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mercredi 19 décembre 2012

Free Printable Gift tags

From the blog Oh the lovely things, below, pretty pretty tags. 
Need some cheap and pretty gift tags, here you go. Will print mine tomorrow. Got the pretty wrapping paper but the present looks a bit naked...wanted to buy some pretty bows and when I saw the price I decided to go around it and do tags. Today was the gift wrap up day. It went fast, decided to give just one gift to petite princesse, then have some smaller ones for the family. She is patiently waiting for a microphone... 
What do you want Santa to bring you?
A microphone.
That's it? What else?
One.
One gift? nothing else?
No, One. A microphone (and she is showing me a finger as in number 1)
That was cool. I paused in grateful disbelief that she stopped at One.
 
Free printable gift tags roundup After the free printable gift wrapping paper roundup, it's time for a free printable gift tags roundup ! I found so many pretty ones (all free!) that I will be able to pick the perfect one for each person I'll give a gift to, depending on their own interests and aesthetics. My mom is definitely getting the lovely deer lady one by Creature Comforts and my niece the angel one by Haciendo El Indio. What about you? Do you plan on using any of these?

Please note: I only featured two tags from each set of free printable tags. If you like the look of any of these, be sure to check out the whole set (links below) for more designs, colors, and shapes in the same style.

ROW 1: Creature Comforts // Sweet Muffin Suite // Domestifluff
ROW 2: Emily McDowell for Poppytalk // Kelli Murray
ROW 3: Funkytime (part of 40 free Christmas printables) // Notion Creative
ROW 4: Eat Drink Chic // Haciendo El Indio
ROW 5: Love vs Design // Dotcoms for Moms
ROW 6: Lemon Squeezy
ROW 7: Hey Look // Please Note

Christmas at the chateau Vaux le Vicomte

AMAZING decor at the castle Vaux le Vicomte http://www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/

I had my friend from Chicago with her man over for the holidays, and we were inspired to pay a visit to the chateau. I know my interior pictures don't do it justice, the lighting was dim inside and I don't have a pofessional camera, but trust me, it was spectacular. This is a castle that is told to have inspired the Versailles, although it is smaller in size. The interiors are so authentic and beautiful and and and.... Imagine walking through a real castle, the fireplaces lit, real wood fire in all rooms, just like it used to be, soft music playing and simply undescribable Christmas ambiance and decor.

We rented out costumes and walked around all dressed in ancient clothing trying so desperately to have good pictures. The one thing missing was a professional photographer on the spot.


 



 






In the middle, a peacock - below
Santa resting in the library.
The ceilings were impressive, a lot of relief and detailing throughout




 
 A projector was playing in the back, with animated scenes of ladies and getntlemen dancing on the music of the time. Captivating.










 And here the castle's gift shop. Pretty.
 
I have to also show you the carriages and the ancient stables.








 
A plus :)
 

 






jeudi 13 décembre 2012

Strasbourg- "Capitale de Noel"

We went to Strasbourg. The third attempt.
First one - 2 years ago, we planned on going  by car, it snowed, roads closed, no go.
Second one - last year, bought plane tickets, la petite princesse sick with chicken pox, no go.
This year, got train tickets, la petite again sick with laringitis, no go - the first day. Luckily felt better about it and managed to exchange tickets for the day after, so yes go! Finally.

And here it was, the great holiday season in France, made me almost change my mind about the French and Christmas. Amazing decorations everywhere, lights and pretty nice atmosphere although something was still missing. The music. Everything was quiet. People walking, glazing, shopping, quietly. One would think that after all that effort put into extensive decorating they could have installed some music equipment...nope. And French carols do exist in case you're wondering.
But, amazing nonetheless. And oh so cold. After a few hours could not feel my fingers and toes, and with the warm wine I was drinking (sold everywhere in the street markets) I started to bump into people. But hey, it's (almost) Christmas so it was all good!

Lots of pics for you.










I just so loved this picture.









 This chandelier is actually the street lighting decoration you see in the 2nd pic below.



 Almost all store windows displayed beautiful scenes.





















 Inside the markets, apparently t here were 12 of them, a few bigger and the rest smaller. We did probably 5.











 You may know that in France Santa Clause is called Pere Noel, Father Christmas. But I doubt you ever came across La Mere Noel!!!






Getting to the end of our evening stroll, heading to eat at this superb cozy place called ChezYvonne, below. Highly recommend if you ever get to Strasbourg.





You must have spotted the undescribably amazing Cathedral. Next post about it.