Michelle Boddie

Menton Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 04:10:00 +0000

Menton is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. Situated on the French Riviera, along the Franco-Italian border, it is nicknamed perle de la France ("Pearl of France"). ~ Wikipedia

This is a beautiful photograph, by Erich Westendarp, of the scenic harbor on the French Riviera at Menton in south-eastern France. Here are the visual elements that I think make this harbour so beautiful and scenic:

the cute lighthouse appears to situated on its own island.
the buildings are painted in various, yet complimentary colors.
the mountains beyond the roof-line of the buildings,
the neatly parked boats,
the foggy, cloudy sky
the evergreen trees
and the water.

It's easy to see why Menton is called the 'Pearl of France'.

Leaf Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Shrub Beauty in Triplicate

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 22:37:00 +0000

Today, I'm featuring an evergreen shrub (three of them located at our front patio) that I've become fond of after having it as part of the landscape at our townhouse. I do not know the name of this evergreen shrub; it is just a pretty shrub. The fact that new leaves on this shrub grown in as a color-blend of orange, red and burgundy adds to my appreciation of it. Another observation about this shrub is how tall it's top stems can grow and how funny that looks to me. This really tall growth occurs during the times our community's landscapers leave the shrubs un-trimmed. It's happened often enough in the three-plus years that we've lived here, that sometimes I've taken scissors and trimmed these 'triplet' shrubs myself! The images, below, feature these pretty 'triplet' shrubs freshly-trimmed by me and un-trimmed with the humorous-looking new stems.

One day I will learn the name of this shrub and plant some in the landscape of my dream house estate, which I'm working to acquire and move into from here!

Update 1/11/2022: While perusing a home improvement website for evergreens early in 2021, I discovered the name of this lovely shrub is 'Cleyera'!

Llama Lashes

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 05:09:00 +0000

What a beautiful, 'photogenic' llama!

View Through the Arch

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 04:40:00 +0000

Facades

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:22:00 +0000

Hello, Friends! I like the beauty of the buildings/homes/architecture, landscaping and other scenery visible in the five(5) images, below. The images of Italian homes are some of my favorites! The colors are very serene. I like the wrought iron of the railings, the bridge, the courtyard, lanterns, doors, planters, trees, the arches, the stone, among the other gorgeous features. of these buildings

This area of the yard is beautiful for a small picnic!

In this photo, I like the beautiful trees, the potted plants, the stone columns of the fence, the stone on the facade of the building and the picnic area. Everything is so beautiful and makes this garden spot so inviting!

The potted plants are pretty; their bright colors look great against the soft apricot color of the wall.

The doors, the wrought iron accents, the color of the wrought iron and downspout as well as the color of the wall make this home's exterior very pretty!

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Architectural Beauty with Color

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 03:10:00 +0000

Today's post, my Friends, features beautifully-colorful architecture of various locations. I'm a fan of cheerful colors, too. So, seeing how other people have enhanced the exteriors of their buildings is a delight! Somehow, these gorgeous colors on the buildings against the most-gorgeous scenery makes these locations look artistic! The photographer, MariaMichelle did an excellent job of capturing the beauty of these colorful places, which are Cinque Terre, Italy, Malta, St. James's Church in Stockholm, Sweden, Valparaiso, Chile and Venice, Italy. Wow, even the names of these places are beautiful. These photographs inspire me to see these lovely places in person, sometime soon; I'd love to see these places with friends!

In addition to the photos, I've shared a few paragraphs about each location from their Wikipedia pages! So, enjoy the photos and perhaps, if you have not toured these pretty places yet, you'll be inspired to tour them soon, too!

Cinque Terre, Italy

"The Cinque Terre is a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera. It is in the Liguria region of Italy, to the west of the city of La Spezia. "The Five Lands" comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Over the centuries, people have carefully built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea. Part of its charm is the lack of visible corporate development. Paths, trains and boats connect the villages, and cars cannot reach them from the outside. The Cinque Terre area is a very popular tourist destination." ~ Wikipedia/Cinque Terre
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Baby Animals: Puppy Loved

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:37:00 +0000

Hello, Friends! Today's featured 'faves' are a delightful poem about puppies, by poet Holly Jamestone, along with images of cute puppies of various breeds! I think you all will enjoy this post!

