Tuesday, December 08, 2015

All That Glitters...

Christmas At Cottage - part 1(maybe the only one)


A few weeks ago, I was contacted by two other bloggers who wanted me to join a Christmas tour. I was very flattered, really, that anyone would choose to have my very small Cottage among the amazing houses that are on blogland. However I decided to decline because every year December is a very busy month for teachers in France and I knew chances were that I would never be ready on time for the deadline.


Il y a plusieurs semaines, j'ai été contacté par deux blogueuses qui souhaitaient que je fasse partie d'un "tour des maisons de Noël". J'étais hyper flattée que mon tout petit Cottage soit sélectionné pour ce genre d'événement... mais j'ai refusé. Chaque année, décembre est une sorte de course poursuite sans fin pour un professeur sur deux établissements car les réunions de fin d'année se multiplient.

I was sorry not to be part of something so fun as the house tours. But I was so right not to lead people on, making them believe I'd actually be ready... Because until yesterday, there was just zero decoration in Cottage. And as of today, there's... one little thing, but I love it so I'm going to show it.

Aucune chance pour mon Cottage d'être décoré dans les temps. Et même si cela m'a fendu le cœur de décliner, j'ai eu bien raison car aujourd'hui, jour où il fallait rendre sa copie, je n'ai qu'une toute petite touche de saison chez moi.

My idea was to go for understated elegance this year, but if you think it's just "understated" with no "elegance", I'll understand.


Mon idée directrice cette année, c'est "simple et élégant", mais si vous pensez que je n'ai réussi que le "simple", je comprendrai tout à fait.

 
So basically, I bought four cardboard letters and painted them with two samples I had originally bought to choose a colour for my shutters (the shutters aren't being repainted, but that's an other story for an other day). I loved the colours and I loved how "unChristmasy" they were, but I also thought they were a litte too unChristmasy... I'm complicated that way.  Anyway, I added some glitter to my letters. It shines beautifully when the sun is pouring or when I turn the light on in the evening, but I'm so disappointed it doesn't show well on the pictures.


J'ai acheté quatre lettres en carton dans une jardinerie dont je ne ferai pas la pub ("Yule" pour ceux qui se demandent, c'est le nom d'origine de la fête liée au solstice d'hiver) et je les ai peintes avec deux échantillons de peinture que j'avais au départ achetés pour tester la nouvelle couleur des volets (qui ne seront finalement pas repeints, mais c'est une autre histoire). J'adore ces bleus éteints, mais même avec ma ligne directrice en tête, je trouvais cela un peu trop simple. J'ai donc rajouté des paillettes. Cela brille joliment dès qu'il y a du soleil ou que j'allume mon lustre, mais cela ne rend pas très bien en photo.




While I was taking the pictures, I found my kitchen shelf a little bare. Something like a tiny Christmas tree would look great, huh? Except, it was Sunday and I had devoted exactly ten minute to my decoration before going back to marking some papers...

Alors que je prenais les photos, j'ai trouvé mon étagère bien vide. Un petit sapin aurait été chouette, hein ? Mais on était dimanche et j'avais exactement dix minutes avant de retrouver mes copies.


What do you always have on hand when you live in Brittany? Hydrangeas! "Off with their heads!" I said in a very unChristmasy spirit. And I added some glitter to them, which proves I'm not a Queen of Hearts, because when has she seen adding glitter to heads?


Qu'a-t-on toujours sous la main en Bretagne ? Des  hortensias ! "Qu'on leur coupe la tête !" ai-je hurlé, dans un esprit pas du tout Noël. Puis, je leur ai rajouté des paillettes, ce qui prouve que je ne suis  pas la Reine de Cœur, car quand avez-vous vu cette dernière badigeonner des têtes de paillettes?

There, you've seen ALL the Christmas decor at Cottage for now.

Et voilà ! Vous avez vu l'intégralité de mes décorations de Noël pour l'instant.


Each year, I have tons of ideas in mind, each year, meetings and deadlines keep coming every day in December at school and those ideas stay in my mind... Such a shame you can't see my mind, because there, Cottage is all adorned for Christmas. On second thoughts, maybe it's better you can't see my mind, not each of my ideas are worth seeing. Like right now, I absolutely need to go to the bathroom, so...


Chaque année, j'ai des millions d'idées dans la tête et chaque année, je n'ai pas le temps de les réaliser. Quel dommage que vous ne puissiez pas voir dans ma tête, car là, je vous assure, mon Cottage est resplendissant... Euh, finalement, c'est peut-être mieux que vous ne puissiez pas entrer dans ma tête, toutes les pensées ne sont pas bonnes à partager. Là, par exemple, j'ai vraiment besoin de faire une pause-pipi...

See you soon,

A bientôt,



PS 1: I'm not very proud of the lack of decoration, but I'm not ashamed either. Each blogger seem to outdo himself/herself at this time of year and each appear to have a ton of pressure. Let's remember it's only decoration, not a life or death situation.

