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The Academy France- Chateau de Mondesir

While we were at the Academy we stayed at Chateau de Mondesir   It is a 13th century chateau in Villefranche-de-Longchapt. Walking distance to the tiny village so full of character!

 You enter the chateau ground from a tiny country road that passes by the barn and farm house.  We held our styling  classes in the barn.

(picture via Shannon)

 

 

 

There were so many sweet little hidden areas-  so peaceful 

The grounds of the Chateau were just so wonderful to wounder!  A view at every angle.

This was the little cottage where Shannon and I stayed.  Shannon shared some wonderful pictures on her site of this little cottage....click here to see them.

Walking through the Chateau itself was like stepping way back in time!  I adored the soft light, the creamy colors, worn patina, rock walls, aged wood.  Divine!

See guys....every inch divine!

 I found the kitchen very charming...On the refrigerator words for learning English and beautiful copper pots everywhere and a wonderful kitchen garden right out that back door.

 

The view from the cottage....we would just open our door...lay in our bed and watch the moon move slowing over the Chateau...Divine!

 
 

Shannon- on the west side of the Chateau.

(Picture via Shannon) 

Martine and Laurent were our hosts at the Chateau- they are the owners of this charming place.  Chateau Mondesir sits within a 90 acre estate, with 30 acres of vineyards.  The Chateau and its gardens are on the crest of a hill with wonderful view of the surrounding countryside- the name Mondesir "may have originally meant "mont desert' (deserted mount.)

They rent out their Chateau to groups like us, for events, weddings and travelers.  

They are a charming couple with adventurous history....easy to become fast friends with.  ( I would so love to gather up all my girlfriends and visit again!)

 I am so thankful and feel so blessed to have been able to attend this amazing event.....especially with my daughter.   I'm thankful that Heather shared her creativity with us. It is people like her that take the courage to reach out and share...that makes life full of creative possibilities!   What would this world be like if we kept our talents to our-self!  I'm so thankful for Heather. 

 I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy by sharing their God given talents!  

Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun.

 I consider Heather, Jill, Jaci, Gina, Lori, Lynda, Denise, Stacie, Jamie, Terry, Genevieve, Bron, Michelle and Victoria my friends!  They have touched my life for the good.

I just what to go again and do it all over!   Happy Day!

Thank you Danny for telling me I needed to go do this...Love you!  And Shannon thanks for showing me love as your Mother I think you are awesome. 

Happy Happy Day!

 

 

 

 

The Academy France- To the Market we go

You know it's going to be an awesome day when you wake up and find this waiting for you!.  I loved Market days!

Field trip to Eymet, Dordogne- for a real life French Brocante....so many amazing treasures! We also enjoyed a traditional French lunch (3 hours long) at la Maison de Amour.  Salad with duck, frites and crepes for dessert.

Field trip to Perigueux to experience an outdoor French market.  The produce at each market was so beautiful and fresh, the tomatoes were to die for;  all this in the shadows of an amazing large chapel. We checked out the market, shops and ended the day with another amazing five course meal at Le clos Saint front   

Field trip to Saint Emilion- A charming little village with cobblestone streets, steep walkways, shops, ruins built by monks and historic church dating back to the 8th century.  Enjoyed a picnic wrapped in a linen bag on the grounds of the 8th century chapel....the best picnic ever!

Field trip to Riberac- Lots of very colorful fruits and vegetables, vendors and artisans!

 

 

This market went on for blocks both ways! (wishing I had a sea train/container and a few strong  men)

 

Sharing our market treasures! 

Like I said in an earlier post, Heather thought of everything!  This was a gift we received on the day we were heading to market.  From The Dharma Door designs.  This little bag is amazing, it can hold so much!

 

In Perigueux- centre ville 

The market was filled with many photo opportunities!  (plus I just loved the color of those shutters!)

Saint Emilion 

 Riberac, dates back to the 9th century and is set in the Dronne Valley in the northern Dordogne region.

You will find your usual clothes stalls and souvenirs stalls but you will also find great fresh fruit and vegetables.

Stalls with exotic smelling spices, fresh fish and meat.

Our visit to the  brocante (a french word for flea market) was so interesting and fun : a lively encounter with everyday French culture, an exciting way to spend a few hours, and a chance to pick up something unique.

I Loved it!

 

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The Academy France May 2016- Roads, Roses, Ivy & round corners

The Academy France May 2016- Diner en blanc

What is Diner en Blanc you say?  Wikipedia says- 

Le Dîner en Blanc is a worldwide event, spanning five continents , in which people flash-gather in a public space and set up a temporary, chic dining area.  The principles of the event are simply that guests dress formally in white; and that they enjoy quality food, wine and good company.  Only a select number of participants who have previously signed up are made privy to the location the day of the dinner, and generally converge in an iconic city location.

Here is a look at our Evening "Diner en Blanc"

We got all dressed up for the evening in white. preparing to have a  little photo shoot with Jaci. 

All the sweet women at the event were so fun!

Shannon

The table was perfect! Amazing background....awesome food!  All White!

 

Jill

This sweet French couple spent days preparing this 7 course meal for us.  We began diner en Blanc at 8 pm ended just after midnight!

Amazing couple!

 

 

 

This evening was magical, Heather and Jill set the stage perfectly for an amazing evening!

The evening was beyond amazing,the night seemed like a beautiful little story....perfect

The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table.  

Happy Day....

and yes, still more to come!

 

The Academy France May 2016- Roads, Roses, Ivy & round corners

 Our adventure each day ... hop in the van....drive the narrow countryside roads that were  château-studded  and picturesque villages lined...Okay, I can handle that!  At every turn a new vista that was postcard worthy.  Even the cows were pretty, all a nice cream color. (smile)

Below I will be sharing just random pictures from my trip....roads, roses, ivy and round corners. 

