victoria@littlefranceboutique.co.uk

JANUARY 2015

I can't believe my last blog was May 2014!   

So much has happened since my last blog.  In August, just 2 weeks after moving house to take on another renovation project, I took the leap and handed in my notice.  After 9 years employed by the same company I decided it was time to pursue my dream of Little France Boutique.

 

The month after I held my first Vintage & Handmade Fair after having a stall at someone else's fair a few months before.  In my usual "I don't have enough stress in my life- style" I left this fair and decided "I could do that!". 

I am so thankful that the lovely people of Harwood & Bradshaw and my wonderful friends & family took the time to come along to support me and the day was a great success, but so exhausting and stressful on the run up.

 

So what did I do?  I booked another date 2 days after for a Christmas fair of course in November!  

And then just a couple of weeks before the November fair I discovered we were expecting our second child.   Cue me thinking "Oh my god what I have just done? - I've handed in my notice to become self employed, we've just moved house and I have to manage the renovation, and now I'm going to have a newborn in July.  My response…?  It's fine, I'll just strap the baby to my back while I'm painting!

 

To say the last months have been a bit of a roller coaster would be an understatement, but luckily I have an understanding, albeit hair thinning more than usual husband, who continues to support my crazy dreams!

 

Oh and then we got a puppy!  And then things got even more crazy!

 

At Christmas I said my final farewells to my employer and I left to enjoy some family time and a little rest before 2015 hit!

I'd said to myself that I'd be quiet in January so I'd crack on with re-upholstering our sofa, and make curtains for the living room and playroom that had just had their makeover.  But instead you lovely lot are keeping me very busy with the makeover of your own beautiful furniture and rooms.  And I'm looking at my diary now and I think it could be some time before I can re-focus on the makeover of my own home.  

 

I am so thankful for the support I am getting in my new venture.  And I am so excited about some of the wonderful projects I am getting the opportunity to be involved in.

2015 is going to be an even crazier year.  But…bring it on!

 

Victoria x

 

 

**************************************************************************************

MAY 2014

 

I think May is my favourite time of year.  Probably because there's suddenly colour springing up all around us.  

 

I'm sat looking out my window right now and yes as usual the lawn could do with a mow and there are definitely a few weeds out there that I really should sort out, but what's catching my eye is the beautiful fuchsia pink that's just appeared in the last couple of days (I have no idea what the plant is called!).   

There's a scattering of daisies too across the lawn and I'm reminded of being a child again daisy picking and sitting cross legged, barefoot in a playing field making chains and with friends and being totally care free!

 

It's early and I've opened the conservatory door and I can smell the dewy grass too and there's a sound nearby of one of my retired neighbours mowing their lawn already!  

If I could bottle this scent of the outdoors though now I would.

 

As usual I'm flicking through my latest Home magazines and they are bursting with garden inspired rooms.  

 

Trellis wallpapers, grassy greens, sunshine pastels, vintage garden parties… the new collection by Zoffany seen right absolutely epitomises this look!

 

We lead such stressful lives so sometimes you have to just take a breath and notice your surroundings.  Get yourself out with friends or family somewhere untouched soon, take a camera with you and appreciate the little things like wildflower fields and rambling roses.  And then let a bit of that natural beauty inspire your home.

 

I have - just picked up some pretty rose prints and pastel accessories for my new kitchen!

 

Victoria xx

 

**************************************************************************************

 

 

 

APRIL 2014

Phew, the Vintage fair is over!  Exhausting but absolutely amazing fun!  

Thank you so much to all my friends and family who came to support me.

I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did and huge thanks to my beautiful

friend Suzanne for her help and support.

 

There was a great buzz around the stall and the cushions were a particular hit

and almost sold out of my little Heart Chalkboards.  

Can't tell you how thrilling it was to see people loving my accessories enough

to pick them up and buy so a huge thanks to everyone who did buy on the day too.  

Suzanne and I did a cheeky high 5 when we had our first sale of the day!!

 

Here are a few pictures of the day - we even made the local paper!

 

Victoria xx 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARCH 2014

Well, I'm officially on count down now to my first vintage fair this month.

I'll be attending the Vibrant Vintage Fair at Haigh Hall in Wigan, Sunday 23rd March (10am - 4pm) along with the beautiful Suzanne, designer of some of the fabulous handmade greetings cards that will be available on the day.

 

Here's few of the items that will be available to whet your taste buds!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last few weeks have been spent sanding, painting, sewing and sticking and I really hope to see some familiar faces and new at our stall to share with you some of Little France designs.

 

At the fair you'll also be able to see a first preview of some of the beautiful vintage inspired items available for Wedding and Special Event hire.

 

I've been busy the last few days coming up with ideas for a friend's Save the Date cards, which I'll share next month.  She's going for a very classic and elegant style which I absolutely adore with neutrals and vintage lace.  Very excited to show her my ideas!

