Nana had a Pouf.

There's a little bit more that we didn't know about Nana Goldfinger. She had a pouf. That's right. A pouf! I found these photos along with her "indoor shade" photos. I thought poufs were a recent thing. A, no. Guess they have been around for years. Duh. Wonder what color that one really is?

Hmmm...what do you think about Nana's living room? I do remember that couch being about 40 feet long! The print above it is a wee bit small in scale for that sofa. Just my opinion.

I remember thinking the round table was kind of cool...

I love the barkcloth drapes...very tropical and hip. 'No' on the plastic flowers on the sideboard...

{Now don't you think Nana would be happy that her photos didn't end up in an old box, but shared with you all?}

Hmm...

Not really digging the bedroom. I do adore the pillows though. No offense to my Nana who was obviously proud enough to take pictures of the rooms. I'm just thinking about how ahead we are today with pulling things together in a different way. Just sayin.'

I do want a pouf now more than ever. Going to have to kick myself for not taking my Dads offer on some of this furniture. I was young. I want Nana's pouf!

Hotel Silver... New Arrivals!

Just added some pretty new pieces of hotel silver to the shop. If you want to check them out, click here to shop!

Groovy Grandma!

Happy Monday everyone!

I thought I'd share a few photos of my paternal grandmother, Nana. Ever since I can remember, she wore sunglasses indoors. I wonder why that was? Was she trying to be hip? Maybe she had a problem with her eyes, but I certainly don't remember that.

Anyway, have a "hip" week from Nana Goldfinger!

Happy Weekend...

We are on our third (?) week of storms and constant rain here in San Francisco, so I am laying low this weekend. Oh Spring, where are you?

Wishing you all a great weekend! Hope you have some signs of Spring in your area!

image: imkemper

Elizabeth Taylor

Real hollywood glamour...

A true legend.

RIP.

images via Life Magazine

The Secret Room.

Some of you may know that my husband is a concierge at the Sir Francis Drake hotel in downtown San Francisco. Well, the other night I received a private tour of the mysterious prohibition room in the dark corridors of the hotel.

Please join me on my little journey...

The "Drake" opened in 1928. A stunning Art Deco hotel lavished with ornate carving and chandeliers. The Drake housed vaudeville and screen stars. It was, and still is, a breathtakingly beautiful hotel.

Throughout its history, The Drake has been known as the "party" hotel, with the fabulous Starlight Room overlooking the City and the early prohibition days.

My private tour started with a ride up this elevator--the only elevator that takes you to the prohibition room. Before entering, my escort, Wei asked me if I wanted a cocktail. I saved it for later.

Wei, who loves giving the tour, escorted me into the speakeasy. It has its own floor located between the first and second floors of the hotel, and is accessible only with a special turn-of-the-key on the elevator.

Upon entering, Wei turns on a phonograph and plays a 1920s record. I was just in awe.

The prohibition room is staged with mannequins and antique memorabilia to bring you back in time. I definitely felt like I was back in the 20s.

The owners of the hotel wanted to make extra income by selling and distributing alcohol to its guests, thus, this room was part of the original building plan. It was a very discreet operation that only a few people actually knew about. A lot of the Drake employees didn't even know that alcohol was being distributed.

Talk about clever. The bottles were covered in brown paper bags, hidden in luggage, and delivered in trucks via the hotel garage. The bellman worked with the prohibition room operator for a seamless operation. If there was a raid, they pushed an emergency button and 'locked up.' There were several attempts to raid the hotel, but it never happened.

All of the rooms had dumb-waiters, so you could discreetly slide open the door and serve the guests. Celebrities knew that when they stayed at the Drake, within about 10 minutes of their arrival, there would be a bottle of alcohol in their room.

What an amazing little tour! Thanks Wei!

If you happen to visit The Drake in the near future, pay a visit to my husband Leif (& little Vito) at the concierge desk, tell him who you are, and have a drink on him!

Cheers!

Yes or No?

This is not my chair, it's from here...

Amazing.

Some of you may have read my earlier post about the fundraising disaster relief effort, For Japan With Love, created by the talented bloggers from Ever Ours and Utterly Engaged.

