Holiday Must-Have: French Essence

Many of you may already be familiar with the warm & charming Vicki Archer. I met Vicki some time ago via the blogging world (her blog is titled French Essence.) She is such an amazing woman!

Ten years ago Vicki bought and restored a seventeenth-century property in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, and told the story in her book My French Life, a true classic.

Vicki's beautiful dressing table

Now the moment we've been waiting for... Vicki's second book, French Essence. In this fabulous book, Vicki collaborates with photographer Carla Coulson. The book is a celebration of Vicki's daily life in Provence. Vicki shares the ambiance and beauty of this beautiful area. The book is filled with gorgeous photographs of lush gardens, timeless interiors, hauntingly beautiful village lanes, and inspired aesthetic details.

one of Vicki's favorite chapters in the book is about the French circus..."'the big top' was an an interior to love - the textures, the colour, the lighting even the simple velvet covered seating."

French Essence is definitely a treasure. Not just the content of the book, but the delightful Vicki that many of us have grown to love via her blog!

Be sure and add French Essence to your Christmas list! You can purchase it here or here.

image credit: Carla Coulson

Holiday Arrivals at Paris Hotel Boutique!

Joyeux Noel!

Silver & gold, tinsel & lights, Paris Hotel Boutique brings you new treasures to make your holiday season bright! Please join us to preview them. Highlights include:

• Estate Diamond Rings
• Assorted Miami & Palm Beach Hotel Silver
• Edwardian-era Gentleman Portrait Painting
• Early 20th Century Italian Leather Desk Accessories
• Antique French Jeweled Star
• Vintage Trophies
• 1930's Silver Leaf Armchairs and much more!

{AND as a special thank you, every purchase through the end of the year will receive the delicious gourmet Maison Bouche chocolat! Maison Bouche's packaging is as divine as the scrumptious taste of their confections.}

Happy Monday + Heads Up!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and stayed warm! We are in our rainy season here, but no snow in Northern California.

Just a "heads up" to let you know that we have oodles of new arrivals being showcased at Paris Hotel Boutique tomorrow and you're the first to know! Be on the lookout tomorrow morning...

Wishing you a great week ahead!


images: Candice Stringham

Happy Weekend!

Hope everyone is having a magical weekend!

image: Ana Luisa Pinto

A Favorite Shop: Tail of the Yak

It's holiday-time at Tail of the Yak, one of my absolute favorite shops in the Bay Area. The other day my friend Lisa and I took a little ride over to Berkeley to see the seasonal magic at this most charming shop.

You've probably heard me talk about Tail of the Yak before, but I'll say it again. Magic. Owners Alice, Lauren and staff do an amazing job of creating a space that makes you feel as if you've left the world behind. From paper-adorned antique Santos statues to vintage ribbons and amazing estate jewelry, this is wonderland at its finest.

What are these you may be asking? They are "surprise balls." That's right. Artist Anandamayi Arnold has been making various "surprise balls" for the shop for many years. I've seen everything from fruits to lumps of coal.

I look forward to every Christmas to see the newest creations by Anandamayi. This years' florals just knocked my socks off! The surprises are in the bulbs of the flowers.

Surprise balls are wound tightly, like a ball of wool, around their sometimes lumpy contents. Anandamayi starts with a streamer and adds little prizes as she builds the ball. The only problem is it's too pretty, who wants to open it?

Surprise balls run about $18 to around $95, depending on the amount of work involved.

Love this chocolate ribbon...

vignettes of charming ornaments grace the shop...

This is just a very small area of the large jewelry case that graces the shop. Everything is so specially selected and each piece is extraordinary. I could gaze through the case for hours...

curiosities abound such as these figural-shaped graphite pencils...

AND, during the holidays a special annual tradition at Tail of the Yak are custom-designed poster-size calendars by co-owner, Lauren McIntosh. If you make a purchase you get one of these treats! I still have many of my old ones from years back. They are truly works of art.

If you happen to be in the Bay Area, you must visit this charming store. My photos just don't do it justice!

Tail of the Yak
2632 Ashby Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
510.841.9891

I've Been Minxed!

I'm talking about the latest nail sticker/varnish thing that has become a bit of a trend with celebrities. I hadn't heard about it until I saw a photo on Pinterest and then this photo above of this chic young lady taken by Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil.

I got a little obsessed so I visited the Minx Nails site and located a wonderful technician, Chrissy, to professionally apply them.

Chrissy applying my "Minx"

"Minx" is a flexible film, applied with heat and pressure, and does not require any drying time. The foil is applied on the nails like a wrap and stuck on it with the help of heat. Very clever.

The Minx "foil" is available in metallic, patterns and graphics.

I opted for the zany silver toes. Looks kind of like foil. Funny thing, it's bitter cold out, so only I see my feet! I can't believe I'm sharing my feet with you! {Really, it looks better in person than these photos...really}

On average, Minx lasts from 7 to 14 days on the fingers and up to 4 weeks on the toes. That's pretty nifty...

So, thus was my day at Valentino's salon in Burlingame. Don't even let me tell you about the shellac fingernails I got. Maybe next time!

If you want to locate a salon that does Minx nails, visit their website here. It's a fun little pick-me-up, don't you think?

and...it's International everyone!

Happy Chanukah!

The first night of Chanukah begins this evening at sundown. Yes...early this year.

To all who are celebrating, may this beautiful eight day festival of lights be joyous for you and your loved ones.

image from here