Bliss

i heart...over there!

2011-02-21T12:32:00.000-08:00

you know what i heart? lists on new sites...come find me on the new bliss. don't forget to change feeds and links!

this pretty cup is part of this week's list!

xo mrs. french

and go!

2011-02-18T12:25:00.000-08:00

it's crazy how many "moving" appropriate photos are on pinterest. even more crazy how much time i could spend perusing them...a stall technique. stalling, because this moving thing is a big deal for a gal like myself...so here it goes! i have moved! this is my new site: http://blissfulbblog.com

(quite a nice one, don't you think? found it here.)

pssst...don't forget to change your rss feed and links to bliss. now ready...get set...meet you there!

xo mrs. french

i'm moving...

2011-02-17T15:03:00.000-08:00

eep! so excited i could burst! guess what? bliss is moving...tomorrow morning i will be leaving my beloved blogger site and moving on to a new fancier location. it has been a lot of work, but the new home is exactly what i want and i couldn't be prouder. see the little collage above? it's a tiny sample of what is to come...see you tomorrow...xo mrs. french

blissful eats with Laurie Jesch-Kulseth: The Best Brownie Ever

2011-02-17T08:24:00.000-08:00

Good morning all! So Valentine's Day was just a few days ago, and here I am pushing more chocolate. While you may be suffering from chocolate overload, I never will. My kids appear to have inherited my weakness for all things chocolate. Several times a day my two-year-old begs for a "blue-wrapping chocolate" (Dove milk chocolates). To make sure she gets one she adds, "...and one for Aanen (my four-year-old)?" Imagine it in a sweet, high voice, and you can see how I'm unable to resist indulging them. In this brownie recipe, I indulge myself

Take a look at these brownies. Take a closer look. Can you see the chunks of chocolate? And that's no run-of-the-mill chocolate-- it's a high, 60% cacao chip that gives this recipe a real punch. We've all had good brownies. I've tried dozens of recipes over the years-- most resulted in brownies that were pretty good, a few were even memorable. But this is the one. These are the best brownies I've ever eaten. Period. They're simple, yet the quality chocolate and addition of espresso powder give them real depth. No need for caramel, nuts, or anything else here. The texture is dense, yet retains that brownie 'cakiness.' (Is that even a word?) In short, these have a powerful chocolate/fudge flavor that is intensified by the addition of the espresso powder. Even better, they are easy. One bowl and you're done.

The Recipe: The Best Brownie Ever

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

2 1/4 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon espresso powder

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli 60% Cacao -- my favorite for baking)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter a 9x13 inch pan.

In a large-sized microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter, then add the sugar and stir to combine. Return the mixture to the microwave briefly, just until it's hot, but not bubbling; it'll become shiny looking as you stir it. Heating the butter and sugar a second time will dissolve more of the sugar, which will yield a shiny top crust on your brownie.

Stir in the cocoa, salt, baking powder, and vanilla. Add the eggs, beating until smooth; then stir in the flour until combined. Feel free to add the chocolate chips now if you want a smoother texture (no chocolate chunks), but keep in mind that if you wait just 20 minutes, or so -- the chocolate chips will remain intact. I prefer to have a nice chunk of chocolate to bite into. Spoon the batter into a prepared pan.

Bake the brownies for 28-30 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out dry (though it may have a few crumbs clinging to it). The brownies should feel set both on the edges and in the center. Remove them from the oven, and after 5 minutes loosen the edges with a butter knife; this helps prevent the brownies from sinking in the center as they cool. Cool completely before cutting and serving.

Source: Adapted from King Arthur Flour

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! See you next week!

Laurie

wee wednesday: crewcut boys

2011-02-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

our b starts his days decked out in a snazzy uniform...which means i have slacked a bit when it comes to decking the little man out. if i could pick what he wore on a daily basis, i think i would choose a spiffy crewcuts wardrobe...

of course he may not agree; there is no sign of super heros, harry potter or star wars on any of these...unheard of! xo mrs. french

wee wednesday: spring stella mccartney

2011-02-16T10:43:00.000-08:00

would you just look at the newest frocks from stella mccartney for little girls!

first and quite selfishly, i would like all of them in my size and second, i feel as if ms. lu needs one of each....so, perfectly sweet. xo mrs. french

my happy place...

2011-02-15T17:00:00.000-08:00

oh how i love this idea...beautiful ceramic tiles printed with digital images. i haven't been able to find a spot to do this in the united states, but the link for the uk site is here. however, i think i would like these exactly as they are and feel as if a photograph of my own just wouldn't be the same. xo mrs. french

also via living etc

my happy place...

2011-02-15T14:15:00.000-08:00

portland is not known for its historical brownstones...sad, considering i think i may need one. especially after catching a glimpse of this lovely home in brooklyn...

loving everything about it.
xo mrs. french
via living etc

i heart monday and valentine's day!

