We are in the process of moving back into our little inner-city brick cottage (so sad about this!) and so this will be rather a hasty post. I wanted to share two beautiful books that I received as part of my birthday present. I love books and I always enjoy finding time to sit down with a cup of tea in a pretty china mug and lose myself in beautiful images and art. If you are a Francophile, then you will adore the latest collaboration from the stylish and dynamic Vicki Archer and Carla Coulson - FRENCH ESSENCE: Ambience, Beauty and Style in Provence. Their previous book MY FRENCH LIFE has remained one of my favourites for beauty and inspiration. FRENCH ESSENCE doesn't disappoint. In fact, it is almost too beautiful in places and I have to close the book as its glory is almost overwhelming. Vicki and Carla are both Australians who have made homes in France. They have incredible Blogs that you should visit when you get the chance if you haven't already. FRENCH ESSENCE is a book that you know you'll forever treasure as it's so evocative of the French way of life and being. Vicki's writing is as stylish and elegant as her life and Carla has magic eyes. I have all her books and adore her photography. This is a book that is a hymn to all that is beautiful, elegant and stylish. As you can see in the first few images taken by Carla she has a rich and dramatic style. My second book is another to treasure - COUNTRY HOUSES OF TASMANIA. I love historical houses and I love Tasmania (my home state) and so this is another new friend I will spend many happy hours lost in. A lot of the magnificent homes featured aren't open to the public and so it's a wonderful treat to peek inside them. This book makes me horribly homesick. Quite apt that I received these two books together as Vicki Archer is originally a Hobart girl! Tale Peddler has received three awards this week. Many thanks to the fab Scottish rascal Sharon from Bookish Blonde for awarding me the Superior Scribbler Award AND the Uber Amazing Blog: Keep it Up award. Thank you Sharon. I never fail to get a smile when I visit your witty, warm and wise Blog. And the lovely Kimmie from The Serendipity Cafe has awarded me The Official Seal of the Ultimate MeMe Award. Hurrah for Kimmie and me! Thank you so much for the lovely awards ladies. I shall attach them to my Blog when I get a chance. Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for all the lovely Birthday wishes. I am overwhelmed by how many people wrote to me with IKEA tales! I have learnt many new things this week! And we will be spending this weekend packing, cleaning and tackling those thousands of IKEA flatpacks. Wish us luck! xx
Happy Belated Birthday Jossphine!;)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed your experience in Ikea. It is a strange place like another world for home furnishings and other odds and ends. It's easy to get lost in the Ikea Labyrinth!
I wish I had visited Tasmania on my Australian visit. It looks beautiful...
Happy reading and best wishes!
Jo.x
good luck with the moving! it must be daunting, but will be good once you get in the zone of organising everything into your new storage. the books look beautiful, i'm especially keen on the sound of vicki archer's one.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the move. These are beautiful books. I really want to get Vickie's. Must add it to my llllong list.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the move Josephine and a belated Happy Birthday, I spyed the little CK bag on the chair :)
ReplyDeleteI too love a little olde Ikea visit every now and then. Thanks for sharing the wonderful books with us
Hugs
Mary
X
I can't wait to get Vicki and Carla's book... so excited! Best of luck with the move! Let us know how it goes! xo
ReplyDeleteTalking about Ikea; the sight of all those boxes gave me a scare! I expect you and the Scribe will be still talking about Ikea in many months to come judging by those photos. lol Good luck and remember it will all be worth it in the end. :)
ReplyDeleteI like how you call a book 'new friend'. I am sure you have said this already in various posts, but any mention really takes me back to my childhood when I looked on books as being special and my community library as one giant friend.
Fingers crossed for 'Sisters in Crime'and others. I'm off to check out these competitons. xx
Josephine...I am so touched and appreciative of your very generous words. Thank you a million times over and I am so very happy you like French Essence - it has been a labour of love, as was 'My French Life' so to hear your praise makes all the hard work even more worthwhile, xv.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday to a wonderful blogger friend! May all your dream and wishes come true! :)
ReplyDeleteThe photos you posted are lovely. And I wouldn't mind living in one of those places myself! :D
Moving is a huge thing, emotional and physically draining. I wish you all the best with it love.
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