 

  

Saint-Emilion

You could smell these roses from across the street...divine!  I wish I knew what type they were. 

 

Perigueux

(Playing around with focus on my camera.) 

 

 

 

I really liked this door. 

That time in France when I matched the doors and shutters....fun....and I love all the round corners. 

Jaci event photographer!

Shannon and I found this sweet little residential neighborhood .

Like I said every corner with a postcard view! I love the roses, streets and corners of France.

Happy Day.

Still more to come.

*documenting for my journal.

 

 

 

The Academy France- Editorial styling

(picture of my first assignment)

One of the main reasons I wanted to attend Heather's event in Dordogne France , was for the editorial styling class she would be teaching! (Intensive lectures and hands on styling sessions)

Each morning as we headed to class we would walk through these amazing doors.... and past this table

that alone was a wonderful treat!

Each day at class not only did we received fabulous gifts....but also an abundance of information! I took notes as fast as I could.

These gorgeous Moroccan spoons from Elsie Green House and Home are amazing!  

After a couple hours of instructions we were paired up and were  each assigned to put together a vignette...using the styling props she had on hand or using the items we purchased at the brocantes.

 

I choose to use the items I bought at the brocantes.

My creative bucket was filled to overflowing....I learned so much....now I just hope I can do Heather proud and use what I've learned. (old dog new tricks, smile.)

The classes were beyond what I had imagine!

More to come...

More to come!

Happy Day
 

The Academy France- Gastronomy

(Picture by Shannon food by Jill  follow  IG modernmarch)

I will be devoting this whole post to food, a good part of our trip happened around food....preparing it , taking pictures of it, eating it , the art of it, taking our time and enjoying it....lunch could run 3 hours....dinner up to four. (Diner en Blanc I will post about later. ) 

 

 That time I made Strawberry rhubarb  jam with my daughter in a 13 century Chateau in France- priceless.

  

left to right-  Jamie- doing what it takes to get the shot -Gina

Learning new photography skills was also a part of this trip.

(I learned tons....now the trick is to actually use what I learned...the hard part.)

 

You know it is going to be a great week when this greets you as you step from the van straight from the airport.  I thought it was our dinner....but no, it was a snack!

 Quote from Shannon " I feel like I'm seriously ruined for dining/cooking forever. Every single meal was so good with so many wonderful flavors, textures, colors, and unique combinations. I now understand why they say that food tastes better in France."

 I totally agree!

Now for the onslaught of food pictures!

 

Another snack....so coveting these trays!

 

Many an awesome meal served on this table!

Breakfast outside when the weather was warm.

A typical breakfast....I so miss the warm croissants! 

 

 

Picnic- you can't go to France and not have a picnic!  Oh, and while you are at it....make sure you carry your lunch in an adorable linen bag tried in a knot and sit down to eat on the grounds of a 8th century chapel...yep happens everyday....not!(smile...the linen bags a gift to us from Heather.)

 

Flowers and great food...wonderful together.

All our meals seemed to take place with the most stunning views or have a wonderful comfortable home like feeling.

Picture by Shannon- Savory crepes 

 

The meal we enjoyed here was beyond wonderful!  The vegetable lasagna was to die for!

All this...Because Heather had a dream/idea to bring us together to learn, create, laugh and explore! Thank you!

Heather and Jill the team that made all this happen! (I asked Jaci Jill's daughter if her Mother cooked like this all the time...and she said yes....amazing!)

and I still need to tell you about our diner en blanc and much more!

Happy Day

 

The Academy France- May 2016 #1

I thought I would sit down and take a couple of minutes to start documenting our trip to France. (much of it I shared on my IG account)  My Daughter and I attended The Academy France an event  put on by Heather Bullard - A Creative and Editorial Styling Event. 

Not only was it a week of learning new things, but also a week full of adventure meeting women who were fun,creative, caring and awesome! A week of shopping, eating, laughing and learning!  It doesn't get much better than that!

Let me begin-

Shannon and I are back in the states, after a full 24 hours of travel.   I was worried for Shannon at the beginning of this trip (because she broke her toe just days before we left, and would be sporting a "boot" for the trip.) but she did awesome!

In fact because of the boot ...we whipped right through all the connections at the airport; the airline had a wheelchair waiting for her as we left the plane and one as we boarded.  Nothing better than going straight to the front of the security line no waiting!

My suitcase came home full to over flowing....even had to get a box to bring everything home.  Not only is my suitcase full but my heart and my "bucket" so to say is full! 

Heather Bullard made our stay amazing.  Much of what was in my suitcase were the gifts we received each day from her.   She told us that she went about choosing these gifts as if she were shopping for her girlfriends .  This is what we found on our beds when we arrived.   I love this styling bag with pockets for, scissors, wire snips etc.  Loved the soft white towels  wrapped in beautiful ribbon, a soap block, and custom linen apron made specially for this event.

  The room we were assigned to in the 13th century Chateau de Mondesir- was so very charming and rustic!  

 I love the sweet look on Shannon's face in this picture....we just arrived; having fun taking it all in!

 The little sitting area in our "cottage" (smile)

Every little detail was thought out...flowers, chocolate on our pillows and a treat basket just in case we got hungry!

( we ate so divinely that I actually ended up taking some of the treats home!)

View from our room.

The front door to our little cottage.

 

The cottage looked so sweet at night.

The little window outside our bedroom....was used for many photo opportunities. 

The amazing Jaci Marie Smith was the events photographer...she  is awesome!

Laurent- the owner of the Chateau!  He is such a sweet man....he and his wife Martine did so many things to help our stay be fabulous!

 

More to come!