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!

Easter Parades

Are any of you going to an Easter Parade?

There is something so glamorous about Judy Garland and Fred Astaire in the movie "Easter Parade," 1948.

Look at the fancy ladies in their bonnets, 1964

Looks like this whole group is ready for a parade! How about you?

In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it,
You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade.
I'll be all in clover and when they look you over,
I'll be the proudest fellow in the Easter parade.
On the avenue, Fifth avenue, the photographers will snap us,
And you'll find that you're in the rotogravure.
Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet,
And of the girl I'm taking to the Easter parade.

images: randomly acquired w/ no sources

Where the Past Meets the Present

Have you had a chance to see the new shelter and lifestyle magazine, Anthology?

The talented editor Anh-Minh Le and creative director Meg Mateo Ilasco cover décor, travel, design, entertaining, and culture with wonderful narratives in this beautiful print, yes print, publication.

What a fabulous publication it is -- chock-filled with goodies. Anthology is printed on such quality paper stock that you don't want to ear-mark the pages!

image: looking into the Past Flickr Group

The latest Winter issue, "Where the Past Meets the Present" is filled with such great nostalgia that you must pick up a copy. I especially loved the feature "Once & Again," where members of a Flickr group return to the scene of an old snapshot and align it to create a new photo. Very clever!

image: Looking into the Past Flickr Group

So, of course I had to scour through boxes of old photos to find one whose setting was close enough in proximity to visit. The sleuth that I am, I quietly snuck up to my childhood home (not too far away from where I live now) and tried to "match" the photo to the original scene. After the shots, I jetted off as fast as I could!

This is my Mom holding my childhood dog. Actually the grass looks greener now, doesn't it?

My cousin, friend and I (middle) in front of my house, 1972.

I didn't do too well aligning the above photo, but you get the overall feel, right?

You definitely may want to try this little snapshot idea. It's a lot of fun seeing what has changed about the old surroundings and melding the past with the present.

Also, be sure and check out Anthology magazine. It's printed quarterly. Visit their website here to subscribe and find out the stockists in your area. Issue 3 to be out any time now!

first image: looking into the Past Flickr Group

New Arrivals at Paris Hotel Boutique!

Come One, Come All!

Paris Hotel Boutique is celebrating Spring with a touch of whimsy!

From the Paris Carnival to the Royal Wedding, you'll find an eclectic assortment of items to bring a smile to your face. Some highlights include...

• Antique French Carousel Horse
  
  
• 19th C. French Globe

• Vintage Lady Portrait Paintings
  
  
• 19th C. Medical Table
  
  
• 1920s Royal Family Cufflinks
  
  
• Vintage Store Display Mirrors
  
  
• Assorted Dog Items
  
  
• Shapely Cast Aluminum Chandelier & much more!

Please click here to shop our latest additions!

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

1911 on YouTube

In honor of April Fools' Day, YouTube is taking a trip down memory lane with an old school twist on modern videos. Take a look...it's great!

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!

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!

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!