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

men in white aprons..........

He was getting away from me fast which is why this shot is a bit blurry. Those delivery bags are filled with baguettes fresh from the oven and it was the smell as he walked behind me that alerted me to lift my camera and follow the source. I was told by a professional that you never directly photograph anyone in Paris (it is considered rude and unprofessional) without asking first but no one said anything about photographing them from the rear which I thought in most cases made for a more interesting shot anyways. Even if it is a bit blurry it is still one of my favourite photos.

Here at home I don't normally eat chicken as I find it bland and tasteless. Not so in Paris, the roasted chicken was incredibly moist and so delicious I am still thinking about it. This rotisserie chicken drips it's juices over a tray of potatoes, cooking them as it turns and the daily aroma of roasted chicken and potatoes can distract the entire neighborhood. This shot was taken in the Marais where our tour guide lives and breathes this delicious smell day after day. More about our entertaining tour guide who says he eats too much rotisserie chicken this upcoming week.

Fresh-squeezed juice anyone?

This lively waiter gave me permission to take his photo.........and I think he kind of liked it. 

All photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life