rufus wainwright

Rufus Wainwright got me through college. He didn’t help me with finals or write my English papers, but he was there for me when I needed him and always had a song appropriate for my roller-coaster, college girl emotions (Why would she say that about me? How can we make this long distance relationship work? He gave me a B?!).

My first Rufus concert, summer of 2007, Stubbs BBQ in Austin. Photo by Frances Moulin.

Rufus’ poetry, swoon-worthy voice and pure emotion are both awe-inspiring and relatable. Not to mention he did an entire Judy Garland tribute album (I mean, need I say more?) I follow and admire his work to this day, and hope to someday take the stage to perform an unforgettable duet together….but I’ll settle for shaking his hand or getting an autograph.

Photo from RufusWainwright.com

PS - Rufus Wainwright's new album comes out May 1.

my new pinterest page

Geometric photo art, A Beautiful Mess (via my DIY board)

I finally joined the Pinterest revolution. And I'm obsessed. It's everything my girlfriends and fellow bloggers say it is (and more). I can finally delete all those messy links saved in my Favorites bar and organize them beautifully under one roof. It's an OCD person's dream, really. Not to mention a wonderful place to get inspired. So follow my pretty new page and create one of your own, if you haven't already. (I know, I'm like way behind. But you know I'm a bit of an old lady when it comes to technology and social media...)

rabbit no. 0053 by Kari Herer (via my Etsy Faves board)

Proud Mary pillow (via my For the Casa board)

Gorgeous fire pit setting as seen on cake. (via my Wedding and Events board)

Lieschen Mueller cats (via my Baby Moulin board)

s'mores

Classic Honey Maid S'mores from Kraft Foods.

Confession: Monsieur Moulin and I make s'mores over our gas stove on a fairly regular basis. No wire hangers or campfire necessary. And honestly (maybe embarrassingly?), we've got our technique down. We use Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips, mega marshmallows from Whole Foods and traditional graham crackers. We not only roast our marshmallows over the flame (I like mine a little bit burned; he likes his golden), but we also put our assembled s’mores in the microwave for approximately 10 seconds. Trust me, it's perfection. So in honor of our much-too-often-practiced ritual, I've compiled a few links to delicious s’mores recipes (and a fun DIY). Kumbaya.

S'mores Pie (yep, it exists), How Sweet It Is

S'mores Cupcakes (so beautiful!) by Annie Eats

S'mores Pops by gimme some oven

S'mores Cookie Bars by Lovin from the Oven

Love this DIY S'mores Kit from Creature Comforts. Makes a perfect gift.

silly valentine's day

Cherry and vanilla mustaches on a stick by Vintage Confections

I've never been a Valentine's Day person. I'm certainly not one of those "I hate Valentine's Day" gals; I just don't really get it. I'm not fond of roses (I'm more of a peony girl), I do not need 30 pieces of chocolate in a heart-shaped box, and I loathe sentimental "To My Wife" Hallmark cards. The good news is my husband doesn't like it either (does any man really like Valentine's Day??). So we opt to celebrate in our own way - with Silly Valentine's Day.

We celebrate our love by making each other laugh. Past gifts include a Shake Weight, Barbie and Ken in a Mexico-bound convertible, an assortment of tacky gifts from the Dollar Store, Mr. Potato Head Pirate Family, and the Open Hearts Collection necklace (which was the best. Ladies - I don't mean to offend if you own one, but it's just not my style in so many ways...). And to top off our celebration, we head to the most unromantic restaurants in town - Chili's, On the Border, Wendy's, etc. Our friends said this year we should try Golden Corral (I hear they have a chocolate fountain).

Make 'em laugh with a silly, but true, key chain. White Lilie Designs

Cute and quirky hedgehog felted soap by SoFino

I need these in my life. Dual Valentine's gloves by Warm Presents

Made with Love Sandwich Bags from Urban Outfitters. See their entire Valentine's Shop. 

etsy treasury: romantic afternoon in paris

Illustrated map of Paris by Lindsey Bee

With a last name like Moulin, you know I can’t help myself from wishing I were French. And that I live in the heart of Paris. And drink fancy cappuccinos every day. And wear lovely French clothes. And am completely fluent. And have two adorable little French children who are obedient and eat their vegetables. But the reality is I’m not French. And my husband is actually Cajun. And we live in Little Elm, Texas with three dogs…All technicalities aside, I do like to dream about living in France (or Spain or Greece) one day. And I like to think my afternoons would look something like this:  

My dress - yes, I would wear a wedding dress on a normal day in Paris. I would totally own it.
French lace Ivory Bohemian wedding dress, Grace Loves Lace 



French charm necklace by Madison Honey Vintage



I could honestly live on French macarons (PS - they're super hard to make. I've tried a number of times and it's hit or miss. Sparkles Macaron has obviously perfected them.)



To write elegant letters back home. In calligraphy, of course.
Merci Beaucoup letterpress stationery, set of 6 by missive 



See the full board on my Parisian-inspired Etsy treasury. Au revoir!

hey girl

As I was finishing an order for my new Etsy shop last night (check it out here), and Monsieur Moulin was measuring and cutting tissue paper for my mini pom garland, I couldn't help but think of the most genius nod to craft husbands out there - Handmade Ryan Gosling. If you spend as much time as I do in the craft store, have a room dedicated to ribbon, glitter and paint, and have a project covering every surface of the house, and your husband loves you more because of it all, then you'll certainly relate. Here are a few that had me laughing out loud...

All photos from Handmade Ryan Gosling

Submit your own Handmade Ryan Gosling ideas here. I'm sure Ryan would like yours best...

terrariums

A Subtle Revelry offers a tutorial for light bulb terrariums - such a great idea for place cards or favors.

I’m kind of obsessed with terrariums right now. Gorgeous plants, curious sceneries, varying rocks, all enclosed in a clear vessel – sometimes corked or hung in an interesting or unique way. Per this New York Times article about the comeback of terrariums, they “marry the current rage for Victoriana with the growing interest in handmade crafts and all things do-it-yourself.” Terrariums were popular in the 70s but have evolved into more modern and stylish displays that offer a budget-friendly solution to gardening and décor. You can find endless amounts of terrariums on Etsy, but I suggest making one yourself. Read the bottom of the NYT article a brief tutorial on how to create and maintain your own mini landscape.


Terrain, an Urban Outfitters brand, is a wonderland of fashion and garden. As seen on Oh Joy.



Translucent Droplet Terrarium at Anthro. For the low, low price of $1,450.



How to Make a Terrarium on Apartment Therapy.



The Two of Us print by Lucy Engelman.