Saturday, October 6, 2012

What a wonderful world..................

Good Saturday morning everyone!  It's a great day when I hear there are parts of North America that have snow - and I look outside and

I see trees of green

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Red roses too

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I see them bloom for me & you

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and I think to myself - what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue

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and clouds of white


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the bright blessed day


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the dark sacred night

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                                                               Montreal Christmas Holidays

and I think to myself, what a wonderful world

the colors of the rainbows so pretty in the sky

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are also on the faces of people going by



I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do?

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they're really saying

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I hear babies crying - I watch them grow


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they'll learn much more - than I'll ever know

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and I think to myself what a wonderful world


yes I think to myself ...............................





another transfer I found at the Graphic Fairy -  I added the lettering ( which still has to be sanded down to fade it ) but the globe is finished



went to block poster and resized it to fit 4 sheets of standard paper and transferred it with graphite paper....................and my sharpie



I'm not sure which I'm obsessing with more - transferring or picmonkey - but sure am loving both of them!

Check out the first 2 pics of the table - look how I watermarked them - blogger.ca - yeah so I'll finally start watermarking - and then just put the wrong information on them.........................LOL

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Suzan

Party Time!

Life on Lakeshore Drive
http://lifeonlakeshoredrive.blogspot.ca/2012/10/a-bouquet-of-talent-linky-party-5-best.html
I should be mopping the floor
http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/10/mop-it-up-mondays-37-cutting-edge.html
Lines Across
http://www.linesacross.com/2012/10/the-cure-for-common-monday-58-and.html
This Gal Cooks
http://www.thisgalcooks.com/2012/10/marvelous-mondays-link-party-15.html
Alderberry Hill
http://www.alderberryhill.com/make-the-scene-monday-43/
My 1929 Charmer
http://my1929charmer.com/sundays-best-features-and-linky-par-tay-51/
Homemaker on a dime
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2012/10/creative-bloggers-party-hop-80.html
Keeping it Simple
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2012/10/motivate-me-monday-143.html
Under the table and dreaming
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/10/the-sunday-showcase-party-no-121.html
Making the world cuter
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/2012/10/making-the-world-cuter-9/
The Chicken Chick
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/10/upcycled-chicken-coop-clever-chicks.html
The Dedicated House
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.ca/2012/10/make-it-pretty-monday-week-18.html
Coastal Charm
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.ca/2012/10/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no134.html
Debbie Doo's
http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/time-to-party-again-newbie-party.html
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-106/
Knick of Time
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.ca/2012/10/knick-of-time-tuesday-55.html
Kathy with an E
http://www.kathewithane.com/2012/10/youre-gonna-love-it-week-25.html
Kammy's Korner
http://www.kammyskorner.com/2012/10/trash-2-treasure-tuesday-remembering.html
Cedar Hill Ranch
http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.ca/2012/10/cowgirl-up-linky-party-week-36.html
A Diamond in the Stuff
http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/2012/10/time-to-shine-party-no-89.html
Not Just a Housewife
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2012/10/show-me-what-ya-got-95.html
Adventures of a DIY Mom
http://adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.ca/2012/10/terrific-tuesdays-36.html
Krafty Kat
http://kraftykat76.blogspot.ca/2012/10/gettin-krafty-with-it_8.html
Homework
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.ca/2012/10/the-inspiration-board-link-party-71.html
Primitive & Proper
http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.ca/2012/10/poww-109-furniture-link-party.html
The Winthrop Chronicles
http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/2012/10/share-it-link-party-32.html
The Ironstone Nest
http://www.theironstonenest.com/2012/10/transformation-tuesday-october-9-2012.html
Elizabeth & Co.
http://elizabethandco.blogspot.ca/2012/10/be-inspired-features-and-link-party-40.html
PJH Designs
http://pjhdesignsoneofakind.blogspot.ca/2012/10/totally-transformed-tuesday-9-and.html
The DIY Dreamer
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.ca/2012/10/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-37.html
Uncommonly Yours
http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/uncommonly-yours-link-party-49/
Clean & Scentsible
http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/2012/10/the-creative-spark-no-51.html
Savvy Southern Style
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2012/10/wow-us-wednesdays-87.html
DIY by Design
http://diybydesign.blogspot.ca/2012/10/fall-into-fall-its-party-86.html
In the Old Road ( blog hop )
http://intheoldroad.blogspot.ca/2012/10/all-star-block-party-19.html
We like to learn as we go
http://weliketolearnaswego.blogspot.ca/2012/10/what-i-learned-wednesday-28.html
Domestically Speaking
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2012/10/147th-power-of-paint-party-think-pink.html
No Minimalist Here
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.ca/2012/10/open-house-party-and-winner.html
Have a daily cup of Mrs Olson
http://jannolson.blogspot.ca/2012/10/share-your-cup-thursday-29.html
52 Mantels
http://www.52mantels.com/2012/10/thursdays-are-your-days.html
Shabby Creek Cottage
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/10/transformation-thursday-no-173.html
Embracing Change
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.ca/2012/10/creative-inspirations-linky-party.html
Beyond the Picket Fence
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.ca/2012/10/under-100-linky-party_10.html
I gotta create
http://igottacreate.blogspot.ca/2012/10/wildly-original-linky-party-21.html
Katherine's Corner
http://katherinescorner.com/2012/10/11/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-57/
Common Ground
http://www.commonground-do.com/2012/10/vintage-inspiration-109-fall-fun-and.html
Rooted in Thyme
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.ca/2012/10/halloween-cloches-and-simple-sweet.html
French Country Cottage
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.ca/2012/10/feathered-nest-friday_11.html
Redoux Interiors
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2012/10/link-party-76-and-mes-preferes/
Shabby Art Boutique
http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.ca/2012/10/shabbilicious-friday-link-party.html
Days of Chalk and Chocolate
http://daysofchalkandchocolate.blogspot.ca/2012/10/latest-and-greatest-friday-50.html
My Romantic Home
http://romantichome.blogspot.ca/2012/10/rosemary-focaccia-show-and-tell-friday.html
Curb Alert
http://tamicurbalert.blogspot.ca/2012/10/friday-block-party-18.html
The Shabby Nest
http://shabbynest.blogspot.ca/2012/10/frugal-friday_11.html
A Little Knick Knack
http://www.alittleknickknack.com/2012/10/ebtks-link-party.html
Miss Mustard Seed
http://missmustardseed.com/2012/10/furniture-feature-friday-link-party-favorites-6/
Create.Craft.Love
http://www.createcraftlove.com/2012/10/pomp-party-39_12.html
Funky Junk Interiors
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2012/10/sns-156-link-party-featuring-you.html
Graphics Fairy
http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.ca/2012/10/brag-monday-paris-desk-apothecary.html












