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In Fashion: Golden Slide Sandals


Pool-kinda-slippers have find a new place in fashion. After Birkenstock's overload last Summer now every flat-slippa-sandal seems to be allowed on the street (except flip-flops, thank you).
I must say that the simplicity of these goldie slippers is quite nice.

N°1 were on catwalk at Copenhagen Fashion Week a few days ago for Stine Goya's next winter collection. I read they are a new edition of a classic Danish bestseller. And the Danish seems to be happy about having them available again. They will come in stores in May for about 70 Euro.
N°2 are the affordable version from Zara that you already can buy online here. And that you won't regret buying if you wear them 2 times. Judging by temperatues here in Europe if you buy them right now you can use them meantime with three pair of socks to do vacuuming at home. But if you wait they might sell out... Yes a tricky white-girl-problem again.
N°3 are the luxury (and expensive) ones by Chloé. And - of course, damn! - they are the prettiest pair.


Ciabattine per l'estate, argomento controverso. Love versus Hate, eccetera.
Le Birkenstock dell'anno scorso, attenzione-Signore-e-Signori inserite ora anche nello stock persino di Net-a-Porter, hanno ormai spianato la strada a qualsiasi altro tipo di calzatura sciabattante (infradito di gomma escluse, grazie). Dunque eccoci qui con le neo versioni della ciabatta d'oro.
Però devo dire che la relativa semplicità di questi modelli non mi dispiace neanche.
(Ormai sono un adepta del minimalismo estremo. Delle "ugly shoes", le scarpe-brutte-ma-belle, lo sono sempre stata).

Le N°1 sono state presentate qualche giorno fa sulla passerella della Copenhagen Fashion Week per la sfilata del brand danese Stine Goya che la scelte come scarpe per la sua collezione del prossimo autunno-inverno (sì, il sandalo per l'inverno è sempre una scelta azzeccata). Pare siano la riedizione di un bestseller, di una ciabattina strorica danese. E pare che le danesi ne siano già entusiaste. Arriveranno nei negozi a maggio e costeranno sui 70 Euro.
Le N°2 sono di Zara e le trovate già da acquistare online qui. Come sempre permettono di togliersi lo sfizio senza troppi rimorsi se poi le indossate due volte. 
A giudicare dalle temperature attuali comprandole ora probabilmente riuscite intanto a indossarle per passare l'aspirapolvere in casa con sotto tre paia di calze.
Se aspettate però chissà mai che poi vanno sold out... soliti fondamentali white girls problems insomma.
Le N°3 sono la versione lusso di Chloé, saranno presto nei negozi, saranno le più care e sono innegabilmente le più carine. Ti pareva.

Style versus Style #188

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French Food Friday....Red Wine and Chocolate Cake


recipe and photo from here


Bonjour mes belles,

This week's recipe is one that contains red wine and chocolate and the end result is a fabulous cake that I think Marie Antoinette would have been proud of....note I have had to prise the bottle out of French Boyfriend's hand as I by mistake used a bottle of his best red, the first time that I tried out this recipe, enough said on this matter.


Red Wine and Chocolate Cake

Ingredients


Cake:
  • 18 Tbsp. unsalted butter at room temperature, plus more for greasing
  • 2 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 1/4 cups red wine
  • 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
  • 3 cups plus 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 3/8 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
Frosting:
  • 24 ounces cream cheese (three 8-ounce boxes), at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions


Active time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour


To make cake: Preheat oven to 325°. Line the bottom of three 9 round cake pans with parchment paper. Grease parchment and sides of pan. Place butter in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, cream butter on medium speed until smooth. Add brown and granulated sugars and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and yolk and beat until incorporated, then add red wine and vanilla. (Don't worry if the batter looks a little uneven and grainy.)

In a medium bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Sift dry mixture over wet ingredients. Mix until 3/4 combined, then fold in remaining dry mixture with a rubber spatula.

Divide batter among prepared pans. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of each layer comes out clean. The top of each cake should be shiny and smooth. Cool in the pan 10 minutes, then remove cakes from pans and let cool completely on a rack. (If cakes have domed a bit and you want even layers, trim tops using a long serrated knife held horizontally.)

To make frosting: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in vanilla, then gradually stir in confectioners' sugar.

To frost cake, place one layer on a cake stand or plate and spread with
1 cup frosting. Repeat with next 2 layers and spread top and sides with remaining frosting.

.....bon appetit à tous, Leeann

In Fashion: Silk & Cotton Bandana Scarves

Photo via thehautepursuit

 Photo via mija


The third one is from & Other Stories and you can buy it here.

 Photo via & Other Stories

one day...


photo from here


I hope to have a dressing area just like this...dreams are free and I am, after all is said and done, a dreamer.

