Cottage & Countryside Living: Week 26
Cottage & Countryside Living: Week 26
a weekly journal
Bonjour!
First I wanted to say thank you to everyone that came to my pop-up yesterday. I know the weather wasn’t typical for June in New England (BRRR) but all in all it was a good day. Plus Bleubelle (my vintage bike) found a loving new home with one of my followers in East Providence.
It’s been a whirlwind week between the farm, my other part time gig, the pop-up and of course more on the France move.
Friday we had our first visa consultation call and boy was it insightful! Turns out my husband and I have to apply for completely different options. The hubby is a established freelancer so his visa application would fall under ‘Visa profession liberale’ where I would have to present a business proposal for my visa application which is called ‘micro entrepreneur’ aka wanting to start a self employed business.
Basically long story short they could approve him and not me and vice versa. So we have enlisted Valerie to assist me in making sure my business proposal to the French government is so awesome that they wouldn’t say no. So what is my business proposal?
I would bring Blanc & Bleu to France! I would continue to sell curated French vintage finds & local handmade goods from France via my established Etsy shop since it is already up and running. I would also refinish furniture again: as a service & to sell locally. I would also offer furniture refinishing workshops in-person & online!
My new bigger addition to the Blanc & Bleu business would be my retreat stays in Normandy. Since we are looking for an additional property with another gite on it, I would begin to offer stays that include cooking classes, floral workshops, tours and more on both of our properties. They would be 4-6 times a year so guests can see the countryside at it’s best and be immersed in real life in France. (Dates for this coming soon I promise!)
Overall, Valerie feels this is a successful proposal and now the work begins by writing up the business plan & getting it submitted. Step by step we will get there but I want you al to know moving to France isn’t packing a bag and going no matter what other blogs you may read. There is a process…and you need to respect and understand the process.
Note: We have moved our 1st yard sale to Sunday July 7th from 8am to Noon. Details can be found here.
Save the Date: my next pop-up for Blanc & Bleu at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol, RI is Saturday, July 27th from 9am to 12:30pm . I’ll be there with more furniture makeovers, vintage finds and of course all my French lifestyle essentials.
Bang for your buck
This past week I have also been working on the guest room. Editing, cleaning, painting finishing projects that needed to happen oh say 4 years ago. Why on earth would I be doing all these things knowing that we are moving? To get the “biggest bang for your buck”. We want to get top dollar for our cottage so that it gives us a bit of cushion for the new house in France as we are looking at properties that might need a bit of updating. So if it means repainting the walls to give it a bright a shiny new look, I’m going to do it. I want the new homeowners to have a good transition to the cottage and I know they might paint it a different color or put up different lights at least they can have a vision of what it could be for them.
Wallpaper is Priano from Serena & Lily and available in traditional pasted and a peel & stick option. * PS: it’s over 30% off right now for their 4th of July sale
Many of you have asked about the chenille duvet. It is actually a vintage throw that I cut down & made into a duvet cover. This is a great tutorial for how to do that.
This throw is similar to my duvet and this comforter set is really a good dupe too. Plus it’s on sale! *
*This is my striped bedskirt which I just got a second one for the master bedroom too.
I am also selling my headboard prior to the move so if you are interested send me a message for pricing & dimensions.
Concombre à la Crème
Cucumbers have been in abundance in the potager this year. It was my first time growing them and they seem to LOVE the new raised beds that I planted them in . Plus I love how they are climbing up the arch where they will meet the cherry tomatoes at the top.
Anyways this salad has been on repeat since cucumber season started. Lately it’s been too hot to grill or cook in the oven or let’s face it…I’m too tired to cook or grill. It’s light, it’s simple and it’s healthy. It’s been my lunch and my dinner some days. I recommend making this!
Did you know that Audrey is now on Substack as well? Give her a follow to for great recipes and more from the Brittany countryside.
Sunday Saves
Here’s a few things that captured my attention this week…
As we have been house hunting, the kitchen is the one room I’ve been looking at the most as it is the heart of the home. Here’s a great article from Apartment Therapy combining my love for all things cottage & French- “French Country” Kitchens Are the Sophisticated New Way to Do Cottagecore”
My favorite ways to decant pastas, herbs, beans etc is in clear glass Le Parfait jars. Classic french way to store things! These ones are my favorite. *
Iconic Paris Landmark to Reopen This Summer After More Than 3 Years of Closure and it’s not Notre Dame
AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon confirm service outages for customers abroad. It’s why I always recommend grabbing a local sim card for your phone when you travel to France….just in case.
11 dream kitchen upgrades homeowners always come to regret, according to experts. I am inclined to agree with some of these but not all.
It’s cherry season! Here’s a fun recipe to try via My French Country Home Magazine: Cherry Icebox Cake
I’ve been getting messages about my French rooster outdoor table weights. Here’s the link again *
24 French Country Kitchen Ideas for a Delightfully European Cookspace (can you tell I have kitchen design on my brain)
*Please note that some of the links are affiliate links including my Amazon shop where I do make a very small commission at no additional cost to you when you shop my links which helps me continue to provide this free weekly newsletter.
As always….Merci beaucoup for your patronage! xo- Jenna