Hummingbirds

How beautiful are these...

Hummingbirds were the inspiration for our very own Powder Blue Bird.

Veni Vidi Vici Doormat at Powder Blue

 
Veni Vidi Vici Doormat at Powder Blue 

Raksha Bandan

On the August full moon day of each year, the festival of Raksha Bandan is celebrated {this year it falls on the 13th}.
A particularly endearing and special festival where sisters tie a Rakhi thread bracelet to their brother's wrist reminding them of their special bond.
These pretty bracelets come in an array of colours and designs, that was enough for me to want to find out more...

{the band of thread is considered stronger than any iron chains, as it binds the relationship in an inseparable bond of love and trust}

The sisters tying of the beautiful, Rakhi thread bracelet to her brother's wrist is a token of her love and affection, in return the brother promises to always protect her. What a beautiful sentiment...

A promise is always special whether it be between a brother and sister, or to show care and affection to any family member or treasured friend. This lead me to think about how I could participate in this beautiful ceremony. Sometimes the bond of friendship, with a true friend, is like that of a sibling. And couldn't we all do with a bit of protection?


I don't have a brother, but I would like to stretch the meaning to be able to extend this lovely tradition to my family and friends. I hope the bracelet's appeal and symbolic meaning captivates you as it has me.

j'aime le rose. j'aime le gris

  Belgium not too far from France, Brussels not a million miles from Paris 

and à la parisienne is the name of a blog that is never very far from my browser history.

I'm sure most followers of PB blog already know Mandy, if not her blog then perhaps you have seen a beautifully styled image on Pinterest or purchased some of her lovely cards or corsages from Etsy - if you don't, then your in for a treat - an insight into this lovely ladies style and inspirations… 

My most favorite post to date - anywhere... the most enchanting theme and beautiful palette

Mandy's Home

*Mandy abides not in Paris, but thousands of miles from France in the State of Texas {USA}, so why the blog, and why the name à la parisienne?

"I chose the name à la parisienne for my blog 2 and a half years ago because, to me, a Parisian woman is thought to have effortless style, confidence, appreciation of her femininity, and a romantic mindset. The longer I blog, the more I am able to explore and uncover my true sense of style."

Mandy Locke and her style

* Where does the your love of France come from and your attraction and pull towards all things french?

"I taught high school French & English for 5 years… I love France and the French language, I have traveled several times to Paris and France and am always longing to return."

* Mandy opened her Etsy shop a year and a half after starting à la parisienne.  Initially to promote her graphic design work, then later expanding the  business to making cards and framed art, handmade & vintage accessories, creating beautiful accessories for Gifts and Weddings. Mandy relays..

"Since I was a child, I have enjoyed all things related to clothing and fashion - fabrics, ribbons, vintage buttons. I remember sitting on the floor of my mom's sewing room, sewing buttons to scraps of fabric. I enjoy using thrifted and vintage items for decorating my home, party props, my wardrobe, and for items created to sell in my Etsy."

* By choice Mandy is a stay at home Mum, juggling the love of her blog and business with family life and spending time with her daughter, Amelia,

"I enjoy singing and dancing along to our favourite music, water colouring, drawing, playing the piano, cooking, working in the vegetable garden and reading English and French children's stories"

* When you get the chance to visit à la parisienne you will notice a  romantic and enchanting feel, beautiful imagery and great ideas and a signature colour theme that runs through….

"I love pink. I love gray"
 {j'aime le rose. j'aime le gris.}

Merci Beaucoup Mandy…

Go find her here...

à la parisienne

ETSY

Emery & Cie

I stumbled on EMERY & Cie by chance, whilst on a buying trip in Belgium,  some beautifully coloured tiles drew me in...

 

Entering into the unassuming shop of Emery & Cie in Brussels for the first time, I was totally unaware what treasures were to await me and the hours I would spend wandering through this palace of colour and texture. Some may find crumbling walls and peeling paint a total turn off, but for me it's my Shangri-La, and a love affair I have never forgotten {that was 6 years ago}. I was blown away by the atmosphere of the place and I loved it all.

I recollect stepping through a dingy passage way into the vast main stairwell of the building. The staircase looked wobbly and the treads had a distinct lean; could I really go up there? Nothing indicated I could or more precisely, nothing said I couldn't; so ascend I did... 

 

 

 

 

 

And so I fell in love with EMERY & Cie... not only the place, but the product as well. It is a symbiosis of the two and heart achingly beautiful. What a talent Agnès Emery is.


Brussels is a very stylish and friendly city,  with lots to tempt you, let's not forget those Belgian Chocolates!!! I stayed at LE DIXSEPTIEME  walking distance to EMERY & Cie


EMERY & Cie. Rue de l'Hôpital 27, Brussels 1000

Prop Hire for Harlequin Harris

Powder Blue have been loaning props to Harlequin Harris for many years.
Our props have often featured in their advertising campaigns and sample books.

I wanted to share with you some of those images...

Some may appear very familiar, to you... Let me know if they do!

Decadence Collection

Indulgence Collection

Lakia Collection

Lakia Collection

Lavera Collection

Romanie Collection

Romanie Collection

Tamika Collection

Lakia Collection

 If you would like to see more of the images where we have loaned props, let me know and I will post more.

Sea View in Kernow

Dear Diary.
A long weekend by the sea for some R & R...

Looking out over The English Channel

 Peeking over the high hedge rows that are so indicative of Cornwall, we crane our necks to be the first to see the sea... reminiscent of childhood; it's that thrill I feel, the anticipation and excitement of being by the sea, and all it's possibilities; beach combing, rock pooling, snorkelling, looking for crabs, collecting shells, skimming pebbles, cliff top walks...

{For many an artist it has, and continues to be a source of so much inspiration}

 

Sea Urchin & Tea in bed - Driftwood

 Listening to the sound of waves lapping below and curlews peeling overhead, I'm looking out over the sea, whilst having a cup of tea in the luxury of my bed - can it get any better than this? Sometimes we are disappointed in our choices; somehow they don't quite come up to our expectations, this time I can't believe how lucky I am, this place is a slice of heaven.

There is no where I feel more at home, than when I'm by the sea, and here at the Driftwood, I couldn't be any closer. Meandering down to the rocky cove I feel I'm walking in the pages of "Rebecca".

Sea view

The Hotel interiors and bed rooms are relaxed Beach House. Inviting big cosy chairs, linens and faded blues, piles of "must look" books, hurricanes, candles, sand and shells. A telescope to watch the passing yachts out at sea and to investigate the ever changing craggy coast line.

Flip Flops - Driftwood

After breakfast, we are taking the little path down to our beach, a picnic of fresh local crab, home made bread and a bottle of Cornish bubbly...

How lovely it is to be by the sea! 

PS - lots to tell and show, will post more soon...

{Catherine Du Maurier wrote my favourite novel in 1938 whilst living at nearby Fowey. She lived here until 1967; on the river next to where the Bodinnick Ferry now runs}

{Kernow is Cornish for Cornwall}