2011-02-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

i know, i know...it's commercialized, over-rated, contrived and on and on, but i am a complete sucker for valentine's day. i am not ashamed to admit, it is one of my very favorites. which is why this list goes on and on. beware, pink, red, ruffle, and heart overload!

i heart this top.

i heart this bracelet.

i heart these shoes.

i heart this slip.

i heart this ring.

i heart this carpet.

i heart this shirt.

i heart this "love lock."

i heart this poster.

i heart this desk.

i heart these ceramics and holly for sharing.

i heart this apron.

i heart this case.

i heart this necklace.

i heart this chaise.

i heart this necklace.

i heart this mirror.

i heart this ring.

i heart these baskets.

i heart this scarf.

i heart these hearts.

i heart these earrings.

i heart these over-the-top shoes.

i heart this boa pillow.

i heart this organic lip balm.

i heart this pillow.

i heart this garland.

i heart this bracelet.

i heart this "cold nose."

i heart these journals.

i heart this blanket.

love it up blissful readers...muwah!!! xo mrs. french

friday pins

2011-02-11T13:51:00.000-08:00

oh my, oh my...the pins i pinned this week are way too amazing to keep to myself. which is why i have decided to post another friday pin post. this little list inspires and amazes me...i have a feeling you will feel the same way (tap the stars to pin for yourself)...

***

(oh and visit melis for more about my newest favorite ring!)

***

i do love me some pinterest...beautiful weekend to all!
xo mrs. french

sponsor spotlight: efrat deutsch

2011-02-10T15:31:00.000-08:00

i am not sure how the lovely efrat found me and my little bliss...but i am so happy she did. efrat makes lovely, lovely jewelry. an eclectic mix of all things sparkly, contemporary and traditional...necklaces, earrings, and rings. i could go on and on about each piece, but today i choose to focus on the pretty baubles for your lobes...

i am not typically a girl that changes earrings all that often, but efrat has me rethinking this decision. a different pair for each day of the week would be oh so dreamy. i am more than pleased to have ms. efrat sponsor bliss...thank you, thank you! xo mrs. french

blissful eats with Laurie Jesch-Kulseth: Coconut Almond Tart

2011-02-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Greetings! I hope you've had a wonderful week and that you're managing to stay warm (it's -20 F windchill as I write this!). While these late winter months really test my patience, I always look forward to the middle of February for one reason-- Valentine's Day! Have you made YOUR plans yet? Though my husband has always griped that it's a holiday created by Hallmark, deep down I know he looks forward to it as much as I do. We have a simple tradition started years ago while we were dating. Born partly out of having been poor college kids, and partly out of not wanting to fight the restaurant crowd, we originally spent a romantic night at home, just the two of us making pasta, drinking wine, and enjoying a decadent chocolate dessert. Now we've continued the tradition, though we've added our two children. Not quite as romantic perhaps, but just as fulfilling. To be honest, I can't imagine it any other way. Part of the fun in making it a family event is that my little four-year-old boy helped me pick out the dessert this year. What you see is the Coconut Almond Tart that he chose.

Whether you prefer to stay home for a quiet romantic (or family) evening in, or you know you'll be craving a dreamy dessert when you get home from your night out, you'll want to indulge in this one. Indulgence really is the best way to describe this tart. The chocolate ganache topping gives way to a thick, cream center. The texture is similar to a good, dense cheesecake, with one significant difference. Coconut. Lots of coconut! I love the textural complexity and flavor that coconut adds in this dessert. Pairing it with the chocolate ganache really sets it apart. Add a cup of French-press coffee and it sends me over the moon!

This is the perfect make-ahead-of-time dessert. While it has a few steps, it's actually quite simple to assemble. Don't be intimidated by the length of the recipe. Just give yourself enough time to chill the coconut cream filling.

The Recipe: Coconut Almond Tart

For the Almond Tart Dough

1 large egg

1/4 cup whole toasted almonds

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

For the Coconut Cream Filling

8 ounces good-quality white chocolate, coarsely chopped

1 cup heavy cream

2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

1 tablespoon light rum

For the Chocolate Glaze and Garnish

2 ounces good-quality milk chocolate, coarsely chopped

2 ounces good-quality dark chocolate (60-72%), coarsely chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

6 (or more) whole toasted almonds

Make the Almond Tart Dough

In a small bowl, lightly whisk the egg and set aside.

Put the almonds and sugar in a food processor and pulse until the almonds are finely ground. Add flour and salt and pulse again until just mixed. Add the butter and pulse until sandy (about 6-10 quick pulses). Pour in the egg and pulse until the dough begins to cohere into a ball. Form the dough ball into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Make the Coconut Cream Filling

Place the white chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl.

In a small saucepan set over medium heat, heat the cream just to a boil. Pour it over the white chocolate and let stand for 30 seconds. Slowly, starting in the center of the bowl, whisk the cream and white chocolate until smooth. Cover and refrigerate this ganache for 4 hours or overnight before proceeding.

Assemble the Tart

Dust a work surface with flour. Place the disk of chilled dough on the work surface and divide into 6 equal portions for 4-inch individual tarts, or leave whole for a 14-inch x 5-inch tart. (Note: the dough will be sticky. Make sure to turn it with a bench knife or offset spatula as needed and keep the working surface floured). Use a rolling pin to roll each piece of dough into a 5 1/2-inch circle just over 1/8 inch thick. Very gently press each dough round into a 4-inch tart pan with removable bottom. You may have a bit of dough leftover if using one large tart pan as opposed to the smaller 6 pans.

