Bon Weekend!

Bon weekend! It's supposed to be a lovely weekend in Chicago. With no serious plans, we're looking forward to hanging with family and friends.

Also this weekend ...

• Monday is Bastille Day in France, but there are plenty of French fêtes around Chicago. Head to the French Market for a taste of France, or a serious French meal at Kiki's Bistro. 

• Sunday is the World Cup Finals and the games just get more and more exciting. The best way to watch is surrounded by futbol fans ... preferably on a patio with TVs like at Grandview or Smoke Daddy. 

• August isn't far off, which means Lollapalooza is coming up quick! If you didn't score tickets, dine at Quartino this weekend for a chance to win passes.

Have a great weekend!

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Living Le Dream

If you don't already follow this enchanting Instagram account – drop everything and check it out! Chateau de Gudanes sat quietly in the south of France, decaying for years, until recently when an Australian family purchased this magical place and began a full restoration. Like a dream come true, they're documenting their journey (complete with amazing decor discoveries) on Instagram for all of us Francophiles to see. It's like a real life Under the Tuscan Sun ... only better ... because it's France (and it's designed by the same architect as my favorite place on Earth, Petit Trianon).

Check out a snippet of this modern day fairytale is below ...      










images courtesy of Instagram

Le Perfect Confection

Ever since my first trip to France, I've loved everything about the macaron – the pretty pastels, tiny adorable shape, and delicious flavors – everything that makes a perfect confection. No matter how trendy the french macaron becomes, I cannot get enough. Everytime I see my fave little round cookie, be it printed on anything, in the form of a trinket box, or a cookbook, I have to have it. Of course, nothing will ever beat the original tasty treat.     

Clockwise from top: illustrated stationary  //  trinket boxes  //  macaron making kit  //  dessert plates  //  Macarons by Pierre Herme  //  delicate soaps

Merci Mr. Dior

If Christian Dior (or any fashion designer, for that matter) had been alive in 1700's France, he surely would have created exquisite garments for the lavish Marie Antoinette. Dior has now created a limited edition makeup line inspired by the Queen of all excess. With pretty pastels, hints of shimmer, even a polish that dries matte to resemble porcelaine, it's truly a royally beautiful assortment. After visiting Versailles in the fall, I can't wait to get my hands on these pretty Parisian products for spring ...  all available here.  

La Maison

When Steve and I moved in together years ago, I think we did a fairly good job of blending my vintage style with his more contemporary. But after being so inspired by the amazing interiors in France, we immediately got to work giving our place a mini-makeover upon return. It didn't take much to brighten our living space and give it a bit more sophistication ...

Our entry wall before ...

After ... 
A much more functional use of space, this salvaged shelving unit from Nadeau actually serves a pretty purpose with added storage.


Our living space before ...

After ... 
a new coat of paint and new couch, my handy husband added reclaimed wood to our CB2 coffee table, we swapped out the old artwork for this bright mirror, and I made over our Ikea side tables to be gold with white lacquer top. 



Next up ... An update to our bedroom and a french-inspired guest room.

Have a Très Bien Weekend!

Woo hoo, it's the weekend! If you're in Chicago, I already told you to hit up the Jayson Warehouse Sale today through Sunday (it's what warehouse sale dreams are made of! Seriously, it's like my Christmas morning)

Also this weekend ...

• Channel your inner french femme (like I try to every single day) by shopping the pretty boho french collection from Cotélac. Get 20% off (with code 20ANS) in honor of their 20th anniversary, both at their Lincoln Park shop and online. This sweet shirtdress reminds me of a french school girl. 

• Just down the block from Cotélac, The Left Bank (purveyors of all pretty things Parisian and bridal) is hosting their annual sample sale. All you brides-to-be should head over to score deep discounts on wedding jewelry, sashes, veils, and more.

• While we're tallkin' jewelry ... snag some seriously cool bling at the Dana Rebecca trunk show at Sofia. It doesn't get much better than shopping for amazing jewelry in a boutique full of already amazing stuff! I adore the Sylvie Rose ring ... an early xmas present to myself?

Have a great weekend!

Illustration by Garance Doré

Le Collection

You guys — in less than 10 days the Isabel Marant collection hits H&M stores. I mentioned the collab back when it was announced over the summer and it's finally here. I've always been a fan of the french label (but not a huge fan of the price tag), luckily all of us bargain hunters can get in on l'action. Below are a few highlights, but you can see all of the glamorous goodies (and prices!) here.

Photos courtesy of Vogue UK

La B&B (Best and Beautiful)

To complete my French vacation highlights, I have to share a little sliver of French country perfection. Our bed and breakfast in the Champagne region was better than I could've dreamt! The old four story house was impeccably decorated with a mix of French country traditional and modern elements. Steve and I sat eating croissant and café one morning and we agreed to do a mini home makeover of our place right then and there. La Parenthèse is a little slice of French heaven (complete with it's own secret garden!) which I highly recommend.    

La Maison

After returning from Europe (where all of the interiors are lovely and French and fabulous), Steve and I were determined to update our place. I immediately got to work perusing all of the amazing home decor sites and collecting inspiration. We've started swapping some furniture and I can't wait to share our updates. In the meantime, I have to share my fave new sites that have become my daily reads ...

Remodelista – calls itself the sourcebook and it really is
The Hunted Interior – a whimsical, colorful site, often with DIYs
Domaine – clicking through this site is like thumbing through a gorgeous, picture filled home mag
Habitually Chic – another dose of pretty pics
    

Pictured in collage above: vintage jars, vintage framed silhouette, antique silver teapot, Voluspa candle, mansard mirror, olive branches, gold rock lamp, tufted loveseat, bronze table

Bottoms Up

One of the sweetest spots in France is also one of the most hidden. Below the streets of Reims are miles and miles (and miles!) of caves, where every single bottle of Veuve Clicquot is aged. It's the most lovely labyrinth of bubbles, complete with easily the best bar in the world at the end – the Veuve tasting room. I could've stayed all day listening to our tour guide tell us all about the tasty beverage, how they still employ people to hand turn a selection of bottles, and how to note the differences between the rosé and le Grande Madame rosé (both amazing, then again, if it says champagne, I'll take it). Photos cannot convey the sheer size of these caves – or delightful taste of our favors – but it's definitely worth sharing ...      

Pretty and Petite

The other day I posted some of the pretty scenes from the Palace of Versailles – and as gorg as it was, my heart swelled when we visited one of the smaller residences on the grounds ... Petit Trianon. Marie-Antoinette would retreat here, trading in the incredibly ornate palace for the much more simple, but no less beautiful, Petit Trianon, a little over a mile down the most lovely tree-lined road. With a lot less gold and more stunning stone work and white washes, this place made me instantly rethink my entire home decor ...