bonbonnière

 

The concept behind Bonbonnière, originated in France, around 300 years ago, when a small box of sweets (the french word - bonbons) was given away to guests on happy occasions. Over time the idea spread to other parts of Europe, and in particular to Italy and Greece.  

 

The giving of the bonbonnière is also traditional for christenings, baptisms, communions, confirmations, and graduations.  Nowadays, there are many types of bonbonnières including non sweets such as replacing them with a beautiful French inspired items like soaps or mini-gifts.

We have found some pretty ideas and items from Lashe Occassions that is based in Australia and sells French-inspired wedding bonbonnières, stationeries and more.  We particularly love the Wedding products category on their site which adds variety to what is traditional out there.  Visit Lashe Occassions.com.au.

Images: Lashe Occassions

L'ambiance

Creating that perfect ambiance?  Do jazz.  It's beautiful, fits perfectly and best if performed live.  Sydney Paris Jazz has a trio that you can hire for your wedding or function for that French touch.  

Booking a trio is a cost effective solution but if you wish to also include a accordionist, drummer, saxophonist or violinist  we have top-flight musicians we regularly play with who would be delighted to join us.  Some recent venues they have performed are Royal Sydney Golf Club, Bonnie Doon Golf Club, The Space, Dooleys Catholic Club, La Brasserie and Sofitel Hotel.  Parfait!

Sydney Paris Jazz - 

http://www.sydneyparisjazz.com

The Invitation

 www.cristinare.com

You have planned out the cake, crockeries, menu, gown, venue and everything else and the finest first impression you'll make to your guests before they attend is your invitation cards.  It doesn't just give them a sneak peak on what to expect but it also shows the concept of the wedding if it's French-inspired, modern and contemporary, vintage, or whether it'll be celebrated in the countryside and so on.

www.alannahrose.com.au

Each of these stationery designers provide ultimate elegance, great service and personalization that you would like for your desired invites.  Add creativity, beauty and uniqueness to your invitations as your special day is.

 

 www.versaillesinvitations.com.au

Images: Alannah Rose | Cristina Re | Versailles Invitations

My Little French House

 

Do you have your own little French  house you go back to occassionally?  Now you can!  Our friends at My Little French House is situated in a picturesque village called Monflanquin, known as one of the most beautiful villages in France and is available for holiday rentals.

 

Founded in 1256 by Alphonse of Poitiers, the village is steeped in History surrounded by breathtaking scenery, Vineyards, Chateaux and Castles.  This picturesque village is set in The Lot Valley (Lot et Garonne) and home to 10 restaurants and cafes along with a bustling weekly market every Thursday, Antique Market every last Sunday of the month and endless Town Square activities and fairs throughout the year.

 

 

There are also many sports and leisure activities to take advantage of on your stay - golf, horse-riding, swimming at the pool, working out at the fitness centre, tennis, rock climbing, canoeing, fishing and tree climbing adventure park. 

 

 

My Little French House was constructed in the 1400's, sleeps up to 8 People and is a very short stroll to the town square, where all the restaurants and bars are located. She has recently been lovingly renovated while enhancing her original features. Offering 3 levels with light and airy rooms, wooden floorboards, beautiful wall featured stairwell, two fireplaces, modern kitchen, two living areas both with a Sofa Bed, 2 bedrooms, two bathrooms, heating and cellar.

 

This is a cute and French little cottage that you can call it your little French home you can go back to for that relaxation..

Mode - beauté: Couture Garter

 

 

 

Make your wedding outfit luxurious from the inside and out.  Dump all low quality items even if it comes to the garter you're wearing inside.  Give your new husband that extra treat in having a hand made couture garter sewn by designer, Florrie Mitton.

Beautiful materials and added luxurious sparkle for that royalty feel.  Let your other half remove it passionately..

Garter couture Florrie Mitton, from € 41

Images: Florrie Mitton

Le mode du jour

Click on the image and shop!

Maison du jour

A 200 year old chateau in the southwest of France.  Situated on almost 3 acres of beautiful, flat, landscaped grounds with rose gardens and a large pool.   Forty-five minutes to the city of Toulouse and 45 minutes to skiing in the Pyrenees and 2 1/2 hours to the sea.

The chateau has been completely restored and modernized over the last 10 years, while retaining its charm and warmth. Over 7,000 sq ft and dining rooms, a modern kitchen, 7 bedrooms, several fireplaces, crystal chandeliers, wood floors, verandahs, and 200+ years of stories.

The guest house has a large gathering room with surround sound, 5 ensuite bedrooms, a kitchen, and a laundry room. This property is the perfect place for dream vacations, destination weddings, family reunions, or could best be utilized as a bed and breakfast.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Art is in many forms and it is definitely in the menu amongst the French way of life.  It may not be easily understood by many but it is used by artistic individuals in the fashion, art and design fields in France.  It symbolizes emotions, stories and beauty that only truly talented artists are good at conveying to all of us.

A passionate and incredibly talented woman, Renée Jacobs has earned awards such as the 2008 First Prize for Fine Art Nude in the prestigious International Awards and Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award.  Her work has appeared in Photoicon, Fine Art Photo, The New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Cleveland Plain-Dealer, U.S. News and World Report, Boston Phoenix, Camera 35, Camera Arts, SLR Photography, as well as numerous books, including Thinking in the Photographic Idiom, and Earth and You. Her solo monograph, Slow Burn: A Photodocument of Centralia, Pennsylvania received critical acclaim in The New York Times Review of Books, as well as many other publications.

 

She has earned great recognition including having her work in the permanent collection of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, MA. Her work is in private and public collections around the world and has been featured in several solo exhibits.  Her beautiful work is no stranger to noted magazines such as Esquire Turkey, Maxim Romania, Nude Magazine and more.  A former civil rights lawyer for more than 15 years, Renée Jacobs is one that you won't miss in fashion, photography and arts.

Renée is based in LA and travels to Paris frequently for work and pleasure.  Her book about women and Paris, Mes Petites Femmes de Paris, will be out early next year.  While Renée has done and certainly will do traditional wedding photography, her most recognized work for her photography of women are amazing. Stretching her abilities in everything from smaller shoots of just a few photos all the way up to hand crafted photo books on Japanese handmade paper in wooden boxes, which she has done for celebrity clients like actress Melissa Gilbert, from Little House on the Prairie, you can view her artistic work on online magazine, Adore Noir.

"I'm so used to hair stylists, make up artists, wardrobe stylists and assistants hovering around. With Renée, it was just me, her and her camera. It was such fun. So very easy. And the results are photos I will treasure for the rest of my life." - Hollywood actress, Melissa Gilbert.

**If you're one who would love to work with talented souls like Renée, then you're in luck.  Renée is looking for women to shoot with, great locations, businesses that want to be included, and any companies and individuals who would like to be apart of her next trip to Paris in September.  Contact her on her Facebook  page or email today.  

Stay tuned to my  further personal interview with the fabulous Renée published on Seductively French.

Images: Renée Jacobs