Place the tart pans in the freezer for 30 minutes. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Line the tart crusts with aluminum foil, and fill each one 3/4 full with pie weights or dried beans. (I skipped adding the pie weights, as I've read it's not necessary to do if you freeze the dough beforehand.) Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and weights and bake for another 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Transfer tart pans to a wire rack to cool.

Make the Coconut Cream Filling

Meanwhile, in the bowl of a standing mixer, fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the white chocolate ganache at medium speed until soft peaks form. Do not overwhip. Note: I felt the mixture was "heavy" and never really achieved a "whipped" look . Gently fold in the coconut and the rum. Divide the filling among the tart shells and place in the refrigerator as you make the chocolate glaze. If using one big tart pan, you may have a bit of coconut filling leftover. Make sure there is enough room for the chocolate glaze to set safely on the top without overflowing.

Make the Chocolate Glaze

Place the milk and dark chocolates in a medium heatproof bowl.

In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream until it is just about to boil. Pour it over the chocolates and whisk to combine. Let the mixture set for about 10 minutes. Remove the tarts from the refrigerator and spoon the glaze evenly over each one. Top each tart with one almond and refrigerate again until the glaze sets up, about 10 minutes.

The tarts can be stored, tightly covered, in the refigerator for up to 2 days.

Source: Baked Explorations

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day! Would love to hear what your traditions are. See you next week!

Laurie

wee wednesday: 6 month lu

2011-02-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

it just so happens that this wee wednesday is exactly 1/2 way through my baby's first year!

happy day sweet lu...you fit in nicely with this quirky bunch. you are a perfect mix of sweet, spicy and just so, so...so lu. you complete our family and my heart. we love you sweet baby.

xoxo

wee wednesday: ketiketa

2011-02-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

ketiketa's spring summer collection is precious...the photos for the collection are nothing short of magical...

the sweet moments of childhood combined with really lovely clothing...love. xo mrs. french

my happy place...

2011-02-08T16:16:00.000-08:00

from one loft to the next...i am on a roll. i think it's obvious why this brooklyn heights space is so appealing...

i love talking myself into new types of homes. which is effortless when it comes to my lofty tuesday...do check out the one from earlier today as well. xo mrs. french

via elizabeth roberts architecture via ms. hanna

my happy place...

2011-02-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

a loft. i know i have never profiled a loft on my tuesday happy place, but this one deserves a post all its own...

the light, the eclectic decor, rich woods and unexpected pieces have me thinking a loft would be a wonderful place to reside. perhaps bliss needs to make room for more beautiful lofts?
xo mrs. french

via loft life

i heart monday.

2011-02-07T13:24:00.000-08:00

happy afternoon blissful readers! i do hope your week is starting out on the right foot and that your weekend was a good one...enjoy this week's list!

i heart this sweater.

i heart this clog.

i heart these stacking rings.

i heart this runner.

i heart these potholders.

i heart this shell.

i heart this shoulder bag.

i heart this cuff.

i heart this stool (via elsa).

i heart this blouse.

i heart these heels.

i heart these earrings.

i heart this loveseat.

i heart this lamp.

i heart this platter.

i heart this cover.

i heart this necklace so much.

i heart this wallpaper.

i heart this town.

i heart these pants.

xo mrs. french

saipua

2011-02-04T09:21:00.000-08:00

sometimes a gal just needs to spruce up her blog. how about some fresh flowers?

stunning right? i found saipua and i have been back countless times...some of the most beautiful floral arrangements i have seen. un-messed with and simply lovely...each arrangement leaves the flowers room to breath and shine all on their own.

saipua occupies a beautiful space in brooklyn. somehow i knew flowers like these should be assembled in a place like this...

and there's soap. xo mrs. french
via scout
beautiful photos taken by mindy best

lee mathews

2011-02-03T13:14:00.000-08:00

back in the day i posted the work of australian designer lee mathews. i had happened upon a beautiful dress in inside out magazine and wanted it desperately...it was one of lee's beautiful creations. at the time, lee's shop had not yet opened...guess what? now there is and there are dresses! flowy, summery, easy dresses...australia is moving past the summer season and looking to sweaters and such, but i am looking forward to summer. the perfect season for these...

too loose and flowy? not to worry there are belts!

and since australian designers are currently selling their new winter wares...they are trying to move all the pretty summer pieces...a long way of saying, there is a sale! and lee mathews ships to the united states! such good news! have a lovely afternoon! xo mrs. french

blissful eats with Laurie Jesch-Kulseth: Mixed Bean and Smoked Ham Shank Soup

2011-02-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone! It is nice to be back at Blissful Eats. Thank you for the warm welcome and lovely comments on my previous post--this is even more fun than I imagined!

So...bean soup. Huh? Do not judge until you've given this one a try. Today we'll explore my take on this hearty soup. It is versatile enough to be served at both an elegant winter dinner party or a simple Sunday night family meal. The snowy, bone-chilling weather we've been shivering through in the Midwest calls out for this soup.

