Five Star Frugal #12

An InLinkz Link-up

French....DIY inspiration....

 

Annabel my blogging friend from The Bluebirds are Nesting, and I agree on many things, not the least of which is that posh Homewares stores are not meant for buying things. They're meant for inspiration for DIY projects....lol!

 

With this in mind, I visited two of my favourites this week. One a Shabby Chic type barn tucked away in a suburban side street, the other, a nearby French homewares and furniture emporium.

 

The red velvet cushion above, caught my eye straight away. That one's on my list for this weekend. It was priced at $69...probably a fair price, but not one I'm prepared to pay when I can do it myself for one third the cost.

 

 

This artificial agapanthus plant in bronze urn was $499. $499 people. I know someone will snap it up at that price, but it wasn't going to be me!

 

 

Well, then I spotted these Phalaenopsis orchids in a silver urn/bucket. Sheesh. I've done that one and it didn't cost me $399... 

 

 

This version was $799!!!

 

Then there were these, and I think these are the reason I was drawn to this particular shop on this particular day. They are rhinestone applique's, mounted on black velvet and framed. Aren't they stunning?

 

I've ordered my appliques, I've already found the frame....now the long wait for delivery. Mine will cost around $100. I couldn't see the price on this one, but I bet it wasn't $100!

 

What did you find to inspire you this week?

 ...Mimi...

Home....

 

My daughter and I used this picture as inspiration to make over her room a couple of years ago.

 

I think we did okay....and before you ask why her room is so dark and what are those bars on her windows, no she's not in a guarded turret. The 'bars' are shade slats and very common in our part of the world where the Summer sun can turn a West facing bedroom into a sauna. And the intentional 'gloom' is the very shade that keeps her room liveable. She loves it....it's like a permanent cubby house.

 

 

Winter came and the Summery vintage patchwork, made way for a strawberry coloured chenille number....

 

Now she's rearranged her room according to Feng Shui principles and favours another vintage Candlewick bedspread....she's nothing if not predictable.

 

 

Me? I love anything French. I sketched this myself one day when I was bored. It's been hanging over my desk for a year or two now. Everyone loves it and wants one, but it was one of those 'moment in time' things. I'm not sure I could do it again.

 

 

Anything with texture, preferably in neutral tones gets the nod from me. I made this faux mink throw myself when those things were popular a year or seven ago. I don't think they're quite the go now, but I love mine. Curling up with on a cool night to watch TV feels quite decadent.

 

 

Ballet shoes and bling get a good look in round here too.

 

 

The girl child took this photo on her iPhone using the aforementioned rug, and her most recent pointe shoes. Quite arty, I thought.

 

 

Gelati colours are a favourite when we're not neutral or ballet pink. Limoge teacups and Vintage canisters for example...

 

 

We rather like orchids....even fake ones which are so good these days, you can scarcely tell they're fake anyway.

 

 

And we have lots of thingies displayed. You know. Useless stuff that we just like looking at.

 

More Limoges china stacked with calico stamped with French script from the lovely Annabel, Frenchy books, jars of travel mementoes like viewing glasses from the Lido...I think Husband used those to zoom in on some of the sequin action in the show. That's what he said anyway.

 

 

More Frenchy books, and a DIY cloche hung with ballet pink ribbon and antique French keys.

 

 

Pineapples, red tulips, red books and classic books, ducks, horseheads, brass telescope in wooden box, we've got it all. And nearly all completely and utterly superfluous to modern day life.

 

Frankly it drives my poor husband around the twist. But I would die without my pretty things around me. I keep trying to exercise restraint, but I just don't think it's in me. All I can do is rotate the stuff so that it all gets a viewing.

 

What about you. Are you a Minimalist? Or are you more lavish and flamboyant? Do tell.

 

...Mimi...

Life's purpose...

 

Here's me at 12. My mother knew I was on the cusp of adult life and had a special portrait taken of me. Similar portraits of my siblings also exist.

 

I had no idea at the age of 12, that I would become a disability advocate due to my sons diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy.

 

Fast forward 30 years ahead, and here's our family at my son's 17th birthday gathering.

 

 

Note the joie` de vivre and hope and natural enjoyment in everyones posture. The simple, crazy certainty in my youngest sons roar of happiness, and our joint knowing, that a good life lays ahead.

 

Two years later, despite being told it couldn't be done, our son had a government funded unit, and money to pay for around the clock care. It didn't come easily. It entailed many tears and tantrums. But we got there.

 

Believe.

 

I always believed I had a purpose.

 

I think this was my purpose.

 

Happy 24th birthday Mr. A.

 

We're so very proud of you.

 

...Mimi...