Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Starting Over--Again


                                               

It has been a year since my last post and so much has happened. Petit Coterie had to be put on the back burner as I took an active role in helping my husband recover from a heart transplant.Fortunately, he is doing great and we are picking up the pieces of our life and moving forward.

I’m excited about the new direction that Petit Coterie is going. I know we were known for our burlap and linen French pillows. But I believe they have run their course and now we are doing a more contemporary line. Which I think will work with any decor.

I hope I still have a few people who are following my blog. If not, if you happen by please leave a comment as I would love to hear from you. Let us know what you think about our new direction.

Have a blessed week!


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Get Ready For Summer


Clean and pack away those deep red couch pillows, bulky throws, dark scatter rugs,
and heavy curtains.  If these accessories aren't washable, cleaning is easy--just put
them in the dryer with your favorite at-home dry cleaning sheets (be sure to follow the
package directions).  I then pack my winter treasures in those plastic zippered bags that
I save from my blanket purchases.

Now have fun decorating with light-colored linen or other summer fabrics.  What colors
should you choose?  As with all the other seasons, take your cues from nature!  Think
of the wildflowers, beach sand, green grass, summer sky, and creamy sea shells.  Be
creative and look at nature's color combinations--they are always perfect!


Happy Summer!!


Tuesday, June 18, 2013

The Winner Is

I want to thank everyone who entered our pillow giveaway. It always means so much that you have stopped by my blog or my Facebook and left a comment. The winner is Rosie Kennedy Ullman.

 For a second chance to win one of our pillows, Susie Harris is having a giveaway, so please stop by Susie's Blog

Thank you again and have a wonderful week!


Monday, June 10, 2013

Welcome Back Giveaway


Life could not get any better than this. So to celebrate I want to offer a giveaway.  It’s from our Scandinavian Elements collection. I love these vintage style pillows done in a natural linen.

So just leave me a comment and I will pick a winner next Monday.

I hope all of you have a wonderful week!


Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Finding My Way Back Home



It has been such a long time since I have blogged. I almost don't even know where to begin. In the past I would talk about my business or funny things that were going on in my life but rarely would I write on a personal level. At this point, I feel the need to become more personal and I'm not even sure if anyone is even following my blog any longer. So if nothing else this will be a post for me to reaffirm that I have found my way back home.

2012 was the turning point, the point of no return. Everything that was familiar and normal changed on January 3rd. My husband was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and was told that his heart was working at 10% capacity, and he would need to be put on the heart transplant list. There are approximately 425,000 people waiting for a heart and about 2500 people actually receive one. Those numbers are staggering.  Within months, I visually watched my husband decline. The man that has always been full of energy was now in a weakened state.

He could no longer work, he could no longer climb the front steps of our home, so decisions had to be made quickly. We moved out of our home of 11 years into a very small home that would be manageable for him. I became the packer, the moving company and the caretaker. My head was spinning with decisions and worry. I felt like I was living someone elses life. There was nothing that resembled my life. We were now in survival mode. I packed up my office and said goodbye to my business without looking back.

On November 5 we received a call from the heart transplant team that they had a heart. Our emotions were all over the place. We prayed, cried and said all the things that needed to be said on our drive to New Orleans. My husband received the heart of a 26 year old man who was killed in a fatal accident due to a drunk driver. I was asked so many times if I was praying for a heart and my response was always the same. I could not pray for a heart as it meant someone would have to lose their life and their family would lose a loved one. I could only have faith that God would watch over my husband.

It has been a long road home with many ups and downs. We met the donor's family and we all watched as his mother laid her head on my husbands chest and cried as she listened to her son's heart. Nothing prepares you for that moment. We have become very close and we love them dearly.

My husband is regaining his strength and each day is a gift full of blessings.  As my husband has grown stronger I prayed about my business. Should I go back to making a few pillows in my home? Should I just not do anything but plant flowers?  I have spent many mornings in silence so I could hear Him and receive His blessings. He has answered me by bringing many of my customers back. Not in a large way but enough to keep me busy. For that I am truly thankful. I know that we have found our way back home because of absolute faith.

Blessings to all of you,

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Bright Lights of Paris

Exciting new changes are underway yet again at Petit. They're still under wraps until market next week, but one of our upcoming collections made me think of Paris' nighttime glow. In keeping with this theme, let's take a look at the bright lights of Paris at night.




While it may not necessarily be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the bright lights of Paris at night, the Arc de Triomphe certainly looks stunning illuminated against the night sky.




The Moulin Rouge may be a bit closer to what may be conjured up by the phrase "bright Paris lights." But we're still not there yet.




Ah, la Tour Eiffel. It is without a doubt the definitive staple of the Parisian skyline. While maybe a bit cliche, everyone wants to see it in person at least once. And let's face it: classics never go out of style.


We hope to see you at market next week. Look for us in the Southern Accessories Today showroom. Hope to see you there!


Monday, July 2, 2012

Atlanta Gift Market

We're busy preparing for the upcoming Atlanta International Gift Market. Look for us in the Southern Accessories Today showroom located in AmericasMart building 1 on the 12th floor Suite 12A2 & 12B1. We're excited about the prospects of this year's market and we have some exciting news of upcoming products and changes of our own. Hope to see you there!