DustyLu

Chicken Soup for the Soul

2012-01-24T17:25:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

My babies are a little under the weather today. So I made them some chicken soup.

Dusty loves it. Ever since he started pre-school he gets sick, people keep telling me it will only make his immune system stronger and I know that but, a mother always hates to see her children sick.

I love cookbooks from William Sonoma. I started buying them when we got married. Every recipe I try comes out delicious and full of flavor.

This book is a must have for those cold winter days.

When I cook I like to cook using ingredients that are in season.

Photographing in season is fun too. I like the warm moods you can

create.

I got inspired to use bok choy as my back drop for this image

from a magazine.

It not only looks great it tastes great when sautéed.

We planted some frisee lettuce

mesculin, and bok choy for spring.

Can't wait for those spring salads.

(images by dustylu)

I have been working around the house changing things around, organizing, and purging.

Are you keeping up with your 52 weeks of organizing???

Be back soon.

Lulu

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p.s I finally started pinterest!

Lily Ashwell

2012-01-18T09:11:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

If you haven't seen Lily Ashwells new clothing line then you are missing out.

Soft, feminine and oh so pretty.

Here are a couple of shots of Lily's new line.

You can see more and follow Lily on Facebook

This dress is my favorite in the collection. Hurry up spring.

Have a wonderful day!

Lulu

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A Simple Healthy Snack & A Tip...

2012-01-14T15:04:00.000-08:00

Hi there!!!

I wanted to share this simple healthy snack.

Did you know that organic rolled oats can help clear your arteries from plaque build-up,

as well as lower cholesterol???

This taste SO good.

Stoneyfield organic low fat French vanilla yogurt

Organic rolled oats

Organic blueberries

You can get it all the ingredients from Whole Foods.

I am no expert but here is a tip:

When I was styling this snack for the shot, the yogurt became tricky to photograph.
Instead of dumping it into the bowl, I put it into a sandwich bag, snipped the corner
and slowly added it in.

This is what it looked like before.
I also added way to many rolled oats. :)

Have a wonderful weekend!
Lulu

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Thank you Romantic Country & L'Idea Shabby Chic

2012-01-12T07:25:00.000-08:00

Hello!

I wanted to thank Romantic Country & L'Idea Shabby Chic

for featuring some of my latest work.

Check out the Remnants of the Past show in Romantic Country spring 2012 issue out now and...

my gorgeous, sister's home made the cover of their Christmas issue. I am so excited for her.

She was the stylist on the job! She is so talented.

This is my second cover, I am so happy! Thank you again.

I am sorry that I can only show sneak peeks right now but, I can show you the rest of each home

once they hit newsstands in the states.

I will be back tomorrow.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Lulu

Food, Fashion, Fitness & A little Organizing

2012-01-05T15:28:00.000-08:00

Welcome 2012!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season.

I really enjoyed this holiday with my family, my two special little boys made it even better.

( this 1800 century English table is available at A Beautiful Mess Antiques)

This season on Dustylu, we are going to spice things up a bit. I will be continuing with interior photography and my latests projects and publications but, I also

wanted to add some of my favorite fashions ideas, fitness programs, portrait photography, lifestyle, etc.

In addition, I will be contributing to a magazine for food photography but, more on that later.

2012 is going to consist of some new journeys for me, and I can't wait to share them with you.

I want my blog to be diverse, exciting and I welcome any feed back and would love

to hear from my reader's.

Donna Hay is a great chef and has amazing cookbooks.

I LOVE Donna Hay fast, fresh, simple kids' magazine.

It is loaded with ideas on what to cook for the kids.

Now that Luke is ready for food,

I am cooking more often and

it gets tough sometimes to come up with ideas they

can eat that are fresh and healthy.

This is a great cook book for baby's and toddler's. You can

find it at William Sonoma and Sur La Table.

Sienna Miller is one of my favorite fashion icons.

I cut my hair like this but, have since grown it out.

I am thinking of cutting it off again.

Jamie Eason is one of my favorite fitness icons. She is 36 years old.

Although I don't like this much muscle ton, I love her spirit, faith and

the fact that she did not let breast cancer stop her from per suing her goals.

She has made over 50 covers.

January is the the month to start fresh and to organize your home.

Here is a great link!

Have a wonderful day.

Lulu

Merry Christmas...

2011-12-23T13:25:00.000-08:00

I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" ~ Luke 2:11-14

Two new lens and time to practice, practice. Thank you honey! I love you!