Why is this bean soup better? Three things: pickling spices, a smoked ham shank, and quality, varied beans. Let's start with the pickling spices. Strange, right? This is a secret from my Mother. These spices, more than anything else you'll see in this recipe, set the soup apart. They add a distinct complexity that is difficult to describe...think savory/hint of sweetness/herbal...something along those lines. A list of the ingredients in pickling spice may help give you an idea of what to expect: cinnamon, allspice, mustard seed, coriander, bay leaves, ginger, cloves, chillies, black pepper, mace, and cardamom. You can find pickling spice at most grocery stores.

To prepare the pickling spice for the soup, place a rounded tablespoon in a small piece of cheesecloth and tie it with cooking twine. You can also use a re-usable spice sachet. As a third option, a tea ball also works, but make sure the latch does not open while stirring.

Important ingredient number two-- the smoked ham shank. While it's a great addition to many soups, here, the shank really comes through. It infuses the soup with an underlying smoky intensity that complements the unique flavor of the spices. Generally, the ham shank will have the perfect amount of meat to complete the meal.

Finally, we get to the beans. Using a varied selection of dry beans will result in a beautiful soup with unforgettable texture. Here I used red, adzuki, and great northern beans, along with green and yellow split and black-eyed peas. You should soak them overnight, but if you forget or do not have the time, here's a quick fix. Put the dried beans in a large saucepan, topped with a few inches of water. Boil for just a minute or two, remove from the heat, and cover for two hours. Your beans are now ready to go!

The Recipe: Mixed Bean and Smoked Ham Shank Soup (serves 6-ish)

2 Tablespoons olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 - 1 onion chopped

3 medium carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

1 quart (32 ounces) pureed tomatoes, preferably low sodium

1 large bay leaf

1 rounded tablespoon pickling spice, placed in a spice sachet

2 cups of mixed dried beans, rinsed and soaked overnight

4 - 5 cups of water

1 1/2 pound smoked ham shank (less or more is fine)

salt and black pepper to taste

sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes

In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil and saute the onion for a few minutes until they become tender. Add the garlic and saute for another minute. Then add remaining vegetables and let cook for five minutes, or so. Season with black pepper and just a sprinkle of salt. Be careful not to overdo the salt because the ham shank will add plenty. Cook until the vegetables become slightly soft.

Add the tomatoes, water, beans, bay leaf, pickling-spice sachet, smoked ham shank, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes. If the soup seems too thick, add a bit more water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and let simmer for two (or more) hours. Be sure to check on it and stir every so often. Reduce heat, if necessary. The soup will be done when the beans are soft and the ham is fork tender--it should almost fall off the bone.

Remove the ham shank from the soup and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Shred meat from the bone and stir back into soup, along with any juice that may have seeped out of the meat. This is a great make-ahead dish, as it just gets better with each passing day. Also, I love to serve this soup with a small splash of cream on the top, and very crusty bread. Delicious!

Thanks again for stopping by -- see you next week!

Laurie

wee wednesday: binny wallpaper

2011-02-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

love, love, love this whimsical wallpaper from binny illustration & design...

i would love to reserve a little spot on my lu's wall for the sweet print in the bottom photo.
xo mrs. french
via babiekins

wee wednesday: chigo

2011-02-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

the pure sweetness put forth by chigo is almost too much to handle...

almost. xo mrs. french

my happy place...

2011-02-01T14:30:00.000-08:00

i met emma through victoria and i am so happy i did. emma of the beautiful marion house has the opportunity to do what some of us long to...she gets to peek inside her neighbors' homes. she not only gets to peek, she has a talented photographer take photographs of her talented neighbors' homes and puts them on her blog...lucky us. these neighbors of emma's has my very favorite...

attainable, gorgeous and perfect. xo mrs. french

my happy place...

2011-02-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

i do love beautiful barn conversions. ever since i was small i always imagined living in a barn that i could fix up just right. homes like this one have me thinking that that my childhood idea was a really good one...

do come back this afternoon...another happy place! xo mrs. french
via marie claire maison

i heart monday.

2011-01-31T11:04:00.000-08:00

hello all! goodness my baby had a nasty bug! she is starting to get back to her little lu self...thank you so much for the well wishes. i do hope you enjoy todays little list.

i heart this sweater.

i heart this tray.

i heart these wedges.

i heart this print.

i heart this ring.

i heart this dress.

i heart this armchair.

i heart this necklace.

i heart this fold-out.

i heart this linen love note.

i heart this cardigan.

i heart this cuff.

i heart this bag.

i heart this poster.

i heart these chalkable flags.

i heart this scarf.

i heart these teacups.

i heart this day blanket.

i heart this poncho.

i heart this necklace.

xo mrs. french

not today...

