tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31401361897132904732024-03-05T11:39:19.984+00:00La Vie en RoseANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT CORKLA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-49345604571699844182012-10-28T14:07:00.001+00:002012-10-28T14:07:13.439+00:00New Posts at My New BlogHi Everone!<br />
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I have MOVED!<br />
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Please UPDATE your links on your blogroll!!!!!!<br />
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See you over at lavieenrose.ie<br />
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Sharon<br />
xxxxLA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-66724475368723237362012-10-14T17:48:00.000+01:002012-10-14T17:48:05.545+01:00La Vie en Rose New Website is 'LIVE'!<br />
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My new website is 'live'! I am SOOOOOO excited!!!! <br />
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Charlotte (my website designer) and myself have been very busy getting everything finished over the last few weeks and now it's ready!! So hope you will all come over to my new Blog home and say hi! <br />
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<a href="http://lavieenrose.ie/" target="_blank">http://lavieenrose.ie/ </a><br />
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Talk soon,<br />
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Love,<br />
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Sharon<br />
xxxxLA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-3650043289016867282012-10-11T01:38:00.000+01:002012-10-11T01:38:15.195+01:00Moving . . .<br />
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I am moving! Not from my house but my blog is going to have a new home! My new website is almost finished and should be up and running in the next few days. So my blog will be moving to the new site. The last two weeks in particular have been very busy trying to get photos up and check details etc. Charlotte my website designer has been doing a fantastic job with the site and blog, (thank you Charlotte!!!) you can visit Charlotte's own webite <a href="http://www.kittowebdesign.com/" target="_blank">here.</a> So now moving day is nearly here, I think the site will be 'live' and moved to it's new home in the next few days!!!!! </div>
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It's SO exciting! It's going to be great to be able to showcase all the furniture that is available to order through the shop (I don't have enough shop space to show it all!)! My current blog is a Blogger blog. The new blog will be Wordpress. I'm hoping that I'll be able to move smoothly from one format to the other but there are differences so fingers crossed! Wish me luck! </div>
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Look forward to welcoming you all over at my new address!</div>
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Sharon</div>
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LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-33223505254130328122012-10-04T23:34:00.000+01:002012-10-04T23:34:38.461+01:00Kate Forman Fabrics<br />
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For years I've been admiring Kate Forman Fabrics in magazines. So when it came to deciding which fabrics to stock in my new shop I knew Kate Foman would be one of them. I adore these fabrics! Muted colours, subtle florals, faded with a French shabby feel - they fit perfectly with the vision I had for the shop. I could hardly wait til the fabric books arrived and I could start ordering. </div>
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The collection has florals, stripes, ticking and velvets . . . <br />
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Isn't this such a pretty dressing area?<br />
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I love the relaxed feel of this entry . . . <br />
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The velvets are luxurious and in the most perfect colours, the chair below is in a heavenly shade of duck egg blue . . .<br />
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Kate also has wallpaper and has recently added a furniture collection to her range. This bedroom is just SO romantic . . . sigh . . .<br />
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And I can imagine myself hiding away in here with a good book . . .<br />
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The wallpaper is beautiful, it would give a room an antique-ey feel instantly. Pretty yet elegant . . . <br />
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This is such an elegant space . . .<br />
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Romantic . . .<br />
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Heavenly . . . <br />
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All photographs from Kate Forman's site - you can visit <a href="http://www.kateforman.co.uk/shop/" target="_blank">here.</a> Practically the minute I received the Fabric books I had chosen some fabrics for some upholstered chairs I was buying for the shop. They just came arrived today!!! They are GORGEOUS! I'll be taking some photos and I'll post them to show you! Night night!</div>
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Sweet Dreams . . .<br />
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Sharon<br />
xxxxLA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-64667431415355087612012-09-30T21:50:00.003+01:002012-09-30T21:50:52.087+01:00Upwards and Onwards . . . <br />
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<a href="http://thecoloursofmymind.tumblr/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3140136189713290473" target="_blank">Source</a></span></div>
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The Finalist list for the 2012 Irish Blog Awards is out! Unfortunately, La Vie en Rose (I was shortlisted in the Lifestyle category) didn't make it through :( Yes, I am disappointed but living 'La Vie en Rose' means finding the positive in every situation. The silver lining in this little cloud? I am SO happy that I was nominated in the first place! Some lovely person took the time to nominate my blog in 3 categories (no mean achievement). Then I was shortlisted - I was sooooo excited when I heard the news. Now that my blog hasn't got through at this stage it just makes me want to try harder so maybe I'll make it through next year!! So, upwards and onwards!</div>
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So congratulations to all the finalists in the Lifestyle category:<br />
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<li><a href="http://mumofalltrades.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mum of All Trades</a></li>
<li><a href="http://styleserendipity.com/" target="_blank">Style Serendipity</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.positivitypimp.blogspot.ie/" target="_blank">Positivity Pimp</a></li>
<li><a href="http://mindthebaby.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Mind the Baby</a></li>
<li><a href="http://greensideup.ie/dees-vegetable-blog/" target="_blank">Greenside Up</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ayearinredwood.com/" target="_blank">A Year in Redwood</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.deborahwatkinspaintings.com/" target="_blank">Deborah Watkins Paintings</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.martinebrennan.com/my-small-granny-and-other-stories.html" target="_blank">Martine Brennan – My Small Granny and Other Stories</a></li>
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A special BIG congratulations to Dee (a good blog friend of mine) of the <a href="http://greensideup.ie/dees-vegetable-blog/" target="_blank">Greenside Up</a> blog. I am THRILLED that Dee's blog made it through (in 2 categories!). Dee works SO hard at her blog that this recognition is just so well deserved. It's almost as good as getting through myself - (almost!!) :) I don't know any of the other blogs but I am going to visit them all! There are lots of other categories and lots of other blogs I want to check out - I never realised how many other bloggers there were in Ireland! So hopefully lots of new friends to make aswell. </div>
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So now how do I make my blog better? There is always room for improvement and I have some ideas but I thought I would ask the people who know my blog best - my lovely readers!! Thank you, thank you , thank you! Without you, there would be no blog, no comments and no nominations!!! So would you please give me your ideas and suggestions. eg What type of posts do you like?? About what subjects?? I really would appreciate your feedback and constructive criticism on this. And this will just make La Vie en Rose a better blog all round. See - it's ALL GOOD!!!! :)</div>
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Lots of love,<br />
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Sharon<br />
xxxx <br />
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<br />LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-66090651121194929752012-09-26T21:46:00.002+01:002012-09-26T21:46:37.487+01:0050 Shades of Grey . . . <br />
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No, I'm not talking about the sexy book that everyone I meet is talking about, I'm talking about the vast array of different paint colours I have tried in my quest for the perfect shade of grey! I have been on the hunt for this perfect shade of grey for years! I think I've tried them all. French grey, blue grey, shale grey, pale grey, silver grey etc, etc, etc. I have finally found it!!!!! At last. It's an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint mix of Paris Grey with Louis Blue. It is THE ONE!!!!</div>
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So now that I've found it I've been itching to paint something in my home in this colour (I've already painted half of the furniture in my shop in this mix!). One piece in my dining room which is open to my kitchen was crying out for a make over. I've had this lovely French style Armoire for years, lovely but bland and in serious need of a spicy transformation! Up to recently it had a pink toile hanging behind the chicken wire but I have built up a small collection of various white pieces and I wanted to display them so thought this was an ideal piece to paint in my new favourite colour. Here she is - a little drab and decidedly unsexy!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PThjUfQVub8/UGMTEDP32rI/AAAAAAAACQE/HSM0bFPsD94/s1600/Armoire+Before.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PThjUfQVub8/UGMTEDP32rI/AAAAAAAACQE/HSM0bFPsD94/s640/Armoire+Before.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>
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The problem with displaying white on white is that everything kind of blurs together so that nothing stands out. Bland! Then I saw this beautiful dresser (below) on my good friend Loi's blog <a href="http://toneontoneantiques.blogspot.ie/search?updated-max=2012-09-09T19:24:00-07:00&max-results=7" target="_blank">Tone on Tone</a>. Not only is Loi's cabinet divine but the dark background inside the cabinet makes the white pieces stand out so well which got me thinking about my own piece. Loi is the master of display (well actually Loi is the master of many things, interior design, gardening, photography . . . but it was his mastery of display that inspired me here!) for more inspiring display ideas and general all round inspiration you can check out his blog <a href="http://toneontoneantiques.blogspot.ie/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PS5EB5wez7c/UGNK5r3AL0I/AAAAAAAACW4/2VjUTk-oIJg/s1600/Loi%27s+cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PS5EB5wez7c/UGNK5r3AL0I/AAAAAAAACW4/2VjUTk-oIJg/s640/Loi%27s+cabinet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Loi's Cabinet </div>
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You can see here my white cake stand is lost against the white background - time for some paint!<br />
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I opened a large can of Paris Grey (1litre) and mixed in a Sample pot of Louis Blue (100mls) and gave it a good mix.<br />