I am so blessed and wanted to thank you all for your constant support and encouragement.

I am grateful for my new baby boy Luke and my son Dustin, what a year!!!

Exciting news coming 2012!!!

Wishing you the best!

Cheers,

Lulu

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Fa La La La La...Holiday Meaning...

2011-12-12T18:19:00.000-08:00

Hi there! I wanted to post one of our Christmas trees.

Charlie brown trees in just about anything are the craze this year. You

can see them in the christmas issue of the Jeanne D' Arc Living magazines.

My son calls it the baby tree and the other one the mama tree. Too cute.

I found an old sleigh at my friend Marilyn's garage sale. Score.

I love to use old ski's and skate in my holiday decor.

Check out last year's here.

Sidebar. I keep forgetting to tell you that Heather Bullard gave me a great idea

when using vintage ironstone bowls, etc. I had mentioned that it was not sanitary but, she said,

"she line's her platters or serving bowls with waxed paper sheets or brown parchment paper. Kale, butter lettuce and other greens work well too. The waxed paper sheets are available at Costco...about 1000 come in a box so they'll last a lifetime!"

Thank you Heather I have already done this.

I used an old basket I bought from the flea market. If I remember

correctly it is from Belgium.

It fits perfectly on my new/old table. I then added homespun French linen around

the bottom of the tree.

I also used my favorite rosary as garland.

This gorgeous wreath is made up of old burlap and linen!

I am so picky when it comes to wreaths. I think this is just the right color and I love

the different textures of fabric. You can find it at A Beautiful Mess Antiques.

This is an old Nativity set. I wanted my decorations to emulate

the reason we celebrate Christmas, and for my boys to appreciate

the meaning of what Christmas is all about.

My collection of vintage ornaments has grown!

I collect them all year long.

I was chatting with some friends the other day, and

these two gals are true traditionalists. We spoke about how even though a pretty decorated tree looks good, it is important to have ornaments that have meaning .

One of my girlfriends has so many ornaments from when she was a child and from her own children

she sometimes needs two trees. That is awesome.

Although, my boys are only 3 years old and 6 months, I too have started collecting ornaments that mean something to us, and someday my tree will be full of symbolism.

Those are new/old pillows on the chairs and sofa. Stripped antique ticking. Yum!!!

God bless!!!

I fell in love with these little white antique linen doves with vintage

buttons for eyes. I got a bunch from A Beautiful Mess Antiques.

The heart is made of burlap with and an industrial letter "D" for Dustin.

Kym gave it to him last year for Christmas. She creates amazing holiday decor.

Love you!!!

I hung a few stockings from my favorite hat rack, (my gorgeous sister's idea) and ta dah!!!

I have not finished decorating the other rooms yet. We made a fun gingerbread house

last night, cooked dinner and just spent quality time together.

It is so important to cherish these times, and not get caught up in all the holiday hustle and

bustle.

2012 is going to be an amazing year for us.

I hope you are able to enjoy this holiday season and spend time with the one's you love.

Wishing you the best!

Cheers.

~lulu

Peace, Joy & Love!!!

2011-12-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

This year's Christmas cards!

May the season bring you

Peace, Joy & Love!!!

(image by Dustylu)

God bless...

~Lulu

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Holiday Traditions

2011-11-29T20:43:00.003-08:00

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

I wanted to announce the winner of the Girard's Famous Salad Dressing giveaway.

Congratulations Kate Ryan.

Please email me you information.

The Christmas lights are up, the smell of the tree is all around us, and now

on to the Gingerbread houses.

Traditions are what the holidays are all about.

(baby Luke)

Each year I am going to take our Christmas card images,

or at least until they stop letting me. LOL

Hang the lights together, cook wonderful meals,

and make gingerbread houses.

Those are just some of our traditions.

What are yours???

~lulu

French Industrial & A Simple Thanksgiving Table…

2011-11-22T17:13:00.001-08:00

Hi there…

What are you thankful for???

I am thankful for my gorgeous husband, my beautiful baby boys, my fun family and sweet friends. I am thankful for my God, my Faith and my genuine heart. I am thankful for my life, and for being an artist.

I am THANKFUL!

French industrial is my new crave at the moment. My hubby sanded down my dinning room table recently and we just topped it of with Briwax. LOVE that stuff. It brought out the natural pine in the table and was super simple. This table has changed 3 times in two years. Once I stained it a dark Jacobean color, then I painted it white and now this. I like it best this way. I also styled a simple Thanksgiving table. You can check out last year’s Thanksgiving table setting here.

