Tuesday, July 17, 2012

J'adore Les Chaussures!





I have to admit, I don't often pay attention to television advertisements; however, when I found out about ShoeDazzle.com, my interest peaked exponentially.  They offer current styles at affordable prices-- from $34.95-$39.95!  Ladies, we all know how expensive shoes are like this, n'est-ce pas?  Currently, they are also offering BUY 1 PAIR, GET THE 2ND PAIR FREE on select styles.  This deal can be easily accessed after filling out your style quiz and signing up for your FREE membership.  Unfortunately for me and my petite feet, the show sizes start at 5.5 (UK 36), so I will not be purchasing shoes, but they also offer clothes and handbags that I will be taking advantage of in the near future!  Let me know what you buy-- Faisez du shopping!

Until next time,

Love & Cupcakes

xox Flowerbomber xox

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Affaires Comme d'Habitude

So, I am over-the-moon about some business cards that I ordered from Moo.com today!  I actually just finished them at this late hour, and have been obsessing over them for two days making sure they are just right!  I will be sure to post them when they arrive in the mail.  In the meantime, if you fancy making something, they are offering 10% YOUR FIRST PURCHASE, if anyone is interested, please click the link below so I can credit for directing you to their site-- it really is a must-visit!


Happy printing!

Until next time,

Love & Cupcakes

xox Flowerbomber xox

Sunday, April 29, 2012

La première année!

** Félicitations! **

Bonjour tout le monde, I've made it to the 1-year mark of blogging.  It has been a tumultuous year, full of personal twists and turns.  Since I started this blog with goals for the coming year, perhaps I should now do the same.

I do not necessarily hope that On Cloud Divine becomes wildly popular, thus forcing me to take myself seriously, but for the wind to take it wherever it may (which is quite suitable, for a cloud).  However, I am in a well-aware dire need of a better camera.

Perhaps in a year I will be in Paris by this time (je pense que le printemps est le meilleur moment pour aller), or be dancing again (perhaps dancing in Paris?), or simply be able to sleep in after all these late night exams.

I have a lot to do at this moment to prepare for an upcoming blog post-- I do hope you'll stay tuned to see what's in store and, of course, follow along in this journey we all call la vie.


Jusqu'à la prochaine fois,

Amour & petits gâteaux

xox Flowerbomber xox

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Subtly Suave Songbird

Where were you April 25, 2012 from 7pm to 11pm?  I was at KeyArena.  Why may you ask?  As if you didn't know, it must be noted that I do not attend sporting events--unless there may be a handsome gentleman involved?  That should narrow down the possibilities to only one word:  Coldplay.

Handsome and as much a sportsman as any performer I've ever seen I must say, the show had higher energy than a little child on caffeine!  The mood was electric when the lights went out shortly after 9pm (the supporting bands were really short of anything impressive, sorry to say--I suppose it made for good "hippy waiting music," to quote myself during their performance).  However, everyone highly anticipated the arrival of the headliner far too much to sit still.

While everyone is waiting for the stage to be set up, we see these signs up on the unique, circular backlit projection screen:

I love how the first sign pleasantly asked in normal-face font to put on our wristbands, but as soon as 8:50pm rolled around (10 minutes before the scheduled opening song) the sign turns into bold-face flashing font that slowly fades down as the lights go out!

Within the first few notes, recognition of "Hurts Like Heaven" was evident, and everyone's Xylobands came to life (shame if you don't know what they are, but I have a picture below of how utterly important they are to the experience).  Before:

After:

Without much time to catch a breath, "In My Place" begins and--another surprise!--huge bursts of confetti shot out of cannons around the stage and into the first level of the crowd.  I actually felt terrible for those people in the nosebleed section who missed out on being showered in multi-colored pastel confetti.  The shapes were all icons from the Mylo Xyloto album for each song that the group chose to perform at the venue.  I scooped the confetti up by the armful, but I'm unsure exactly how I'm going to use all of it at this moment..let me know your suggestions below!



This picture is merely to show how thick the downpour was on us in the crowd--as well as on the band!  Chris, Johnny, Guy, and Will completely disappeared behind the paper curtain for several long moments (they're in the picture above, I swear!).

