Five Star Frou-Frou #47...

    Hi everyone and welcome to Five Star Frou-Frou, where we share all sorts of froth and prettiness. I hope you'll enjoy this weeks features!   This week I've chosen a few glam projects. I fancy a bit of glamour in my life and these all really appeal to my sense of drama and style!   First off, is Tarah's fabulous dresser makeover. How refreshing to see something glossy and black and fabulous. I do love the French Provincial look, but something about this striking piece really caught my eye. Thanks Tarah!  

  Next I chose Tammy's Vintage Desk Accessories.   Again, the stark palette, is soothing and yet stylish at the same time.    Finally, Dawn used a favourite standby of mine, a bit o' metallic gold, to glam up an old umbrella stand. Love it!   Make sure you visit Tarah, Tammy and Dawn and show them some blog love :)

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Insourcing # 30....my value in the home...Bouquets...

 

When we need an impromptu or last minute gift, our first thought always seems to be a bouquet. But a 'bouquet' can be many things as you see by my Feather bouquet pictured here! This one was made by simply winding pre-wired sprays of pastel feathers together, and binding the handle with double satin ribbon. It was graciously received by a favorite dance teacher who has a particular passion for feathers. Total cost was about $15. A similar one made professionally, would have been over $100.

I love a good bouquet, both for giving and receiving, but they do get gosh darned expensive if you frequent the florists for the privilege. Mind you, I do understand the time, energy and effort involved. I'm not saying that a good florist isn't worth their weight in gold. But for everyday giving, home made can be a life saver.

The less structured wildflower look is in vogue at the moment, and that enables you to gift many a pretty bouquet for far less than you might imagine. This one below, is simply a selection of Lisianthus, and other inexpensive purpley things, trimmed and popped into an oversized ginger jar, sourced for just $10 (and re-useable!), embellished with a lavish silk ribbon and wrapped in cellophane which the wholesale florist sold me for $2. Total cost $30. You can't tell from this photo, but this arrangement was over 60cms (24 inches) tall and looked very impressive!

 

 

 You can gift bunches of greenery from your garden, which also look fabulous wrapped in a bit of cellophane and double satin ribbon...

Similar to the first feather bouquet at the top of this post, I've made mini bouquets from the same sprays of feathers, and called them miniature feather dusters, gifting them to use for desks and cars to friends for Christmas last year. They too, were a big hit!

 Here's a larger version of that idea, again, a gift to a creative friend. This one was huge, as you can tell if you compare it to my lounge cushion beneath it, and was very well received.

 

These feather sprays were sourced online, and purchased for 15 for $2. That's fifteen pre-wired sprays of feathers, for $2. That makes the price of the miniature dusters about -65c, and this bouquet above, under $10!

It pays to keep your eyes peeled for these little bargains, even if you don't know how you'll use them!

This lavish ostrich feather arrangement is one I did for my home office. Again, a bargain from Feather.com, the black and white ostrich plumes were on sale for just $20. I love them waving elegantly next to me, and they have made me smile for over three years now.

Annabel over at The Bluebirds are Nesting reminded me with her Christmas Challenge post this morning, that Bouquet Garni are another wonderful 'bouquet' to gift. These little bundles of dried herbs from my own garden, have graced many a hamper basket, and add scent and texture that can't help but make you smile.

 And finally, who can resist a bouquet of lavender. I dry these and use them in potpourri, bath soak, and as gift toppers. I adore my French Lavender and it grows like a wild thing here. Do some research and you'll probably find a variety that grows well where you live too.

 

My love of 'bouquets' of all kinds, saves me many hundreds of dollars every year. Just in the last three months, I've gifted bouquets that, had they been purchased at a florist or even a supermarket, would have relieved my bank account of over $1000. Instead, I've spent perhaps $150, and been in a position to bless many friends, teachers and family members with all kinds of pretty bouquets.

Do you gift bouquets? What are your favorites?

...Mimi...

Stephanies Teacup and Mug exchange...The Mug & The Teacup..

 I've been a joyous participant in the Teacup and Mug Exchange run by Stephanie from The Enchanting Rose for two years in a row now. Each time, it's been fun both compiling a gift for someone, and being the happy recipient of one as well.

This year I chose to both send and receive twice...a mug to and from one lady, and a teacup to and from another.

My first parcel arrived from Elizabeth who lives in the UK and blogs at Small Moments. She spoiled me with all manner of pretties. 

A little box  hid a treasure trove of loveliness including a gorgeous rose embellished bone china mug, authentic British tea, Chocolate, slips of lace, a tiny chest filled with more lace, a divine mug rug pink striped and trimmed with more roses, and lush L'Occitane products. I was completely overwhelmed by her generosity and the sweet note that arrived with the pretty parcel. Thankyou Elizabeth!

I just adored the attention to detail from Elizabeth, from the colour co-ordinated prettiness, to the tiny chest filled to the brim with lace...

 

My second parcel arrived more recently, all the way from Canada from the lovely Lorrie.

 Deliciously pink frothiness in the tissue paper wrapping and a card featuring the Eiffel Tower, hid a gorgeous china teacup and saucer. Lorrie tells me that she has an entire dinner set in this pattern! Can you imagine sitting down to a meal with this framing your three meat and veg...sigh....

 Of course that wasn't all...Lorrie also gifted me some Irish Breakfast Tea, a silk sachet filled with lavender in the most fabulous shade of rose pink, a hand made tea wallet with some specialty teas inside...

....and a Paris themed teatowel which will look perfect in my kitchen!

Look at the detail in this little button on the Lavender sachet...just stunning.

I sent to two ladies, both internationally and had a bit of a saga doing so. Customs regulations are so strict these days!

As I neglected in the kaffuffle, to take photographs, I will have to let the ladies concerned, share what pretties I sent them.

Thankyou to Elizabeth and Lorrie and to Stephanie for taking on the mammoth task of organising such a lovely exchange.

...Mimi...

Five Star Frou-Frou #46...

 

Hello all, and welcome to Five Star Frou-Frou!

This week, Amy from A Day of Small Things was a runaway with the tally for most clicks. She showcased her divine collection of vintage patchwork quilts. I don't know about you, but I am green with envy!

 Next in line was Leigh from A Chat Over Coffee. Leigh has been renovating and the results speak for themselves. Clean lines, and a new elegant look for her kitchen, all on a budget.

And finally, Gina at Victorian Wanna Be shared her stunning collection of replica Titanic dinnerware and genuine Titanic flatware. I think for any of us, the memories of the lives lost on the Titanic, remains a poignant one. I found myself wanting to reach out and touch the plates and beautiful silverware to see what stories they would tell. How special.

Thanks to all for sharing, and please make certain to make our guest features feel special by visiting and commenting.

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