I replaced my Ashwell chairs with these two vintage Tolex chairs from my friend Sandy, the other side has a bench. You can see how it use to look here. I was going to go for the knock off version of these chairs but decided, NOTHING is better then the real thing. The vintage one’s are hard to find. I am on the look out for more.

This table setting is just a photo shoot I did for fun and to share idea’s. I DO NOT use my ironstone, transferware and vintage cutlery to eat off of. Chef told me once that it is not sanitary and it can be porous and hold bacteria. I use it just for decorating

But, that is just me being the crazy, clean, anal person that I am.

All of my velvet pumpkin’s came from A Beautiful Mess. Did you know that these are collector’s items??? My vintage grey French transferware came from Tracey of French Larkspur.

I love her style and flea market finds.

After I shot the table I decided to use my grey French trivets as chargers.

I wanted to let you know I am a little behind on my posting. You can find me daily on FACEBOOK and follow us there too. I will be sharing what is coming up on our blog as I did when I found these chairs a few weeks ago.

That little blurry guy in the back is a vintage statue of St. Francis.

Got that beauty from Debra Hall Lifestyles.

I hope you all have a wonderful and THANKFUL,

Thanksgiving.

Until next time.

~LuLu

I will announcing the winner of Girard’s Premium Salad dressing giveaway on our FACEBOOK tomorrow.

Girard’s Famous Premium Salad Dressing Giveaway!!!

2011-11-17T18:06:00.001-08:00

Happy Friday!!!

It is that time of year again! There is nothing better then the Holidays spent with family and friends.

It is my favorite time of year.

Lifestyle photography is where my passion lies, photographing food is a part of that. I was thrilled when Angela from Girard’s contacted me again and asked if I would participate in photographing another giveaway of my food and Girard’s famous salad dressing. They also asked me if I would interested in becoming a Girard’s Epicurean Expert.

I wanted to share the email Angela had sent me, it was so kind and a complement to my readers.

Dear Lulu, “It was such a great experience working with you on the review and giveaway of Girard’s Premium Salad Dressings last year that I couldn’t wait to reconnect with you again on behalf of Marzetti with a very special invite I think you and your Dusty Lu readers will enjoy.

It’s clear you’ve been busy in your kitchen and with your new bundle of Joy, Luke! How incredibly precious is he?! Congrats! We’ve been busy too, since we last spoke, perfecting Girard’s Premium Salad Dressing.

Thanks to you and your readers’ participation and feedback on Girard’s three newest flavors, we’re thrilled to introduce 17 varieties of Girard’s Premium Salad Dressings, now tastier and better for you than ever! We’ve even added more elegant flare and entertaining morsels on Everyday Elegance -an exploration of how food can be prepared simply yet extraordinarily every day and something we think you and your readers will enjoy experiencing.

All of this wouldn’t have been possible without your expertise and passion, which is why we’re thrilled to invite you to become a Girard’s Epicurean Expert. Being a Girard’s Epicurean Expert means you’ll be an essential member of the Girard’s family with opportunities to experience our exclusive food innovations and provide your culinary expertise to help us bring original flavors and perfected mealtime classics to families and establishments across the country.”

Thank you Angela, I feel blessed and so excited to start my new venture.

In honor of this fun, we are having a giveaway. But, this time we are giving away a Girard’s® Epicurean Expert Kit .

What is a Girard’s® Epicurean Expert Kit you ask???

Well, one lucky reader will receive 4 delicious new flavors of Girard’s Famous Salad dressing, plus a few goodies inside this amazing kit, for your kitchen. YOU will love this, I guarantee it!!!

This giveaway will be open on our Facebook page and our Facebook friends will also have a chance to win. You can leave a comment at the end of this post and or follow us on our blog and “Like” our Facebook page....For additional entries, add it to your sidebar, or you can post about the giveaway to any social networking sites, twitter, facebook, and blogger!!! Please come back and leave a separate comment for each site you post about the giveaway on. Anonymous entries please make sure you leave an email address with your entry, so we can get it to you if you win . Giveaway is open internationally as well!!

Good Luck!!!

Giveaway ends November 23rd.

Have a blessed day.

Lulu

Follow us on FACEBOOK to get daily updates on what is to come on our blog and much, much more.

