Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Symboliques fleurs {At the Spa}

Diptyque


Les fleurs s’épanouissent sur les pages virtuelles et sur nos chemins de campagne et de bord de mer, notamment vendéens : liserons, orchidées, mimosas, tulipes, pensées, magnolias, cerisiers... 

Parmi les floraisons que je n’ai pas rencontrées au fil de mes pérégrinations tant urbaines et campagnardes qu’océanes, les orangers et leurs fleurs, variété éminemment méditerranéenne aux origines tout de même orientales (c'est par où la Chine déjà ?). Un oranger, c'est précieux, ça s'hérite au même titre qu'un olivier, ça se protège dans une orangerie l'hiver et ça se transporte entouré de mille précautions dehors dès les premiers rayons printaniers.

Leur parfum est chalereux, légèrement acidulé et enveloppant, un parfum que j’affectionne tant et dont je m’entoure de mille autres façons à défaut de le croiser le long de nos chemins d'insouciants vacanciers.


Diptyque lait frais


En cuisine, les orange étaient signe d'opulence : plus il y en avait, plus vous étiez riche... L’eau de fleur d’oranger embaume délicatement les syllabubs de mes rêves sucrés et se réhausse volontiers d'une larme de Grand Marnier ; sur ma peau, le lait frais accompagne le rituel adoucissant du matin et dépose un voile léger qui franchit frontières, climats et siècles car l'eau de fleurs d'oranger est utilisée depuis toujours dans les cosmétiques et bains parfumés.

Fleurs d’oranger dans mes gâteaux et sur ma peau. Gourmandise fleurie d’un bout à l’autre, d'un continent à l'autre et voyage sensoriel délicat et puissant à la fois.


Et vous, quel est votre péché mignon du moment ? Y a-t-il des résonances dans vos rituels bien-être ?

Signature




Monday, April 28, 2014

A la tombée du jour... {Fairy Talk}

Beach Live - Sunset Vendée

Au point du jour, c'est à ce moment-là des prémices de la journée que je suis arrachée à mon sommeil par mes deux petits faunes, suffisamment tôt pour saluer la nuit et ses dernières minutes fuyantes et ouvrir les yeux en regardant le soleil et sa lumière rayonnante en face, sans peur et sans remords.

A la tombée du jour, le calme d'un autre monde s'empare de notre demeure de vacances : un mobile home qui nous fait vivre quelques instants la vie rêvée des nomades, entre pommes de pins et pantalons trempés par l'eau salée, englués de grains de sable, tout en restant solidement ancrés à ce sol et à ces habitudes que nous chérissons tant - pas folles les guêpes. Les pins sont moins verts, leurs silhouettes  et celles des hommes sur la plage virent au fil noir des ombres chinoises sur fond de coucher de soleil au ralenti. Noir et argent, cette fin du jour.

Le silence s'empare de nos petites, abandonnées dans les bras de Morphée, épuisées par tant de courses, de cris, de plein air... Et moi, je m'assois : j'attaque ma journée. Cuisson de gâteau d'anniversaire, cours en ligne, lecture de journaux, réseaux sociaux et blogs. 

La fin du jour ou le début d'une soirée d'activités. 

A chacun son heure.

Quelle est la vôtre ?

Photos : The Daydreamer

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Printing in a Virtual Era {Geeky}


When digital pictures became all the rage, my parents started feeling seriously left out - they wanted to hold the photographs of their grand-children and not to have to squint their eyes at some overly bright computer screen where everything goes so incredibly fast. 

So un-poetic and cold.

That's when I started making albums that looked like proper books, simply using the program available on my computer (via iPhoto). Everyone smiled and thanked for the top quality, glossy paper books to cherish and it has been a real pleasure to hand these out at Christmas, Easter, birthdays... Smiles and curiosity welcomed them every single time, happiness flutter all over again...

But - as my friend says, there is always a "but" - now that the book option is secured, I am receiving again requests for single paper-based pictures as well as for their digital version. 