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I then gave the Armoire two coats of my perfect grey . . . (sorry for bad photo - took on iphone in dark - left camera in shop!)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3b4cHaaMi7o/UGMTfintSXI/AAAAAAAACQY/riARCw6vbvw/s1600/Armoire+During.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3b4cHaaMi7o/UGMTfintSXI/AAAAAAAACQY/riARCw6vbvw/s640/Armoire+During.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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When the grey paint was dry I then got a small brush and applied some Annie Sloan Old White chalk paint on the raised carving on the Armoire to make the detail stand out. The minute I started painting the raised moulding the details just came alive, I hadn't realised how pretty it was! I just dabbed a small paintbrush in a tray of paint and wiped most of it off the brush and then wiped the brush along the carved areas as I wanted the beautiful grey to show through. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vVzH0EqGCb0/UGMVhjBuPPI/AAAAAAAACR0/HI0p2ZDbI54/s1600/Detail+on+top+of+Armoire+painted+in+Annie+Sloan+Old+White+and+Paris+Grey.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vVzH0EqGCb0/UGMVhjBuPPI/AAAAAAAACR0/HI0p2ZDbI54/s640/Detail+on+top+of+Armoire+painted+in+Annie+Sloan+Old+White+and+Paris+Grey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When the Armoire was dry I then started waxing. I wanted an antiqued finish so I used Annie Sloan clear and dark wax. I first applied clear was all over the front of the piece. I used a large Annie Sloan waxing brush, brushing on the clear wax on the flat bits and using a 'stabbing' action on the mouldings to get the wax in to the nooks and crannies. Then I got some old lint free cloths, in this case old muslin squares (from baby!!) and I wiped the clear wax in to the paint taking the excess off as I wiped. Now I getting somewhere . . . </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpZGAl3h0Zs/UGMUcgQjJKI/AAAAAAAACQ4/86EM0ikCNgg/s1600/Armoire+painted.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpZGAl3h0Zs/UGMUcgQjJKI/AAAAAAAACQ4/86EM0ikCNgg/s400/Armoire+painted.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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When I had finished applying clear wax to the front section of the
armoire I started applying the dark wax. I used a mixture of 1 part
Annie Sloan Dark Wax and 1 part White Spirit. Mix these together well,
mashing the wax in to the white spirit with an old fork.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ienTWWuJZQI/UGMVeDtilkI/AAAAAAAACRs/K418KVHbelE/s1600/Dark+Wax+mixed+with+White+Spirit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ienTWWuJZQI/UGMVeDtilkI/AAAAAAAACRs/K418KVHbelE/s640/Dark+Wax+mixed+with+White+Spirit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then barely dipping the brush in the mixture I applied in small sections wiping away the excess immediately. You need to work quickly with the dark wax wiping as you go. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNmsfHRBafk/UGMVsymf5MI/AAAAAAAACR8/o2x3rMrbggM/s1600/Dip+Brush+in+Dark+Wax.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNmsfHRBafk/UGMVsymf5MI/AAAAAAAACR8/o2x3rMrbggM/s640/Dip+Brush+in+Dark+Wax.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Again, I used a "stabbing" action to apply the dark wax to get in to all the nooks and crannies. Then when you wipe the wax off you leave the dark wax in the crevices which give a lovely patina to the piece.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCUwfA9mqUM/UGMS7tcYX0I/AAAAAAAACP8/xADKz0aHqFc/s1600/Applying+Dark+Wax+with+Annie+Sloan+Brush.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCUwfA9mqUM/UGMS7tcYX0I/AAAAAAAACP8/xADKz0aHqFc/s640/Applying+Dark+Wax+with+Annie+Sloan+Brush.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I applied the wax in small sections working my way around the piece.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk92srytCCE/UGMU9qoZ5bI/AAAAAAAACRU/QJ_bQLqGPK4/s1600/Close+up+of+Dark+Wax+on+Armoire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk92srytCCE/UGMU9qoZ5bI/AAAAAAAACRU/QJ_bQLqGPK4/s640/Close+up+of+Dark+Wax+on+Armoire.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Here you can see a close up of the moulding, isn't it pretty?? completely lost when the whole piece was white.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HOi0OfqvgSM/UGMSl-wJF7I/AAAAAAAACP0/hw61dAZM23c/s1600/Apply+Dark+Wax+in+stabbing+action+on+to+detail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HOi0OfqvgSM/UGMSl-wJF7I/AAAAAAAACP0/hw61dAZM23c/s640/Apply+Dark+Wax+in+stabbing+action+on+to+detail.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Work in progress . . . <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZy-0DwDyucWz-mdq2KXK5UsivKOtGv_2m6Z8ZnV0XSdhvKB4MkMbYtOop7DeZOxJkrqN1pJeSIWIxpDeGGL8nnodsByCzLBdpbuueg_5oBYTmIrLbZGI9_aXIgDMUL9XVsjzkYvn-1kM/s1600/Antique+effect+on+French+Armoire+using+Annie+Sloan+Dark+Wax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZy-0DwDyucWz-mdq2KXK5UsivKOtGv_2m6Z8ZnV0XSdhvKB4MkMbYtOop7DeZOxJkrqN1pJeSIWIxpDeGGL8nnodsByCzLBdpbuueg_5oBYTmIrLbZGI9_aXIgDMUL9XVsjzkYvn-1kM/s640/Antique+effect+on+French+Armoire+using+Annie+Sloan+Dark+Wax.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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Rose detail . . . <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESpnq31aZ8w/UGMXdIqbANI/AAAAAAAACS8/XYr4GYr3yEA/s1600/Rose+Detail+on+Armoire+painted+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESpnq31aZ8w/UGMXdIqbANI/AAAAAAAACS8/XYr4GYr3yEA/s640/Rose+Detail+on+Armoire+painted+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Close up of the difference between a piece finished in dark wax (on left) and clear wax (on right)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWbO6bie69k/UGMVVUmgt5I/AAAAAAAACRk/6QrpI-CPFvQ/s1600/Close+up+of+detail+on+Armoire+difference+between+dark+wax+and+clear+wax.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWbO6bie69k/UGMVVUmgt5I/AAAAAAAACRk/6QrpI-CPFvQ/s640/Close+up+of+detail+on+Armoire+difference+between+dark+wax+and+clear+wax.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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the full piece antiqued on the left . . . so you can see the difference . . . In some areas I put a little too much dark wax on so just got a cloth put a little <b><i>clear </i></b>wax on it and wiped off some of the dark wax until I got the right colour. When finished I then applied a final coat of clear wax all over the whole piece and wiped off the excess with a lint free cloth. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkN_bK9O_OQVSed6AQtsi8nZ8Kyz5X8ykZglFRy4jPWRd6k2Stqv0VmA6MLwI5Bhx-lQwUlAd30IliuOP34J9Z-sj-EqsRAyXNcMzOg1L4BBWoS7fURA_quJT6LreV3lcExA7ZE4jDYs8/s1600/Armoire+Dark+wax+on+left+clear+wax+on+right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkN_bK9O_OQVSed6AQtsi8nZ8Kyz5X8ykZglFRy4jPWRd6k2Stqv0VmA6MLwI5Bhx-lQwUlAd30IliuOP34J9Z-sj-EqsRAyXNcMzOg1L4BBWoS7fURA_quJT6LreV3lcExA7ZE4jDYs8/s640/Armoire+Dark+wax+on+left+clear+wax+on+right.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>
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AFTER . . .<br />
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The finished Armoire . . . from drab to . . . something with a little more va va voom! <br />
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As you can see my white pieces look SO much better against the grey background. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDl09yr5A34/UGND8R5QVMI/AAAAAAAACVA/n4Ht2XvCA5U/s1600/Dresser+in+day.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDl09yr5A34/UGND8R5QVMI/AAAAAAAACVA/n4Ht2XvCA5U/s640/Dresser+in+day.jpg" width="458" /></a> </div>
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I love that I can also now see the pretty details on the carved mouldings. . . </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GqN9kmlNxvs/UGNDtkIse_I/AAAAAAAACU4/-Zvve36ZU3M/s1600/Armoire+open+at+top.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GqN9kmlNxvs/UGNDtkIse_I/AAAAAAAACU4/-Zvve36ZU3M/s640/Armoire+open+at+top.jpg" width="578" /></a></div>
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I had great fun arranging my French white dinnerware! I cut a few hydrangeas from the garden (Hydrangea Limelight), I love hydrangeas - do you?? </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GqN9kmlNxvs/UGNDtkIse_I/AAAAAAAACU4/-Zvve36ZU3M/s1600/Armoire+open+at+top.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GqN9kmlNxvs/UGNDtkIse_I/AAAAAAAACU4/-Zvve36ZU3M/s640/Armoire+open+at+top.jpg" width="578" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XmFLFC8DhSE/UGMWRPf8LyI/AAAAAAAACSQ/uwIUHcn74E4/s1600/French+White+Frilly+Dinnerware.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XmFLFC8DhSE/UGMWRPf8LyI/AAAAAAAACSQ/uwIUHcn74E4/s640/French+White+Frilly+Dinnerware.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7ucUzJdn48/UGMXrjJo-XI/AAAAAAAACTE/b6CgxtHnBJU/s1600/Top+shelf+of+Armoire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7ucUzJdn48/UGMXrjJo-XI/AAAAAAAACTE/b6CgxtHnBJU/s640/Top+shelf+of+Armoire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEGvep3DfgM/UGMX2VeNPiI/AAAAAAAACTM/h4DuXhHOAwg/s1600/jug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEGvep3DfgM/UGMX2VeNPiI/AAAAAAAACTM/h4DuXhHOAwg/s640/jug.jpg" width="370" /></a></div>
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I've also painted a few other pieces lately but haven't finished waxing them yet?? Yes, a few of them are in various shades of grey! And no, I haven't read the book - . . . yet . . . have you?? what did you think??<br />
<br />
Sharon<br />
xxxx<br />
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LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-60216934539963760592012-09-13T18:06:00.001+01:002012-09-13T18:07:00.125+01:00La Vie en Rose . . . Before and After . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LP_ZJgwuMmo/UFHo_c64QPI/AAAAAAAACMk/EjL0FjLj4dc/s1600/shortlisted_large1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LP_ZJgwuMmo/UFHo_c64QPI/AAAAAAAACMk/EjL0FjLj4dc/s320/shortlisted_large1.png" width="248" /></a></div>
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I am very, very happy to announce that La Vie en Rose has been shortlisted for the Blog Awards Ireland 2012 competition for the Best Lifestyle Blog!!!!!!</div>
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The finalist list will be out September 29th with the awards being held in October. I can't quite believe we were shortlisted! I am THRILLED! I've been thinking a lot lately about how far I've come in such a short space of time. I started this blog on January 1st 2012 in my pj's as it was on my New Year resolution list to start a blog. I was SO nervous writing my first post. I remember going over every word to make sure it sounded ok! When I got my first comment I thought I would pass out with excitement!!! And I almost wore out the refresh button checking to see if anyone new had 'visited'!!! Since then, I've met some of the nicest people ever who have become dear friends and who brighten my day with their blog adventures and are always there with words of support and encouragement. One dear friend, Paula from <a href="http://hillhousediaries.blogspot.ie/" target="_blank">The Hill House Diaries</a> commented on one of my posts that I should "open a shop - NOW" - which was the spark I needed to open my own shop. I did! I still can't believe that I actually opened it. Sometimes I look around and pinch myself as it's hard to believe I've come so far so quickly - all thanks to my blog!! We've been open 7-8 weeks now and it's flying! and now my blog has been shortlisted!!! I am SO happy. So thank you to all my blog readers, those who comment and Paula!! Without all of you there wouldn't be a blog! Thank you!!! So thought you might like to see some before and afters . . . </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">La Vie en Rose . . .</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFSQtBK57Aw/UFHEdi4rXUI/AAAAAAAACHo/6FuFJ0dQWq8/s1600/Shop+After+Door.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFSQtBK57Aw/UFHEdi4rXUI/AAAAAAAACHo/6FuFJ0dQWq8/s640/Shop+After+Door.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The minute I set foot in the unit I knew I was going to take it! Sometimes, you just know!!!</div>
