French Inspired office a White to Bright Style Challenge with Chairish

Happy Thursday! Hope your weeks are going fabulously! Last week, I shared with you my Master Bedroom Coastal Palettes, this week, I am excited to share with you my White to Bright Office inspiration board. For those of you that have been reading my blog for any amount of time, know that I love color. I definitely shy away from neutral colors, and an all white room for me personally, would drive me crazy staring at those white walls. I want my office to be fun and energizing, a place where I can find creativity, and going bold and bright sounded perfect for me!
 I was recently introduced to Chairish, and I am ever so happy I did!

 

Chairish is a fabulous, curator approved, online marketplace for vintage furniture. It’s a wonderful way for design lovers to sell and purchase pre-owned pieces. I am and have been since high school obsessed with anything French, which when I saw these Antique Victorian Eastlake Velvet chairs, it was love at first sight!  Since this is going to be my office, my husband and I had this talk about how he has his office at his shop, the office at the house should be mine. Only fair, right! Which is when I saw these chairs, I knew, my office was going to be a romantic and charming in varying shades of pink, and it has to have a chandelier!

French Inspired office with Chairish by christyaz214

Here are all the lovely details!


Antique Victorian Eastlake Velvet chairs 

Pink color Pallet by BHG I'm leaning towards the Barely Blush by Glidden GLR20
(the large blush pink, 3rd from the top)

Minature Cranberry Lamp

19th Century Louis XV Style Ladies Writing Desk

Magenta Chroma Overdyed Rug 9' 12'  

Maple and Iron Side Table with Antique Mirror Top

Pink Velvet and Chenille Pillows

Vintage Brass and Crystal Chandelier

19th Century French Giltwood Mirror

Bjørn Wiinblad Pink & Gold Mounted Print


It really was fun designing with Chairish products. I love color, but found that even brighter and bolder colors, really do have that uplifting and energizing feeling! 

If you are in the market to buy or looking to do a little window shopping, you can 

SHOP MORE CHAIRISH ACCENT CHAIRS HERE !

Connect with Chairish:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Pinterest

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your week!
Until next time!
xo,

Sharing at these Parties!

Follow Friday #30: What I am Obsessing over this Week!

Happy Fri-YAY! How has your week been?

I am so happy it is Friday, because I am so ready for the weekend!

This week, I've been working together with the hubby on a project that I haven't mentioned

before!
I have most likely mentioned before that he owns

 his own cabinetry and custom woodworking business.

Over the years, I've watched his business grow, and I am proud and impressed at all he's accomplished. This French Country Vintage dresser it will be coming in my future (near or far)!

What we've been working on, is a lovely gift he made me when he first started his business,
and I've been admiring it in the garage, so I brought it in,
and it's been sitting in our bedroom,
 while I dream of ways to make it pretty!
I'll be sharing more about this soon!

 For Follow Fridays from now on, I will be featuring 4 different blogs, one cooking/baking, one gardening, one décor/style, and one crafting.

Obsessing with Mirrors via Chateau Chic
Instagram    Twitter   Pinterest

My new obsession as well....mirror love!

Honey Grilled Watermelon Caprese salad via How Sweet It Is
Facebook      Twitter     Pinterest     Instagram         

No Ice Cream this week, instead I wanted to share a new love of mine, tomato caprese salads. To celebrate the bounties of fresh vegetables, especially heirloom tomatoes. For years, I haven't been a huge fan of tomatoes, actually it's only been the last year or so, I've taken a liking to them, once I drizzled them with balsamic, and add some fresh basil, mozzarella cheese!
 Is it lunch yet? I'm starving!

Higgledy Garden

Twitter       Facebook      Instagram

After, I stumbled onto this blog, I went out and purchased a few bi-annual seed packets. I'm not lying. I've always wanted to start a lovely cutting garden, and this is all the inspiration I needed!

DIY Rustic Outdoor Chandelier via Crafts Unleashed

This is going to be my next garden DIY project! I would love to have a chandelier to outdoors, to  light the night up while I entertain friends and family!

Facebook      Instagram      Twitter      Pinterest     G+         

  Hope you all have a beautiful weekend!

Until next time!

xo,

  

 

 



We're Painting the White Roses Red...

