Hello, Bonjour,
I
hope you are enjoying these last days of summer and the beautiful weather
we continue to receive. Hope you also found time to do the things you
love doing or to take on a new activity or project. I know I did. Back in my April
Newsletter I mentioned the "art of blogging" and shared with you some
of my most favorite blog sites. Well I decided to take my own advise
and started a "French Vanilla Blog". I hope to use my new blog as a
means to share with you some of the things I enjoy doing, craft projects, decorating ideas and current "shoppe talk" news. Check it out
and share with me your comments and/or ideas as this is a learning
curve for me and I welcome your feedback!
PS ...if you are an experienced "blogger" and would like to be featured in my next newsletter please email me.
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The Most Beautiful Gardens of France
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 I found this wonder website which features some of the most elite gardens in France. Open to the public, they receive over 3 million vistors each year. The owners and managers of the gardens of Chenonceau, la Bambouseraie,
Breteuil, the Manoir d'Eyrignac, Vaux le Vicomte, Villandry and those
of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild have created this website of the Most Beautiful Gardens in France to spread the reputation of these exceptional gardens within an association called "The most beautiful gardens in France".
You can even download a "zip' file containing a photo of each spectular garden featured or take a virtual tour of each garden. You may have already visited one or more of these gardens from your past visits to France or if planning an upcoming trip you may want to check their garden calendar for public access dates and times.
Visit their website at:
http://www.lesplusbeauxjardinsdefrance.com/en/index.htm |
Everything you should know about Candles...
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I love candles. They add such a warm cozy feeling to any room. I prefer a dimly lit room with just a few candles burning. At dinner I always have a candle or two burning. Candles, Candlesticks and Candelabras are a must, especially in achieving that chic romantic feeling we all love!
However candles are living and at times unpredictable! To offer you the
brightest sparkle mixed with the most subtle of perfumes, and also to
cope with the little quirks of a candle that burns for you day by day,
here's what our grandmothers whispered to us. But hush! It's a secret! Have your candles gone dull with time? A lady's stocking can be used
to polish a candle! White candles will gleam virgin-pure if you clean
them with a brush soaked in methylated spirit. And for coloured
candles, a drop of soapy water does the trick.
If the base of your candle is wider than the diameter of your
candle-stick, just dip it in very hot water and then re-model it to
your needs. Or even easier, use a candle sharpener which operates like
a pencil sharpener to trim off the surplus paraffin to make your candle
fit your holders.
To extend the life of your candles, leave them in the refrigerator for a few hours.
The flame deserves a little attention too. To keep it beautifully
bright, don't be afraid to trim the wick regularly. And before each
lighting, rub the wick with slightly dampened soap.
Finally, so that your candles reflect your home better and gives you the
perfect atmosphere you dream of, limit the range you use. In the living
room, use candles perfumed with tea, cedar, clove or rose. When you sit
down for a meal, choose fresher notes rather than the more heady and
intense ones that might affect the flavour of the food. Opt for the
scents of orange blossom, mint or verbena.
Note: The above information was taken from the French Candle Company "Bougies
la Française's" website. This very old company is a specialist in the
creation and manufacturing of top of the range decorative and perfumed
candles. Their seasonal candle lines and holders are available through the
store either in-person or on-line. Give them a try, I think you'll be pleased with the
quality and uniqueness of these wonderful products.
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