IMPORTANT New adress for the blog....

As this one has a complicate name to remember; I have chosen a new one : French Atmosphere
Just click on the link and you'll get all my new posts

The fabulous french garlands !

Since the creation by the french duo of designers "Tse et Tse" of the garland light, I am a real fan of this method of lighting. And now I am going to extend my collection to cotton or plastic garlands to brighten my interior ... without lights !
You too, get some inspiration with those models, such as the famous "fabulous garlands" of Sophie Cuvelier.
In papers or felt, they already take place in different shops in Paris, such as the so trendy shop for kids Lilibulle ...
I also like the small triangles from lilafanfreluche that can be made from paper, plastic ... Anything that falls into your hands!
Finally it seems that the Christmas magazine "Marie-Claire idées" has inspired many : see this garland made by les sept étoiles with small pieces of liberty: bravo! It is even more beautiful than in the magazine. Here are some ideas to decorate a child bedroom, a birthday party...

A nice table for Birthday party !

See the video
The american way of doing birthday party is very different from France. They rarely take place at home and moms always search special activities on that occasion.
Even if my girls'party will be only in six months, I've already decided that I will do it the French way with a traditional "goûter".

This week my favorite french TV show on decoration "Interiors" (downloaded from the web) has made a video about decoration of children birthday party. You will see good ideas, particularly from the director of the trendy french newspaper "Milk" for parents. For my part I liked the table colored by candies. I have also learned how to customize small white cardboard plates with colored ribbons.
To finish with, have also a look at the video of the french creators of the well-known brand "les petites emplettes", specialized in nice bed linen. They live in a old grocery : they have made a cheap deco with vintage and second-hand stuff, mostly found in flea markets !

Spring at home

When the weather finally brings back the sun, the home decoration follows!
I had desires this week of spring days and their new colors. Lucky me ! I found these beautiful baskets with purple and turquoise dots at Michael's.
I also had a look at the spring collection at Pottery and barn kids and I was not disappointed. First I was able to take advantage of the sales they make on bed linens this month. I bought this delicate duvet cover in a nice cotton still in the same tones.



Next purchase? I think these new large canvas round storage, also with dots... also at Pottery and barn kids... still trying to storage the kids toys after Christmas!

Mirror addict !

I bought several copies of this small Ikea mirror ... Malma model around 3 dollars.
I let my grils decorate them for gifts to their grandmothers, aunts ... Or for their rooms. See this turquoise model repainted by them and covered with "precious pearls": in fact small bright beads purchased at Michael's.
Riding a few french blogs I became addict of, I saw that others french bloggers liked the customization of mirrors. Of course, they made much more successful versions. See the Matriochka version of mes p'tits trucs à moi or the little angels of Mimicreations, I like the idea of combining a delicate mirror with a small box in the same tone ....
Enjoy !

Japanese trend !

Let's talk about one of my favorite shops in the region: a small japanese stationery shop on Santana Row.
The name is not necessarily easy to remember: Maido. But, as this blog wants to meddle futile and useful, here's the address: 378 Santana Row suite 1, San Jose.
It is a real paradise to found gifts. Superb Japanese papers, origami, gums fantasies,, bags, notebooks "en veux-tu-en-voilà" ...
And last but not least for latecomers like me: all agendas, planning 2008 are on sale!

Little papers for little wishes...

Here is an idea that I found brilliant today on the blog L'atelier d'Audrey: send a bird made out of folded paper for the New Year wishes. Her own is with a nice decoration of stars stickers. Write on the inside nice wishes for the new year: love, sharing, friendship, health ... Send the paper bird with creases marked but flat in a pretty organza package. But the idea can be developed for party, birthday invitation...