2011-01-28T17:01:00.000-08:00

hi dear friends...no post today, i am loving up my under the weather baby. hope your weekend is delightful! xo mrs. french

blissful eats with laurie jesch-kulseth: Luscious Lemon Bars

2011-01-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning, Bliss readers! I'm so excited to be here today. I am Laurie Jesch-Kulseth, and I'll be stopping in once a week to talk blissful eats. I am thrilled to have been asked by Mrs. French to guest blog here. She is one of my dearest friends, and we have known each other for years (nearly 20!). As you know, Mrs. French has impeccable taste and a keen sense for style. I am honored that she has entrusted her beautiful Bliss to me. I thank you, my friend. This is going to be fun.

Let's talk food--I absolutely LOVE lemon bars! They are the perfect foil for the winter doldrums. Their color is magical, their flavor a creamy-citrus burst of sunshine. An exaggeration? Try them. While baking these bars, I wondered, "Now why don't I make these more often?" They are simple, beautiful, and by far the best lemon bar I have ever eaten. Perhaps that is precisely why I don't make them regularly-- I can't stop shoving them in my mouth! Seriously. I'm hoarding them right now. I've come up with several excuses over the last three days to not share them with neighbors. Ridiculous.

The bar itself is thick and firm. The texture is a luxuriant creaminess, backed by a nice flakey crust. That silky...mouthfeel, for lack of a better term, leads into an incredible citrus-y zing that just 'pops'. They're simple, incredible, and in just a few hours you too can be hoarding them away from friends and family. See you next week!

As with all good food, the quality of the ingredients matters. I try to use organic, locally-sourced, whenever possible, though I understand that may not always be practical. In this particular recipe, pay special attention to your eggs-- free-range organic really makes a difference.

The recipe: Lemon Bars

For the crust:

1/2 pound unsalted butter (at room temperature)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 cups flour

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

lemon layer:

6 extra-large eggs (at room temperature)

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4-6 lemons)

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 cup flour

Confectioners' sugar, for dusting.

Pre-heat oven to 350°F and liberally butter a 9x13 by 2 inch baking sheet.

For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Gather mixture and form a ball. Flatten dough and press into buttered pan with floured hands, building up a 1/2 edge on all sides. Chill.

Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on wire rack. Leave the oven on.

For the lemon layer, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30-35 minutes, or about five minutes beyond the point where the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.

Notes: Don't be alarmed when you pour the lemon mixture into the crust if it happens to over-flow. Its ok, pour it all in there! I prefer to eat these bars served cold --straight from the refrigerator.

Source:The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook via Smitten Kitchen with modifications.

get ready!

2011-01-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

one of my nearest and dearest on bliss and a new feature to boot. it's a good day!

back in the day i was a college freshmen,terrified because i was leaving home for the very first time...i had 3 room mates assigned to me, we were all new to one another and it worked out. more than worked out, these ladies are still my favorite ladies. i trust them with all i hold dear. the pretty girl you see above, she is one of the three. i always knew she was special...while i was warming up spaghetti-os in an illegal dorm microwave (we hid it under the bed....shhhh), she was creating masterpieces in a crockpot on her desk. she's one of those natural cooks, it's just part of her makeup. it doesn't seem fair that i keep her all to myself...texting her for recipes is a pretty common occurence around here...sooo i have decided to give you the same little gift. ms. laurie jesch-kulseth will be popping in on thursdays to share some of her yummiest with all of you. she also has a way with a camera. how lucky are you? LUCKY! pop back in this afternoon for her first feature on bliss...get ready, this girl is good! xo mrs. french

wee wednesday: lu's room

2011-01-26T16:38:00.000-08:00

so here's the deal...i have been meaning to show you all a little peek of ms. lu's room, but kept putting it off. i have been hoping to add just one more perfect thing or another, wanting the perfect light for photos, waiting for b to be in school and hoping the beautiful wood floors will finish themselves...basically, coming up with one excuse after another. you had to have noticed the absence of personal photos on this little old blog, especially photos of our home. it's all too revealing...i am silly-shy about this type of thing. but i had to share this one room. because it was sort of built by my bliss blog. i am not a designer, i am pretty much lost when it comes to decorating my own home, but this room means the most to me. i love everything in it and each detail has special meaning. most importantly it is my lu....all that is sweet, and magical. hope you like it too...

one of my kitties streaking by...

my dearest melis gave my lu this garland and it couldn't make me happier.

lu and myself love sharon's most adorable crane.

lu loved emma's garland so much we had to put it in her room.

lu's dresser is a genuine barb masterpiece...i love the fact that lu has some knackage.

poor b was home from school sick and loved to be in as many photos as possible.

sarah has a way with lamps...lu's nest.

sometimes sharing private moments and places is kind of nice. xo mrs. french

wee wednesday: lu's room...almost...

2011-01-26T09:46:00.000-08:00

sooo...lu thinks it's about time you see her room. but her crazy momma has a few things left to do...maybe this afternoon?

xo mrs. french

my happy place...

2011-01-25T13:04:00.000-08:00

i have done it. i may have found a place where b and mr. french may love as much as i do. i realize in the past i have typically focused on spots of pink, lots of white and just the right amount of femininity. mr. french would prefer no pink, some white is ok, but tempered with dark, bold wood and preferably no overt femininity (if i am sneaky, i may be able to sneak some in here or there).

i do be believe this home in london is a happy place, love fest for all frenches...

and most importantly i looooooooove it! hope you do too.
xo mrs. french

via shoot factory

not quite done yet...