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Even though it needed a LOT of cosmetic work, I knew with some paint and some love it would look cute.</div>
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Work begins . . . </div>
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The new floor made a HUGE difference - as did a lick of paint!</div>
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My husband made the shop counter for me as I wanted something rustic/reclaimed and then we finished it Annie Sloan Paint and Wax!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p9r-V1Xyeos/UFHBhHELYCI/AAAAAAAACFE/srbFJ4qysH4/s1600/Counter+in+shop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p9r-V1Xyeos/UFHBhHELYCI/AAAAAAAACFE/srbFJ4qysH4/s640/Counter+in+shop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The shop to the left - Before . . . </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PLzkL9ll1e8/UFHCB2VnSfI/AAAAAAAACFo/KpsCoaCMK9w/s1600/Front+door+and+window+to+left.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PLzkL9ll1e8/UFHCB2VnSfI/AAAAAAAACFo/KpsCoaCMK9w/s640/Front+door+and+window+to+left.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Aran framed in around the window as I needed a deeper ledge for display . . . </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YvYYfyQjpJc/UFHB5F7RyNI/AAAAAAAACFg/9R0awDHOBx8/s1600/Floor+going+down+and+trim+on+window.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YvYYfyQjpJc/UFHB5F7RyNI/AAAAAAAACFg/9R0awDHOBx8/s640/Floor+going+down+and+trim+on+window.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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much better . . .</div>
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This corner is now home to our display of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint . . .</div>
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I really love my counter. Knowing that Niall made it for me makes it even more special . . . </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0Gx9TTPcRM/UFHDu8b_P7I/AAAAAAAACHE/SlEh5jBB6N0/s1600/Niall+Counter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0Gx9TTPcRM/UFHDu8b_P7I/AAAAAAAACHE/SlEh5jBB6N0/s640/Niall+Counter.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0ZFfm0DD0w/UFHC7PFWTSI/AAAAAAAACGc/ZLS-ZwUWv5Y/s1600/IMG_0795.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0ZFfm0DD0w/UFHC7PFWTSI/AAAAAAAACGc/ZLS-ZwUWv5Y/s640/IMG_0795.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JY9rOyioC0k/UFHBELrh7hI/AAAAAAAACEs/ldhPquM5EGs/s1600/After+Niall%27s+Counter+finished+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JY9rOyioC0k/UFHBELrh7hI/AAAAAAAACEs/ldhPquM5EGs/s640/After+Niall%27s+Counter+finished+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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After - Shop to left . . . <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoCuOxLWASw/UFHGoUaGRyI/AAAAAAAACJk/KErrhPhzNHg/s1600/View+of+whole+shop+After.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoCuOxLWASw/UFHGoUaGRyI/AAAAAAAACJk/KErrhPhzNHg/s640/View+of+whole+shop+After.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-eL9-q1wUcf7-y79XFfR_XtnLABQf5BCO_U9X-IbGcIKSvJF-kPe-l-rSGlu4oLpBD3rmKOkV9nR6j6ti58mI9wRfv6RYhDWt4q5_HFrSLWjq83hAXENYdHlQY9Jn8jTMgiGBhWCjMk/s1600/View+down+Shop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XgxytNUwi2o/UFHETT9yEhI/AAAAAAAACHg/KXu2q3JBnhQ/s1600/Shop+After+Clock+Wall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XgxytNUwi2o/UFHETT9yEhI/AAAAAAAACHg/KXu2q3JBnhQ/s640/Shop+After+Clock+Wall.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFSQtBK57Aw/UFHEdi4rXUI/AAAAAAAACHo/6FuFJ0dQWq8/s1600/Shop+After+Door.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFSQtBK57Aw/UFHEdi4rXUI/AAAAAAAACHo/6FuFJ0dQWq8/s640/Shop+After+Door.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The floor was made of three different materials!! Three!!! Lino, tile and a small section of wooden floor. This was a pub for years the little cupboard on the wall used to house the dart board!!!!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ApdUlnmnO1o/UFHHRN17o8I/AAAAAAAACKI/2MUvkCIKNfg/s1600/Window+to+right.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ApdUlnmnO1o/UFHHRN17o8I/AAAAAAAACKI/2MUvkCIKNfg/s640/Window+to+right.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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To add a little more character and cover the uneven old walls without using wet trades, we used tongue and groove panelling. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zcR8dEF6SJg/UFHFuqmxJUI/AAAAAAAACI0/zF308SKDMvY/s1600/Tongue+and+Groove+Panelling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zcR8dEF6SJg/UFHFuqmxJUI/AAAAAAAACI0/zF308SKDMvY/s640/Tongue+and+Groove+Panelling.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ApdUlnmnO1o/UFHHRN17o8I/AAAAAAAACKI/2MUvkCIKNfg/s1600/Window+to+right.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zcR8dEF6SJg/UFHFuqmxJUI/AAAAAAAACI0/zF308SKDMvY/s1600/Tongue+and+Groove+Panelling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hYegJS_sqHs/UFHFnI5eGGI/AAAAAAAACIs/BvsA7tNogVc/s1600/Taking+Shape6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hYegJS_sqHs/UFHFnI5eGGI/AAAAAAAACIs/BvsA7tNogVc/s640/Taking+Shape6.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Before - the shop to the right . . . the white shelving unit that goes to the ceiling on the left used to house optics for spirits and glasses for the pub! <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Fy3wxTKIQI/UFHF3RIT8yI/AAAAAAAACI8/01FTMtzbjHs/s1600/Unit+corner+left.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Fy3wxTKIQI/UFHF3RIT8yI/AAAAAAAACI8/01FTMtzbjHs/s640/Unit+corner+left.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Instead of dumping it I painted it with some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and
moved to the other side of the shop beside the counter and it now
displays scented candles and soaps!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JfooGNQZxdI/UFHEB1XzvBI/AAAAAAAACHU/6K87RI-FYBc/s1600/Repurposed+Bar+Shelving+Unit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JfooGNQZxdI/UFHEB1XzvBI/AAAAAAAACHU/6K87RI-FYBc/s640/Repurposed+Bar+Shelving+Unit.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Before . . . <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxcAZFgCtGA/UFHH-eqLVTI/AAAAAAAACK4/BbHWxNK1_yY/s1600/Work+on+unit4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxcAZFgCtGA/UFHH-eqLVTI/AAAAAAAACK4/BbHWxNK1_yY/s640/Work+on+unit4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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During . . . <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn_8rib9lW8/UFHFDGdoteI/AAAAAAAACII/CfPETI_Ny0w/s1600/Taking+Shape2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn_8rib9lW8/UFHFDGdoteI/AAAAAAAACII/CfPETI_Ny0w/s640/Taking+Shape2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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After . . . <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWE4o6j2F6c/UFHDb7tfnfI/AAAAAAAACG0/l7m941WgcDo/s1600/Interior+La+Vie+en+Rose+Boutique.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWE4o6j2F6c/UFHDb7tfnfI/AAAAAAAACG0/l7m941WgcDo/s640/Interior+La+Vie+en+Rose+Boutique.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ou3EBiqyrw/UFHEnVSqplI/AAAAAAAACHw/twSY7KKTKjc/s1600/Shop+After+to+Left.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ou3EBiqyrw/UFHEnVSqplI/AAAAAAAACHw/twSY7KKTKjc/s640/Shop+After+to+Left.jpg" width="526" /></a></div>
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This vintage wardrobe displays some Cabbages & Roses fabrics . . . <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DX0xCq4Bovc/UFHByaGO-KI/AAAAAAAACFY/1cM3ztjubek/s1600/Fabric+hanging+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint+Wardrobe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DX0xCq4Bovc/UFHByaGO-KI/AAAAAAAACFY/1cM3ztjubek/s640/Fabric+hanging+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint+Wardrobe.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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After . . . <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWNQS8vT3GU/UFHDnFV0hvI/AAAAAAAACG8/74n3_3glO9A/s1600/Lovely.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWNQS8vT3GU/UFHDnFV0hvI/AAAAAAAACG8/74n3_3glO9A/s640/Lovely.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I really like the stable door, very cute . . . Before . . . <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qsk-LV15Rik/UFHEzblSe0I/AAAAAAAACH4/oXh6G4LSdxY/s1600/Shop+After.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KpuJ6ImB50/UFHCK0WvumI/AAAAAAAACFw/h62d4yDy_d8/s1600/Front+door+from+unit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KpuJ6ImB50/UFHCK0WvumI/AAAAAAAACFw/h62d4yDy_d8/s640/Front+door+from+unit.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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After . . . <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EwObU_ujB4I/UFHFfXte9qI/AAAAAAAACIg/wgGvJzHdp8o/s1600/Taking+Shape5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EwObU_ujB4I/UFHFfXte9qI/AAAAAAAACIg/wgGvJzHdp8o/s640/Taking+Shape5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The building itself is an old village house on the main street in Ballinspittle . . . The main jobs on the outside was to paint and to elongate the sign to cover the length of shopfront as the sign makes it look like the shop only comes to the door when in reality it covers the whole bottom floor . . . <br />
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After . . .<br />
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Still to do - build flower boxes under windows and get topiaries for either side of the door . . .<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRW1D3U6uvAJ8ScW7Z2YH4yCIkE2k7bP84k-UIaDldTyFQXnL60lmUaon6VHaN0kv9TP1EcqTgjjhRkotrEhRvH4v7NjjF5NdoN7I3kqJ4QSj4Q5XyLvQb4y9RPF65CRPCG_iOuGl2Bs/s1600/Window+display.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRW1D3U6uvAJ8ScW7Z2YH4yCIkE2k7bP84k-UIaDldTyFQXnL60lmUaon6VHaN0kv9TP1EcqTgjjhRkotrEhRvH4v7NjjF5NdoN7I3kqJ4QSj4Q5XyLvQb4y9RPF65CRPCG_iOuGl2Bs/s640/Window+display.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The hardest part of the whole job was picking the front paint colour! But my blog friends came to the rescue and helped me by picking a beautiful blue grey colour! I'd like you all to know that people who were just passing through the village have stopped and come in to the shop and complimented me on the shop's lovely colours!!! saying that the shop looked so nice they made their husband, partner, friend stop so they could come in and have a look!!!</div>
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Hope you enjoyed the little tour!!<br />
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Sharon<br />
xxxx <br />
<br />LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-83126963755008472562012-09-07T22:58:00.002+01:002012-09-07T22:59:45.127+01:00Japanese Garden <br />
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First of all, I'd like to thank you all for all your lovely comments on Niall's blog post! You are all so sweet! I didn't realize what a great writer he is - but I think he's a natural!! I loved his post, it was funny, practical and romantic - just like Niall! I'm trying to persuade him to do another one so watch this space!!<br />
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On holiday in Kerry recently while flicking through a guide book we came across this garden. It wasn't that far away from where we were staying so we went for a look. I really wanted to check out the Japanese section of the garden as I love this style of garden and I've never actually seen one in person before, just in magazines. This garden is called 'Dhu Verrran - it's in Milltown, Co. Kerry. We had a lovely stroll around and enjoyed looking at the various plant collections they had - the cactus collection in one of the greenhouses was brilliant. But my favourite section of the garden was definitely this Japanese inspired garden with koi pond, bridge and tea house. Isn't it cute??</div>
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The black and red Japanese style bridge. So beautiful. <br />
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Bright blue agapanthus and a butterfly/moth?? can't tell the difference sometimes!!<br />
