MMP Friday Shopping Event April 1 "A Touch of French"

In an age when newer, bigger, shinier, and disposable became the buzz words of style, we rebelled. We kept a touch of French without even knowing it.

We enjoy tea and croissants with friends, even if the china cup and dessert plates don't match. We treasure the cupboard with chippy paint wonder in whose kitchen it stood before it became ours. Our collection of antique rose painting grace our mantle, the sizes and colors are not perfectly matched but each is a quality painting. The silver trophy cup whose engraved name we don't recognize is the perfect vase for fresh flowers, ever present in our homes. Slipcovered sofas beg us to sit for a while, to relax, to enjoy a moment of life.

The French decorating style embraces history. Decorating in not an act; it is way of life. Collections of tiny bits and pieces found at flea markets are proudly displayed. Leather books are stacked next to ancient religious figures on hand painted  tables. Rugs under our feet are threadbare, worn by the footsteps of many, and still worthy to be used for many more years. A large chandelier, dripping with antique crystals hangs above a warm wooden table, the crystals caching the sunlight and sending it to every corner.

Truly the French style becomes a search through flea markets as well as the top notch antique stores, The rule of French is easy; if you love it, it will work. All the colors blend. Pinks greens, and aquas are gorgeous on white. Yellows, turquoise, and reds pop on black. All can be used in the same floor, blending the rooms seamlessly as you wonder about , you eyes landing on each treasure.

Fabrics play a big role in French decoration. Toile pillows, velvet curtains, knitted throws,  brocade  upholstered chairs dripping with passementerie, and needlepoint footstools all work well in the sitting. French linens piled on the with a bed in all shades of white, ivory, and flax, feel softer with each washing. The damask tablecloths on the dining table have been passed from generation to generation, kept pristine first by  a French laundress and now by our own loving hands, saving it for the next generation.

Living with a touch of French is a easy as displaying our family's history or the history of some unknown family. A style that welcomes us home. A respite from a hectic world.

Guest Writer:Sharon Wollman - C'est Chouette Home

 

Photo Contribution 1: Tres Belle Boutique  | Photo Contribution 2: Rose Blossom Cottage | Photo Contribution 3: French Charmed

This is l-o-o-o-ng!!

Come in...sit a while...let me tell you a tale... a tale of woe...and so it goes.....


In the wee early hours of the new year~ I woke with a start and in such great pain. I stumbled out of my bed  into the hall where I leaned on the walls for support. My left knee was not functioning and it hurt like all Hades!!! Luckily my daughter was quick to come to my rescue and somehow she got  me to the sofa and packed my knee in ice. By morning I was not much better, but was able to move about with support. Needless to say a  doctor appointment was needed.


Now I love my doctor, she never goes to the worse case scenario first, she is a steady eddie. While she diagnosed the knee issue as a torn meniscus, she had hopes that it would heal (as the body does chose to heal) so she gave me a huge leg immobilizer and told me to rest. In 2 weeks I still was not much better, in fact I had a few set backs. One setback being the office Christmas party. Yuppers, I wore a cute little black dress and an ugly black leg immobilizer to the company party. After five hours of not much partying (I was pretty much the appointed party pooper) I was in such severe pain that even Vicodin did not touch it. I knew then that this was not going to be an easy fix.


So back to my doctor I went. She ordered a MRI and the results were not good. She called me after office hours and said "Sharon, you will need surgery and soon" and she recommended an orthopedic surgeon.


Yay! movement towards healing~ surgery? ~ I'll take it!!! But guess what? The appointment was set for two weeks out. Man!! I was in so much pain and still had to wait two weeks. And God said, "Let me see what I can do?" and he sent the coldest February day ever in history of South Dakota  (well in a very, very long time anyway) and I got to fill a cancellation spot at the orthopedic surgeon.
Sure enough, he confirmed the surgery was necessary and we could schedule it in 2-3 weeks, Oh my gosh 2-3 weeks!!! He must of noticed the desperation in my eyes and he said "Hang on, I'll be right back." Five minutes later he came back and asked "What are you doing later today?" "Having surgery I hope" I quipped. You betcha I was! Because of the coldest day in February history, they had lots of surgery cancellations and I would be having surgery that day! Woohoo. And I did!


Two weeks later, I went for my check up and the doctor was happy, I was happy, every one was happy. I was walking (toddling really) I felt good, I was hopeful. Then everything changed. By the next week I couldn't put ice on my knee without crying. I couldn't put heat on my knee with out crying. I couldn't walk, or toddle, or waddle. I was in pain again! A quick call to the doctors office settled my nerves for a day or two. But things continued to get worse. I was hot, I was cold! There were cold streaks running up and down my leg. I hurt, I hurt, I hurt!  I couldn't lay , I couldn't stand, I couldn't sit. And worse~ I lost all hope. Now I am not a quitter~ ever. I am almost always up to the challenge~ any challenge. But not this time. I functioned as well as I could for my family, crying silent tears all the time.. But I lost all desire to maintain my business, my need to create was gone. I did not seem to miss it! I did not reach out to friends, I was not fit company for man nor beast, I pulled the covers up over my head and just stayed there! My vision of life was so clouded by pain. I gave up.... I was done.....


Then, nothing short of a small miracle, on a Monday in March, I got up out of my bed and I could stand, I could toddle and waddle, my eyes could see clearly. And off I went to carry on the daily family activities. That day  a friend called. I had not talked to her for well over a year. She is the type of friend who asks all the right questions, and ask she did. And she listened and asked some more.... then she said "Sharon, you had an infection"  The skies opened and the birds sang! I had not given up~ I had given in!...into the healing my body needed to fight an infection.


I am now nearly two months out from my surgery, a surgery that is touted as a very satisfying surgery because the results are easy to measure. I am feeling those easy to  measure results. It is very satisfying. I am walking in a some-what normal gait. And better yet, my creativity has returned. For those of you you know me well, you know I am not whole unless I can create. I am whole, again.


So ....let my New Year begin!

 

Get ready for Spring! Join the boutiques at Make Mine Pink for our Spring Holidays Shop.The Spring Shop will be open from March 13th through the 19th. new products are added daily.