P.S I will be posting about a new look and our Thanksgiving table next. Stay tuned…

Interview with Laurence Amelie

2011-11-09T12:06:00.001-08:00

I was thrilled when I went to see the art exhibit for Laurence Amelia. I love her work. If you have seen Rachel Ashwells latest book you can see two of her gorgeous paintings on the cover.

Laurence is an artist from Paris and her painting’s are beautiful. Her work is seen all over the world and in art exhibits in Paris and France.

We have been corresponding via email and I have had the pleasure of getting to know her . Laurence is warm, friendly, kind and very passionate about her paintings. We have become good friends.

She has 5 children and they are her inspiration. She is married to Ubaldo, he is half Italian and half French. They are both painters, they have a romantic love story. I will be doing a post on Ubaldo as well. But, today it is about Laurence. I was able to get an interview with her from Grange De Charme. Grange De Charme is a stunning blog, you need to pay them a visit.

Laurence has a wonderful blog as well, called Kittens Tribulations, its fun, clever and inspiring.

You can check it out here.

It was a little tough to translate the interview but, I know you will enjoy her spirit and I wanted to keep

it as she would express it. She call’s it Frenglish. LOL.

What is your background?

I trained as a designer. I drew flowers in every detail and I had an epiphany when I discovered the water lilies of Monnet. … I have an inordinate love for the 18 th century, flowers, fabrics, silk ribbons and crumpled Fragonnard of course the dancers of Degas ...

Where does your inspiration?

One day, someone ordered arrays of white robes, and having bathed since very small in abstract art, the natural returned at a gallop. . By dint of strokes I left the scope of the command to turn into a kind of abstraction and become the tutus that we know.

How did you meet Rachel Ashwell?

We met 10 years ago . I was looking to exhibit my paintings then in shops imitating the Shabby Chic style. I went to a shop in Paris in vogue at the time, and it made me realize that I had no chance, is not known, and that this could harm their reputation! I then wrote directly to Rachel Ashwell asking her to show my paintings in her stores and she was immediately seduced by my work! And there was born a true friendship.

What is your favorite phrase or motto?

Each person is born with a talent, but 90% of people are born, live and die without ever having known they had a talent ...

What would make you get up early on a Sunday morning?

Undeniably the inspiration!

Where have you spent your holidays?

Rachel in between Brentwood and Malibu, to paint and draw inspiration from her world, and its color without painting a few days ... and I'm bored! The ideal holiday home, not far from my studio, the comings and goings of children, punctuated by a good family meal because the kitchen is for me a means of artistic expression.

Amelie Kitchen

What is your wildest dream?

My dream was to make a living from my painting and my dream came true ...

Thank you Laurence for taking the time with me and for the endless emails, I can’t wait

to get my painting.

I kept it short and sweet. I hope you will all visit her blog

Have a wonderful day.

~lulu

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Our Family Room…

2011-11-02T21:36:00.001-07:00

Good evening!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. We sure did. We went to my sister-in-laws house and Dusty went treating with his cousins. We had a blast. The Holidays are so much fun when you have kids to share them with. What a blessing.

I wanted to show you our family room that is adjacent to the kitchen. Yes, I am sorry there are some rooms I have not shared with you yet. Usually this room is full of toys and more toys but, I was able to store them away and put it together for a little shoot. I hope you enjoy it.

Those gorgeous Blue Book are from VintageWeave. I am going to to an amazing post on my friend Kathy soon.

I have decided to change things up a bit for the fall and winter months. I wanted to add some warmer tones to my all white background. I have been itching and searching for a new decor style and I haven’t figured out what direction I want to go yet. I am in the process of finding a new dinning room table. I have found the chairs though. For now, I love the white and natural brown tones mixed in with a little color.

On the farm table sits a vintage baby bath tub with dried hydrangeas. I found the tub and hydrangeas from the sweet Debra Hall of Debra Hall Lifestyles. She has a great eye for unique and stylish items. If you haven’t already, you must visit her website.

I couldn’t decide weather I wanted the cloche on or off the base. My son ended up deciding for me, that is why some images have it off. He helped. I think a future photographer is in the making

The gorgeous antique grain sack pillows come from Kymberley Fraser of 3 Fine Grains a division of A Beautiful Mess and date back to the mid 1850’s. The stripped ones date back to the 1940’s.

I can not get enough of A Beautiful Mess Antiques, and not just because Kym, Karen, Marilyn, Victoria and Tina are my friends but, because the whole store is full of one-of-a-kind finds. The girls search high and low for amazing items. Each one of these women bring a great element to the store and a fresh vibe.