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It was so relaxing in the little tea house looking out at the bridge. I would love something like this in my own garden. It was a very calm, soothing place to be. <br />
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View from inside the tea house looking out to the bridge. <br />
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Hope you all have a lovely relaxing weekend!<br />
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Sharon<br />
xxxxLA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-48467823724489044082012-09-01T22:04:00.001+01:002012-09-06T11:39:09.166+01:00Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - A Man's Perspective...<br />
Hi, I'm Niall - also known as 'Sharon's Husband'. I am truly shy of social media but asked Sharon if I could write this post. Why? In Sharon's shop [La Vie En Rose] I hear a lot of female perspective of Annie Sloan paint and little about what men are thinking. So here's what I think. Being a man, a skeptic, and all that.<br />
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I admit it. I love this paint. In the same way that I love my Dewalt power tools.<br />
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When Sharon first introduced me to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint I placed my opinions and rear end firmly on the nearest fence. Not wanting to inhibit my wife's enthusiasm I nodded and smiled at regular intervals whenever the subject came up...all the while thinking 'probably another fad'. All of this bearing in mind the trials and tribulations of many, many, 'home projects' in the past.<br />
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Finally I cracked, under mild pressure, and had a go myself.<br />
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What a revelation and here is why:<br />
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It has little to no smell. No need to drag furniture outside to paint...no waiting for the weather to be right to start a project (you could be a long time waiting in Ireland). Gone are the days of using cut onions, coffee grounds and opening every window in the house to rid ourselves of paint fumes. <br />
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It doesn't 'splatter' like other paint. While we still use dust sheets, the paint seems 'magically' attracted to the furniture, being painted, and to nothing else. No more scraping paint flecks of our wooden floors...<br />
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It's really easy to clean up afterwards. Regular H2O does the job just fine. No need for white spirits or other nasty chemicals to save our brushes for the next project. <br />
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It's unbelievably easy to work with. The only way I can describe it is that it gives me the same sense of satisfaction I got, as a child, when wiping a black board clean with a wet cloth. Every brush stroke or glide of a roller gives the desired result. Small build ups of paint are easily brushed/rolled out.<br />
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No need to sand or prime. This, I really did not believe until I saw the results with my own eyes. While notably good for upper body strength - I despise sanding and/or priming. The least fun part, of up-cycling, is gone forever. <br />
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It dries quickly. All paint needs drying time but this paint is pretty quick. I have a real knack for brushing my clothes off newly painted furniture. No more 'warning - wet paint' signs around our home and no more freshly painted foot prints. <br />
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Aside from all the above, which greatly contributes to our matrimonial harmony, Annie Sloan chalk paint makes my wife very happy.<br />
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Therefore, I am also very happy ;-)<br />
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Niall <br />
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Note: this article was, genuinely, not written under duress of any kind. LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-70032245058404306912012-08-29T00:00:00.001+01:002012-08-30T23:30:31.673+01:00Smell the Roses . . . <br />
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Sign in The Garden of the Senses, Sneem, Kerry.</div>
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While on holiday in Kerry recently we visited some gardens that were open to the public. The Garden of the Senses is a lovely garden to stroll around on a sunny day, although I would like to go back there in June when the roses are all out.</div>
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The Garden of the Senses has some lovely sculptures and signs . . . <br />
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and some beautiful roses . . . <br />
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I loved this carved seat perfectly placed among the ferns and ivy . . . very Lord of the Rings . . . <br />
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These roses were so delicious, I just wanted to eat them!<br />
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I fell for this rose too - a beautiful two tone rose with lovely a lovely creamy colour on the underside of the petals . . .<br />
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In a world where everyone is so busy and life can get somewhat frazzled it is so nice to wander through a garden - slowly, carefree and drink in the scents, sounds and colours of life. It was a lovely quiet stroll in the sunshine of marveling at the sculptures, admiring the willow tunnel and gently moving from rose to rose to capture each sweet scent. Our little stroll took not much more than half an hour but we left smiling, holding hands and relaxed. Now that I'm back to work and there aren't enough hours in the day to finish my ever expanding to do list, I'm trying to hold on to that carefree feeling and to remind myself that even if I'm really busy that it's good to stop and smell the roses - literally!!!!</div>
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<br />LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-56029462855056532892012-08-26T01:10:00.000+01:002012-08-26T01:10:07.693+01:00God's Country<br />
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Ring of Kerry</div>
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We're just back from our Romantic break in Kerry - sigh! We (myself and my husband) had a fantastic holiday. I had never been to the ring of Kerry before and now I understand why they call this place 'God's Country'. The views of the Ocean and mountains are spectacular. Breathtaking . . .<br />
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Valentia Island</div>
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Cliffs - Valentia Island</div>
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Beach at Castlecove - Ring of Kerry</div>
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Me windswept on top of a Ring fort on Valentia Island</div>
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Dry stone structure of ring fort on Valentia Island</div>
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We visited two ring forts on our holiday - one on Valentia Island and the second one near Castlecove called Staigue Fort. The amazing thing about these forts is that the walls are dry stone walls, just stone placed on stone with no mortar. Staigue fort one of the largest ring forts in Ireland was built about 2500 years ago!!!! no mortar!!!!! the mind boggles . . . </div>
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Staigue Ring Fort near Castlecove - Ring of Kerry</div>
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Entrance to Staigue Fort</div>
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View from Staigue Fort</div>
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While touring the Ring of Kerry we stayed at <a href="http://lavieenroseblog.blogspot.ie/2012/08/la-vie-en-rose-in-picin-cottage-kerry.html" target="_blank">Picin Cottage </a>which was gorgeous, the perfect Romantic country cottage . . .</div>
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Then for the last two nights we headed to Kenmare and the Sheen Falls Hotel. The hotel is beautifully situated right beside the falls and on a lake.</div>
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<img alt="http://www.kenmaretourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/sheenfalls.jpg" height="347" src="http://www.kenmaretourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/sheenfalls.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.sheenfallslodge.ie/" target="_blank">Photo of hotel from the Sheen Falls Lodge Website</a></div>
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The bridge over the Falls.</div>
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The setting really is glorious. The Sheen Falls Estate is HUGE so miles of woodland and lake side walks. We both loved this hotel, from the moment we arrived the staff made us feel welcome and were very attentive. Our room was gorgeous - large and comfortable and the views were superb- and we had our own balcony! While we were there we had afternoon tea by the open fire (it was the one rainy day we had the whole holiday!). They have a spa at the hotel so we treated ourselves to massages. The last night we had dinner in the main restaurant - La Cascade. We enjoyed a really gorgeous meal in sumptuous surroundings with a grand piano playing in the background. After all this luxury we were totally relaxed. Bliss.<br />
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The view of the Falls from our room . . . </div>
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The view back up to the bridge . . .</div>
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Hydrangeas in the hotel garden . . .</div>
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The view from the front of the hotel . . .</div>
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I really fell in love with this beautiful part of the world with its rugged, unspoilt landscape. It has a quiet, majestic beauty. <br />
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Timeless, eternal, magical . . . <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IqcHDfNqpOY/UDlYWy1J8gI/AAAAAAAABzA/0wquVLn4iTM/s1600/Kerry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IqcHDfNqpOY/UDlYWy1J8gI/AAAAAAAABzA/0wquVLn4iTM/s640/Kerry.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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God's Country</div>
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<br />LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-75014155229956898472012-08-23T11:05:00.000+01:002012-08-23T11:05:04.267+01:00La Vie en Rose in Picin Cottage, Kerry . . . <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNs_GpQ9ULI/UDXnOnguz8I/AAAAAAAABxA/uS5ZiAHz2YM/s1600/Picin+Cottage+with+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNs_GpQ9ULI/UDXnOnguz8I/AAAAAAAABxA/uS5ZiAHz2YM/s640/Picin+Cottage+with+flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Myself and my husband Niall are on holiday!! We needed a few days away and decided to go away for a week to Kerry. Whenever we go on holiday we always want to stay somewhere special. Somewhere romantic, with character, away from the madding crowd and if possible a little bit quirky. I always check two online guides - the first is <a href="http://www.sawdays.co.uk/accommodation/?countryColl=Ireland" target="_blank">Alastair Sawday's website</a> and then I check TripAdvisor. I found this cottage on Alastair Sawday's website. The cottage looked so pretty in the photos and it's located on the Ring of Kerry, a peninsula on the West coast of Ireland with spectacular views of mountains and the sea.</div>
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As I write I am sitting at the table in the adorable cottage above drinking coffee and planning the day ahead. I just had to take some photos of this place to show you as it is everything a couple could want for a Romantic break away.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRL2nx99ZTo/UDXnukStzaI/AAAAAAAABxI/dnujkmVL8uM/s1600/Picin+cottage+living+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRL2nx99ZTo/UDXnukStzaI/AAAAAAAABxI/dnujkmVL8uM/s400/Picin+cottage+living+room.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.picincottage.com/Home.html" target="_blank">Living Room </a></div>