Happy Thursday! How's your week going? This week, I am enjoying the ups and not so many downs, in this roller coaster we call life. Yesterday, I had a scary start to my day....as it happened, it was early in the morning, I decided to do my grocery shopping (which I never do) and get it done, while it was still cool out, but as I pulled into the parking lot, my check engine light went on! Long story short, and the good news is, it's not my engine, bad news is it's my A/C! The exciting part of my week is this weekend! First my son turns 15 on Monday, which is hard for me to believe. He really doesn't want a party, just to hang out with his friends, have dinner and see Jurassic Park, and of course I'll bake him a cake! This is something I've only done once, and it was when my oldest daughter was just a wee one, we had our special mommy-daughter tea party. This Saturday, the girls and I are throwing a Mad Hatter Tea Party, and they are super excited about that! Hope you will join me for a cup of tea and sweet treats!

The story of 'Alice in Wonderland', did inspire this post, as well as the prompt for IG, one day it was 'minimalism'! I am really not sure if I got the perfect capture for the prompt, but for this post, decorating with red and white! l admit, the only times you will find red around my house are Valentine's Day, Patriotic holidays, and Christmas! I really need to change this, because red is a rare gem of a color! It's exciting, it has a way of making a room more warm and inviting! It is a bold and beautiful color! For today's post, I am sharing my love of Red and White; it's not just for Holidays!

 

via

 

I know, this is Red, White and Blue, but I thought how gorgeous the Red and White rose bouquet went with the Ginger jars and bowl.

 

via Country Living

 

I love the red toile. For me, I'd go with less, minus the lamp shade! I love the mirrors, just on a smaller scale!

 

 



 via French Country Magazine

 

It's the small pops of color, like the book covers and the red trim around the pillow!

 

 

via Homedit

 

I would love to find a vintage white pail and fill it with really any color of fresh, blooms!

 

 

Veranda House

 

This is an interesting contrast between the flourish print of the curtains and the bold red and white buffalo check!

 

via

 

I've been thinking about what to do with my great-grandmother's chair, and I've decided to make slipcovers to keep the original orange tufetted velvet fabric safe! I fell in love with this ruffled red and white French ticking and toile table cover, which would make a very pretty slipcover for her chair. If only I knew how to sew! Sigh. Next up on list, learn to sew! Should be an adventure for sure!

 

via Cote de Texas

 

Not only do I love the French farmhouse table, but those candlesticks are to die for! Off to the side of our kitchen, is the dinig nook, with bay windows, this buffalo check valance would fit perfectly. I am thinking of turning the breakfast nook into a quaint French bistro design.

 

via

 

When I was younger, I would have loved this in my room! I was enamored with all things French in High School. Did you know I took 4 years, and can barely speak a word of it now?!

 

via ebay (no longer for sale)

 

If I can find a similar sign, I would love to hang this in our breakfast nook!

 

Have you decorated or do you have a favorite red and white decoration?

 

Until next time,

xo

 

 

 

Sweet Summer

Here's to a beautiful weekend!

via dontcallmebetty 

For most of you, Summer is just beginning.
Here in Arizona, we got an early start.
My children have been out of school for almost a month now,
 and I have enjoyed this month and took things much more leisurely.

Last week, it was really over cast for several days.
That reminded me of the June gloom days in California.
Everyone taking it easy,
and then right when the sun burned the clouds away, which was right around noon,
everyone took off to the beach.

Hotel del Coronado

Talking to my older daughter, who lives in Washington state,
she's planning to come back for a visit at the end of July
 ( crossing my fingers to stay *a mom can hope*).
One item on my bucket list is to go on a hike with all my children,
and she won't be able to get time off from work until then.
Which will be nice to get away from all this heat, to the cooler climate of Sedona.

That means, and I am super excited that next week, we'll be off on a roadtrip to California.
It won't be too long of a trip. One part of the trip is to see the sights in
Coronado, California, on the San Diego bay. 

 

One item I am taking with me is this beautiful (affiliate link) embroidered tunic dress
,

to help me stay easy and breezy during our trip!

 

coastal vignettes

I couldn't stop swooning over this coastal vignette. The galvanized buckets, the bottles filled with white, fragrant, freesia, the white washed candlesticks, and a new botanical love for me are artichokes. I couldn't believe my mother's artichoke plant survived the winter where she lives. I am hoping she gifts me with a few of her home grown ones.

Lobster Rolls via Suburban Soapbox

Also, in California, I am hoping to taste a Right Coast Lobster roll at Terra American bistro.  Can't wait to bite into one of these.

Lavender topiaries 

One plant I do not have a problem keeping alive has always been lavender.

In fact the more I abuse it, the better it grows. I'm actually thinking of

putting two lavender topiary bushes out on my front porch to keep the mosquitos away!

