Just in Case...

...you're tuning in now, we have a Mega Birthday Giveaway going on. Lots of fun gifts! Click here to enter. Deadline is February 27th.

I'm off to celebrate my birthday with friends and family! Deepest thanks for your kind & thoughtful wishes. Hopefully 5o will be a breeze!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

The Magical World of Lisa Golightly

Designer. Artist. Creator. Mom. Friend. If you don't know Lisa, let me introduce her to you.

Lisa Vincent aka Lisa Golightly is one of the most talented gals I know. We met about 11 years ago, both selling on eBay. Lisa used to paint these amazing signs that stirred up massive bidding wars on eBay. I am more than sure that Lisa gets the credit for starting the "sign movement" that swept the nation! I swear that the reproductions you see in stores like Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs were the influence of Lisa.

Lisa's early work (above) from the eBay days...

I really don't know where to begin since Lisa has her hands in so many things. Whenever we talk, she is in the middle of some new, exciting creation.

Like these whimsical lady prints...

Or vintage ashtrays that Lisa adds her own design... (My spoiled little Vito uses a large one as a water bowl)

What inspires Lisa? Memories from her childhood travels. The ocean. The past. Dreamy glamorous things like fashion, old hotels, movies and music. "If I can't go somewhere or wear something, I will attempt painting it! I love living in my imagination and want to take others there with me." - Lisa

Lisa created this amazing cinema sign from scratch. Can you imagine? It was even featured in a room on Extreme Home Makeover.


She also sells at the Alameda Antiques Faire. Look at this photo she altered, alerting you of her booth number. Creative, huh?

Lisa creates lovely vintage-inspired jewelry...I actually received this necklace as a gift from a dear friend!


Lisa has a blog that is enchanting, and online shop that has many of her one-of-a-kind creations, including some vintage finds...

How about these vintage style portraits that Lisa painted? How does she do that?

So, I'm scratching the surface here. I'm thrilled to call Lisa a friend, and always look forward to chatting with her about what whimsical creation she's working on. And, she's very sweet as well!

You can find Lisa on her blog here, and her shop here. Lisa also sells some of her wares on The Paris Apartment's website here.

photos from Lisa Golightly

Makes Me Smile

The work of Martine Roch is truly whimsical! Martine is an artist-illustrator-photographer, based in Dijon, France. Her work is a collaboration of antique photographs and photos she takes herself that are all digital.

The Elegant Nanny

Andrew

Martine loves her animals as you can see. And playful stories accompany each photo.

Her muse is her famous female Labrador 'Boudi'.

Boudi is "pretty in pink"

Pierrot

If you want more fun, please visit Martine on Flickr, or on her website.
Her cards, notebooks and other products are available here.

All Photos: Martine Roch

Latest Obssession: Edison Bulbs

photo: rewire

Okay, I'm totally nuts over these Edison light bulbs. Just the bare beauty of them, with their warm nostalgic glow. Breathtaking. I'm trying to think of where I could put one (or more) in my house.

photo: From the Right Bank

They look fabulous in groupings, don't you think?

photo: From the Right Bank

or just a single, simple hanging bulb...

These 1890 antique replica bulbs can be found at, where else? Anthropologie.

paradise hotel las vegas and Mandalay Bay Hotel

paradise hotel las vegas and Mandalay Bay Hotel

The main attraction of Las Vegas casinos and hotels. Known, the largest hotel casino located on Las Vegas Boulevard for the portion of the road, as the Las Vegas Strip. These large casino outside the city. Many of these hotels are large and offer thousands of rooms, with their large areas near the casino. There are many hotel-casinos in the city, stuck in the middle of the video game market in the city is in its infancy. Several large hotels and casinos, even from the Gaza Strip and the surrounding cities. Since 2009, the total number of hotel rooms in Las Vegas was more than 140,000.