Who Doesn't Love Puppies!

by Holly Jamestone

Puppies love this big wide world
They smell like Mommy's milk
They nuzzle with a cold, wet nose

Their fur is velvet silk

They're juvenile and innocent
The world's a better place

Baby Animals: Oh, Deer!

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Sat, 02 May 2015 13:45:00 +0000

Hello! Today's featured image is of a baby deer! Isn't it beautiful. I love watching deer tip-toe through a yard as they eat. It's a delight to observe them so closely! Before returning to my hometown, Atlanta, GA, I had the opportunity to live on a multi-acre(s) farm surrounded by a dense forest on two sides, in Woodland, Alabama. Woodland was truly an appropriate name for the area I lived in, then! Almost daily, an entire deer family would emerge from the forest slowly, cautiously it seemed, and begin eating. Sometimes, I got to see them leap very high from a bank on one side of the dirt road to the other side. I had not known deer could leap so high! Enjoy the images of these beautiful creatures!

All images via Pixabay

Beauties of the Bovine Kind

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 00:13:00 +0000

January 2015 has been delightful, so far, and as usual I'm thinking ahead, dreaming of more heart's desires to achieve. One of those heart's desires is to own a few cows of my own. So, it has been a delight to discover the numerous varieties of cows that exist! I did not know there are so many handsome/beautiful types/breeds of cow(s). I've discovered a few images of cows/bulls that highlight these rather cute creatures. Enjoy!

Blu' Bisque feat. Poor Little Rich Girls

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 10:00:00 +0000

This summer I had the pleasure of meeting the delightful owners of Poor Little Rich Girl (a.k.a PLRG), Wintter ("Yes, two 't's) and Mia while managing an art camp at the Blu' Bisque. PLRG sells very stylish clothing and accessories from the 'boutique' side of the Blu' Bisque and from their local 'pop-up shops'. Also, I discovered a cute video that demonstrates the PLRG shopping experience. Here it is:

The 'boutique' side also features gorgeous jewelry designed by another delightful entrepreneur, Anita of Creative Options. The images, below, feature merchandise from PLRG and Creative Options that is great for gifts for yourself, as well as your family, friends and acquaintances. If you see something you'd like to purchase, visit the Blu' Bisque at 323 Nelson Street, Atlanta, GA 30313!

UPDATE 1/20/15: PLRG is at LOOP in Atlanta, GA, now!

An Autumnal Palette on the Leaves of Trees

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 20:21:00 +0000

Autumn is one of the four wonderful seasons available to enjoy on Earth and the 'art show' that occurs with the leaves of trees is absolutely gorgeous! Here are a few of those gorgeous autumnal palettes seen on the leaves of trees, that were created for us to enjoy, annually!

Seeing Where the Crowns Are

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 10:00:00 +0000

Crowns can be visually beautiful objects and I thought it interesting to share, in images, some of the variety of places that crowns can be found. Enjoy!

The Blue Hues of the Creature Kingdom

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Tue, 13 May 2014 11:05:00 +0000

Beautiful Blue-Hued Creatures of Creation

Hello, Everyone! I hope May has been exceptionally good for you, and those you know and/or love. Today, I am sharing some images that depict our Creator's use of the color blue (among others) on some of the creatures He has designed. So, take a look at these images and marvel at His design skill and the way He utilizes the color hues of blue!

I appreciate the striking combination of blue and red! This bird is gorgeous!

Beautiful Cocoons

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 23:54:00 +0000

Today, I'm appreciating the beauty of the cocoons seen in the eight images shared below. Enjoy!

Aren't these cocoons beautiful? I think the various colors on the body of each cocoon makes them look like abstract art!

I love the pottery-like appearance of these cocoons. The mocha, aqua/turquoise and chocolate colors on them are gorgeous!

Lovely Bathrooms, Eclectic Bathrooms

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 18:11:00 +0000

Hello, Friends! It's April! Today, I am featuring lovely and eclectic bathrooms I saw on Houzz (one of my favorite websites), yesterday. These images feature the creative designs of talented bath designers. Enjoy!

Eclectic Bathroom by La Jolla Tile, Stone and; Countertops Cabochon Surfaces & Fixtures

I like the green and white color-scheme, the type of windows, the number of windows around the bathtub and the view of mature trees, as well at the shape of this bathtub. I would plant evergreen trees behind the ones seen here, so that the evergreens are seen after the leaves fall from these trees. Also, I'd add silhouette-blocking window treatments so that night-time bathing remains a private experience.

