Wednesday, January 22, 2014

White Chocolate

January Mantel (What am I a little late?)



I 'm sorry about that blurry first picture. I had better ones, but none had the cat on them and I thought this one actually reflected exactly what life at The Little White House is!

Je suis désolée de cette première photo bien floue. J'en ai fait de meilleures, mais le chat ne s'est pas incrusté sur les autres et j'ai finalement trouvé que celle-là reflétait mieux ce qu'est la vie au cottage.


Many people seemed to like the little story Mme de Sévigné wrote about hot chocolate in her 17th century letters and that I shared in my last post.  Now can you see in the Boucher picture above the kind of hot chocolate pot they had in that time (the painting is actually from the 18th century)? 

Beaucoup d'entre vous semblent avoir apprécié la petite anecdote sur le chocolat chaud tirée d'une lettre de Mme de Sévigné et dont j'ai parlé dans mon article précédent. Voyez-vous dans le tableau de Boucher ci-dessus le type de chocolatière qu'on utilisait à l'époque (le tableau est tout de même postérieur à l'époque de Mme de Sévigné)?


Can you believe I was able to find one in one of our local "empty-your-attic" sales? I decided it would look perfect on my January mantel.

Eh, bien, figurez-vous que j'en ai trouvé une dans un vide-grenier! Elle a atterri récemment sur mon manteau de cheminée de janvier.


I'm not going to lie: it's not an 18th century piece, but it's a nice re-edition. It has the long wooden handle they used to have and the wooden stick that goes in it through the lid in order to make the chocolate foamy.

Evidemment, ce n'est pas une chocolatière du XVIIIe siècle! Mais c'est une jolie reproduction avec sa longue poignée de bois et son manchon qui permet de rendre le chocolat bien mousseux.


I've read it seems everyone loves January on blogland, but I don't. So I chose to decorate with colours that make me serene and peaceful. To me it's a lot of white and a touch of soft pastel with the roses.

J'ai bien compris lors de ma lecture de blogs que tout le monde semble aimer le mois de janvier. Moi, pas. J'ai donc décidé de décorer la maison d'une façon sereine pour effacer le stress qu'est toujours pour moi janvier. Et la couleur qui me détend le plus, c'est le blanc.


I usually hate anything fake, but I decided to make an exception and use fake candles, just for the sake of that very old dictionary I found in an other empty-your-attic sale.


Je n'aime pas ce qui est faux habituellement, mais j'ai accepté de faire une exception avec de fausses bougies, juste pour ne prendre aucun risque avec le magnifique vieux dictionnaire trouvé dans un autre vide grenier.


My roses are fading a way, but they are the remains of a bigger bouquet I gifted myself a little more than a week ago... 

Mes roses se fanent mais elles sont les survivantes d'un bouquet que je me suis offert il y a plus d'une semaine.

As the shop is following my own mood, I've been adding some white pieces and you can check them here if you want some eye candy. I've also begun working on a Valentine collection that I called "Violets and Roses" and you can see the beginning of it there if you're curious.

Comme la boutique suit mes propres envies, j'y ai ajouté quelques éléments blancs sur lesquels vous pouvez jeter un oeil ici si vous le voulez. J'ai aussi commencé à travailler sur une collection inspirée par la Saint Valentin avec de la vaisselle ornée de violettes ou de roses rouges.

Do you have a colour that help you relax when you're under pressure?

Et vous, quelle couleur utilisez-vous dans votre décor pour vous détendre?

See you soon: I have something else that is white to show you!

A bientôt, pour vous montrer un autre élément blanc de mon intérieur!



I'm sharing with those awesome parties you should really check out!

Lavender Garden Cottage         http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.fr/       Join the fun here each Wednesday!