 

 

 

If you relax and enjoy the best of Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas wants a final decision. One of the most luxurious casinos in Las Vegas that its customers a wide range of products to choose, SPA, gym, bar, large swimming pool. However, this is just some of the attractions of the name. In cities around the structure of the monorail, which offers its visitors easy introduction to each group. Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegasthat when it is received, and the prices of these goods.

Managed as an outstanding architectural elegance and beautiful, beautiful landscapes, and of course it is. Every inch of Paradise Hotel Mandalay Bay screams elegance and Polynesia is another feature that shows. Chic Outdoor dominate more art and sculpture enchanted hotel in Las Vegas. Amenities include air conditioning, cable television, radio, hairdryer and much more. He offers a laundry service, clean house, and currency exchange.

Rooms in this hotel in Las Vegas offers up to date, and also contributes to the GTA. So if the money, and it is expected a lot, you know where the money is available. Mandalay Bay Hotel offers its customers a mixed bag. In stores such as Pearl of the Moon, warehouse, hope, etc. Each object can BluesWe speaks of luxury.

House of Blues, perhaps the most advanced in the complex attributes. Book of musical legends and gives you rock, jazz, blues, rap, and all other types of music during their stay. Even if you are fascinated by the animals on the sea, you can visit the reef, which started more than a hundred species of marine animals!

Mandalay Bay has more than 3,000 rooms in Las Vegas, and offer comfort for the sake of the guests is completely decorated with lots of plants and landscapes. It must ensure security 24 hours for your guests during your stay carefree and other devices with more than 10 restaurants, free parking and room service.

Outpost Hotel Casino shows in Western Europe in more prosperous regions. More than 100 gaming tables, where the total amount of poker, blackjack. For those video games and slot machines, more than two miles from these facilities, the love of these people are available.

Entertainment at Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas in the form of musical theater and rock concerts, where people from New York, Los Angeles and Paris just to talk to the masses. Musicians such as Bob Dylan and the musical Chicago, has visited this hotel in Las Vegas and has options for more than 12 thousand people at the cinema.

In fact, the hotel offers a world of water of about 11 acres, with beach, river, bungalows and a swimming pool, a gym and a song full of luxury hotels, pubs and clubs were well prepared. These services for customers, if you will, and this is what he did in Las Vegas.

Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, the best conference and banquet hall with a final reminder of the best teams, staff, food and service. If services someoneAdditional, you can always ask them to reality.

Mandalay Bay is the provision of space, kings and queens, heads of government is proud of the whole world. It has its advantages, you will find the best and biggest names in the world, from the richest to the classics, too. Mandalay Bay Hotel offers luxury and elegance in their way, and welcomes people from all over the world and offers various packages for the world eachand.

For all those who are a luxury and are willing to pay for the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas the perfect choice for you!

The long wait beside the Hotel Le Bristol Paris-hotel

 The long wait beside the Hotel Le Bristol Paris-hotel
Bristol is one of the best five-star hotels in Paris, luxury for its refined elegance and tranquility. In 2008 she was voted "Best Hotel Bristol in the world" (Institutional Investor Magazine), "Best Hotel" (World Travel Hotel) and "world of luxury most romantic in Europe" (World Luxury Hotel Awards).

Even after all these accolades, the hotel was not just rest on our laurels. In September last year, a new wing of 35,000 square feet on seven floors. Osman-inspired building with elements of iron has been preserved and restored, with 21 rooms and five suites overlook the eyes of flies from Paris to take Tony shopping street Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and the Avenue Matignon.

Comfort, wellness and harmony Maja Oetker, wife, boss Rudolf Oetker, had in mind when he designed a new wing. Room 400 square meters, with high ceilings and comfortable beds, measuring about 20 meters. Pink marble bathroom in Portuguese style.

Cream-à-terre in Paris bird in a suite with two bedrooms, living room, dining room, as well as an authentic hammam. Large balconies surround the suites in the shade of yellow, cyan and red, and another small terrace overlooking a quiet courtyard.