 

Hope you all have a relaxing weekend!

Until next time!

xo, Christine

One Room Challenge Week 4: Coastal Charm Great Room

Happy Saturday, and I am happy to say we are all finally moved in! Today I decided to celebrate by taking the girls to the Phoenix Home and Garden show, to see our favorite twins, "The Property Brothers". It just happens to be the brothers' birthday weekend, so it truly was a treat for me and the girls. Even though the show was only about 45 minutes, I learned quite a bit about, buying, selling, and remodeling a house; not to mention they are really tall in real life.  Their energy was such an inspiration to keep pushing me to put this room all together.

 

Here is my progress to catch you up!

 

Week 1       Week 2     Week 3

 

Onto the Week 4 progress for our Great room. The spring pillows are being made. We've picked out the rug and the carpet runners, picked out lamps, and the coffee table. Today I am showing you the handpainted French end table Part 1, I have finished so far. It will be completed by Week 6. Here are a couple sneek shots.

 

 

Before: I think my sister in law, was going to paint it aqua, and just decided she didn't like it. I love the how the table is turning out!

 

 

Here she is, all painted, for the first time I think I did a pretty good job, because I didn't have any luck with the reverse transfer. One tutorial, said to just spritz the table with water, before I put down my reverse transfer, and then spray the reverse transfer with water; then use a credit card to smooth out the paper, and transfer the ink onto the table. Nothing happened. No ink running, no ink transfer at all! Any one have any guesses why it didn't work? I did get better results, not perfect, it does need  a few touch ups. I followed this video for the how to, but in a later posts, I'll give you how I tweaked little bits here and there. I used this graphic from The Graphics Fairy, and I haven't quite decided, because if you haven't noticed, this table is WHITE! Around the edges I either want to handpaint roses or hydrangeas...Which shall it be?

Just for the record, I wouldn't paint all furniture. I think wood is gorgeous on it's own. The twin to this end table, I have plans that include, having my husband make a real wood top, painting only the body of the table, and transferring an image on top. Also, I have pieces of furniture pieces from my Great-Grandmother and Nana, that I would never paint either.

For me, the paint and the transfer give this end table some character and accent it's style!
 Just thought I'd let you know.

 

 

 

 

The video with the tutorial that helped with the transfer is this one. He uses this technique to write names on walls. Pretty cool! Think I am going to try this in the girls' rooms.

 

Here are a couple of the gallery wall inspiration, one for over my accent table, and the other over the couch.

 

 

source

 

 The first one, on both.

 

 

source 

 



What I have left to do...finish the end table and pillows, DIY the drapes, and hang the gallery wall pictures.
 

Be sure to check out what the other ORC linking participants are up to and help cheer them on,
and click here if you missed the ORC participants. 

 

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! Until next time!

xo Christine

Sharing with:
DIY Sunday Showcase
Creative Collection Link Party
Feathered Nest Friday
Something to Talk About
Metamorphosis Monday
LouLou Girls

Follow Friday #18

@mscraftberrybush

Happy Friday friends! So how was your week? We've had a great week! Spring is in full force here. Yesterday, I was lucky enough to see the very first bloom on my Pineapple Guava Tree!

This weekend my mother is coming down for a visit, and we are going to do a little shopping; antiquing, fabric shopping (for new pillows, and either IKEA or Home Goods). Last night, we rented 'Into the Woods'. I had mixed feelings. It is a great musical, and any movie Johnny Depp is in, I'm not disappointed, but the ending just seemed strange, and drawn out. My husband is funny. Since the master bedroom is downstairs, he's pushing to be moved into the new house this weekend, instead of next, because he doesn't want to walk up stairs any more. Go to love him!

I wait all week for this day! Friday Follow's are one of my favorite post, because I hope it helps you to find new and inspiring blogs to follow! Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram their Inspiration gave me so many ideas, with too many being my favorites, that  I would really love to share them all with you. I just don't want to take up all of your time, so here are a couple to spread the love and inspiration!

This week, I wanted to try something a little different, than just share, I want this to be more interactive and fun! For this week, I want to hear from you...I want to know who inspires you.
Here's the plan:
1. Post a comment, tagging an individual (or individuals) who inspired you this past week.
2. Visit and follow at least one of those mentioned. A comment is always nice...:)
3. Spread the love of inspiring others by reposting this photo and asking your friends to do the same as above (kindly provide photo credit to @mscraftberrybush). 