 Rooted In Thyme                  http://makinmyaptahome.com/2014/01/meet-the-neighbors-linky-party.html         http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.fr/2014/01/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no197.html              

    

49 comments:

  1. It's all so pretty.

    I love white, but I also love aqua.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I do like your chocolate pot, that was quite a find even if it isn't 18th C!
    I loathe January.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The mantel looks very inviting. Love the white pieces - especially the chocolate pot. My favorite thing is that wonderfully tattered dictionary.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your mantle is lovely Magali!! And my, what a find on that hot chocolate pot, vintage or not!!!! Now I'm on a hunt for one of my own!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. So cozy and inviting. I love decorating with whites....although right now I'm infusing some color to my spaces. Found some great deals on some second-hand furniture in fun, soft greens and blues and old wood. :) I HATE January (and February even more) because I miss the sun. If I wasn't enjoying decorating my new space, I doubt I would even get out of bed this month....we've had mounds and mounds of snow and frigid temps so far this winter. Blah!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Magali, I love your mantel and that is great that you found a chocolate pot even it it isn't old.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love your mantle and the chocolate pot. Really looks like the one in your picture. I will be glad when January is over also.
    Have a great week.
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely mantle and I have never seen a chocolate pot like that. It does look very unique. French unique! Lovely kitty and if it makes you feel better I always have a hard time in these winter months. I really get bored even though I work everyday.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The chocolate pot is a great find. You did a great job on your peaceful, serene mantel. And I love that your kitty is in the first picture!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I usually don't love January, but this year with January feeling even better than summer, I love it.

    Love your mantel.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The mantel looks very nice, even the robin thinks so (and look at all those feathers, if one wants to go nesting...). Decorating in January allways is a bit diffficult. Lots of white? Too cold. Spring flowers? Too early for that, where to put them afterwards? In the garden? Won´t work well. But old books and hot chocolate... Great Idea, I am going to try. Outside and inside.

    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sarah,

      I was so late this year anyway that I began wondering if my January decorating wouldn't be done in February! I've been having trouble commenting on your blog, there's a temporary message of error on blogger. I'll try again later because I saw enjoyed your last post!

      Delete
  12. Le gris & le rose poudré sont les deux couleurs qui m'apaisent. Ton bouquet avec la fin d'une vie de roses est trop beau. Je vais le mettre en fond d'écran? J'aime beaucoup.
    J'ai eu une chocolatière comme ça qui avait un défaut, le pas de vis de la poignée était fait dans le mauvais sens & comme elle se dévissait quand on servait, c'était surprenant.
    Bonne journée. Bises. Babette

    ReplyDelete
  13. Eh bien moi, Janvier, cela me rappelle un bon souvenir... quoi qu'un peu douloureux ! C'était le 23 exactement comme aujourd'hui ! Mille bises !

    ReplyDelete
  14. So beautiful! And what a delightful find - I've never seen a chocolate pot quite like that. I'm sure even the re-edition is not something that's too common.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been looking for an other one for the shop ever since I found that one, but I've had no luck so far!

      Delete
  15. I love hot chocolate!! I am putting this hot chocolate pot on my list of things I need to aquire... Very pretty mantel Magali!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Now you know I am going to have to make some hot chocolate now don't you? I usually go for white to calm me down, it's always so fresh and clean and just feels right to me. Gorgeous Mantel Magali xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. If ever the (glorious!) day may come when I manage to persuade my teenage boys to holiday in France, I will gladly travel over 700 km to and show them Brittany! Before we had kids, we holidayed there in '84 and in '92, as members of a flolkoristic dance group of Antwerp. Les Bretons have wonderful dance costumes (black gowns, lace and high hats for the women). It was great fun. We also toured the area, visited le Mont St. Michel and Carnac, la Trinité sur mer, Rennes and the beautiful countryside.The kids' main problem is the French language, in fact I am the only member of the family with a love fot foreign languages :-(. Maybe one day...
    Mandy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Breton costumes are indeed wonderful and I have to write a post about them someday, but the summer events where I can take pictures of them are usually so crowded, it makes taking good pictures very difficult! Let me know if you can talk your son into coming to Brittany!

      Delete
    2. I wil l!! In the meantime, check "coiffe bretonne" on the internet : just beatiful, the hairdo of the women and girls!
      Mandy

      Delete
  18. I don't like January, it's too grey but being at home relaxes me. I love being here, and spending time with my dog.
    I think life is a lot different for a teacher, because you have to bring work home.
    Your mantle is really pretty Magali, love the white, the chocolate pot, the pretty candle sconces and faded roses - very calming !

