Speaking of good design.........Paris hotel and Ice Cream

Every time I come across these photos I took of the Pavillon de la Reine hotel I want to book a return flight. The luxury boutique hotel is located in the chic Marais district, quietly tucked behind the Place des Vosges. You might remember how charmed I was in touring the lively Marais area of Paris and this hidden gem is on my hotel list for my next trip. On a personal level I have a thing for red, orange, and warm tones and so does my Taurean husband who loves our Chinese red and orange dining room. Not that he has been served any meals in it lately. But I am off track here, because I really want you to mark down this hotel if traveling to Paris anytime soon. Even visiting their website here is a nice cosy departure, even if for only a few minutes.

As a designer, I adore oil paintings and artwork with picture lights, the soft glow it introduces to any room, the way it pulls me in to see more. My electricians thought I was crazy when we built our house. We installed 18 of those recessed picture lights (recessed outlets so artwork hangs flat) and just about every room in the house, even the kitchen. Off track again, but this hotel must really remind me of home, a calming thing when traveling. Or should it be totally different? 

I once stayed in one of New York's most hip hotels. somewhere with a totally different vibe. The room was glam layered in white, nice look but the mattress of poor futon quality, the staff frosty and unhelpful, the price outrageous, so now I look for comfort, a calming spot to land each night. You know how I love the cocoon value of a canopy bed (especially when traveling) and this lovely guest suite looks just about perfect for easing into a different time zone. 

Speaking of comfort................head over to David Lebovitz's site here for the recipe for this yummy Brown Bread Ice Cream, the ultimate comfort food if I ever saw one.

Top 2 photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Photo 3 photo from hotel website/Photo 3 from David Lebovitz.com

Some days I get gorgeous gifts too...............

I totally get how people feel when they receive a beautifully gift wrapped package. I like to wait hours to prolong the pleasure of unwrapping something so thoughtfully created and so I did. When I received my recent Etsy order from Mandy at A La Parisienne and finally opened the box ........oh, my goodness, a peacock feather. How gorgeous! Such a fabulous embellishment.........wouldn't we have fun gift wrapping together? 

One of Mandy's feminine note cards from her Etsy shop in the background. Simple white paper but so striking with green ribbon and the hounds tooth pattern. The same colour scheme, but each package styled differently. Doesn't Mandy prove my that gift wrapping point I am always trying to make? It's not what you use, it's how you use it. Though the peacock feather is most special I must say.

Mandy used hounds tooth tissue paper to make these scalloped cut-outs and layered them into a petite embellishment. She sent me some extra so I could experiment with them, I can't quite think how I could do this any better.

Something extra as well from my fellow blogger friend.........a thoughtful trio of her own Joyeux Noel photo postcards. I like the idea of sending these out soon, a bit of holiday beauty landing in some one's mailbox.

Mandy has many beautiful things at her Etsy shop, always something new and clever. She recently introduced these genuine vintage fur collars and they reminded me of a stylish Parisian lady I saw in a Paris restaurant. My sister-in-law came back from the toilettes and said you have to go to the toilettes right now so you won't miss the lady in the corner table. You have to see this now. Wearing an elegant fur stole over a simple silk sheath, sparkly but discreet earrings, a wispy chignon, red lipstick, and sitting at the table with very erect posture, the elderly Parisian lady (with a bit of a Grey Garden look) owned the table that summer evening with her chic ensemble. I wanted to sit down at that table, ask her to tell me her story, I know she would have had a really good one. Doesn't everyone?

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I adore my new (but vintage) fur collar from talented Mandy, it adds something to every outfit. I think I must wear it next weekend, the sooner the better. Sit up straighter, wear some red lipstick.........make up a chic little fashion story of my own.

All photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Bottom Photo via A La Parisienne-Etsy

kiss, kiss from Paris

Bonjour........and my apologies for not posting as planned over the past few days. A laptop that is not cooperating, email server problems, a phone that won't charge, a fried hairdryer, a camera that is acting strange and the joke around here is that there is some tech-cloud hanging over my head here in Paris. Example: I finally get on the internet tonight at 12:45 and open a new post and where is the photo download on dashboard? But, boy have i some gorgeous pics for you to see from the show when this all sorted out. I will use Vicki's laptop tomorrow to post with photos. I refuse to let these pesky details stop me from having what is a most wonderful trip with the most gorgeous weather. And what a fabulous travel partner! I use her laptop to email home, her hairdryer to do my hair, she graciously takes photos for me (hers are stunning), and makes the best dinner reservations and even orders for me. The most pleasurable part of this trip has been to meet and spend time with Vicki Archer of French Essence. She is a stylish woman with an impeccable command of the french language, a generous spirit and is warm and wonderfully fabulous (she will be totally embarased when she reads this).You should buy her books........all of them and as fast as they come out. Her new book French Essence is going to make the best holiday book when released in North America late October. She is the real thing ladies and everything you would imagine if you read her mega-popular blog. Our late-to-bed-and early-to-rise schedule is now over and the next few days are going to be exploring Paris. In the meantime while I am posting with no photos (a first), please head over to to see Vicki's wonderful show photos (surprise, surprise, link also not working) so if you are not a follower then link through to French Essence my Blog Favorites sidebar. I have my own fun, fun show photos which I will post tomorrow or early Monday, on Vicki's laptop, yes again.
Thank you for your kind comments, see you tomorrow.

Bonne nuit ~
to my two guys JPC and APC.............miss you, miss you XOXO

A $75,000.00 ride in the Park

Yes!!! You can actually order this La Belle au Bois Dormant Coach for your magnifique little Marie Antoinette! For $75,000.00..... but what's a few francs when little Marie needs a ride? Made by artisans for Virginia-based Post Tots, the solid cherry quarter panels are hand-tapered, beveled, and bent to create this desired shape. See the heart-shaped detail on the wheels? I just had to share this gorgeous extravagance when I found it on Sweetmama, the mama spinoff to Sweetspot ~ Canada's stylish fashion and city guide website. Have you ever!!!! Come on and take a peek inside........ Upholstered in pure silk, the interior is worthy of the most discriminating princess. Her well-trained eye won't find any flaws here. A fabric-tented ceiling, plump seat cushions, a fabric carpet, and yards of patissmentrie......oh my! Lots of room for well-attired doll friends.

Catch a light breeze sitting in the slightly shaded rear section. Don't forget her bouquet.

I couldn't help but think that stylish Amelia, the little blogger-in-training at A la Parisienne is entitled to this type of transport. She has quickly developed a love of all things French, how could she not? Mom Mandy created this gorgeous birthday hat for Amelia's 1st birthday a few weeks back, she's just ready and waiting for a lovely coach ride around the grounds of Versailles. Click here to see Amelia's Marie Antionette birthday party....I want one!

A princely frog to go along for the ride.


A pink quilted silk perch for the driver attendant.


The silk canopy is shaped to resemble flower petals.



She might be a little sleepy after her little Versailles jaunt, she'll need a princess-worthy bed
to promote sweet dreams. Guinevere's Four Post Bed & Bedding at Post Tots for $4,200.00.
A Canopy is available extra.

The Guinevere Crib version for $3,650.00 painted in an old world palette of antique blues and roses, with a touch of purple. The moulding-detailed crib be personalized with the child's name or favorite phrase.

The Palace Round Crib for $1,330.00. Adorable.

Her sweet little corset outfit... you can even buy that at Posh Tot too.

Top photo via Sweetmama.ca/All other photos from PoshTots.com