So more about my trip to California and the Gift Market in Las Vegas.  

When I booked my hotel accommodations through the Gift Market, they were running a promotion and I won a room upgrade! 

I had no idea what to expect but, "WOW",  what a beautiful room we stayed in! 

A room fit for a princess.

The bathroom was so dreamy!

Pink, my favorite color.

It was THE best vacation and I got to share every day with my daughter and, of course, we had so much fun shopping for the shop and hitting the outlet stores.  

Yes, money was spent!

Las Vegas.....Here we come!

Last week I traveled to California to visit my daughter and attend the Las Vegas World Market   Center.  There are three buildings just filled with wonderful products and two Pavilions with temporary vendors selling their wares.  It took five days to try to see as much as we could, sadly we missed a lot.
                                               

We drove about 4 hours from Los Angeles, through mostly dessert to Las Vegas.  

So strange to see miles and miles of barren land and hills without any greenery. 

                                     The sky was simply breathtaking.  

 Just sand.....lots and lots of sand!  It was so beautiful yet so very different from New England.  

I kept asking myself if I thought I could live there?    

How wonderful it was to be with Erin and just having 

Mom & daughter time. 

 I don't think we "shut up" for one moment.  

Wait until you see our hotel room!  Ooo La La!!!  

It was tres chic!

I'll post those photos tomorrow.  

A one of a kind table using Chalk Paint®

Over the summer, I was visiting a nearby flea market and happened upon this circa 1940's mahogany table with the most beautiful details.  It called to me and as I walked toward it I knew I had found our next project.

                                              

Our first step was to give it a good cleaning, then a quick coat of shellac.  Since this piece was from the 1940's, I knew we would have bleed through.  My design idea was to highlight the raised detail to give it a Wedgwood China effect. 

                               

We used Louis Blue Chalk Paint® to paint the entire table, then used a Pure White Chalk Paint® color wash to lightly detail the raised areas.  So pretty and just perfect for a beautiful Wedgwood Vase.  

It recently sold to a gentleman who has a collection of Wedgwood and will look so beautiful in the room he showcases his collection in.  

Cinderella finds her Prince using Chalk Paint®

What is there about taking a worn out, beaten down piece of furniture and turning it into a one-of-a-kind treasure that appeals to me?

This is a desk I purchased a while back and brought to the shop and there it sat for many months.    



Then one day we decided to transform it with Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan.



Oh Yes!  This makes my heart sing and this is what we did.....

First we used a 50/50 blend of Florence and Greek Blue to paint the exterior and used Paris Grey for the interior.  After painting in our custom paint blend, we used a Graphite color wash on the entire exterior.  This toned down the color and gave it a beautiful texture.  We used several stencils to lay out our pattern in a random fashion.  The stencil was done in our 50/50 mix of Florence/Greek Blue, Graphite and 50/50 mix of Old White/Pure White.  The final step was using Annie Sloan Clear Wax for the perfect finish.  

Moral of the story ~ This Cinderella found her Prince a few weeks later.

It's Christmas  Morning

Christmas has arrived.  It’s about 10am and all is quiet here at my house.  The children are grown and the cries of  “Has Santa come?”  are no longer.  I miss those days and the screams of joy as wrapped gifts were torn open.  Wrapping paper would be scattered everywhere and the cats would play in the piles of gift wrap and chase wrapping paper balls throughout the living room.  Today, memories fill me with happiness as I patiently wait for everyone to wake up and begin Christmas Day with me.  

Erin and Ben are here for the holidays from California and staying with us.  That is their home now.  Robert has his own place too.  It’s just Bob and I and our two cats in our house filled with wonderful memories.  

Ahhh, Robert has arrived, Ben and Bob are awake, it’s only Erin who remains in bed.  It’s time to begin……..

Wishing you a Christmas Day filled with beautiful memories!

Fall Has Arrived At Brissonte'!

Everywhere you look there are signs that Fall is nearly upon us.  At Brissonte', Fall is our favorite time of year.  It kicks off the holiday season and delivers boxes and boxes filled with goodies for the shop.  Want to see some of our new treats?  Check out our new displays below, and swing by soon for end of summer sales! Just one more reason to love this special time of year.

ON SALE NOW!

French inspired Tea Towels and Aprons.

See you soon!

Colleen

Brissonte` recently brought in a NEW line of greeting cards.

I love the name, "Cardthartic".