You all know how much I LOVE color! This is just what I needed to see! With moving, it's hard to stay inspired, when you are taking things down and all you can see are plain, bare walls. I wasn't sure about dyeing our brown eggs, just  how exactly they would turn out! I saw these, and was amazed how vibrant the colors truly are! So, next year, definitely dyeing our brown eggs!

 Also, this blog is simply beautiful!

Chic Provence

Houzz      Pinterest     Twitter     LinkedIn

I visit blogs, a lot!! At first, it seemed like this was my first time visiting her blog, but then the more I looked around, I remembered visiting before. This time I stayed a little while longer, and what drew me in the first time, was her style. My daughter Katelyn, has been asking to paint bird houses, and I kept thinking how sweet these birdhouses are, my daughter would love to do something like this!

Simply Vintageous

Twitter     Hometalk     Pinterest     Facebook     b+

Three words: Lovely, charming and simply beautiful!
Petite Michelle Louise

Instagram     Pinterest     G+      bloglovin    

Very pretty blog! It's lovely, soft and inviting!
Restoration House



 Let's see how much love and inspiration we can spread together.

Have a lovely weekend! Until next time!

xo Christine

Follow Friday #17: Bunnies, Easter Eggs, Table runners Oh my!

@mscraftberrybush

 

Happy Friday friends! So how was your week? We've had a great week! We got the keys to our new house, so for the next couple of weeks I'll be packing, and getting decorating ideas together for it.
I have a couple of Springtime crafts I've been planning on posting, with a busy weekend last weekend, I'm just about caught up, so look for those this coming week! This weekend, our plans include coloring eggs, and visiting with family! What ever your plans are this weekend, I hope you get to spend them with the ones you love!

 

I wait all week for this day! Friday Follow's are one of my favorite post, because I hope it helps you to find new and inspiring blogs to follow! Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram their Inspiration gave me so many ideas, with too many being my favorites, that  I would really love to share them all with you. I just don't want to take up all of your time, so here are a couple to spread the love and inspiration!

This week, I wanted to try something a little different, than just share, I want this to be more interactive and fun! For this week, I want to hear from you...I want to know who inspires you.
Here's the plan:
1. Post a comment, tagging an individual (or individuals) who inspired you this past week.
2. Visit and follow at least one of those mentioned. A comment is always nice...:)
3. Spread the love of inspiring others by reposting this photo and asking your friends to do the same as above (kindly provide photo credit to @mscraftberrybush).
Let's see how much love and inspiration we can spread together.

First, I wanted to share these links for you, one I've mentioned before, Pine Cones and Acorns. You don't have to be a child to color easter eggs, and you all know how much I love color, so I couldn't resist posting these gorgeous and vibrant colored eggs.
On her blog, her post is "My Favorite 15 Ways to Decorate Eggs!"

 

Drizzeled Easter Eggs from Better Homes and Gardens

Right now, I am seriously obsessed with all things French, and oh my word, literally,
 at Dreams on 34th Street,  I imagine myself breaking French bread and sipping red wine around a farmhouse table with friends in a charming ville in the French countryside.
I found these 'sweet brioche lapins'

Returning to Follow Friday, the first two blogs, I found both by accident, I honestly wasn't searching for table runners. I am taking it as a sign, since I've wanted to make one for quite awhile.

Cottage & Vine

I am really crushing on this fringed table runner, and botanic prints! If you'd like to make one, here is her tutorial for the Fringed Table Runner! By the way, she also is a treasure trove of inspiration!

Facebook      Twitter     Pinterest     Instagram     Bloglovin

 

Driven by Décor

 

This is a coincidence, I wasn't searching for table runners! Honest, but I came upon Driven by Decor's Macramé Table runner. What drew me to her blog was the transferware plate collection gallery wall! I'm imagining greens, reds, blue, even purple patterned transferware! She also has some fun DIYs!

 

Facebook     Pinterest     Twitter     Instagram     g+     bloglovin

 

 

The second two are painted furniture projects, that I am swooning over.

 

 

 

via a new friend on IG @The Crowned Goat, she has a Follow Friday post on IG, I found

Canary Street Crafts, and her tutorial for French Graphic Dresser. My sister in law gifted me with two end tables, she was wanting to refresh but gave up, and I know I want to paint them white and DIY some French graphics on them. You can find some fabulous DIYs also on their blog.