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love your mantel and will not keep an eye out for a chocolate pot! I love January because it's winter and I love winter. It's the time of year to nest and not feel guilty about it. As far as color I like in winter is red, and it's usually comes in a bottle whenever I'm sitting in front of the fireplace reading. :-;

    ReplyDelete
  20. How lucky to find such a treasure. Your mantle is very pretty. I am visiting from French country cottage

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I was lucky, because I've been looking for an other chocolate pot and haven't found any... yet! Thanks for visiting, it was a pleasure having you at The Little White House!

      Delete
  21. That feather wreath is so cool! My favorite soothing color that helps me relax? Riesling. ;)

    xoxo
    -andi

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hello Magali, I've been working my way to your little white house for days now, but I have been away from blogland these days. I received a most delightful gift from France today. Oh how it made my morning. I sat back and enjoyed every single detail during breakfast. I had the house all to myself and that's exactly how I like to open gifts from blogging friends.
    Thank you, love. The photographs are so beautiful they made me cry. Now to enjoy that piece of candy. ;)
    PS-Love your mantel and your real pics as usual.
    xoxo's

    ReplyDelete
  23. I like your first picture with your beautiful cat, Magali--it looks a very warm and cozy room. I've never heard of a hot chocolate pot, but I like it, as well as the little bird you tucked into your white feather wreath. The old dictionary is a pretty base for your pinecones and shells, too.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Dear Magali,
    Love how you styled your mantel. That hot chocolate pot,the old dictionary...lovely colour of roses.
    Love,Izabella.

    ReplyDelete
  25. P.S. Pastel colours calm me down...Iza.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a great find! I love your mantle! The stone wall is so cozy :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your mantel is lovely, Magali. I love the chocolate pot, and would like to find one like that. The wreath is gorgeous. Oh, everything is just so perfect. The more I see of your cottage, the more in love I am. Such charm. xx ~ nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot! The wreath was a very easy DIY project from last year, that I decided to reuse on a different spot of the cottage!

      Delete
  28. Your mantel is lovely and I love the fact that you found that hot chocolate maker replica! That is wonderful. The kitty in the picture is lovely, too, it is nice to see the real side of a home. Have a good day!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Beautiful mantel and nice find. You post makes me want some hot chocolate! I am also glad you included the picture with the kitty. A cat makes every picture better!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your mantel is lovely for January. I love the hot chocolate pot, I have a lot of reproductions here. Now my mantel has the same color dried roses and creamy while as yours, very calming. I love the white feather wreath over the mantel. Just perfect............I have one in red and wanted white but it sold first.
    Happy Sunday there, still Sat here.........

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love it Magali! The chocolate pot is such a wonderful find. I would not have known that's what it was, but I love how it looks! A kitty in a picture always make it better. I miss mine.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  32. love it Magali the white boa wreath and everything else so welcoming

    ReplyDelete
  33. I've never heard of anyone liking January Magali, me included. In fact, I think January and February should be banished from the face of the earth.

    Years ago on a discussion board my handle was boadoreen, so I guess it's safe to say I like your boa wreath. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Magali, the white January mantel is serene. Like others above, I too have not seen a chocolate pot before so thank you for that. I like that you have Clean Your Attic Out sales there and seems you get some great finds.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Your mantle is very soothing and I am enjoying the white as well. I have streamlined my decorating too-except for some big pops of pink! I would say that true soothing for me is blue, we just recently painted our master blue and it makes for lovley sleeping...
    Jemma

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love that chocolate pot, very French! Your mantel looks very pretty dressed in white. You have made the whole living room area is very cozy and relaxing for mid winter.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I've never heard of a chocolate pot. how cute! I love all the white thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Green is my relaxing color. It also happens to be my favorite color.
    Your mantel is beautiful. It looks perfect for January.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I read this before and I just didn't comment right away, but I truly fell in love with that Chocolate pot Magali! And lo and behold, as if by some sheer stroke of luck, I found my own chocolate pot too!!!!!! Mine is blue and white, and I'll share it one of these days!!!!! Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete

It makes me so happy to read your comments! Let me know you stopped by!
J'adore lire vos commentaires. N'hésitez pas à vous joindre à cette discussion multi-lingue.