PS1 : Je ne suis pas spécialement fière du manque de déco, mais je n'ai pas vraiment honte non plus. Toutes les blogueuses (surtout à l'étranger) ont l'air d'être sur les rotules et de travailler nuit et jour à cette époque de l'année. Souvenons-nous que ce n'est que de la déco, aucune vie n'est en jeu.

PS 2: I know you're waiting for my supposedly sexy - but really very modest - wreath and I'll take pictures as soon as possible, so not today as it'll be already dark when I come back from school...

PS2 : Je sais que vous attendez ma couronne et que vous vous attendez à un truc sexy - vous allez être super déçu(e), mais il faut que je prenne des photos de jour et la nuit tombe tellement vite en ce moment...

PS3: Now, I really need to go to the bathroom...

PS 3 : Mais il faut vraiment que j'aille faire pipi !

59 comments:

  1. Lovely post Magali. The simpler the better! Ann x

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  2. We are doing very simple this year, one door wreath, one Advent candle wreath. Sadly my husband is too unwell for me to think of anything else.

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  3. Moi, les décos de Noël, ça n'a jamais été mon truc... alors ta sobriété, j'aime beaucoup... Qu'on laisse vivre les sapins et qu'on coupe la tête des hortensias (qui refleuriront l'année prochaine)... voilà une super idée... bien écolo et super jolie ! Bon courage pour ta fin de trimestre ! Bises

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  4. J'ai bien rigolé en lisant ce blog - merci! :))
    Même chose chez moi : trop d'idées, moins réalisées.
    Mais cette année, j'étais inspirée et ai fait moi-même
    une déco pour les fenêtres (pas d'hortensias ici :( malheureusement mais des bruyères),
    simple, mais je suis contente! (et c'était meilleur marché...)
    Belle journée et merci pour le rire!!

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  5. Magnifiques, ces hortensias, d'ailleurs!

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  6. Oh Cottage, you are a pretty little one! All that glitters is white and sweet. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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  7. Your letters add just the right amount of Christmas charm to your kitchen, and with the addition of glitter, you've brought a little added holiday bling. I love them!

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  8. "Yule" is a glittery gal, Magali! Holiday hydrangeas too! Have Yourself a very Merry Christmas, Kathleen in Az

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  9. Merry Christmas, my dear.

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  10. I love your glittery "Yule" over the stove! If it were me, I'd peruse your lovely garden and the village, looking for some pretty evergreens to lay around the letters. And your gorgeous hydrangeas -- I'm so jealous!!! I can't grow those where I live, and they are one of my favorites! Yours are so large and the color is lovely! No Christmas up yet here either, but soon! (I hope!)

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    1. I'm going to get some evergreen, maybe not for around the letters, though as I need an easy access to the doors above the stove!

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  11. You have the cutest kitchen!! Thank you for the close up shots of your range hood since I plan to build a cover for mine and will be using yours as my inspiration :)

    xo

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  12. Your home is wonderful!
    Bernardine

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  13. Hi..i think unstated is way more attractive then over the top..some blog homes last yr looked more like the store then a home..an the glitter is just the touch for elegance to me..LOVE it on the hydrangeas..hope your week has started out Well.! looking forward to the.."whore" installment..

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  14. I don't manage to decorate as early and as much as I would have loved to every year either!I am a teacher too you see!AriadnefromGreece!

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  15. Buenos dias Magali recuerdo que un tiempo atras mirando el blog de alguien me di cuenta del tuyo y lo que mas me gusto fue tu cocina y tu cottage inmediatamente, me siento muy contenta de ver tu blog siempre. y lo recibo con gusto. cuidate y hasta la proxima Nelly :)
    ,

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  16. I love your little cottage so much more than the 'perfect' homes scattered throughout blog land.

    xxx

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  17. j'ai rigolé en lisant ton article, c'est trop mimi...
    tu es une fille et par définition les filles sont des pisseuses ;-) non ??
    j'aime beaucoup ta cuisine, j'ai mis des images dans mon pinterest parce que je la trouve super jolie
    Passe une belle semaine ;-)

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    1. Merci, cela me fait toujours plaisir quand les gens me trouvent drôle ou trouvent ma cuisine inspirante!
      Bonne semaine!

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  18. I think your YULE letters are perfect for your cottage kitchen. And I never would have thought to add sparkle to live flowers. So pretty. I agree with you on the decorating-have fun-it's not life or death or keeping up with the Jones. Have fun with your wreath and Happy December!

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  19. Your cottage is looking so sweet. You have an abundance of ideas and creativity! Love the glitter on the hydrangeas too!