 

Facebook     g+     Twitter      Instagram      Pinterest

 

 

 

I don't know what I love most about this other, than it is simply stunning. The contrast of the dark and white wood. The milk paint vase/flower arrangement or the quote! For more painting furniture inspiration visit
ferpie and fray

Facebook      Pinterest      Instagram

Wishing you all and your families a Blessed Easter Weekend! Until Next time!
xo Christine


 

Springime in Paris Strawberry Macarons

Happy Thursday, friends! This week has really flown by! This exciting news first, we got the keys to our house late Tuesday night! I've started writing down all the decorating ideas I want to do in each room, I can't wait to get started!

It has come to my attention that the correct spelling of these delightful cookies is Macaron, with only one O. When my husband asked me what they were called I said macaroon with a suave and sophisticated French accent, and all he did was looked at me, raised one eyebrow, shrugged his shoulders, and stuffed one whole cookie in his mouth and inhaled it!

This is the second time I've made Macarons. I am equating my love of all things French for enjoying these lovely cookies. While these cookies may not be the simplest of cookies to make, and require patience and a gentle touch, the result is beyond amazing! These cookies melt in your mouth with all their decadent goodness.

These cookies reminded me of Spring in Paris, with their lovely, pastel pink color and how one day I would love to stroll down the Champs-Elysee. Do a lot  some shopping; stop in a café for some lunch, enjoy a café au lait with a couple of these beauties, and I'd be in heaven.

Strawberry Macarons (adapted from Sandra Lee)

For the macarons:

1 cup almond flour

1 2/3 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp. strawberry JELLO

3 egg whites at room temperature

1/4 cup of granulated sugar

For the strawberry buttercream filling:

1/4 cup butter, not chilled, but not at room temperature

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3 cups. powdered sugar

2 Tbls. fresh strawberry puree

For the strawberry puree:

1 1/2 cups. fresh strawberries, quartered

1 Tbls. granulated sugar

1 tsp. lemon juice (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a separate bowl, sift together the almond flour, powdered sugar and Jello.

2. Separate eggs, placing the whites in a stand up mixer, fitted with a wire whisk. On medium high speed, whip egg whites until they are at soft peaks. Continue whipping eggs, adding the granulated sugar gradually, until stiff peaks form, and the egg whites are nice and shiny.

3. This is a tip I got from my pastry chef, when folding in meringue. Fold half the meringue into the almond flour mixture, gently. You want to preserve as much air in the egg whites as possible. My pastry chef instructed us to NOT cut or chop the meringue, rather using the spatula to scrape around the edges and gently fold in. The almond flour will soften, and the meringue will loose some of its airiness, but not to worry.

4. In a pastry bag fitted with Wilton tip #12, (I like to fold the top of the bag down, creating a cuff, to keep the top of the bag from getting all sticky and messy), spoon the macaron dough into the pastry bag. Kneed the air out of the bag.

5. Pipe round circles out onto the parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for about 5 minutes. I check mine after 3 minutes. The first sight of browning, take the cookies out. Set aside to cool.

6. For the strawberry puree: Halve and quarter strawberries. Sprinkle them with the granulated sugar and macerate them, for about 5 minutes, then puree them. Store unused puree in the refridgerator for up to 3 to 5 days.

7. For the buttercream: In a stand up mixer, beat butter, until creamy, on medium high speed. Add the pure vanilla extract and the strawberry puree. Slowly add the powdered sugar, and beat until, stiff, but not too stiff to be piped out. If it is too stiff, add 1 tsp. of milk. Store unused frosting for up to one week in the refrigerator.

8. Pipe buttercream onto one cookie half, and top with another cookie. Enjoy right away, as the meringue softens with the frosting.

Here are a few more inspiring Springtime Macaron recipes to check out!

Lemon Macaron

Egg Shaped Macarons via @MarthaStewart by @butterbakedgoods Photo by: @kateberryberry

Enjoy your Easter Weekend! Until next time! xo Christine

Sharing these with:
Metamorphosis Monday
Amaze Me Monday
Marvelous Monday
Merry Monday
Inspire Me Monday
Treasure Box Tuesday
Wake Up Wednesday
Home and Garden Thursday
Full Plate Thursday
Feathered Nest Friday
Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Friday Favorites
Thursday Favorites
Share Your Style
Roses of Inspiration
City of Links
Your Time to Shine
Freedom Fridays
Show and Tell Friday
Home Sweet Home
 Creative Collection
Shabbilicious Friday
What to Do Weekends
Sunflower Supper Club
Home and Garden Thursday
Snickerdoodle Sunday
Sunday Showcase
Sweet and Savoury Sundays
SilverPennies SundaysLoulou Girls