Les Cadeaux-Gifts

Decorating for Le Petit Prince

This weekend, Pascal and I spent a fun morning with our sister-in-law, Cara, choosing fabric swatches and paint colors. We're helping with the decoration of our little nephew's first bedroom. I get to play "decorator"; Pascal gets to paint. 

The nursery, based on a "vintage cars" theme is going to be adorable — red-and-blue-striped ticking, ginghams, dark navy denim and a yellow Madras plaid.  So far, we've stayed on budget, but there are so many cute baby things to be had, it's easy to get carried away.  

For example, our little nephew-to-be already owns his first car, a VW pedal car my brother found on Ebay. It may have felt like a splurge, but it was a huge bargain compared to these luxury items featured on PoshTots.com. The site features toys, furniture and décor for children with silver spoons in their mouths. You can buy a pirate playhouse, a shoe armoire, or a covered wagon bed - just $52,000, $49,000 and $13,995 respectively! As for cars, there is a veritable lot to choose from; test drive the kid-sized BMW at $8,000 or think big with a Mini Off Roader priced at just $32,350.00. The site is a fabulous source of inspiration for our little prince, but rest assured that we'll be creating his royal kingdom on a pauper's budget.

Glass Class Blows My Mind

Souvenirs de Quebec

At the end of June, we had the opportunity to visit Québec City for a few days. It is our tradition to buy a Christmas ornament from each destination we visit, and Quebec didn't disappoint; there were several Christmas-themed stores offering a wide array of nutcrackers, tree toppers, ornaments and lights. Aside from our tree ornaments, the other items we purchase while on vacation could never be easily identified as souvenirs. For example, while wandering the streets of the Old City, we stumbled across this adorable store, Pot en Ciel (which means "Pot in the Sky"). They sell an incredible collection of kitchen wares just like the dishes, utensils, dish towels, serving trays, and coffee bowls you'd find in France. I could have easily dropped a few thousand dollars in this dreamy store (I wanted one of everything!), but Pascal and I settled on just two souvenirs of Quebec: a jam spoon (also called a honey spoon) and a wine carafe (also known as a decanter).



The jam spoon is designed so that the handle of the spoon can rest on the edge of the jam jar - that way the handle doesn't get sticky. Or, you can dip the spoon in honey and then rest it on the edge of your teacup so that honey drips right into the cup.  

We use wine carafes at all of our cooking lesson parties to aerate our red wines. They’'re quite fragile, and this year alone, we've already gone through five of them. So, we're always on the lookout for well-designed, yet affordable carafes. We couldn't resist the beautiful one we found at Pot en Ciel, engraved with the words: "Grand Vin de France, Appellation Controllée".

Souvenir means "to remember" in French, and it is the motto of Québec: "Je me souviens"  ("I remember", as in "I remember my French heritage"). The great thing about our souvenirs is that they'll do double duty. Each time we use our jam spoon or wine carafe, we'll be reminded of a glorious afternoon spent in old Québec City, but we'll also be using them as tools to create new memories in our own kitchen.

Lillie and Luna

Last week, I got a call from a recent college grad named Michael Luna. He discovered my singing telegram service while surfing the internet and wanted me to perform a singing telegram for his girlfriend who is leaving the country soon. She's going to spend a year teaching English in Spain, and he was looking for the perfect send-off. Sadly, Michael hadn't called soon enough. I was already booked for the entire weekend. We simply could not find a time that worked for their schedule and mine. But this sweet, endearing young man refused to give up. He thought it over for a day and then called me back with a most unusual proposal. He wanted me to go ahead and write a singing telegram that he could perform himself. "Do you sing?", I asked.  "No", he replied, "but I'll try".

I couldn't resist Michael's determined, romantic efforts, so I agreed to help him out. I had a few challenges. First, I had to come up with a song that had an easy-to-sing melody for Michael. Second, I had to write lyrics with a delicate message. It was clear to me that our young Mr. Luna is head over heels for his "Lillie", but their relationship is not at the L-word stage. He wanted a heartfelt song that conveyed his emotions, but I couldn't get too mushy or say things like...ahem...I heart you. "Can you say you're going to miss her?", I asked. "Well", he replied, "As silly as it sounds, I actually will miss her a lot". I assured him that it did not sound silly at all. He completed the questionnaire I send out to those who order a singing telegram, and his answers were adorable:

Questionnaire:  Does the singing telegram recipient have a significant other, and if so what is their status (i.e. married, dating, etc).

Luna's reply:  Dating whenever she is not mad at him for screwing up.

Questionnaire:  Tell us about any comical or embarrassing moments the singing telegram recipient has had:

Luna's reply:  I am not allowed to mention.

