The past few nights I have found myself feeling a bit more like a popper than a princess...I have been tossing and turning and those few moments when I have been able to fall asleep I have found myself searching my dreams for direction. Have you ever felt this way? Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Do Dreams Really Come True?!...
The past few nights I have found myself feeling a bit more like a popper than a princess...I have been tossing and turning and those few moments when I have been able to fall asleep I have found myself searching my dreams for direction. Have you ever felt this way?
Posted by
Alys
at
7:10 PM
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
I Love Your Blog...
OMiGosh! Today I recieved the "I Love Your Blog" award and I am thrilled! La Donna from La Donna Vintage Photo-Oil Artist gave me this award! Thank you, Thank you!
The blogs I would like to nominate as Blogs I love to read and drool over are:
It is always my joy to share a bit of my life & pleasures with you!
Posted by
Alys
at
7:23 PM
Monday, September 22, 2008
Good Reads
I have had the urge to travel lately and I think that is showing in my current bedside books. On my night table I have - Postsecret By: Frank Warren
- My French Life By: Vicki Archer
- France History and Landscape By: Emme Howard
My husband and I have been reading 40+ pages from Postsecret for the past 3 nights. The author traveled the county and handed out several thousand postcards to strangers. On the postcard it said: Take a Postcard; Tell Your Secret Anonymously; Stamp & Mail. The postcards were all Pre-addressed and soon the postcards started pouring in. Several postcards that he handed out came in along with many through word of mouth...In this book the author shares the postcards of several hundred strangers with secrets to be told. It is super to read and very thought provoking. You can read some of the secret postcards here on the Postsecret blog.
My French Life is a book I picked up as I just adored the cover. Speaking of secrets I also secretly wished I lived in France when I was a little girl, so this book seemed just the right fit for me. I am 1/4 into this book and I just adore it. It will sweep you away from the beginning with all the beautiful photos, life lessons, and quotes. My favorite so far is:
"Begin with what you are in no doubt of and what makes you happy. Take the time to feel secure in your choices and the rest will follow."
I have always said, "With a new pair of shoes, life can't be so bad" and that I have no doubt about!
And the last book on my night table is a book about the country of France. This is a great coffee table sized book that will have you mesmerized with all the unbelievable architecture and gorgeous landscapes of the country.
Posted by
Alys
at
8:34 AM
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Anders
Today I got to spend the day with my nephew Anders. I asked him if he wanted to take some pictures so I could try out my new camera and he said "Yes, if I would take him to see the trains"...So off we went to the train tracks, him in one arm and my camera in the other. Unfortunately there was no trains to be seen, "Thank Goodness", But I was able to capture some great shots of him. Here are a few of my very favorites from today.




Posted by
Alys
at
12:23 PM
Labels: Alys Geertsen Photography, Children, Pure
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
French Antique Perfume Bottles Tutorial
I love decorating my home as you all know, and today I was working on a little project for my daughters bathroom. I thought it would be fun to share this idea with you! A very inexpensive way to bring a touch of French Romance to your space. You can use old or new bottles, however I love the patina the old bottles have.Below I will give you all the steps you will need to create these lovely bottles in under 1 hour.
You will need:Antique Bottles
Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue
Pure Bees Wax
Antique French Beauty Labels
MinWax Antique Rubbing Oil-Plantation Walnut
Assortment Cork Sizes
Bath Salts
Ribbon,Buttons & Embellishments
The old French perfume labels are so beautiful and romantic and really give these old bottles a fresh & gorgeous look. I bought old bottles from a local antique store for around $2.00. You can easily find them online as well, but I wouldn't pay much more than a couple dollars each. The old bottles will require you to clean them, I put mine in the dishwasher and they did great. I like mixing it up with the shapes and sizes, however any size of bottle will work great.
I filled my bottles with yummy smelling bath salts I had purchased here. You can buy them in a rainbow of colors which really adds a nice pop to the clear bottles. I purchased an assortment bag of corks from my local craft store. The wax I use is pure bees wax, you can also purchase it at any local craft store or here. I chose to seal my bottle tops with wax, however if you don't like working with wax you can easily just use the corks to seal. I love the old authentic feel the wax adds.
I have scanned in several different antique French perfume labels for you to easily print out on your color printer. Click here to download and save them to your computer. Simply cut out and glue on your bottles with the Aleene's Tacky Clear glue.
Embellish your bottles with old lace, ribbons and buttons. The more lace and bling the better in my book! I wrapped one of my bottles with a old strand of pearls and another bottle I added a vintage rhinestone pin with lace. Old jeweled earrings and buttons are great to use as well.
After my labels were dry, About 30 minutes I took a paper towel and placed some of the MinWax gel on it and simply rubbed the labels to give them the antique look. This is one of my favorite discoveries Ever! I use the MinWax on everything, from paper to fabric, It is a great antiquing secret!
I hope you have fun making these beautiful bottles for your home or for a friendship gift. If you decide to make these I would love to see a picture of how you embellished yours. Do leave me a comment or a photo. xo Alys
Posted by
Alys
at
4:21 PM
Labels: ABitofParis2U, Craft, Free, French Antique, Old Labels, Perfume Bottles
Monday, September 15, 2008
The Belle Book & Candle-A GIRLS NIGHT OUT
One of my favorite places to shop during this season is The Belle-Book & Candle. This little quaint shop is located in American Fork, Utah and truly is our hidden secret. With the most amazing displays and fabulous decor you are sure to find something for the holiday seasons. Isn't she GoRgEoUs! She will be available on my site tomorow!
The Belle Book & Candle
Fine gifts & furnishing
6 South 100 West
American Fork, Utah
Posted by
Alys
at
4:06 PM
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Laughing so hard....
OMiGosh! I am laughing so hard I almost pee'ed my pants! Ok, I don't know how proper that is to say on here but it is so true. I just stubbled upon this site called "YearBook Yourself" You take a photo of yourself looking forward and place it upon several different heads. They have yearbook pics from the 1950's-2000. I normally don't post sites like these but this one was hilarious! Enjoy laughing with me at my pics from the past half a century!
Posted by
Alys
at
8:09 PM
Labels: A Good Laugh, ABitofParis2U, Alys Nelson Geertsen