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As you walk in the door there is a large living/dining room with a beautiful stone wall and beams. </div>
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It's a traditional Irish stone cottage on the coast of County Kerry
(God's Country - another name they call this beautiful part of the
world). Called Picin Cottage, the owners describe it as a 'luxury
boutique B&B' and I agree with them it is luxurious and has that
boutique-y feel. The owners Amelia and Nick are two of the nicest
people you possibly meet and our the perfect hosts. They live next door
and provide breakfast each morning which is delicious. They make their
own sausages, cook their own bread and serve one of the best breakfasts
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABKKpWAzwt4/UDVDl1YiXcI/AAAAAAAABuQ/PGyCilDzR7Y/s1600/Bedroom+Picin+Cottage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABKKpWAzwt4/UDVDl1YiXcI/AAAAAAAABuQ/PGyCilDzR7Y/s640/Bedroom+Picin+Cottage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bedroom</div>
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Upstairs is a large bedroom with a double bed dressed in Egyptian cotton and soft pillows. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eg_9jK4jJ7U/UDVDxh5HViI/AAAAAAAABug/LAMttOgYjPM/s1600/End+of+Bedroom+Piciin+Cottage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eg_9jK4jJ7U/UDVDxh5HViI/AAAAAAAABug/LAMttOgYjPM/s640/End+of+Bedroom+Piciin+Cottage.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Downstairs again and you come to a little hallway and w.c. which is soooo pretty . . . <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--P6aLTy7I3I/UDVEfRlTXDI/AAAAAAAABvM/7na-2npRnCE/s1600/Picin+Loo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--P6aLTy7I3I/UDVEfRlTXDI/AAAAAAAABvM/7na-2npRnCE/s640/Picin+Loo.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Antique Bookstand in w.c.</div>
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And then you come to the piece de la resistance . . . <br />
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the HUGE bathroom with freestanding claw foot bath and woodburning stove . . . <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJSX6FidwrY/UDVDNZSV4eI/AAAAAAAABuA/w0vUuiw2gKM/s1600/Bathroom+with+sink+Picin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJSX6FidwrY/UDVDNZSV4eI/AAAAAAAABuA/w0vUuiw2gKM/s640/Bathroom+with+sink+Picin.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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this is the most Romantic bathroom I have ever seen . . . the wood burning stove makes the room sooo cosy and there is turf and logs stacked in the corner to keep the fire going . . . <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7Lpc8o5jDQ/UDVEM6qlmjI/AAAAAAAABu8/_e7NYLEOEA8/s1600/Picin+Cottage+Bathroom+stove.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7Lpc8o5jDQ/UDVEM6qlmjI/AAAAAAAABu8/_e7NYLEOEA8/s640/Picin+Cottage+Bathroom+stove.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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the first night we arrived Niall lit the stove, ran the bath, poured the wine and lit all the candles. It was a lovely Romantic start to our holiday . . . <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmcbqdM9-g8/UDVEXSX9ehI/AAAAAAAABvE/jr79ioCUG3M/s1600/Picin+Cottage+Bathroom+turf+and+sofa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmcbqdM9-g8/UDVEXSX9ehI/AAAAAAAABvE/jr79ioCUG3M/s640/Picin+Cottage+Bathroom+turf+and+sofa.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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The claw foot bath is enormous and comfortably fits two!!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wB6_Z81xCk8/UDVDcHFBnKI/AAAAAAAABuI/KNUlRD8cRSo/s1600/Bathroom+with+stable+door+and+claw+foot+bath+and+stone+walls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wB6_Z81xCk8/UDVDcHFBnKI/AAAAAAAABuI/KNUlRD8cRSo/s640/Bathroom+with+stable+door+and+claw+foot+bath+and+stone+walls.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Amelia and Nick have looked after us so well during our stay at Picin cottage I will be sad to leave but already we're planning our next visit to this beautiful part of the world.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzsYqq3Gp40/UDVEtPMAV5I/AAAAAAAABvU/zQs9_v7gF8I/s1600/Roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzsYqq3Gp40/UDVEtPMAV5I/AAAAAAAABvU/zQs9_v7gF8I/s640/Roses.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Amelia welcomes her guests with Roses from her cottage garden . . . yes, I am in Heaven . . . We leave here today for Kenmare so more updates to follow. Hope you enjoyed the little tour of Picin cottage if you would like more info you can visit the Picin Cottage website <a href="http://www.picincottage.com/Home.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<br />LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-3405793625252554692012-08-10T23:17:00.003+01:002012-08-10T23:17:29.213+01:00Blog Awards Ireland 2012 Long List Released<br />
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The Nominations for the 2012 Blog Awards in Ireland have just been released!!!</div>
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I am VERY happy to report that La Vie en Rose has been nominated in 3 categories!!!!!</div>
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Best Newcomer Blog</div>
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Best Personal Blog</div>
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Best Lifestyle Blog</div>
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I would LOVE to know who nominated me! Who ever you are thank you, thank you, thank you! I am THRILLED to be nominated. You could actually nominate yourself for these awards but I didn't (don't see the point)! So I am over the moon that someone liked the blog enough to take the time to nominate me. I am SO happy - you've made my day!!!! Can you imagine what I'd be like if I actually won something!!!!!!!! - The short list is out sometime in September so fingers crossed!!!!</div>
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Sharon</div>
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xxxx</div>LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-11089230912691910722012-08-09T00:02:00.001+01:002012-08-09T00:05:20.282+01:00Annie Sloan Paint, Fabrics, Wax, Brushes and Books at La Vie en Rose<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d5S8Kw9qK_8/UCLk4iONnaI/AAAAAAAABno/V4bVOtxRnu0/s1600/Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint+Wax+and+Brushes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d5S8Kw9qK_8/UCLk4iONnaI/AAAAAAAABno/V4bVOtxRnu0/s640/Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint+Wax+and+Brushes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Clear Wax, Dark Wax and Brushes </div>
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As you all know I am now stocking Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in La Vie en Rose. I'm also painting vintage and new furniture with this range of paint and selling them in shop. So, I thought I'd show you all the other Annie Sloan products that I'm now carrying aswell. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cz7PJeb2Ae6rnUfAgEfNZ6jr3vrM33Krrlpd8Ql64ypntTPIiNenQ9rAgOcS6GTbfcDZ0S2FLJs73nIytKmBCWr1CyuhKK-ynlygA5aNbhCmS3KuuuJ1CqXjMbTYBp9f0xU4GIQvfmA/s1600/Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint+Wax+Brushes+and+Books+at+La+Vie+en+Rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cz7PJeb2Ae6rnUfAgEfNZ6jr3vrM33Krrlpd8Ql64ypntTPIiNenQ9rAgOcS6GTbfcDZ0S2FLJs73nIytKmBCWr1CyuhKK-ynlygA5aNbhCmS3KuuuJ1CqXjMbTYBp9f0xU4GIQvfmA/s640/Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint+Wax+Brushes+and+Books+at+La+Vie+en+Rose.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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Dresser full of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! I painted this dresser in Annie Sloan Duck Egg Blue and finished it in a layer of Annie Sloan Clear Wax</div>
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The paint comes in a beautiful range of colours, muted, faded and chalky! This is standard range of colours available.</div>
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Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Colour Chart</div>
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Annie has written over 20 books which have sold over 2 MILLION copies!!! We have 'Creating the French Look' and 'Easy Paint Transformations' in stock. They both show detailed painting projects and painting techniques.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B68t3YNF_TI/UCLlhaaxhJI/AAAAAAAABn8/iElI88KxIy0/s1600/Creating+the+French+Look+book+by+Annie+Sloan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B68t3YNF_TI/UCLlhaaxhJI/AAAAAAAABn8/iElI88KxIy0/s640/Creating+the+French+Look+book+by+Annie+Sloan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I went over for the stockist training course I fell in love with Annie Sloan's fabrics so now I'm stocking them as well!!! They go SO well with the paint - I particularly love the Faded Roses!!!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mNdwNSSRwyg/UCLlyHP547I/AAAAAAAABoE/teq8AJJUIbs/s1600/Annie+Sloan+Fabric+and+French+Mirror+at+La+Vie+en+Rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mNdwNSSRwyg/UCLlyHP547I/AAAAAAAABoE/teq8AJJUIbs/s640/Annie+Sloan+Fabric+and+French+Mirror+at+La+Vie+en+Rose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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More Annie Sloan Fabrics!</div>
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This is my counter in the shop. My husband Niall made it for me - I ADORE it!! The counter top was made from reclaimed scaffolding planks! Niall scraped the cement off, power hosed them, then scrubbed and sanded them down! We then applied a very watery wash of Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint and water and painted the top to get a limewashed finish and then finished with a layer of clear wax. The sides of the counter were made from inexpensive tongue & groove pine boards and painted in a mix of Louis Blue and Paris Grey. So I got my lovely rustic, chunky counter hand made for a few pound!! Thanks Niall!!!! xxxx</div>
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So now I've asked Niall to make me a kitchen island exactly like this - I just love this look (and th price!!!). I've already picked out the stools for island - these metal beauties!!!! So that's the next home project - can't wait!!!!<br />
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When planning the new shop I knew I wanted to stock some small accessories and gifts. So customers can always pick up little items - you know sometimes how you just want to buy something!!! So I've got a LOT of candles, soaps and scented linen bags and hearts - things like that. I thought that these little ceramic hearts were cute and actually bought a few as I thought they'd make great Christmas Tree decorations!! Anyway, a mother and daughter (aged about 5 or 6) were in the shop today. They started browsing and then the little girl walked up to the mother carefully holding the Angel heart and said "Mum can we get this for Granny, cos you know how much she loves God!". Wasn't that SO sweet!!!!!! The innocence!!!!</div>
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Sharon<br />
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<br />LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-36735999558178018672012-08-05T22:25:00.002+01:002012-08-05T22:37:25.590+01:00Furniture painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">First of all I'd like to say a big thank you to all my dear blog friends who take the time to comment and read all my posts. Your support over the last few months since I started this blog means so much to me - thank you to all of you! Since some of you live far away here are some photos of the interior of the shop. I still have a lot to do to get it finished but we're getting there and slowly getting more organised every day!
