The Effects of Efex™

Well, it's been a while, but we're happy to be back on the blogging track! Today we're officially introducing a product that has been on our shelves for a few months and has already had quite the response from our customers. 

Efex™ Decorative Latex Appliques are produced from original plaster moldings taken from pieces in England and France. Produced in New Zealand, they're the perfect way to add old world charm to furniture, walls, doors mirrors, frames, and more.  

Not only are they beautiful, Efex™ moldings are amazingly easy to work with. Most traditional appliques are inflexible, requiring a flat surface or filling gaps after they're applied. Efex™ flex to fit any surface they're applied to, which can include wood, plaster, metal, glass, and terracotta. All you need to apply them are scissors and contact cement. As soon as the cement adheres the latex to the piece, you're ready to go! 

Efex™ is the perfect partner for CHALK PAINT­® decorative paint by Annie Sloan and our other artist supplies, since the appliques can be painted, stained, or gilded. We love their versatility and the character they add to the pieces in the shop. If you haven't had a chance to check them out, be sure to stop by and take a look! We're sure you'll love them as much as we do.

February Favorites

Valentine's Day is upon us, so we're sharing several of our favorite little lovelies. They all make wonderful gifts any time of year, but would make the upcoming holiday an especially delightful day for anyone you love!

We've carried the TruBee line of honey for quite some time, but their newest product is too charming not to feature! Their premium raw honey is bottled in Italian glass wine bottles, topped with pure, unbleached beeswax. They're as versatile as they are pretty; these bottles of honey are fitting for loved ones and new acquaintances alike.

Every girl loves jewelry, especially on Valentine's Day, and these beaded wrap bracelets are no exception. The variety of color and material combinations is seemingly endless; each bracelet is unique, making it an ideal match for that special someone who likes to stand out from the crowd!

If you're a little more sentimental at heart, you'll admire Emily Little's latest work. She reminds us to appreciate the here and now, however long and difficult some days might seem. Just seeing this message helps us enjoy the time we have with those we love; the delicate, simple design only adds to the beauty of the message.

Amy Rankin's miniature pieces also make great meaningful gifts. Each of her paintings relate to her Christian faith or her favorite charities, to which she regularly donates a portion of the proceeds from her art. What could be more heartfelt than a gift that gives back to others?

Where Women Create Feature

It has been a couple of months since Where Women Create released their winter issue, but our excitement about Tawnya's feature has yet to wane! In fact, 2013 was a fantastic year, since Tawnya also became a licensed artist for Creative Co-Op!

Tawnya has had a life-long penchant for creating unique jewelry from collected treasures, but until recently her work could only be enjoyed by those lucky enough to own an original piece. The Embellish Collection by Creative Co-Op now produces jewelry based on her original designs, featuring broken rosaries, antique keys, and other hallmarks of Tawnya's distinct aesthetic. 

Her jewelry collection, as well as her role as a successful business owner, led the editors at Where Women Create to request to feature her in the issue that would be released in November. After many days staging, shooting, and editing photos and layouts, all we could do was wait. Finally, we were happy to see that Tawnya's feature did not disappoint!

Several pages of photos are accompanied by a detailed article, all of which depict the talent and skill that have made Tawnya the successful artist and business owner she is today. The winter 2014 (Nov/Dec/Jan 2014) issue of Where Women Create will be available through January, so make sure to pick one up and learn a little more about one of Nashville's very own entrepreneurs.

Farmstead Flannel

Baby, it's cold outside! Don't worry, though; we have the perfect accessories to warm you up this winter! Our first introduction goes to Farmstead Vintage Washed Flannels. Based in Historic Old Town Auburn, California, Farmstead's unisex flannels are each hand-treated with a special formula to create the distinctive soft look and feel of well loved, broken-in shirts. These one-of-a-kind finds are perfect for layering and adding a cool, casual look to your wardrobe. 

If Farmstead's flannels aren't enough to fend off the chilly weather, these fabulous handcrafted fingerless gloves by Tamara's should do the trick. Each set is unique and boasts charming appliques, buttons, decorative stitching, or all three!

We love the range of colors and designs; there's one for every personality and style. Tamara's gloves are made of high quality wool, so they make lovely Christmas gifts that would certainly be welcome this time of year!

Inspired Reading

Everyone knows fall is the best time of year to cozy up with a book, and we've been busy perusing some exceptionally inspired work lately. Zoe Ellison and Alex Legendre's A Life Less Ordinary stands out as one of the most beautiful books published this year. The first book from the owners of i gigi, one of England's most eclectic boutiques, A Life Less Ordinary includes Legendre and Ellison's journeys to becoming designers, inspirations, and stunning photography of their chic but practical design aesthetic.

Summers in France has been another captivating read. Designer Kathryn M. Ireland's journal-style writing and family photos create an inviting book that captures more than just her sense of style. It allows you to see how she actually lives with her designs. Ireland's tips and ideas are offered through the lens of her family's renovated farmhouse in the French countryside, providing plenty of gorgeous inspiration for your own home.