Looking for something from the well-known lawyer and three Michelin restaurant, the hotel is a kind young chef Eric Desbordes, to create a menu, the restaurant has a relaxed style. Faubourg 114 Packed with health-conscious and went into the kitchen for a world of a wider phenomenon, not just the transfer of key trends in the menu is a selection of three dishes, fish and five seasonal selection of birds are grilled, steamed or grilled. The selection of wines by sommelier Mark Pelletier and wines of the world of traditional politics chic restaurants dedicated to serving only French wines. Interior light colored backgrounds Sexy low dahlias backlit against the walls warm orange.

No luxury hotel, without being a spa and be pampered Anne Semonin Spa flagship and, to a whole new level. Massage and beauty treatments are all custom procedures, from a detailed analysis of customer needs. Celebrities Bastien Gonzalez Pedicure Your feet will look and feel like a star. Quiet, relaxing treatment rooms are equipped with Juneda the rough stone, redwood, cashmere blankets and pillows. Anne Semonin offers a wide range of cosmetics, including rejuvenating body scrub black, white sand, sand, salt, black of French Polynesia. If someone else to rub on your lovely spot you want and where the resort is ninety minutes a black sand-body exfoliation ritual.






 

MEGA Birthday Giveaway!!

photo credit: Star Bakery

Oh my, I'm turning the big 5-0... yes, it's true. So...time for a

MEGA BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!

Fabulous gifts for 3 lucky winners...

Mindy Weiss's "The Ultimate Wedding Planner" & Kai Perfume Oil

Mindy Weiss is one of the most sought after event planners in the United States. With a top-selling book, a product line, a gourmet market and so much more, Mindy has planned some of the largest galas in Hollywood history.

You may have married years ago, but here's a great gift for a bride-to-be! Mindy is generously offering "The Ultimate Wedding Organizer." Such a pretty blue, isn't it? The planner (complete with handles) is designed to hold everything from paperwork to swatches, and is only available at Mindy's e-store. AND, that's not all. She's offering a bottle of the yummy, Kai perfume oil. Love it!

IOMOI's stationary gift set

IOMOI is one of the most coveted lines of stylish custom stationery, invitations and home accessories in the country. I'm a huge fan! Owners Irene Chen and Matthew Grenby's "timeless classics with a modern twist," have been featured in nearly 500 publications from Elle Decor to Vogue magazine.

They are generously offering one of my favorite items; The perfect gift set featuring "Ling the Elephant." The set consists of 10 (5x7 flat) cards, envelopes, and a bamboo pen. Packaged in twine, it's lovely in person!


And, from yours truly... I'm offering a $50 gift certificate toward any item at Paris Hotel Boutique. $50 for 50 years old!!

How Do You Enter?

• Simply leave a comment below, "What would be your dream birthday gift?" It doesn't have to be a physical item. Anything that you would wish for, even something impossible. Remember... it's a wish! Go crazy!

• Mindy, Irene and Matthew will randomly pick 3 numbers to determine the winners.

• Post this giveaway on your blog and you can enter a second time!

• The entries can be made until Saturday, February 27th (my birthday), and the winners will be announced on Monday, March 1st.

BIG THANKS to Mindy, Irene & Matthew for generously offering these goodies! And good luck to all!

photos from Mindy Weiss & Iomoi

Such Pretty Things!

One day my friend Janet and I were on the phone doing our usual, "Have you seen this? Did you see that?" I wanted to show her a beautiful blog I had been following, Such Pretty Things. Janet was way ahead of me, and had been following this blog for some time now.

Jessica of Such Pretty Things is a designer, wife and mom, who loves an array of pretty vintage things. She loves to collect vintage textiles and wallpapers from the 1930's and 1940's. Reading her blog is the best eye-candy you can imagine, so come follow along...


Jessica is constantly cooking or baking up a storm...making such lovely things for her daughters' birthdays, such as these decorated sugar cubes...

Or a Princess Party for her daughter, with the best favors you've ever seen!

Custom "Juicy" invites for the party girls

How about this insanely fabulous Juicy Couture themed slumber party?

