Vintage Charm in Nana's Attic

We just received a new shipment of bedding from Pine Cone Hill that is sure to make you swoon! The collection, called Nana's Attic, combines "old world sensibility and new world chic." Vintage florals pair beautifully with modern colors and textures. We especially love the Candlewick pillow shams in Curry (yellow) and Paprika (orange.)

This cute chest of drawers got a makeover with Annie Sloan CHALK PAINT™ in Paris Grey. We kept it simple with just a coat of clear wax on top. Sometimes less really is more!

We're very excited to introduce you to artist Rita Ann "Rann" Woodward. Based out of Clarksville, Rann uses vintage fabric and paper to create a mixed media look with a touch of whimsy. Her artwork ranges from muted and classic... 

to bright and bold! The interest in this piece comes not only from the mix of colors but the texture used everywhere from the handlebars to the little bird nestled on top of the bicycle basket. The thought Rann puts in her work is apparent on every inch of her canvas!

Finally, we want to let you know that we are already preparing for Christmas! Christmas Village, that is. Christmas Village is Nashville's premier consumer show. It is a philanthropic project of Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club that draws more than 25,000 shoppers each year. We are proud to be one of more than 250 merchants participating this year. We are also very excited to be showcasing many NEW items, including collections that will only be available at Christmas Village. Art lovers will be especially excited at what they find when they attend the show! 

Christmas Village will take place on the following dates:

November 9, 2012  Fri 9:00am-900pm

November 10, 2012 Sat 9:00am-6:00pm

November 11, 2012 Sun 12:00pm-6:00pm 

General admission tickets are $10 and can be bought online. More information can be found here.

We hope to see you there!

A Barn Makeover

We're not sure exactly what to call this building, which sits just a few yards down from C'est Moi. But Tawnya has always had a little barn envy, so...

we gave her a makeover! We'll be focusing our energy on the inside in the coming weeks and months, but today it's all about the outside. We painted her in CHALK PAINT™ in Primer Red, to mimic the look of many of the old barns you see throughout Tennessee. Suggestions for "official" names are welcome. :)

Speaking of makeovers, take a look at this fabulous display of Kellie Montana's artistic talent. The dresser is painted in CHALK PAINT™ in Country Grey, with the trim and hardware in Chateau Grey. Kellie then used various colors of CHALK PAINT™ to create this whimsical birds and branches theme. We love it!

While Kellie went to work on her masterpiece, we watched several customers work on theirs during one of our workshops. Here they used blow dryers as part of a crackling technique. Ask about our workshop schedule the next time you're in the shop; there is always plenty to learn when it comes to using Annie Sloan ™ CHALK PAINT!

Pure Sanctuary and Some Very Seductive Interiors

Today we have a smorgasbord of our favorite things. First up we have Pure Sanctuary's newest charms! These Regal Crest necklaces featuring brass initials lend an old world quality to modern jewelry design. Hand cast in their Los Angelas studio, Pure Sanctuary "makes sure each piece is made with the Love and Care needed to last through Generations."

Anyone who follows Tawnya's facebook page knows how excited we are about this book! Sera Hersham-Loftus is a London-based interior designer whose clients include Mick Jagger's daughter, Lizzie, and Courtney Love. She describes herself as a "makeup artist for interiors" and says her style is "Rock n Roll meets Victorian Goth." We definitely agree; it's far from pure and simple shabby chic design. She mixes elements like dark, rich velvet with lacy florals...and it works. We encourage you to come take a peek at Seductive Interiors. You won't be able to put it down!

These bride and groom collections from Murfreesboro artist Phyllis Reed have been selling out like hotcakes! She uses CHALK PAINT™ to create her pieces on top of old cabinet doors or boards. Phyllis also takes custom orders, so she can make the bride and groom resemble the "real deal," whether the bride is a brunette...

or blonde! Her custom orders come in different sizes as well. Be sure to look around for Phyllis' work the next time you come in!

Fall Decor

Autumn is here, but that doesn't just mean Halloween for us at C'est Moi.  For our store it means beautiful, vibrant colors and warm, rich textures. This display says it all. The dresser shows off a quirky combination of Annie Sloan CHALK PAINT™.  We layered Emperor's Silk and Provence over Arles and Chateau Grey, which peek through the outer layers and dark wax ever so slightly.

Our new Dash and Albert Gypsy Rose 100 % Cotton Hooked Rug adds an off-beat elegance to the vignette. The eye-catching accessory also comes in 100% wool, for those who need just a little more warmth under their toes this winter. 

Kelly Rae Roberts is an inspiring artist based out of Portland, Oregon. Her artwork, like that of Nashville's own Emily Little, is licensed and can be seen on more than just a canvas. These tin caddies, for instance, can be used for everything from organizing a craft drawer to holding silverware.

