Showing posts with label Les Cotrions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Les Cotrions. Show all posts

Saturday, November 21, 2009

52 thank yous



I have so much to be thankful for and my blogging friends are certainly among my blessings!
The mosaic above is a composition of gifts and give aways and special consideration afforded me by some of the loveliest ladies in our blogging community. First, is my wonderful No. 52 pillow which I ordered from Ruth at The Beautiful Life. As many of you know, Ruth extends her friendship to so many people and has a full and generous spirit. She goes out of her way to make not only her customers happy but to cheer and support all of her fellow bloggers. If I ever retire to Florida...I plan to ask her for a job! Wouldn't she be fun to work for...I can just picture all those coffee breaks and runs to Starbucks!! :)
Second, pictured above are the gifts I received from Vale and Paola of Les Cotrions when they hosted my family as guests in their beautiful hometown of Lucca, Italy. Vale is another one of our blogging friends who makes sure she visits and leaves a kind word to so many of us on a regular basis. Meeting her in person was a highlight of my trip to Italy and she is truly a delightful and charming lady. Third, is my friend Deb of Yaya Chique....I was so fortunate to win her chunky turquoise bracelet and beautiful bookmark. Deb lives such a full and artistic life....her boundless energy and enthusiasm have me longing for a trip to Texas to meet her in person!
So, to you three lovely ladies...Thank you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your gifts and your friendship!




This next surprise came from Jill at Gypsy Brocante who has been hosting Vintage Black Friday...a weekly event that I have been enjoying over the last few weeks.



I was lucky to have won a vintage black goodie bag in honor of VBF that was filled with treasures....how fun was this to open? Thank you Jill for hosting this weekly event and for picking my name and sending these treats!



And finally, from the elegant and lovely Manon 21....I received this package in the mail yesterday....Three beautiful tags made by Manon...and one especially for me....with my name 52 Flea! Who does this kind of thing for someone they have never met in person living half way around the world? Someone incredibly thoughtful and special. Manon had told me she would search for my favorite number....52....after reading my post about searching for enamel house numbers in Italy and finally finding number 52 covered with graffiti. She wrote me last week to tell me she had found my number and wanted to send it along...



And so she did! Isn't it wonderful? ...and along with it the little wooden game piece sporting my special number 52 as well! Everything was wrapped so prettily in this hand stamped and stitched envelope. Thank you Manon! I am overwhelmed by your generosity and your willingness to extend yourself to me....Someday I hope we are able to visit and then I will thank you in person...
And thank yous to all of you as well....for stopping by...for leaving comments...for following along...
I am blessed to be a part of this community...aren't we having fun?
Take care, Laura

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Les Cotrions and Shopping In Lucca



Besides treating us like royalty...Valentina and Paola gave my sister Lynn and I some wonderful gifts...
...Gray candles wrapped with sheet music and tied with hemp twine with a religious medal accent... and little white heart soaps in linen bags with the Les Cotrions name and pretty logo...



Also included in the gift bag (all elegantly tied up with black lace ribbon ) were a cookbook filled with traditional local recipes and a CD of special Italian music....so thoughtful!



We visited Paola's home.....she is in the process of remaking her garage into a loft type living area...with a garden terrace on top and a large showroom below which is used for staging and photographing items for their online shop and will be open to the public on certain dates or by appointment. As you can see, it is a lovely, open and airy space. I love all the stone and texture and beautiful linens...











Their product line includes new items, antiques that they have searched for locally and in the brocantes in France as well as beautiful handmade items that they have created themselves. These two ladies are truly talented with a sophisticated sense of style...To check out their online shop click here....



Vale pointed out this shop which is famous for the secret family recipe they use to make their delicious and unique bread...



I loved this table-scape in one of the little shops.....
....Here are some other images and store front snapshots...







































As you can see....Lucca has lots to offer in the way of retail therapy....

Hope you're not getting too tired of my carrying on about our trip to Italy... it was such a special time for me and I have a few more posts left to share...

Take care,
:) Laura