The party included a stay at a hotel and a trip to the Juicy Couture shop. Each girl was presented with a Juicy shopping bag filled with goodies that Jessica had amassed for months.

Jessica and her daughter made tiny edible fondant crowns and hearts embellished with edible pink pearls and placed them on pink cupcakes. Can I be one of your daughters Jessica?

Everything she does inspires me, such as her "Target Tuesdays." Jessica goes to Target and buys something ordinary and turns it into extraordinary, such as this floral corsage tank top.

Starting with a simple t-shirt for $7.99 and some other supplies, she adds, embellishes, cuts and sews, until walla! A creation is made. I love how Jessica walks you through visuals of the whole creating process, as well as a step-by-step guide to make it. Move over Martha Stewart!


Being the candy lover that I am, here is the part that I (and Janet) Flip Out! It's called "The Cabinet." It's a strictly off limits to all family members and holds Jessica's beloved collection of sprinkles, sugars, and candies from all over the world. They are reserved for only for her most special baking projects.

No touching...no snacking allowed!

From craft tutorials & baking, to party ideas & interior design, Simply Pretty Things is awe-inspiring! And, I must add that Jessica takes the most amazing photos.

Please do yourself a favor and go visit her blog here and her photos gallery on Flickr here. You will be in for a treat!

All photos from Such Pretty Things

Hotel Reservation System: the perfect software Property Management-hotel

Hotel Reservation System: the perfect software Property Management-hotel
Hotel and Property Management has never been an easy task for any manager or individual. There are many things to keep it simple to follow and many ways of looking. For the hotel industry, for example, managers should monitor the maintenance of the room and able to control the daily operations of hotels, and exits and entrances for visitors and reservations.

Hotel management must be to a simple question for most business issues such as ensuring that all visitors including, but not the best performance, may be involved. If you really imagine the scenario for the management of 'hotel, we begin to ask for help.

Therefore, there is software designed specifically for them, to help cover this. This new program is called asset-management software that enables any hotelier, visit its duties without prejudice to other tasks.

As a software asset management can be a lot of work for every manager who can do the hotel, so you only work limited to the hotel. This software is only as a tool for the recording function, assessment and booking reservations for each guest.

To the full extent of the environment or the use of Software Asset Management is one of the daily operations can be done to check all details of the 'hotel, and other tasks. These tasks can be controlled most of the software.

Software Asset Management provides the functionality that you record the data simply and get with the touch of a button to activate. This software is much more reliable than a scribble to the old way of notes on a sheet of paper. As we know from the information contained in the document much more difficult to achieve for the future, and there is great risk of losing them.

Another advantage of booking the hotel, are easy to use. This software has user-friendly interface makes it easy to enter and share data, even if you do not have much experience on the computer.

For any confusion and stress, or part of the hotel manager, the wisest thing is to be avoided, the asset management software for the best booking system. In this way, you can all the things that have happened in your head, as the hotel manager.

Hotel room will be found a place that offers accommodation-hotel

Hotel room will be found a place that offers accommodation for a short period has created. The reservations range in price depending on the services offered. Some of the hotels in particular the most important additional structures such as swimming pools, indoor games, gym, etc. These offers good restaurants and conference rooms, because they are large. Services in the houses smaller, less accessible and less expensive are the services such as telephone, air conditioning and Internet connection. Furthermore, a wide range of food, beverages and snacks are served to guests.

Hotels in cities are more expensive because they are implemented. The reservation is also a factor for consideration, because at certain times of the year in which the questions are usually very high, for example, at Christmas, many people prefer to spend their vacation in these places. It is also a time when tourists visit different parts of the world. They are also the days when food and other raw materials than any other time of year more expensive. Number of people boarding should be noted, moreover, like most people, the lower the price, and vice versa. This is a good choice for comfort at home within their capabilities.