2011-01-24T15:00:00.000-08:00

so i have been browsing...i have been going through emails and stopping by some of my favorite spots and guess what? i am smitten with all of these too...

i heart these lamps.

i heart this collaboration.

i heart this table and this bowl.

i heart these shoes (thanks ms. elizabeth!).

i heart this hair and think i may want to try something similar.

there! so much better! oh and don't forget to check out my big old list posted earlier today! muwah!
mrs. french

i heart monday.

2011-01-24T10:10:00.000-08:00

hello friends...this list is all over the place....nothing like pops of blue and a little gwyneth in the morning!

i heart this fireplace.

i heart this rug (and all that is on it).

i heart this shirt.

i heart these studs.

i heart this bag.

i heart this sweater.

i hear this bootie.

i heart this basket.

i double heart this poncho.

i heart these little stones.

i heart this lamp.

i heart these pants.

i heart this silk scarf.

i heart this cutting board.

i heart this ring.

i heart this performance.

i heart these wedges.

i heart this top.

i heart this chair (via beautiful jenny).

i heart this quilt.

i heart this gown (i believe always exquisite melis pinned it first).

see you all a little later today! xo mrs. french

belle terre

2011-01-21T14:02:00.000-08:00

i do love belle terre. i have said it before...i am the ultimate consumer. especially when it comes to lotions potions and such. so when i find something i like and am willing to stick with, i feel like it is my duty to share it with all of you. belle terre is a commitment worth line of soaps and lip balms. the product are all natural. the best part is that the scents are so amazing and they work, while leaving my skin oh so soft...

my favorites are the lemongrass/shea soap and orange lip balm. although i have to warn you that other members of your family may try to move in on your belle terre products. b has become quite the soap sniffer. xo mrs. french

p.s. 5% of belle terre sales go to charity...guilt free!

effortless...

2011-01-20T17:25:00.000-08:00

speaking of effortless, beautiful style...

i do love me some pinterest. xo mrs. french

p.s.
if you want a good chuckle read this post...what can i say the man makes me giggle!

brochu walker (again) ss11

2011-01-20T13:49:00.000-08:00

i want to put this one in my pocket and keep it...for some reason this is exactly what i want to do with this post. brochu walker does this to me. it is crazy to think that a line that has only been around for 3 years is my very, absolute favorite. i know i post about bw often (i have deemed myself a spokesperson and president of the bw fan club) and i often preface the beautiful clothing with a love note of sorts, but i can't help it...brochu walker clothing is what i strive for; chic, wearable, timeless, and effortless (pretty sure all these words are in the bio)...oh and this post is crazy long because i couldn't possibly edit.

if i had to wear one line of clothing for the rest of my life, pretty sure this would be it. also, so funny how all of my posts highlighting pretty clothing recently have been warm cozy pieces for winter...i haven't been able to move on. the brochu walker ss11 collection has me packing up my thick woolens and digging out my strappy sandals. now that's good. xo mrs. french

wee wednesday: mr. french and his little girl

2011-01-19T14:30:00.000-08:00

this is going to be a tough one for me. in case you haven't figured it out, i don't often open up on dear bliss. i also don't really plan on getting too deep and dark here today, but whenever i talk about my babies and their most wonderful dad i cry. can't help it. i used to be able to hold back the tears, then i had my b and restraint completely flew out the window...i am a full-on blubbering momma.

when i first met the mister back in the day, he had no intention of becoming a mister and being a dad was the furthest thing from his mind (which it should have been, we were in our early twenties). the early years of our marriage were wonderful...for the first 7 years of our marriage we had a all-out blast! we were child free! we traveled, went to live music shows (that's what old people say), and genuinely enjoyed one another's company.

then the day came where one of my nearest and dearest had a son. it hit me like a ton of hormonal bricks. mr. french was happy being childless and fancy-free, but couldn't handle my long tearful fits and decided to give this whole parent thing a go...as long as we had a boy. he was serious...to this day, he swears up and down that he willed my b to have a boy. which was perfect, because i wanted one too...mostly i wanted a bouncing, bundle of my own, but was over the moon for this perfect baby boy...my amazing b.

we went back and forth for a while on the idea of a second. we had kind of thought that a second was not in the cards for us. then it happened again...the ton of bricks hit me! i not only wanted a second, i wanted a girl. a need for a girl overtook me. we talked and talked and mr. french agreed on number two...if, yet again, we had a boy.

well, just like mr. french blames his tremendous will for our b...my will was kicking and we now have our lu. she is our sunshine...i really can't say much more than that. she was the missing piece...the glitter, sprinkles and chocolate shavings our little family needed.

mr. french was not expecting a girl. he has often said lu is lu...not so much a girl or a boy, but a baby lui. he has had some serious opinions on frills, pinks and too much pretty. sometimes i felt like he was still trying to will a baby boy...

then the other day he came home with this...

a small gesture for some. but massively, lovingly huge for me. i sent him to the store for some trivial thing and he came home with this sweet little playmobil girl and her baby goats. then he went into our lu's room and set them up just so. he loves his little lui and all the girl that comes with her. i am just so happy.
xo mrs. french (sniff, sniff)

wee wednesday: elly mckay

2011-01-19T08:54:00.000-08:00

wee wednesdays are tough for me. i have such a tough time choosing. children are surrounded by such magic, it is hard to single out just one bit to share....

then there are days when there is something more magical, something that is more unique, beautiful and different. elly mckay and her theater clouds are sooooo this way...

there is a process...i love to imagine elly intricately cutting, layering and shining pretty light just so.
xo mrs. french

~via bloesem kids

my happy place...