We have built-ins around our T.V and I am trying to fill them all with the same color books. Might take awhile.

The oil painting’s are from A Beautiful Mess too and are from the early 1900’s. They are signed by Kavanaugh. I love to collect these. I admire the painting’s of women and children most of all.

My new/antique pantry boxes. They are perfect shade of blue and grey.

This basket came from the Santa Monica flea market a year ago and I store my son’s toys in it. I was frustrated because it sinks in a little in the middle and I couldn’t really put anything on it but, then I saw Brook Giannetti of Velvet & Linens recent post on how she added a cutting board to the top of her basket. GENIUS!

Voila!!

Have a wonderful fall day!!!

~LuLu

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Thank You Romantic Country, Happy Halloween, The Winner & A 6 Week Giveaway

2011-10-28T15:26:00.001-07:00

Hi there!!!

Thank you Romantic Country for featuring our

Halloween home in your August/October 2011 issue.

When I styled and photographed this shoot I had so much fun because

it was Halloween, which happens to be one of our favorite holidays.

I love to use vintage decor when I decorate for the Holidays.

Hope you enjoy!

(these images were taken with my old Nikon)

I wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween.

The winner of the Rachel Ashwell giveaway is…

Kerrie of Sea Cottage!

Congratulations!

Thank you everyone for entering.

Last but, not least.

One of my favorite stores is having a 6 week giveaway!

YES, 6 weeks of giveaways!!! Check out

A BEAUTIFUL MESS NOW!!!

First giveaway is retailed over $800.00!!!

Have a beautiful day

~lulu

Rachel Ashwell Book Signing & A Giveaway

2011-10-23T08:34:00.001-07:00

Hi all!!!

I had the pleasure of attending Rachel Ashwells book signing a few weeks ago.

It was held in the evening at the Santa Monica store.

I always enjoy going to the boutique, not just because

I am visiting with good friends but, I always leave feeling very inspired.

I LOVE her new book. Rachel and I had a conversation about how this particular book emulates an artistic view into all the different kinds of worlds of Shabby Chic. Different from the frilly pinks and whites we have been use to and will always love. This book evokes a warmer, moodier tone. It confirms how her mind is filled with endless ideas and creative beauty. It was such a privilege to see Gisela Torres working her magic. I was so lucky and enjoyed being a part of the behind-the-scenes of this book , then to finally see how it all came together is truly amazing. Some of my friends are listed as a resource in the book. Kymberley Fraser of A Beautiful Mess and Maria Bartelot of The Agoura Antique Mart. You might even see a little something in there by me.

To celebrate her new book. I am having a giveaway but, the best part is you will get a copy signed by Rachel. One lucky reader will get this book and all 190 glorious pages of beautiful homes.

This giveaway will also be open on our Facebook page and our Facebook

friends will also have a chance to win.

You can also leave a comment at the end of this post and or follow us on our blog and “Like” our Facebook page....For additional entries, add it to your sidebar, or you can post about the giveaway to any social networking sites, twitter, facebook, and blogger!!! Please come back and leave a separate comment for each site you post about the giveaway on. Anonymous entries please make sure you leave an email address with your entry, so we can get it to you if you win . Giveaway is open internationally as well!! Good luck!!!

Giveaway end Friday October 28th.

Have an inspirational day.

~lulu

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Remnants of the Past…Part 2

2011-10-17T17:49:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! I wanted to share a few more pictures of Remnants of the Past. Judy Watkins, family, staff and vendors did a spectacular job. You can see more images on her blog. I had so many pictures that I had to split the post in two. I was privileged to get in before the event started and thousands of people showed up. This is a view from the outside looking down one of the isle.

You can see Part 1 here of the inside.

I have linked a lot of great vendors here today. You may want to book mark and save these.

This vignette was styled by Atelier de Campagne.These guys have amazing style and stunning, one-of-a-kind European finds. You can visit them on their blog, and on Facebook.

I love old sign’s and wish I didn’t pass this up.

I was so busy taking picture that I forgot to get this. Trinidad do you still have it???

This vignette reminds me of Italy. When we were kids we would go to the Mercato in the morning, they mostly sell food but, some sold goods.. We love Europe and hope to someday return and take our children there to meet the rest of my family and visit my dad.

Baskets are another favorite of mine. I especially love the ones with old letters and numbers on them. I should have grabbed this one because it has the initial L+D on it, perfect for my boys, Luke and Dustin.

The men of Atelier de Campagne, Trinidad , Martin & Johann.

