slow & sweet like molasses…xoxo

i am heartbroken & overjoyed…my daughter…my sweet little girl is thirteen years old…i feel i might burst with pride….she is lovelier than i could ever imagine…she makes thirteen so beautiful, i hardly recognize it….for me thirteen was a blur of awkward shyness…she is a gazelle….lanky & tall…taller than me, although i won’t admit it it….her eyes are still the perfect shade of gray…the color of dreams & unspeakable beauty….she has the body of a woman & the soul of a child….she is till so sweet & even allows me to fawn all over her with hugs & kisses & motherly advice….she’s tolerant….and yet strong…althletic & agile….her sweetness is so disarming….the rare times she shows just a hint of teenage attitude, i secretly smile because its so rare….it’s as if she’s trying on a pair of shoes & seeing if they fit…..i can chase that attitude away with a wink or a smile in her direction…i like to remind her that it’s cool to be close with your parents, so far she’s buying it…….luckily she still likes to wear the sweet shoes….i worry about the boys who will hurt her heart but lately i’ve been starting to worry about the hearts she’s going to slay by merely walking in the room…i pray that she knows her worth…that she recognizes her dreams & chases them with all her might….i hope her teenage years will be gentle with her & that she will emerge unscathed & peaceful…i will continue to stand on the sidelines….silently cheering her on & ready to wrap my arms around her if she need a little support…who knew thirteen could be so incredibly beautiful….i am in awe of her extraodinary loveliness…

happy birthday mykela sophia messina moore!

DELYSIA CHOCOLATIER

DELYSIA makes the most amazing parisian style artisan truffles…each flavor is preservative-free and created with the utmost care and attention to detail…..they offer over 60 flavors, from the classic milk or dark chocolate to the unique curry or honey….i have not yet tried every flavor, but i intend to…seriosly these truffles are delicious little works of art….and i was lucky enough to have DELYSIA as an official sponsor of A LOVELY WORKSHOP in france…which meant that every attendee & collaborator got to enjoy some of these lovely melt in your mouth truffles…it’s with bittersweet

generosity that i’m now giving away my last 3 boxes to 3 lucky chocolate lovers…

we all need a little sweetness in our lives…..

NICOLE owner & creator of DELYSIA is a loving mother & chocolate entrepreneur…

“Delysia Chocolatier was launched in late 2008, but our first truffles were created in December 2006 when I was eight months pregnant with Sebastien.  Exhausted and too tired for holiday shopping, I made truffles as gifts for our family and friends.  (Sebastien was born a few days later, four weeks early.)

My first truffle flavors were hazelnut, peanut butter, and mint.  Much to my surprise, they were delicious!  I found myself making them for every holiday, birthday party, and potluck dinner.  With my loving husband’s encouragement, we slowly created a business.

In April 2009, when I was four month pregnant with Colin, I was laid off from my full time job as an industrial/quality engineer.  I was devastated.  I loved being an engineer.  But life had determined a different path for me.  I needed to focus on what was important – our family and my ‘dream’ to grow my chocolate truffle business.  In May 2009, Delysia Chocolatier became a full time venture.”

NICOLE PATEL

DELYSIA also partners with vineyards to create unique truffles with their wines….which could be a wonderful addition to a winery wedding…or you could just hang out in your backyard & eat truffles right out of the box, just saying…i feel its important to mention here, chocolate is good for your soul….so i am inviting you to join my love affair with DELYSIA chocolate truffles…that right, simply leave a comment & i will pick three lucky winners next week….good luck ladies and…..

bon apetite….xoxo

who this is?

hint….this lovely talented photographer posed for me in the woods….xoxo

this is an special post for me…i usually show just a few images from a shoot….i never want to show too much….to overwhelm or bore someone…i’ve had the honor of photographing this beautiful girl for many years….gina worked tirelessly in france for our many long shoots….i adore her & felt i should share all her splendor & beauty….i also want to thank from the bottom of my heart the incredible creative crew….LAUREN NAPIER the amazing make up artist who’s skill & ability to work under pressure was amazing….ERIN SKIPLEY the hair stylist extraodinaire….our lovely & talented stylist EDEN….the designers…DELPHINE MANIVET….CLAIRE PETTIBOONE….TWIGS & HONEY….LOVELY BRIDE….KIRSTIE KELLY….& the sweetest assistants a girl could have…LEAH MACDONALD & BLISS BOOKS….KIRSTEN*….YVETTE ROMAN….KIM from JUNEBUG WEDDINGS…and our amazing location in france CHATEAU SAINT JULIEN L’ARS….i am forever humbled by all of your grace, talent & generousity….thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you….all images created by me ELIZABETH MESSINA….au revoir….xoxo

A LOVELY WORKSHOP

xoxo

the sweetest couple ever & a picnic…..

here’s what you need to create your own lovely picnic…
1st….fall in love 
2nd…create the most adorable baby ever 
3rd….go to france
4th…have EDEN set up a lovely picnic for you
and voila…there you have it….. 

all joking aside…erin & jack & their beautiful son isaac spent the week in france with A LOVELY WORKSHOP….erin is an amazingly talented HAIR & MAKEUP artist…check out her work HERE…..

and lucky for us…this beautiful family is migrating to california….soooo…..

ladies, if you are on the west coast & in need a HAIR & MAKEUP goddess…..

ERIN SKIPLEY is simply amazing & lovely in every way….

hope you are all enjoying the last precious days of summer….

break out your bike, pack a basket & have a pincic….

with the one you love….

xoxo