And a Smile

Hello Lovelies,

How about a smile? 

Enjoy!

Alix of TeaButterfly

Oh, Hello September!

Hello Loveles!

September's gotta be my hands-down favourite month! Love that it is full of golden hours moments, but getting a little crisper in the air. Leaves are not falling quite yet, summer lingers a little bit, at least around here, but it's not so darn hot anymore. Can I say "perfect"? Yes!

So, without much further ado, let's say:

I think this month wll be filled with more artists' studios, such as this:

more inspiration and poetry, with poets in a hurry, such as my dear Pessoa:

And most of all, I intend to have a lot of fun this month, yes, FUN!

Enjoy!

Alix of TeaButterfly.

Back to Paris

Hello Lovelies,

 Paris view at dusk - source unknown.

And so... I've moved back. To Paris, I mean.

I've left Paris, France exactly 20 years ago. Yes, I've decided for some time ago that I wanted to leave the small town in the South of France I was living in, simply because I've outgrown it and it no longer fitted the size of my (big) dreams.

 a jar full of dreams - image source unknownFirst, I thought of Avignon, a bigger city in the same Southern French area. But then I stumbled upon an unexpected job opportunity that was too good to decline. The only condition was to move back to Paris - and so I did.

The lesson learned in this is the one stated on this poster:

a better dream poster - source unknown

And here I am, strolling down the Parisian streets again, between now and then - which is the FMS photo-a-day challenge theme for October the 21st, btw -  sometimes feeling down memory lane but very often enjoying the beauty of the moment.

We're having a really warm Fall 'round here, and the weather was glorious yesterday on the Opera house (image coming soon).

I'm still settling down, but this is what home looks like now (image coming soon). Life's good when this is what you see from your window:

Image, my own. 

The picture above was taken a few years back, I'll upload a more recent version of it real soon. So, this is what my new room in Paris looks like, for the time being:

Image, my own.

...not bad, hey?!

Now, just my heroine Josephine Baker, I can sing out loud: "Me revoilà, Paris !" (Here I Am Back, Paris!).

Enjoy & wish me luck with making my dreams come true!

Alix of TeaButterfly

Finally, Fall

Hello Lovelies!

Just a quick note today to let you know that however vast the darkness, I'm alive & well. I am so glad Fall is finally just around the corner!

photo, my own (c) Lipson

I have plenty of useful resources to help us all have a pleasurable transition from late Summer into Fall and will publish that list  this week.

Enjoy!

Alix of TeaButterfly.

Fall Beauty Essentials

Hello Lovelies!

Autumn Mood by Rachel Whiting via the 79 Ideas blog (source)

Today is the last of September - where oh where did that beautiful month go so fast? - and I realized that at 7AM the sun was not up yet, anymore. So it's time to go back to my Fall Essentials pinboard for inspiration & comfort.

I didn't buy any of the items on my wishlist - they were here more as a reminder than an actual prompt to buy. I will show you Lovelies what I did buy in a minute. But back to Fall Essentials first.

The beautiful "Autumn Leaves" lipstick (source)

That pinboard is all about simple living, simplicity in the everyday, what you really need, the bare essentials & joyful simplicities the Breathbach way.

"Grand Amour" butterfly perfume bottle (source)

Part of my Fall Essentials is a daily dose of serendipity. Take the Grand Amour perfume - it has my name written all over it. The behind-the-scenes story about this scent, the way it smells - divine!, even the butterfly on top of its bottle: all these elements give me the impression that perfume was somehow meant for me.

autumn leaf (source)

This perfume is devoted to love, the most powerful force which can move the worlds: love of beauty, love of perfume, love of music (Annick Goutal's husband a lifetime love was a cellist) and simply put; love of life.

I will tell you later this week about my Fall Style Essentials. Stay  tuned!

Alix of TeaButterfly.

On My WishList for September 2013: Fashion, Beauty & Home Decor Things I'd Like to Have

Hello Lovelies,

Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for what I already have but these beauties have caught my eyes lately.

A new perfume:

Perfumes from the niche range by l'Arquiste.

Affordable frag samples are available through reliable sites such as LuckyScent or SurrenderToChance. I really want to try both L'Etrog - citrus frag - and Infanta en flor - an orange blossom/jasmin kind of frag.


Things I'd like to wear:

This silhouette is from Caroll (I usually like that classic with a twist brand).
And:

I like the whole outfit and feel i need a zigzag Missoni-inspired loose top, a classic black skirt and thin leather belt. after digging in my wardrobe I found out I already had all these items, or something similar.

I am inspired by this view from the catwalk, a perfect mix of masculine (the fabric) & feminine (the loose cut, the lipstick) for fall 2013:

Jewelry I fancy:
something from Rachel Unger Jewelry, of course - I received myparcel today, YAY! so more on that purchase soon. And this statement piece, spotted earlier this year in a Paris shop's window:

A beauty product or two:

Though I do tend to buy organic skincare and mineral makeup, those versatile lipsticks by Givenchy are a hell of an (expensive) temptation.

