Vivez Bien * Live Well

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Life is Good!


I'm back after my little blogging break and I see that many of you have been very prolific with your posts so I have lots of catching up to do.

We had a wonderfully relaxing holiday. While the boys had lots of fun doing things like this......




.... I spent my leisure time doing this.




If you are a Francophile like me, or even if you aren't, I can highly recommend these two books. So amusingly and well written by British author, Michael Wright, about settling into a property in rural France and looking for a soul mate.



I am also currently reading and loving this book, a true story about an Australian couple trying to buy an apartment in Paris.




And when I wasn't reading, I was bonding with our baby!




Baxter is as cute as he is mischievous and gets away with murder! One look at those warm brown eyes and long velvet ears and all is forgiven.




In between reading and playing with the pup, I planted some new veggies....



...watched my garden respond to the warmer spring weather...




...and finished a painting of the boys and Baxter on the beach.



And finally, because this is essentially a blog about interiors and decor, I couldn't sign off without throwing in some pretty pictures I came across recently.





I love the simplicity and soft colours.


I am now going to go and catch up on as many of your lovely blogs as I can.

Till next time

Sharon x

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Spring Supper

I have had my collection of  bone china teacups for about 15 years. They are all different, but all have a flower pattern of some sort. I used to have a lot of tea parties when my children were younger. Every birthday party or festive occasion involved a plethora of moms staying for tea and I always used my "harlequin" tea set. I don't use them as often these days, but decided to use them in a different way when we had some friends for supper on Saturday evening.



I filled each cup with some pretty pink sprigs of geraldton wax.







Water jug and glasses laid out on a side table.



Cotton napkins that I have had forever match the spring theme.


Petal shaped tea light holders are placed amidst the cups.



Delicate embroidery on white linen runners.




On the menu, melanzane  parmigiana followed by seared tuna with wasabi mash and a green salad. For dessert, crepes with caramelised and slightly boozy pears and gooseberries. (I never remember to actually photograph the food!)




Silverware and more flowers

 

And now a few days later, a table filled with pretty flowers in teacups remind me of a lovely evening spent with good friends.


My boys start their school holidays tomorrow so I am going to take a little break from blogging to do some boystuff. See you soon.

Till next time

Sharon x

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Shades of Grey

...wandering around my home on a lazy morning, camera in hand, finding many different shades of grey....



























I hope your day is anything but grey!


Till next time

Sharon x

PS I'm linking to No Minimalist Here

Friday, September 16, 2011

Weekend Romance


While doing some research for my previous post, I fell in love!



Yes, I fell in love with this gorgeous little cottage in the Cape Winelands.



It has a beautiful swimming pool, lovely garden, even a place to barbecue!



It has views to die for...



and a perfect setting.





Now, unfortunately, the interior wasn't really to my taste. Not to be deterred, however, I redecorated!



So follow me up the garden path to see inside my wonderful weekend getaway




I thought interior should match the muted palette of the exterior. The kitchen is simple and a bit rustic, but with enough of the mod cons to make life easy.




In the living and dining area, furnishings are simple and comfortable, nothing too precious!



The bedroom echoes the blue of the agapanthus in the garden.




There is a spare bedroom so you can come and stay too.





The bathroom window has a beautiful view.




I often have an afternoon nap on that daybed. Sometimes even a morning nap.



So what do you think of my little place in the country?


Till next time


Sharon

Images: 1-7 Burgundy Borgogne
9 unknown
10 and 12 Via Pinterest
11 Via House Beautiful