The photography on every card is beautiful but it is the verse inside

each card that makes them so very special.

Is someone on your mind?

Send them a card !

Last week's winner of a Swan Creek Soy Candle is

Emma H.

Our Giveaway is going on hiatus for a few weeks. 

We are off to the California Gift Show and are sure to come

back with fabulous treasures.

This week's giveaway is....

a Swan Creek Soy Candle

Just visit BRISSONTE` on Facebook

leave a comment

AND

you are entered.

Giveway must be picked up at the shop.

Congratulations to last week's winner,

Teresa P..

And this week's giveaway is....

 Tokyo Milk Bon Bon Lip Balm.
Shown here is their
"Let them Eat Cake"
 lip balm.
Just visit BRISSONTE` on Facebook
 leave a comment
AND
you are entered.
Giveway must be picked up at the shop.

Congratulations to last week's winner,

Cheryl N.

Another week, another giveaway!

This week our giveaway is a Garnier Thiebaut 100% Cotton

Wash Cloth with La Belle Vie Soap.

The colors are so yummy and both items are Made in France.

The perfect addition for your beautiful bathroom.

Just visit BRISSONTE` on Facebook, leave a comment and

 Voila,

you are entered. 

Giveway must be picked up at the shop.

Last week's giveaway was won by Valerie!

Giveaway

Our FIRST weekly Facebook giveaway!  

This week.... a beautiful Pashmina Scarf!  You choose the color.  Leave a comment at Brissonte` on Facebook to be entered in the drawing. Winner will be notified Sunday.  Scarf must be picked up at the shop.

Heh, don't hoard the good news, share with a friend or two.

Cake Kitchen Papers

~ NEW ~

"Cake" Kitchen Papers

This beautiful line features elegant placemats, kitchen papers, cheese serving papers, table runners, writing paper and reversible placements.

The table runners come by the roll - 30" wide x 50' long. How perfect to line a cupboard or drawers, wrap gifts or even use as wallpaper.

The placemats are so lovely and look absolutely perfect on the table. What a delightful way to dress up your table.

TokyoMilk Fragrances

NEW - Brissonte` now carries TokyoMilk fragrances, lip balm, shea butter lotion, Eau de Parfum and their new line of Mix-n-Match Eau de Parfum, 3 scents to layer in 6 vials. Stop in soon to try this beautiful NEW product!

Boo! I say, I'm Not Afraid.....

Boo-tiful Ladies!

We have so many cute Halloween items at the shop.

Here are a few photos.....

Tara Gasparian Earrings

New !!! Just Arrived.......

Tara Gasparian Rose Earrings

They look amazing on...



Don't you just have to have a pair?

Ooooo La La!

Call me at Brissonte' 978.207.1853!

Change is good!

Here are a few pictures of my beautiful Tea Room as it
looks today........

Two weeks ago I purchased a new sofa. And everyone knows what that means???? Yep, It's time for a new look.

The new sofa is a warm chocolate brown.

"Really?" you ask.

Yes, really!

I'll keep you updated as change happens.





Let the changes begin!!!

Vintage Fashion Magazines

One of my favorite items to look for are vintage magazines....



Certain time periods instantly catch my eye.



Especially the 1950's.



The Dresses! The Shoes! The Bathing suits!



So fashionable, so ladylike.

Beautiful Flowers Romancing My Soul

I have an "on again, off again" romance with my blog. I take pictures and never post them. I log in and stare at the page. I rehearse what I want to talk about and then never write a word. Of course all this leads to my closing the page and off I go in another direction. Only to return in a few weeks to repeat the frustrating process over and over again.



Truly, I write postings to you everyday.... in my mind that is. Instead of fretting about what to write about, I will just relax and whatever is beautiful, whatever is lovely, whatever touches my soul, that is what I will write about. Today my soul was touched by flowers.


My yard is brimming with beautiful flowers. Each one was calling my name today.

"Colleen, take a picture of me."
"No, take one of me!"
"Quiet" I said, "I will take one of each of you."



And so I did ~

Every girl NEEDS a NEW Handbag for Spring!

These handbags come in 3 styles; shoulder bag, backpack, and small handbag. The shoulder bag and backpack fold up to fit in your suitcase and each has 3 pockets and zippered pouch for your phone and little stuff. What a smart designer! Prices range from $24.95 to $34.95. Lusting after one? Call me to order one at 978.207.1853 or email me at brissonte@gmail.com and I will happily ship one out to you.