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMs9E4BVjZF_5Q4Q_kjIhyphenhyphen4AvQAxitzwLFAGLHw3M40gHQuz9XZ5gUDI3JNp1VNSsdZ7cVM5BcAc2oIaesDjouC9BiOf8RJvLjCOt7QQmyFluneyGF3IJhNZxUzA0xZciY33ls3g6irwU/s1600/Arch+top+Bookcase+painted+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMs9E4BVjZF_5Q4Q_kjIhyphenhyphen4AvQAxitzwLFAGLHw3M40gHQuz9XZ5gUDI3JNp1VNSsdZ7cVM5BcAc2oIaesDjouC9BiOf8RJvLjCOt7QQmyFluneyGF3IJhNZxUzA0xZciY33ls3g6irwU/s640/Arch+top+Bookcase+painted+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" width="434" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Arch Top Bookcase painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Main colour Paris Grey and highlight colour Old White - all pieces painted by moi!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">La Vie en Rose has been open now for 2 weeks!!! I'm happy to report that we've had a great response from all our new customers. So many people living in the village have called in to wish us well and buy something for good luck, which is very much appreciated. The lovely Shannen (who owns Diva, the cafe next door) has been calling in to see how we're getting on and Diva's has been supplying me with endless coffee and toasted BLT's!!! - again hugely appreciated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Id28jg8ChCo/UB7M3tWKmjI/AAAAAAAABiE/dCVY2cN0USA/s1600/French+Mirror+in+La+Vie+en+Rose+Boutique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Id28jg8ChCo/UB7M3tWKmjI/AAAAAAAABiE/dCVY2cN0USA/s640/French+Mirror+in+La+Vie+en+Rose+Boutique.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> French Mirror, Grey Urn and Annie Sloan Fabric swatches in background at La Vie en Rose</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The new customers seem to love the shop which is a relief!! There are a lot of 'ooohs' and 'aaaahs' and 'wows' when people walk through the door which is always a good sign! There is huge interest in the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and everyone loves the colours and the chalky finish on all the painted furniture in the shop, which is fantastic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I painted all the furniture in the shop myself with the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and finished them in Annie Sloan wax. The paint is a dream to work with, it just goes on so easily. I also found the wax very easy to work with as it's a very soft wax the consistency of soft butter. You just brush it on and wipe it off with a lint free cloth! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczrUNX68OzlyHm-lktyo0ZZNrvd60mp_94IFbLGZhvpq0r0eoH-AE8ZykpimNvn7Ufrx1MXaggSq5unl6rMsC91wbhjIu4x42MouN0ZhMvPIt28XKTdOoh1pnNJeAE4-U-YGdTZtysy0/s1600/Bookcase+painted+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczrUNX68OzlyHm-lktyo0ZZNrvd60mp_94IFbLGZhvpq0r0eoH-AE8ZykpimNvn7Ufrx1MXaggSq5unl6rMsC91wbhjIu4x42MouN0ZhMvPIt28XKTdOoh1pnNJeAE4-U-YGdTZtysy0/s640/Bookcase+painted+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" width="370" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bookcase painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - a mix of Louis Blue and Paris Grey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_T9Ctvfet2Fu38DCQKYxIfhORFDg9zewyE2NR4ZvFLEWyghz2L5Ltd0GyOmR6TXsg24CCNnufxd6r_b2Zj2gktxR8eOAH-_jF2hrp8Efl-5WQCMNNi6e1Jdk1pjlR_7tj7kbZoOW94Q/s1600/Vintage+Wardrobe+painted+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_T9Ctvfet2Fu38DCQKYxIfhORFDg9zewyE2NR4ZvFLEWyghz2L5Ltd0GyOmR6TXsg24CCNnufxd6r_b2Zj2gktxR8eOAH-_jF2hrp8Efl-5WQCMNNi6e1Jdk1pjlR_7tj7kbZoOW94Q/s640/Vintage+Wardrobe+painted+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" width="462" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Vintage Wardrobe painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (again in my favourite colour at the moment - a mix of Paris Grey and Louis Blue)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was going to finish this sideboard below in a clear wax but now I think I'll antique it with a little dark wax - what do you think?? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGfqC5xYMwRwpE0-R-9Ysl7seE3h5JpE6Q2cyUdM0HGwFwVENvMmDy36u0hiKnoZ5j7rSQyFtBs4uZYeNKuPvLLBm8LjRrucXbF0cfTjxug2T2lrGn1Dfe_xQI_I1mZ7xVW9c-OFx9AM/s1600/Vintage+Sideboard+painted+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGfqC5xYMwRwpE0-R-9Ysl7seE3h5JpE6Q2cyUdM0HGwFwVENvMmDy36u0hiKnoZ5j7rSQyFtBs4uZYeNKuPvLLBm8LjRrucXbF0cfTjxug2T2lrGn1Dfe_xQI_I1mZ7xVW9c-OFx9AM/s640/Vintage+Sideboard+painted+in+Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" width="388" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Vintage Sideboard Painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (Main colour a mix of Louis Blue and Paris Grey, highlight colour Old White ).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You know already how much I love mirrors I have one of these in my dining room - now in stock in the shop!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WxLE1SfhtHM/UB7aF6zEq0I/AAAAAAAABlA/XnNrGSAgn34/s1600/French+mirror+and+iron+console.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WxLE1SfhtHM/UB7aF6zEq0I/AAAAAAAABlA/XnNrGSAgn34/s640/French+mirror+and+iron+console.jpg" width="366" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We also have clocks all shapes and sizes. The large red metal one is huge! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nuT8lSDi0u0/UB7Z09hX4CI/AAAAAAAABkw/aYBb1JAPy_A/s1600/Clocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nuT8lSDi0u0/UB7Z09hX4CI/AAAAAAAABkw/aYBb1JAPy_A/s640/Clocks.jpg" width="406" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Clocks at La Vie en Rose</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HHJBadyry-k/UB7Z-Ia5bOI/AAAAAAAABk4/pIWrI0q6dFk/s1600/Flowers+in+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HHJBadyry-k/UB7Z-Ia5bOI/AAAAAAAABk4/pIWrI0q6dFk/s640/Flowers+in+shop.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> La Vie en Rose</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Hope you enjoyed the little tour of the shop! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sharon</span></div>
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<br />LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-78869815397879144072012-08-03T21:43:00.002+01:002012-08-03T21:46:15.313+01:00Annie Sloan Chalk Paint comes to La Vie en Rose in Cork<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b2i7UQ4CNXU/UBwjRri4rjI/AAAAAAAABeY/3qc7-l_FWcM/s1600/Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b2i7UQ4CNXU/UBwjRri4rjI/AAAAAAAABeY/3qc7-l_FWcM/s320/Annie+Sloan+Chalk+Paint.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am very proud to announce that I am stocking Annie Sloan Chalk Paint at La Vie en Rose - my Home and Garden Boutique! I first came across this paint about a year ago on Amercian blogs where people were raving about this amazing paint that was easy to use and gave a beautiful chalky finish. For those of you not familiar with this paint it is a water based paint, containing water, chalk and colour pigments so non toxic and eco friendly!! It's easy to apply and you do not have to prime or sand before application. It gives a wonderfully chalky finish and if you are painting furniture you can apply Annie Sloan wax over the paint to protect the finish. </div>
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I couldn't wait to get my hands on a tin and experiment. Then I decided to open the shop and applied to be a stockist. The shop came together quite quickly as it happened and I just became an official stockist two weeks before it opened. The next available stockist training course happened to be last week (just one week after opening!!!) so I packed my bags and headed over to Oxford to meet ANNIE SLOAN!!!!!</div>
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As you can imagine I was very excited to meet the great Annie Sloan. I already loved her paint and I couldn't wait to find out more. I flew into Heathrow the night before and just went to my hotel slept and got up early the next morning and made my way to the Annie Sloan shop on Cowley Road, Oxford where we were meeting up. The shop is in a very Bohemian part of Oxford as I passed antique and vintage shops on my way there in the cab. I arrived at the shop and met the other stockists who were also there for the course. They were all lovely and soon we were talking shop, there were a few stockists from Ireland which was lovely. Then Annie arrived and we all walked up the road to the studio where the training workshop took place. </div>
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Annie Sloan is an amazing woman. Annie's Chalk paint is now famous and sold all over the world and she has written over 20 books on traditional paints, colours and techniques and sold over 2 million copies!! It was an honour to meet her as not only is she a creative, inspiring woman she is also a lovely person, down to earth and very funny. We learned a lot and laughed a lot during the workshop.</div>
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Annie ran the workshop herself ably assisted by Jane and Charlotte both part of the Annie Sloan team in Oxford.<br />
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me and Annie Sloan</div>
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During the workshop we learned all about the paint and various techniques - I was in my element! </div>
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Annie Sloan giving the workshop</div>
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Jane</div>
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The workshop was fantastic and I'm already looking forward to the next one! Thank you Annie, Jane and Charlotte!! Afterwards, I walked back down to the shop to check out how the paint was displayed and get some tips! </div>
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Annie Sloan Shop in Oxford</div>
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There were some amazing pieces in the shop . . . </div>
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a lovely corner unit . . .</div>
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chest of drawers painted in red, white and blue . . . </div>
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A very inspiring day! Tired but happy I headed back home to Cork full of ideas!! So now we have Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Waxes, Brushes and Books for sale at La Vie en Rose. I've also been busy painting furniture with the paint which is also for sale - in store now!!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDpm5oKVwe0/UBww4GuQoLI/AAAAAAAABgw/XYqYtwEKFus/s1600/me+in+Annie+Sloan%27s+shop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDpm5oKVwe0/UBww4GuQoLI/AAAAAAAABgw/XYqYtwEKFus/s400/me+in+Annie+Sloan%27s+shop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-57336368094376713382012-07-31T01:02:00.000+01:002012-07-31T01:02:51.549+01:00La Vie en Rose Boutique<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KE4aoqACxuA/UBcTb8OeNJI/AAAAAAAABdM/hagXirwpRfE/s1600/Niall+Sharon+and+Aran+at+the+opening+of+La+Vie+en+Rose+shop+in+Ballinspittle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KE4aoqACxuA/UBcTb8OeNJI/AAAAAAAABdM/hagXirwpRfE/s640/Niall+Sharon+and+Aran+at+the+opening+of+La+Vie+en+Rose+shop+in+Ballinspittle.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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La Vie en Rose, our new shop is now OPEN!!!! Yaaaaay!!!<br />
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Here we are on the morning of the opening, tired but happy! The night before we opened we were still unpacking and labeling stock until the 3.00am. Our good friends Jan and Jamie (a big thank you to both) were there too and we couldn't have done it without them. The next morning despite having a shop herself (a beautiful ladies clothing boutique in Kinsale called Jane) Jan arrived to help us finish getting the last few bits in order and did the wonderful window display - what a friend!! Jan's husband Paul also came around putting up some pictures, clocks and then took some photos - thank you Paul! Here we all are just before we opened the doors . . . </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1Wej_oz_1w/UBcMUCiFuII/AAAAAAAABbk/bjt3WooRZvo/s1600/the+gang+before+we+open+the+doors+of+La+Vie+en+Rose+boutique+on+the+first+day.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1Wej_oz_1w/UBcMUCiFuII/AAAAAAAABbk/bjt3WooRZvo/s640/the+gang+before+we+open+the+doors+of+La+Vie+en+Rose+boutique+on+the+first+day.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
From left to right: Jan, our eldest son Aran, Dylan (Jan & Paul's son) Paul, Me and my husband Niall.<br />
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This is Diva's cafe owned by the lovely Shannen right beside our shop (the white one)!<br />
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It was a stunning day, sunny with bright blue skies. There were people waiting outside to come in - our first customers!! <br />
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Jan's lovely window display . . .</div>
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<br />We still had some things to finish in the shop but decided to go ahead and open anyway rather than delay the opening. Since opening a week ago we now have finished (putting up some lighting fixtures and hanging more mirrors etc - so more pictures to come).</div>
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<br />I asked Shannen from Diva to do some nibbles and a punch and she prepared some delicious platters and made a gorgeous Sangria!! Here I am pouring some sangria for a customer . . .<br />