Setlist:

  1. Intro/Mylo Xyloto
  2. Hurts Like Heaven (including light show!)
  3. In My Place (cue the confetti)
  4. Major Minus
  5. Lovers in Japan
  6. The Scientist (piano solo)
  7. Yellow
  8. Violet Hill (complete with guitar solo)
  9. God Put a Smile Upon Your Face
  10. Princess of China (with recorded version of Rhianna singing)
  11. Up In Flames
  12. Warning Sign
  13. Don't Let it Break Your Heart
  14. Viva La Vida
  15. Charlie Brown
  16. Paradise (said goodbye at this point)
  17. Us Against the World (Surprise! The band shows up in the crowd).  This song also uncluded a tribute to our not-so-great baseball team, The Mariners, who have more people against them in their own city than anyone.
  18. Clocks
  19. Fix You (extremely emotional)
  20. Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (of course they have to end with this one!)
Whoa!  Were there really 20 songs??  That was the shortest 2 hours of my life!


The most amusing tidbit about Chris Martin (lead singer) is that, about halfway through the show, after he's been dancing around for nearly three quarters of an hour and thoroughly worked up a sweat, he then puts a jacket on and sits down to the piano.  One would think more clothes would come off after exerting oneself, but unfortunately not for Chris (or any of the girls in the audience either).  I guess that's the British way--always too proper for their own good!

Who says rock stars aren't fashion-forward?  I loved Johnny Buckland's perfectly pastel pants in a beautiful teal for spring (even if we weren't exactly having ideal spring weather).

Image
Image courtesy of JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES


It was the most amazing time of my young life--I couldn't have asked for a better blessing to be able to go.  Thank you, Coldplay, and don't wait three years to come back next time!

Until next time,

Love & Coldplay,

xox Flowerbomber xox

**P.S.  I wanted to post a notable song that Coldplay tweeted sometime last week, as well as having been played prior to their performance the other night:  Here We Go Magic "How Do I Know"  (click on the name to be swept away in a band that's sure to be the next big thing...I wonder why they aren't touring with Coldplay instead of Metronomy and The Pierces?) **

Monday, April 23, 2012

Coldplay-ers & The Oracle

Anyone remotely familiar with me knows that I am an avid fan of Coldplay; anyone remotely familiar with the Coldplay website knows of the Oracle.  If you don't know of the amazing Oracle, it is a mysterious person(s) that you can submit questions to (Coldplay related or not) and s/he will answer them.  Simple enough, right?  Well, I have been trying for over a year to get any question answered by the Oracle.  It must have been a slow week, because my question was answered!  And, wouldn't you know, it happens on the day before I  get to go to my first Coldplay concert.  This was my question as it appears on the site (yes, I am "Adelaide"...I should've said I was from France *face palm*):


And this is what the Oracle replied:


Hmmm...not exactly what I was expecting.  Maybe rules are less strict in the U.K?  I am not sure, but all two concerts that I've been to say "No Cameras.  No re-entry.  No Alcohol Beyond This Point."  I'm only fine with one of those rules (some people seriously should not be drinking, even though they serve it willy-nilly on all three floors of the arena concessions).  Looking back at the rules now, it says "No Flash Cameras."  Does this mean cameras without a flash are okay?  I'm going to perceive  that answer as "YES--Go for it!"

I will definately be posting the amazing pictures I will (*hopefully*) get Wednesday evening-- be sure to check back then fellow Colplayers!

 
Jusqu'à la prochaine fois,

Amour & petits gâteaux

xox Flowerbomber xox

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Joyeux Anniversaire 123e, Le Tour d'Eiffel!


Jusqu'à la prochaine fois,

Amour & petits gâteaux

xox Flowerbomber xox

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Le Printemps!

Le printempts: tout nouveau, tout beau!  For me, spring is always a new beginning, it's the first commencing season in the new year, it's when all the fashion designers get one day off before starting their fall collections...but it's also when all the beautiful shorts, skirts, and peep-toe pumps start to make their way out into the sunlight, just like the buds of cherry blossoms also start to bloom. 

I have recently become enthralled with finding low-budget versions to high-end pieces.  Even though I have seen this done before, I really only shopped by whatever caught my eye, then looked at the price tag and, therefore, simply went without whatever said trend piece it happened to be.  Oh, to be a fashionista on a budget!  (And before final examinations to boot, sacrebleu!