Their initial goal was to raise $5,500 in relief efforts for Japan, and as of today, they have raised $55,374! It's amazing how a group of people can pull together and do this.

Thanks to all who have participated. If you'd like to learn more about this, click here.

image from here

A Little Getaway

exterior of The Parker, Palm Springs

Since there are no signs of Spring any time soon here in Northern California, I thought it would be a perfect time to share some photos of my recent little getaway to Palm Springs, CA. I regret not taking more photos of the sprawling palm trees and mountains, but come with me and take a little look around, okay?

enter the orange doors of The Parker...

Enter the lobby which is filled with geometric shapes of '60s décor and Peruvian wall hangings. The 131-room and 12-villa resort is playful and entertaining. There are 3 swimming pools (one indoor), tennis courts, croquet, even a cute lemonade stand...

The Parker, designed by Jonathan Adler, doesn't disappoint. The whimsical lobby is eclectic and colorful.

I LOVE that vintage drug sign!

Love that shelf of 60's colorful decanters...

Some of Adler's pottery...

The bar in the middle of the lobby...

Would you like a shot of rum before your massage? Yes, that's what they ask you at The Palm Springs Yacht Club, PSYC for short. 'Tongue and cheek' going on here.

This spa is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. I could have lived there. After a massage one day and a sugar scrub the next, I was in heaven. Didn't have that shot of rum though...

What's a trip to Palm Springs without a little antiquing? Yes, we shopped and we found. A lot of wonderful modern decor...some great vintage finds!

Little secret...I love to gamble. And what fun...two Indian casinos just a few miles from the hotel...unfortunately no winnings to report...

The rooms weren't over-the-top, but the amenities...oh my. Here we go; L’Occitane and Hermes boxed soap (yes, that's right, Herme's beautiful soaps), Bulgari body lotion, Molton Brown shower gel, Penhaligon’s shampoo and conditioner, Blistex lip balm, and Peter Thomas Roth sunscreen. Needless to say, our suitcases conveniently used our products daily and were replenished by housekeeping.

It was a much-needed, short 4 day getaway, that seems like ages ago. I definitely recommend anyone going to Palm Springs to visit The Parker. At the least, check out the PSYC spa. It's divine!

Now go on and enjoy your Spring!

Happy Spring!

Tomorrow is officially the first day of Spring! Most of us have braved the elements this past winter and can't wait for the beautiful Spring season. Unfortunately in San Francisco, we won't be seeing any signs of Spring soon--forcasted rain, thunder and lightning. But, for the rest of you, enjoy this wonderful season!

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" -Mark Twain

image: Jacky Parker Photography

For Japan with Love.

Tomorrow I will taking part in the Bloggers Day of Silence for Japan and will not post to this blog.

This past week has been one of tears, helplessness, fear, courage and awareness. Hopefully, it's made us appreciate the smallest of things and not sweat the small stuff as much, as life can change in a fleeting moment. I cannot even begin to imagine what the Japanese people are going through.

Thanks to the generous organizing efforts of Henny and Lucia of Utterly Engaged and Lydia of Ever Ours, tomorrow will be a Bloggers Day of Silence to honor those lost, continue awareness, and to help raise money to support the urgent needs of the relief efforts.

If you were looking for ways to get involved, I hope you will join me. If you're a blogger join the long list of blogs participating in a Bloggers Day of Silence and/or contribute to For Japan with Love. Every action large and small helps tremendously.

Please help in any way that you are able.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Wishing my Irish (and non-Irish) friends a happy & lucky St. Patrick's Day!

Good Cheer & Good Luck!

Do You Own Hunter Boots?

This is totally random, but I just wondered if any of you owned Hunter rubber boots? I was so excited when I bought my Wellies, only to find that they develop an ugly white film!



I purchased the Hunter Boot Buffer. That worked for one wear, then back to white again. Then I took them to my shoe repair to the tune of $30, and white again! Who wants to buff your boots every time you wear them?

Do any of you have the same problem or can you recommend something? For over $100 a pair, I'm not too happy about buffing these things! Okay, out in the rain I go...