While many of us think of French decor simply as "shabby chic," Sebastien Siraudeau shows us a different view with his book, French Flair: Modern Vintage Interiors. He takes the reader through one hundred truly remarkable properties, all demonstrating a diverse mixture of traditional and contemporary elements. Siraudeau's advice for creating a home's history, in addition to the exquisite photography, make this a must read.

For a little lighter reading, pick up the latest copy of Flea Market Style, one of our favorite magazines. We love searching for and collecting one-of-a-kind treasures to give our shop and our homes their own unique stories. Flea Market Style offers fantastic ideas for taking vintage items and integrating them into home design. Needless to say, we read it cover to cover every time it comes through our door!

August Artwork

August has been a busy month so far for C'est Moi, and apparently it has been the same for some of our local artists. We just received this beautiful piece from Kellie Montana. We love the texture and muted colors she used! The picture simply doesn't do it justice.

Amy Rankin has also added to her collection at the shop. This piece, inspired by the Bible verse found in Joshua 24:15, rings true to her style in both beauty and inspiration. Anyone who admires Amy's work will certainly adore her latest artistic endeavor.

Those of you who have followed Emily Little's journey might think her latest piece is a bit of a departure from her previous work. You can see her hand, though, in the way she's captured the charm and simplicity of nature in this painting. Like Kellie and Amy's work, you'll want to come in the shop to see this beautiful piece for yourself!

Dreaming in Color

Everyone knows we love color here at C'est Moi, and this little yellow ceramic pig is just too cute for words. The top is hollow, so it can be used to hold jewelry, knick-knacks, flowers, or just about anything else imaginable!

Another colorful piece to arrive are these bracelets from Amazima. Like their necklaces, these are hand crafted by women in Uganda, who are paid fair wages for their work and are then able to better care for their families. We love Amazima's jewelry, as well as its mission!

Perhaps the brightest piece of news to share with you is that we will be hosting a very special workshop! Deneen Glidwell, the talented and creative mind behind Dreaming in Color, will be teaching how to use CHALK PAINT® by Annie Sloan to create a one-of-a-kind jewelry box, as seen below. Anyone 9 years old and up are welcome to participate! The workshop will be Sunday, June 30th from 10:00 to 12:30 and costs $85. We can't wait to see you there!

English Yellow Has Arrived!

Yellow is, simply put, a happy color. It doesn't matter whether it's a rich gold tone, as seen on this beautiful French headboard...

Source: www.escapadeblog.com

or a more muted hue, as this stunning stair runner showcases...

Source: www.jonathanadler.com

or a bright sunny yellow that works seamlessly within a vibrant palette. Yellow imbues joy and radiance into any space it touches, which means that this week C'est Moi is certainly a happy place to be...

Source: www.jonathanadler.com

since we have received our first shipment of CHALK PAINT® by Annie Sloan in English Yellow!!! This is what Annie calls a "clean" or "non earthy yellow;" it blends beautifully with other colors. One of our favorite combinations is English Yellow and Antibes Green, which creates a perfect lime green shade. We've been painting everything in sight with this pretty pop of color, and we know you'll love it as well. Be sure to come by and see for yourself!

Source: www.examiner.com; photography by Christopher Drake for Annie Sloan

The Art of Giving

Amy Rankin, one of the newest artists to be featured at C'est Moi, is the owner and creative mind behind 2540 Designs. Inspired by the Bible verse Matthew 25:40, Amy and her husband adopted their daughter from China and have become supporters of several charitable organizations that promote and provide adoption services. Part of the proceeds from her sales go to these organizations. We admire Amy's desire to give back and serve others in need and are proud to promote her work.

We also happen to love the color, texture, and inspiration her art work exhibits. It's simply beautiful and would be gorgeous in any home!

Sheryl Putnam is another local artist whose work has blessed the lives of others. Several years ago, through the midst of several trials, she began creating what she calls "prayer pockets." She hand stitches pouches from vintage fabrics and attaches antique chains to them to create necklaces. A small scroll of paper, tied with a ribbon, rests inside each one. You can write a prayer on the paper and keep it close to your heart, reminding you of it throughout the day. Sheryl's prayer pockets are a sweet gift for anyone struggling through a difficult time.

Sheryl also makes these canvas vintage embellished backpacks. Its design and size make it a versatile bag that can serve as a regular book-toting back pack, a purse, and everything in between. They're even more adorable in person, so make sure you come to C'est Moi and take a look!

Brocante in Brentwood

"Brocante" is the French word for flea market, and Paris is home to the most famous brocante of all: Les Puces ("The Fleas.")  It covers 17 acres and receives between 120,000 and 180,000 visitors each weekend, making it the largest antique market in the world. Dealers and customers alike love to haggle over prices; negotiating is a hallmark of Les Puces, as well as other flea markets.