Eclectic Bathroom by Pierz Architects and Designers Dan J. Heid - Planning & Design

I like the backsplash tile, the circular sink, the faucet and the countertop; all are gorgeous!

They're Pink and They're Pretty, What More Is There to Say?

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 04:31:00 +0000

I hope you're having a great March, so far, Friends! As you may know, by now, pink is one of my favorite colors. Today, I'm featuring additional items in hues of pink, that I've discovered online. There seems to be an abundance of beautiful things being created in pink, so I must have a lot of company in the "I Love the Color, Pink' Club.

I think this cart of flowers is charming.

I think these flowers are paeonies. Whatever they are, I think they're beautiful!

The blossoms and leaves on this stiletto make it beautifully feminine.

The Gorgeous Bird's-eye View via Aerial Filming

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 03:11:00 +0000

Hello, Friends! This evening I am featuring videos of aerial filming that, when viewed, appear to be a bird's-eye view as from a helicopter (or a bird). As the filming-camera soars/flows/glides through the sky above one sees the gorgeous scenery, below. I love the sense of being the bird flying above and looking down on the scenic landscapes, as I watched these videos. I think you may, too. The first video is of an exquisite property, The Compound at Jigsaw Ranch, and the second is the Altitude Filmworks 2013 Reel featuring a variety of scenes and scenery. Altitude Filmworks is the creator of both videos. Enjoy!

The Compound at Jigsaw Ranch is located in the Castle Creek Valley of Aspen, Colorado. Via this video we see a rare and gorgeous aerial view of the creek-front compound which encompasses sixty-seven (67) acres of pristine alpine forests, manicured lawns, waterfalls, and trails designed for Jeep vehicles and hiking. All of those amenities and features are a part of Castle Creek, which is a mere 2.6 miles to Aspen-proper. The Jigsaw Ranch compound is a legacy estate which cannot be reproduced in that location. It looks to be perfect for a primary residence, a second home or a stunning corporate retreat, doesn't it?! (FYI - Jigsaw Ranch Sold by Brian Hazen with Coldwell Banker Mason Morse - 6/11/2013)

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Oh, I Enjoy Each Season When It Comes, and I'm Excited for Spring and All Its Pretty Things!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 20:53:00 +0000

Happy March 2014 to you, Friends! Here's a beautiful Spring-focused excerpt of a poem, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, printed on a gorgeous Spring-themed background of pretty flowers and green leaves. The excerpt is from the poem, 'The Song of Hiawatha' It's so nice I have to share it with you!

Image discovered at LoveThisPic

Here's a longer excerpt of the poem, 'The Song of Hiawatha' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

"In his lodge beside a river,
Close beside a frozen river,
Sat an old man, sad and lonely.
White his hair was as a snow-drift;
Dull and low his fire was burning,
And the old man shook and trembled,
Folded in his Waubewyon,
In his tattered white-skin-wrapper,
Hearing nothing but the tempest
As it roared along the forest,
Seeing nothing but the snow-storm,
As it whirled and hissed and drifted.
  All the coals were white with ashes,
And the fire was slowly dying,
As a young man, walking lightly,
At the open doorway entered.
Red with blood of youth his cheeks were,
Soft his eyes, as stars in Spring-time,
Bound his forehead was with grasses;
Bound and plumed with scented grasses,
On his lips a smile of beauty,
Filling all the lodge with sunshine,
In his hand a bunch of blossoms
Filling all the lodge with sweetness.
  "Ah, my son!" exclaimed the old man,
"Happy are my eyes to see you.
Sit here on the mat beside me,
Sit here by the dying embers,
Let us pass the night together,
Tell me of your strange adventures,
Of the lands where you have travelled;
I will tell you of my prowess,
Of my many deeds of wonder."
  From his pouch he drew his peace-pipe,
Very old and strangely fashioned;
Made of red stone was the pipe-head,
And the stem a reed with feathers;
Filled the pipe with bark of willow,
Placed a burning coal upon it,
Gave it to his guest, the stranger,
And began to speak in this wise:
"When I blow my breath about me,
When I breathe upon the landscape,
Motionless are all the rivers,
Hard as stone becomes the water!"
  And the young man answered, smiling:
"When I blow my breath about me,
When I breathe upon the landscape,
Flowers spring up o'er all the meadows,
Singing, onward rush the rivers!"
  "When I shake my hoary tresses,"
Said the old man darkly frowning,
"All the land with snow is covered;
All the leaves from all the branches
Fall and fade and die and wither,
For I breathe, and lo! they are not.
From the waters and the marshes,
Rise the wild goose and the heron,
Fly away to distant regions,
For I speak, and lo! they are not.
And where'er my footsteps wander,
All the wild beasts of the forest
Hide themselves in holes and caverns,
And the earth becomes as flintstone!"
  "When I shake my flowing ringlets,"