Questionnaire:  What things does the singing telegram recipient like best?

Luna's reply:  bright colors (pinks and blues together), rainbow birthday cake with funfetti icing, sea turtles, watching thunderstorms, dancing, singing really loud, Rottweiler puppies, bubble wrap, musicals, large stuffed animals and me, Mike Luna

I also learned that they met at a chocolate shop. He calls her "Lilliedew" and she calls him "Moonpie". Are they cute, or what? I made Michael promise to let me know how it went. He sang to her this weekend, and here's what he said:  "She loved it. She said that she was more surprised that I remembered certain dates and things since I have not always been the best about that. Charlene I really do want to thank you so much." I can't help but wonder what will happen to these two. Having been a young girl eager to travel the world and easily charmed by foreign accents, there is so much that I am tempted to say. But, I'll limit myself to this: "Moonpie, you're a gem of a guy and Lilliedew, I wish I were you."

Here's the singing telegram that Michael performed to the folk song classic:  Oh, Susanna! 

She's from New Alsace, Indiana
Her name is Kat Lillie
She’s a beautiful red-headed girl
And her age is 23

I met her at Harry's Chocolate Shop
The date was December 3rd
We watched the Ravens and the Patriots
When I watched her, my heart, it stirred

Chorus: 
Oh, my Lilliedew
I'd never be the same
Funfetti cake with rainbow icing, yes
That’s what my life became

I had a dream the other night
We were watchin' waves upon the shore
A storm came along, but I held her tight
I couldn't have asked for more

The thunder clapped like bubble wrap
There were sea turtles all around
She sang and danced in a bright-colored dress
As if my soul she'd found

Chorus:
"You’re more refreshing than a Den Pop

At least - that's what she said - in my dream
'Cause she was wasn't mad at me

Then she disappeared into the sea
I heard Spanish voices all around
I combed the beach for seashells
And picked my heart up off the ground.

Chorus:
My sweet Lillidew
Oh, how I'll miss you so
But, I'll be waitin' here to kiss you, dear,
I just wanted to let you know

Oh, Kat Lillie, don’t forget your ol' Moonpie
If you get lonely, then just sing this song
'Cause I'll always be close by

Christmas in July

The Quote of the Day Is…

You still think you're the cutest tick in shoe leather.
–Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) in Gone with the Wind

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

I was browsing through a shopping magazine the other day, when I came across a page that profiled some style icon who was asked to list ten everyday things that make her happy. Her lifestyle is so far removed from mine that I don't remember anything on the list except Chanel ballerina flats that retail for about $675.

I do remember thinking that my list of ten everyday things that make me happy would be much different (which is probably one of the reasons why I will never be featured in national style columns. Another reason is undoubtedly my penchant for wearing giant pink cake hats and Bon Bon Queen outfits with marabou buttons!). Still, I hope that something on my own "happy everyday things list: will make you happy too:

It’s a Boy!

Bon Bon Bellies

Zachary. Nou. Caiden or Carter. Those are just a few names of the sweet little babies who are joining the South 'n France "family". It's baby mania here in Candyland; while Pascal and I are busy cranking out chocolate bon bons, our friends, co-workers and relatives have all had their own little "bon bons" in the oven. That's what inspired this photo from our most recent product photo shoot: Bon Bon Baby. Isn't the stroller the cutest?

But check out those little shoes. They belong to Lori and Steve's new addition, Zachary. He was so eager to join the world, he came six weeks early, weighing in at just 4 lbs 10 oz (or 74 bon bons). Zachary and Mom are both doing fine.

And, meet Nou. She's still hanging out in the belly of her Mommy, Tess (isn't that the cutest tummy?), but she'll be here soon.  I especially love this photo of Tess and Nou because it's such a perfect example of our relationship to Tess. You see, Tess is our "invisible" virtual assistant. She and her husband, Hamid, do amazing work on our website and blog, but no one ever sees them - including us. During the time they've been with South 'n France, this couple has lived in India, Nepal, Arizona, and Washington. We've never met them in person, but we communicate daily and they are a huge part of our work family. Much like giving birth, they perform mysterious miracles for our company (like creating an online shopping cart) from miles away.  We bought "My Mom Rocks" and "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" onesies for Nou because that's exactly how we feel about her amazing parents. We know she will agree.

Meanwhile, here at home, we're planning for the first Dupray-family grandchild from our generation. My brother and sister-in-law have the all-important find-out-the-sex ultrasound in just one week. We're all anxiously awaiting the results. I get the honor of decorating the nursery, and I must say that shopping for real babies is even more fun than shopping for bon bons! I can't wait to be "Auntie Charlene"!

Hair Today, Song Tomorrow...