By the sea, by the sea...

This time of year I always start craving my annual trip to San Diego, to sink my toes into the warm sand. I could sure go for some turquoise water and wind through palm trees...

and some snuggling under quilts...

top image angel-lifestyle

Oooh la la....

The month of love approaches and I am drawn to everything sweet. How many cupcakes can one honestly eat in a week? Is three too many? Candy colored shoes, confectionaries, Marie Antoinette, and all things French... have a fabulous weekend!

images gathered from film Marie Antoinette

The Little Things

So after an appointment today, I stopped at a local vintage shoppe, and I found a delectable little dress. I just love finding fabulous things for under $5! It will go to little Charlotte Rose for an unbeknownst occasion...

Fabulous Finds...

Well, rough week, it has been too long since my last post. Do you ever have one of those weeks where you just don't want to do anything? Regrettably that was my sentiment these past days... But today I found my Valentine's dress... a one of a kind creation from Northern Italy, found on etsy! Valentines are coming along, as well as place settings for my Valentine fete. Will post these creations very soon. I hope your weekend was better than mine, and your week off to a great start!

My new red dress by seller larimeloon on etsy
Rosette quilt in cream and lovely lemon pillowcases~Anthropologie

While Walking around Paris

One of my fellow bloggers just posted that she is headed to Paris, the city of roses and l'amour! It made me think of my most recent trip, when I spent a whole day walking around the city taking photographs of odds and ends in window displays. I will try to get more of my manual photographs onto discs, so as to share. I was especially drawn to children's book stores, anyone remember Barbapapa, and Le Petit Prince?

hope your week is wrapping up nicely, a toute a l'heure!

A Rainy Day

A lazy grey day... all I have managed to accomplish is watching two films on fabulous women in English history! A day for naps and hot cocoa...

image of girl in rainboots by Kristina Kiessig via flikr

Lovely Lace

So I am venturing out today, to pick up my supplies for Valentine cards. Did you know that Esther Howland, born in Massachussets in the early 1800's, is considered the "Mother of American Valentines"? Before her, Valentines were lavishly made, with real lace and ribbons. She popularized modern Valentines with paper lace and images reflecting Victorian times.

both images courtesy of lilly library~ an archive of Victorian Valentines

Hope your Sunday is relaxing and filled with love
xoxo

Things in Motion

I discovered this woman's greetings cards while living in Tucson many years ago... she is still creating her odd and wonderfully whimsical creations. I was inspired to write this poem.... so here's to you Susan Mrosek, (who knows if you will ever read this) wherever you may be. Per chance you are reading a book in a chair that grumbles, or are inside an aquarium fish gazing! To your lovely looking glass!



copyright: Lara Coscia 2010

Card by Susan Mrosek a.k.a. Pondering Pool

Wire Me Pretty

Well, the inspirations for cards this year are: wire hearts, buttons, flowers, and lace... I can't wait to start piecing them together!

heart by Gisela Graham~flower featured in Country Living
buttons featured in Country Living- lace doilies by
Michaela Scherrer via Katy Elliot's blog

Frills and Frocks

With Valentine's Day only a month away, I am deliciously intrigued by frills and frocks! Check out these fabulous dresses!

"Ice Queen" by designer Winde Rienstra via hiphonest blog

Red Circus Girl by ItsOkMyDear via Etsy

hollystalder via Etsy

Lover's Past




Copyright: Lara Coscia 2010

Spring is 'round the corner

Well, here in Arizona we warm up pretty quickly, and by February we are into early spring! I couldn't help stopping at Michael's today to get some goodies for crafting. I kept perusing the silk tulips and flowers- I wanted to buy gerbers and tulips and lavender to start decorating for Spring! Until my house is inundated with bloomage, I wanted to share these beautiful sachets, wrapped in green ribbon.

The Valentine's decorations were already up as well, and I couldn't resist purchasing a couple hearts for my door. Time to make valentines!

Hot Cocoa and a Book

Who says you have to be a little kid to break out the cocoa powder, whip up some fabulous hot chocolate, and read Ezra Jack Keats's A Snowy Day, I LOVE this book!

Here's my favorite recipe for hot cocoa:
Depending on the size of your mug, measurements may vary

Use 2 tbls. of Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder (they still make it in the tin:)* Note: use less the first time you make it... too much cocoa powder can make it bitter- you can always add more!
Add hot water to fill the mug two thirds to half way
Add two tbls. of honey (less or more depending on how sweet you like it) and stir
Add 1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract
Fill the rest of the mug with half and half or cream
Top with mini marshmallows (or whip cream), and reheat in microwave for a minute, or until the marshmallows begin to melt.

Let it cool for a couple minutes and enjoy!

*If you like it speecy spicy, add one crushed red chili pepper and some cinnamon (make sure to muddle the chili pepper and all of its seeds well into a powder). Place a red chili on top for presentation. Finito!

hot cocoa jar and honey courtesy of ohdeedoh blog

La Cuisine

Well, yesterday was my Friday, and so I have three lovely days to myself... I couldn't be happier. I watched Julie & Julia for about the tenth time last night (and crept into the kitchen to grab a stick of butter and bread whilst watching). Note: if you have not seen this delightful film, go out prior to watching and buy bread, butter, wine, and ingredients to make boeuf bourguinon- you WILL get hungry! So here is a collage for a recipe box I made:

Take a plain brown decouapage box (size of your choice) and make a collage (in Powerpoint) with whatever pictures, drawings, etc. that you fancy. Paint the box if you wish and decoupage the collage on top. It makes a great recipe box!

Sugar and Spice

Today I had two wonderful encounters with two very smiley baby girls. It made me think of sugar and spice, and everything nice. Winter wonderland... Hope your chilly days are cozy with warm blankets and hot cocoa...

Top to Bottom: via baby pictures
via maioush blog
Ashley Layfield photography