Some rooms are known for certain types of foods, so that customers receive an easy task to know what they expect will be addressed during their stay. For example, some rooms is known that the food they serve only African-known, while others are Chinese or Indian cuisine. Good to know, prices and services offered at the hostel, in particular, the drawbacks to be avoided. We must also consider the style and culture, so that the choice should not be difficult the situation. Catering and hospitality during the reservation will be offered, must be examined to meet your consolation. In accommodation, security must be tight, and respond to occupant comfort. Book offer additional services, the best, and not move from one place to another, saving time and energy. These additional services can be a cyber-cafe ©, car wash, banks and much more. Compare prices at these restaurants, it helps to plan ahead.

Blog it Forward: What Inspires Me?

photo: Ed Brodzinsky

I'm thrilled to be part of the Blog it Forward mash-up started by Victoria of sfgirlbybay. A group of 300 participating bloggers are sharing “what inspires them”on their blogs, and then passing it on to the next blogger on the schedule. I've already discovered some lovely blogs I’d never seen, so definitely check out the other participating blogs! The previous blog in the chain is Paper and Thread, and I'm blogging it forward to Peanut Butter and Poetry, link here.
So, what inspires me?

That's a tough one, since so many things inspire me. But, the first thing that popped into my head was "yesteryear." definition; time gone by; especially : the recent past.

Selling vintage and antique goods is one of the most interesting things I've ever done. I'm constantly inspired by things I find and the history behind them.

Market Street, San Francisco, 1940's

I've always said that if I had to wish for one thing, (not that winning the lotto wouldn't be great...and good health, of course), my wish would be to travel back in time and spend one day in San Francisco, preferably the 1930's or 40's. I'd take a stroll down Market Street, all dressed up in my hat and gloves.

The Flood Building

I'd stop to admire beautiful buildings that have been untouched by modern architecture...

photo: Ed Brodzinsky
The Hearst Building on Market Street was designed by architect Julia Morgan and dates to 1937. Gorgeous!

photo: twiga_swala

The San Francisco City Hall dome, inspired by Mansart's dome of Les Invalides in Paris, is the fifth largest in the world. The building is a a Beaux-Arts monument. I love the garlands, cartouches, balustrades, arched doors and classical details of the Beaux-Arts style.

Ferry Building Clock Tower

Gazing at passersby dressed in their fine clothing...I'm going to have to buy some new clothes to fit in!

What's a day without shopping? A "must stop," the upscale City of Paris department store (Beaux-Arts style building) which reflected French culture in the store’s décor and merchandise...

photo: ecastro
Its opulent rotunda with an amazing stained glass dome...breathtaking...

I may be tempted to purchase one of the dresses in the window...

Okay, enough shopping. Time to grab a cable car...

Headed down to Bernstein's Fish Grotto on Powell Street where I'll have some delicious seafood...Can't believe the crab cocktail is only 75 cents!

I'm on my way to visit fine hotels like the Fairmont and Mark Hopkins atop Nob Hill, and gaze at their interiors...luscious carpets designed by Dorothy Draper, marble pillars, massive chandeliers...

It's getting late...I'm stopping off Bimbo's 365 Club to hear some Big Band music...fabulous Art Deco supper club...

Perhaps I'll sip on a cocktail like a Pink Lady or Sidecar...

But wait! I haven't even said hello to my relatives!! Okay, I'll grab the nearest streetcar and pay visits to all. My great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins galore! Can't wait to meet some of these people!

photo: cinderella

Uh oh! It's almost midnight. My day's up. I'm afraid it's time to return back to 2010...So sad to leave...I had the best time!

There is nothing like yesteryear. The beauty and elegance of a bygone era continues to inspire me to hunt and seek out vintages treasures to share with you. Perhaps we can all imagine a "time gone by" that in our minds, is more glamorous than it actually was. But, I doubt it. I think it was very glamorous indeed!

Thank you all for reading what inspires me. I hope your days are filled with your own endless inspiration!

Photo credits; San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection/Public Library, myvintagevogue, twiga_swala, e castro, twenty_questions, atelier/Ed Brodzinsky, srk1941, open salon