La Fete du Muguet

It is the 1st May and in France that means it is a day to wish others health and happiness by presenting a bouquet of lily of the valley. There could not be a more perfect and exquisite flower to express those sentiments - the fragrance alone is enough to send me soaring above the happy charts.

I think a bouquet of lily of the valley would be the perfect way to thank my lovely friend Sande, at a A Gift Wrapped Life, for her very thoughtful and in depth post about yours truly. Her blog is a creative and visual treat and one of my first stops on the morning rounds.

I wish you all a very happy 1st of May and much lily of the valley, xv.

drawing - google

Busy!

Busy, busy, busy....on a Thursday? Yup on a Thursday. Promise a better post tomorrow.

Tablescapes 3

.

As I've said before, I can't get enough of tablescapes, so here's the next installment!

Image 1 - Roger David (Elle Decor) Image 2 - Andreas von Einsiedel Image 3 - David Jimenez Image 4 - Bruce Hemming Image 5 - Country Homes & Interiors Magazine Image 6 - John Ellis

Love .... Hyacinths

Image 1 - Karl Juengel Images 2, 3 & 6 - Flickr Images 4 & 5 - Unknown

Jet Set: Babington House

Just the other day, Oliveaux posted a few pictures from the idyllic Babington House in Somerset, England. I was instantly smitten and wanted more! This is the type of place you go to get away from the stresses of everyday life. The estate is located on 18 acres of pristine Somerset parkland and is comprised of a Main House, Coach House, Stable Block, Lodge, and a Walled Garden. You can spend your time playing tennis or cricket, or you can choose to relax at the hotel's famed Cowshed Spa. The small village of Somerset also has several area attractions including the Roman Baths, Jane Austen Centre, Glastonbury Abbey, Wells Cathedral, and several historic castles and museums.

Just this year, the Babington House was named to Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List for Best Ambience / Design 2009. The centuries-old estate is now home to thirty-two beautifully-appointed rooms, twenty-three of which are located in the Main House and Coach House. There are five rooms in the Stable Block, three in the Lodge, and three rooms adjacent to the Cowshed Spa with views of the walled garden. In addition, the property also features several dining options including The House Kitchen, The House Bar, and The Log Room. The beautiful Orangery is the most beautiful of the dining spaces and is frequently reserved for wedding receptions and other special events. In addition to its restaurants, spa, and outdoor activities, the hotel also features a cinema, library, pool room, and study for further relaxation. Like its sister property, the SoHo House in New York, the Babington House and all of its amenities are available to guests and members of the elite Every House Membership Plan
.

Another View of the Stately Main House

The Log Room

The Orangery

The House Kitchen

The House Bar

The Study

Cowshed Spa

A Second Look at the Cowshed Spa

A Lovely Room in the Main House

Main House Attic Bathroom

A Beautiful Room on the First Floor of the Main House

A Sleek Bathroom

A Romantic Bathroom in the Coach House

The Playroom is the premier guest room at the Babington House. It is located on the first floor of the Main House.

The Playroom's Luxurious Bathroom

I am not sure what would be more difficult; choosing a room or leaving at the end of one's holiday!

All images via Babington House

Patterned-sphere Table Lamp

"Hand-carved medallions create an exotic play of light. Porcelain base with white fabric shade."

{LINK}

My morning rounds...

I have just been listening to Joni, Megan and Linda of The Skirted Roundtable chatting about blogger content - what interests them and why they post it. This led me to think about what I like posting and what I like reading and the breadth of information that comes to me by way of the blog each morning. 

I enjoy a wide variety of blogs and for all sorts of different reasons. Some blogs I open for the visuals, some I read for the dry and self deprecating wit, some teach me plenty, and others just amuse. There are thinking blogs and decidedly non-thinking blogs, there are interior blogs and fashion blogs, there are blogs about poetry and books, there are blogs about art and the classics; the beauty of blogging is that there are no rules when it comes to content (as long as it is acceptable by the google police). Structure and content is for the blogger and the blogger alone to decide upon. 

I would like to tell you that I have a blog plan and a post program but I am afraid my posts are a moving stream of daily thoughts. I have no strategy other than to talk about anything and everything that relates to France - whether it be beauty, fashion, interiors or film even if it is just for a nano second. I regard blogging somewhat like a diary - a wonderful way to hold thoughts and memories together and a reminder of where you were and what you were about at a certain point in time.

Blogging is 'live' relatively speaking and what we write or photograph today will never be the same as what we would choose yesterday or tomorrow. This is the great gift of blogging; a way to encapsulate thoughts on a given day. 

What do you post? Do you post for you or do you post for me? 

I think it is probably a 75/25 split for me - I post what I love but really hope that it appeals, amuses or interests you. I make the presumption (please excuse my forward ways) that if we read each other's blogs on a regular basis then we have some kind of fit and more times than not the content will please.

Did I intend to post today? No this is an entirely impromptu post that has sprung from my morning rounds.... and that is what I love most about blogging, xv.

Land of the Leprachauns - Luxury in Dublin

I apologize as my timing is a bit off this week. Fell ill to a pretty
bad flu (no it's not the swine flu.) However, I'm on about 6
medications so if I seem a bit loopy - you'll understand why.

I saw a killer deal to Dublin, Ireland from New York City (other
cities available too) from Sceptre Tours. It's an insane deal between
$699 -$999 depending on what time of year you go. Try this on for
size - the price includes round trip tickets to Dublin AND 6 nights at the
Ritz Carlton on the outskirts of Dublin on the Powerscourt Estate. Ritz
Carlton hotel prices are normally $500 USD per night. If any of you out
there were even thinking about traveling to Ireland - please check this
package out as you'll likely not see a tour package like this one. Did I
forget to tell you that it includes a car rental in the price? And a free
pint of Guinness - not to be taken with the car...

You may be wondering what the Ritz Carlton in Dublin looks like.
Here is your personal tour from moi.

The estate has a gorgeous golf course on its land.

Beautiful Gardens...

A very impressive facade to the hotel. Quite modern and
very beautiful in it's architectural details I must say.

It must have quite a view from the terraces -
a perfect place for tea or champaigne.

The very impressive lobby is decorated in a Georgian style.
Very high ceilings make for a grand statement.

Thinking about a destination wedding? They have the
perfect room and venue.

Time for Afternoon Tea?

The perfect place to take it.

The cakes are just scrumptious. This
one looks almost too beautiful to eat.

A very regal red for the presidential suite.

I love that this bathroom is decorated in dark marble as
opposed to the bright whites we usually see. Did you notice
the personal sauna? Brilliant.

Green is a fitting color for the suites in this hotel.

Even their simpler rooms are very tastefully appointed. I
suppose it should be at what these rooms normally go for.

Blues, golds and whites - a great combination.

And of course, you can't really go wrong with a bathroom
in white marble. I love the black detailing for contrast.

No self respecting hotel in Ireland would
be missing a pub. So there you have it.

Complete with fish and chips, topped with a pint of Guinness.
How many of you think that Guinness beer tastes different in
Ireland than it does elsewhere? I've heard varying opinions so
I was curious to hear everyone else'.

Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Collection:
UK/Ireland

As usual I've got some book picks for you on more
chic hotels in the UK and Ireland. Mr and Mrs Smith
books are always in good taste.

Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Collection:
UK/Ireland Volume 2

They even came out with a volume two.

Great Britain & Ireland's
Best Hotels

I highly recommend this fun book filled with
photos and recommendations on great stays
in Great Britain and Ireland.

Here's to happy travels and adventure.