Leeann x

A different Winter

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Layers, colours, different prints and textures.
Because minimalism is not the only way.

a favourite of mine...

photo from here


Blue is a colour that I love, whether it be blue eyes, blue denim jeans, blue sky, blue sea.....I could go on and on as the list is endless. Such a magical colour which conjures up so many beautiful images and I was particularly attracted to this photo with its fabulous French style chair and shabby yet chic blue painted commode.  

Is it a favourite of yours? Dites moi....

Leeann x

Basic Looks with (fake) Fur

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Belted Coats


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Unisex World #13

Photos via lucitisima

Tartan & Overalls

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curled up with a good book..


Bonjour mes belles,

I hope that you are all having a nice weekend. Today it is chilly and rainy, perfect for curling up with a good book. 

The book is called Secrets d'interieurs and is really is a beautiful and most inspiring book and is a "must buy" for those of you that love French decoration and the way that the French display their prized objects....

As you can see from the above photo, it has many stunning photos and is one of those books that you cannot put down. And on that note, it is back to reading I must go....

très bon week-end à tous, Leeann x

With & Without

Photos via aniab

French Boyfriend's Favourite...Boeuf à la Guinness



photo and recipe from Home food, Murdoch books

Bonjour mes belles,

This week's recipe is not French but a favourite of French Boyfriends and since our local butcher asked me for the recipe, I have a feeling that the French will soon be adopting this as their own...Boeuf à la Guinness has a nice sound to it. Note the translation into French for our local butcher took me longer than it does to make it.

This recipe is easy but a little  time-consuming but  I guarentee that its very delicious.
    
BEEF COOKED IN GUINESS WITH CELERIAC PUREE:

    (serves 4)

    2tbsp oil
    1 kg chuck steak, cubed
    2 onions, chopped
    1 garlic clove, crushed
    2 tsp brown sugar
    2 tsp plain flour
    125 ml Guiness (1/2 cup)
    375 ml beef stock (1and 1/2 cups)
    1 bay leaf 2 sprigs thyme
    1 celeriac
    1 potato, cubed
    250 ml milk
    1 tbsp butter
    4 slices baguette, toasted
    1 tsp dijon mustard

    put the oven on to 180*C

    1- heat half of the oil in a frying pan and fry the meat until its browned all over. put the meat in a casserole dish.

    2- add the onion to the frying pan and fry it gently over a low heat. when the onion starts to brown, add the garlic and brown sugar. later stir in the flour and transfer to the casserole dish.

    3- put the Guiness and stock in the same frying pan, bring it to the boil, then pour on to the dish.

    4- add the bay leaf and thyme to the dish and season well. Bring to the boil, put a lid on and put the casserole dish in the oven for 2 hours.

    5- The Puree: peel and chop the celeriac and potato. Put the potato and celeriac in a saucepan with the milk, bring to the boil. Cook for 15'. Then mash them with the milk. add butter. season well.

    spread the bread with the mustard and serve with the beef laddled over and celeriac puree on the side. 

...bon appetit à tous, Leeann

White & Cream Knits


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busy painting...



Bonjour mes belles,

I hope that you are having a fabulous week. Ours is being spent on getting our new shop ready and of course it involves painting, in one form or another. 

Guy has been busy painting the front door and also the background of the sign, for the facade of the shop and I have been busy painting furniture. I much prefer painting furniture but lets keep that entre nous.



We will be open tomorrow, the address is: 

No.1 Antiquites et Decoration
 1 Quai de la Navigation,
24500 Eymet 



à demain, Leeann

6x Tartan Coats & Jackets

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How to wear your Leo Fur

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A rather basic look + a leo fur = best combo.

I adore tulips...


Tulips make me happy, I do not know what it is about them but they have a magical allure and it is for that reason that I adore them. Love the colour of these ones that French Boyfriend bought me at the weekend, they work really well with the grey coloured walls of our new dining room.

This post is later than usual as it has been one of those whirl wind days with everything happening at the same time hence I am about to open a nice bottle of red wine...one of the joys of living in a region reknown for its wine, there is always plenty to choose from.

très bonne semaine à tous, Leeann x


Eight Shades of Camel Coats

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3x1: Officer's Jackets


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With & Without

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3x1: Flare Jeans

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Soft Winter

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French Food Friday...Caramel Rice Pudding Recipe

recipe and photo from here

Bonjour mes belles,

I love rice and caramel is also a favourite of mine, so this recipe has my name on it...



