A little bit of Nature in Paris

While in Paris (see more here) we did a lot of walking – A LOT! 

I loved it because we got to see Paris up close. 

One of the wonderful things we saw was the natural elements of the city.

Many Paris streets are lined with trees like this.  And, of course, this was the best time of year to be there – trees and flowers were blooming everywhere!

We even found the small vineyard garden in Montmartre.  Unfortunately, they were closed.

And the flower shops …. sigh ….

And on our last day in Paris, we took part in a Parisian custom – packed up the cheese, baguette and wine, strolled the boulevard to a park and enjoyed a most excellent picnic.

This is me all packed and ready to go …

And this is our destination…

And this is our view (and you thought you’d get through a post on Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower?) …

Ahhh, Paris ….

If you’ve been, what is your favourite memory of Paris?

I’m in a Paris state of mind….

Advance Warning – this is a picture heavy post!

As you know from this post, hubby and I celebrated our 30th anniversary this month.  And celebrate it we did!!!  Along with two very good friends, who just happened to also be celebrating their 30th, exactly 2 weeks before ours, we headed off for Paris – the “City of Light”! 

I know you are anxious to hear all about it … so, let me tell you…it was AMAZING (I know … stop yelling).  I don’t know how I’m going to summarize this trip in one post, so you may see a couple more …

For 9 days straight we walked, we gawked, we ate, we drank, we walked, we ate, we walked, we drank and we drank some more.  The food and wine in Paris was fantastic, as were the sights!

Throughout our trip I was in awe of the architecture.  I’ve always known that Europe has so much more history in architecture than we do, but to see it up close and personal was breathtaking!  From the myriad avenues and boulevards to the jaw dropping churches and cathedrals to the enormous palaces and museums – every where you turn is more.

And Paris does not skimp on the flourish – not in the least!  I cannot count how many statues and structures were adorned with gold foil and gilt.  (Below is the entrance to Abercrombie & Fitch on the Champs-Élysées for which there was a line up – yup you lined up to shop)

The ironwork on each and every building lining the narrow streets – unbelievable!

And the Eiffel Tower … by the end of the 9 days I’m sure half of my pictures were of this beautiful structure … it had become a running joke – “ Hey Donna – I don’t think you got it from this angle – snicker snicker!”

There is so much more to share, so stay tuned for more posts!

Colour of the month for May–{pink}

Here we are in May, one of my favourite months!  I love the first blush of spring, the “spring” of new growth from the ground, the beginnings of a season’s worth of natures beauty! 

May is also a significant month in my life – I married in May – 30 years ago to be precise (yikes!) – our youngest daughter was born in May – 25 years ago (yikes squared!) and this year I will celebrate 35 years of employment (yep – yikes cubed!).  So, yes, a significant month!

If any of you follow me on Pinterest or have looked through my ideabooks on Houzz, you’ve probably already guessed what the colour of the month for May is – PINK!  I’ve chosen pink for May because I see it as representing the promise of new beginnings and growth.  It has a freshness and newness about it. 

 

Source: google.nl via Donna on Pinterest

Pink is naive, pink is delicate, pink is new.

Source: theoldpaintedcottage.com via Donna on Pinterest

The colour pink is derived from the name of a flower called pinks or dianthus (carnation).  It comes from the frilly edges of the flowers.

The word pink has been used in many ways over the centuries –

• in the 14th century it meant “to decorate with a perforated or punched pattern” – think “pinking shears”. 
• in colour it was actually used in the 17th century to describe a yellowish colour
• it has been strongly associated with girls and femininity as far back as mid-19th century
• the pink ribbon is the international symbol for Breast Cancer awareness

In the natural world, it is the most common colour of pigs and “white” elephants are actually pink.  The “pink” flamingo is probably the worlds best known pink bird and gets its colour from it’s diet.

In 1968, Mary Kay Ash – ‘the’ Mary Kay, bought the very first Pink Cadillac, which became her company’s trademark

 

When my daughters were growing up I admit they had their fair share of mom imposed pink, although neither of their rooms were ever painted that colour – I preferred to keep it to their clothing.  My youngest daughter, in her teens, even went as far as to dye her hair pink – kind of like this:

Source: laceandtea.com via Donna on Pinterest

This was more for effect that it was for the love of the colour pink, me thinks :).  I was willing to go along though – it’s only hair after all – and it looked kinda cool to tell the truth.

Now lets have a look using pink in interiors.  Pink seems to have a connotation when used in interiors.  It reads very feminine, especially the soft pinks like these:

eclectic living room design by atlanta interior designer Dillard Design Group, LLC

 

spaces design

 

traditional kids design by new york interior designer Tiffany Eastman Interiors, LLC

The deeper shades seem more dramatic and playful, less girly:

Source: tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

 

Source: cococozy.com via Donna on Pinterest

Here are some rooms that use pink in a balanced combination with other colours:

 

traditional bedroom design by new york architect CWB Architects

Source: Uploaded by user via Donna on Pinterest

Source: sweethomestyle.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

I like using pink as an accent colour as shown in these rooms:

eclectic living room design by san francisco media and blogs SFGIRLBYBAY

eclectic bedroom design by media and blogs Dreamy Whites

traditional living room design by los angeles interior designer Emily Ruddo

eclectic home office design by san francisco photographer Ed Ritger Photography

So what do you think?  Have you used pink in your home?  If so, how and where?

 

 

Now for one last one.  As I mentioned above, this month DH and I celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.  Here’s a hint about what we are doing to celebrate …

 

Source: laceandtea.com via Donna on Pinterest

I am over the moon excited and cannot wait to tell you all about our most exciting adventure … but you’ll have to wait until I get back … and sort through a gazillion pictures.

 

À bientôt chers amies