Alesia studio - Paris 14th

We offer you a cozy and nicely decorated apartment for short-term lodging or vacation rentals in the famous Paris’ Left Bank, close to Denfert-Rochereau, the Catacombes and Montparnasse.

Near the most romantic park in Paris, Montsouris Park, this charming and fully furnished 21 square meters flat to rent is convenient for expatriates or travelers who want to enjoy their precious stay in a holiday residence in the heart of Paris. It is within reach to Notre-Dame Cathedral, the well-known Sorbonne University in the Latin Quarter and the trendy Saint-Germain area. The studio is only three minutes walk to the nearest metro station.

The building is looked after by a concierge and its access is operated by a digital code system in the lobby.

Spring Hits the Conran Shop

 Happy weekend everyone!  Is spring starting to appear in your  part of the world?  These last few days here in Jersey have been lovely and sunny I'm pleased to say, still a bit on the chilly side but its soooo nice to see blue sky and sunshine, so hopefully spring should be with us very soon.!

Spring has already arrived at The Conran shop, the window displays of the  London,  Paris and Japanese stores are starting to bloom with cherry blossom tress on a carpet of pretty pink fabric petals..over two million of them!  Each day up until  the end of March the visual team at each store will add more than 50 buds to each tree, and just to get the senses going  the petals have been infused with the scent of natural cherry blossom, now there's a smell to put a spring in your step! (ha ha) finally when the tress are in full bloom and heavy with blossom the team will then sweep in (well they will have to with all those cherry blossom petals every where) and change the displays ready for the summer!

If you are  heading to a store this weekend why not check out the window display and the heady smell of cherry blossom, then while you are there take a look around and see what take your fancy from the new spring collection

 If you do stop by the window displays why not take a photo and upload it to the This home Sweet Home Flickr group, would love to see some more photos.

Photography continues

Well I'm hanging in there with the photography course, I have a love hate relationship with it, I'm loving taking pictures, but hating having to do homework!  but its paying off, I got a 'B' grade for my portrait assignment and am now on the last stretch of the course just about to hand in the Landscape task then on to the exam piece which has the title 'Mystery and Imagination', so busy doing a bit of brain storming.

 

Purple mood boards and renovating..

Just a quick post to show you a couple of mood boards that my daughter has put together, we are doing a spot of renovating/decorating around here so that she has a bedroom of here own, more  pictures of the renovation to come later, its been quite mad around here the last few weeks, what with dust and paint everywhere and me trying to get my photography assignments finished!

Seeing RED.

1|2|3|4|5|6

Happy weekend!

Images Samantha stansbridge

I can't quite believe that it is the weekend already and i haven't gotten around to blogging at all in the last seven days, I'm currently working hard on my photography assignments and have been beavering away trying to get some work done.  These are a few photos that I snapped this week  in a brief moment when the sun came out, a sort of capture of winter but spring is on the way,  though not actually related to the actually assignment I'm meant to be doing!  Anyway i thought I might share them with you instead,  hope you like them.  Happy weekend.

Simple steps for an organised office. Livingetc.

I started this year off making a real effort to stay more organised, so far to date I have gone through my huge pile of Homes magazines and have parted company with rather a heavy stack of them (they have gone to a new home, I gave them to my sister-in-law) knocking it down to just 3 or 4 box files,  sorted and filed away various statements, now all nicely in order and not in random piles around the house, de-cluttered by bed room of various redundant craft things, and next on the agenda is my desk, which if you could see it now, is what I call organised chaos!  I have books waiting to be reviewed, photography homework waiting to get finished, and a 1/4 packet of chocolate  digestives staring at me whispering 'finish me off you know you want too' (evil, delicious  little things), along with other bits and pieces. So when I spotted this video link from Livingetc magazine (a favourite of mine) tweeted on twitter, I  thought it would be worth having a look.  (If you are reading this in Google Reader you will need to click through to the post to see the video.)

All images Livingetc

              

See the video here , So did you pick up any tips?

Stairs

I have been day dream decorating again, you know for when/if we move,  and today I have been thinking about stairs. As anybody who moves house knows, it can be expensive to carpet a new home straight off, so I have been checking out painted stairs and other ways of dressing the ascent to the upper floor.

Images google

                                                                                      

I love the idea of painting numbers on them, and a yellow painted stair case, would certainly be a cheerful descent down in the mornings. 

 Do you have any other ideas or  interesting ways of dressing your stairs at home, or would painting your stairs be something you would consider.?

NEW, Style at Home magazine.

