New Year. Fresh Start.

How was your Christmas? I hope it was all you wished for. Ours was really lovely. Time for family and recharging the batteries. I've read & watched more television in the past few days than I have done all year!!
And now thoughts move to New Year's Eve {which is most likely going to be Mac & Cheese and Eton Mess with my little family!} and the new year ahead. I'm an avid 'list maker' and always have plenty of journals on the go too. I love the Internet and Technology but this gal will never let go of the written word. Obviously those around me know this as I received 2 diaries! Both super pretty and I will use both!

Still an avid Orla Kiely fan!

Love this Cath Kidston pattern/print

I bought my little guy's School Calendar and the very next day, won a competition for the most wonderful Calendar from Irish Design Duo, ail + el www.ailandel.com so both will have pride and place in my kitchen.

It will come as no surprise that one half of the talented duo, Eleanor, is a Graphic Artist!

January...Bring It!!!

I'm gonna set up a 'Mummy/Blogging Work Station' in my kitchen. Of course, like a good little blogger I'll take photos as I go. I'm on the lookout for a cute high-stool as it's going to be at one of the counters in the kitchen. In the meantime, all blogging notes will still be written in my notebook from another Super Irish Designer, Ursula Celano...

Well used at this stage!

 ...which I was also lucky enough to win last Christmas {please don't hate me} from the lovely Jen at Moss Cottage, Dundrum www.moss.ie 
Do you use a Diary still? Or journals/notebooks? Whatever way you are going to chronicle your year, I wish you a happy + healthy one and hope that you may continue my Design journey with me? The new year brings my Interior Design course, more designing of our own home & a Masterclass in London on the 31st of January. Exciting times are hopefully ahead. But challenging too! 
Sending Love & Light,
Hilda by Design xx

'Bonne Maman' Lovin'!

Ah...a wee blog that's been a LONG time coming, this one! I have a little love affair with France. OK.OK. I'll rephrase that. I think I'm French. You know, in a 'previous-life' kinda way?! I'm joking of course, but I guess there's a little grain of truth in it somewhere as my Great-Great Grandmother was French. Her surname was Doré. And that's it. That's ALL I know. I have no idea what part of France she came from, how she came to be part of the family. Rien. Nothing. So, one of these days I'll be doing a little research of my own. But in the meantime, my love affair with the country continues since I sat in my first French class, aged 8 and fell in love with the language to when I visited Paris for the first time {with my then boyfriend....hubbie reads the blogs. 'Nuff said!} to when I moved to Paris at 21....and a lot in between. It's now a distant country that I dream of often, read as much French as I can but rarely get to speak it now and I can feel my French getting rusty. Need a trip back? Bonjour! Now you're speaking my language. 

There are lots of little things that have become 'part of me' because of my 'French Connection' and one little cute thing is that the ONLY jam {yup, jam} that we ever have in the house is Bonne Maman - I changed the jam once and my kids wouldn't touch it!! Ah, my little 'francophones'! When we have finished this yummy goodness, I keep the jar of course! The possibilities are ENDLESS. I love a bottle of beer every once and a while and even drink my beer out of 'em! Here are simply 2 examples. One from one of my 'go to' blogs www.britdecor.co.uk - Mike Ahern is a genius. His photography and styling are inspirational. Mike painted the inside of the jars and popped in some beautiful flowers from his garden. The effect is simple, pure and beautiful, don't you agree? And one from me! Mine is a little idea for a Christmas Centre piece. 

Photo: Mike Ahern | Brit Decor

Pop a cute ribbon around the rim, add a few baubles or whatever tickles your fancy. Line 'em up  in the centre of your table. Hello Christmas Centre-piece! Photo: Hilda by Design
Hope you enjoy them both and Sincere Thanks to Mike for letting me use his Image. If you want to use mine, please quote the source and share away!