Fine, let's take this as a hint that time has come to investigate additional possibilities, maybe introducing some new options, what do you say? While looking for new playful options, I came across Printic, a very quick and efficient way to pick your favorite Instagram shots and print them out.


Since my father-in-law 70th birthday is approaching, I wanted to add to the wrapping of his present very special customized birthday tags; that's how the idea of printing some of my Instagram shots came about. I take entirely different pictures when using Instagram because I (almost) never publish pics with the full face of my kids or people around me, so I have to work around the self-imposed confidentiality constraint. This means my father-in-law will also see some new topics/angles thanks to the Printic paper version.

Truth be told, he will also be my guinea pig since I want to test his reaction before extending the Printic usage to the rest of the family folks. I believe he will be surprised by the unique tags and the welcomed return of the single paper photograph he - like my parents - so much longed for.

What do you think? Have you used Printic to surprise yourself or people around you?

If you want to find out what to do with your Instagram prints, the RockMyStyle blog came up just recently with a whole list of interesting options - check them out for useful inspiration. 


Credits: TheDaydreamer

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

For the Skin: Two Presents {At The Spa}

Cosmetics Olay

What does my skin say to me? Sometimes that it still believes I am a teenager (I am faaar from that), sometimes that I never drink enough, sometimes that it hates the sun, sometimes... sometimes... sometimes.

Sometimes, I admit I just don't know my skin and use whatever comes to hand. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I can tell by its reaction: greasy and dull? It's a no. Springy and light? It's a yes.

Straight from the London suitcase of our friends came two products: Olay Regenerist 3-point Super Serum and Olay Regenerist Eye Roller. Given my rather hectic days (I know, I am not allowed to say this because I am a stay-at-home mom at the moment, I know), it's been quite some time since I last listened to my skin or anybody else's in the family for that matter, being more often than not trapped in rather down-to-earth issues. 

So, cappuccino cup in hand and dreamy eyes wide open, I asked my skin: "Are you ready to give it a go?"
-- "Yes, let's roll!"

Cosmetics

The serum - this cure-it-all new product - is working pretty well: non greasy and easy to apply, it smoothens the skin rather visibly and makes it easier to apply the next cream in line (foundation for me); the eye roller is not having any visible effect, but this may well be due to the fact that my tired and sleep-deprived eyes are beyond recovery. I am willing to accept that and acknowledge what THEY are telling me.

These two presents have helped re-instate some kind of beauty routine, left aside little by little, without even noticing at times, some months ago... 

I promise: I will listen...more often...more openly. 

Signature


N.B. None of my posts are sponsored in any way. I choose the products I happen to have around and whether or not I want to name them or discuss them. Thank you.

Credits: The Daydreamer

Friday, April 11, 2014

The Cookie Gatherer {Roll the Dough}

Baking Cookies

This recipe is taken from the gorgeous Mon Petit Bistrot (by Claudia Ambu), with a few personal tweaks based on what was available in my pantry...

After a bit of mindless flower gathering under the sun with my eldest daughter, it is time to make our very own flowers at home with our four hands kneading together while laughing our hearts out at the sticky bits of dough fallen here and there and at our white noses covered in flour.

A simple, fragrant recipe to fill our home with delicious flowers to nibble at all day long.

Cookie ingredients
(Click on image to enlarge)

Option: We chose a spring-themed cookie cutter, but of course you may choose any shape you want, letting your imagination run free to tell a lovely related story as you knead, cut and bake.

Will you share your own story with me?



Credits: TheDaydreamer

Monday, April 7, 2014

Il neige au printemps {Look Around}


(Sortez vos écouteurs et dégustez ceci en lisant, merci Super Nova)

Une journée de repos qui a commencé avec une danse, celle de la douce lumière sur le mur, entre les feuilles de la fougère et les épais rideaux vert amande, une danse dans un univers tout de chlorophylle qui ne demande qu'à être inondé de rires et de galipettes.

