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Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream

by | Feb 14, 2008 | Inspired Living, Sweet Escape

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Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream
Dear Valentine Cherubs,
I was looking around for a simple photo today (you know how that goes) and found myself swept off my feet into my fairytale Valentine Escape. Now before I could say “Feet, stay on the ground!” I was whisked away to Provence, caught up in the romance and beauty of it all. This country house made me swoon with love!
Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream
Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream
Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream
I shut my eyes and pictured myself nestled in a big cozy bed until noon, sipping wine and nibbing on delicacies on the veranda, basking in the light that Cezanne loved so much (quoting the villa’s website)…then slipping inside to relax in a hot bubble bath…
Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream
Soon, I was taking a nap in another beautiful bed before having afternoon tea in the courtyard! Bliss!
Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream
Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream

Then, as the night turned dark and the stars came out, I was dressing in my finest for a romantic dinner with my Valentine in that glorious dining room…
Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream

Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream

Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream
…before retiring to my room and fetching Ian (oh, dearest Ian! where have you been?) to draw the curtains, turn down the bed and bring my hot toddy (which, incidentally, I have never had in my life but it always seems well-suited to a moment like this…).
Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream
Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream
And then, just as I was drifting off to a blissful slumber, I heard my kitchen timer buzzing waking me with its harsh shrill. OH NO! I am not in Provence. I’m in Portland! And our Tuna Casserole is ready. Gotta run! Love to you all on St. Valentine’s Day!

62 Comments

  1. bj

    Oh, my gosh…I was right there with you….all the way….tasting that wine…feeling those lucious bubbles, dreaming of such a lovely life when…..all of a sudden….my dang cell phone rang and jerked me back so quickly, I may have jet lag……..
    hugs and laughter to you,
    bj

    Reply
  2. Kathleen Grace

    Buy me a plane ticket! That tub is calling my name:>) And those rooms….Divine!

    Reply
  3. Terri

    What a lovely story…while it lasted! I love my Valentine…you thoughtful girl you! Hope your day was splendid and everyone reminded you how much you are loved! xo Terri

    Reply
  4. Sweet Cottage Dreams

    Ha!!!! Tuna Casserole is pretty close to my broiled Salmon. I enjoyed your dream, Melissa!!! You are too cute!!!!
    Happy Valentine’s Day to you!!!

    xo
    Becky

    Reply
  5. suzy

    Thank you for such a wonderful trip to a gorgeous Italian place! I am so transported, I can’t wait to return to Italy in the future! ciao bella! xo, suzy

    Reply
  6. julia

    Ya know… the outdoor dining room was totally captivating me until I went to the “Love Parade” and than BAM, that was it, I was right there in that field, and that’s pretty much where I stayed. To be thrust back to when i was 14 and the ultimate hippy chick, now that was a fun little time travel moment!
    That was AWESOME Melissa, merci :)
    xo ~j~

    Reply
  7. The Antiques Diva

    What a wonderfully sweet escape! Just last week a reader of my European travel and antique shopping blog emailed asking for advice on where to stay in Provence this Spring. You’ve just provided a perfect answer to her question. This is a gorgeous hotel and simply seems such a dream that I’ve half a mind to spend my anniversary there this May. Plus, it’s given me loads of decorating inspiration – next month when I’m in Paris I’m going to make a trip to my favorite garden furniture shop, Le Cedre Rouge, to buy those outdoor dining chairs for my terrace. When I post the Provence blog – including your tip – I’ll drop you a line, so you can read about “The Inspired Room” on “The Antiques Diva”.

    The Antiques Diva
    http://www.antiquesdiva.blogspot.com

    Reply
  8. Natasha Burns

    Oh boy that is amazing….. that bath, imagine having a bath in that lovely thing!

    Reply
  9. Tricia

    Hi found you via another blog. Fantastic pictures. Tricia

    Reply
  10. Niesz Vintage Home

    Wow! What a gorgeous place!
    Definitely the stuff dreams are made of.

    I can just feel myself sinking into one of those luxurious beds.
    Kimberly :)

    Reply
  11. Becky K.

    Paradise!

    We can dream, right?

    Becky K.