But you don't have to travel to Paris to enjoy a brocante. This Friday, June 15th, C'est Moi is bringing the brocante to Brentwood! A wide variety of items will be on sale, including rugs, bedding, furniture, and Waxing Poetic jewelry. Don't let the sale tag deter you from negotiating, though; the haggle is part of the fun! 

Introducing Artisan Enhancements

We've been asked about numerous decorative finishes and if they can be used with CHALK PAINT by Annie Sloan®. We're excited to finally be able to recommend a fabulous product: Artisan Enhancements by Aloha Coatings. Below you'll see we've stenciled with their Pearl Plaster paint, which produces a velvety, pearlescent shimmer.

Pearl Plaster offers the flexibility that fans of CHALK PAINT by Annie Sloan® have become accustomed to. It can be painted, rolled, toweled, dry brushed, and even tinted with various paint colors to create an endless number of finishes. 

When using Pearl Plaster, you can either wax over it or use Aloha Coatings' clear topcoat. The topcoat can also be used directly over CHALK PAINT by Annie Sloan®, so you can use painted pieces outside. No more worrying about the weather destroying all of your hard work!

In addition to Aloha Coatings' products, you'll want to pick up a topcoat brush. They are specifically designed to prevent brush strokes from showing, so you can finally achieve a perfectly smooth finish!

You can't use a brush without properly cleaning it, and this is hands-down our favorite cleaning product. This lye soap by Coda Artisans removes all traces of paint, wax, and other residual products from brushes. It is so amazing, you won't want to start painting without a Big Fat Lye waiting in your arsenal.

A Taste of France

As much as we love CHALK PAINT® by Annie Sloan, there's a new girl in town that has grabbed our attention. The Annie Sloan Fabric Collection® can be summed up in one word: stunning. Anyone who has been in the store has seen the Toile de Jouy line in Charcoal Pastorale. The beautiful pictures of country scenes are drawn in a charcoal graphite color on off-white pure cotton.

As it is double width toile, it can be used on walls, curtains, or light upholstery. We have displayed it in the shop over our cast iron bed. If you've been in the shop lately, you will surely have noticed this lovely addition to our decor!

If you need even more inspiration, you'll love our newest addition to our book collection, Romantic French Homes. Lanie Goodman profiles 14 homes that all exemplify romantic French style, from classic country chateaus to chic, modern Parisian flats.

We think Rann Woodward's latest artwork would add a touch of romance to any room it calls home! These serene hydrangeas make us want to take a moment, relax, and step outside to see the gorgeous flowers blooming all around us this spring.

Finally, we have a little project of our own to share with you. This cute accent chair came to us in pretty rough shape. The upholstery was in great shape, though, and we loved the color and character it brought to the rest of the piece. Instead of replacing or painting it, we kept the upholstery and played off the gold color by layering CHALK PAINT® by Annie Sloan in Arles and Cream. We love how it turned out and are happy we're finally able to show her off!

Pure Sanctuary Trunk Show

We are so very excited to announce our Pure Sanctuary Trunk Show! It starts this Thursday, May 9th, and runs through Saturday, May 11th. We will be receiving a SURPRISE box full of cash and carry items! Of course, we can still custom order as well. If you're not familiar with Pure Sanctuary, now is the time to become acquainted.

Their charms and pendants, which are all hand cast in their Los Angelas studio, create an especially fun, unique look when layered together. 

We especially love this one. Not only is it beautiful...

but it also hides a lovely little surprise! This piece would be a perfect gift for a new or soon-to-be bride. It would also make a great anniversary present!

This pendant is stunning as well! We love the script and detailed edge, but our favorite part has to be the little bee on top. The thought that goes into each of Pure Sanctuary's pieces make them truly special.

Don't forget to stop by the shop this Thursday through Saturday to find a Pure Sanctuary piece that will "inspire memories" to last you a lifetime!

Handmade Beauty: Candles

We have a bit of a love affair with candles. There are so many to choose from, it's difficult not to collect a few (dozen) here and there. These particular candles are hand poured right here in Middle Tennessee and wrapped with pages from small, vintage French dictionaries. Local product wrapped in vintage French paper? We're sold!

If you want romance, drama, and an ethereal beauty all in one package, you'll fall head over heels for these candles by Wicked. Los Angelas based owners Mark and Samantha first created them for their own wedding, after they failed to find candles that matched their vision. They continue to hand dip each candle, so no two are alike. We still haven't stopped swooning over these unique handcrafted masterpieces.

If you're style is more literary than romantic, Wicked has you covered still. Their Negative Space collection is "inspired by provocative authors of the past and their tumultuous environments at the time of their existence."  The fragrances are reminiscent of each author's surroundings, while the images on the front represent the authors' psyches. The images illuminate when the candles are lit, creating an other-worldly ambiance that reflects the works of featured authors Edgar Allen Poe and Emily Dickinson, among others. We love the thought and soul of this Wicked product; who knew candles could be such a conversation piece?