Happy Easter and Happy New Blog!

Happy Easter everyone .... here is Gerogie's bunny accepting goodies from the Easter Bunny ....

we have had a low key Easter as Andrew has been on call but it has been lovely because we have had Dominic home .....

Georgie assessing the situation ....

I just popped some Easter eggs on the Irish Bell

Dominic home ... so lovely ...

I was supposed to cook a turkey for Easter but Georgiana came down with Chicken Pox last week .... isolation for one week! That is after the vaccination too but it was still difficult for her .. the itching was awful ... I became known as Calamine Mum!

so I just wanted so share with you our little Easter ... we went to mass this morning and it was really lovely just singing the songs and feeling grateful for so many things .... 

how gorgeous is this Charbonnel et Walker chocolate Easter Egg .... which brings me to my next exciting piece of news ....

I have just had a fantastic renovation of my blog by Shari at Little Blue Deer .... this is not the big opening as I have something special planned for that and we still have some tweaking to do but welcome to my new blog and Shari has been incredible!  I cannot believe how patient, kind and talented she is ... I seriously have tested her as I knew what I wanted and she interpreted my thoughts and ideas seamlessly .. nothing was too much effort ... I thank her so much!  This is just a little opening but there is more champagne and fun to come ..... Happy Easter everyone!

my best wishes always

Frances

xxxx

"Verandah House Interiors" ~ Judy Elliott ~ Congratulations!

Happy Friday everyone ~ today I am so excited to bring you the beautiful home of interior designer, Judy Elliott of Verandah House Interiors in Brisbane!  Judy is featured in the latest edition of  Home Beautiful April Edition and it is breathtaking.... I have always known Judy's work to be exceptional but this was inspiring!  Her use of colour, pattern and texture on a white background is extraordinary .... when I picked up Home Beautiful looking for some inspiration I found it!  It seriously made my day .. and I felt in awe of such talent ...

Judy's house in Brisbane is shared with her husband, Paul and daughter's, Alexa and Lily... and they have basically done it themselves from the ground up ... a stunning piece of work amidst much adversity ... they tragically lost Paul's 17 year old son, Nathan,  in a car accident which changed their lives forever ....... their courage is an extraordinary tale and I salute them .... 

This is one of my favourites ... drooling right now!  The bold use of Designer's Guild wallpaper is a triumph coupled with the white linen fabric piped in navy ... cool, elegant and sophisticated with a touch of whimsy for the backdrop.  The plaster mantle was added by Judy and I actually used the same mantle in our bedroom as we wanted that extra architectural detailing and it adds such depth to an interior. The use of glass reflects the faux white bamboo coffee table ..  my favourite though is the painted white floor ... gorgeous!

Brave new world indeed .... congratulations!

Judy's gorgeous daughters, Alexa and Lily have fun playing cards in the reading room .... 

Love the use of subway tiles in the kitchen ... classic and timeless ....

The powder blue bamboo dining chairs are a fabulous contrast to the warmth of the antique dining table ..... The Stroheim wallpaper adds an exotic touch to create the mood ... but notice it doesn't overpower .. above picture rail height is all white ... fresh and crisp ..

I just have to show this view of the drawing/lounge room ... this is on Verandah House website ... this shows the faux mantle ....

the blue and white porcelain is so elegant ...

Chanel artwork ... perfect ... love the silver framing on the ice blue walls ..... 

Stunning ... white painted floors ... art deco chandelier and mirror ... freestanding double ended french slipper bath with  traditional hardware .... this could be a bathroom for Coco Chanel herself!

Welcome to Queensland ... this is our lifestyle .... verandahs ... relaxing... casual style ..

I think I will take this chair and settle in for the week-end!  Congratulations to Judy and her lovely family on a stunning home!  Visit Judy and her eldest, daughter, Jess at www.verandahhouseinteriors.com.au

and if you are in Brisbane then you are lucky because Judy and Jess can help you with all of these beautiful pieces .... I am in awe of a great talent!

Happy Weekend!!!!! Now I am off to cuddle my daughter, Georgiana, who is home from camp and busting with stories and of course we have to have Maccas tonight!  Special treat for the intrepid traveller!!!!

