French Essence

Christmas In Provence… Joyeuses Fetes…

December 30, 2012

The Christmas tree is sparkling…

The red berry wreath is in place…

The shadows cast long over the farmhouse… like long protective arms, they hug our home for Christmas …

The morning mists envelop the garden and muffle any sounds…

The Persimmons are ripe and ready for picking…

And the ruby red amaryllis are in place for Christmas Day…

The decorations are on the tree… every last one, every much loved bauble… new and old…

The hyacinths are potted and the hellebores are blooming…

Presents are wrapped and the candles are ready to be lit…

Garlands are hung… and the tulips are opening…

Joyeuses Fêtes…

I would like to say a very heartfelt thank you for your company this year. You are the kindest and most generous readers and your loyalty is so very appreciated. Every moment in our busy lives is precious and I am so grateful for the time we spend together… French Essence is my passion.. and my love of all things French only burns brighter… I know that it is your enthusiasm and shared devotion to France that makes this happen…

I wish you all a very merry Christmas, and a stunning New Year… good health, happiness… and joy… lots and lots of joy…

Much love to you all, Vicki

I will be taking a break for a few weeks but if you would like to read more from French Essence in my absence… please click HERE

Find my Pinterest Boards HERE

and stay in touch with Instagram HERE

Posted by Vicki on December 30, 2012 | Labels: Provence

123 Comments

Downton Abbey and Julian Fellowes will be keeping me company this Christmas…

December 23, 2012

Are you hooked on Downton Abbey? We are big fans in our house and during the season, it became a Sunday night ritual… that could not be missed.

Christmas night… we will be watching the two hour ‘special’… and I can’t wait… Promise not to spoil it for those who won’t see it until next year…

I think my favourite is Dame Maggie Smith… she is just faultless.

Downton Abbey is written by Julian Fellowes and so for the holidays I have loaded up my Kindle with his satires on English life…

You might say it is a little Christmas present to myself… I don’t wish to be challenged … rather entertained and amused…

I think Mr Fellowes will do the job perfectly…

Snobs… Paper Version… here Kindle… here Past Imperfect… Paper Version… here Kindle… here

The Downton Abbey Christmas Special 2012… here

*****

I can’t wait to cosy up in front of the fire and read, read, read… that is my idea of a holiday… Not long now… xv

To see more of my favourite libraries like the one above, click… HERE

Posted by Vicki on December 23, 2012 | Labels: Lifestyle

47 Comments

Paris Inspiration… For The Boys…

December 18, 2012

The boys are the tough ones… when it comes to gifting… so I don’t try and be too clever… I give them what they like…

Mine like ties.. and bow ties…

Like us girls when it comes to shoes and bags… there can never be too many…

Bow Ties are a little luxury for the boys… they don’t wear them often, but when they do… they wear them well…

In Paris there is a shop called Charvet and they sell the most exquisite silk ties and pocket squares for our men…

Charvet also sell pyjamas and dressing gowns… and all things manly… but my favourites are the silks…

Beautiful quality, glorious colours and totally luxurious… a classic but spoiling gift for the men in our lives…

Even if they don’t wear ties often… it doesn’t mean they wouldn’t like them in the wardrobe. A little like my highest heels… their outings are all too brief… but I still like knowing they are there…

I know we can’t all be in Paris and shop at Charvet (I wish we could… together…) but if you want to totally treat your boys… it is possible…

They deserve it… and there is still time… xv

Charvet ‘rouge’… here

Charvet classic… here

Charvet paisley… here

*****

Charvet pocket square… here and here

*****

Bow Ties… classic and oversized… here,

Striped and cute… here

Paisley and chic… here

*****

Gift ideas for the girls… HERE

For the Stockings… HERE

Posted by Vicki on December 18, 2012 | Labels: Paris

16 Comments

Paris Holiday Inspiration… How To Glam Up Your Lighting….

December 17, 2012

Paris knows how to decorate for the holidays… and when I saw these chandeliers I knew that I wanted to try and reproduce something of their effect…

Firstly I am going to pop a small shade on my lightbulbs… that makes all the difference… and then from the arms of the chandelier I will hang decorations… a few mirrored balls to catch the light and a few decorative onaments to add interest… I can’t decide if I will make them golden like the ones above… or ‘rouge’ as I seem to be favouring these holidays… I will show you once I finish, later this week… As I mentioned before… I am leaving the best fun until the last moment…

Once the decorations are tied on (with fishing line and hanging about 5-6 inches below the arms of the chandelier ) I will add dried oak leaves as my foliage. It is easy to twist them through the branches of my light… In the photographs above, they have used a very fine painted fern… so pretty and romantic… a-midsummer’s-night-dream feel… I think any kind of foliage would work… it just depends on your decor… I may even add a few glittery flowers into the oak leaves…

Golden Reindeers here… Mirrored decorations… here Baby Lampshades… 1… here 2… here… 3… here

If you prefer to go ‘rouge’… Red shades… here

Golden Flowers… 1…here 2… here 3…here 4… here 5… here 6… here

Will you decorate your lighting this year? If you do… please send me photographs… I would love to see and be inspired by your creations… Happy decorating… xv

For Part One of my gift ideas… click HERE

For Part 2… click HERE

For my Christmas stocking ideas… click HERE

Posted by Vicki on December 17, 2012 | Labels: Paris

12 Comments

French Essence… Holiday Gift Guide… For The French Girl Within…

December 17, 2012

Gorgeous gifts to tempt you… for the French girl within… I am hopeful that ‘Santa’ is reading…

The girls in our family would love any of these delights… *wink* *wink*… xv

golden wrap around bracelet… here

the best ‘chanel’ style jacket from j.crew… here

A necklace to love… here

the ideal tote… here

The prettiest Parisian illustrations from Kerrie Hess… here

the perfect pumps… here

Delicate and lacy… here

*****

What every girl loves… silk satin lingerie… here

French lips… here

very French and very feathery… here

French body oil… here

*****

black wrap around and around bracelet… here

French nails… here

and… the most elegant rose gold loops… here

*****

For Part One of my gift ideas… click HERE

For my Christmas stocking ideas… click HERE

Posted by Vicki on December 17, 2012 | Labels: Lifestyle

34 Comments

Yearly Archives: 2012

Christmas In Provence… Joyeuses Fetes…

Downton Abbey and Julian Fellowes will be keeping me company this Christmas…

Paris Inspiration… For The Boys…

Paris Holiday Inspiration… How To Glam Up Your Lighting….

French Essence… Holiday Gift Guide… For The French Girl Within…