They are so sweet, be sure and visit them.

These beautiful gals have lovely taste and are my very favorite people and vendors. I never leave empty handed when visiting them. Tina, Karen of L.A Junk, Victoria Stoehr Designs, & Marilyn Thompson. These girls are also a part of A Beautiful Mess. Check out their links.

Marilyn Thompson’s styling and booth.

Wonderful set up by Terry of The Vintage Bricoleur. This was the first time I met her and she had a great space.This gal is very talented and so nice, visit her blog here.

Last but, not least I finally got the opportunity to meet Brooke & Steve Giannetti authors of Patina Style. My new favorite design book. I ordered their book month’s ago.. .They also have a creative blog, which everyone knows about called Velvet & Linen. Their blog was one of the many blogs I first started to follow and I continue to follow. They were so gracious and kind.

THIS BOOK IS A MUST HAVE.

They shopped around here at Ormolu.

This is their gorgeous new book.

I really enjoyed photographing this event. Keep your eyes open as you might see this featured somewhere else!!! The next show is in June and I hope to attend once again.

Oh ya!!!

Check out Jennifer Rizzo's creative new Vintage Tea Collection and her Winter Nesting giveaway worth $500 dollars!!! Visit here to see what is happening.

We will be having a great giveaway next that you won’t want to miss!
Ciao,

~lulu

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Remnants of the Past…Part 1

2011-10-11T07:40:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone!!!

This past weekend my family and I spent some time in San Luis Obispo.

Judy Watkins, family, staff and vendors held a flea market event Remnants of the Past that was OVER the top,

AMAZING!!!

Rated number 1 in the U.S ., and I can see why!

I was so excited to photograph the fun and share it with you. I was like a kid in a candy store.

I took a lot of photographs. This was a two day event, so I decided to split this post in two.

Let’s meet some of my favorite vendors.

The grounds where picturesque! I shot this image of the sun rising for a perfect day.

It was held in the Expo event center at the Madonna Inn. My son loved the room we stayed in,

it was a cowboy themed room and his imagination ran wild.

This was what I saw when I first walked in!

My mouth dropped open when I saw Kimberley Fraser of A Beautiful Mess booth. Very creative.

There was so much to see! Over 100 vendors.

(WARNING: I use, stunning, gorgeous, amazing, love, so, and many more of my favorite words over and over, so don’t say I didn’t warn you. LOL)

It was a fall themed event, and the vendor’s went all out!

Here is a close up of A Beautiful Mess, booth. I love the old wine barrels and pumpkins.

The structure was huge.

The vignettes were set up with attention to detail, and so there was so much inspiration.

Yes, I went home with a few finds myself.

Doesn’t this look like large barrels of wheat?

Truly STUNNING.

Here is a snap shot of Victoria Stoehrs booth.

WOW, this women sets up beautiful vignettes and is

very creative. Everyone worked so hard on their displays.

I found some gorgeous jewelry, from A Beautiful Mess.

These pillows are from Erik and Daniel of Euro Linens.

They are a beautiful couple that work very hard on their products, and are always smiling.

Here is a close-up of my favorite pillow.

Some French letters.

You all know how much I love old books wrapped in twine.

This is one of my favorite booths. I love the chippy white

shutters, and candelabras.

I ordered of few of these pumpkins from A Beautiful Mess. I can’t wait to show

you what I do with them.

Isn’t this stunning???

Any ideas of what you could do with this???

This booth is Ormolu. Deborah has such a creative imagination. I will have more

images of her one-of-a-kind booth in day two.

First prize big anyone???

I don’t know what this is,but it looks hand made and so unique.

More lovely jewelry from Victoria Stoehr. Check out her website.

Isn’t this a clever way to display French transfer ware? My favorite.

Another one of my favorite booths, I love the religious relics and all the chippy white

and gray furniture.

The bottles and chandelier’s are to die for. I want one of these little homes that hold

the religious figurines in.

…that is all for now folks,

to be continued….

Have a wonderful day!

~lulu

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Thank you L’idea Shabby Chic & Remnants of the Past

2011-10-05T18:05:00.001-07:00

Thank you Aurelia of Taltilo publications for featuring our home in the August/September issue of L’idea Shabby Chic. I was honored to find out that our home made the issue. I photographed and styled this a few months ago, and could not believe my eyes when I saw that MY image made cover!!!

It is a wonderful spread and I had so much fun styling and photographing for this!