If you are anything like me while out doing the weekly food shop, then you will always find that at least one  Homes magazine makes it into the trolley before heading to the check out, and if like me you always feel a tad guilty at the £3 + price tag then this brand new magazine, Style at Home, will help ease the the guilt a little.  Granted its not as chic and as glossy as some of its more expensive rivals, but its packed with stylish and affordable ideas for the home.

You'll find that the magazine has colour coded section to help you find what you're looking for, Love It, for Inspiring homes and decorating, Buy It for stylish finds at high street prices, Do it for weekend projects and DIY tips, and Make it for step by step craft ideas.

All images Style at home magazine

In the February edition you will find readers homes to get inspiration from, & tips on decorating with this seasons on trend colour, camel,(page 24) (with red it looks lovely) thinking of getting a new sofa? how about a velvet one, (36) perfect your paint skills and try out reviving an old piece of furniture,(38) get your potatoes at the ready (40) for...yes folks some potato printing! Check out some pretty pastels, (60) and get the feel good factor in the bed room, (86) yes give your bedroom some love and attention.  And you get all this for a budget busting £1.99!

Its well worth a nose through.

Sparrow & co..

Have you heard of Sparrow & co yet?  a brand new homes ware  collection brought to you by Samuel Sparrow.  Though not quite ready for full steam ahead  in terms of an online shop, you can catch a glimpse of what lies  ahead in the Sparrow & co Etsy store, which if its anything to go by, is going to be a big hit!  There  you will find items  inspired by traditional crafting skills with an emphasis on unique, handmade products from around the world, including such places as Morocco, Uzbekistan, Asia, Central America, as well as England   Wales and Scotland.

These items are all fitting in with the decorating ideas and possibilities currently going round and round in my head, and I'm particularly liking the the colour, look and feel (imagining the feel) of the sheepskin rug, yes its blending in very nicely with whats going on in my head.....

As the online store is not ready just yet, keep up to date by following the Sparrow & co blog here but while you wait, check out the Etsy store for a little tease.

PS, its late and I really should be going to bed, so if this post reads a litle funny thats why, I keep reading it through but now the writting is just jumping about......must get sleep...

Weekend photos.

Hello, did you have a great weekend?  I spent a little time on saturday making the most of some quite time first thing in the morning with a little sunshine  coming in through the kitchen window, so I snapped a couple of teacup pictures for The Shutter divas Flickr group. 

My good friend sue also bought some lovely Chocolates for me, which i just had to take a photo of as they where just so pretty, though I had to be quick because chocolates don't last long in our house!

In need of a colour pick-me-up? Yes please..

So far January 2011 has been pretty grey and wet, and with the episode with my stolen bag this week I need a pick me up, and while it won't solve every thing, a peek at the new and as always colourful collection form Rice is a sure way to add a bit of cheer to the start of the weekend.

All images Rice

Don't you just love how colourful everything is, so fresh and spring like, yes, I'm looking forward to some brighter days, and if you happen to be in London this weekend, Rice will be at the Top Draw London (Trade Only, though bloggers may be welcome) show from the 16th -18th of January for the spring/summer 2011 showcase.  Stand N12.  Pick me up something bright and cheerful for me won't you!

xxx

Free downloads, Feed your soul: the free art project.

Free downloads from  Feed Your Soul: the free art project

Downloads here

Currently loving Black & White.

There is  a slight possibility that in 2011 we may move house as we currently only have 2 bedrooms, but we could do with a third one for our eldest daughter, the box, room as we call it, is getting a bit cramped  for two fully grown girls.  So with this in mind my head is currently  filled with new decorating ideas and possibilities, I'm currently loving  black and white so here are just a few looks that have caught my eye, though have totally lost track of where I have got them from, but No. 2, 6 and 9 are from the blog Helt Enlkelt where you will find more black and white inspiration, just love it!  If you recognise any of the other pics do let me know so that I can credit them.

On a totally different subject, I had my hand bag stolen today, which as you can imagine has been really rather annoying,  I feel slightly lost and undressed without it, I practically have my  entire  life in that  bag, not to mention my favourite lip gloss, still on the bright side it does mean I will just have to go shopping for a new bag, wallet, and lip gloss..... when I get my bank details and other bits of plastic sorted out.  but on a serious note, ladies take care you never know who's about!! Have a safe day.

Welcome to 2011

Welcome to 2011 everybody, (and a big hello to some new followers that I note have joined us over the holidays)  A little late I know but  like so many other people/friends/bloggers, I have had the flu/really bad cold, and am just getting back on my feet these  last couple of days.  To be quite honest the sofa and I have become very well acquainted over the holiday period and I am in danger of turning into  a couch potato, but as the dust begins to settle and life gets back to normal, its time to find some get up and go, and get going!

