The village....

St Remy de Provence is my closest village and the place where I do most of my day to day shopping. It is a very quaint and pretty town with plenty of home wares shops and galleries to browse in.

This week, as I was getting myself organized for the arrival of some Australian friends, I decided to take a wander around the village and see what is new this summer in the boutiques. Summer is the busiest season in St Remy (for me and the town) and other than the Wednesday market for food shopping I never seem to find the time to visit my favourite spots.

Saint Remy is the home of gorgeous quilts or 'boutis' as they are called here and I find them quite impossible to resist. I use them as bedspreads, picnic rugs or tablecloths - even stacked up in a corner or layered on an open shelf they look wonderful. The market is a fantastic place to find them as they are fairly inexpensive and they come in a multitude of colours, sizes and designs. There are several shops that also sell these 'boutis' in the village - my favourite being N.M Deco. This shop is stocked full of not only table wares and linens but also beautiful glassware and painted furniture. The window display and the presentation of the goodies inside is superb -loads of inspiration to be found.

These are my latest finds from N.M Deco- the best thing is that they are reversible and just as pretty on either side. I normally go for a more simple style but somehow I succumbed to a dose of prettiness - I set the table with the two pink ones and used the smaller 'blue roses' on a side table, it looked wonderful, especially with vases of white roses from the garden.

The other shop I have re- fallen in love with is 'Olives Huiles du Monde'. This shop, tucked away in a courtyard on the circumference of the village, specializes in products to do with olive oil - they sell many local brands, different bottles and pourers for use at home and all sorts of skin care and beauty items that are made with olive oil. In another part of the shop they have a range of food items, tapenades, jams and syrups plus a small area devoted specifically to truffles. They also stock a range of bath soaps, gels and interior sprays called Place de Lice which are heaven - I can't wait to run the bath and start splashing. These soaps are packed in fine muslin bags - almost too pretty to open and I couldn't stop inhaling the sweet perfume of the oval bars. These particular soaps were a mixture of citrus and melon scents - very fresh and a little tangy.

The other brand of bathroom goodies I found in the village , also delicious, are the Cote Bastide products - my personal picks are the 'fleur d'oranger' and the 'figuer'. This is a widely known brand and I think already exported all over the world but it is still one of the most delightful. Their packaging is very old fashioned and the scents make them seem almost edible.

I love the beaded strings that tie the bath salts and the bath gels that almost look like old fashioned medicine bottles.

I managed to wander around all afternoon browsing and buying the things I needed and those that I didn't - it felt like the greatest luxury to meander around this cute little village and completely lose track of the time . xv

Ramadan Kareem

Ramadan Kareem to you All

Photo Info: Ramadan Hall in Beylerbeyi Palace - Turkey

Taken By yours truly :)

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BY Ole Palsby

Getting ready for Ramadan? Here is a LINK of fabulous items for your "Fo6oor" Table :)

Gift Wrapping

The Hotel Daniel Paris ~ A Charming Boutique Hotel

The Hotel Daniel is located off the Champs Elysées at the

crossroads of fashion boutiques, art galleries and glamorous

nights. It's a beautiful boutique hotel offering rooms with

beautiful decor and a cozy setting.

The facade of the building is absolutely gorgeous.

The lobby is just as stunning with a blend of

French, Chinoise, and a mix of the old and new.

Another look at the gorgeous lobby.

Their choice in chairs is absolutely perfect opting for a

very tasteful eclectic mix. I think this room has a beautiful

colour palette with cleverly mixed in Moroccan pieces.

A stunning tufted arm chair with floor to ceiling

drapes make for sumptiously appointed room.

This is obviously one of the top floors with the slanted ceiling.

The bathroom is cleverly worked in.

This is the before picture.

Not a lot has changed but notice the added matching

drapes on the slanted windows. It's a very nice touch.

Many of their rooms have Moroccan desks and tables.

This room is more traditional in Red Toile.

And a rendition of the toile in Grey.

What a gorgeous living space in a suite. I don't know about

you but I find this boutique hotel to be quite charming

as Paris always is.

All photos from The Hotel Daniel in Paris.

Recycle Magazine

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Bad Banana Opens a Studio :)

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Circa Eye Candy

An array of Circa chandeliers

Last weekend, I paid a visit to Circa Lighting. Each time I set foot in the store, I fall more and more in love with my old favorites and discover new loves as well. I've compiled several pieces that are new this season and a few older pieces that I just love.

The classic Manhattan chandelier would be right at home in an equally grand space.

Barbara Barry's new Carousel lamp in soft silver. I've been eyeing this one for my formal living room.

The white lamps are Lotus lamps also by Barbara Barry. I love that they are both feminine and funky. The Carousel lamp is seen in the bronze finish here.

The Simple Scallop design is available in several incarnations and is wildly popular with designers and bloggers alike.

The Simple Scallop sconce in soft silver

The Chandler chandelier is seen without shades here. It is absolutely gorgeous in person and pictures really don't do the finish justice. It is burnished silver leaf with polished silver accents.

These industrial-inspired designs are super popular right now, but I honestly think it is a style that will withstand the test of time. Here, we have the Small Country Industrial Stage Light on the left (it might as well be a custom piece as it is available in 18 possible finishes/shade combinations) and the Noho torchere in brushed steel on the right.

The Ziyi chandelier looks equally fabulous without shades as it does with them.

We just purchased this Cornice ceiling fixture for our home office. The picture truly does not do this art deco inspired piece justice. It is larger than you would imagine and makes quite a statement.

A bevy of beautiful table lamps in varying styles by designers such as Thomas O'Brien and Alexa Hampton

The Westmeath Obelisk lamp- Its lines remind me of The Empire State Building.

Various small table and desk lamps {If you'd like to know the name of a particular lamp, just let me know.}

Just as in life, one pretty lady always steals the show. In this case, it is the stunning Crescent table lamp by Michael Smith made of quartz on antique gold leaf (far left).