    Reply
  12. Lavender Chick

    Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing this piece of Provence on Valentines Day. I can’t think of anything more appropriate for romance…

    Reply
  13. Tara

    Ahh..what eye candy! Being on this blog IS like taking a nice warm bath–same good fuzzy feeling!!
    :0)
    Tara

    Reply
  14. Catherine

    I’m glad that I’m not the only one who day dreams! Dreams keep us motivated and yours was so much fun. Hugs, Cathie

    Reply
  15. jessi nagy

    don’t ever wake me from this fabulous dream!
    i love it here!
    jessi

    Reply
  16. mary

    sei bravissima!!!!!!!!
    Mary

    Reply
  17. Abby from The Blissful

    Hi, Melissa–

    Oh my gosh, girl. That first photograph: what a glory of a porch. Thanks for being the one place in the blogosphere I can truly come to be *transported* when the need arises. :)

    Hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. I’ll be in touch soon!

    –Abby

    Reply
  18. Rhoda

    Ahhh, there’s no place like Italy! Those are beautiful pics & who wouldn’t want to stay there. Anytime!

    xo,
    Rhoda

    Reply
  19. Lisa & Alfie

    Fantastic fantasy Melissa!
    Lisa & Alfie

    Reply
  20. Elizabeth

    Wow. The courtyard picture nearly put me in the floor! How beautiful!

    Reply
  21. Terri Steffes

    Honey, if you organize a trip there, I am going to be there in a flash. What a delightful place.

    Reply
  22. Jan

    What a lovely tale you weave…and then to have the blasted kitchen timer ruin it all! *sigh* Oh well, here’s to future daydreams and love!

    Take care
    Jan

    Reply
  23. Pat

    Melissa these photos are incredible! Just gorgeous!

    Thank you so much for the sweet card.
    Pat

    Reply
  24. Rachel Going

    What a sweet feast for the eyes!!

    Reply
  25. Bethany

    What gorgeous rooms!! It was fun roaming through with you! Hope your Valentine’s Day was sweet!

    Reply
  26. JO

    You are such a riot!! Love the tuna noddle casserole…

    Ahhh my dream to one day visit my ancestors… in Italy… gosh the countryside and the big ol family sticking their heads out the window… blellisima!!

    HUGS

    JO

    Reply
  27. Mary

    Oh. My. God. That is just gorgeous! Thanks for the wonderful tour. Hope you had a lovely Valentine’s day.
    xxo,
    Mary

    Reply
  28. Barb

    I don’t care what anyone says, I’m staying right here!

    Lovely pics Melissa! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  29. Robin

    I LOVE that…so very romantic and oh the decor took my breath away! I’m sorry I wasn’t able to receive the Valentine you sent me via email….I hope my email is working ok… I am glad you stopped by though instead!!
    Blessings,
    Robin

    Reply
  30. this is glamorous

    Hello Melissa!

    This place is wonderful! Hope you had a lovely Valentine’s Day–thanks again for the beautiful e-card.

    Happy weekend!
    xo

    Reply
  31. Fay

    a girl can always dream…Lovely shots!!

    Reply
  32. kari & kijsa

    Thanks for the beautiful escape via the photos- lovely!! Happy belated Valentine’s Day!

    blessings,
    kari & kijsa

    Reply
  33. Mary Issabella

    WOW!!!! I want to go there…Smiles

    Reply
  34. Cre8Tiva

    could sleep for hours here…sorry i missed inspiration week…i will play catch up…i have missed you…hugs, r

    Reply
  35. Tami

    Thank you for the beautiful fantasy vacation. I had a lovely time and would like to visit again.