So folks, what are your plans for 2011?   I have my photography course to finish and come May will be getting ready to sit the final exam, something myself  and fellow students are feeling a little nervous of! mention the word exam and its enough to drain the colour out of my somewhat already pale cheeks, but when I pass (being very hopeful here) I'll be glad to have it under my belt.   So onwards and upwards into a new year.

2011 Pdf Calendars from Etsy Sellers

1. corduroystarfish  (I just bought this one)

2. ohhenryprints
3&4 valentinadesign

5.  fibersandtwigs

Scrabble tile picture.

Do you like to decorate with letters?  Just lately I'm finding that they are starting to creep into my home, first with the tea chest and the lovely phrase  'It pays to buy good tea' written across it,  then with the huge letter 'S' that was formally a shop window prop, after that came the chunk of wood that was actually destined for the fire, but ended up on the tea chest, seen in the picture below, and the latest is the scrabble picture also seen here below, the idea for the scrabble picture came from here, a lovely blog well worth a visit.



So when I found a scrabble game at a recent visit to the charity shop I thought I would give it a go, although I would of prefered wooden tiles, over all I'm pleased with the final result.  If you fancy giving it a go yourself,  I have since found out, that you can actually buy wooden scrabble tiles from ebay. Happy Sunday all!

Romantic style by Selina Lake

Romantic Style by Stylist Selina Lake and writer Sara Norrman is a book that I have had my eye on ever since it was released earlier on in the year, I even entered a competition to win a signed copy! (which I didn't) so it was  rather nice to receive the book in the post at the weekend courtesy of Ryland Peters and Small, and I have been making the most of the time spent indoors while the temperature drops outside and losing myself between the covers of  Romantic Style.  Packed full of beautifully styled rooms and photographed by Debi Treloar,  from modern romantic to chic and glamorous with majestic chandeliers this book is sure to press all the right buttons if you love all things romantic.

Flicking through the pages I can't help but feel all floaty and feminine, the Romantic style is all about creating a comfortable and warm home, its a look that evolves over time adding to with items collected from flea markets and car boots which I love, lovingly restored or reused in the home. 

All Images Debi Treloar from the book Romantic Style.

But if like me you don't want to adopt this style full on throughout the home, then you can take inspiration from the book and just create corners  with a splash of feminine flounce, adorn a book shelf or set of draws with candles and flowers, add a bowl and pour into it  pretty jewellery, take a coat hanger and fill it with floaty scarfs and necklaces, I tried this one, and it really does put you in a romantic frame of mind, i wrapped some beads and a floaty scarf with a few pretty rose hair clips on a coat hanger and hung it on my wardrobe door, and it was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes in the morning, I couldn't help but smile, and I'm not a morning person at all!

That's what I love about it, you can take as much or as little as you want and add this style to your home, go full on frills and flowers, keep it chic and glamorous, or use it to add softness to a modern home, its up to you, but I think every home has room for some  Romantic Style style in it...

So if you want to add a little romance to your home, this book is currently available through Amazon, and you can also order it by clicking here if you wish, as it just so happens that I am an Amazon affiliate, it won't cost you any extra, but i do get a little commission.

Happy snowy weekend!

this morning we woke up to a layer of white hail on the ground, which by mid morning had all but melted away, then around one o'clock it started snowing for real this time, and carried on for the next few hours, here's a shot of my lane which I snapped earlier before heading back in doors and declaring that the rest of the day shall be spent in front of the fire!

Just as well then that yesterday I received a parcel in the post which contained not one but two books, courtesy of Cico publishing, for me to review (thank you so much) so I will be spending the most part of the weekend keeping warm by the fire, with a book in one hand and a glass of warm Mulled wine in the other, just the ticket for snowy weekends don't you think.?

PS. I'll share the books with you next week in a review, stay warm all!

Rue Two

The winter weather leaving you feeling blue...I have the answer, read it, watch it, try making it...Rue issue two of course!, bound to put you back in t he pink! They looked  like they had  sooo much fun making this issue, be sure to check out the extras.

All images Rue

And the winner is....

What a lovely way to start a new week, by announcing the winner of my book give-away,

Made at Home by Lisa Stickley

so....Drum roll please.....

and the winner is......

No. 8 Sarah!

Thank you to all who left comments, I hope to do something else before the end of the year, but for now congratulations to Sarah, and if you could let me know your address (email me thishomesweethome@yahoo.co.uk)  Sarah the book will be winging its way to you very shortly!