Happy Friday and Happy New Year!!!

Like everybody else, I’ve been very busy lately and let my blog aside for a while. But before this wonderful year ends I wanted to thank you all for reading and following “Linen and Stripes” one way or another. You made my year and I’m grateful to have you around!

May my whishes for a healthy and happy New Year 2012 spread to all of you and help you accomplish everything you dream of.

Happy Friday and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!



Champagne fountain for sparkling the party...
Source Here




...and a white Chanel dress to start 2012 with elegance

Via Vogue



See you in 2012,

Carmen Dee

Home for Christmas

After so many years away from home on Christmas time…I’m so happy to be home this time and be able to celebrate Christmas 2011 my way! A classic Christmas is timeless and if the snow could dust the garden on time for a white Christmas, it would be wonderful!!!

My home decorated for Christmas (fourteen windows on the street side to decorate)

Ring the bell and come in!

One of my favorite things to decorate, the stairs!!!

Another view of the stairs, from the garden door  towards the entry doors.

My son wanted his own Christmas tree, I couldn't say no. Isn't it just bear-y cute?

Also in Charles' bedroom. He loves Christmas decorations, too.



Another little decoration on the mantle in one of the bedrooms



The living / family room. 




Another view of our living




Christmas tree 2011. You can see the Union Jack from my older post HERE




Another view of our Christmas tree



See you,

Carmen Dee

Color me: Red

The color of the season! Christmas without red is not Christmas. I’m just in the mood for some red pictures. Don’t you?

Have a wonderful Christmas week!



Via Pinterest



Carolyne Roehm

Source Here Via LADUREE

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Via BHG

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See you,

Carmen Dee

Happy Friday: Christmas shopping

This is the time!!! Christmas is around the corner. If you didn’t have a chance to finish your Christmas shopping, hurry up, this is your last weekend to do it!

Source Here

Happy Friday!

See you,

Carmen Dee

Cooking time: Bûche de Noël

« Bûche de Noël » is the most common dessert eaten on Christmas Eve around here, in France. It is said that it represents the log you put in the hearth to keep the house warm while going to the “Messe de Minuit” (Midnight mess).

There are so many different recipes, styles, tastes…but the classic ones are chocolate, butter cream, coffee and chestnut. Here is the link to a classic recipe by Martha Stewart that is easy to bake.

In Europe they don’t look like logs anymore. Here you have some pictures for a little taste…

Have a sweet week!

Laduree

Lenotre

Dalloyau

Michalak

Boutique du Ritz Paris

Pierre Herme

La Maison du Chocolat

 Dalloyau

Carette via Vogue

See you,

Carmen Dee

A little Christmas preview

This is the time where everybody is talking about Christmas. Decorating, baking, crafting some projects…Christmas is all around and I’ll not be different!

I have to say, I’ve been busy over the weekend, but I’m still not finish! How is that everybody else is able to put up all the Christmas decorations inside their houses in just one single weekend? I’m still working on it but here is a little preview. Don’t get too excited, I didn’t have my camera on hand, just my cell…and I am really NOT a photographer, sorry.

See you,

Carmen Dee

Happy Friday! Something to do over the weekend

The Holiday Issue of Rue Magazine is live! I’m so happy about it. I have something to explore and get some inspirations for the holidays over the weekend. What would you be doing this weekend?

Rue Magazine

Happy Friday everyone!!!

See you,

Carmen Dee

Seen on the web: Powerful gold

It’s back and everywhere. Silver is out and gold has taken back its place!!! Can’t say I’m not happy. I have never been a silver person and feel so great with golden touches around me. Would you be decorating or wearing gold this coming Christmas? I know I will. It’s the perfect time to make it shine!!!

Via El Mueble

Via BHG

Source Here

Via Pinterest



Source Here



Source Here

Via Carolyne Roehm

Via Pinterest

Source Here

See you,

Carmen Dee

Beautiful White Christmas

What could be more beautiful than a white Christmas? After spending last Christmas in a hot and sunny country, I’m hoping for a white and merry Christmas at home this year. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…(I feel like singing Christmas songs already!)



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Via Pottery Barn

Source Here

Via Pinterest

See you,

Carmen Dee