Her artwork says it all, doesn't it? This quotation by Norman Vincent Peale is the essence of Kelly's experience and work as an artist. Like Emily, she calls herself an "accidental artist," since she discovered her talent late in life. This little accessory imbues a wonderful sense of hope and inspiration; it reminds us that we should see the possibilities all around us!

Those are just a few of our new items this fall. We'd love to see you come to C'est Moi to discover even more!

Little E Studio

Create. Explore. Dream.

Those three words summarize what C'est Moi is truly about, and no one epitomizes that better than Emily Little, owner and creative talent behind Little E Studio.  Emily walked into the store a year ago and we immediately agreed to sell her artwork. We saw the spark, but we couldn't have imagined how big this little studio would become!

Through many twists and turns, Emily became an artist who specializes in using what she calls "oops paint," among other materials. She explains on her blog that a display of her art we had behind our register, combined with God's perfect timing, led her to receive a licensing deal from Creative Co-Op!!!  That means Emily's designs are being manufactured on numerous products! This is our Little E Studio display, near the front of the store. Can you tell we're just a little proud?

Why carry a boring black cup, for instance, when you can show off your artsy side? These colorful stoneware travel mugs are both practical and stylish!

Her birdcage silhouette is one of our favorites. These metal wall pocket hooks would add a cute, quirky touch to an otherwise neutral wall or room.

Perhaps, though, you're interested in something more meaningful. This tin prayer box makes a lovely gift for anyone who needs a little boost. Her heart and soul has gone into the design, making it a special creation for those whose hopes and dreams are as big as Emily's.

You can see more of Emily's heart(s) on this beautiful stoneware plate. We're having a hard time not buying all of these for ourselves! 

Emily's artwork has also been produced on comfy decorative pillows. The bright colors (it also comes in yellow, just like the painting in the first photo!) and bold design definitely make a statement. 

We hope you find time in your week to come by and see the culmination of Emily's hard work. We are so excited that C'est Moi has been a part of inspiring others and changing lives (we hope always for the better!) And don't forget to dream; you never know where it'll take you!

Trick or Treat...

Halloween is more than a month away, but everyone knows decorating for the holidays starts in July September.  At least it does at C'est Moi.  This year we have plenty of decor to fill out your mantel, entryway, or any other area that calls out for some festive fun!  This shimmery white treat bowl puts a sophisticated spin on Halloween that everyone in the neighborhood will be sure to admire.

Some of our customers, however, prefer a more laid-back approach to Halloween. These cute little pumpkins are sure to put a smile on your face!

Our favorites, though, might be these classic figurines. Their adorable expressions and costumes bring back precious memories of Halloweens gone by. (Who didn't dress up as some sort of vampire?)  They're also the perfect size for a slim mantel or end table!

If you're looking for more permanent, enduring style this time of year, you'll find it in our latest collection of hardware. Rest assured this is not the same product you'll find at Lowes or Home Depot!  These run the gamut from fanciful and colorful to vintage-inspired neutrals.

These floral knobs, for instance, can be used to brighten up a number of various pieces around the house.  Whether they appear on a vanity, desk, table, or cabinet, they are sure to catch the eye of anyone who walks by!

Ready for a Close Up

Sometimes photographs just don't do a painted piece justice, especially when the beauty is in the details. This chandelier-in-progress, for instance, has a lot of design work that would be difficult to see if you're not in close range. Let's take a better look...

Using a chip brush to dry brush CHALK PAINT™ highlights the chandelier's embellishment. It's not always a good idea to fill in every crevice; it's usually much more interesting to not paint a piece perfectly. At least that's the way we think around here.  :)

If you just can't help but strive for perfection, though, then we have a new product for you.  We love Gilders Paste by Baroque Art.  These little beauties come in several shades that each add a beautiful metallic finish to anything they touch.

We used it with a stencil to layer over some impasto CHALK PAINT™ on a canvas.  You can use your finger, a sponge, a toothbrush(!), or a cloth to apply it straight out of the can. Or you can thin it out to use with a brush, just like a normal paint.  It's a versatile product we know you'll love!

Our last features are for those of us whose best friends are of the four-legged variety.  Wendy Day always manages to produce fun, whimsical watercolors, but these simply make our hearts melt! 

This one is our favorite.  He looks like he's having fun, and the bright blues and greens in the background lift our spirits, too!  We can always count on Wendy to radiate happiness, even when she's not in the shop!

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If you happen to be close to Hartsville this weekend, come stop by the Strawberry Patch Barn Sale!  The fun begins to day at 10am and goes until 6pm; tomorrow we'll be there from 10am to 4pm.  We look forward to seeing you!