{birthday weekend in Paris}

Did you have a fabulous Christmas? I'm spending a few days off to get caught up on loading pictures and blogging!
In November, I spent a wonderful weekend in Paris--I gave a paper and then I was joined by my lovely friends from bookclub and we had a smashing time!
We went to Versailles, stayed in a gorgeous flat, drank lots of vino, ate delicious meals, and also fit in the fabulous Dior Exhibition--one of the most magical exhibitions I have ever seen! Christian Dior, really is a couturier du rêve--it was like walking into a girl's dream, with beautiful dresses and the grand finale was exceptional!

{Notre Dame}

{Versailles!}

{the group at Versailles}

{Hall of Mirrors}

if Versailles wasn't enough...
...it was then on to Dior:

{Dior!}

{I couldn't get enough of these gorgeous paper flowers in this room!}

with the last room simply *magical*: 

lots more to blog on, including Christmas!
xo
L

{Christmas cheer at Chota House}

Isn't it the most wonderful time of the year?
My little house is cheerful and Christmassy and I wanted to share some pics with you! We had some dear friends over this weekend (instead of doing a party this year, I decided to invite a few people separately to get a proper visit with them!)
My parents are visiting from Canada, so it's all very festive!

{herbs from my garden make lovely nameplaces}

{roaring fire!}

{guests!}

{roast chicken!}

{dessert! my chocolate tart}

Wishing you a joyful Christmas!
xo
L

{quotable thursdays}

Today's quote is a little reminder what Christmas is alllll about:

{the grinch}

& some jolly home-made orange decorations from Chota House!:

xo,

L

{snow}

We got snow this weekend & it was just too pretty to not share these pics of Leighton Buzzard I took! There's something very beautiful about England at Christmas time...

{the market cross and the big Christmas tree in Leighton Buzzard}

{the medieval church of All Saints}

{the market cross}

{Mary Norton's house, where she wrote the Borrowers}

{& my little house-chota house}

{snow comes to Chota House!}

xo,
L