business. I've missed you all!

Wanted to share some photos of z'anniversarie in Sonoma - our Wine Country tour. We stayed at a chateau B&B called Ramekins. It's an amazing combination of culinary school and inn, the staff is wonderful and we felt like we were in Provence!

The chateau was empty the week we were there, we were the only guests! Mon cheri assured me that he rented it exclusively for us in honor of our 10th anniversary, isn't he sweet (ha!ha!)

Check out the solid antique gate that opens into the property's courtyard!

The balcony outside our bedroom

And this cute line of asparagus leading to the staircase!

We rented bikes one day and cruised all around checking out the vineyards. The funny thing with all these signs to different wineries - what I was really looking for was the way to the yard sale.

Remember that movie "A Good Year" which was filmed in Provence...that's kinda how I see Sonoma County...it's really beautiful there! Look at cheri, just biking happily along the vineyards.

How would you like to own one of these???

I totally love, love, love these signs to mark their vines...was tempted to swipe one (he!he!)

Sonoma in my opinion is so picturesque...not a bad substitute...we have our own Provence, here in the U.S.

Coincidentally, the owner of the B&B Ramekins, also owns a well known french antique shop called Chateau Sonoma. As soon as I stepped in to her shop, my knees grew weak and drooled the whole time. It's full of fabulous, authentic french goodness - tres fantastique!

By the way, I have some exciting news! Mon un petite shoppe - Marie's Marche' at Olde Ivy Antiques has been doing well, so I've decided to double my space. I will be moving across the aisle this weekend and will be taking photos when I'm done so I can share them with you all. Wish me BONNE CHANCE!

Bon Anniversaire

2011-04-25T03:20:00.000-07:00

Mon cheri et moi are celebrating our 10th year anniversary! We are leaving for Sonoma County in Northern California - this is THE WINE COUNTRY region of California and is being compared to Provence, France. We shall see...I'll be off for a while!

Source

Aren't the photos above from Sonoma County absolutely DREAMY???
We're driving our little brown Audi.
Au revoir for now!

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I also want to thank another dear friend Cielo from House in the Roses for featuring my dining room on her weekly "Show Off Your Cottage Monday." She's having a special "Show Off Your Room Monday" so check out all the other beautiful rooms she posted from other blogs as well.

Easter Wishes

2011-04-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone!

How about some pink champagne...

And fluffy cupcakes for Easter Brunch?

The rosemary sprigs above are from my garden lining up my fence along with the lavenders.

An Easter inspired tablescape I had set up with lots of yummy goodies!

Don't these jelly beans look so scrumptious?

Remember my favorite...french macarons? Well these are the candle version - so cute!!!

Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life. ~S.D. Gordon

Linking this post with the wonderful Ms. Tracie for Cottage Flora Thursdays

Master Bedroom Redeux

2011-04-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

It was really flattering receiving lots of questions and emails complimenting my master bedroom after it was published recently in Romantic Magazine. The truth is, I have been wanting to redo the master bedroom, so a week after the photo shoot, I've started changing things around.

Here's the before-

And now, this is how it looks -

Not a dramatic change, but the sheets, the canopy, the window treatment are all new. Also, I added more shutters, so that back wall is mostly shutters.

I really love this fabric called "french script"

The french lavenders are all from my garden. I was told that lavender is a good cure for sleeplessness, it relaxes the mind and body. So, I usually have them around the bedroom or even tuck dried lavender inside my pillows.

The best thing about my master bedroom is that it opens up to my back garden.

This hammock is where I take afternoon naps during the hot days of summer.

Linking this post with:

Kathleen's White Wednesdays

Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage Monday

I Smell Like Dirt

2011-04-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

Love this saying: "In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." ~Margaret Atwood

Ahhh oui mesdames, mon cheri and moi have been getting our hands and fingernails dirty indeed. These last two weekends, we have been enjoying lots of sunshine that we literally smell like dirt and sweat working in notre jardin.

First, we hung two of these old chippy, flaky and rusty doors -

Next, we put together two of these raised garden kit, as I'm sloooowly removing my front lawn.

Then, I found these super cute plant markers, perfect for the garden boxes

And VOILA! After seven days...from seeds to seedlings

I'm loving these bachelor buttons!

Believe it or not, when we got rid of our sidewalk lawn, I wouldn't have thought, all these California native wildflowers would thrive.

And these were all from seeds that I scattered just around three months ago.

Here are a few more happy vegetation replacing the front lawn

And of course my lavenders are just growing like crazy!!!

Finally, happy to announce that our property is now a "certified wildlife habitat" from the state of California. Haha! It's really not a big deal...it just means that our garden provides food, water, cover and a safe home for wildlife to raise their young. Remember the hummingbird family that survived in our avocado tree? That's what it's all about!

Linking this post with my friends:

Debra from Common Ground's Vintage Inspiration Friday

Tracie's Cottage Flora Thursdays

My Home in Romantic Country Magazine Summer 2011

2011-04-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

At long last...after a couple of months of anticipation, Romantic Country magazine's Summer 2011 issue is finally out. And guess who's in it...none other than mon petite maison...oui oui - MOI, Marie's Maison!

Coco and I searched for it in the newstands this weekend.

Guess how many we picked up??? Not one, not two, not three...FIVE, (ha!ha!). Five copies mes amis!

