Sunday, 15 January 2012

the luxury of being home...


image - carla coulson and vicki archer
exclusively for living4media

There is nothing quite like home after a week away... it is the best isn't it? I can't wait... I have been thinking about all the simple little luxuries (and necessities) that I am going to indulge in...

Firstly, take a long bath (maybe three) and soak my tired muscles in this...
Secondly, treat my wind blown skin to a good exfoliation...
Thirdly, Apply more than one of my favourite masks...
Fourth, lather myself in the best body creme ever
Fifth, paint my nails (they are a serious embarrassment)
Sixth, light a scented candle or two... Gardenia I think...

and

Read, read and then read some more... I have a real hankering to re-read Birdsong and Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks... A pair of my very favourite French wartime novels... Birdsong in particular is a book I have read many time but it haunts me none the less after each reading...
(European readers can find these here and here)

and if I can find a copy of Noel Barber's A Farewell to France amongst our books... a French saga set during the Second World War... another novel I love but haven't read for some time...
I am in the mood for some French historical fiction...
 (European readers can find an old copy here)

and

I am desperate to watch a film or two... Stretch out on the sofa with a cup of something soothing and be transported for a few hours... I am thinking something corny like French Kiss and something extraordinary like Ma Vie en Rose...
(European readers can find them here and here)

Enjoy... I know I will... xv


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37 comments:

  1. Sounds wonderful! A holiday after the holiday! Well deserved. x

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  2. That sounds so lovely! I think I might have to take a couple notes and use them to relax tomorrow... a bath sounds exquisite :)

    XX Kathryn

    http://lacoquettedelamode.wordpress.com/

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  3. Absolutely love Ma vie en rose, the first time I watched it, I was stunned and couldn´t believe how well M.Cotillard had transformed herself into Edith Piaf.

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  4. Hooray! Welcome Home Vicki! It has been such a treat living vicariously through you on the slopes. :)

    Wishing you a weekend full of well-deserved pampering...

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  5. I know the feeling well. It's good to be home for an extended period. 2011 was a year of constant travel--good things, but too much time out of the nest. We'd planned a trip for this weekend which got postponed two weeks. A gift I'm savoring... Thanks for the book recommendations. I immediately ordered 2 from Amazon. Love that "one click."

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  6. sounds like a lovely, luxurious day after all the skiing. Enjoy.

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  7. Welcome home Vicki

    All your plans sounds relaxing and well deserved following your ski trip.

    It is coincidental that your would refer to Farewell to France. Only yesterday I loaned my artist friend Mary Rose this book and, like you, I plan to re-read it when it returns.

    i will check out Songbird.

    Again thanks and welcome home
    Helen xx

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  8. You might also enjoy - Goat Song by Brad Kessler. A delightful, fluid read of one man's journey of goats and cheese and the love that bonds.

    Enjoy that long bath soak! Love the nail color choice too.....I could use some!

    xoxo lylah

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  9. I'm a big fan of corny movies. And French Kiss is one of those I watch over and over. Enjoy your days at home: the bath, the candles, the pampering, the books and the movies. There really is no place like your own, for the ultimate comfort.

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  10. I am looking forward to Birdsong myself. And that long soak in the tub is well-deserved. What a lovely time you will have; only to emerge to slather oneself with the cream and apply that gorgeous raspberry coloured polish. Enjoy!

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  11. Welcome back Vicki! I see we have similar taste in movies ;-) We owned two boats named after "French Kiss." I have seen it so often I can almost say all the lines with the actors ;-) Corny, oui, but delicious too, hilariously funny, and oh so romantic... Sigh... Ma Vie en Rose is in a category of its own, but what a wonderful movie too. Enjoy the weekend! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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  12. Vicki-
    Happy that you enjoyed your trip! Getting home is always nice after a long vacation.
    I love gardenia too! Such a sweet, clean scent.
    Enjoy your weekend.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  13. Welcome home and I love the picture you paint, I can almost smell the fragrant bubble bath and feel the soft cotton pjs I know I would be slipping into afterwards! I agree, coming home even after the best trips is always such a treat....you really appreciate all the little things that make it
    "home". Did you see mid August lunch, a really entertaining and delightful feel good movie. Also wondering if you saw Little white laws? I really want to see that.....last because you would know if this "reply" button under comments a brand new things in blogland? I just noticed it on my own blog this morning....

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  14. Can I come over? We can have a girls spa day!!

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  15. A bath and some pampering does sound divine. But I have torn my library apart with a sudden urge to purge (husband instigated) AND I received my package of your fabulous books this morning........The bath will have to wait! But thanks for the books, they look great on my blog post!

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  16. A well earned soak + welcome home. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  17. oh my..I don't know where you find the time..?

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  18. No matter where I am or what the circumstances I love to light up a scented candle...vanilla. Your plans sound like heaven, now where's that nailpolish...
    ciao lisa

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  19. You certainly have some delicious plans! Good for you. :) Glad you're home. There's no place like it, no matter how much one enjoys travel!

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  20. Ah yes, now a 'staycation' at home.... a perfect end to a great holiday. Loved your pics. A-M xx

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  21. Oh that sounds just heavenly, I loved the links...the body cream looks delish.
    xxx dj

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  22. Welcome home Vicki! Now what is that perfume called in your picture please?Mary-Jill xo

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  23. Vicki - these are one of my favourite posts you create. Thank you for sharing your favs with us all. The bath and candles are certainly two of mine. Have order a video and waiting for it to arrive. Happy Days.

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  24. Sounds like such a great plan Vicki...though, my husband and I are so different, he could never handle a French movie...I can though! ;-))

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  25. Hi Vicki, I can just picture you with that great "to-do" list. Have a wonderful time. Mary

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  26. I feel I need to go and do something energetic so I can come home and work my way through your list, Vicki. Sounds very nurturing. Enjoy...

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  27. It is such a treat, isn't it? There's no place like home! Enjoy, dear Vicki!
    xoxo,
    - Irina

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  28. And there is nothing quite like curing up in your own bed!
    Bonne semaine

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  29. I want what you're having - it sounds wonderful! Enjoy! xxoo :)

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  30. It sounds like "home" to me!

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  31. Vicki I always find no matter how fabulous the trip it is so good to be home in ones own bed and surroundings!!

    I love your beauty routine!

    Xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  32. Un programme très judicieux... Gros bisous

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  33. I'm bookmarking this post! I love it. Carla's photo is lovely and you're links are perfect!

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  34. Sounds purely decadent...Enjoy your scrumptious day!

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  35. Divine!!! It sounds like a day at the French Essence Spa - may I make a reservation - sometime in April when I'll be back in France!!!

    Oh and please read or re-read "Suite Française" by Irène Némirovsky - I love all her books.

    I think it's wonderful you're still skiing the slippery slopes mon amie!!!

    Do pop into my blog and meet my new GD!

    Shane xox

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  36. Salt--Help!!

    Didn't I read on French Essence(near Christmas time?) of a special salt harvested using an old method- something about an older gentleman who claimed if cured all ills? Not the salt Camargue but...something else? perhaps from the Mediterranean? have done a search of this site but cannot find such a reference--Did I dream this?

    Cannot wait to read these French war-era novels: Birdsong, A Farewell to France. Only thing better? Come back to read them IN France. (Was in St. Remy in October--enchanting! And, no one here makes Sables as they do in Provence.)

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  37. Yes! Homes little luxuries, even my down pillows and duvet is seriously missed! I love coming home to my bed of clean fresh sheets! Right after a long bath is always nice
    Xx
    Callie

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Thank you for visiting French Essence... I love to read your comments and I hope you will be back often... xv