Joie de vi·vre

Pronunciation: \ˌzhwä-də-ˈvēvrə\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, literally, joy of living
Date: 1889: Keen or buoyant enjoyment of life...

Merriam Webster dictionary classifies this French phrase as a noun, but I wonder what it would look like as a verb, qualified by an adverb...

To EMBRACE the beauty of age GRACIOUSLY









To LOOK into the mirror of time BOLDLY



SMILE BACK CONTENTLY



and TO DO all in your power CONSISTENTLY.





To READ VORACIOUSLY





and REFLECT OFTEN.



To PLAY INNOCENTLY like a child





GET DOWN TO BUSINESS and DRESS UP REGALLY like a woman.



To SHAMELESSLY TAKE TIME for yourself



REST COMFORTABLY



PRETEND UNINHIBITEDLY



LOOK CLOSELY at your goals



and DREAM CONSTANTLY in the clouds





until you ACHIEVE your goals COMPLETELY on earth.



DANCE FEARLESSLY mes amies, in the golden shoes of a life, LIVED LONG and WELL with LA JOIE DE VIVRE!




Photo Credits:

First five interior images from the beautiful blog:

Eclectic Revisted

Illustration of Audrey Hepburn by Arnaud Griselin

Other interior images from:

www.jjlocations.co.uk

Vintage Altered Art image:

faerieenchantment.blogspot.com

From Tip to Toe

From tip





to toe





and in between





for one fleeting moment



I felt like a queen.





I am still basking in the afterglow



of having been invited to attend the



as an "influential teacher" and to sit on stage in the good company of other teachers from different walks of life, grade levels and disciplines and to congratulate our students who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievements.

Persistence

Listening to others

Thinking flexibly

Being creative

Striving for accuracy and precision

Applying knowledge to new situations

Communicating with clarity

Responding with wonderment and awe

and ROLE MODELING

were amongst the values recognized in these fine young people as well as achieving high scores on state tests. What breathtaking images of a model student, teacher and role model that I would like to put into my reality!

Happy Pink Saturday mes amies!

Photo Credits:

Evening gowns scanned from the book:

The Evening Dress by Alexandra Black, Rizzoli International Publications, 2005.

Google Images

Pink Satin Shoes from the blog, This is Glamorous

Come Away With Me, Mes Chèries

and picnic under the warm embrace of the springtime sun



for I will tell you a story



about a young girl



who became a queen.





But in order for you to understand, you need NOT put on your magic chaussons at this time



or opulent tutus.




Add Glitter to Pictures



Just simply BELIEVE


Glitter Graphics



and open your eyes.



For she loved children











nature







all that is beautiful in architecture







décor



and the arts.



Harboring a desire to live within close proximity to nature's simplicity





while living in affluence





she tried to carve out for herself a common place







where the innocence of nature



would INSPIRE her to KINDNESS.



As I look down the humble corridors of my home



and the secret places of my heart where I rest



reminisce









compose my whims



and greet my guests



I ask myself, "What inspires me to KINDNESS?"





The answer?

YOU.

The Dutchess

Tita

Penny and Jasper

Jackie

Ruben

Nancy

Ulla

Bonnie

Rosemary

Julie

Rosie

Violet

Rita

Patti

Karen HC

The two Sherrys

Carol and Charli

Belle Vie

Amy

Marie Antoinette

MA the Second

Spencer

Tristan

Tish

Mimi

Sumea

Deb

Kyle

Synnove

Dzintra

Rita

Lili M.

Sandra

Fairmaiden

Marie

Bunny

Lulu

Debbie

Koralee

Carmelina

Liddy

Kelly

Kitty

Fine

Marie-Ange

Val

Sacha

Cecilia

Claudie

Suzanne

AND COUNTLESS OTHERS who keep the story going.

KINDNESS...the key to royalty.



Photo credits:

Google Images
Rabbit Hill - Castles Crowns and Cottages
Image of Ulla and myself from Thanksgiving 2009