It's March and Christmas in White is Still on My Mind

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 14:10:00 +0000

Today's Saturday, and the first day of March 2014. January and February were blessing-filled months for me, and I hope they were for you all as well! Today, I am sharing beautiful images of Christmas décor that I've discovered online.

I enjoy viewing attractive Christmas décor and I'm fond of a variety of color-themes for such décor, in different locations or rooms. So, I'll be sharing different color-themes with you, in the days and months ahead. Today's color-theme is white. I think the combinations of white with silver, gold, and/or green are lovely the way they appear in these images. So is combining metallic, wood, glass and pearls, as seen below. As always, I hope you enjoy viewing this post of beautiful things!

He is Dating His Wife and She is Flirting With Her Husband

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 10:54:00 +0000

Well, Valentine's Day is upon us again. It's another day to focus on romantic love, and husbands and their wives should have the most joy of all that will celebrate love, on February 14th. As you may surmise, romance and romantic dates with each other do not have to be limited to just one more special date, beyond birthdays and anniversaries. Your Valentine's Day event / date, gifts and other expressions of love can be the start of 365 days of demonstrating and speaking your love and affection to each other. If it is your heart's desire to be romantic and demonstrate the love and affection you have for your spouse, ideas that are creative, thoughtful, considerate and romantic will come to mind!

With 365 days of romance you'll find your daily life to be far richer, and rather delicious to your body and soul. Your relationship will be simply blissful, on a greater level. Below, are a few beautiful, romantic images to help you start imagining ways to enjoy 365 days of romantic, marital bliss. It's not impossible and it's better to reach for the goal than to never try! Enjoy!

I See So Many Pretty, Pink-Hued Things!

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 00:58:00 +0000

Good Day, Friends! PINK (not a link here, nor anywhere) is one of my favorite colors and I want to share some of the prettiest items, in hues of pink, that I've seen online, so far. Below, you'll see a variety of beautiful / gorgeous / pretty PINK-hued items featured, including cakes, cookies, cupcakes, roses, peonies, clothing for babies, stilettos, outdoor scenery, bedrooms, nail polish, home furnishings, buildings and more! I hope you can appreciate their beauty, too! Enjoy.

February and Blossoms

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 03:31:00 +0000

We are four days into February, the birds are singing outside my windows as if it is already Spring! So, I thought I'd share images of the beautiful blossoms I am looking forward to seeing, this Spring. I hope you enjoy them!

Reflecting on the Blessings of January

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 22:30:00 +0000

January is already gone, yet it is nice to remember the blessings of the first month of the year. As you look as the lovely images below, reflect on all of the blessings you've received and experienced during the ever-glorious month of January!

The Bella Cottage's Romantic, New-Vintage Cottage Furniture

noreply@blogger.com (MB - Boddie Michelle) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:50:00 +0000

Hello, Friends! I hope your days and nights of 2011, so far, have been as wonderful as what you've dreamed they could be.

Today, I'm featuring an online boutique I discovered earlier this year, The Bella Cottage, located in North Hills, California. Michelle Aspesi is the Founder & CEO of The Bella Cottage and her story about how she started this business is delightful. At The Bella Cottage, they have delicate "vintage-looking" furniture that is new, affordable and durable. Their style of furniture and furnishings are among my favorites because both compliment my 'dream bed' which is pictured below. Isn't my dream bed gorgeous?

My Dream Bed
Among my list of 'heart's desire' items I have a favorite bed that's a part of the Jessica McClintock Romance line. And as mentioned, this boutique sells furniture and furnishings that compliment the dream bed(s) I desire, perfectly! They have so many items that I think are beautiful! One day, I clicked through countless links and looked at many of the furniture pieces they had available at the time. If I were to make a written list of all the furnishings I added to my mental list that day, the written list would contain approximately 25 items! In planning my dreamy bedroom, I am really looking forward to decorating it with my Bella Cottage purchases!

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