 

Better get back to it now - got a little production line on the go and lots of pearls, lace and vintage buttons in close proximity of a 2 and a half year old with sticky fingers!

 

Victoria xx

 

 

**************************************************************************************

 

 

 

FEBRUARY 2014

Well, since last month when I mentioned the revival of Chintz I've seen it everywhere - including on my lovely colleague Sarah!  Take a look at this beautiful dress and diary combo!

 

I've just picked up this gorgeous fabric from Clarke & Clarke

to create my latest cushions.  Just love the use of pastel

colours with birds and butterflies - so pretty and fresh.  

Keep checking back in as these will be available next month.                              

Trust me, Chintz might be everywhere in your Granny's house 

but she's totally on trend right now so you need to get

Granny Chic!  

And if you're really brave then do the Floral Clash as seen in Vogue Living recently.

 

If you're worried that the trend will disappear and you're left with a dramatic floral wallpaper then do what I do - place some wallpaper in picture frames to hang on the walls.  That way you add the trend to your room for as long as you like.  When the next big trend comes along you can just swap the wallpaper in the frame. Easy!

 

And have you seen THE Colour of the Year 2014 revealed by Pantone - Radiant Orchid. Here's Pantone's description of this beautfiul shade of purple:

 

Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health.

 

Sounds good enough to splash all over my next piece of furniture!

 

Finally, if you want to take a closer look at what LITTLE FRANCE BOUTIQUE has to offer then come and see me at the following vintage fair events in the North West:

 

Vibrant Vintage Fair, Sunday 23rd March 2014, Haigh Hall, Wigan, 10am - 4pm.

 

Manchester Vintage Fair, Sunday 6th April 2014, Ramsbottom Civic Hall, Ramsbottom, 10am - 4pm.

 

Victoria xx

 

**************************************************************************************

 

JANUARY 2014

 

It's dawned on me that I have a lot to say for myself on the subject of interiors and fashion and I don't always have the ear of my husband to talk into given these aren't his favourite subjects.  Football - yes, Fashion, no.

 

So here I find myself writing my first blog, the first of many I hope, on MY favourite subjects.  I absolutely adore my monthly visit to the supermarket to pick up some of my favourite home interiors and fashion magazines.  To be honest if my husband knew how much I spent on them I think he'd start listening!  I walk into the magazine aisle and honestly feel a little bit giddy about what ideas I'll find and and new trends I'll discover.  But let's face it most of the fashion and interiors magazines display stick thin lollypop heads who have been air-brushed to within an inch of their lives, and who look to never have a bloated day.  While interior magazines that show us how the other half live in their country mansions.  

 

And one sits on the sofa with a mug of instant coffee dunking a digestive and thinking I can't quite afford 'those' price tags.  So what do I do?  Well like any normal person I cut up all the magazines that I've just spent £xx on (not saying in case the hubby is reading) and pull out the ideas that I like and then I try to re-create them with fewer pennies in the bank!  

 

So what are the latest trends?

Well when it comes to colour we're seeing sugary sweet pastels with a shock of vivid brights on the catwalks and in interiors this summer.  Think Laduree macaroons! Very pretty and feminine.  See my Latest Trends & Inspiration board for more.

 

And one of THE colours of 2014 will be turquoise.  And not a wimpy pale turquoise, but a bold deep colour used on accent walls and in plush velvet upholstery.

Also Navy sees a huge revival.  Some lovely friends of mine have just gone for a deep navy in their boudoir complemented with cream furniture and I must say it looks tres chic!

 

But if (like me) you love to stick to whites, creams and beiges then just add a punch of colour with your accessories instead.  

 

Lucky for me Vintage is going to the the buzz word again on everyone's lips this year. A one of a kind curiosity in your home that make's you and your guests ooh and ahh and ask where did you find that?!

Chintz fabrics are going to be everywhere too.  I'm just ordering new fabrics today to make a new blind for my kitchen in a beautiful Clarke & Clarke fabric called Abigail.

 

And my favourite discovery of 2013 - PINTEREST!  It's become a sore subject in my marriage as my husband feels he has lost me to this new world I've discovered. Evenings are genuinelly lost as I while away my time typing into the search box things like VINTAGE FRENCH, ELEGANT DINING ROOM, COUNTRY KITCHEN... and then to my utter delight an array of images appear before my eyes for me to coo over. And then to my husband's dismay I announce that we're redecorating the kitchen diner - AGAIN!

 

Little France Boutique gives me the best excuse in the world now to buy my magazines - RESEARCH!  My biggest problem right now is that I visit my local dealers for furniture to re-furbish and in my head I'm saying "One for you, and then one for me".  My house cannot fit another sideboard or armoire, but it's become my guilty pleasure!  I think I need to discover a smaller guilty pleasure.  Ooh look - Sale on Kurt Keiger shoes!

 

Victoria XX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​