The French Bee

I am always in search of inspiration...always. When I take the time to slow down and look, I realize it is everywhere. Last month I was so fortunate to find myself in Arizona for a lovely getaway. Once again I realize that I am a very lucky girl! Upon taking an afternoon stroll I stumbled on an unexpected treasure...

The French Bee

 Walking into this shop literally took my breath away. Nestled into an elegant shopping district in Keirland Commons sits this wonderland for the senses. The French Bee is the epitome of fantastic fantasy floral design for every home. All the arrangements are designed and arranged by the very talented and creative owner Michael Hansen.

If you are in Arizona you must visit one of their lovely locations...

It is almost hard to believe that each and every one of these incredible blossoms are artificial. The quality is truly spectacular and the attention to detail is extraordinary.

Every vignette is simply superb...

The florals range from wreaths to centerpieces to topiaries and the everlasting water arrangements are beyond imagination. 

Not only are the florals exquisite but they also offer an incredible array of accessories all displayed to perfection...

charming lamps, porcelain urns, European oil paintings, hand painted and fringe trimmed throw pillows, elegant case goods and upholstered furnishings, garden themed statuary and accessories, vintage inspired mirrors, delectable tableware and unique chandeliers.

Every square inch offers a true feast for the eyes... 

I feel so blessed to have ventured into this incredible shop. It is so worth a visit.

The French Bee

Keirland Commons

15220 North Scottsdale Road Suite 180

Scottsdale, Arizona 85254

602.954.2024

If you will not be in the area or would like more information, please visit their website...

www.thefrenchbee.com

I think I spent the better part of the afternoon wandering through the displays. I was lost in my own little fairy tale. I would like to send a special thanks to the wonderful "Bee family"  that took the time to share and present every little detail of the shop with such care.  

There will be more photos to come...

St. Patrick's Day

 As day after day passes us by, it is so easy to get caught up in the worries that continue to fill our lives. This week we celebrated St. Patrick's Day. It would have been easy to chalk it up as any other busy day in an already hectic world. However, for my family this day has cause to pause. I am blessed and honored to share in the Irish heritage thanks to my Irish Grandmother Anna Julia McMunn. Grandma was Irish to the core...and she even passed away on St. Patrick's Day. She was very creative and I believe she would have loved my little shop.

Here are a few St. Patrick's Day pictures from my shop...inspired by a red-haired, blue-eyed Irish lady named Anna Julia...Enjoy!

A soft palette of green and cream.

 Beautiful images from the past.

 Vintage Irish linens.

 A wheat wreath for prosperity and good fortune.

 And it would not be St. Patrick's Day without a beautiful bouquet of Bells-of-Ireland!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Grandma!

In loving memory of

Anna Julia McMunn

1915-1990

Take time to celebrate the people, the past and the heritage that make you who you are.

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone...

Tea Party Favors

Are you going to host a tea party or a ladies luncheon and need a special favor for your guests?

Here is an idea I would like to share. I can't think of a more lovely way to recycle!

What you will need...

misc. vintage tea cups

misc. antique silver spoons

misc. vintage linen napkins

tea bags

cellophane corsage bags

plastic lollipop sleeves

organza jewelry sized bags

narrow ribbon of your choice

packing material: crinkle, excelsior or shredded paper

scissors

Note: Hit the thrift shops for the vintage items and a craft store for the packaging materials.

First...

Place a small amount of shredded tissue in the bottom of a cellophane bag. Create a "nest" and nestle the tea cup upright in the bottom of the bag.

Next...

Place a neatly folded napkin in the tea cup.

Next...

Take a tea bag and place it into a plastic lollipop sleeve leaving the string and tag free.

Next...

Tuck the tea bag and a silver spoon into an organza bag. Be sure to leave the handle of the spoon and the tag of the tea bag out. Pull the ribbon of the bag tight and secure with a single knot.

Next...

Tightly twist the cellophane bag (holding the tea cup and napkin) closed and secure with ribbon. Using the extra ribbon, tie the spoon and tea bag onto the cellophane bag.

Lastly...

Cut excess cellophane to make the final presentation neat and tidy. As an extra little touch you can hot glue a small vintage button onto the tea bag label!

Place one of the pretty packages on each place setting for your guests. Adding a card or tag will allow you to use the gift as a place setting marker on the table or you can simply use the space to write a special note.

Find a plain note card, gift tag or make your own. The vintage tea advertisement below is a great image to use as a label...

On the back of the card you could write someting sweet like...