My heart went pitter patter when I saw the issue right next to other magazines.

Then I immediately flipped through the editor's page, and saw that Madame Fifi had the photo of my hammock on her page and gave me a special shout out! Cool, eh?

Here are the first two pages of the article

And the last two pages. There were a total of eight pages in this feature and I'm just truly ecstatic!!!

Below are some behind the scenes shots that I took during the day of the photo shoot. The truth is, my home was a total chaos that day to make each room look pretty for the magazine. The Divine Stylist - Sunday Hendrickson, the Hilarious and Famous photographer - Mark Lohman, and their assistant Taylor arrived at my home exactly at 9:00 am and they did not finish until after 6 pm. They worked so hard, non-stop (well had a short lunch break), and I was there the whole day with them, observing. Sunday is a gifted stylist of course, coz she totally moved things around to make each shot perfect. But what I love about it is that, the way she styles has that "real" look to it, do you know what I mean?

Mark is hilarious and he kept me and Sunday entertained. He is such a down to earth guy, not at all what I expected.

There's Ms. Sunday, and her hardworking cowboy boots!

My dear Maman cooked them a few specialties for lunch which they adored. The funny thing is Mark made a comment and asked if "Mama can come with them at every photo shoot!"

My cupcakes that I made especially for that day.

Even mon cheri was helping style, since we had to hurry as the sun was starting to set

And some leftover props at the end of the shoot.

Here are other photos also taken by Mark Lohman but did not make it in the feature

All I can say is what an unforgettable experience this was! For the millionth time, I really want to say "MERCI BEAUCOUP" to Fifi O'Neill, she is such an inspiration and sadly to say, this is her last issue as editor of Romantic Magazine. Special thanks of course to sweet-sweet Sunday, and Mr. funny guy Mark.

If you haven't seen Fifi's book yet, YOU HAVE GOT TO, or you'll miss out on this BEAUTY!

And finally, a hundred times thank you to Elyse Major who wrote this feature flawlessly! Elyse has been featured on several magazines also, and this is her first full article. She did such an exceptional job, don't you think? Her very pretty blog is called Tinkered Treasures. Keep on rockin' those articles dear Elyse!

Now, go get your own copy of Romantic Country Magazine!

Linking this post with:

Sarah's Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays

Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Breaking News!

2011-03-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

Newsflash #1...another project completed! My french Louis chair is finally finished. I'm curious to know what you think. I didn't want it to be a conventional style Louis chair, but more of my own spin to a Louis chair.

Before

After

As you can see, I changed the color of the frame and added a distressed finish

I thought this linen fabric designed with clocks is so whimsical and yet old-fashioned

The burlap webbing looked so appealing to me so why cover it with fabric, I thought

Speaking of appealing, my white mini-roses are bloomin' a crazy, and so are the pink jasmines

The mini-roses come from this vine which I planted last spring

And has now fully bloomed

The pink jasmine smell divine and are very happy climbing up my front porch

And finally, talking about DIVINE...newsflash #2...I am soooooo excited to finally reveal that my home made it to Romantic Country's Summer 2011 issue! Madame Fifi (we all know who this angel of design is) said that it will be out at the newstands April 4th. That's next week mes amis...yikes! I hope you like my spread.

C'est moi with Divine Art Director, Sunday Hendrickson during the photo shoot last January. I just want to say how lucky I am to have met the nicest and most talented stylist. Sunday as you know, works very closely with Fifi, and has been a stylist for almost every home magazine you've seen (Romantic Country, Country Living, Victoria, etc.). She is a very sweet soul...Sunday sure deserves the "divine" word next to her name.

Here's a sneak peek of my feature as shown in Chez Fifi's blog. I will show you more when the magazine comes out next week, but of course you are most welcome to run over to your nearest newstands and get yourselves a copy of Romantic Country's Summer 2011 issue.

Sharing this post with:

Courtney from French Country Cottage's Feathered Nest Fridays

Joyce from I Love Pretty Things Friday Pretties

Debra from Common Ground's Vintage Inspiration Fridays

Tracie from Fishtail Cottage's Flora Thursdays

Done! Done! and Done!

2011-03-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

I'm back dear friends. For those of you who missed me, je désolé, truly I am sorry for not being around. For those of you who did not even notice, well that's fine too, I'm here anyway. As you may know, my life has been "la vida loca" lately because as the saying goes, "I bit off more than I can chew." But happy to report that had a very fulfilling and productive time last week and I was able to check off a few things from my to do list.

This piece is my latest addition to mon petite shoppe which I converted...

...from this sad old and dated piece...

...to bright and current

I even had fun creating these pulls made from canvas cloth

Now I have more extra space to put in beaucoup things to sell in mon petite shoppe like these adorable frenchy thingys!

Speaking of petite shoppes, I visited my blog friend Kate from Salvage Dior's, space in Country Roads in Old Town Orange. I purchased this vintage hutch from her space because it's irresistible and the price is right!

This un petit garçon also came home with moi

He is the perfect match for my young Marie Antoinette!

Ahhh, l'amour!

Here are a few more finds that I have yet to transform

Wait till I show you how pretty these fabrics are which I will be using to reupholster the french Louis chairs.

Till next time mes amis!