Paris Planning: The Perfect Shopping Day

Happy Friday, friends! What's on your weekend checklist? I'll be using my time to do a little more Paris dreaming. Thanks for your thoughts on our hotel selection - we landed on the Récamier with the promise of a top floor nest and our own private balcony. Now I'm thinking of perfect Paris days. My charming friends over at The Buzz Blog have sweetly volunteered to act as shopping guides and served up their tips for a shopping day in the Marais. Merci, ladies!

I'd love to hear what your perfect Paris shopping spree would entail...

 My Illustration

Vogue

Would you make a run toward the legendarily luxe addresses as fast as your Lanvin ballerinas would carry you?

Town & Country

Oh So Pretty

Or would you take your time meandering through the flea markets?

Vintage Paris Couture

Vintage Paris Couture

Or treasure hunt for the best vintage couture the city has to offer?

I'd love to hear what's on your shopping list!

Happy weekend! XO

Wearing Spring

"Earth laughs in flowers." - Henry David Thoreau

Rain or shine, it's nearly impossible not to be happy with flowers in bloom everywhere one looks. My toes may be cold when I splash through puddles in my sandals, there may be a trench coat thrown over my dress, but thanks to the flowers, I know it's spring. There's a beautiful garden of blooms from the Vogue archive over at Vogue.com today reminding me that one of the most beautiful ways to celebrate spring is to wear it:

Are you wearing spring today?

Just Arrived From France

So, last March, I wrote about the lack of bar stools in our kitchen and my inability to make a decision. But I did finally pull the trigger.  I talked Mr. H. into the classic wovens from TK Collections, because I'm a little obsessed with French café chairs....

Eye Poetry 

Eye Poetry

Little Brown Pen

Rebecca Plotnick

A year later, almost to the date, my new French friends finally arrived.  They were on a pretty slow boat - something about a shortage of the material they're made of, back orders, etc. Pas de probleme, they were worth the wait.

They get along so well with our breakfast nook chairs - they must all converse in French when I'm not around. And when I sip my espresso in the morning, I can almost believe I'm not far from a Paris café.

Little Brown Pen

So when it comes to decorating and furnishing your home, are you like me? Do you have a terrible time making decisions, and wait and wait for the perfect find to come along? Or are you able to make quick choices without regrets?

In My Own Backyard

"Just living is not enough...one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." -Hans Christian Anderson.

The other day I was catching up on Snippet & Ink, one of my favorite blogs for wedding and event inspiration, when a gorgeous table design caught my eye - I loved the subtle, elegant neutrals touched with a playful pop of orange.

Instead of my usual quick scan of the photos, I slowed down to read and find out who was behind the florals. I was thrilled to discover that the talent behind the table was McKenzie Powell Floral & Event Design - right here in my own backyard.

After two years of managing events for an Seattle-area angel investment firm, McKenzie Powell left to launch her own boutique floral & event design studio. "Raised amongst gardens and trained as a graphic designer" McKenzie's joy in flowers comes through in her work space and in her work.

Her philosophy from the age of 10: "Dinner tables are to be lovingly set, candles to be lit. A home (or an event) must be filled with beautiful things." I couldn't agree more, and would love to throw a bash just to work with her.

Photos from McKenzie Powell Flora & Event Design 

 

She designs for events big and small, does home decor and styling-- and will also deliver single arrangements in the Seattle or Bellevue area with 24 hours notice. (Hint, hint Mr. H.)

And if you live on the other side of the world her blog is full of beauty and inspiration.  Because one must have sunshine... and a little flower.

Blue & White + Yellow

Spring finally arrived in Seattle over the weekend. The sun came out for a few moments, although it kept arm wrestling with the clouds. But best of all, the temperatures climbed out of the 30s and reached clear into the 50s. I know that doesn't sound like much, but we'll take it. And it's about time! For the past few weeks, I've been wanting to knit all the flowers sweaters or something.  You could positively see them shivering in the hail and snow flurries.

I celebrated by bringing spring into the house. Turns out, yellow plays beautifully with blue and white...

The rain may return,  but I'll take it over slush any day. You can bet that I'll be skipping into work with bare legs today. 

Did you and spring get to celebrate this weekend? Hope it was lovely!  XO

Raise a Glass!

My Illustration

Happy Friday, all! Ready to toast the weekend? I am. Today's cocktail of choice? The French 75, of course. Perfect for celebrating Paris plans and a fun night out with the girls!

What are you raising a glass to this weekend? Hope yours is a cheery one! XO

Paris Planning: Where Would You Stay?

Hi all! Hope you'll indulge me as I go with a bit of a Paris theme this week. I think half the fun of travel is in the planning. Square one? Where to sleep. Apartment or hotel? Last trip--a dreamy girls' escape in the middle of winter--we loved having a spacious apartment in the Marais. But this time, I'm looking for a little cafe-creme-in-bed, concierge-at-my-finger tips kind of pampering. So hotel, please. But which one? Let's start with location.  

 My illustration

Loved our stay on the Right Bank last time, but I'm a Left Bank kind of a girl and always feel most at home in St. Germain des Pres. With that little thumbtack on the map, I've managed to narrow the choices to four...

Here's where you come in. I'm wondering which of the four your would pick as your nest for a week in Paris?

The Hotel Recamier, a cozy little gem designed by John Louis Denoit, just off the Place San Sulpice:

The Christian Liagre-designed understated chic of the Hotel Montalembert, complete with sidewalk terrace for watching le tout de monde go by:

 A sweet pastel macaron box of a hotel, La Belle Juliette, designed by Anne Gelbard:

Or the gorgeous grande dame of the hotel de charme set, the verdant Relais Christine:

All are gorgeous -- is it any wonder why I can't seem to make up my mind?

Would love to hear where you'd prefer to unpack your bags and stay for a while!