Accessories:

Wedge shoes and large tote in greige and black from www.minelli.fr

A felt wool cloche hat: (photo coming soon).

And a new pair of shoes! (photo coming soon).

A dramatic pendant light for my living room: (photo coming soon).

...and contemporary art by Jane Cornwell to proudly display in my entryway: (photo coming soon).

Would you care to share any important addition to your wishlist, lately?

Alix of TeaButterfly.

Beauty Secrets of A French Gal - Fall Essentials

Hello Lovelies!

image of fall, my own

You might remember my beauty secrets for the summertime, all with a French twist... I like to gather my Essential tips for each season on a pinterest board, and frankly my Fall Essentials board on pinterest is one of my faves! You might want to start there...

 "I love fall" - image via 79ideas.org

Or you might want to read my new tips for fall, right here on this blog. Here goes:

After sun moisture is key in this Autumn season...
I recommend you use jojoba oil, as one or two drops are enough for your face and neck. Plus jojoba oil suits the need of most skins (both dry and oily) and can also be applied overnight on your hair as a moisturizing treatment. Just shampoo your hair in the morning and... voilà !

essential oils that work well for oily skin (use with caution) - image my own

"Back to school" also means back to basics, including in your beauty regimen. Don't forget to gently cleanse your skin then apply some moisturizing oil. I have an oily skin care regimen (using petit grain essential oil) detailed in French over at
my French blog, if you wish.

Fall is also the right time to take better care of your nails. Simply massage them with some shea butter.

To me, Fall also means buying a new bra, and some new rachel unger jewelry (check out her Etsy shop) like a dainty stone bracelet. What about you? Any tips?

My Winter tips coming soon! As always, enjoy!

Naomi of TeaButterfly

French Beauty Tips for The Lazy Gal

Hello Lovelies,

Before I publish an e-book full of organic beauty tips with a French twist, here are my FREE beauty tips, all affordable and simple for you to enjoy.

 

Am I a French beauty or what?! image, my own.

French Beauty tips for the Lazy Gal -  read it here.

French Summer Beauty Tips - read it here.

French Fall Beauty Tips - read it here.

French Winter Beauty Tips - read it here.

Spring Tips read them here.

essential oils, image my own.

Enjoy!

Naomi of TeaButterfly.

 

 

A Small Blog Update

Hello Lovelies,

 dreams - via pinterest

I haven't published anything here in a while, wasn't feeling so well, but wanted to keep you lovelies posted.

Today, I have finally joined the google+ communtity, making it easier for you to share and like my content. Come join in the fun! All the google+ gadgets are on the far right column of this blog.

selfportrait, me smiling at last!

I also added a new profile picture of me, smiling at last! see above.

I also intend to share with you very soon my fall & winter essentials (from my French beauty tips series), the process of me drawing  and some new drawing and paintings. Stay tuned!

image by Stuart Wilson, check out his design blog!

And by the way, Hello December!

Naomi of TeaButterfly

A Thought For Fall

Hello Lovelies!

photo via jjjjound.com

Here is a thought for fall, when things get back to (very) busy, days grow short and the air is crisp:

 A John Burroughs thought in hexiaa's handwriting, via pinterest.

Enjoy!

-Naomi of TeaButterfly

Summer Is Over

Hello Lovelies!

Photography: Slim Aarons.*

It is a bittersweet feeling when summer ends. Fall is my favorite season and I love me some crisp air but summer is so full of light and love, too. It's been a great summer for me, and a very hot one.

I am back from hospital now and feel like singing the word FREEDOM out loud together with Aretha Franklin in her 1968 song, "Think". So here goes:



Enjoy!

-Naomi of TeaButterfly.

*Note: You can take a little slice of Slim’s sun-drenched days home with you in his books, Slim Aarons: Once Upon a Time and Slim Aarons: A Place in the Sun.

Et la vie continue...

Hello Lovelies!

image found via OhOcéane

Is it November already?! Wow! Time for some blog updating!

 image source via pinterest

Turns out that, well, Mom is very ill but faces her illness with a smile. I admire her, she ages so gracefully...

I want to take care of Mom, but she wants me to go back to "normal" life. So here goes: life goes on! Or as we French people say: "La vie continue".

I don't know yet if I'll be ready for Christmas, art and shop-wise, but I'll do my best. And will keep you guys informed, of course.

Talk to you soon,
-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Oh, and Happy, Happy Friday!

Hello Lovelies!

Untitled. Oil on canvas. Finished October the 4th 2011 (c) Lipson.

Wow, it's already Friday! Happy week-end to y'all!

My week-end will be busy with the drying of a freshly painted canvas (see above), healthy meals and the collecting of leaves for artistic projects like the one depicted below.

GROW: Collect leaves and use paint to make prints. Beautiful, frame-able kids art! Photo by: Kristin from Kleas Typepad

Have fun!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.