So, my goal is to literally find the faux in fashion, where some designer somewhere in some far-off, yet undoubtedly grander, place created these things and set the curve for the season, yet was ripped off in a tidal wave of imitations that even individuals that don't believe in fashion have been subconsciously influenced.  Nous commençons!
 
  1. The Oxford -- I don't know of anyone that didn't buy into this trend for fall!  How chic, how effortless, how...suitable for rain??  Not so much, and so mine often stayed in their box.  However, the top store to watch for trends (Nordstrom, anyone?) has brought it back to all it's glory, for a season that *fingers crossed* sees considerably nicer weather. 
    Here is a shoe you probably already have (love Payless sales!):  SSFT BSH BRN LACELESS OXFORD_3.5 
    And here is what Nordstrom did with it:
         BP. 'Paxton' Oxford Flat 
    A simple piece of ribbon from a fabric store like JoAnn's or online at Etsy can instantly prep up your current oxford, and when fall comes around again, you can simply untie the bow!
  2.  The Blazer -- Also a fall essential, none can underestimate the sincerety of a tailored jacket.  Masculinity is bred in one, Coco Chanel broke gender barriers by creating them for women, who, in turn, broke into the business world with them.  Powerful stuff!  Time for the mash-up:
    Truth & Pride Rose Print Silk Menswear Jacket  Retails for $298 
    VS.
     
    Forever 21 for $11.99
  3. French Charm/Sheer Tops --  The French are effortless people, they don't have a word for it, they just do it.  Paying through the nose for it?  Not so effortless... 
    Here is our high-end: 
    h.i.p. Print Chiffon Flutter Sleeve Top (Juniors) for $34 
    VS.
      $13.50
Of course, there are also short shorts, but i won't go there...

So, as le printemps commence, so shall the beautiful fashion for all the French --er-- fresh starts that lie ahead! ~~


Jusqu'à la prochaine fois,

Amour & petits gâteaux

xox Flowerbomber xox

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

La Neige, Encore!

Oh comment il est doux!  Rough translation: Oh how sweet it is.  As much as I love French class, it was a welcome joy to wake up to a fresh blanket of this, how you say, "cold, white stuff on the ground," and not have to travel in for educational purposes.  So, now I sit here, perusing Etsy.com in all the splendour (yes, I spelled splendor with a "u"--English style, we're having fun now) of a warm robe and pj's all morning long!  I have found way too many beautiful craft items for my own good, going on a budgeted shopping spree!  And by budgeted, I only mean that my lack of a budget stopped me from committing PayPal suicide.  I can't wait until all these beautiful treasures arrive in the mail, so I shall show them to you now in all the excitement that is a snowy online shopping day~ (pictures are linked to their sellers)

  1.   Hand-carved Macaroon Stamp
French Macaron Hand Carved Stamp

What better way to capture the essence of a Francophone than Le Macaron Française!  I have a presentation quickly approaching for le classe de Française on one French province (my chosen location is Haute-Normandie--more to come when I finish the project!) and I will be making Apple Macaroons (Macaroon du Pomme) just for the occasion.  I bought this not only to commemorate, but, in being the A+ student, I am going to decorate the napkins for serving mes camarades de classe.

     2.    Hand-Stamped French Napkin Rings
Shabby chic french napkin rings,8, with french text, postmarks,in cream, pale blue, robin's egg blue, ballet pink

These seem like the perfect craft to do on days like this (mostly because these go over my less-than-$20 budget).  How simple, yet très chic!  I wonder how difficult it would be to make these for my hand-stamped napkins...

     3.    The first step to making my own napkin rings?  Hand-stamped French-themed paper!
FREE SHIPPING 4 romantic french print paper, light pink words and cream paper

This paper will be the perfect addition to my all-French virtual shopping cart!  Plus je comprends, plus que j'aime!


Hopefully you've been able to understand my semi-bilingual post today!  I will part with these words of my own:  It is not shameful to use GoogleTranslate!

Jusqu'à la prochaine fois,

Amour & petits gâteaux

xox Flowerbomber xox