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I am totally and utterly in love with this wonderful lilac-scented solid perfume by Pacifica.
The fragrance is heavenly, the packaging is pretty, and it's perfect for summer travel! Plus, it's a real bargain at just $9.00!
And if French Lilac isn't your thing, you can chose from a bunch of other wonderful scents like orange blossom and mango grapefruit.
:-)
Jessica
Ah, Paris in the Springtime....the beautiful architecture, the magical Seine river, the blossoming, flowering trees...
And, oh yeah, the RIBBON shops!!!!
Yes, I'm not sure if you all remember, but several years ago we took another trip to Paris and I was so looking forward to visiting some haberdashery shops that I had always dreamt of seeing in person. I was so excited and filled with anticipation - camera in hand, Euros in my pocket and ready to be spent. The only problem? The shops were all closed. Yup. Every single one of them. It was August and unbeknownst to me (who had never been to Paris in August before) - everything closes down while the Parisians escape for "holiday"! So, you see, this recent trip was to be a corrective experience for me. I chance to get it right. And so I did. Behold, Ultramod...
Can you believe all those ribbons? Many are new, but some are definitely vintage,
Love the old, green storage boxes. I have no idea what was in them, but I can imagine it was lots of beautiful things.
They had an incredible selection of buttons. One woman in the shop was looking for a replacement for a her Chanel jacket.
The shop was pretty pricey (especially given the exchange rate), but these little beauties were a bargain...
Gorgeous vintage velvets.
I never did find a website for Ultramod, but it is located at 4 Rue de Choiseul 75002 Paris, France.
And, if you go, please call first to find out if they're open. :-)
XOXO
Jessica
Yup, more candy! Today's featured shop is especially beautiful - old-fashioned in style and in my fav color palette.
My visit to Mrs. Kibbles Sweet Shoppe may have alone justified my airfare to London! :-)
One look at those rows of glass jars filled with pretty candies and I just about keeled over.
So much pastel prettiness in one small space!
XOXO
Jessica
I did promise you lots of sweets, didn't I? Well, Hope and Greenwood is one of my very favorite candy shops in London.
It is oh, so very British and so very charming...
Their packaging is so cute!
I was seriously debating just how many of these jars I could get home in my luggage!
And the displays are so cool...
Jar after jar of traditional British treats line the walls...evidently, the "Shrimps" are very popular!
Buckets of colorful candy choices abound...
What can I say? I did warn you all. Sweets really were a big part of our trip...
...and there are even more to come!
:-)
Jessica
While in London, we went to the cutest cupcake shop ever...Primrose Bakery.
While I've been to Primrose in the past (and have both of their beautiful cookbooks), I never pass up a chance to visit. I especially love their location in Covent Garden. Situated on a lovely corner, the bright yellow bakery is so cheerful...
It's the perfect place to enjoy some delicious baked goodies. We love the yummy mini sprinkled cupcakes...
So many pretty toppings to choose from - sugar flowers, confetti, hearts, etc...
You can even pick up a pastel candy necklace or two...
The interior is absolutely adorable - vintage, shabby, and retro!
Gotta love the pink neon sign!
They also have a nice selection of fun gift items and pretty stationary...
Primrose is just such a bright and happy place to be - I can't wait to go back!
:-)
Jessica
If there was a theme to our European vacation, it would have had to have been "sweets"!
I know this will hardly come as a surprise to most of you, given my love for all things confectionery and sprinkled. :-) Long before we left on our trip, I compiled a very detailed list of all the places I hoped to visit while in London and Paris. And it was a VERY long list! I am always excited to check out the newest bakery or find some new-to-me sprinkles to add to my ever-growing collection. Luckily, I have a husband who tolerates my "sweet" adventures and daughters who are always happy to tag along whenever a cupcake is involved.
Today, I just thought I'd show you a few pictures from one of my favorite department stores in London - Fortnum and Mason. One look at the building exterior and the colors of their brand packaging (see above) and you'll see why I love it so much...
Pretty minty-aqua green abounds...
So very whimsical!
But once inside, you'll find all sorts of glorious treats and sweets. The main level is filled with gourmet chocolate counters, tins filled with tea, exotic coffees, and gift items galore. Just take a looky at one of the candy counters...
Those pastel almond dragees are sooooo pretty! Fortnum and Mason also serves an excellent tea in their lovely dining room. And the basement level has some beautiful prepared foods, fresh flowers, and even baking supplies. Check out their selection of food colorings...
So, if you find yourself in London, Fortnum and Mason should definitely be on your must-visit list!
BTW: I really recommend making a detailed list of places to visit before you travel. I always note complete addresses and opening days and times. This helps in planning your itinerary and also avoids inevitable disappointment at finding that your favorite shop closed an hour before you arrived or isn't open on Sundays. I even like to plot out all my destinations on a map before I go. This saves precious vacation time and makes it easy for you to hit all your favorite spots.
Lots more sweets to come...
XOXO
Jessica
Hello everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous holiday. Well, I am officially back from spring break. We just returned from a wonderful family vacation to London and Paris.
I have spent the past several days recovering from some serious jet-lag (what day is it anyway?) and going through the 2000+ pictures that I took. Yes, you read that correctly - 2000+ pictures!
I have sooooo much to share with you over the next few weeks - beautiful bakeries, cupcakes, old-fashioned candy stores, cooking shops, Shabby Chic London, haberdashery and trimming shops, a visit to the Paris flea markets, and so much more!
So, please bear with me while I sort through all my photos and try to get it all organized!
In the meantime, I though I would share these gorgeous lilacs that I bought at the farmers market this weekend. Aren't they pretty...
XOXO
Jessica
I want to wish you all a very Happy Easter and Passover!
I am taking a little time off to spend the spring break with my family and friends.
But, I'll be back soon and I'll have LOTS to share with you!
XOXO
Jessica
Here's a super quick, easy, and inexpensive centerpiece for your Easter table...
All you need are some glass votive holders, some colorful candy, and some fresh flowers. I found my votive holders at A.C. Moore (I chose them because of their "egg-like" shape...and because they were on sale for 3 for $1!). I just filled them with some pretty pastel candies. I am loving the sherbet shades of these speckled jelly beans!).
Then I trimmed my flower stems and placed a few blossoms in each votive holder.
If you do this right before your guests arrive, you won't even need to mess around with water. But, if you need them to last for a longer period of time, your stems can be placed in small water vials (found at any florist shop) and then placed in the candy.
I love these clustered in groups going down the center of a dining table, but they also look so sweet placed individually at each place setting. These are so easy - you have to try them!
I also want to say a huge thank you to the The Huffington Post's Stylist Home for featuring my Paper Flower Easter Eggs today! You can check out the full article here.
:-)
Jessica