La suite est douce : douceur du burnous en polaire gris perle et d'un pashmina mauve précieusement enroulé autour d'un tout petit cou, fragile, pour le protéger des frimas du petit matin sur la route du marché lové tout en bas de la côte encore silencieusement assoupie.


Illuminés, comme rarement, par quelques rayons pâles qui s'efforcent de ne pas décrocher, les arbres en fleur ponctuent notre descente et, sous l'effet insistant de la brise, les cerisiers laissent s'enfuir des nuées de flocons rose ou blancs... 

Au marché, peu de monde : quelques visages habituels, quelques petits nouveaux aussi qui parcourent la seule et unique allée en tournant la tête de gauche à droite histoire de ne rien perdre du spectacle, de repérer les produits alléchants du jour, de mener l'enquête pour ensuite revenir sur leurs pas et choisir, échanger deux mots, accepter un café...



Commencée avec le la donné par une plante de fougère, cette journée se poursuit chez le fleuriste du marché où les hortensias nous appellent, avec insistance ! Ma fille choisira la couleur (rose, forcément) et les voici dodus et fiers qui s'invitent à notre table de printemps vêtue en nuances de rose et de vert acidulé - les pieds dans le pré.

Célébrons en toute quiétude et harmonie rayons clairs et couleurs de l'arc-en-ciel.


Photos : The Daydreamer




Thursday, April 3, 2014

There's Magic in her Illustrations {Discover}



Some things - such as a particular talent - are passed on from one generation to another, some are not, get lost over one or more generations and then reappear, as if by magic, one day. My maternal grandmother was very good at drawing and painting, I just found out while admiring a "new" painting at my parents' place - little did I know that my grandmother was the artist behind "The Reader" painting.

I cannot draw or paint for toffee, so the talent definitely skipped a beat (my mom draws like a pro, naturally, while she talks on the phone, for example). This being said, I would like to believe that some form of talent has remained in a highly diluted form in my genes, under a different guise since I have always been attracted to illustrations and graphic design in general. At least, that's what's left in me!

It is only too natural that among the Other Daydreamers' list (my blogroll), you should find this brand new blog by an old friend, Anna Lisa, inspired and inspiring founder and owner of Bonbonbox:  Bonbonbox Illustrations.

She draws funny and whimsical characters from all paths of life and imagination: from dinosaurs to traveling wolves, and enchants our everyday with her stories and colorful art, a true shrine of happiness. I can come back to her drawings over and over and each time I find a brand new, delicate, funny, surprising, detail! In a way, it is like a Never Ending Story. Her pencil stroke is precise and assured, leaving no place for doubts or second thoughts, taking your hand to guide you through life and the children stories she is now writing. Boundless imagination, sense of color and texture - even more now as she investigates new means of expression as collage -  humor and writing skills are all this lady's natural talents.

Over the past months, Anna Lisa helped me cast a different look on illustration thanks to her own creations, ideas and pieces of advice. In a way, it is also thanks to her that I decided to take the road less traveled by (me): that of taking my very own pictures and customizing them with doodles, text and whatever I feel like experimenting. It is also thanks to her that you can now see larger pictures when reading a post here! 

She has also joined the 52-Week Illustration Challenge I told you a couple of words about here. I'll come back to the challenge, an incredible source of inspiration and a talent hub infusing daily delight. It deserves a post of its own in my heart - therefore here.

Hop over to her illustration blog and get ready to be mesmerized by a friendly mermaid or carried away by a friendly dragon living under the rainbow. Nothing is impossible, you know.




Credits: 
1 - TheDaydreamer (framed drawing by Anna Lisa Loffredo)
2 - Chinese Dancing Pandas by Anna Lisa Loffredo

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

I am listening to... {On the Turntable}

One Republic, Counting Stars


Everything that kills me makes me feel alive❞