Thursday, October 4, 2012

My Paris Apartment

I think I may have forgotten to mention that I own an apartment in Paris - nothing too fancy - but with the prices of hotels I figured I'd just as soon purchase one I could call home -

My Living Room - I tried to keep it classic and elegant - 

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My office - I have to work to be able to afford this place - picked up that armoire at a flea market

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my guest room - come visit me sometime!

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Where I kick off my Louboutin's and relax

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my kitchen - and btw I never never never paint furniture when I'm here -

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I had that wrought iron imported from Italy - isn't it perfect?

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my dining room - and yes that's the Notre Dame Cathedral -

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 another shot of my living room

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this is actually my game room,although I had company in today and so we had tea in here, excuse the mess
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my little balcony area - I sit out here often 
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my bedroom - which I just crawled out of to snap these photos for you - now I'm jumping back into it
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And then just like that I wake up from the most lovely of dreams - put on my sweats - grab my paint and start on another dresser....................

It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else. 
Erma Bombeck  


Now on to a bit of reality!!!  I've been extremely lucky to have been to Paris many times ( for business ) and it really is as spectacular as you think - in fact it's far more so.
This is where we stayed for many years

Hotel Relais Bosquet
this is a simple 3 star hotel - ( but it felt every bit like a 5 star to me- isn't it lovely? )  I would highly recommend it if you're ever planning a trip to Paris!  It's 5 minutes away from the Eifel Tower. You can click on the source for details

and here are a few shots of the famous Rue Cler market - at the bottom of the street - where we'd get our Tartine in the mornings (crispy baguette with cold hard butter - too die )





many many fun nights at this little bistro - basically 10 feet from the hotel

Now we stay in Montparnasse ( adjacent to Ste Germaine de Pres )
and I say NOW loosely - I haven't been in 3 years - John's been going on his own due to this
crappy economy

Here's a few shots of Montparnasse




We haven't been loyal to any hotel in Montparnasse - stayed at a different one each time - all quite lovely - but honestly you could stick me in an alley with a sleeping bag to be in Paris....................not quite but the experience of being there is so beyond a hotel room ......................

