Friday Style: Vive La France

Happy Friday! I know, I say that every Friday, and I do it with a purpose ~ even if I’m exhausted and beaten up from a long week, even if all I want to do is throw myself down on the couch with a good glass of wine and whine about my week, I want to put a smile on my face going into the weekend, and whether or not I’m feeling it to start with, I’m going to be happy over my weekend. It’s amazing, all it takes is the will to put a smile there and keep it there, and I just start to feel better. That’s the goal ~ after all, I don’t get to spend a lot of time with my husband or talking to my family and friends during the hectic work-week, so the last thing I want to do is waste my precious weekend time with negativity. I can shake it – when there’s a will, there’s a way!

I love looking back at travel pictures and reminiscing about adventures, and I’ve been traveling down memory lane into past trips to France quite a bit! Talk about memories that just make me feel cheerful! This picture is just one of many I fished out of a photo box this past week, from a long-ago trip to Paris and Versailles. I think the universe is telling me that I need to take my husband there, because I’ve been reminiscing, and my design ideas are filling up with French country decor. Because of that, I’ve decided to broaden my Friday Fashion article to Friday Style just so I can include some of these great designs ~ here are some of my favorites:

Lake Arrowhead Country French Kitchen traditional kitchen

traditional kitchen design by los angeles kitchen and bath Sue Murphy Designs

traditional exterior design by other metro architect a+b kasha designs

Old Metairie Country French traditional landscape

traditional landscape design by new orleans landscape architect Daly-Sublette Landscape Architects

warmington north traditional home office

traditional home office design by seattle kitchen and bath Warmington & North

French Country Master Bathroom mediterranean bathroom

mediterranean bathroom design by orlando design-build Sunscape Homes, Inc

And of course, there are fashions to accompany it! Here’s how I’d design fashion for an excursion in the French countryside ~

French Countryside tour by kristin-saling featuring cotton dresses
Cotton dress by Modcloth + Tory Burch cardigan + Accessorize ballet flat shoes + Tory Burch tote + Hermes vintage buckle-style bangle + YooLa Swarovski earrings + J.Crew cashmere scarve

Can you tell I’ve got a thing for Modcloth and vintage styles? I’m also falling more and more in love with designer Tory Burch’s creations every day, so I’ve included a few favorites. And what girl wouldn’t be off on a biking trip without an iPod handy so she could listen to some appropriate mood music?

Do you have a favorite trip or favorite memories that just make you feel cheerful? Do share!