2011-01-18T14:06:00.000-08:00

i do so love this little danish country home....although, there may be a bit too much evidence of animal carnage for my taste. for now, i choose to focus on the happy sheep frolicking amongst the aspens (or birches, i have no idea!)...

if this isn't quite your thing and light-filled happy spaces are more your style check out today's previous happy place.
xo mrs. french

my happy place...

2011-01-18T10:47:00.000-08:00

this home is truly a work of art...

i am not exactly sure what to say...i think you can see for yourself. i feel like a broken record, the rain! the rain has me itching to relocate to a sunny home just like this one. i am sure it never rains here. a place where clutter is artistic and worn is beautiful. xo mrs. french

via sisters agency

munted kowhai giveaway

2011-01-17T16:39:00.000-08:00

i do so love miss tiffany pang...she is momma to one of the most perfectly innovative and beautiful shops i can think of, munted kowhai. i featured this lovely piece on my list today:

~prahran

tiffany has graciously decided to offer this beautiful necklace to one blissful reader....or this one,

~windsor

this one,

~armadale

or this one...

~malvern

please leave comment and tell me which munted kowhai piece is your very favorite. xo mrs. french

p.s.
don't forget your email address!

i heart monday.

2011-01-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

good afternoon dear readers! welcome to my monday list! i hope you are celebrating a great man on this beautiful day and are finding peace, love and understanding wherever you may be...

in case you can't tell i am loving the necklaces today!

i heart this dress and would love it to go with the boots below.

i heeeeeeart these boots!!!

i heart this necklace.

i heart this light.

i heart this reversible bag.

i heart this cardigan.

i heart these jeans.

i heart these undies.

i heart this ceramic watch (ceramic!!!!).

i heart this heart.

i heart this photogenic bowl.

i heart this rug.

i heart this ring.

i heart this blouse.

i heart this photograph (thank you ms. grace!).

i heart this sweet little necklace.

i heart this jacket.

i heart this rain boots.

i heart these bubbles.

i heart this piece of art for your neck.

the best part is that i am hosting a giveaway later this afternoon for one of these pretty, pretty necklaces! see you in a bit!

xo mrs. french

too perfect...

2011-01-15T11:02:00.001-08:00

i know i usually don't post on weekends....but sometimes you can't wait until monday. jill bent is one of those can't-wait-type of girls. her shop is a favorite (actually she is a favorite).

jill went and created these beautiful, new scarves and i couldn't love them anymore...

she just keeps doing this! she creates beautiful pieces that are refreshing in their simplicity and lovely because they just are. ok and i have to say the some of the colors have names like "pink lemonade," "toasted marshmallow," and "sno-cone"...you love them more now don't you?

and there is a code for bliss readers! just enter STILLWINTER at checkout and receive 15% off in jill's shop through January 31!!! get to it!

xo mrs. french

p.s. have you checked out the mister's blog? yet again, you should know, i take no responsibility for his actions!

stinkbug

2011-01-14T17:20:00.000-08:00

ok, i couldn't wait. since this post, this one, this one and this one i have been begging mr. french to become a regular poster on bliss. his big excuse is that he couldn't possibly come up with enough to entertain my audience regularly...i now realize that this may have been a bit of a fib. all along he wanted the spotlight just for himself and he really wasn't willing to share. he wanted his own blog.

he now has it. it's called stinkbug. stinkbug because this is what he calls our baby lu. i also personally feel that it is quite fitting because i see mr. french as pretty stinky and buggy too. secretly (not so secretly anymore), i am pretty thrilled! this guy makes me laugh and has too much to say. his take on the world is both silly, and interesting at the same time.

i cringe a bit at the thought of sharing his take on things...i take no responsibility for his actions. you will either run for the hills or fall a little bit in love with him. not sure i am up for either. :)
xo mrs. french

p.s.
you may want to sit by the fire first.

cozy.