Caramel Rice Pudding Recipe



Level of Difficulty:
Moderate
Prep Time:
30 minutes



Servings: 20
Ingredients
Rice pudding
1 cup short-grain pudding rice
1 vanilla pod
3 3/4 cups milk
3/4 cups caster (superfine) sugar
pinch of salt
3 egg yolks
1/4 cup butter
Caramel sauce
3/4 cup light soft brown sugar
scant 1 cup double (heavy) cream
Directions:

    Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil, add the rice and cook it for 2 minutes. Strain and set aside.
    Split the vanilla pod in half lengthways and scrape out the seeds. Place the pod and seeds in a large saucepan with the milk, sugar and salt and heat to a gentle simmer. Pour in the rice and stir well. Cover and simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from the heat when all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
    Remove the vanilla pod. Add the egg yolks, return to the hob and heat gently for a few more minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, stir in the butter and leave to cool.
    To make the caramel sauce, heat the sugar in a saucepan over a medium heat. Keep an eye on it and stir frequently to ensure the sugar doesn’t burn. When the sugar has melted remove the pan from the heat, leave to cool for about a minute, then slowly pour in the cream and stir until you have a smooth sauce.
    Pour the rice pudding into individual small serving dishes. Serve the caramel sauce on the side for guests to add their own.
              ...bon appetit à tous, Leeann x

Leo Pumps Galore

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adidas Stan Smith Reloaded

After three years adidas Stan Smith sneakers are back with a modern restyling.
Yesterday I attended the relaunch cocktail party in Milan.
Remembering my high school years when I used to wear them with Levi's 501 jeans...

Dopo 3 anni di assenza tornano - con un restyling più moderno - le iconiche sneakers adidas Stan Smith. Festeggiate ieri con un party di (ri)lancio in chiusura della fashion week maschile di Milano. Un led wall gigante proiettava le immagini delle nuove campagne. Io mi gustavo l'ottimo finger food tutto all'insegna del verde, colore simbolo di queste scarpe.
Ripensando agli anni del liceo quando indossavo le mie Stan Smith insieme ai Levi's 501...

Welcome back Stan Smith's!
In stores now.


Photo 1-2 and collage by me
Photo 3 adidas originals

And here are some good 2014 ideas on how to wear them.

Ed ecco qualche idea 2014 su come indossarle.

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progress on our new boutique; No. 1...





Bonjour from a grey SW France,

It is perfect weather for painting and I have quite a lot of it to do. We have been busy getting our new shop ready and I thought that I would share a few photos with you. It is slowly coming together and I am loving the lightness of the shop even on a grey day.....



In the background of this photo you can just make out a few of the items going being transformed with one of my favourtite colours, a lovely blueish gray.....photos of finished products to follow later in the week.


Louis XIII canape with wall sconces and a fabulous parclose mirror, I love them as do a lot of our clients hence they always sell quickly.

The shop is a large industrial style space which Guy is filling full of antiques and I have taken an alcove which I am making cosy and it is now the new home for Fabulously French


As you can see from this photo, the light is amazing even on an overcast  day.....

à demain, Leeann x

Winter Looks: Wear your Beanie

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Milan Fashion Week: Julian Zigerli AW-2014


Julian Zigerli è stato selezionato da Giorgio Armani come New Upcoming Designer per presentare la sua collezione AW-14 presso l’ARMANI/TEATRO.
La collezione Julian Zigerli è un mix tra abbigliamento sportivo e pratico, capi tecnici di alta qualità e sviluppo di nuove stampe. Hexagon e strutture tridimensionali realizzate in collaborazione con il gruppo parigino di artisti grafici GOLGOTHA.
Certo ciò che contraddistingue questo designer è decisamente anche un tocco di ironia. Impossibile non azzardare in sorriso quando in passerella sono usciti i suoi primi look con i modelli che indossavano... morbide ciabatte.


For the upcoming A/W14 season new upcoming designer Julian Zigerli got invited by Giorgio Armani, to present his “The One And Only“ collection during Milan fashion week at the Armani/Teatro.
New prints, clean and sporty lines and a touch of humour:
models were walking down the catwalk wearing... fluffy slippers!

 Photo 1 by me.
Collage Photos courtesy of Julian Zigerli.

Duffle Coats

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new dining room...


Bonjour mes belles,

Hope that you all had a nice weekend and that those of you in the US affected by the very cold spell, are staying cosy and safe.

Yesterday was spent moving stock out of my wee boutique into our new shop and the end result is that we now have a dining room. last night we christened our new dining space by inviting friends over for dinner and to say that it all came together at the last minute was an understatement. I was up a ladder painting in the new shop at 6pm and 10 minutes later was piling cartons of stock out of the "would be" dining room into the car.

Fast forward 50 minutes later to a much different scene, table laid, music playing and nice cold bottle of champagne awaiting our arrival.

I am still looking for some a dresser and a small desk but plan to take my time looking for these items until I find exactly what I am looking for.


So in a nutshell that is how I spent my Sunday, how did you spend yours? Dites moi....


amicalement, Leeann x