Violets are blue, Roses are pink, Sugar is sweet

A Valentine Mantel By Candlelight

I'm glad you found your way to The Little White House.

Je suis ravie que vous ayez trouvé le chemin de ma Petite Maison.

Even if the house is undergoing a complete renovation which should ban any decorating for now, I decided to do something with the mantel.

I believe it's very important to remember that an "under-renovation-house" is still a home. 

Même si les rénovations de la maison n'encouragent pas vraiment à se lancer dans la déco, j'ai décidé de penser à autre chose qu'au placo en  m'occupant de mon manteau de cheminée. La météo catastrophique m'a forcé à prendre les photos à la lumière des bougies... Au moins, cela justifie le manque de lumière!

Unfortunately the weather is dreadful lately in Brittany and so taking the pictures by romantic candlelight was my only solution!

I didn't buy anything new for this decoration.

The roses are still my birthday roses... so they've been enchanting my home since January 23rd.

The teapot is an Arthur Wood teapot that I bought second-hand two years ago. I love its shape, especially the handle, and the violets on it. 

The sweets under the cloche were a gift my mother brought me back from Toulouse, where they are traditionally made... But I don't eat sweets, so I kept them for a February decor.

Rien n'a été acheté pour ce décor: le bouquet date de mon anniversaire, la théière est une théière Arthur Wood achetée d'occasion il y a deux ans. Les bonbons à la violette m'avaient été ramenés par Maman d'un séjour à Toulouse.

The master piece, according to me is that old book I found last week at an empty-your-attic-sale (French yard sale): it's dated from 1888... And it's the score of Gounod's Romeo & Juliet. 

I've spent so much time studying Romeo & Juliet and everything that was created on it since Shakespeare's play in my youth that I really wanted that book. The lady selling began to say "It's worth 70 €, you know." Disappointement must have been painted all over my face at that price, because she then resumes: "but I'll be happy if you give me 8 € for it". 

It has a nice, though worn-out, leather cover and golden edges. I'm in love!

La pièce maîtresse est cette partition complète du Roméo et Juliette de Gounod datée de 1888, trouvée dans un vide-grenier le week-end dernier. Cette histoire représente tellement de souvenirs d'étude, de travail avec les élèves, que j'étais tout émue quand je me suis retrouvée propriétaire de cet ouvrage!

Now if you want, you can listen to my favourite part of this opera in the video below.

Si vous vous sentez d'humeur musicale, vous trouverez ci-dessus mon extrait préféré de cet opéra.

I hope you enjoyed your time at The Little White House.

See you soon,

PS: The "Cottages in Brittany" series will resume later; meanwhile you can still read part 1 and part 2.


Partying there:

Home Sweet Home Friday at The Charm of Home

Everything but the Kitchen Sink at A Little Knick Knack

Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove

Beverley's Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life
Making The World Cuter Monday on Making The World Cuter
It's a Cloche Party at A Stroll Thru Life
Transformed Tuesday at PJH Designs One of  A Kind
A Return To Loveliness at A Delightsome Life
Twirl and Take a Bow at House On The Way
Budget Decorating Party at Creative Cain Cabin