Last Chance to Enter 52 FLEA's First Year Anniversary Give-Back!

I wanted to share this special gift that sweet girlfriend Paula gave me last week...



Do you see this set of three white vellum covered books on Paula's mantle?
... photo courtesy of Carole...



Well, now they are mine! Or at least three others, similarly covered are mine!
We girls have been admiring stacks of these beautifully covered books at one of our favorite stores...Taken For Granite...
The last time Paula visited...they were on sale...
...she scored big!
...and of course, being Paula....she shared with Evi and me!
I just love them!




It was such a beautiful weekend...the sun shone both days...all day long.
I'm a different person when the sun shines!



We had a lovely evening ...



... and I hope you did too!



Here is my Lisa Leonard original....the captured heart necklace....



I am so pleased with this piece...it is meaningful...
...yet casual and fun...just like my Dan and Kate!

Don't forget Monday at 6 pm EST is the deadline for entering
52 FLEA's first anniversary Give-Back!

You've got to be in it to win it! Wouldn't a $50 gift certificate to Lisa's online shop be wonderful?
...and don't forget....also included in this Give-Back is a copy of the new Jeanne D'Arc Living Magazine and that ever so special edition of Somerset Life!

Good Luck my friends!
Good night!
:)

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

Music and Candlelight

Dressing up some candles with old sheet music, ribbon, lace and antique buttons.