Thank you again, and I look forward to working with you!!!

I moved the furniture around for this shoot, I love to do that.

It is amazing that with just a few changes your home can have a completely different feel.

I had my mom translate what they said in Italian for me and it was wonderful. They said such nice things. I

do not want to bore you with it LOL, so please just enjoy the images.

Stay tuned for more features on future homes.

I am also excited to see Judy Watkins and all the wonderful vendors at,

Remnants of the Past this weekend. I will be shooting the event and I hope to see

many of you there.

Have a wonderful day!!!

~Lulu

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My new obsession!!! Pinterest!!!

My Fall Colors…

2011-10-02T07:30:00.001-07:00

Hi there!

When I decorated for fall last year I went with an all white theme.

So, this year I am adding a little color.

I have been practicing and practicing on Lifestyle photography so much lately!

I can’t put my camera down. Photographing food is fun.

I love the contrast and texture of these purple figs against the natural wood and old books.

These beautiful dried sand hydrangeas are from Debra Hall Lifestyles. I have found some

wonderful things from her. She has an amazing eye for unique items. I will

be showing overall images of my fall vignettes as soon as I am finished.

I shot these Japanese eggplants in the late afternoon.

I love the mood it gives from the light.

Nothing reminds me of fall like wheat in a basket!

I have collected transfer ware for a long time now and I have several

different colors, brown, black, blue, green.

I love the color combination here of the blue, white, grey, and purple.

I found these pumpkin’s last week at Trader Joe’s, I even bought

the Cinderella ones. I created a fun vignette by my front door but, I am just

waiting for a few more thing so I can finish.

I really enjoy this time of year!

I have a lot to share with you this week so, be sure and check back.

Have a beautiful day!

~lulu

A Late Summer Salad, Pumpkin Bars & The Winner

2011-09-22T19:04:00.001-07:00

Hi there!

I wanted to share these healthy recipes with you.

I am in week 5 of my 12 week trainer and I am finally seeing some results!!! I think

the fat on my bod is turning into muscle, or maybe I am just seeing things,

who knows. Feeling great though and loving every minute of this healthy lifestyle.

Did you know you can eat healthy and it can taste great too?

View Full Album

Try this simple late summer salad and tell me what you think?

There are going to be a lot more of these yummy recipes to come.

1 red bell pepper diced

1 green bell pepper diced

1 yellow bell pepper diced

1 orange bell pepper diced

1 purple bell pepper diced ( optional and only if you can find it)

1 cucumber diced

1 red onion diced

Avocado oil (optional olive oil)

Salt & Pepper to taste

Throw everything in a bowl and mix

You can also add dried oregano if you want.

So simple and delicious!

Now, for this yummy guy!

This is a pumpkin protein bar! Yes, I said it a pumpkin protein bar,

perfect for fall. It’s good for you!

This recipe comes from my eating clean diet!

I will only share the things I think taste amazing, and can’t believe they are healthy.

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1 –4 oz jar of applesauce (baby food) It has the cleanest of ingredients in it

2 tsp of ground cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp of ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground clove

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

4 large egg whites

2 tsp vanilla extract

1-15 oz can of raw pumpkin

2 cups of oat flour

2 scoops of vanilla whey protein

1/2 cup almond milk ( i love this stuff)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 Pyrex dish with non-stick spray. Combine first 11 ingredients

mix well. Add final 3 ingredients (4 if you add the walnuts), and mix until incorporated. Spread batter in

the Pyrex dish bake for 30 minutes.

Makes 24 squares!

One square total calories with nuts 63 without nuts 47! WHAAT!

On to…

The winner of Victoria Stoehr Designs is

Mary Ellen from Mary's Meanderings congrats!!!

Please email me your information!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Don’t forget to visit us on Facebook and hit the like button to get updates that

are not always on our blog!

~ lulu

Autumn is in the Air & The winner of Jeanne d’ Arc Living

2011-09-17T15:24:00.001-07:00

I love the feeling in the air!

Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year!

The winner of the Jeanne d’ Arc Living giveaway is…

Laura at 52 Flea

Please email me your information!

Thank you everyone for entering. More giveaways to come!

Have a peaceful weekend everyone!!

~lulu

Victoria Stoehr Designs & Giveaway

2011-09-14T20:26:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone!

I am so excited to share with you my friend Victoria Stoehr’s launch of her new website

and blog! I was happy to help photograph for Victoria’s new header for the website and blog.