I am so excited to show you the latest arrivals .... beautiful silverware from Tina at www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com 

I have been looking for beautiful salt and pepper shakers and also jardinieres for quite some time and when I saw these I knew they were perfect!  

Now I haven't had a chance to pop moss in the top of the orchid yet but I just wanted to post how beautiful it looked ...

I fell in love with these shakers when I first saw them on Tina's shop and they are so heavy ...... wonderful ... looks gorgeous against the dark rich wood of our dining table ....

I also secured this planter in blue and white from Tina and she knows her blue and white ... Sugar was at first a little reticent at the latest acquisition but eventually gave her stamp of approval .....

yes I like it is gorgeous!!!!

I have found time to pop some moss into the orchid .. am just looking for a lower pot ... 

I also cooked this recipe on the weekend and it is so delicious and very easy to do ... I wrote this recipe in a book when Alexander was a baby .... so 24 years ago!!!  Still tastes good I think ... well everyone finished it and asked for more so I guess that is a good start!   I actually substituted port for a little red and a little white wine and then after reduction added a little cream and the consistency was richer than just the deglazing sauce ... but you could decide which way you would like to go.....

I placed Irish Bell and one rose in the Perrier Jouet champagne bottles on the mantle and lit the always elegant ... Laduree candle ....

A quick pick of the potato gratin ..... garlic and rosemary a must .... didn't take pictures of any other food again and I also did a chocolate tart with Bailey's Irish  cream .... when I do it again I will post or just post the recipe as it is really lovely ... really rich so you only need a petite amount with a smattering of berries and double cream.. 

sparkling crystal ...

and shimmering silver .....

make for a beautiful night ....

Georgiana is on her camp today for the next two nights and I am so sad!  I know they will have a wonderful time but I am such a big sook!!!!  She is my baby girl, 10 years old, and it really hurts when you have to let them go to discover new parts of their life and their world .... The year five group have gone over to North Keppel Island and we have had some bad weather recently so it has added to my concerns.  However, the look of excitement and adventure on her face when I put her on the bus this morning at school was priceless!  "Don't worry Mum" she said, "I will only be gone for two days and you do have Dad!"  It reminded me of when I used to read all "The Famous Five" books when George and Timmy would be so close to cracking the mystery and then they would have to treacherously go out in George's boat to see if they could find the smugglers ..... Julian, Anne and Dick were always more cautious ... but my Georgiana is an adventurous spirit and wants to discover her world!  "We are going to be dissecting fish and then cooking them!" .... and snorkelling .... and so much fun!

This motif above is the crest of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, whom my Georgie was named after along with Miss Georgiana Darcy.  So darling daughter have a fabulous trip and Mummy will be here ready to listen to all your wonderful tales of drama and high jinks on the high seas ..... Bon Nuit Everyone!

xxx M.A. the second

Cocktails and Canapes ~ A Fundraiser!

I had a very busy week-end co-ordinating and decorating for a fundraising event for Georgiana's dance school ... It was a wonderful night of cocktails and canapés! We ended up having about 120 people attend so it was a great deal of fun and we managed to make a good amount of money which will go towards the concert at the end of the year.....

I used my beautiful black and white stripe clip shades on white antique iron candelabra and placed a selection of yellow, pink and white roses in various vases at different heights on the centre table .... 

Gorgeous girls at the party!!! Dee thank-you so much for all your help .... I also had wonderful help from my sister, Cath, brother, Pat (who did the charity auction and was amazing!), and also Rach and Brad who entertained us with their fabulous voices ... thank-you so much! The canapes were divine and the chef, Tim and his wife Kim, did an amazing job .... topped off with delicious cocktails from Jacki and Matthew .... well done everyone!  

A close-up of the roses on the table .....

Andrew and I enjoying a moment together ...

These were some of the auction items .... diamond ear-rings, collectable ballet shoes by a prima ballerina from the Royal Ballet in London (I went to school with her and she is still principal dancer at Covent Garden)  Amazing talent!

We also had stunning artwork, Chanel products and lots more to auction .....

 thank-you cards on the high tables thanking our sponsors 

another one of the table ....

I also loved using empty Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque champagne bottles for rose stems as well .. it looked so pretty!

What a great night .... enjoy!