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  20. Je ne suis pas très déco de Noël. Les arbres de Noël n'ont pas de place ici, par contre, je mets des arbres en bois flotté, des sapins découpés dans du bois à recycler et je mets des guirlandes lumineuses, j'adoooooooore les guirlandes lumineuses et pas que pour Noël d'ailleurs, ça change une dévo du tout au tout.
    En tout cas je trouve ton cottage bien pimpant.
    Bisous et caresses aux petits. Babette

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  21. Welcome to my club, the "so many ideas, so little time"club. Cottage looks lovelybwith glitter and hydrangeas, and of course, YULE. I was wondering why YULE, instead of NOEL. Don't get me wrong, I love YULE, (I do have some swedish ancestors) but I thought NOEL is more french. Or, is it the Gaelic influence for YULE? Ok, I have gotten off track here, I love it either way. And, I agree, I would rather see what you do, than a perfect house where money is no deterrent. Or time. by the way, couldn't you sneak a peak of the bathroom while you were there? wink wink

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    1. I should totally be president of that club! I chose YULE because "winter solstice" had too many letters and they don't come cheap ;)

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  22. It is lovely. The color of your Yule letters is perfect for a cottage by the sea.

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  23. Everything you do is elegant, Magali, so there is no question there! I really like your YULE letters. There does seem to be a lot of pressure and I feel it too ~ I love how you put it into perspective.

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  24. Magali,
    I am doing simple and serene this year too. Less is more! Love seeing your sweet cottage kitchen and the yule sign is so pretty and sweet in there.
    Kris

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  25. Love your YULE letters, I could see some of the glitter and they are very festive as well as the pretty hydrangeas. I'm also doing very simple this year...but if you could see in my head the house would look over the top Victorian. Best ~ Mickie.

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  26. Glittery hydrangeas -- what a good idea. One year I spray painted them and hung them with other greens and a ribbon on the door. https://charlieandjo.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/greens-for-the-season/ Then a week later I sprayed them another color. Fickle -- n'est-ce pas? Jo @ Let's Face the Music

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    Replies
    1. For some reason, my hydrangea flowers don't dry very well, so the paint doesn't help them... Even the slightly gittered one didn't live long...

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  27. You do what you want, girl! No one says you have to have lavish decor or any decor for that matter. The season is within your heart.

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  28. You are so funny, you make me laugh! I love your Yule letters and hydrangeas. What a great idea, the little bit of glitter on them. And..it didn't stress you out, when you are so busy. Hope you get to slow down soon.

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  29. The letters looks great! You did a good job with painting and the glitter adds a festive and happy look to them. My daughter teaches and she is always without time so I understand you in that. Wishing you a wonderful advent time.

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  30. So, So pretty!! love everything you have done with your cottage....decorated for Christmas or not.....maybe next year? It is beautiful....Blessings, Roxie

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  31. Your cottage is always lovely and the two of you know just what you need to do to make Christmas perfect for you. Cottage is probably quite content with the simple YULE letters.

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  32. I absolutely adore your elegant simplicity!
    May all the joys of the season be yours.

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  33. Your cottage always looks so pretty...and it doesn't matter how much you decorate or not. I wish I kept it simple...but then I never do? Love the NOEL and a great idea!

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  34. Hi Magalia, your home is beautiful and not near as small as my 500 sq. ft. It doesn't matter how big a home is it's how much tender loving care that it has and that's what your is. So lovely and beautiful! xx Jo

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  35. This post made me laugh - you have a great sense of humor! I think understated elegance should be the Christmas theme this year...less to do, less to take down and pack away once it's all over. Love how you put glitter on the hydrangeas - so pretty!

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  36. I do have so much fun reading your blog, before I even open your email I have a smile on my face. Cottage looks just fine....

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    Replies
    1. That is such a sweet comment. It makes me feel like I should keep writing...

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  37. Simple et élégant, c'est parfait ! Ces 2 gris sont très jolis, très doux.
    Bon courage pour cette période chargée, les vacances sont bientôt là !
    Nathalie

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  38. I love your YULE decor - and I can imagine how they sparkle in the light. And who would think to put glitter on hydrangeas? It' looks amazing!

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  39. Simple and elegant - don't let anyone tell you differently. As a teacher, I understand your lack of time right now. I have been so overwhelmed recently that I got sick. Remember to take care of yourself. Decor doesn't matter that much.

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  40. You should be proud of Cottage for its lovely decor! How envious I am of your hydrangeas. Now get that wreath up and showing as I want an excuse to visit the whore isle of my local costume shop! Tongues will be wagging...lol.

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  41. une déco de fin d'année, dans un bleu-vert d'épicéa ou un bleu délavé de ciel d'hiver ou de mer pendant la tempête (?), est à la fois sobre, simple et chic - elle s'harmonise parfaitement avec un univers blanc et les hortensias portent des tons givrés bien de saison...
    cette première étape mérite d'être poursuivie !! avec ou sans paillettes...
    bien cordialement - monique59

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  42. I like your minimalist Christmas décor. The Yule letters look great and your brilliant hortensias are elegant. Well done.

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  43. Charming, Magali. Sometimes the simplest things make the biggest statement. I love the YULE and adding the glitter to the hydrangeas was brilliant. So feminine and pretty.

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  44. I really like your simple elegance. There's less to take down and put away. Glitter is good.
    I didn't decorate at all. No spirit and lack of time unfortunately. It was kinda side.
    I hope to do better next year.

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