Royal Inspiration

As we prepare for the upcoming wedding of Prince William and Kate, I thought I'd devote this week to The Royals.

I just love the British-inspired line by the talented Laura Tarrish. Laura began her career as a graphic designer and some years later became inspired by collage-based illustration. Some of her clients include Apple Computer, The Boston Globe and Travel & Leisure. She even designed the retirement card for news anchor, Tom Brokaw!

The 'Royals' Card' (above)

Bridgetown Papers showcases Laura's amazing work which includes wrapping paper, note cards, photo frames, custom invitations and more. Pure eye-candy.

For her custom work she uses her client’s memorabilia, providing a wish list for them after a conversation about their project, and augments with imagery she researches or finds in her archives.

'Kings & Queens' collection (above) includes wrapping paper, notebooks, folders, bookmarks and more.

Laura's an avid collector of vintage maps, postcards, old travel guides, ticket stubs and more. You can see these wonderful vintage objects in her work.

Take for instance this design made from objects she collected while living in London. Isn't it fabulous?

English file folders

There is so, so much more to share about Laura's amazing work. You should see her Paris series!

You must visit her site Bridgetown Papers to view all of her work, and then mosey on over to Felt & Wire Shop to purchase her available retail goods. It's truly spectacular!

Thanks Laura for the wonderful inspiration. I LOVE my goodies!

Oddities...

Has anyone been watching the show Oddities on the Discovery Channel? If you like the weird and wonderful, you must tune in!

The show centers around the wonderful shop, Obscura Antiques & Oddities in New York City's East Village. I was fortunate enough to visit there a couple of years ago and was amazed at the layers of unusual and curious items they had to offer. I even found a couple of treasures for myself.

On the show Mike & Ryan, the proprietors of Obscura, visit shops, auctions, antique shows and estate sales to seek out one-of-a-kind pieces. Everything from bizarre medical instruments and taxidermy, to Victorian hair jewelry and shrunken heads!

What a fun show to watch! I just want to jump through the screen and shop with them. The second season just started yesterday, but the Discovery Channel reruns many of the episodes. Tune in and let me know what you think!

And, if you don't get the show on your TV, be sure and visit their website here and you can watch clips of it online!

Wishing you a great week ahead!

images from here

So Precious!

I stumbled upon this sweet photo on Pinterest, which led me to DreamSpun, an adorable shop on Etsy.

Ada at DreamSpun offers playful clothing like these ruffled pettiskirts, all with handpicked fabrics and trims. Great for your children, grandchildren, nieces, friends kids! They even carry adult pettiskirts -- if you dare!

Visit DreamSpun here...

Grande PRIZE.

Where can you find rare vintage Chanel posters & timeless accessories? How about glistening antique chandeliers from the Paris Flea Market? Or perhaps, an array of delectable candy from all over the world?

No need to stop anywhere else. PRIZE in Ashland, Oregon has all that and so much more! Take a look...




From classic jewelry to home furnishings, PRIZE is full of all sorts of wonder. And I'm not saying this just because the owner is a dear friend.

You must take a visit if you're in the charming Ashland area!

PRIZE
264 East Main Street
Ashland, Oregon 97520
(541) 482-0345

PHB Sale on One Kings Lane!

I'm honored (and so excited!) to be part of One Kings Lane Tastemaker Tag Sale beginning this evening. It's been in the works for a while now and I'm thrilled to finally share it with you!

If you're new to One Kings Lane, OKL partners with top brands and designers to give their members insider access to designer décor, fantastic gift selections, and exclusive tag sales curated by today's top tastemakers - at up to 70% off retail.

Paris Hotel Boutique will have major markdowns of items so please do check it out. This three day event starts tonight at 6pm PST / 9pm EST. You must be a member of One Kings Lane to access the sale. And...membership is free!

Click here to join One Kings Lane &

Click here to shop our sale!

Every Picture Tells a Story, Don't It?

Back in April of 2009 I blogged a few of my Favorite Things... which included an image of a trophy given to "The Parisian Cloak Company," in Kansas City for best dressed store window during the United Fashion Show in 1915.

Recently I was contacted by Joe Boeckholt. Joe stumbled upon my trophy photo and gave me some interesting history on it. Harzfeld's specialty store of Kansas City was originally known as the Parisian Cloak Company and was started in 1890. Small world, eh?

Last year Joe and Michele authored a book on Harzfeld's. The Boeckholts uncover the story behind Harzfeld's specialty store, from its first offering of coats, blouses, petticoats and furs to the beloved Petticoat Lane flagship location and regional network of satellite stores.

If you're interested in Kansas City history, this is a great read. You can purchase it here and visit Joe & Michele's blog here.

Thanks Joe & Michele for my copy of this book!

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

Some Fab Finds...

Saturday was another whirlwind day with Claudia. An early start at the Clars Auction house, then hitting the shops in the North Bay. It was wonderful to see some sun! And little Vito got to spend the day with the girls too!

LOVE these groovy 1960's 'Hermes Orange' chairs that I purchased. I even found a matching orange hat in an I. Magnin hatbox!

And this large oil on board "Missionary Recruits boarding the Empress of Missions, 1926" that I won at auction. It has a real "folk art" feeling to it.

Check out Claudia's blog for more photos (coming soon) from Saturday's shopping spree! I'll sure miss her when she goes back to Miami (:

Bye Bye Miss C. Have a great trip back!

New Arrivals at Paris Hotel Boutique!

Happy Monday!

Our new arrivals have just been added to the shop. From antique butterfly wing jewelry to 19th century paintings of French seascapes, there are over 40 items being showcased today!

Take a peek here...

Fiona Richards' Latest Collection~ Tres Fabu!

You may have read an earlier post of mine about Fiona Richards, the talent behind Cartolina Cards. I was thrilled to receive a package from Fiona...a complete set of her latest line of cards & journals! Many with a French theme.

Cartolina is one of my favorite lines. I have a large stash in my drawer ready for any occasion. This new line is amazing! The designs feature centuries old block prints and antique cartouches.

Love these notebooks...

And a new line of small pocket mirrors. Great gift items. All vintage-inspired!

You can purchase Cartolina items online here at Modern Paper Goods. They are also available at these retailers.

And thanks Fiona for my wonderful goodies!!!

photos from here