(image by Victoria Stoehr)

After spending time with Victoria I realized right away she has a special design talent

and a gift for paying attention to detail, not to mention a great sense of humor!

My cheeks hurt from laughing so hard.

(image by Victoria Stoehr)

It was such a pleasure and I had so much fun working with you!

In honor of opening a new website and blog, Victoria is giving away

a $50.00 dollar gift card for one of my special friends here on blog to spend at her shop!

Please go over and visit her website and follow her blog, pass the good news on!

Leave a comment on her blog of what it is you would like

to buy from her shop with the gift card.

Giveaway ends Saturday the 17th!

Have a wonderful day peeps!

~lulu

P.S. I will be announcing the giveaway for Jeanne d’ Arc living soon,

so there is still time to enter below!

A Giveaway & Thank Jeanne d’ Arc Living

2011-09-10T11:34:00.001-07:00

Hi there!

I am feeling so blessed lately and wanted to share some goodness.

Let’s have a giveaway!!!

I wanted to thank Vivian and Jeanne d’ Arc Living for featuring our home.

Jeanne d’ Arc Living is from Denmark and is available and read around the world.

We were so honored when we found out our home was going

to be featured in the late summer issue of Jeanne d’ Arc living magazine.

I have been in love with this magazine for over 2 years now.

If you haven’t gotten your hands on Jeanne d’ Arc Living, then

you are missing out on what I think is one of the best, most inspirational

magazine out there!

I believe that what comes around goes around and if you do good,

good comes back, and that if you think positive and have faith

your dreams can come true.

It is amazing how this came full circle

I was so happy to have photographed and styled for this issue,

and now I am working for them.

Here are a few pages from the magazine

The styling was done a few months back and since then my home

has changed a few times. LOL, I can’t keep things

the same very long

My energy and excitement have been racing.

I don’t know if it is all the exercise and clean eating that I have

been doing, but whatever it is I don’t want it to stop.

Feeling foot loose and fancy free people!!! WOOP, WOOP!

Ok, here is the giveaway.

We want to giveaway two issues of

Jeanne d’ Arc living. Two different issues will be sent to one lucky friend.

This Late Summer issue and the next months Autumn issue as well.

Next months issue has another home in it that I photographed & styled.

I can’t wait to share it with you.

We thought it would be fun to giveaway both issues!!!

This giveaway will also be open on our Facebook page and our Facebook

friends will also have a chance to win.

Please visit our Facebook page and hit the Like button,

we really appreciate your support.

You can also leave a comment at the end of this post and or follow us....

For additional entries, add it to your sidebar, or you can post about the giveaway to any social networking

sites, twitter, facebook, and blogger!!!

Please come back and leave a separate comment for each site you post about the giveaway

too. Anonymous entries please make sure you leave an email address with your entry, so we can get it to you if

you win . Giveaway is open internationally as well!!

Good Luck!

Be back real soon!

Have a beautiful day!!

~lulu

Winner of the Cabbage & Roses giveaway & A Fabulous Magazine…

2011-09-06T21:37:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend!

I wanted to announce the winner of the Cabbage & Roses Giveaway,

and a must have magazine.

The winner is Rachel from French Farmhouse 425!!!

Congratulations!!! Please email me your information.

Also, my wonderful friend Jo-Anne Coletti’s new issue of The Feminine Home

is out now! It is a gorgeous magazine filled with inspiration.

You can order it here.

Check back, I have some great posts coming up this week.

Be back soon,

~lulu

Vintage Blue Book Love…

2011-08-30T21:37:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone…

My new obsession are these vintage, French, blue books!

I want the pinks ones too… been searching…i think I may have found them!!!

I was photographing an amazing, one-of-a-kind boutique the other day, that I will soon

be sharing with you and there they were! Love at first sight.

This vignette is in our family room, which is adjacent to our

kitchen. I have not shown this room yet.

So, this is a sneak peek!

I have a great healthy recipe to share with you next and ,

I will also be announcing the winner of the Cabbage & Roses Giveaway.

There is still time to enter below!!!

I have been working out and I am on day 9 of my 12 week trainer.

I feel amazing, mentally and

physically. I am hooked again. I have always been into health and fitness.

I took before photos, Oy vey! Darn baby weight… I will keep you posted on my progress.

Oh ya, I love Pinterest. Just sayin…

A small favor, please pray for my friend Anne from Fiona & Twig, her mother has fallen very ill,

and Anne is so scared. Your prayer’s will help.

Have a beautiful day!

~ lulu