Welcome November

I just wanted to take a break from what I have been doing today, ...stripping off wallpaper from our daughters old bedroom, so that is keeping me busy. Also have been working outdoors trying to tidy up in the garden which has been neglected and a little overgrown.
Just wanted to share a few photos taken recently.

First, a little Camellia love for today. I have  them blooming in the garden and because it is raining here, went out and picked one. They really do not like the rain or wind and makes the petals go brown.
It was Coco Chanels favourite flower allegedly. They come in an array of colours but the purity of the white camellia is my favourite.

One afternoon we visited a Brocante out from Bordeaux and  bought these pretty antique napkins  - I told my husband that I had to buy them because they had our initals C.L.M Carolyn loves Martin
The beautiful old linen is really lovely and I  always love rummaging around markets, on the look out for something to take home.

 
Advertising Coco Mademoiselle, the window display at the Chanel Boutique in Britomart was pretty with the pink balloons.
Now I must get back to my work, as I want to get my job finished.
Have a wonderful day
hugs
Carolyn

Happy International Women's Day

 I hope you are having a lovely week dear friends.

Les Fleurs, pour vous

Today and any other day, we can be grateful  for being a woman and I just want to say how very grateful I am, for having the best blog friends.
There are a few things we need to remember:
Feel free and be yourself
Taking time out for your self is not a luxury but a necessity ~ take 5 minutes to breath deeply and clear your mind.
Pamper yourself and take a relaxing warm bath.

 After women, flowers are the most lovely thing God has given the world
~ Christian Dior
 Do hope you have a happy day

hugs
Carolyn

White Camellia

 As my Camellia bushes keep blooming in the garden, I keep cutting them and bringing them indoors.

It is so lovely to have fresh flowers in the house and only wish they would flower all year.

This was one of Coco Chanel's favourite flower, and indeed one of her signature symbols.

How many cares one loses, when one decides not to be something but to be someone ~ Coco Chanel


 Shane of roseslaceandbrocante.blogspot.com asked me to write a post for her on her blog. Unfortunately, the other day she tripped and fell and broke one wrist and sprained the other. It would be lovely if you have a spare moment and are able to go and visit her and say hello and send her some get well wishes.

 

I hope that you are enjoying the weekend and tomorrow I will share with you, some photos of the opening of the Rugby World Cup.

Hugs

Carolyn

My Camellias are back!

Hello my friends,
I hope that you are all having a wonderful week.

Yesterday was pouring with rain here and I was so happy when I went outdoors and was greeted by this pure and perfect white camellia, on the bush. I have been watching the buds forming over the past couple of weeks so was delighted to see they have finally arrived.
I love Camellias and this also was the favourite flower of Coco Chanel.

The camellia, an exotic, forbidden flower comes from a family of native Asian shrubs with shiny evergreen oval shaped leaves and luxuriantly blooming flowers. There are thought to be about 120 different varieties of camellia, known in Asia as the 'Japanese rose'. It is mainly cultivated as an ornamental plant.
This is the lovely cloth that Sares from ~ loveleightreasures.blogspot.com
gave me in her giveaway, a beautiful vintage drawn thread work cloth, she also gave me the DVD of The Young Victoria and some lovely butterfly magnets.
Thank you very much and it was exciting to win these lovely gifts.
I am just listening to the radio and heard that Selfridges in London, have opened up their Christmas shop.
It seems like insanity to me, as it is only August. What do you think ... are you ready for Christmas trees and baubles now?
Don't get me wrong ... I love shopping and in London, even better!

I hope Summer/Winter is treating you all well and that you are finding some time to have fun.
Happy weekend

Hugs
Carolyn

Coco Chanel on the big screen

The big screen biopic, Coco before Chanel, charts the style pioneer's rise from impoverished abandoned child to the toast of Paris.
The film stars Audrey Tautou as the young Chanel, sewing for a tailor by day, singing cabaret by night and working to build a better life for herself while finding her unique look and falling in love.
Chanel's story is a fascinating one, bursting with glamour and tragedy in equal measures.
One of the challenges was that much of the film is set in the years when Chanel had little money and her wardrobe would have been a far cry from the suits and pearls, we think of as her style.
From the black quilted handbag with the famous chain strap, the little black dress, and her very elegant suits.
I have heard that the stripy Breton top with palazzo pants is shown as being inspired by a trip to the beach, where a group of fisherman were wearing the blue and white banded top.
Something like the stripy shirt would never have been worn by society. So I imagined that she might have come across some sailors and interpreted their look in her own way.

My daughter went to see the movie and loved it although she said that it was very sad in her early years.
I am eagerly awaiting going to see this because I love anything Chanel and I think that anyone with even a passing interest in fashion would like to see this.
Chanel really went from a rags to riches and always was ahead of her time and how revolutionay her style was at the turn of the century.

Wonder if you have seen this movie, or been to any other movies recently?

Wishing you a happy weekend.
Hugs
Carolyn