    Reply
  36. JO

    By the way not to sound too goofy… I do realize Provence is France… but the villa does remind me of Italy

    HUGS

    JO

    Reply
  37. karen

    Such a lovely dream, I especially adore that yellow bedroom. What a wonderful post. Have a lovely weekend, hope you had a great Valentine’s Day. Blessings, Karen

    Reply
  38. Joni Webb

    omg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 I am in love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Wow, this is just too beautiful! Want to go with me? :)

    Reply
  39. judith-sweet designs

    Beautiful, I know I will never be able to go there in person, but you took me there in spirit!
    Judith

    Reply
  40. megan duerksen

    oh this is unreal!
    can you believe people actually live like that? in real life?!
    amazing.
    you really can find some very beautiful places.
    maybe you could be a travel agent….in all your spare time. :)
    next time i need a trip i will ask YOU where to go.
    thanks for the ics.
    now i want to go get cozy in my own warm bed. it’s nothing like that one but it’s good enough for me.
    hope your weekend is wonderful melissa.
    thanks for my valentine – so sweet of you.
    -meg

    Reply
  41. Penny, Mosaic Artist

    Sorry I missed this post on Valentines day, but it was just wonderful! I laughed in the end! I want just the bathroom in that house…oH and maybe Ian..
    Hugs,
    Penny

    Reply
  42. Sue

    Oh wow…now this is living! Oh to be there and experience it all. This is a Valentine dream!
    Thank you for this wonderful smile…

    Hugs,
    Sue

    Reply
  43. Jenn and Jacqui

    Hi Melissa, what a beautiful dream :) We hope you had a beautiful day :) Jenn and Jacqui

    Reply
  44. Adla

    Thanks for transporting us to this beautiful place. Simply magical !

    Reply
  45. Lynne's somewhat invented life

    Well, as long as dreams last it was good. Tuna casserole? Did it taste like filet mignon? I think so, after seeing those photos. Thanks for letting us dream, too.

    Reply
  46. anne

    Lovely pictures, that bathroom is just something else..I wish :-)

    Reply
  47. Sharon

    I just want to take a long luxurious bath in that gorgeous bathroom!! Wow!

    Reply
  48. Lizette

    That was magical after a very loooooong weekend camping with the Girl Scouts. Thank you sooooo much. I’m still trying to find something positive w/camping but I can’t. I loved your dream take me……xoxo3hearts/Lizette

    Reply
  49. Ruth

    oh MY!!!! What a wonderful flight into dreamland. I can picture myself in that gorgeous tub….Truly an amazing and inspiring blog!
    xxxooo Ruth

    Reply
  50. Emily-Sarah

    I wish I could leap into the computer screen into those scenes. Gorgeous! And thank you for such a great Valentine. So thoughtful! Maybe you should offer an online course of how to accomplish as much as you seem to do! You make it appear effortless and natural. As always, thanks for the wonderful inspiration.

    Reply
  51. Christi from Charm & Grace

    What a lovely virtual vacation, Melissa. Too bad it had to end, but what a feast for the eyes it was! You have fabulous taste in fantasies! I could see myself right there in a heartbeat…

    Blessings and hugs,

    Christi

    Reply
  52. Melissa

    Is it me or is that bathtub simply AMAZING!!!!!!!

    Reply
  53. marita

    longing for spring full of lavender perfume and fields of sunflowers waving up to the azure blue skies, drinking marlot on a covered terrace, dreaming away….

    oooh thank you so much for these lovely images of provence…
    my second home!!

    Reply
  54. le petit cabinet de curiosites

    so funny to read your post about la villa Gallici . I live very close to this wonderful place ..I know …I’m lucky .
    And I love to go there ….so romantic ..
    The 3rd picture with the blue wallcovering : my former bedroom in my show room was the same ..I loved this fabric

    Reply
  55. melissa lewis

    How did you get those pictures of my house?

    I WISH! Love the colors and the textures. This is my first time to your blog, and I will definitely be back. For sure.

    Thanks for the dose of inspiration!

    Reply
  56. Polly

    Is that the most gorgeous place or what?!!! Love it all! And the pic of the pooch (next post) is pretty cute too. Blessings… Polly

    Reply
  57. Julie Neill

    Thank you Melissa for this wonderful flight of fancy to this beautiful place! How inspirational! A nap in any one of these gorgeous beds would be just the thing right about now.
    Julie

    Reply
  58. Flair

    Oh yes, a girl can dream! Such lovely pictures….sigh…

    Reply
  59. Rachael

    I thought I had died and gone to heaven and then I blinked & realised I was still in Auckland, NZ.! Happy belated St Valentines Day Melissa:) Rachaelxo

    Reply

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