Crush Time

It's that time of year again!

Crush!

We all remember Lucy and Ethel's grape stomping escapade, but crushing grapes is a lot more sophisticated these days!

Tuscan Vines

Vineyards in France and Italy...

Sonoma Vines

 ...and right here in Sonoma County are harvesting the grapes to be crushed.

In Vignamaggio, Italy the process begins...

This is where the magic happens!

Grapes into wine!

"Grapes on the vine, in clusters they're hung...

Soon to be wine, so run fox run."

Or should I say, "Run, Bear run!"

No, our table grapes won't become wine, but they sure are good to eat and make great jelly.

This is only the tip of the iceberg!

I just love this time of year!

Merci

Ashley visited an amazing shop in Paris called Merci and was so inspired, she just had to share:

Here is her guest post:

I was advised to visit Merci by a couple of people,

...as it is one of the most unique shops in Paris:  

All profits go to a charity for children in Madagascar!

We found designers like Isabel Marant and Carven, but they change from season to season, as well as the theme of the store.

 On our visit, Audrey Hepburn was the theme. They collected clothing and outfits that exemplify her style and displayed jewelery from Tiffany & Co. 

They also had a projector running of Breakfast at Tiffany's in a small corner where fathers and kids lounged.

This store didn't just have women's clothing, but a home, pet, perfume, menswear, and jewelry section sprawled across its three levels. 

Oh, and a fabulous cafe of simple and delicious homey food, served in their library. 

111 boulevard Beaumarchais 

75003 Paris 
Métro Saint Sébastien Froissart Line n°8
(between Bastille and République)

http://www.merci-merci.com/

The Dressing Table

"It is stated that nothing is more revealing of a woman's character than her dressing table..."

"The average woman is proud of her dressing-table, the toilet appointments, besides being necessary are nowadays a source of beauty."

Does that sound a bit old-fashioned? 

That's because it was taken from an article written in 1937 for the New Zealand  Railways Magazine!

 I visited a client recently who needed help deciding how to arrange all of her furniture since moving from her large home in the South to a little apartment in California.

The one piece of furniture that she would not get rid of in her bedroom was the vanity.  She sat there every morning and applied her makeup and styled her hair!

I suggested that she could do that in her bathroom like I do.  But being an old-fashioned southern girl, she was not letting go of her dressing table!

I wish I had a dressing table now!  Mine is technically the bathroom counter where I've at least gathered all the elements together. 

Of course, it doesn't always look like this, since I have to share the space with my husband! 

Perhaps my client was on to something!

Wouldn't it be a luxury to have your own personal vanity?

It wouldn't have to be elaborate.  A simple skirted table would work.

A romantic skirted table like this one!

Just add my antique mirror, perfume bottle collection and voila!

What are your feelings about dressing tables?

A necessity or old-fashioned?

I'm thinking an old-fashioned necessity!

For more Dressing Table inspiration, visit my Pinterest board here.

All photos except #6 are via Pinterest

Guest Blogger: Ashley In Paris

Ashley thinks so too!

She is in Paris having the time of her life, and I'm not!

So I asked her to send her thoughts and be a guest blogger for Vignette Design.

At least I get something out of it! 

Here is Paris through her lens and perspective:

There are a lot of reasons why I have fallen in love with Europe over the years, but it's hard to pinpoint why. I know it's the food, the style, the wine, the simplicity of life, the culture. But there are a lot of moments when it hits me hard, simply from sighting a beautiful person or tasting some strong olive oil. Sometimes it's even the smell of the metro in Paris! I love it ALL.

The array of colorful yet old doorways that are heavier than the building itself always fascinate me. They are the first thing you walk through to enter the structure- of course it should impress!

Women can smoke all they want, it's fine, they still look sexy. 

The window displays are simple, fabulous, and always make you think you're a terrible decorator.

 

The use of wine barrels on the streets make me want to not only drink from them,

but go back in time when doing so was normal!

The cobblestone streets may make it difficult to walk in your heels, but I would never give them up. They remind you how old our civilization actually is and how far we have come. 

This is what I've gathered so far from this little trip I'm on, and there is more to come!

Fall Vignette: Amber Glass

 A few months ago, I bought my first vintage amber bottle.  As we were driving through a small northern California town, I yelled for Mr. A to pull over.  There on the side of the road were tons of vintage bottles.  I could have gone crazy, but bought just one bottle.  Amber with a fish on it!

My son-in-law remembered that bottle and gifted me with a few more that he found at Goodwill!

Now I have a collection!

 I just love how beautiful they look with the sun streaming through, casting an amber glow.

It only seemed logical that they should be displayed in a window.

 They compliment the soap dispenser at the kitchen sink which is also amber!

This one is by far my favorite.

It is from Edinburgh, Scotland and I love the crest of two deer and a dog. 

Not sure what it contained originally, but it does state that it's against the law to reuse this bottle.

I'll just have to take my chances!

All of a sudden I'm seeing amber everywhere!

Recently, HauteLook featured these vintage bottles for sale on their website for $139 for the collection.

I never intended to start collecting amber glass, but have realized that I've always been drawn to the their color.  Originally produced as apothecary or pharmacy bottles, they would add interest in a bathroom holding lotions or even flowers.  

For now though, my two new vintage bottles from my son-in-law are adding fall interest in the kitchen!

I'm joining Melissa at The Inspired Room.
Be sure to pay a visit for examples of "Fall around the house."

Eye Of The Day

I love French Anduze pots, and even wrote a post about them here.  They are rare and expensive, most of them imported from France.

A fellow blogger, Jermaine from French Kissed told me about Eye of the Day in her area of California that actually imports and manufactures these beauties.  

 Now Eye of the Day has expanded to northern California, so last weekend, Mr. A and I stopped in on our way to the wine country to see their pottery.

They have some beautiful Anduze pots, along with Italian and Greek terracotta pots too.

Although still quite expensive, it's nice to know they're available and they can make any color and size to your specification.

My favorite, if I were to choose is the rustic green color.

It looks like it's a 100 year old antique!

It occurred to me that maybe the reason why I love these pots so much is that they remind me of majolica.  They are the same colors; golds, greens and blues.  

The "flame" finish especially resembles majolica.

Eye of the Day has a beautiful website here.

Be sure to check them out to see all their beautiful pottery, fountains and garden accessories.

In the meantime, I'm saving up for a pair of antique Anduze pots for the front porch!

Someday.....

Showroom Locations:

Eye of the Day SoCal

4620 Carpinteria Avenue

Carpinteria, CA 93013

Phone: 805-566-6500

Fax: 805-566-0478

Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM

Eye of the Day NorCal

Located next to Office Depot

781A Anderson Drive

San Rafael, California 94901

Phone: 415-460-5403

Fax: 415-460-5471

Hours: Wednesday - Friday: 10 AM - 4 PM

Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM

And by appointment.