Thank you for spending the afternoon with me...

I think you're as special as can be,

So I hope you will enjoy this gift of tea!

  

a touch of romance

Love is in the air and my heart is full!

Come along and follow me through the doors of Surroundings and you too will fall in love...

if only for the moment...

Even though my palette is always a wash of white and cream...it is impossible to hide the true colors of romance. Touches of red pepper the shop and warm the senses as well as the soul!

I love vintage linens and it is a joy to showcase these cheerful French classics.

Worn, loved and treasured...

and they have the character to prove it.

From torn linens to elegant china...it all blends together seamlessly.

A few scraps of upholstery fabric, a yard or two of grosgrain ribbon, and a vintage velvet rose...

Voila...romance!

...And a touch of country gingham goes a long way. This tufted heart garland is as whimsical as it is charming.

Of course no display in my shop is complete without the addition of a nest..every season is the reason for a new beginning...hence the nest! 

 Thanks for joining me on this heart felt tour of Surroundings. I send you warm wishes and rose scented dreams!

Fill your heart and home with love during this most romantic season!  XOXOXO

take a peek...

January began as most every month for me...with the restaging of the shop. The showroom has a new look for the new year! Well not a new look exactly but lots of new and wonderful things.

Take a look for yourself...

I have also been adding lots of new treasures that you will be able to purchase through our new online shoppe...

www.surroundingsbymelinda.com

One of my favorites and best sellers in the shop is our lovely collection of hand milled and over-sized soaps.

The scents are sublime...

the suds are divine...

...and the packaging is elegantly refined!

I am so thrilled to be able to share all the new changes with you.

Thank you so much for stopping by...

...and I hope to see you again very soon!

back to the drawing board...

Inspiration comes from everywhere. It can come from the most obscure places or it can be something we see every single day. I am so blessed to have the Gulf of Mexico at the end of my street...now that's inspiration!

The shelling has been spectacular this winter!!! And needless to say...I have been spending less time working and more time with the sand between my toes. But now it is time to get back to the drawing board and I have taken my inspiration with me once again...

Even though my shop maintains a very defined look comprised of white vintage lovely feminine wares...my design work spans a multitude of styles. No matter how traditional or modern...residential or commercial...the project may be I always refer to nature and history for my design inspiration.

Texture, color, form...it all comes from the past. Look to the familiar when attempting to create the extraordinary. I have collected many beautiful shells and shaken the sand from my shoes. It's time to officially get back to the drawing board!

This is a sneak peek of things to come. Thanks for visiting me at my drafting table. I can't wait to show you the end result...stay tuned!

Yummy Fun in the Kitchen

Well this blog is starting to make me look like a pastry chef...truth be told, I am barely a cook. But my love of decorating always takes over...even in the kitchen! I thought I would share my favorite super simple spice cake recipe that I made this holiday season...

Here is what you will need...

boxed spice cake mix

3 eggs

1 1/4 cups apple sauce

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp nutmeg

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Next, grease and flour a bundt pan. Combine all ingredients above in a large bowl...then, using an electric mixer, mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour the batter into the greased and floured bundt pan and place on the center rack in your oven. Bake for 40 minutes... Allow the cake to cool 5 minutes before removing from the pan. Be patient and allow the cake to cool completely before decorating!

Now the fun begins! What you will need for decorating...

30 ginger snap cookies

12 oz container of cream cheese frosting

1 can green cupcake frosting with decorating tips

1 can red cupcake frosting with decorating tips

green crystal sugar

clear sugared glitter flakes

Grind gingersnaps in a food processor and set aside. Frost entire cake with the white cream cheese frosting. Gently pat the ground gingersnaps into the sides of the frosted cake. Next, attach the leaf tip to the can of green frosting. Cover the entire top of the cake with tiny green leaves. Be sure to practice on a piece of waxed paper. Start the leaves in the center of the cake and work your way around and around until the top of the cake is covered and looks like a wreath! Now sprinkle the green sugar lightly over the leaves. Using the drawing tip on the can of red frosting, randomly make small dots to resemble berries on the wreath. For a wonderful finishing touch, sprinkle clear sugar flakes over the entire cake...it will glisten and shine in the soft candlelight. I like to think of it as fairy dust...!

I love to bake...I love to decorate...but most of all...I love sharing a piece of cake and a cold glass of milk with the people I love! I would like to send a special thanks to the Craig Family...especially Cooper...for helping me finish the entire cake! I hope you will be inspired to create something beautiful...and yummy!