{i miss you}

I'm missing all my lovely friends and family today! xoxo

{picture courtesy etsy}

{blessings}

How grateful I am for my safety and that of my family. I love this dear country and those that fight to preserve her. I am blessed. Take pause and reflect on the significance of this date. May you be surrounded by those that bring you meaning and those you bring meaning to. May your comings and goings be greatly blessed today!

{j'aime EXTERIORS...and some interiors too!}

For this week's edition of j'aime EXTERIORS, I couldn't help but to include some interiors as well. In the past I've focused on homes, but it was nearly one year ago that Heritage Days in Paris took place. And...the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine will recommence (9/20 & 9/21)! Therefore, why not "celebrate" with the beauty that Paris offers. There are SO many exteriors that "j'aime", but these are especially unique due to their inguaration into Paris Heritage. So... here we go to Paris!

Palais de l'Elysée - Official Residence of the President of the French Republic

Maison internationale

rear façade of the Maison internationale

Hôtel d'Avaray, Dutch ambassador's residence

Cité universitaire internationale

Lycée Henri IV

Manufacture nationale de Sèvres

Hôtel de Roquelaure - Ministère de l'Equipement

Château de Vincennes

Musée du quai Branly

{And for the interiors...} Palais d'Iéna - conseil économique et social

Palais du Luxembourg- Sénat

Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine - Palais de Chaillot

Galerie d'Architecture Moderne et Contemporaine (GAMC)

Galerie des Moulages

Manufacture des Gobelins

Musée des Arts décoratifs

Hôtel de Béhague - Romanian ambassador's residence

Hôtel Potocki

The historic beauty found in each of these photos completely inspires me! After looking through these and talking about traveling to France last night with Mr. Murphy, I can't help but long! Oh, how I long to get back there...{sigh}!

We'll be sure "visit" Paris/France again soon with some fun photos. Hopefully for now, these will bring you some unexpected mid-week inspiration!

::Lovely Wednesday to you all::

{me this autumn}

Yes. Yes, I will take every outfit, please. Perfectly, "me" for this autumn. Thank you.

{j'aime being a girl}

I love being a girl. {Good thing, I guess.} Seriously though - I love girly things! This little shop endulges just that pleasure for me. I would say, though, that their items also would fit a "less is more", "tom-boy", and "down to earth" girl too. The shop: india y la luna features a large variety of sterling, and definitely adds its own personal flare to each style. J'aime each item! And don't worry - there's much more than what I've featured below. Check it out here!

I can't believe that it's only Tuesday. Hmm. Well, happy day nonetheless!

{Alicia Bock Photography}

I love photography, that's why when I saw Alicia Bock's Etsy shop my heart simply smiled.

Alicia describes her style as Fresh, Modern and Vintage Inspired, and that is exactly how I would classify her work. These are just a small sampling of what she has for sale. Check out her full collection here!

{This one, entitled Loveletters, is my favorite!!! I love typewritters. I actually recall seeing this photo elsewhere/on another blog, but can't place where at this moment. Hmm. ...if I commented on this/on your blog...you might just have to remind me. It's been quite a long day. But, it will come to me!}

{my little plant}

Look at my little plant! I couldn't be more ecstatic about this little experiment...{like actually giddy}, which makes me think that I must have missed the grade school/sunday school project where you bring home a seed and watch it grow. {I even put my name on the pot...hmm, definitely feeling childish at this second....} But, even if I have watched things grow numerous times - this is still unique. It's a logo bean plant! :) Yes, you read correctly. For our employee appreciation day, little gifts were passed out, including recyclable shopping bags, gift certs and...a little seed kit!

Directions: place large seed in soil provided. Water. Watch grow. See a LOGO on the bean pod! {We had it printed on both sides}. The picture doesn't show much...but if you look closely you can see "brownish" writing...yes - that would be our company's name etched into the bean! The bean stays on for about a month, but the plant continues to grow. How fun!

A creative little experiment to lead us into the {much needed} weekend.

{I have not come up with a name yet, but soon! {Feel free to send me ideas.} The little thing is growing so quickly...! I just planted it last week, and look! *sigh*}

...oh and logo bean plants were ordered from: 4imprints.

{bon week-end}

Lovely weekend to you all! I'm excited to see some old friends from high school tonight...and then spend some time freezing meals {from my recent post}.  bon week-end mes amis!

{new INSPIRES}

I am new. New to this city. New to marriage. New to some likes/dislikes. New to work. New to certain friends. And, yes - new to this blog. I'm just now, finally getting serious about it. I'm devoting a bit more time than before {well, as much as I can give}. In being new...I also feel a bit behind. This is my hesitation. What are people posting? Am I reposting obvious posts from others? I don't know. But, this is my space to jot down my skip-along ventures...and what I find inspiring. Until I truly get my feet on the ground...I'll try to be careful!

I find inspiration in SO many things. I love all things kitchen...which I use my other blog for that avenue. BUT, everything else? Oh, the inspirations are endless. A NEW inspiration you ask? The above photos. {Well, they're new to me at least!}

Happy day - to whatever inspires you!

**********************

{photos courtesy skona hem}

{kathryn ireland}

After putting up the pictures of the beautiful Spanish-style home for {exteriors} post of Kathryn Ireland, Mrs. French from Bliss commented on what the interior must be like.

{While we are on the subject, can we just take a moment and acknowledge that I just said Mrs. FRENCH. I know. *sigh*...could that be MY name? Hmm. Mrs. Murphy-French...Mrs. French-Murphy. No. It doesn't work, but I'm fine with that, cause I love my name. I'll just be a French Mrs. Murphy!! lol. Ok, moving on...}

I realized that perhaps some people may not be familiar with this house tour...so, thought I'd post the interior shots! This home was designed by architect Austen Pierpoint; however {I believe} the inteterior was done by Kathryn herself. Hmm. I may be wrong, and honestly haven't done the appropriate research. However, I'm pretty sure.

Though this isn't my personal style of interior, I think it looks JUST LIKE Kathyrn's work {as she does textiles and design}. Oh, duh - it MUST have been decorated by her. Well, either way here you go!

If you're an advid House Beautiful reader, then you will have recognized these shots from the March issue {and therefore this is a "revisit"}; otherwise, enjoy the unique aspects of this home.

It's already Wednesday? Man, I love short weeks!