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In the background in this picture you can see a metal wall plaque with the words 'Keep Calm and Carry on' - that's what we did all day, as although it was SO exciting, we were a little nervous aswell!</div>
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A silhouette lamp next to the home accessories - as you can see there is a definite rose theme throughout the shop!!<br />
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The shop has had a great first week and we've got a lot of positive feedback from locals and customers which is great! We actually managed to have a glass of sangria ourselves and here we are at the front door toasting our new venture.</div>
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We've done a lot more to the shop since it opened and promise to post more pics soon!!</div>
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Again, a big thank you to Jan, Paul and Jamie for all their hard work and also a very big thank you to YOU - all my readerrs, followers and my lovely new customers for all your support and comments, it's greatly appreciated.</div>
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xxxx<br />LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-31086878293545281012012-07-26T23:53:00.000+01:002012-08-04T20:42:00.422+01:00Meet our eldest Son - Aran<br />
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Today is a VERY special day!! It is our eldest son's 20th birthday!!!!!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARAN!!!! </span></div>
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It seems only yesterday that I held my new born baby son in my arms and he winked (yes winked!! as his new baby eyes couldn't keep both open at the same time - it was sooooo cute!!) up at me with those adorable big blue eyes!! Oh yes, from the word go he was a charmer!!<br />
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The night of Aran's graduation </div>
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They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!! Aran has just finished first year in College - guess what he's studying??? Furniture Design & Manufacture!!!! The College had an exhibition of the all the student's work at the end of the year, we had a great night and I was SO excited to see Aran's pieces having seen the work in progress throughout the year. I LOVE them!!!!!</div>
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Aran's Floor Lamp (it's about 6 foot high) - isn't it cool!!!</div>
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Aran's side table - sycamore with walnut inlay and bentwood legs . . . I LOVE how this piece turned out as I saw how much work went in to each step of the process . . .<br />
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Aran working getting the new shop ready . . .</div>
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Twenty years has flown by and that little baby has matured in to a
wonderful young man. We are SOOOOOO proud of him, he is a loving,
caring, mature, loyal, dependable and hard working. I won't embarrass
him by gushing any more but our family has had a tough few years and
Aran has been a rock through it all and has gained respect and
admiration from everyone who knows him. So, hope you have a VERY Happy
Birthday Aran - you deserve every happiness Life has to offer!<br />
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!<br />
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Love Mama Bear<br />
xxxx</div>
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<br />LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-51189671313879471972012-07-22T00:52:00.002+01:002012-07-22T00:53:15.622+01:00La Vie en Rose Opening DayLa Vie en Rose will open it's doors today!!!!<br />
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The last few weeks have been crazy busy and a lot of hard work but also a LOT of fun. Family and friends have been going full tilt painting furniture, unpacking stock and labeling accessories to put on the shelves until the wee hours of the morning (3.00 am !) in a final push to have everything ready for Open Day! I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to post a blog to update you all on the progress or to catch up with all of your blogs and see what you've all been up to! But I WILL catch up with you all as soon as I can and blogging should return to normal very soon also. </div>
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I cannot wait to open the doors of the shop! It is SO exciting - and a little nerve wracking! We had SO much fun unpacking the boxes and ooohing and aaaahing over the stock - it was like Christmas - I love it! The sign went up over the door of the shop yesterday evening about 6.00pm while we were ankle deep in cardboard boxes but with all hands on deck we were finished (ish) at 3.00 am and went home to bed! So, I'm just about ready to literally open the doors and welcome our new customers. </div>
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Wish me luck!<br />
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Wish you were all here!!!!!<br />
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Sharon<br />
xxxxLA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-2032059734594605782012-07-10T22:29:00.001+01:002012-07-10T22:29:25.710+01:00Meet Criostoir - .Our youngest son<br />
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Today is a VERY special day. It is our youngest son's birthday! Today Criostoir is 4 years old!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRIOSTOIR!!!!!!!</span></div>
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You haven't been introduced properly yet so Criostoir meet Mama's blog friends . . . </div>
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and blog friends meet my baby Criostoir . . . </div>
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A little bit about our youngest son . . . </div>
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Criostoir loves snuggles, stories, songs, his tractor and farm animals. His favourites on TV are Peppa Pig, Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom, Timmy Time and In the Night Garden!</div>
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But Criostoir's greatest loves in the whole world are his books and songs! - he's just like his Mama!!</div>
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I've mentioned before that Criostoir has Special Needs - (special needs are needs that the majority of children don't have therefore they are called Special Needs). Criostoir was born 4 years ago with significant special needs. The Doctors didn't know what was wrong with him and our journey with Criostoir began. He was very sick at the start and required frequent hospitalisation for chest infections and tests to try and obtain a diagnosis. The main problem was that his muscle tone was very weak which has significantly delayed all his development, (Criostoir can't talk, sit or walk - YET!) Then at the age of 3 because of advances in Medicine and genetic testing a diagnosis was discovered. Criostoir has a genetic disorder where there is a small deletion in his genetic code. Criostoir is the only person in the WORLD with this particular disorder so there is no data on this condition. </div>
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Our precious son is truly UNIQUE.</div>
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The reason I'm sharing Criostoir's story with you is that someone facing a challenging situation may read the following and it may help them. When Criostoir was born we loved him instantly but we were devastated to find out that he was very sick. Like all parents you want a perfect, healthy little baby to arrive. All we knew was that our son was extremely sick, the Doctors didn't know why and we were walking in to the unknown bringing a disabled child home who required 24 hr nursing care. A few days after Criostoir's birth, my husband took me for a walk around the hospital grounds and we sat down to talk. My husband Niall, is my rock, he's an amazing man. Niall said something very special to me that day that I will never forget. He said that we could not change the fact that Criostoir was very sick, I said true, then he said we didn't know how long we would have Criostoir with us, I said true, then he said that the best possible thing we could do for Criostoir and for our family was to love Criostoir and make him as happy and as comfortable for as long as we could. He also said that we shouldn't dwell on the negative aspects of our son's ill health or all the things he couldn't do but instead that we should put every ounce of energy that we had (which wasn't a lot at the time!) in to focusing on making him happy and enjoying every precious moment that we had with him. So that whatever lay ahead for Criostoir and us as a family we would make the journey together with as much love and positivity as we could find. And that's what we did from that moment on. </div>
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Four years later, Criostoir's health has improved, albeit slowly but there has been significant positive improvements. The Geneticist has said that Criostoir has a normal life expectancy and as we have seen he will continue to improve but this improvement will be slow. This is Good News. As you can see Criostoir is a loving, happy 4 year old full of fun and mischief and I am convinced that our positive outlook has had a huge impact on his physical improvement and mental development and we hope that one day he will talk and walk. It's not that we are in denial of his condition it's just that we choose to focus on the positive things he CAN do rather than focus on the things he can't. We celebrate the small things and revel in his happiness. All we want for Criostoir, our eldest son Aran and for each other is to feel loved, happiness and contentment. The older I get the more I am convinced that the happiest man on earth is the man who is content with his lot - whatever that 'lot' may be. </div>
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This is just our own personal philosophy - to focus on happiness, the positives, the good stuff no matter how small - it's not easy and some days are harder than others but it has helped us on our journey and I hope that it may be of help to one of you. There is of course another phrase for looking at the world in this way, it's a french phrase . . .</div>
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La Vie en Rose . . . </div>
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!</div>
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Love Mama</div>
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xxxx</div>LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-31137834537101509082012-07-02T20:22:00.001+01:002012-07-02T23:11:02.166+01:00Kinsale Farmer's Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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FARMER'S MARKET KINSALE</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNhtVsShsWM/T-cq1pTeg2I/AAAAAAAABW8/lzfFIztYhVo/s1600/Kinsale+Market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNhtVsShsWM/T-cq1pTeg2I/AAAAAAAABW8/lzfFIztYhVo/s640/Kinsale+Market.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I went to a Farmer's Market last week in Kinsale (my local town). It
was a beautiful sunny day and as we've been having A LOT of rain lately,
everyone in town was in a good mood and there was a lively atmosphere among the stallholders and customers alike. </div>
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The first stall I came to was full of delicious breads and cakes! The stall is run by the lovely Shannon who I know because she is also the owner of Diva's Cafe and Diva's Deli in Ballispittle and just happens to be my new neighbour (my new shop is next door to Diva's cafe!).</div>
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I LOVE Shannon's cafe and deli - her food and cakes are legendary! I had the BEST chocolate cake I've ever had in the cafe the other day - truly Divalicious!! The styling of the cafe and deli is cool and original think 'gently alternative' meets vintage! If you are in Ballinspittle/Kinsale and looking for somewhere for lunch or some cake and coffee head to Diva's. Highly recommended!!</div>
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Isn't her packaging gorgeous?? I bought some of her rye bread and had it for lunch - yum, scrum!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">DIVA </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oY_X-GsLguo/T-I--4u7AgI/AAAAAAAABSQ/4NcbgLCc1-I/s1600/Diva+Bread.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oY_X-GsLguo/T-I--4u7AgI/AAAAAAAABSQ/4NcbgLCc1-I/s640/Diva+Bread.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Look at these marshmallow beauties on top and cupcakes on the bottom . . .<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1NDtEq-T_vo/T-I_H4mWE7I/AAAAAAAABSg/JhnrauCM6xs/s1600/Diva+Silver+Cake+stand+with+cupcakes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1NDtEq-T_vo/T-I_H4mWE7I/AAAAAAAABSg/JhnrauCM6xs/s640/Diva+Silver+Cake+stand+with+cupcakes.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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More deliciousness . . .</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gzyAClZkTCk/T-I_GmmBcVI/AAAAAAAABSY/OhnqggTD0hY/s1600/Diva+Cupcakes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gzyAClZkTCk/T-I_GmmBcVI/AAAAAAAABSY/OhnqggTD0hY/s640/Diva+Cupcakes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Love the blue glass cake stand . . . </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ArRqzQmimAk/T-I_J0vFceI/AAAAAAAABSo/STK2sO9oiiw/s1600/Diva+blue+cake+stand.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="556" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ArRqzQmimAk/T-I_J0vFceI/AAAAAAAABSo/STK2sO9oiiw/s640/Diva+blue+cake+stand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then it was on to this beautiful stand! Herbs and flowers all beautifully presented, no ugly plastic pots here. This stall belongs to Cambium a small nursery/garden centre who sell plants and organic gardening supplies. They are on the road from Ballinspittle to Kinsale. The lady was lovely and we chatted for a while about plants and markets. I have to say the plants herbs, veg and flowers were all SO healthy and superbly presented in organic coir pots. All the plants were reasonably priced too! Well worth checking out if you're out Kinsale/Ballinspittle way!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">CAMBIUM</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">THE CREPE MAN</span></div>