My absolute favorite restaurant


Here's an amusing story about this restaurant ( L'entrecote ) for many years John and I ( and everyone else we knew that attend the fabric shows ) used to travel well over an hour to get to the restaurant because it was so worth it - had to take the subway ( people say it's an easy subway system - please don't believe it - not for 1 second ) and the RER ( train ) and then wait in the inevitable line up - sometimes for over 30 minutes just to get inside....................I did it for at least 5 years with John - but I know many people that made this trek for 20 years.
Anyway - the first hotel we used to stay at ( the Relais Bosquet ) was about a 15 minute walk to Champ E'lysee  and we would do this walk every couple of nights ......................one night as we were on our way I noticed a big crowd of people down one of the side streets - and Lo and Behold there was another L'entrecote 10 minutes from where we'd been staying all that time - Les Touriste Stupide LOL - there's 4 or 5 of them - and there's one on Blvd Montparnasse - where we stay now - literally a 3 minute walk.
1 item on the dinner menu only - roast beef and fries - with a special highly guarded secret sauce - and a dessert menu that's out of this world!  Crowded and noisy with laughter - it's really the perfect evening out!
But we also had many perfect evenings with baguette and cheese and wine bought locally and brought back to the room.
We've had years when I shopped till I dropped and years where we were literally counting our euros to stretch them out - ( and I mean literally Counting our Euros ) but I've learned how to travel on a dime let me tell you!  And I'd rather be broke in a cafe in Paris then just about anywhere else in the world....................................anyday.
One year I went with a girlfriend - PARIS IS NOT ONLY FOR LOVERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In fact it's the perfect city to be with a girlfriend in - we sat for hours at the world famous Cafe de Flore


where we cried and laughed and cried and fought a little bit - and cried and laughed and hugged - and where she made a life changing heart breaking decision ( sorry that's her story to tell, not mine )

A little bit of reality - a little bit of fantasy - and that's what makes my world go round :)

Paris dreams everyone
XOX

Partying with

Lines across
http://www.linesacross.com/2012/10/the-cure-for-common-monday-58-and.html
I should be mopping the floor
http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/10/mop-it-up-mondays-37-cutting-edge.html
This Gal Cooks
http://www.thisgalcooks.com/2012/10/marvelous-mondays-link-party-15.html
Alderberry Hill
http://www.alderberryhill.com/make-the-scene-monday-43/
My 1929 Charmer
http://my1929charmer.com/sundays-best-features-and-linky-par-tay-51/
Homemaker on a dime
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2012/10/creative-bloggers-party-hop-80.html
Keeping it Simple
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2012/10/motivate-me-monday-143.html
Under the table and dreaming
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/10/the-sunday-showcase-party-no-121.html
Making the world Cuter
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/2012/10/making-the-world-cuter-9/
The Dedicated House
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.ca/2012/10/make-it-pretty-monday-week-18.html
Coastal Charm
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.ca/2012/10/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no134.html
Debbie Doos
http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/time-to-party-again-newbie-party.html
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-106/
Kathy with an E
http://www.kathewithane.com/2012/10/youre-gonna-love-it-week-25.html
Kammy's Korner
http://www.kammyskorner.com/2012/10/trash-2-treasure-tuesday-remembering.html
Cedar Hill Ranch
http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.ca/2012/10/cowgirl-up-linky-party-week-36.html
A Diamond in the Stuff
http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/2012/10/time-to-shine-party-no-89.html
Homework
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.ca/2012/10/the-inspiration-board-link-party-71.html
Elizabeth & Co.
http://elizabethandco.blogspot.ca/2012/10/be-inspired-features-and-link-party-40.html
The DIY Dreamer
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.ca/2012/10/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-37.html
Uncommonly Yours
http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/uncommonly-yours-link-party-49/
Clean & Scentsible
http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/2012/10/the-creative-spark-no-51.html
Savvy Southern Style
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2012/10/wow-us-wednesdays-87.html
DIY by Design
http://diybydesign.blogspot.ca/2012/10/fall-into-fall-its-party-86.html
No Minimalist Here
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.ca/2012/10/open-house-party-and-winner.html
Have a daily cup with Mrs Olson
http://jannolson.blogspot.ca/2012/10/share-your-cup-thursday-29.html
52 Mantels
http://www.52mantels.com/2012/10/thursdays-are-your-days.html
Shabby Creek Cottage
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/10/transformation-thursday-no-173.html
Catherine's Corner
http://katherinescorner.com/2012/10/11/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-57/
French Country Cottage
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.ca/2012/10/feathered-nest-friday_11.html
Shabby Art Boutique
http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.ca/2012/10/shabbilicious-friday-link-party.html
My Romantic Home
http://romantichome.blogspot.ca/2012/10/rosemary-focaccia-show-and-tell-friday.html
The Rustic Pig
http://www.therusticpig.com/2012/10/creatively-tuesdays-5.html