2011-01-14T14:19:00.000-08:00

oh, i do love beautiful fireplaces. i would love to have a cozy fireplace in each room in my home. i do believe it is the one thing in design that never goes out of style.

perfect inspiration for a pinterest board don't you think? i visit this board more often than others. especially on damp portland days. i hope these photos bring you warmth as well.

ok, now i have something else to share...i am bursting. i am not one to keep a secret successfully so this is a tough one. i haven't decided whether i can wait until monday or whether i neeeeed to come back this afternoon. i guess we will have to see.
xo mrs. french

julie blackmon revisited

2011-01-13T17:30:00.000-08:00

i'll admit it...julie blackmon's photography grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go. i couldn't drop it just yet. i had to share some of her beautiful images, yet again...

hopefully, at this point, the stalking can stop.

i just know that one of these day i will have one of her pieces for my very own. ms. blackmon, your talent amazes and stuns me...thank you. xo mrs. french

p.s. i also love the fact that julie's sisters stopped by to say "hi."

fifi du vie

2011-01-13T13:51:00.000-08:00

fifi di vie is a romantic shop. as i started to put this post together, this kept running through my head...

sometimes simple, clean, and pure can be the most eloquent...this is how i feel about the lovely items in izabella's stunning shop...

in a world where clutter and more seems to overtake simple and beautiful, it is refreshing to have a little spot to get away from it all. a breath of fresh air. fifi du vie is that type of place.

i like to think of bliss as a simple spot to take in pretty things. which is why i am so thankful to have a sponsor like izabella...the prettiest. thank you for sponsoring my bliss.

xo mrs. french

wee wednesday: the photography of julie blackmon

2011-01-12T16:04:00.000-08:00

i am mesmerized and beautifully haunted...

julie blackmon's talent leaves me speechless. xo mrs. french

p.s. look at them and then go back and look at them again and
again...

via the beautiful little frills

wee wednesday: stella mccartney girls

2011-01-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

i know this may surprise you...stella mccartney has the most adorable way with little girls' clothing. besides the lovely frocks, how about these faces?

and of course there are the yellow boots! xo mrs. french

2011-01-11T16:51:00.000-08:00

if you are like me, you are doing your best to line up those ever-wandering ducks...i have been devoting more of my time to my beloved bliss. after looking at my pretty list twice, i realized that i have a few sponsorship spots open. if you think your business and my bliss would be a beautiful mix please contact me for rates...oh and for goodness sakes check out my happy places! xo mrs. french

my happy place...

2011-01-11T13:01:00.000-08:00

i know, i know, i know...white, white, white! i like what i like and i simply can't apologize for that. i do ask you to take a few extra moments on this home. it's in the details! i love it all, but the children's bedrooms and the little camper trailer at the end sealed the deal...

pure sweetness.
oh and guess what? we frenches are getting ready to take the plunge into the world of white rooms...painting project ahead! rather than perusing the billions of whites, i am hoping you have a go-to white...if so, pleeeeease let me know!
xo mrs. french
via light locations
psssst...do take a moment to visit my happy place posted earlier today, it's a warm, cuddly one!

my happy place...

2011-01-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

i would have to say that for the most part, i am pretty happy with my life. however, sometimes i have mornings (much like this one) with screaming fits (i refuse to say which tiny one is responsible for such fits), pee on the bathroom floor, water on the ceiling and just enough defiance...when things quiet down i fantasize about places like this perfect norwegian cabin...

ahhhhhhh.....feeling better already. i am thinking i need an extra happy place today...another place to wander. see you this afternoon. xo mrs. french
via the always tranquil skona hem

i heart monday.

2011-01-10T13:04:00.000-08:00

happy monday! these blasted lists are so, so bad for my willpower. i do love them, i really do...but the gorgeous objects i bump into as i compile are almost too much handle. things i didn't know existed, turn into things i don't want to live without.

i heart this swivel chair.

i heart this simple v.

i heart these boots.

i heart this ring.

i heart this hoodie.

i heart this paint by number.

i heart these baskets.

i heart her beautiful home through her beautiful lens.

i heart this potholder.

i heart this deep v.

i heart this bracelet.

i heart these guest soaps.

i heart this necklace.

i heart this bed throw.

i heart this sweater coat.

i heart these necklaces.

i heart this mosi.

i heart this more than beautiful topper coat.

i heart this wedge.

i heart this lip-saving balm.

i heart these bowls.

collecting them on bliss seems like the safest thing...i also find joy in the fact that some of my readers make some of my hearts their very own.

xo mrs. french

how my mind works...goodness!

2011-01-07T15:12:00.000-08:00

sooooo...i had an idea for a post. i had garden state on in the background and the tap-dance scene in front of the fireplace popped up. i thought, this has to be one of my all-time favorite movie scenes, i should post about it. i immediately scoured the internet for a photo or clip and couldn't find one. a long, drawn out way of telling you to watch garden state for that scene...which leads me to my other post idea for the day:

around 12 years of age i started to think life would be so much easier as a boy. i continued to think this as i grew: the turmoil of the teen years, the dating life, and witnessing mr. french with his guy friends all these years. everything with boys seems so much simpler. i have to say i had always been a bit jealous of the opposite sex.

then, somewhere around my mid-thirties i realized that it's good to be a girl. i could list a number of reasons of why this is....i have a feeling many of you know them. i will summarize by simply saying being a girl is pretty.

this thought inspired my latest board on pinterest "it's good to be a girl."

so much prettier.

besides my fleeting thoughts, darling kari inspired this board...the ultimate pretty blogger. xo mrs. french