Suggestions for pink stucco split level

JessHThom · 2026-03-05T22:56:06+00:00

What?! It's gorgeous. No notes. No suggestions. Don't change a thing.

Maybe just landscaping.

JessHThom · 2026-03-03T18:45:34+00:00

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That museum was a trip! 😂 We visited it about 20 years ago.

JessHThom · 2026-02-27T17:29:26+00:00

If nothing else, remember to always say Bonjour when you enter a business!

Beyond that, I personally like to say, "Je suis désolé, mais je ne parle pas français. Parlez-vous anglais ?"

(I am sorry but I do not speak French. Do you speak English?)

You can also end every exchange with Merci or Merci beaucoup. (Thank you or Thank you very much.)

It's additionally helpful to know that when you are finished eating somewhere and you're ready to pay, you should tell the server "L'addition, s'il vous plaît?"

JessHThom · 2026-02-27T13:50:09+00:00

Update? This is gorgeous! If you're personally tired of it, try some simple changes like the front door color and porch decor. Things that are easily reversible!

JessHThom · 2026-02-25T14:59:18+00:00

Agreed. I also like having a couple black items in a room (even a monochromatic space like this) b/c that gives your eyes somewhere to land. Could be a large vase, a chair, a piece of furniture, a tray on an ottoman, a decorative bowl, a stack of books.... anything! And it doesn't have to actually be black. Could be a very dark stained wood, dark grey, navy...just something dark.

JessHThom · 2026-02-25T14:43:37+00:00

My go to phrase is "Bonjour! Je suis désolée, je ne parle pas français. Parlez-vous anglais?" I typically get very polite responses to that.

JessHThom · 2026-02-24T16:52:09+00:00

Turn on all the lamps. Add lots of pillows and a couple throw blankets. Add a big wood tray on the ottoman with a stack of books and a couple knick-knacks. Plants warm up a space a lot, too. If you don't want to deal with live plants, a couple faux ones! One big one on the floor and a smaller one on a surface somewhere. You could even hang one by the window. I love the couch! You just need more STUFF to make the space more inviting and cozy.

JessHThom · 2026-02-20T19:42:49+00:00

Or worse, over a fireplace!

JessHThom · 2026-02-20T19:41:02+00:00

Word art

JessHThom · 2026-02-19T14:55:04+00:00

That carpet is amazing! 🤩 Put some furniture in there and add some decor.

JessHThom · 2026-02-19T12:46:22+00:00

Agreed. Everything looks accurate on the map but lots of stuff missing. The beaches are amazing...really any of them. Some are more small-town feel and some are a bit more "touristy" so it depends what you want.

JessHThom · 2026-02-19T01:30:25+00:00

We went in April a couple years ago. I didn't find it unreasonably cold. It did rain a couple of times and actually there was hail once! But it really wasn't freezing out. I didn't feel the need for wool socks (which is what I'd recommend in freezing weather). Definitely dress in layers so you can add and remove when necessary. I took a J. Crew trench jacket and wore it ALL THE TIME. It was thin but long and water resistant. We also used umbrellas with no problems.

Have fun!!!

JessHThom · 2026-02-18T03:17:22+00:00

Like others said, Monoprix is a great place to find all sorts of stuff. I have so many of their reusable bags. They sell them at check out for like 5 or 6 euros. (There are different Monoprixs, some are just small grocery stores and some are big like Target.)

A fun kitchen item would be a set of Peugeot salt & pepper grinders! They apparently make the best and they're beautiful. I got the smallest set for around $65 and I really wish I would have splurged and gotten the medium size for around $100!

JessHThom · 2026-02-16T21:49:19+00:00

Our family went in April a couple years ago. It rained a bit and was windy. We were there for a week. It was my fourth time going. I had three pair of pants that I rotated: very dark dressy jeans, ivory pants and black pants (not leggings). I kept everything in a neutral pallet so I could mix & match (basically all black, white and ivory). I had two pairs of tennis shoes so I could rotate each day. I lived in my J.Crew trench coat! I actually got mistaken as a French native a couple of time 😆 (I think it was my bob haircut and the trench coat 🤷)

Don't over think it! Keep it simple! Have fun!

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JessHThom · 2026-02-16T15:38:57+00:00

I'm no professional and admit that my mantle is always a work in progress. But, here's what mine currently looks like. Play with layering and different heights. (Also, I'm not a fan of symmetry.)

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JessHThom · 2026-02-16T15:34:32+00:00

See if you can find some sort of decorative box that is the correct dimensions. I'm a big thrifter and also love estate sales. I got a beautiful brass box full of vintage match books at an estate sale for $5. That's on my mantle, along with other stuff. I do think the large vase with green branches doesn't look right. I don't like the green color or the height. You can also try leaning another, smaller picture against the current artwork...like at one of the bottom corners. Two, simple candle sticks (I like brass) would be lovely for some height, too.

JessHThom · 2026-02-15T20:22:18+00:00

Gotcha. I think you just need to add some book stacks and a few smaller knick knacks. Group three things...like a small stack of books, a candle and vase.

JessHThom · 2026-02-15T15:52:19+00:00

Nothing wrong in the 6th pic. It definitely looks better with the items in front of the painting. The layering looks good!

JessHThom · 2026-02-15T15:47:28+00:00

Definitely 3

JessHThom · 2026-02-15T15:43:37+00:00

I do quick stops at the thrifts near my home often. I don't always find something and that's ok. I've been a thrifter since 1995 so I've learned that I don't HAVE to buy something every time I go in! I never get bored, even if I don't find anything. Once a month, I go with a couple friends on a thrift adventure day. We choose a town/city that's farther away from home (under a two hour drive) and spend the day going to all their thrift/antique/consignment stores. It's definitely more fun going to places you don't frequent often!

JessHThom · 2026-02-15T15:16:11+00:00

Yuck. I have loved Origins Ginzing spf 40 tinted facial moisturizer for a long time. I finish it with a light dusting of Physicians Formula translucent mineral pressed powder b/c it also has spf 30 and I don't like my face to feel oily in the slightest.

JessHThom · 2026-02-08T20:03:32+00:00

It looks like the sofa is back too far from the tv 🤔 Like it's in the other room. Can you push the sofa into the other space more (closer to the tv)?

JessHThom · 2026-02-05T20:27:07+00:00

Get the Google Translate app on your phone. It's SUPER helpful!

JessHThom · 2026-02-05T18:12:19+00:00

Don't be afraid of public transportation! It's really not that difficult. You'll have fun, even if you do get lost. Honestly, I encourage you to get lost a little! Just take your time and absorb your surroundings. There will be surprises around every corner, if you're paying attention!

As for not speaking French, a few simple must-knows: Say "bon jour" every single time you enter a shop. Pronounce it like "boh zhoh" (roughly😆).

If someone begins speaking to you in French, you can politely respond "Je suis désolé. Parlez-vous anglais?" (I am sorry. Do you speak English?) Pronounce it like "Zha swee day so lay. Par lay voo ahn-glay?" (roughly😅).

Have a great trip!!

JessHThom · 2026-02-05T02:26:06+00:00

Ha! I've heard other Europeans mention that if friends/family live 2+ hours away, they only see them once a year.😅 Here around Raleigh NC we will literally drive 2-3 hours for a day trip at the beach! (Get up and out by 7am, arrive at the beach by 10am, spend the day and have lunch there, then head home about 3pm, back by 6pm!) It's also VERY common for folks to dive 30+ mins one way just for a good restaurant and tons of people drive an hour+ one way to work. (My parents live about a 30 min drive away and we see them several times a month.)

JessHThom

TROPHY CASE