Treats from Paris Hotel Boutique!

I hope that all of you in the states had a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Today kicks off the official holiday shopping season and I'm thrilled to tell you about my favorite chocolatier, Maison Bouche, and their new chocolat lines!

But before I do, I wanted to let you know that every purchase from Paris Hotel Boutique through the end of the year will receive Maison Bouche chocolat!!

Maison Bouche (literally translated as "house of the mouth") is named after the sumptuous kitchens at Versailles, and based here in the Bay Area. Maison Bouche's packaging is as divine as the scrumptious taste of their confections.

Diane, the owner of Maison Bouche has pulled out the stops with 4 new lines; Holiday 2010, New Year's, Bonne Année and Liqueurs. The wrappers are divine, taken from old French ephemera. The flavors are amazing;

Liqueurs; Champagne, Rum, Cassis, Chartreuse, Absinthe, Cognac, Whiskey Kirsch and Génépy. Each are Noir (dark) and come in a medium bar or gift box collection.

Holiday 2010; Flavors in the Noir set; Fleur de Sel, Cherry Clafoutis, Mint, Eggnog, Gingerbread, Chestnut, Sage and Candied Orange, Curry with Candied Ginger, Café and Pear with Black Pepper.

Flavors in the Lait set; Fleur de Sel, Cherry Clafoutis, Mint, Eggnog, Gingerbread, Tarte Tatin, Balsamic Fig and Cranberries, Café and Pistachio with Candied Orange.

New Year's & Bonne Année; Fleur de Sel & Champagne

These are truly amazing as I just received my large assortment... all ready for you, my loyal customers, as a little token of my thanks!

So, if you're looking for a unique item, visit Maison Bouche website here to purchase their divine chocolat, OR, make a purchase at Paris Hotel Boutique and receive a complimentary chocolat (s)!

Happy Shopping!

Ethereal Eye Candy.

Happy Ever After~
Is this what Cinderella saw through her eyes?

That is the title of this stunning blog post by Jamie Beck, From Me to You.

I was elated to discover Jamie via fellow blogger Shilo while searching photo credit for that lovely pink chair image that I recently posted. Funny thing is that I had swoon over Jamie's blog before, but just assumed that the photos were random images taken from the internet. But no, the entire blog is Jamie's brilliant photography.

Jamie resides in New York City, collects vintage cameras and typewriters, and shares her beautiful photography with us. These images are of Jamie daydreaming among the French rooms that inspired her at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Stunning, don't you agree?

For more amazing eye-candy, be sure and visit Jamie's blog From Me to You here.

image credits: Jamie Beck

Vincent Olinet: A World of Fantasy

Petit Gateau, 2003

Happy Monday everyone! I hope those of you in the US are enjoying the long holiday weekend.

I thought I'd start the week off with my latest obsession -- whimsical mixed media sculptures by Vincent Olinet. You may have seen my recent post featuring his floating canopy bed installation.

Je suis le gateaux de tous les francais, 2007

("I am the all-French's cake"-- made of wood, plaster, foam, sugar, resin)

Vincent Olinet lives and works in Brussels. His work has a strong sense of humor, such as increasing the size of an object to enormous.

His series of monumental cakes made of both synthetic and real confectionery, were whimsical yet told a story. A symbol of decadence, abundance and decay.

La vitrine - Exhibition view, Galerie Laurent Godin, Paris, 2007

Je vous aime tous, 2006
("I love you all"--made of wood, metal, foam, carpet, fresh flowers)

Sans titre (untitled) - 2007-2008 39 pieces in wood and metal - various dimensions

If you want to see more of Vincent Olinet's work, visit his website here, or the Laurent Godin Gallery here.

photo credits: Vincent Olinet, Laurent Godin Gallery

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

French Arrivals at Paris Hotel Boutique!

At Paris Hotel Boutique we're celebrating all of our Dads & Grads with an eclectic assortment of new arrivals from France! Highlights include...

* Assorted Antique French Bottles

* French Luggage Tag Collections

* Early French Oil Paintings

* Flemish Leaf Awards

* c. 1900 French School Clock

* Mother of Pearl Accessories

* Deco Mirrored Table and more!

Please click here to see our latest additions...

Vies de Chiens: Lives of Dogs

I'm frequently asked about antique dog-related items for sale, and yes, we have them at Paris Hotel Boutique!

I just love vintage dog items from portraits & engravings, to books & collars. When I came across this out-of-print French book, Vies de Chiens, I was astounded by the beautiful photos of old precious kennels, collars, leashes, clothes, dogs in royal courts and lists of dog owners from the 16th-19th centuries.

The book is entirely in French, but the photos are great, and if you read French, all the better! I own a white toy poodle, so I love the cover too.

The book was published in Paris by editor, Alain De Gourcuffin with 150 pages featuring an exhibition of canine accouterments and art that was held in Paris between the 15th of December 2000 and the 31st of March 2001.

I would love to amass a large collection of vintage dog memorabilia. Imagine a wall of old dog portraits!

Antique French Dog Collar from parishotelboutique.com
Antique French Dog Collar from parishotelboutique.com

Currently at Paris Hotel Boutique we have antique French dog collars for sale here and here. We have a copy of this book available as well here.

Hope you enjoyed the photos!

Photos from Vies de Chiens book & parishotelboutique.com