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I didn't actually buy a crepe even though I love them - will get one next week! but there were people queuing up to order so they must be good!!!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nuQVhgjCL7w/T-I_ykV1KOI/AAAAAAAABTI/TJUq68OVW-c/s1600/Flowers+at+Kinsale+Market.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nuQVhgjCL7w/T-I_ykV1KOI/AAAAAAAABTI/TJUq68OVW-c/s640/Flowers+at+Kinsale+Market.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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More flowers at the market. Meant to go back and get this stall's name but ran out of time so will update this next week!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">FINDERS INN</span></div>
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The Finders Inn is a restaurant in Nohoval and also have this stall at the Farmer's Market selling a range of food. I've had their brown bread before - gorgeous. Haven't tried their soups but I must say they looked good on that table!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">THE CHEESE MAN </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-16Fs7eUZj4U/T-JA1GlMaUI/AAAAAAAABT4/e04JB2cKBbI/s1600/Irish+Cheese+Stall+at+Kinsale+Farmers+Market.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="566" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-16Fs7eUZj4U/T-JA1GlMaUI/AAAAAAAABT4/e04JB2cKBbI/s640/Irish+Cheese+Stall+at+Kinsale+Farmers+Market.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the life of me I cannot remember this man's name! So sorry, and will write it down next week and update this post. I wish I could because he was so very nice and gave me lots of nice tasters and I bought some lovely cheese from him (can't remember the name of it either!). I asked him for Comte (my favourite cheese in the whole world) but he mostly sells Irish cheeses so he recommended something similar and it was GOOD!! I demolished it when I went home with Diva's rye bread! I have to admit I didn't realise there were so many good Irish cheeses out there, will defo go back for more Irish cheese next week.</div>
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Everything was beautifully displayed here as well.</div>
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Next stop . . .</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">THE REAL OLIVE</span></div>
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Olives, tomatoes, pesto mmmmmmmmmmmmm . . . all my favourite things in one place!!</div>
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Love all the wooden buckets/holders . . . and so neatly displayed! I ADORE black olives and these were DIVINE!!!!</div>
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There was also an organic pig farm stall called . . . </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">HERITAGE FARM</span> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xDHBDrwMUao/T-JAejBCz2I/AAAAAAAABTo/tRFRekF5rBE/s1600/Heritage+Farm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xDHBDrwMUao/T-JAejBCz2I/AAAAAAAABTo/tRFRekF5rBE/s640/Heritage+Farm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They were packing up to leave as I came along so just got a snap of these jars of lard - I like the labels - "Good Old-Fashioned Lard"! Cute! Kinsale is a beautiful old town, I really must do a post soon as there is so much to show you. </div>
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Lovely old buildings in the little square.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">BUSHBY'S </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="616" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRPP6R4SXzM/T-I9mK6hFHI/AAAAAAAABRg/vzRYUpWFz-s/s640/Bushbys+Strawberries.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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I was really drooling over this stall. Strawberries and pretty flowers!!!!! Even the tablecloth was gorgeous! I got chatting to Lydia the stall owner (lovely lady) and she told me that her parents grow the strawberries and she (Lydia) does the flowers. I bought a huge bouquet of the white roses and Queen Anne's Lace and lots of other interesting blooms. They were stunning and SO reasonably priced!! Amazing value and the arrangement was so pretty and vintage in style - I've never seen flowers or arrangements like them. Beautiful, pretty, soft, unusual flowers AND scented - just stunning! I will defo be calling back to Lydia again and this time I will remember to pick up some strawberries.</div>
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Isn't Lydia's sign so cute??</div>
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So when I got home I took out all my market purchases and they looked so pretty I just had to take some photos before I demolished the lot!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gsf2Ldh9vNU/T-I_gMlwaLI/AAAAAAAABTA/HLR40_toD-I/s1600/Flowers+and+Cheesse+at+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gsf2Ldh9vNU/T-I_gMlwaLI/AAAAAAAABTA/HLR40_toD-I/s640/Flowers+and+Cheesse+at+home.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Farmer's Market Kinsale, Co. Cork.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Every Wednesday 10 am - 2.30pm.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Enjoy!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sharon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">xxxx</span><br />
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</div>LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-17246885769054523862012-06-26T20:39:00.001+01:002012-07-02T23:11:49.928+01:00La Vie en Rose Logo - THE ONE!!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTyvA-62a9I/T-oM2SGoptI/AAAAAAAABXU/6aHD8zNgoEQ/s1600/THE+ONE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTyvA-62a9I/T-oM2SGoptI/AAAAAAAABXU/6aHD8zNgoEQ/s640/THE+ONE.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the winner!!! The logo that you liked the best! (The box isn't around it that's just the way it copied over!!) Thank you to everyone who left a comment, it really has been a HUGE help getting all your ideas, help and support. The designer finished it today and it has gone to another designer/printer to be used on all stationary and signage. Now that I have the colour and logo finalised I can get the stamp made up (for stamping the bags). I can also order bags and tissue and gift wrap etc. This is SO exciting!!!! I LOVE my new logo and I think it really suits the shop (and me!). </div>
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Thank you dear blog friends!<br />
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Sending you lots of hugs,<br />
<br />
Sharon<br />
xxxxLA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-7154130687564365052012-06-24T14:06:00.001+01:002012-07-02T23:12:19.110+01:00La Vie en Rose Logo<br />
Nearly there now! Waiting for a few more comments on the bag and stamp before the verdict is in!! In the meantime would you mind helping me again?? Please??? <br />
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Still got to decide on logo although we're 99% there but thought I would ask you to select your favourite before it goes to print. The logo is SO important as it will be going on everything - signage, stationary, advertising, bags etc. So I really want to get this right. Could you please pick one of the following that you think works the best for the shop, I would be SO grateful!!!!<br />
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A: Grey Rose with 4 leaves</div>
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B: Grey Rose with 2 Leaves </div>
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C: Pink Rose with 4 leaves</div>
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D: Pink Rose with 2 Leaves </div>
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E: Plain Font in Rectangle </div>
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Thank you all SO much for helping me out with this!!!!<br />
<br />
Sharon<br />
xxxxLA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-15191149946266676742012-06-23T15:14:00.000+01:002012-06-23T15:14:47.669+01:00Paint for Shop<br />
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We have a winner . . .<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blue Grey</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHncHsY_7lc5J3ghgauJM87GJEK1U505nZ-AEoYq_bKDCPKxrndLvsB6UkJEB7bJeehrYT0tb21xB7T5j0JRhQII94B_yelkKrW0SPZnRonV6c8AL9qNDrd3YFtTYBbu6IRpiqeB2Us8/s1600/Blue+Grey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHncHsY_7lc5J3ghgauJM87GJEK1U505nZ-AEoYq_bKDCPKxrndLvsB6UkJEB7bJeehrYT0tb21xB7T5j0JRhQII94B_yelkKrW0SPZnRonV6c8AL9qNDrd3YFtTYBbu6IRpiqeB2Us8/s640/Blue+Grey.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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Thank you all for leaving your comments! I think most of you liked the Blue Grey the most which is what I hoped you'd all say because I LOVE this colour. So phew! that's the paint taken care of! I have so many decisions to make at the moment - all very pleasant ones I have to admit - that it's easy to overthink every little thing! So it's been great to get all of your opinions, thank you.<br />
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Also, regarding the bags, most people suggested stamping the bags - I LOVE this idea! My husband suggested this too! As you all said they will be unique and it gives the right vintage vibe, so I'm going to go with this too! <br />
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Now, do I go with plain brown Kraft paper bags with a dark brown/black ink or a cream bag with a blue grey ink??????? Decisions, decisions!!!<br />
<br />
Sharon<br />
xxxx<br />
<br />LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3140136189713290473.post-35596112699948986102012-06-21T00:22:00.002+01:002012-06-21T00:22:49.515+01:00More Shop News<br />
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Hello everyone! </div>
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First
of all I would like to thank everyone for all your wonderful comments
and emails about my new shop. It is SO nice to have such great support
and good wishes starting my new venture. So a BIG thank you and I want
you all to know how much your kind support is truly appreciated. </div>
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I have
been crazy busy since my last post, but I'm loving it! It is so
exciting seeing everything come together. I'm expecting deliveries of
stock the end of this week with more coming next week. The shop has
been painted but I still have to decide on the trim colour for the
outside - the perfect shade of grey-ey, blue-ey, green-ey is eluding me
thus far! Some of the Farrow & Ball colours looked so perfect on the colour chart inside but the minute they went up outside they turned completely different hues!</div>
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On the
positive side, my new phone line has been connected and Broadband set up
in the shop - yay!! I also engaged a lovely woman who is designing
the new website and has finalised the logo. The graphic designer is
working on signage and stationary, so it's getting there. My visa
machine is on the way, insurance bought, small warehouse found - as you
can see, I have been very busy!</div>
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Actually,
finalising the logo was quite tricky. I must have looked at hundreds
of images and fonts over the last two weeks before deciding on the final
layout. I LOVE it, can't wait to show you everything, but want to wait
until things are a bit more 'finished'.</div>
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I've
also been looking at paper carrier bags for the shop. The plain ones
are a bit blah, the ones you can get custom made with your own design
are very expensive! What's a girl to do?? Any ideas for bags?? If you
do, please let me know!</div>
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Also,
need opinions on the outside trim colour. As you know the shop will
have a French, faded, vintage/Brocante kind of vibe so which of the following
colours do you think work best???</div>
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A: Blue Grey<br />
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B: Green Blue </div>
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C: Dark Grey<br />
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D: Light Taupe Grey/Dark Taupe Grey<br />
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E: None of the above!!</div>
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Can't wait to hear what you think! </div>
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Thank you,</div>
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Sharon</div>
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xxxx</div>LA VIE EN ROSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901322044980691148noreply@blogger.com14