VALENTINE'S DAY TABLE FOR TWO

I love Valentine's Day! I always bring out a few of my favorite cards and "gifts of love" from years past to display on a tray or on The French Hutch. This year we will be dining at a friends home but I still wanted to set a romantic table for two in the den.

I love to set a table in front of the fireplace. Using a table I normally use to hold photographs is just the right size. 

For the centerpiece I am using my MacKenzie-Childs flower pot and ivy wreath. I added the beautiful copper heart and bow, a gift sent to me last year from my sweet friend Sarah at Hyacinths for The Soul. 

These round black placemats are perfect for the place setting. Courtly Check dinner and salad plates and lidded chowder bowls 

I love the stack!

"Gifts of love" from my sister Iris

Limoges Eiffel Tower and Herend cat add a pop of color

Jay Strongwater bird and chick

Pewter Cherub I couldn't resist I found on clearance

Herend mouse

Stemware ~ Anthropologie

gifts from my husband

International Sterling ~ Spring Glory

gifted to us years ago by my mother-in-law

My perfect table for two

Mercury glass candles for candlelight

"Books of Love" and orchids for the coffee table

Do you love to decorate for Valentine's Day? I would love to hear how you enjoy decorating your home. And, my table will be used this week!

I hope you will leave a comment, it's the only way I know you stopped by.

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POSTCARDS FROM FRANCE

Along The Côte d´Azure

While visiting Nice and Provence last September with The Quimper Club International, here if you missed the post, we did some day tripping. We love to explore smaller towns away from the tourism of big cities and get a feel for life as the locals live it. One place you don’t want to be is anywhere along the Mediterranean during August and early September, it is where you will find most of the vacationing French! It does get a little crowded. We saw the end of the season being there in mid-September. After our trip to Nice we drove to Paris and the roads were full of little campers returning home. Jammed traffic and congestion. But, that was alright, I was on my way to Paris!
Here are a few photos for you of the beautiful towns of Villefranche Sur Mer and Antibes.

Villefranche Sur Mer 

Public transportation, the metro, trains, trams, and buses makes it easy to travel through France and navigate cities. Fast trains from Nice to Monaco (we did this on our last visit to Nice), the TGV gets you there really quick with no stops, then there are the local and slower trains that stop in every little town. 

The train platform is up these stairs and walking down was fine.  We took the bus back thank goodness and didn’t have to walk back up. Busses have their drop-off and pick-up spots marked on the streets which makes it easy. Here you really see the locals coming and going and they are very helpful if you need directions.

Beautiful scenery in every direction

Shops full of treasures to take back as souvenirs

Antibes 

On another day we decided to go to this very “hot spot” resort on the Riviera! Loved by tourists and all who visit here. Jim and I didn’t get to visit here on a previous trip but my friend Sarah, bloggers know her from "Hyacinths for the Soul" had. So we decided to go for the day. There was a market this day and what a treat that was. 

Quimper and French faience

Music and the beat of drums signal a town parade

After a lot of looking and shopping we were ready for a light lunch.

A beautiful setting for lunch with a special blogging friend.

After lunch we walked through town to the Harbor

The Musée Picasso was a must see. Located in the old port of Antibes, what was formerly Château Grimaldi. It is built on the foundation of the ancient Greek town of Antipolis.

The old port and buildings of old town make a beautiful backdrop for a wedding.

The bride was lovely

Sarah enjoying the view

So, time to get back to the train station and back to Nice. A beautiful day and new adventure for me.

A wonderful day and two tired gals!

Hope you enjoyed a look back to the Côte d Azure with me. I will be posting my Paris photos next so please stop by.

Thanks for stopping in. Hope you will leave a comment so I will know you came by.

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